How to Write a Research Proposal: Outline and Contents
A research proposal is a written document about some intriguing
problem or issue you aspire to study and how you will work your way through
studying it.
A well-written research proposal, therefore, answers the following
three questions:
1. What do you aspire
to study?
2. Why is it worth
studying?
3. How do you want to study it?
The primary aim of writing a research proposal is to convince your
possible supervisor or funding institution that the proposed study deserves
their support.
The General Research
Proposal Structure
Research proposal outlines vary slightly from one institution to
the other. It’s advised you communicate with your institution or supervisor and
get specific guidelines to ensure you write the proposal as they expect.
This article provides and explores a research proposal structure
that various institutions generally accept. The bottom line is you don’t write
a proposal in an arbitrary format. Instead, you follow a particular outline.
Here is the generally accepted research proposal outline or structure:
Table of Contents
Title page
Introductory section
Introduction
Background of the study
Problem statement
Research aim
Research objectives
Research questions
Research rationale
Literature review section
Theoretical literature review
Empirical literature review
Methodology section
Research paradigm
Research approach
Research design
Target population and
sampling
Methods of data collection
Methods of data analysis
Ethical considerations
Proposed timetable
Bibliography
Appendices
The Contents of Each
Component
Title Page
On this page, you should present the research title of the
proposed study. Other details you can also
present on the title page include:
·
the full name of the
author,
·
the name of the
institution,
·
the name of the program you’re studying
The Three Main
Sections of a Research Proposal
The introductory, literature review and methodology sections remain
the three main sections of a research proposal. The contents of each of these three
sections should persuade the reader –your possible supervisor, or advisor – to
support you go further in undertaking the proposed research study.
Section 1:
Introductory Section
This section provides a window into the proposed research study as
it contains critical components of the proposed study. See a breakdown of these
components right below:
Introduction and
Background of the Study
It’s advisable to integrate the introduction and background of the
study in writing a research proposal. You can later split the two and expand
your material when writing the final dissertation.
If, however, you decide to write these two sections separately,
that’s okay too.
The introduction
should:
·
introduce the
research topic in broad terms,
·
highlight the main
concepts or variables of the proposed study,
·
provide main details
of the identified research problem or issue,
·
hint the main
research question of the proposed study,
·
highlight the main
goal and possible outcomes of the proposed study,
·
emphasize the anticipated contributions of the study
The background of
the study should:
·
provide an overview
of the research topic
·
provide the historical
details of the identified research problem or issue,
·
explore prominent
scholarly opinions regarding the identified problem,
·
provide statistical
(where possible) information about the problem,
·
relate the problem to a specific institution, event or group of
people
Overall, a well-written background of the study must provide enough
context to the issue or problem you seek to study.
Statement of the Problem
A statement of the problem is a concise expression that summarizes
the identified research problem and highlights the knowledge
gaps surrounding the problem.
A good statement of the problem should answer at least four
questions:
1.
What is the problem?
2.
Why is it a problem?
3.
How is a problem?
4. What are the
anticipated solutions to the problem?
Research Aim
The primary goal of conducting a research study is to examine and
address the identified problem or issue. The research aim should, therefore,
expresses the anticipated outcomes of the proposed study.
Research Objectives
Research objectives guide you to achieve the research aim and
following them helps you avoid getting carried away along the way.
Set achievable objectives.
Research Questions
If it is known, then why do you research it?
Research questions intend to fetch answers about what we do not yet
know – partially or holistically – regarding a particular problem or issue.
Therefore, the knowledge gaps (what we don’t know) surrounding the
identified research problem inform the nature and direction of the research
questions.
Contribution of the
Study
In writing this section, ensure you address the following
questions:
1.
Why is the proposed study important?
2.
To whom is the proposed study important?
3. How can the proposed
study make a difference?
A proposed study that offers no possible sound contributions is not
worth approval or funding. Such a proposed study is just a waste of time
because it doesn't enhance anything.
Yours should either:
·
expand the body of
knowledge, or
·
improve practices or policies
Section 2: Literature
Review Section
A literature review is a careful and critical
analysis of different sources relevant to your research topic, particularly the
problem or issue you pursue to examine. A literature review is not as
complicated or tedious a process as you might assume.
The following tips help anyone write a good literature review in
less time:
·
Consult with your
possible supervisor. The supervisor is your senior academic colleague. Please, don't
hesitate to discuss your research topic with them. They might’ve recommendations
about publications suitable for your research topic. They can also share tips
which make things a lot easier.
·
Use some criteria in
searching sources. You don’t need to review every publication in your area of
interest. Instead, search the most important ones using keywords, time period,
names of the top-ranked scholars and methodologies used.
·
Read, read, read,
and read again. Read the searched publications’ main sections such as the
abstract, introduction, problem statement, research methods, results and
conclusions more than once. These sections contain the information you’re
looking for.
·
Trace and capture
the main details. Trace the main ideas, concepts or issues that permeate through the
main sources. Trace the major scholarly debates and conflicts as well. Capture
all important details whilst reading.
·
Start writing. Always write
analytically and avoid at all cost writing descriptively. Show how and why
scholarly opinions and submissions relate or vary regarding the subject you
seek to examine.
Section 3: Methodology Section
The methodology section is an indispensable section that tells the
reader how exactly you’ll work your way through diagnosing the identified
problem.
The research methodology has multiple components. Please see these
components outlined under the general research proposal structure submitted
above. Here, the focus is on sharing ideas on writing a sound research
methodology.
Writing a Sound
Research Methodology
You need to:
·
Consider the
identified research problem. The nature of the identified research problem or issue usually
determines the most appropriate research methodology to adopt.
·
Review the
methodologies used in other similar studies. This helps you see if you need to adopt a different methodology or
follow the popular ones.
·
Justify every
component of the proposed methodology. It’s not enough to say this is the most appropriate methodology.
Make a case for it. Use scholarly recommendations and opinions to explain why
and how it would be the most suitable, valid and reliable methodology to adopt.
·
Highlight the
weaknesses of the proposed methodology. Every research method has its flaws and shortcomings. Mention
those weaknesses and how you plan to minimize them.
4. Timetable
Break down the study into smaller components, such as chapters, and
indicate how much time it will take you to complete each part.
The proposed timeline should be at least twenty-five percent less
than the timeframe your institution gives students to complete their research
studies. This helps you finish your research on time and use the remaining time
for polishing your document.
Proposed timetables, however, are subject to changes, especially
when considering the availability of your supervisor.
5. Bibliography
Count all the sources cited throughout the text and list them here,
following the recommended formatting style. You can also add any relevant
sources you consulted to the list.
6. Appendices
Some institutions require you to craft research instruments as part
of the research proposal. Documents, such as a questionnaire, an interview
guide and an ethical clearance checklist, must be attached here only if
required.
The information shared is quite crucial in helping you write a
research proposal worth approval or funding. You’re reminded to consider all
the shared tips in writing your proposal. As usual, all the best!
The author – Gift
Chirairo – of this blog post is a veteran Academic Research Consultant who
helps academics of all levels (Undergraduates and Postgraduates) work their way
through research writing. Contact him here (alternatively,
click the popping green WhatsApp icon) if you need any help in research
writing.