Chapter One

QUESTION: PRESENT ON
CHAPTER ONE OF A RESEARCH

PROPOSAL
GROUP MEMBERS:
TEDDY MPARANYANGA : 2021-06-02439
TERESA MBULUMI : 2021-06-02434
CAROLINE MALEWO : 2021-06-01679
LIONEL CHABVUTA : 2021-06-01143
CHAPTER ONE OF A RESEARCH
PROPOSAL
 The main aim of this chapter is to get the reader focused on the
subject matter. It states the stage for your research in order to put the
research into perspective.
 Chapter one comprises of the background, statement of the problem.

Research questions, research hypothesis, objectives, limitation and
delimitation and the significance of the study.
BACKGROUND OF THE PROBLEM
 As a researcher you should be able to lay a broad foundation for
your problem that leads to the study (background of the
problem/study)
 The background refers to the setting or the position of the study. It is

a brief overview of the problem the researcher aspires to tackle.
 Background information plays a major role in research.

ROLES OF THE BACKGROUND
 It helps clarify what has brought about the need for the study
 It points out the challenges faced due to the identified issue
 It indicates the opportunity for improvement
 It demonstrates the researcher's view of the research problem
 It helps to convince the reader’s view of the research problem or

opportunity exists and should be addressed.
 It shows the reader’s that the researcher knows the study area as
he/she with what has preceded.
QUALITIES OF AN EFFECTIVE
BACKGROUND
 It is brief and specific. Through it borrows a lot from the literature
review, it is the summary of the information in the literature review.
 It engages the interest of the reader. An effective background should

get the redear concerned about the problem addressed and interested
in the eventual solution proposed by the research.
 It gives the researcher a glimpse of the research problem. of

addressing the problem.
 It gives the reader an idea of the proposal is
structured.
 The language used is simple and
straightforward.
 It is informative and persuasive since it
attempts to enlighten the reader about the
research problem and the urgency of
addressing the problem.
Steps in writing an effective background
 Reflection: Analyse the research topic and title and identify the
variables. The variables will assist in locating the relevant literature
related to the research problems. The literature will assist in
background formation.
 Brainstorming: The researcher should think about the relevant

literatures related to the topic that would bring the need for the
study.
 Material competition: The researcher should visit libraries
and go through various books, articles etc searching and noting
down the essential materials related to his study.
 Formulation: The researcher should use part of these

materials, which will later on be used in the literature review to
write a background to the study (citing similar studies)
Statement Of The Problem
 A statement of the problem is used in research work as a claim that
outlines the problem addressed by a study.
 A good research problem should address an existing gap in

knowledge in the field and lead too further research.
 A statement of the problem refers to the critical issue that your

research seeks to address. In other words, it captures the existing
knowledge gap that your study aims to bridge using reliable results
or outcomes
Steps in writing an effective statement
of the problem
 Formulation: After identifying the problem, the researcher should
formulate it by clearly explaining why this is a problem and how it
affects people or institutions. The researcher should indicate what he
or she kbows about the problem, through personal observation and
research.
 Justification: after stating what the researcher thinks is the problem,
he/she should explain briefly the repercussions likely to follow in
the long run if the problem is not addressed. The researcher should
use the statement of the problem to show what is definitely.
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
 Research objectives describe concisely what the researcher is tyring
to achieve. It summarizes all that a researcher wishes to achieve
during the project and provides the direction of the study.
A research objective should be:
 Feasible
 Logical
 Observable
 Measurable
Importance of research objectives
 Objectives guide decision in the selection of respondents, research
instruments and the study area
 Objectives influences all components of the research design

including data analysis and report.
 A clear statement of objectives helps to limit the scope of literature

review. This is necessary for valid outcomes.
 Objectives serve to clarify the variable of the study. This helps in the
evaluation of the study.
 Objectives serve as a guide for evaluation

Types of Research Objectives
 General objectives: States the main purpose of the study and
mostly it should be derived directly from the research problem
statement.
 Specific objectives: a list of sub objectives that each contribute in

achieving the number of objectives
For example;
The research statement;
“The Effectivenes of planned teaching in the knowledge of staff nurses
working in the psychiatric unit regarding physical restraints for psychiatric
patients in the selected hospital of Dar es salaam.”
General objective: To assess the knowledge of staff nurses working in the
psychiatric unit regarding physical restraint.
Specific Objective: To assess the knowledge regarding physical restraints among
nurses working In a psychiatric unit. To evaluate the effect of planned teaching
on physical restraints among nurse X
Guidelines for sating the objectives of
the study
 The objectives should be presented briefly and consisely
 The objectives should be clearly phrased in operational terms,

specifying exactly what the researcher is going to do, where and for
what purpose.
 Use action verbs that specify enough to be evaluated the objectives
 They should cover the different aspects of the problem and its
contributing factors in a coherent way and in a logical sequence.
Research Questions
 These are issues that the researcher seeks to answer.
 They are related to the research objectives.
 These questions guide the research process by addressing the

variables of the study.
 Note: in a research you can either have research questions or

hypothesis.
Research Hypothesis
 A hypothesis is a guess or an assumption
 This guess or assumption may or may not be true or it may be

applicable to some commodities and not others.
 In hypothesis we continue measuring variables in our assumptions

that can guide us into achieving our objectives.
Research hypothesis
 When working with the research hypothesis, it is important you
clearly identify the variables that you want to test.
 There are two types of variables; independent and dependent

variable.
 There are two forms of stating a research hypothesis. These are:
 The Null form
 Alternative Form
Null Hypothesis
A null hypothesis states that there is no difference between the variables stated. The
aim of testing is to show that the hypothesis is false and thereby accept the
alternative hypothesis. Consider the following examples;
There is no significance difference between an individuals success in life and his/her
academic- certificates.
There is no significant difference between managerial skills of male and female
managers.
Alternative hypothesis
 This hypothesis states a value or relationship and it is different from
the null. It asserts that the value of a relationship in the null is not
true.
 In the research, the null hypothesis is tested and if rejected, the

alternative hypothesis is accepted. Consider the following examples:
 There is a significant difference between the success in business and

determination.
 If a prisoner learns a work skill while in jail, he is likely to commit a

crime when is released.
Importance of hypothesis in research
 It states the researcher’s expectations concerning the relationship

between variables- in the research.
 The hypothesis defines the research problem
 By defining the variables in the study, the hypothesis enables
researcher to collect data that either supports the hypothesis of
rejects it.
Qualities of an effective hypothesis
 It states clearly and concisely as possible the expected relationship
between two or more variables
 It defines the selected variables. It is possible to support the

hypothesis by collecting and analysing data.
 It is testable and verifiable.
 The wordings are clear and precise
 It gives logical arguments to justify the hypothesis
 It is consistent with the existing body of knowledge

Significance of the study
 This section outlines the significance or importance of the issue at
hand
 For example, if the researcher is investigating poor prices, then the

significances would be related to the improvement of prices
 And it could also involve creation of awareness of the market forces.

LIMITATIONS
 The section indicates challenges anticipated or were faced by the researcher.
 Limitations of a study are its flaws or shortcomings
 Limitations can be used to determine the validity and reliability of the study
 Limitations enables to see what the study was not able to cover
EXAMPLES;
 Time
 Resources
 Sample
 Methodology
 Literature
DELIMITATIONS
Narrow the study to make it more
researchable and relevant to what you
are trying to prove.
Refers to the boundaries of the research
study, based on the researcher’s decision
of what to include and what to exclude.
EXAMPLES
 Research Objectives
 Research Questions
 Research Variables
 Target Population
 Sampling
DIFFERENCE
 Limitations are what the researcher have no control over whilst delimitations are
what the researcher will not do.
DOES IT MEAN THAT IF THE RESEARCH PROJECT
HAS LIMITATIONS AND DELIMITATIONS IT IS
USELESS?
 No research project can be declared to be 100% perfect.
 Of course, limitations and delimitations are considered potential weaknesses and a

research with less limitations and less delimitations is perceived to be a good
research project.
 Acknowledging limitations shows complete understanding of the topic
 Acknowledging limitations reflects honesty and transparency
 Therefore, despite these limitations and delimitations, the research can still be
trusted.
 Both delimitations and limitations are crucial because they help to put the
research findings into context, although they explain the flaws of the study,
they increase the credibility and validity of a research project.
 The researcher should make an attempt to explain how the limitations and
delimitations will or were overcome

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QUESTION: PRESENT ON

CHAPTER ONE OF A RESEARCH

 Chapter one comprises of the background, statement of the problem.

 The background refers to the setting or the position of the study. It is

 Background information plays a major role in research.

 It points out the challenges faced due to the identified issue

 It indicates the opportunity for improvement

 It demonstrates the researcher's view of the research problem

 It helps to convince the reader’s view of the research problem or

 It engages the interest of the reader. An effective background should

 It gives the researcher a glimpse of the research problem. of

 Brainstorming: The researcher should think about the relevant

 Formulation: The researcher should use part of these

 A good research problem should address an existing gap in

 A statement of the problem refers to the critical issue that your

A research objective should be:

 Objectives influences all components of the research design

 A clear statement of objectives helps to limit the scope of literature

 Objectives serve as a guide for evaluation

 Specific objectives: a list of sub objectives that each contribute in

 The objectives should be clearly phrased in operational terms,

 Use action verbs that specify enough to be evaluated the objectives

 They are related to the research objectives.

 These questions guide the research process by addressing the

 Note: in a research you can either have research questions or

 This guess or assumption may or may not be true or it may be

 In hypothesis we continue measuring variables in our assumptions

 There are two types of variables; independent and dependent

 The Null form

alternative hypothesis. Consider the following examples;

There is no significance difference between an individuals success in life and his/her

There is no significant difference between managerial skills of male and female

 In the research, the null hypothesis is tested and if rejected, the

 There is a significant difference between the success in business and

 If a prisoner learns a work skill while in jail, he is likely to commit a

 It states the researcher’s expectations concerning the relationship

 It defines the selected variables. It is possible to support the

 It is testable and verifiable.

 The wordings are clear and precise

 It gives logical arguments to justify the hypothesis

 It is consistent with the existing body of knowledge

 For example, if the researcher is investigating poor prices, then the

 And it could also involve creation of awareness of the market forces.

 Limitations of a study are its flaws or shortcomings

 Of course, limitations and delimitations are considered potential weaknesses and a

 Acknowledging limitations shows complete understanding of the topic

 Acknowledging limitations reflects honesty and transparency

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