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INTRODUCTION TO DRAFTING THE RESEARCH PROPOSALcc

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Aims of research proposalc

×c The research proposal is an argument. It has to sell. c

×c x..to explain and justify your proposed study to an audience of non -experts on
your topic¶(Maxwell, 1996, 100-101)cc
×c Ñour job is to show that it follows certain norms in accordance with the discipline
under which the research is proposedcc
×c To persuade a committee of scholars of the following: c
ñc Conceptual innovationcc
ñc Methodological rigorc

cRich, substantive content.c
cProposals should indicate awareness and tolerance of

alternative viewpointsc
cAll research is more or less comparative because it must use,
implicitly or explicitly, some point of reference.
cResearch is in part about summarizing,
comparing, and integrating all relevant theory and research into your topic. c
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Three key points in this ordercc

c ‰hat questions is the research trying answer? ‰hatcc

c How will the research answer those questions? Howcc
c ‰hy are these questions worth answering? ‰hy?c

ENTRIES IN A RESEARCH PROPOSALcc

2.1 A formulation of the question or statement of the problem

2.2 Statement of the subproblems

2.3 Statement of the hypotheses

2.4 Delimitation of the research

2.5 Definition of concepts

2.6 The assumptions

2.7 The significance of the research

2.8 A review of relevant literature

2.9 A methodological justification

2.10 The researcher's qualifications

2.11 Envisaged programme of study

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2.12 Source list

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INDIVIDUAL COMPONENTS OF THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Introductionc

×c †egin with something interesting, a quote or a story, to capture the reader's

attention.cc
×c Surprises, puzzles, and apparent contradictions can also be a great startercc
×c ‰hat do you want to understand? How did you personally get interested in the
question?cc

Statement of the problem c

×c Research starts with a question leading to the delimitation and description of a

problem. c
×c Research without clearly formulated problem or without problem statement
leads nowhere. c
×c How to problematize? c
ñc Look for gaps, deficiencies, areas of darkness; look for topics where
evidence is (out)dated.cc
ñc ‰atch for incongruities and contradictions among competing theories, the
points of controversy, the untested conclusionscc
ñc Follow clues and suggestions obtained from readings, conferences, a nd
thinking.cc
×c Formulate a researchable problem, with enough detail, precision, and clarity that
anyone who knows the language in which the question is written can read it,
understand it, and react to it in the absence of the researcher. c
×c Turn the problem or the statement into an economically formulated interrogative
sentence; N†: these are not rhetorical questions, but questions for which the
answer is not obvious and needs researching;cc
×c The problem must be answerable within the time limits available for you, and
takes into account the nature of the degree you are seeking, and the level of
investment you are expected to be capable of making. c

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The Subproblems c

×c Each problem consists of various distinctive components known as subproblems,

usually between 2 and 6 subproblems .cc
×c The solution of the subproblems together will solve the main research problem. cc
×c Present the subproblems in question form.cc
×c Each subproblem must be a researchable problem, necessitating the collection,
analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of data, as well as deductions and conclusions. cc
×c Omit everything beyond the scope of the problem. c
×c ´uestions about methodology are not part of the problemcc

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Statement of the Hypothesis (Travers (1969 : 68) c

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×c Not always necessary to state hypothesis especially in human sciences.cc

×c The hypothesis need not be confirmed; It just must be testable so it can be proved
as true or not true. it can be rejected without jeopardizing the value and
acceptability of research.cc
×c A hypothesis must be stated clearly, precisely, and unambiguously, stated, using
simple terms. c
×c It must be possible to test the hypothesis within a reasonable time period. c
×c Do not try to prove your hypothesis true; you are then jeopardizing the
impartiality of your research. c

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Delimiting the researchc

×c Do not attempt too wide an investigation. State the boundaries of the problem
clearly so you don't get astray in the periphery, interesting as it may be. c
×c Along with a statement of what falls under your research, you should also state
what is not within the scope, e.g. "This study will not attempt to .... This study
will not determine... This study will be limited to ... c

Definition of conceptscc

×c Since research is communication with other researchers; terminology must not

be haphazard. It has to be explained exactly as used in the research project in
such a manner that it is not misinterpreted by other scientists. c
×c Terminology in the title, statement of the problem and subproblems must be
appropriately defined and authoritatively referenced.cc
×c Abbreviations must also be clearly defined, along with the sources.cc

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The assumptions c

×c Assumptions (those statements that you take for granted as a researcher) relating
to the problem must be clearly stated and justified.cc
×c †e specific in naming and describing your research paradigm, that is the
theoretical and epistemological underpinnings of your research.cc
×c The researcher must not make assumptions regarding what they are
investigating. c

Significance of the research c

×c Cite relevant literature that calls for the need for research in this particular area,
case, period.cc
×c Timely question to be addressed; problem looming in case the situation is not
addressed.cc
×c Relevance of research in connection with current theoretical debatecc
×c ‰ho will benefit by this research? (Teachers, educators, educational authorities,
parents, scholars, etc.)cc
×c ‰hat are we going to learn as the result of the proposed project that we do not
know now? c
×c ‰hy is it worth knowing? c

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×c How might your research have direct or indirect applications?cc

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A review of related literature c

×c Not a final source list at the stage of research proposal writing. c

×c Focused review of the literature representing the current state of knowledge with
regard to the research undertaken. c
×c Literature search demonstrates researcher's ability to conduct research and
knowledge of subject matter. c
×c Aim of literature study: bring researcher's attention to similar studies; reveal a
technique previously used in this specific case, reveal unknown sources of data,
new ideas or approaches, prevent researcher from addressing problem already
exhausted.cc
×c Literature review demonstrates your knowledge of the contradictions and
inaccuracies in published material (Puth, 1985: 5)cc
×c Say how has the literature review influenced the way you are approaching the
topic?cc
×c Literature must be critically evaluated and correctly reported in the proposal. c
×c Only relevant literature must be mentioned in the review.cc

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Methodological justification c

×c †e specific about how you plan to collect information, about the techniques you
will use to analyze it, and about the tests of validity to which you commit
yourself.cc
×c âustify your research method; Remember, a research methodology is not just a
list of research tasks to be performed. Make a sustained argument to the effect
that the methodology you are pursuing is the best way to attack the problem at
hand. c
×c Cite authors who have defined your research paradigm and its application to
your field of study. c
×c If existing methods are not applicable, say why they have been adapted in order
to solve the problem.cc
×c If the researcher expects problems with the method, then there is a need to
indicate how these will be solved.cc
×c Do you have access to the information needed to answer your research questions?cc

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The researcher's qualifications c

×c The researcher must show that they are adequately qualified to complete the
research project successfully. c
×c Describe the personal and professional experience you have for tackling the
research.cc

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Intended programme of study c

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×c The researcher must envisage a time schedule for the research to be completed.cc
×c The researcher must present an outline of the chapters to be included in the
thesis.cc
×c References and sources to be included at the end of the proposal.cc
×c Committee members take the bibliography very seriously: relevant, up-to-date,
following known referencing norms (APA).cc
×c Seek help and input with regard to research area from significant others
(correspondence, libraries, electronic mail, discussion groups, mailing lists, online
research databases (ERIC), friends in the know, a seminar, experts in your field,
experts from similar fields, your supervisor/advisor, etc.)cc

Appendicescc

×c Make use of appendices so as not to clutter or overload the proposal with

unnecessary information or detail.cc

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REFERENCESc
Clough, P. & C. Nutbrown. 2002. A Student's Guide to Methodology. London: Sage
Publications.c
c
Heath, A. ‰. (1997, March). The proposal in qualitative research [41 paragraphs]. The
Qualitative Report [On-line serial], 3(1). Available: http://www.nova.edu/ssss/´R/´R3-
1/heath.htmlc
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Przeworski , A. & Salomon, F. The Art of ‰riting Proposals: Some Candid Suggestions
for Applicants to Social Science Research Council Competitions. 1995 (rev.), 1988 Social
Science Research Council. Retrieved from the ‰ord ‰ide ‰eb:
http://www.ssrc.org/fellowships/art_of_writing_proposals.page c