BASIC RESEARCH PROPOSAL GUIDE

RBA107V 2022

How to prepare a basic research proposal that can serve as guide to plan post-
graduate studies within the management sciences. The evaluation criteria of
this assessment is standardised across the Faculty of Management Sciences,
but the content required is customised for each department.
 Develop a basic research proposal for a topic within your discipline in the
management sciences. The length of the proposal must not exceed FIFTEEN (15)
pages (± 3000 words, including the cover page and declaration regarding
plagiarism).
 Include the following content under the twelve major headings with appropriate
sub-headings in this proposal:
TITLE (8 – 15 words)
 The title must be correct & represent the content of the literature review.
1. INTRODUCTION

 Suggested length 1 page/ ± 300 words

 Provide an interesting introduction to the proposed study.
 Supported by cited references where relevant.
2. BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE

 Suggested length ½ page / +/- 200 words

 Give background on the study – use the case study
3. LITERATURE REVIEW

3.1 Past research

 Suggested length 1 page/ ± 300 words
 Summarise key recent empirical journal articles relevant to topic.
3.2 Appraisal of past studies
 Suggested length:2 pages/ ± 500 words
 Offer a brief, logical and critical discussion of past studies relevant to the planned
study.
 Offer some key insights based on the appraisal of the past studies
4. PROBLEM STATEMENT / RESEARCH PROBLEM

 Suggested length:1 paragraph/ ± 100 words

 Identify a specific research problem (guided by past studies) that needs to be
solved by the proposed study.
 Supported by cited references where relevant.
5. PURPOSE / AIM AND OBJECTIVES

 Suggested length:1 paragraph/ ± 100 words

5.1 Primary objective
 Develop a clear aim and measurable objectives /main research question that align
 to the title of the study.
5.2 Secondary objectives
 Develop sub-questions/ Secondary objectives / hypothesis that align to the aim
and title of the study.

6. RESEARCH QUESTIONS / HYPOTHESIS

Suggested length +/- 1 page 300 words

6.1 Research Questions
Formulate it from the primary and secondary objectives
WHY? WHAT?

6.2 Hypothesis
Formulate it from the primary and secondary objectives
If – and Then statements

7. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY

 Suggested length:± 2 pages/ ± 500 words.

The section should clearly describe the following, as guided by relevant literature and
applied to the planned study:
7.1 Research Philosophy
7.2 Research design
7.3 Research method
7.4 Population and sampling
7.5 Data collection and measuring instrument
7.6 Data analysis
Supported by cited references where relevant and applied to the study

8. VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY (TRUSTWORTHINESS IF QUALITATIVE)

 Suggested length: length:1 paragraph/ ± 100 words

 The section should clearly describe the validity and reliability / Trustworthiness and
how it will be applied to the study
 Supported by cited references where relevant and applied to the study.
9. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

 Suggested length:1 paragraph / ±100 words

 The section should clearly describe the main ethical concerns relating to the study
and how the researchers propose to mitigate them. Consult an approved source of
ethics as reference that applies to the type of research you are planning.

10. THE PROPOSED TIMELINE OF THE RESEARCH

 Suggested length:1 table/± 100 words
 Compile a planned timeline in table format that is i) reasonable ii) a minimum of
two years and a maximum three years and iii) commence from the date that the
final proposal will be submitted for approval at faculty level (e.g. 31 March 2022).
11. THE RESEARCH BUDGET

 Suggested length:1/4 page /a table of ± 50 words

 Compile a projected budget of the research study in table format that indicate the
i) Designation ii) Expenses iii) Source of funding and iv)Total cost
12. LIST OF REFERENCES

 Suggested length:1-2 pages

 Must end on page 12 or earlier of the proposal so that the proposal do not exceed
12 pages.
 Ensure that the technical quality and referencing (list of references and in text
references) meet criteria set by TUT guidelines
http://libraries.tut.ac.za/documents/TUT_Citationguide_2010.pdf.
 The majority of references used must be in form of academic peer reviewed
articles younger than 5 years.
 Also use at least one textbook and one online source relevant to the topic in the
proposal and list of references.
 Ensure that ALL citations are listed in the list of references and vice versa.
TECHNICAL AND GRAMMATICAL

Other technical and grammatical aspects to consider when compiling this

proposal:
Technical:
Adhere to the following technical aspects: Arial 12 Spacing 1.5 Justify

Structure of document and development of argument:

 The structure of the proposal must be done via major and sub-headings.
 The contents and arguments presented in the proposal must be clear and logically
build on each other.
 Avoid excessive use of direct quotes, rather use paraphrasing to show you
understand the source well enough to write it in your own words.
 Read the proposal at least 3 times to correct formatting, grammar, language and
punctuation errors before submitting.
Grammar and Spelling:
 Ensure that the academic language used are meeting the standards expected
from advance diploma students of the Faculty of Management Science.
 Check for consistency and remove grammatical, language and punctuation errors
spelling mistakes.

B) ASSESSMENT GUIDELINE:
TABLE OF CONTENT
 Compile a table of content for the proposed study with following content and page
numbers to be completed:
 The page of the table of content must not be numbered.
Page
1. INTRODUCTION
2. BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE
3. LITERATURE REVIEW
4. PROBLEM STATEMENT/RESEARCH PROBLEM
5. PURPOSE / AIM AND OBJECTIVES
6. RESEARCH QUESTIONS / HYPOTHESIS
7. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
8. VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY
9. ETHICS
10. THE PROPOSED TIMELINE OF THE RESEARCH
11. THE RESEARCH BUDGET
12. LIST OF REFERENCES
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: A synthesis matrix of significant past studies
Table 2: Proposed research time schedule
Table 3: Projected budget of the research study
 TITLE (8 – 15 words)

1. INTRODUCTION
(Suggested length:± 1 page/ ± 300 words)
 The introduction is as “ an executive summary that gives the reader and enticing
glimpse of what is to come” (Perry et al., 2003:658).
 Provide an interesting introduction for the proposed study by describing the
following:
i. Broad theme & definition of concept in the study: Contextualize by explaining
where the specific topic to be studied fits into the "bigger picture" of the overall
academic discipline (e.g. for marketing). Also define the key concept(s) of title of
the study / literature review. These must be supported by references.
ii. Importance: Motivation of the importance of the specific topic in the discipline
(e.g. in Marketing, Retail, Supply Chain, or Sport Management) by explaining the
academic and/or practical importance of the planned study. This must be
supported by references.
iii. Background information: such as such as recent figures, the current stand,
market size or trends can be used to argue the importance of the study for
practice/ industry. This must be supported by references.
iv. Outline the purpose/aim of the study presented in the proposal.

2. BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE

(Suggested length:± 1/2 page/ ± 200 words)
Use the case study and other resources

3. LITERATURE REVIEW

3.1 Past research

(Suggested length:1 page/ 300 words))
 Summarise at least 5 relevant & recent empirical journal articles on the
constructs/concepts relevant to your study.
 Take note that these articles must not include:
i. any conference papers / market research rapports
ii. articles not published in marketing or business journals
iii. articles published more than 5 years ago (2017-2021).
 This must be done in the form of synthesis matrix table by clearly summarising the
academic articles on the topic.
i. The following headings can be used as labels in this table: i) Author(s) &
Context (i.e., country, culture, industry) ii) Research aim & methods/ design
iii) Key findings iv) Additional category (optional)

Table 1: A synthesis matrix of significant past studies

Author(s) and Research Methods/design Key findings
Context aim/topic
i
ii
iii
iv
v

3.2 Appraisal of past studies

(Suggested length 2 pages/ /± 500 words)
 Offer a brief, logical and critical discussion of the past studies in the same order as
listed in the synthesis matrix
 Appraise and evaluate all studies cited in the synthesis matrix table by
demonstrating critical thinking and understanding of the methods/ designs applied
by each
 Present this as a logical and properly structured discussion
 You can use subheadings (e.g. short name of the study/ Methods & design ) to
guide the critically discussion of past research.
 Include a section explaining key insights with gaps/ insights based on the studies
reviewed.
4. PROBLEM STATEMENT / RESEARCH PROBLEM
(Suggested length:± 1 page/ ± 300 words).
 Formulate the research problem, “A research problem is a specific issue, difficulty,
contradiction, or gap in knowledge that you will aim to address in your research.”
This can be formulated it as a problem statement and/or research questions.
 Indicate the possible gaps, inconsistencies, controversies and/or unanswered
questions not addressed in the studies presented above that could form the basis of
the proposed new study. This this done by clearly specify the research problem
arising from the past studies you have provided in the matrix
 You can also consider the following different core research gaps (Miles, 2017) to
formulate the gap that the planned study will overcome:
(a) Knowledge Gap (most comment gap, when research findings do not exist*);
(b) Evidence Gap (involve contradictions/inconsistencies in the findings of the prior
research);
(c) Practical-Knowledge Conflict Gap (when the professionals’ practices deviate
from research findings / have not properly researched);
(d) Methodological Gap (addresses conflicts or problems with past research
methods to obtain new insights or to prevent misleading findings);
(e) Empirical Gap (when research findings or propositions need to be empirically
verified.
(f) Theoretical Gap (this relates to gaps in theory found in the past studies)
(g) Population Gap (when certain populations are not satisfactorily represented in
current body of research (e.g., gender or age)

Example of how a gap can be formulated.

“There is an apparent knowledge gap in the prior research concerning_____________.
In addition, the prior research did not address the subject of ___________________.
This encompasses several unexplored dimensions that lately have attracted research
attention in other disciplines (cite two to three relevant articles). The ___________
should be explored further to provide an understanding as to why such is not the case
with __________________ “(Miles, 2017).
5. AIM AND OBJECTIVES
(Suggested length ± 100 words).
 Formulate clear and specific aim/ purpose / objectives to address the research
problem.
 (Below are some guidelines that can use to present this)

5.1 Primary Research objective

The purpose of the study is …
5.2 Secondary Research objectives
The secondary objectives of the study will be to:
1. Determine …
2. Analyse …
3. Compare …
 This section can include hypotheses based on past studies or propositions rather
than secondary objectives.
 Include hypotheses/ propositions and secondary objectives. Do not include both

6. RESEARCH QUESTION / HYPOTHESIS

(Suggested length: 1 pages / ± 300 words)
6.1 Research questions
Formulate it from the Primary and Secondary objectives
A refined statement of specific components of the problem, the facts that need to be
collected, thus summarising the significant issue that the research will investigate.
What ? When?

6.2 Hypothesis
Formulate it from the Primary and Secondary objectives
A guess, assumption, unproven statement (answer) or proposition about the
relationship between two or more variables (research question) that can be tested with
empirical data. The best way to state a hypothesis is to use the ‘if… then’ statement.
If and Then……
7. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
(Suggested length: 2 pages / ± 500 words)
The research methodology should clearly describe the following:

7.1 Research philosophy

7.2 Research design

 Describe the research design to be used in the study supported by citations and
references with proper application and convincing justification in terms of the
following:
i. Research approach (Qualitative/Quantitative/Mixed methods)
ii. Type of research design (e.g. Exploratory/ Descriptive/Causal/ Case study
design)

7.3 Research Method

7.4 Population and sampling

Describe the sampling to be used in the study supported by citations and references
with proper application and convincing justification. (USE THE SIX STEPS WITH
HEADINGS AND SUB HEADINGS)

7.5 Data collection and measurement instrument

 Describe the measurement instrument to be used in the study and method(s) of data
collection supported by citations and references, with proper application and
convincing justification.
 If your study will be quantitative, you can consider the following:
 For the measurement instrument briefly describe the content, scales and sources of
(e.g. existing validated questionnaire) to be used. Use proper citation/s and
references.
 Choose and motivate appropriate data collection method(s):
i. Traditional interview administrated methods (e.g. telephone surveys, intercept
surveys).
ii. Traditional self-administrated methods (e.g. drop and collect questionnaires).
iii. Computer-assisted data collection (CADAC) that are interviewer-administered
(e.g. Computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI); Computer-assisted
personal interviewing (CAPI) or Computer-assisted self-interviewing (CASI) or
computerised self-administered questionnaire (CSAQ) (e.g. online surveys,
internet surveys and web and email surveys.

 If your study will be qualitative, you can consider the following:

 For the measurement instrument briefly describe the content and sources of (e.g.
interview schedule, focus group schedule) to be used. Use proper citation/s and
references.
 Choose and motivate appropriate data collection method(s): (see Quinlan et al.,
2019: Chapter 9). The following or other relevant method can be used:
i. Focus groups: An unstructured, free-flowing discussion among a small group
(6-10 people) facilitated by a moderator who encourages dialogue among
participants.
ii. Interactive media & online focus groups: Group of individuals provides
unstructured comments by entering their remarks into an electronic internet
display board of some type (e.g. private chat room sessions / focus blog:
informal, ‘continuous’ focus group established to collect data from participant
comments).
iii. In-Depth interviews: A one-on-one interview between a researcher and a
research respondent conducted about relevant business or social topic that is
typically derived from research questions and objectives.
 iv. Semi-structured interviews: Open-ended questions, sometimes in writing, that
ask for short free flow answers from respondents.
v. Observation: The researcher observes what is happening in the field, and
then records those observations (often in the form of field notes in a field
diary).
vi. Social networking: Researching social media network sites (e.g. Facebook,
Twitter, Instagram) for information related to particular brands/ people,
sources to answer specific questions.
7.6 Data analysis
(Suggested length:½ page/± 150 words)
 Describe how data collected will be analysed supported by citations and references,
with proper application and convincing justification.
 If your study will be quantitative, you can consider the following:
 Data analysis typically includes descriptive statistics (e.g. measures of central
tendency and of dispersion) as well as inferential statistics (e.g. independent
sample t- test, paired-sample t-test, analysis of variance, simple correlation
coefficient and regression analysis).
 Consider how you will capture data and which statistical package you will use to
analyse data.

 If your study will be qualitative, you can consider the following:

 Data analysis typically refers to the qualitative analysis approach (e.g. inductive or
deductive) and procedures (basic steps to be follow when analysing data).
 You should also consider how you will record, transcribe the data and if you will use
a qualitative package to analyse the data (e.g. ATLAS.ti).

8. VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY

(Suggested length:1 paragraph/ ± 100 words)
 For a study following a quantitative approach explain how validity will be established
(e.g. content validity, face validity, criterion related / instrumental validity, construct
validity) supported by references and applied to the study.
 Also consider how reliability will be ensured (e.g. replicating / building on reliable
existing measurement instruments form past academic studies, Cronbach's alpha to
ensure internal consistency, pre-testing, pilot testing) supported by references and
applied to the study.
 For a study following a qualitative approach focus on trustworthiness by considering
the following elements: credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability
supported by references and applied to the study.

9. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
(Suggested length:½ page/± 150 words)
 Address issues that may have ethical issues, consult an approved source of ethics
as reference that applies to the type of research you are planning.
 For ethical issues explain how the following elements will be dealt with and applied
in the planned study:

(To follow are key ethical aspects that should be considered and explained for the
planned study).

Key ethical aspects to be considered

I. Obtaining ethical approval from the Faculty Committee for Research Ethics (FREC) of the faculty of
management sciences at TUT before data collection can commence.
II. Required written permission from the relevant parties
III. Equitable selection of sample based on fair and justifiable criteria
IV. Informed consent to ensure autonomy to decide about participation
V. Ensuring of confidentiality and anonymity in the study
VI. Additional ethical considerations if the planned study is a special case with medium of higher risks
such as data collection from i) participants that are vulnerable to coercion or undue influence (e.g.,
children younger than 18 years, prisoners, pregnant women, mentally disabled persons, or
economically or educationally disadvantaged), ii) projects involving tut personnel or students or iii)
medical or psychological implications.
VII. For these cases involving medium of higher risks ethical approval the Research Ethics Committee
(REC) at tut should be obtained before data collection can commence.
10. THE PROPOSED TIMELINE OF THE RESEARCH
(Suggested length:½ page/± 150 words)
 The planned timeline should be reasonable and commence from the date that the
final proposal has been submitted for approval at faculty level.
 Time schedule for master studies must be a maximum of three years since
registration.

(Below is an example of how it can be presented.)

Table 2 provides a research time schedule for the planned study to be completed.

Table 2: Proposed research time schedule

Scheduled activities Date to be
completed
Proposal submitted and approved 31 March 2022
Chapter 2: Marketing education 31 July 2022
Chapter 3: Research design & methodology 30 September 2022
Chapter 4: Research Findings 31 March 2023
Chapter 5: Conclusions and recommendations 30 April 2023
Chapter 1: Overview of the study 31 May 2023
Submit for examination 31 August 2023
Conference paper 30 October 2023
Journal article 27 November 2023

11. THE RESEARCH BUDGET (Suggested length:± 50 words)

(Suggested length:1/4 page /a table of ± 50 words)
(Below is an example of how it can be presented.)

The table below indicates projected budget of the planned study.

Table 3: Projected budget of the research study

 Designation Expenses Source of funding
Printing, binding and language editing R10 000 TUT
Field work costs for online data collection R10 000 SELF
Data capturing and analysis R10 000 SELF
ESTIMATED TOTAL R30 000

12. LIST OF REFERENCES

(This must end on page 12 of the proposal).
All citations in the text of the proposal and references in the list of references should be
done according to this guide
http://libraries.tut.ac.za/documents/TUT_Citationguide_2010.pdf
Examples:

MNDENDE, A. 2020. One-size-fits-all approach: The current education system does not
help graduates with employability. News24 [Online]. Available from:
https://www.news24.com/parent/learn/learning-difficulties/one-size-fits-all-approach-the-
current-education-system-does-not-help-graduates-with-employability-20210825-2/
[Accessed: 14/09/2021].

QUINLAN, C., BABIN, B., CARR, J. & GRIFFIN, M. 2019. Business research methods.
Andover, Hampshire.: Cengage learning.

SAEED, M.A., AL-AHDAL, A.A.M., MOHAMMED, H. & QUNAYEER, H.S. 2020.

Integrating research proposal writing into a postgraduate research method course: what
does it tell us?. International journal of research and method in education, 44(3): 303-
318.

(See MILES, D.A. 2017. A Taxonomy of Research Gaps: Identifying and Defining the
Seven Research Gaps, Doctoral Student Workshop: Finding Research Gaps -
Research Methods and Strategies, Dallas, Texas, 2017. Available from:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319244623_ARTICLE_Research_Methods_an
d_Strategies_Workshop_A_Taxonomy_of_Research_Gaps_Identifying_and_Defining_t
he_Seven_Research_Gaps [Accessed: 18/05/2021].

Please note the following:

This example is based on some own co-authored past research publications as well
and new work written by me.
Prof AT Roux