RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Research proposal A 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.

Research Proposal Introduction Statement of Problem Purpose of the study Review of the literature Question and or Hypothesis Research Design Limitation and Delimitation Significance of the study References Appendixes

Introduction It provides readers with the background information

for the research reported in the paper. Describe the general field of research and than

narrow down to the specific area you are concerned with.

Establish a framework for the research (Conceptual or Theoretical ), so that readers can understand how it is related to other research.

Conceptual and Theoretical Framework

Theoretical Framework: Stimulus elicits response. Conceptual Framework: New teaching method improves

students’ academic performance. Conceptual framework describes the relationship

between specific variables identified in the study. Theoretical framework provides a general

representation of relationships between things in a given phenomenon. It describes a broader relationship between things.

Introduction should contains

1. Create reader interest in the topic,2. Lay the broad foundation for the

problem that leads to the study.3. Place the study within the larger

context of the scholarly literature.4. Reach out to a specific audience.

Statement of Problem It will outline the basic facts of the

problem, explain why the problem matters, and pinpoint a solution as quickly and directly as possible.

To explain the problem or issue the report is addressing.

How to write problem statement? Describe the "ideal" state of affairs: Provide background context first so that problem

are easier to understand. Describe the goals, desired state of Problem.

Ex: you work at a major airline and that you've noticed that the way passengers board our planes is an inefficient use of time and resources. 

Problem Statement: The boarding protocols used by ABC Airlines should aim to get each flight's passengers aboard the plane quickly and efficiently so that the plane can take off as soon as possible . The process of boarding should be optimized for time-efficiency but also should be straightforward enough that it can be easily understood by all passengers

How to write problem statement? Explain your problem: Describe a condition that

prevents the goal, state, or value discussed in statement.

Problem Statement: However, ABC Airline's current passenger boarding system is an inefficient use of the company's time and resources. By wasting employee man hours, the current boarding protocols make the company less competitive, and by contributing to a slow boarding process, they create an unfavorable brand image.

How to write problem statement? Explain why we need to solve the problem:

Problem Statement: The inefficiency of the current boarding system represents a significant financial burden for the company. On average, the current boarding system wastes roughly four minutes per boarding session, resulting in a total of 20 wasted man-hours per day across all ABC flights. This represents a waste of roughly $400 per day, or $146,000 per year.

How to write problem statement? Propose a Solution ( how will you research the

problem? What sources of information, types of research (primary or secondary), or tools will you use to help you find solutions )

Problem Statement: Using a modified boarding system proposed by Dr. Edward Right of the Kowlard Business Efficiency Institute which has passengers board the plane from the sides in rather than from the back to the front, ABC Airlines can eliminate these four minutes of waste.

How to write problem statement? Explain the benefits of the solution

Problem Statement: ABC Airlines stands to benefit substantially from the adoption of this new boarding program. For instance, the $146,000 in estimated yearly savings can be re-directed to new sources of revenue, such as expanding its selection of flights to high-demand markets.

Example STATEMENT 1: In order to provide excellent patient care at a minimal cost, Middletown Hospital

needs diagnostic procedures that are safe, efficient, and accurate. In addition, the procedures should not be overly painful for the patient.

STATEMENT 2: Right now, Middletown Hospital's main diagnostic tools are CAT scans and myelograms (spinal taps). The CAT scan fails to make clear diagnoses 60% of the time. When the CAT scan fails, doctors must resort to the myelogram. While the myelograms are accurate, this procedure is very painful and sometimes dangerous for the patient.

STATEMENT 3: If Middletown Hospital continues to do the two procedures, they will not only be wasting time and money, which jeopardizes their overall efficiency and earning potential. Also, undue suffering could lead patients to choose another hospital with more advanced facilities.

RESEARCH : A new diagnostic technique, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) may surpass the CAT scan in accuracy and reduce the need to resort to the myelogram. I propose to research the feasibility of establishing an NMR lab at Middletown hospital. I will investigate the accuracy, efficiency, and safety of NMR as well as implementation issues.

Purpose of the study It summarizes specific goal of the study.  It gives the reader an accurate, concrete

understanding what this study will cover. Specific and precise - not general, broad or obscure Concise - one or two sentences Clear - not vague, ambiguous or confusing Goal-oriented - stated in terms of desired outcomesEx: This purpose of this report is to describe the main causes of traffic congestion in Seattle.

Review of the Literature The review of the literature provides the

background and context for the research problem. It should establish the need for the research and indicate that the writer is knowledgeable about the area.

Literature selected should be pertinent and relevant.

Review of the Literature This is where you provide detail on what others

have done in the area, and what you propose to do. The gaps in the literature. Research questions and hypotheses which are

connected carefully to the literature being reviewed. Definition of key terms (introduce each idea). Gaps that can be the focus of data collection or

analysis.

Research Question / Hypothesis A research question poses a relationship between two or

more variables but phrases the relationship as a question. Hypothesis represents a declarative statement of the

relations between two or more variables. Questions and hypotheses should be testable. Make a clear and careful distinction between the

dependent and independent variables. Be prepared to interpret any possible outcomes with

respect to the questions or hypotheses.

Research Design Indicate the methodological steps you will take to answer

every question or to test every hypothesis illustrated in the Questions/Hypotheses section.

In the design section, indicate The variables you propose to control and how you propose to control

them, experimentally or statistically The variables you propose to randomize, and the nature of the

randomizing unit (students, grades, schools, etc.). You will not produce a perfect, error free design (no one can). However,

you should anticipate possible sources of error and attempt to overcome them or take them into account in your analysis. Moreover

Research DesignSampling: Explain what type of sampling and why? If available, outline the characteristics of the sample

(by gender, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or other relevant group membership).

Sampling is concerned because of External validity (the extent to which the results of a study can

be generalized to other situations and to other people). Internal validity (reflects the extent to which a causal conclusion

based on a study is warranted).

Research DesignInstrumentation: Outline the instruments you propose to use (surveys,

scales, interview protocols, observation grids). If instruments have previously been used, identify

previous studies and findings related to reliability and validity. If instruments have not previously been used, outline procedures you will follow to develop and test their reliability and validity. (Pilot study is important)

Explain the selection of instrument.

Research DesignData Collection and Data Analysis: Outline the general plan for collecting the data (survey

administration procedures, interview or observation procedures, time schedule for data collection).

Data Analysis: Specify the procedures you will use, and label them accurately (e.g., ANOVA, MANCOVA, HLM, ethnography, case study, grounded theory) and write reason why you have chosen this tool.

Indicate briefly any analytic tools you will have available and expect to use (e.g., Ethnograph, NUDIST, AQUAD, SAS, SPSS, SYSTAT).

Limitations and Delimitations A limitation identifies potential weaknesses of the study.

(analysis, the nature of self-report, instruments, the sample, threats to internal validity that may have been impossible to avoid or minimize) explain that.

A delimitation addresses how a study will be narrowed in scope, that is, how it is bounded. This is the place to explain the things that you are not doing and why you have chosen not to do them—the literature you will not review (and why not), the population you are not studying (and why not), the methodological procedures you will not use (and why you will not use them).

Significance of the Study Indicate how your research will refine,

revise, or extend existing knowledge in the area under investigation. It may have either new knowledge in substantive, theoretical, or methodological significance.

References Only references cited in the text are

included in the reference list. Follow one reference style as per your

proposal requirement (like APA)

Appendixes

The following are example of materials included as appendices in the proposal:

Instruments / Questionnaire - if incomplete, you should include sample items

Interview checklist / protocols Instructions to subjects  Official permission to conduct research