The core aspects of the research proposal

2.1 Title
A good title should be short, precise, and concise. It should make clear to the readers that they can get the core of
the topic and central variables of the study.
2.2 Abstract
An abstract is a summary, which gives readers an overview of all essential elements of the proposal. The abstract
should give a clear idea to the reader, about what is the central question that the research tries to answer and its
justification. It must make explicit the objectives of the investigation. Abstracts are generally less than 250 words
in length, very concise, and precisely worded.
2.3 Keywords
The researcher should write keywords, which convey what the thesis is about. The recommended number of
keywords is three to six keywords.
2.4 Introduction
The purpose of the introduction section is to generally show how the proposed study fits into what is already known
and to locate it concerning present knowledge and practice. In addition, the introduction should also contain a clear
identification of the research area and topic, the importance of selecting the chosen specific topic, a general
statement of the purpose of the research, and a brief account of the research methodology.
2.5 The Literature Review/ Framework of the Research
In this section, the researcher needs to identify the body of literature, which is relevant to the research to position
the current study to the relevant literature, and indicate how the literature will be dealt with in the current study.
The function of the literature in the proposal is to locate the present study and to explain and justify the directions
it proposes to take.
2.6 Research Problems and/or Research Questions
In this section, the researcher needs to identify the research problem and/or research questions. In this regard, there
are two different points of view. On the one hand, some writers tend to focus on the concept of research questions,
as a generally useful way of helping students to get their research planning and proposal underway. By contrast,
others tend to focus more on the ‘problem behind the research’, or on research problems, rather than on research
questions.
A research problem refers to an issue or concern that puzzles the researcher. The statement of the problem captures
in a single sentence or paragraph the essence of the study. An effective research problem should be clearly stated,
researchable, has supported statements clearly indicates the urgency of the research and shows that the research is
definitely needed.
A research question is a specific inquiry to which the research seeks to respond to. An effective research question
must be indeed be a problem, emerge from the research framework, express the relationship among variables, free
from ambiguity, cohere with the aims and title of the research project.
But if it helps to think in terms of identifying a research problem, rather than identifying research questions, there
is no reason at all not to do so. Nor is there any reason not to use both concepts – problems and questions – and to
switch between them as appropriate, in developing and presenting the proposal. In any case, the two concepts are
interchangeable. Thus, a problem, as something requiring a solution, can always be phrased as questions. Likewise,
a question, as something requiring an answer, can always be phrased as a problem.

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2.7 Research Objectives
In research, an objective is a specific statement relating to the defined aim of the study. Specific objectives constitute
how the aim/ goal of the study could be achieved. They specify what the researcher will do in the study. Effective
research objectives should be specific, measurable, focused, operational, realistic and achievable.
2.8 Research Hypotheses
Research hypotheses are “specific predictions about what is expected to be found in the data, paralleling research
questions, and they should follow from (and be explained by) the theory” (Punch, 2000, p.36). According to Karanja
(2016), an effective hypothesis has the following qualities:
− It must have both independent and dependent variables.
− It states as clearly and concisely as possible the expected relationship (or difference) between two or more
variables.
− The wordings are clear and precise.
− It is consistent with the existing body of knowledge., i.e. it must be based on a sound rationale derived from
theory or previous research, or professional experience.
− It must give logical arguments, i.e. it must be consistent with common sense or generally accepted traits.
2.9 Research Methodology
Throughout this section, the strategies and procedures that will be carried out to respond to the problem and achieve
the objectives must be determined and explained. It is the description of how the investigation will be carried out.
A well-defined methodological section seeks to maximize the validity and reliability of the information and reduce
errors in the results. Through this section the researcher needs to discuss the following issues:
2.9.1 Research Design
A research design is a framework or blueprint for conducting a research project that specifies the detailed procedures
for collecting the data needed to achieve the research objectives (Malhotra, 2010). The research design must cohere
with research objectives, research questions, research hypotheses, and research framework. Briefly, in this section,
the researcher needed to respond to the following questions (How you will obtain the information and data? Will
you use documentary, and/or qualitative and/or quantitative methods? If you will use quantitative methods, which
technique/s will you use - if you are intending to use a questionnaire which type of questionnaires you are intending
to use, etc.? If you are intending to use a qualitative method, which technique/s will you use- structured interview,
semi-structured interview, open-ended interview, participant observation, etc.? If there is a combination of
quantitative and qualitative approaches, what is the proposed mixture of strategies?).
2.9.2. Operationalization of Research Constructs
In quantitative studies, the relevant variables or factors of the study must be identified and defined. That is, it will
be necessary to transform the theoretical framework into observable variables and specifying the indicators through
which they will be measured.
2.9.3. Research Setting
In general, it is necessary to describe the characteristics of the context where the investigation will be carried out,
regardless of the design that is going to be applied. Sometimes the research context is called the field of study,
sometimes the field.
2.9.4. Sampling and Data Collection Process
In this section the researcher should identify and define everything related to the universe or target population,
sampling unit, and sampling method.
2.9.5. Data Analysis Procedures
In terms of what criteria are you going to analyze your findings? What methods are you going to use for analysis?

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2.9.6. Procedures to guarantee the ethical aspects of the investigation.
Are there particular ethical issues that will need to be considered (for example, all projects using human participants
require ethical approval)?
2.10 Potential Research Contributions and Implications
Synonyms for ‘research implications’ here might be justification, significance, or contribution of the study. In this
section, the researcher needs to explain the proposed research significance and locate it within the relevant literature.
The researcher needs to address the question of “why is this study worth doing?” while the particular topic and its
context will determine a study's significance, there are three general areas for the significance and contribution of a
study:
− to knowledge in the area
− to policy considerations
− to practitioners
2.11 Limitations and Delimitations of the Study
This section indicates challenges anticipated or faced by the researcher. Limitations need to be differentiated from
delimitations of the study. On the one hand, limitations refer to limiting conditions or restrictive weaknesses which
are beyond the control of the researcher. In other words, limitations are an aspect of the study that may influence
the research negatively or positively but over which the researcher has no control. On the other hand, delimitations
refer to factors that can be controlled by the researcher, (i.e. sample size) and should not be included as a limitation,
unless a good rationale is provided.

2.12 Structure of the Thesis and the Timeline

In this section, the researcher needs to identify the number of chapters contained in the project (thesis) and briefly
describe each chapter. Also, the researcher needs to prepare a schedule of research work activities and the
development times of each activity. The researcher must present a realistic time frame that allocates sufficient time
for the various activities and also for revising, editing, and producing the final text.
2.13 References
In this section, the sources used to carry out the research work should be noted. The following guidelines should be
taken into consideration:
− Any literature cited in the proposal should be listed at the end of the document.
− Make sure your references are correct.
− Use of the American Psychological Association (APA) or Harvard referencing style is preferred.
2.14 Appendices
The appendices section may include any of the following: a timetable for the research, a budget for the research,
letters of introduction or permission, consent forms, measuring instruments, questionnaires, interview guides,
observation schedules, and examples of a pilot study or other relevant work already completed.
References
Karanja, J. (2016). A Guide to Research Proposal and Thesis Writing. Available at SSRN 2746361.
Malhotra, N. (2010), Marketing research: An applied approach (6th ed.). London: Prentice-Hall.
Punch, K. (2000). Developing Effective Research Proposals (Essential Resources for Social Research). Sage
Publications.