How to write a Research proposal?

 A research proposal is a format and detailed
statement of intent of the researcher.
 A research proposal presents and justifies a plan
of action and shows the investigation plan.
 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 plan.

In short, a researcher is proposing a
work frame for completing his/her
research.

Various terminologies are used to mean a
research proposal depending on why the
research is carried out……
 A Research outline
 A Plan of research
 A Thesis plan
 A blue print of a research project
So it is a sort of preconceived framework for
starting the activities

A Research Proposal deals with ideas of a researcher about
 what the researcher wants to do…
 what objectives and methodology he/she has set…
 how much time and resources are required to
complete it…
 how the research findings are to be reported…
and all the other required details …

Researcher can-
 Identify problems/barriers & think over to
remove it.
 Think over the different aspects of the
research process & find out shortfalls.
 Evaluate own work.
 Get suggestions,
guidance & opinions
from
experts.

Researcher can-
 Decide the nature of guidance to be get from
the guide.
 Avoid wastage (of time, efforts & money).
 Assure success.
 Avoid failure & related frustration.
 Apply for registration.
 Get research funding/grants.

Name of the researcher
Name of the Guide
Year of the study & centre
Degree
Title

TheTitle should
 Reflect the theme of the research.
 Be written in a simple and unambiguous language
 Be Brief but self-explanatory.
 Be specific to a particular domain.
 Avoid bracket, arithmetic figures etc.
 Avoid confusing meaning.

Introduction --should include
 Thereoretical background
 Background of the problem
(Should also address the need )
Statement of the problem --
Should elaborate
 Nature of the problem.
 Explanation of the Problem.
 Justification & urgency to solve it.

Significance (Rationale/justification) of the research
 Importance
 Addressing the context of the problem
 Bridging the knowledge gaps
 Usefulness to the society/community
 Present state of affairs
 Affected stakeholders
Objectives of the research- (Major steps) Should be
 Contextual/consistent to the title
 Concise, clear-cut, expressed in a simple language
 Precise, self-explanatory
 Distinctive, quantifiable/ measurable
 Two types of objectives :
general/broad/overall &
specific

Operational definitions of terms used
 Clear-cut /actual meaning.
 Meaning of the terms as considered by the
researcher.
Assumption
 The things researcher believes to be facts
but cannot verify.
Hypothesis =Tentative answer of the problem
or an educated hunch.
 Proposition subject to verification
 May be directional/non directional
 Guides/leads the research

Limitations of the study –Things beyond the control.
 Shortcomings of the research – may be
related with resources, sampling,
standardized tools and time constraints
Delimitations of the study—decided by the
researcher
Boundaries of the research
Area, level, standard, medium, subject etc.

Review of literature-should talk about
 Researches so far conducted &
vital information (knowledge) collected.
 Issues discussed & unaddressed issues.
 Relevancy to the present research.
 information/knowledge gaps.
Methodology-major steps
 Selection of appropriate approach & method
 Sample & Population
 Tools/techniques to be used.
 Variables under study.
 Data collection techniques
 Data processing, analysis, interpretation techniques
 Data/information presentation techniques

Time schedule
 Time line of the assigned tasks.
 Time line of the research flow .
Budget/estimated cost-
 Cost built up – resource personnel, support staff,
technical support , stationery, transport, utilities,
miscellaneous etc

Chapterization chapters’ outline
 In Social Studies or in the education field generally five chapters
are expected.
1 Chapter one Introduction
2 Chapter two Review of Related Literature & Researches
3 Chapter three Methodology
4 Chapter four Analysis of Data
5 Chapter five Summary ,Conclusion & Discussion ,
Recommendations.

 Bibliography/References Researcher should
 Mention all the related documents consulted/studied.
 Follow technicalities in writing bibliography/ references.
 Present it in an alphabetic order in a very
systematic manner, using recommended
standardized style like
APA style.

 A good proposal hinges on a good idea.
 Proposal helps you estimate the size of a project.
 Proposal writing is important for the pursuit of a particular degree.
 A clean, well thought-out proposal forms the backbone for the
thesis itself.
 It guides your journey from Proposal to –research process & then
to- the thesis writing.
 A vague, weak or fuzzy proposal can lead to a long, painful, and
often unsuccessful thesis writing exercise.

 Try to convince that you have a worthwhile research project
as well as the competence and the work-plan to complete it.
 It should contain all the key elements of the research process
and include sufficient information to evaluate it.
 Regardless of your research area and the methodology you
choose, all research proposals must address the following
questions:
 What you plan to accomplish?
 Why you want to do it and ?
 How you are going to do it?

Produce/prepare a professional
looking proposal .
Make it interesting .
Make it informative,
meaningful .
Write in simple language.
Use clear headings/sub-headings.
Be concise, precise.
Check spelling, grammar.
Present in accurate/acceptable
format.
•Use no word which
you do not
understand.
•Un necessary Use of
difficult language
unimpressive to the
readers/supervisor/
authority .

 Write the proposal in future tense.
 Be careful about spelling & grammar.
 Use easy but scientific language.
 Be precise.
 Give references wherever necessary.
 Follow the technical norms of writing
a proposal
 Don't make it too lengthy.(About 15 to 20
Pages are sufficient for a Ph.D. proposal)

References
Best,J.W.and Kahn,J.V.(2006) Research in Education(9th Edition).
New Delhi: Prentice Hall of India Pvt Ltd.
Gay.L.R.(1992). Educational Research. New Jersey: Prentice Hall
of India
Goods and Scates (1979). Introduction in Research in
Education, New York., Halt Rinehart and Winston
Kaul, Lokesh (1993).Methodology of Educational Research, (2nd
revised edition), New Delhi,Vikas Publishing House
Pvt.Ltd.
Mouley,J.W.(1964).”The science of Educational Research”. New
York.Van Nostrand Reinhold Comp.

How to write a Research proposal?

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