This document provides an overview of what a research proposal is and how to write one. It defines a research proposal as a plan that describes how the researcher will undertake their proposed study. The document then discusses the importance and advantages of developing a research proposal, such as helping to plan the research, reducing wasted effort, and convincing others that the research is worth supporting. Finally, it outlines the typical contents of a research proposal, including sections for the title, abstract, introduction, literature review, research design, limitations, and references.

1. Writing the Research
Proposal 1

2. Contents
• What is proposal?
• What is research proposal
• Value of research proposal
• Importance of research proposal
• Advantages of research proposal
• Contents of research proposal
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3. What is proposal
• A plan or suggestion, especially a formal or written one, put
forward for consideration by others.
• A Research proposal “is a document that outline how you purpose
to undertake your research studies” (mouton 2001:p.44)
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4. What is research proposal
Research proposal is a document written by a researcher that
provides a detailed description of the proposed program,
It is like an outline of the entire research process that gives a
reader a summary of the information discussed in a project.
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5. What is research proposal
• Simply your research proposal should reflect:
1. What you are going to research
2. Why you are going to research this particular area
3. What is the significance of researching this area
4. How you are going to conduct the research
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6. Value of Research Proposal
The best research is well planned
A key step in carrying out such planning is the preparation of a
research proposal
The development of the proposal can help to reduce wasted effort
and provide a more efficient, problem-free study by encouraging
the researcher to clarify the exact nature of the investigation
The investigator should specify the procedures which researcher
expects to follow
The researcher will be better prepared to carry out all of the
necessary, relevant steps
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7. Importance of research proposal
Help examine what the researcher intends to do
Research proposal can serve as a document of contract for the
project
Research proposal can be effective starting places to discuss
projects with your professors, too
Research proposals can be effective starting places to give an
overview of the research project so that other people understand
the scope of the research, as well as your proposed methodology
and chosen research
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8. Advantages of research proposal
Fund to support your research
Allow you to review and critically evaluate your current research
Convince yourself and others that your research is worth
supporting
Keep you focused on your research program
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9. Organization and Contents of a Proposal
The format of a research proposal will vary somewhat according to the
purpose of the proposal and the institutions involved.
The major components are generally the same.
The following sequence or order in which they usually occur;
 Title Page
 Abstract
 Table of Contents
 Introduction and Statement of the Problem
 Review of Related Research
 Research Design
 Institutional Reseach
 Limitations of the Study
 Back Matter
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10. Title Page
Most sponsoring agencies specify the format for the title page,
and may even provide a special form.
universities usually specify the format to be followed by doctoral
students.
The following matter will be covered by the title page normally;
 Topic/ Research Problem
 Researcher Name with designation
 Supervisor Name
 Monogram
 Institutional description
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11. Abstract
A short summary or abstract of
about 200 words
The abstract should touch on
every major component of the
proposal
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12. Table of Contents
A table of contents is not always deemed necessary, especially for
brief proposals
An overview of the organization of the proposal
Outlining the major components of the proposal
It may provide lists of illustrations, tables, appendices.
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13. Introduction
what is being proposed can
help to introduce the subject
to the reader?
Some authors use
introductions to outline the
major components of the
proposal
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14. Statement of the Problem
A separate problem section, also introduces the problem to be
studied
A brief historical background for the problem where appropriate
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15. Review of Related
Research
It cites and briefly reviews the
related research studies that
have been conducted
The theoretical or conceptual
framework is established for
the subsequent stages,
particularly the development
of the hypothesis
The literature review helps to
suggest the best approach to
seeking a solution to the
problem.

16. Research Design
Goals and objectives
Hypothesis
Assumptions
Definitions
Methodology
Treatment of the data
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17. Institutional research
Useful to describe relevant resources that are available to support the
proposed research project
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18. Limitations of the
Study
Typically, the last section of
the text of a research proposal
points out the limitations of
the project
the limitations imposed by the
research method
the researcher is stating what
the research can and cannot
do
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19. Back Matter
The list of references or cited works
Bibliography according to some specific Standard, e. g. APA,
Chicago, etc.
End notes.
Appendix, Index, etc.
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