A research proposal is a piece of work that ideally, would convince (in school setting) the professor that a student’s project has the following three merits: conceptual innovation; methodological rigor; and rich substantive content.
Elements of a Research Proposal
Each institution will probably have its own terminology for its formal requirements for a research proposal. In general terms, through, students will be expected to show that the proposed work:
· Is worth researching
· Lends itself to being researched
· Is sufficiently challenging for the level of award concerned
· Can be completed within the appropriate time
· Can be adequately resourced
· Is not likely to be subjected to any serious constraints
· Is capable of being done by the student
Most research institutions, whether universities or funding bodies such as those that dispense endowments or governments funds, have specific requirements in terms of what information they require and the form in which it is to be submitted. It is important for a researcher to check the expectations are of the institution with which the researcher is involved. Even specific formal guidelines are not available; it may be that there is an informal expectation which can be identified through discussion with key people such as the supervisor or professor. Nonetheless, although the expectations of different institutions are likely to vary, there are some core elements that will be expected in most proposals:
· The topic/problem should be clearly stated
· The objectives of the research should be clearly defined
· The rationale of the research should be provided
· The existing literature should be reviewed
· The conceptual framework should be clear
· The research methodology should be clearly described
· A timetable and budget (where relevant) should be described
1. Topic/problem statement – a proposal has many elements but there is nothing more fundamental than the need to express exactly what is the researcher is proposing to research. Everything is irrelevant if this intention is not clearly communicated.
2. Objective/s – the proposal should clearly state the intended output of the research. Objectives may take many forms reflecting the diverse purpose of research.
3. Rationale – the rationale for the research is likely to be implicit in the discussion provided in the earlier states of the proposal, but it should none the less be stated explicitly. Whereas the ‘objectives’ section of the proposal answers the ‘what’ question, the statement of rationale provides an answer to the ‘why’ question.
4. Literature review – the literature on a topic may have several different functions within the research process. In some situations it is the source of an idea for a piece of research, when previous writers have identified issues needing further research. Another important reason for citing the existing literature is to substantiate the claim – which may be implicit in a research proposal – that original research is needed to answer the specified question.
5. Conceptual framework – the notion of conceptual framework often causes concern among those new to research because uncertainty as to just what the term means. The student may assume that the conceptual framework has something to do with theory but may be clear about little beyond that. The significance of a conceptual framework may best be made clear by asking the question: can there be concept0free research?
6. Research methodology – methodology involves what might be called ‘the theory of the method’, that is, why the chosen method is appropriate. It is important that the method is consistent with the nature of the research question, and that this is established in the research proposal.
7. Timetable and budget – almost everyone who begins a piece of research, especially if they have gone through the vetting process associated with entry to a graduate research programme, has the intellectual capacity to undertake and to complete the research. However, many research projects begun with the best of intentions do not reach completion. Sometimes this is due to factors beyond the researcher’s control, such as the withdrawal of funding or the withdrawal of data access critical to the study.
Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com
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