The document provides guidance on writing a research proposal. It explains that a research proposal justifies conducting research on a particular topic by presenting the benefits and outcomes of the proposed study. It recommends including a title, abstract, introduction, literature review, research methodology, potential results, discussion, and references. The introduction should provide background context on the research problem, state the aims and research question, and introduce any hypotheses. The literature review critically evaluates previous work and relates it to the research question.

1. Writing Your Research
Proposal
DR. AVASHA RAMBIRITCH

2. Research Proposal Definition
A research proposal is a document written with the goal of presenting and justifying your
interest and need for conducting research on a particular topic.
It must highlight the benefits and outcomes of the proposed study, supported by
persuasive evidence.

3. Research Proposal Format
Your proposal should have enough data and information to persuade and convince your
readers regarding the significance of your research. Here is a basic format you can follow
while writing your proposal.
•Title
•Abstract
•Introduction
•Literature Review
•Research Methodology
•Result
•Discussion
•References

5. Title
Your proposal title should be concise and clear to indicate your research question.
The title is the first thing that your reader is going to read. A catchy yet informative title will
attract readers.
Your readers should know what to expect in the paper after reading the title.
Make it concise and well defined.

6. Abstract
The abstract is a short summary that is around 100-250 words.
The abstract should include the research question, hypothesis of your research (if there is any),
the research methodology and findings.
If the proposal is detailed then it will require a section of the table of contents after the abstract.

7. Introduction
You need to start with a strong introduction. The introduction is written to provide a background
or context related to your research problem. It is important to frame the research question
while writing the proposal.
Your entire proposal will revolve around your research question. If the research question is not
specific and has a very general literature review, then your proposal might seem insignificant. A
specific research question will make your research focused on.
However, there is no one way to frame your research question. Start the introduction with a
general statement related to the problem area you are focusing on and the justification for your
study.

8. Introduction
The introduction usually covers the following elements.
1. What is the purpose of your research or study?
2. Mention the background information and significance before you introduce your research
question.
3. Introduce your research question in a way that its significance is highlighted by setting the
stage for it.
4. Briefly mention the issues that you are going to discuss and highlight in your study.
5. If there is a hypothesis or a theory related to your research, state it in the introduction.

10. Elements of an Introduction
1. Background and Context
2. Problem Statement
3. Aims
4. Research Question/Hypotheses

11. Background and context
• Explain why you are personally interested in this
topic.
• Briefly summarise how there is a gap in current
knowledge in this
area.

12. Problem statement
• You are not only conducting this study because the topic is
something that interests you. The goal of research is to solve a
problem. You need to very clearly explain the problem you have
identified (in the “real world” or theoretically, and how there is a
lack of knowledge regarding this problem).
• Give a clear explanation of the research problem(s).
• Explain why your research is worth doing. In what ways will your
study be significant?

13. Aims
• After laying a foundation by explaining what the research problem
is, now you can articulate how your study aims to address/explore
this problem.
• State your aim(s) clearly and succinctly to orientate the reader.
• Your aims can be situated in a broader context (how do you hope
that this study will contribute to knowledge/society more broadly?).

14. Research question(s) or hypotheses
• Questions guide the study. Often, a research study will be guided by
one or two main research questions and a few sub-questions.
• Your questions should not simply be an attempt to “discover” what
you have already assumed to be true at the outset. Good research
should surprise you!
• You should also avoid simply “fishing” (collecting data just to see
what comes out).
• The wording of your research question needs to be aligned to your
methodology and to your theoretical framework.
• Typically, a qualitative study will be driven by a research question
and a quantitative study will be driven by hypotheses.

16. Literature Review
The following are the basic purposes of the literature review.
1. To give reference to the researchers whose study has been a part of your research.
2. To help you construct a precise and clear research question.
3. To critically evaluate previous literature information related to your research.
4. To understand research issues relevant to the topic of your research.
5. To convince the reader that your research is an important contribution to the relevant niche.

17. Literature Review
A literature review is an important component. However, there are some common mistakes that
students make while reviewing the literature.
1. Lack of organization and coherence.
2. No proper structure.
3. Lack of focus on the topic.
4. Not citing the papers and researchers properly.
5. Not including the recent studies relevant to the topic.
6. Trivial citation

19. References
https://www.editage.com/insights/6-differences-between-a-study-background-and-a-literature-
review
https://www.allassignmenthelp.co.uk/blog/structure-of-a-literature-review/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTC-5P1VFFU&app=desktop