How to Write a Research Proposal: Structure and Contents
A research proposal is
a written document about some intriguing problem or issue you aspire to study
and how you'll 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 three questions:
1.
Why is it a problem?
2.
How is a problem?
3.
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 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 researchers of all levels (Undergraduate and Postgraduate) to work their way through research writing. Contact him here (alternatively, click the popping green WhatsApp icon) if you need any help in research writing.