WRITING AND PRESENTING PROPOSALSTOPIC 8

What is a research proposal?Is intended to convince others that you have a research project worth doing and that you have the skills and competency to successfully complete itContains all the key elements involved in research

Research proposals should address following questions:What are you studying?Identify subject/topicWho is it for?Stakeholders,What do you wish to do?What do you hope to accomplish?Significance, goals, contribution to knowledge, nation, stakeholders, etc Why do you want to do it?How are you going to do it?Procedures and methods

Elements of a research proposalCover pageProblem statementLimitations of studyLiterature reviewResearch planTime lineResources

Writing a Research Proposal1.Stakeholders and their concernsInvolves you (the proposer)People who will supervise ( your tutor/supervisor)People in the institution you workPeople in the organization where research is carried out

Writing a Research ProposalCritical factors in proposal evaluationImportant to have clear-cut evaluation to clarify goals, define objectives, refine procedures during initial proposal development stage

Evaluation serves a number of useful purposes:Clarifies objectives of research projectEnhances understanding of steps and processes required by the projectProvides information that will help in decision makingHelps to measure if, and how, goals and objectives can be met

Writing a Research ProposalPutting a Proposal TogetherRefine your titleThree Plays by A. Samad SaidA comparison of Female Characters in Three Plays by A. Samad Said talk ideas to friends/supervisorWrite brief notesRead, put aside, reread and reflectKeep readingMull over write-up (in case you want to change)Sort out sub-topicsCarry put referencing

OTHER TYPES OF PROPOSALSFormal ProposalsFormal proposal :- submitted by/through an organization eg college to another organization eg corporationWritten in a business-like mannerIs straightforward, direct and preciseInforms readers about purpose, aims and benefitsFrom significance to methodology to instruments

OTHER TYPES OF PROPOSALSInformal ProposalWritten neatly in a structured mannerDone on a smaller scaleCarries less weight than formal proposalDoes not aim to seek funding or for academic degree

What are the differences between informal and formal proposals?

OTHER TYPES OF PROPOSALSBusiness ProposalsDeveloped for one of two proposals (June Campbell, 2002)Company tenders goal to be shortlistedAn idea, concept or project you want to propose to gain support, funding or an alliance make a favourable impression

Guidelines for a good business proposalClarityStrive to communicate, not to impressError freePrint and bindLayoutVisual elementsTitle pageBe politically correctJargon freeExplain the role of technology

Proposals for Feasibility StudyAim to give readers an overview of the primary issues related to a business ideaPurpose to identify any make or break issues that may prevent business from being successful

Feasibility studyA brief, formal analysis of a prospective business ideaGoal is to entrepreneur a clear evaluation of the potential for sales and profit from a particular ideaFocuses on market size and shares, competing products or services, pricing structure and likely sales and profits of the prospective business

Market Research ProposalMarket IssuesShould answerWhat precisely constitutes the market?Is the market growing, shrinking, or staying the same?Is the market you have identified big enough to make it worth your time investing in this business?Organizational/Technical issuesExplore organizational and technology needsFinancial IssuesKey financial issues, eg start-up costs, operating costs, revenue projections, financing and profitability analysis

Feasibility Study Proposal

Map out a projects strengths and potentialAnalyse and predict the impact of expansionHighlight the pros and cons of your ideasProject profits and growth