WRITING A RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Dr. Ahmad Jusoh

On what criteria are research proposal judged?Do you have a clear idea of what you plan to

research? Does your proposal have focus? Is it a topic worthy of academic study and

significance? Do you demonstrate an adequate understanding of

the debates in the literature on this topic? Is the project feasible? Do you have a realistic idea

of how you are going to tackle the investigation? Is it doable within the time constraints? Does the bibliography and referencing conform to

accepted conventions? Is it technically faultless?

The process of developing a research proposal

Broad Theme

Particular Topic

Problem within the

topic

The format of a research proposal:Chapter 1: Introduction

1) Research Background (introduction)2) Research Problem and Research Questions

I. The engine of your thesisII. How to identify Research Problem?

I. Literature Driven.II. READ, READ, READ & NO SHORT-CUTIII. Demonstrate that you are familiar with the academic

debates on the issues chosen. III. It should focus on a gap in the debates /a puzzle / an

ambiguityIV. You should be able to explain why it is a problem and why it

is worthy of study. V. If the answer to the question is already known, or one on

which there is scholarly consensus, then the question is not worth pursuing.

VI. Questions can start with “can?”, “should?”, “is?”, “how?”, “what?”, “why?” etc.

Chapter 1: Introduction

3) Research Objectivesi. Derived from research questionsii. Objective: Which is the problem your thesis hopes to

address and aimed at an academic audience. iii. Your thesis must have an academic aim as its central

aim. iv. Consider starting your objectives with words like

“To…: explore, investigate, analyze, determine, understand, compare, evaluate, assess.

4) Significant of the studyi. Academic/ theoretical i.e; To understand the phenomenaii. Strategic/practical i.e; To provide recommendation for

policy makers.

5) Definitions of Terms

Chapter 2: Literature Review A review of the relevant literature

a) The literature review is crucial to formulating the framework of the research.

b) Examine past and recent studies that act as a basis for proposed study.

c) Begin from comprehensive perspective moving to more specific studies (that relate to your problem).

d) Discuss the current status of your topice) Avoid the inessential literature.f) Emphasize on the:

i. importance results, most recent findings and conclusion of other studies. Any contradict findings?

ii. trend from previous researchiii. In what context is most of the literature locatediv. Methodology or design (that could be duplicated or

should be avoided)

f) Emphasize on the .. (conti.)v. The interpretation of the key conceptsvi. What theoretical model relates to your research

topic?

g) Demonstrate that you have some sense of the debates in literature around the topic.

h) Must show relationship between literature & Problem Statement.

i) Discussion of the relationship between the important variables provide basis for hypothesis development.

j) The literature review help you to formulate the framework of the research.

Chapter 2: Literature Review

Chapter 3: MethodologyDescribe “How you are going to do”-> Research design.Unit of analysis (respondents): individual? Company?

Provide justification!!Purpose of study: Exploration? Description? Hypothesis

testing?Research Design:

Sampling Procedure…Justification!!!Data Collection Method:

Quantitative? Survey / secondary data.. Justification!!! Qualitative?? Structured or semi structured Interview?/

Participant Observation?.. Justification!!!Reliability & validity of the instrumentResult of the pilot testData Analysis techniques:

Parametric/non-parametric/qualitative? … Justification!!!

4.0 Indicative Structure of a ThesisChapter %

of report

1. Introduction Background &Purpose of the study. Research Problem, Research Questions, Research Objectives Significant of the study

10

2. Literature Review Evaluation of the existing body of knowledge on the topic Theoretical Framework (if applicable) demonstrate an adequate understanding of the debates in the literature

on the topic Hypothesis formulation (if applicable)

30

3. Methodology Research Design

Purpose of study (exploration/Description/Hypothesis Testing?), Sampling, Unit of measurement, Measurement, Data collection Method, Data Analysis Techniques

Justification for choice of methods

20

4. Finding/Result Presentation & Discussion

30

5. Conclusion Summary of what you found out in relation to each research question Your contribution to knowledge Limitation of your research & suggestion for future research Implication of your research for practice or policy

10