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Writing a research proposal: Key chapters Explanation

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Mohammad Ibrahim
Mohammad Ibrahim

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Writing a Research Proposal By Muhammad Ibrahim Khalil
Introduction Think about your introduction as a narrative written in two to four paragraphs that briefly answers the following four questions: What is the central research problem? What is the topic of study related to that research problem? What methods should be used to analyze the research problem? Why is this important research, what is its significance, and why should someone reading the proposal care about the outcomes of the proposed study?
Background and Significance To that end, while there are no prescribed rules for establishing the significance of your proposed study, you should attempt to address some or all of the following: State the research problem and give a more detailed explanation about the purpose of the study than what you stated in the introduction. This is particularly important if the problem is complex or multifaceted. Present the rationale of your proposed study and clearly indicate why it is worth doing; be sure to answer the "So What? question [i.e., why should anyone care]. Describe the major issues or problems to be addressed by your research. This can be in the form of questions to be addressed. Be sure to note how your proposed study builds on previous assumptions about the research problem. Explain the methods you plan to use for conducting your research. Clearly identify the key sources you intend to use and explain how they will contribute to your analysis of the topic. Describe the boundaries of your proposed research in order to provide a clear focus. Where appropriate, state not only what you plan to study, but what aspects of the research problem will be excluded from the study. If necessary, provide definitions of key concepts or terms.
Literature Review To help frame your proposal's review of prior research, consider the "five Cs" of writing a literature review: Cite, so as to keep the primary focus on the literature pertinent to your research problem. Compare the various arguments, theories, methodologies, and findings expressed in the literature: what do the authors agree on? Who applies similar approaches to analyzing the research problem? Contrast the various arguments, themes, methodologies, approaches, and controversies expressed in the literature: describe what are the major areas of disagreement, controversy, or debate among scholars? Critique the literature: Which arguments are more persuasive, and why? Which approaches, findings, and methodologies seem most reliable, valid, or appropriate, and why? Pay attention to the verbs you use to describe what an author says/does [e.g., asserts, demonstrates, argues, etc.]. Connect the literature to your own area of research and investigation: how does your own work draw upon, depart from, synthesize, or add a new perspective to what has been said in the literature?
Research Design and Methods This section must be well-written and logically organized because you are not actually doing the research, yet, your reader must have confidence that it is worth pursuing. When describing the methods you will use, be sure to cover the following: Specify the research process you will undertake and the way you will interpret the results obtained in relation to the research problem. Don't just describe what you intend to achieve from applying the methods you choose, but state how you will spend your time while applying these methods [e.g., coding text from interviews to find statements about the need to change school curriculum; running a regression to determine if there is a relationship between campaign advertising on social media sites and election outcomes in Europe]. Keep in mind that the methodology is not just a list of tasks; it is an argument as to why these tasks add up to the best way to investigate the research problem. This is an important point because the mere listing of tasks to be performed does not demonstrate that, collectively, they effectively address the research problem. Be sure you clearly explain this. Anticipate and acknowledge any potential barriers and pitfalls in carrying out your research design and explain how you plan to address them. No method is perfect so you need to describe where you believe challenges may exist in obtaining data or accessing information. It's always better to acknowledge this than to have it brought up by your professor.
Preliminary Suppositions and Implications When thinking about the potential implications of your study, ask the following questions: What might the results mean in regards to challenging the theoretical framework and underlying assumptions that support the study? What suggestions for subsequent research could arise from the potential outcomes of the study? What will the results mean to practitioners in the natural settings of their workplace? Will the results influence programs, methods, and/or forms of intervention? How might the results contribute to the solution of social, economic, or other types of problems? Will the results influence policy decisions? In what way do individuals or groups benefit should your study be pursued? What will be improved or changed as a result of the proposed research? How will the results of the study be implemented and what innovations or transformative insights could emerge from the process of implementation?
Conclusion The conclusion reiterates the importance or significance of your proposal and provides a brief summary of the entire study. This section should be only one or two paragraphs long, emphasizing why the research problem is worth investigating, why your research study is unique, and how it should advance existing knowledge. Someone reading this section should come away with an understanding of: Why the study should be done, The specific purpose of the study and the research questions it attempts to answer, The decision to why the research design and methods used where chosen over other options, The potential implications emerging from your proposed study of the research problem, and A sense of how your study fits within the broader scholarship about the research problem.
References References -- lists only the literature that you actually used or cited in your proposal. Dont use statement without reference. Use style according to your university rules. Give respect whom work you are quoted.
Common Mistakes in Proposal Writing Failure to provide the proper context to frame the research question. Failure to delimit the boundary conditions for your research. Failure to cite landmark studies. Failure to accurately present the theoretical and empirical contributions by other researchers. Failure to stay focused on the research question. Failure to develop a coherent and persuasive argument for the proposed research. Too much detail on minor issues, but not enough detail on major issues. Too much rambling -- going "all over the map" without a clear sense of direction. (The best proposals move forward with ease and grace like a seamless river.) Too many citation lapses and incorrect references. Too long or too short. Failing to follow the APA style. Slopping writing.

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Writing a research proposal: Key chapters Explanation

  • 1. Writing a Research Proposal By Muhammad Ibrahim Khalil
  • 2. Introduction Think about your introduction as a narrative written in two to four paragraphs that briefly answers the following four questions: What is the central research problem? What is the topic of study related to that research problem? What methods should be used to analyze the research problem? Why is this important research, what is its significance, and why should someone reading the proposal care about the outcomes of the proposed study?
  • 3. Background and Significance To that end, while there are no prescribed rules for establishing the significance of your proposed study, you should attempt to address some or all of the following: State the research problem and give a more detailed explanation about the purpose of the study than what you stated in the introduction. This is particularly important if the problem is complex or multifaceted. Present the rationale of your proposed study and clearly indicate why it is worth doing; be sure to answer the "So What? question [i.e., why should anyone care]. Describe the major issues or problems to be addressed by your research. This can be in the form of questions to be addressed. Be sure to note how your proposed study builds on previous assumptions about the research problem. Explain the methods you plan to use for conducting your research. Clearly identify the key sources you intend to use and explain how they will contribute to your analysis of the topic. Describe the boundaries of your proposed research in order to provide a clear focus. Where appropriate, state not only what you plan to study, but what aspects of the research problem will be excluded from the study. If necessary, provide definitions of key concepts or terms.
  • 4. Literature Review To help frame your proposal's review of prior research, consider the "five Cs" of writing a literature review: Cite, so as to keep the primary focus on the literature pertinent to your research problem. Compare the various arguments, theories, methodologies, and findings expressed in the literature: what do the authors agree on? Who applies similar approaches to analyzing the research problem? Contrast the various arguments, themes, methodologies, approaches, and controversies expressed in the literature: describe what are the major areas of disagreement, controversy, or debate among scholars? Critique the literature: Which arguments are more persuasive, and why? Which approaches, findings, and methodologies seem most reliable, valid, or appropriate, and why? Pay attention to the verbs you use to describe what an author says/does [e.g., asserts, demonstrates, argues, etc.]. Connect the literature to your own area of research and investigation: how does your own work draw upon, depart from, synthesize, or add a new perspective to what has been said in the literature?
  • 5. Research Design and Methods This section must be well-written and logically organized because you are not actually doing the research, yet, your reader must have confidence that it is worth pursuing. When describing the methods you will use, be sure to cover the following: Specify the research process you will undertake and the way you will interpret the results obtained in relation to the research problem. Don't just describe what you intend to achieve from applying the methods you choose, but state how you will spend your time while applying these methods [e.g., coding text from interviews to find statements about the need to change school curriculum; running a regression to determine if there is a relationship between campaign advertising on social media sites and election outcomes in Europe]. Keep in mind that the methodology is not just a list of tasks; it is an argument as to why these tasks add up to the best way to investigate the research problem. This is an important point because the mere listing of tasks to be performed does not demonstrate that, collectively, they effectively address the research problem. Be sure you clearly explain this. Anticipate and acknowledge any potential barriers and pitfalls in carrying out your research design and explain how you plan to address them. No method is perfect so you need to describe where you believe challenges may exist in obtaining data or accessing information. It's always better to acknowledge this than to have it brought up by your professor.
  • 6. Preliminary Suppositions and Implications When thinking about the potential implications of your study, ask the following questions: What might the results mean in regards to challenging the theoretical framework and underlying assumptions that support the study? What suggestions for subsequent research could arise from the potential outcomes of the study? What will the results mean to practitioners in the natural settings of their workplace? Will the results influence programs, methods, and/or forms of intervention? How might the results contribute to the solution of social, economic, or other types of problems? Will the results influence policy decisions? In what way do individuals or groups benefit should your study be pursued? What will be improved or changed as a result of the proposed research? How will the results of the study be implemented and what innovations or transformative insights could emerge from the process of implementation?
  • 7. Conclusion The conclusion reiterates the importance or significance of your proposal and provides a brief summary of the entire study. This section should be only one or two paragraphs long, emphasizing why the research problem is worth investigating, why your research study is unique, and how it should advance existing knowledge. Someone reading this section should come away with an understanding of: Why the study should be done, The specific purpose of the study and the research questions it attempts to answer, The decision to why the research design and methods used where chosen over other options, The potential implications emerging from your proposed study of the research problem, and A sense of how your study fits within the broader scholarship about the research problem.
  • 8. References References -- lists only the literature that you actually used or cited in your proposal. Dont use statement without reference. Use style according to your university rules. Give respect whom work you are quoted.
  • 9. Common Mistakes in Proposal Writing Failure to provide the proper context to frame the research question. Failure to delimit the boundary conditions for your research. Failure to cite landmark studies. Failure to accurately present the theoretical and empirical contributions by other researchers. Failure to stay focused on the research question. Failure to develop a coherent and persuasive argument for the proposed research. Too much detail on minor issues, but not enough detail on major issues. Too much rambling -- going "all over the map" without a clear sense of direction. (The best proposals move forward with ease and grace like a seamless river.) Too many citation lapses and incorrect references. Too long or too short. Failing to follow the APA style. Slopping writing.