UNIVERSITY OF TOLIMA

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

B.A. IN ENGLISH

GUIDELINES FOR RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Format: type your paper at double-space and paginate top-right margin. Include title page.

Writing Style:

 Write short sentences, separated by periods. Subject+Verb+Complement.

 Use a neutral, academic register. Do not use contracted forms.
 Be tentative if you do not have evidence. Use expressions such as: generally.., in
some cases…., it may happen…., this could be originated from…., etc.
 Use the language accurately; check spelling and syntax before handing in your
paper.
 Express ideas in a coherent and cohesive way.
 Avoid redundancy; look for synonyms of frequent words such as “important”. Eg:
central, key, crucial, essential, fundamental.
 Your paragraphs need to have semantic unity. Do not jump from one topic to
another in the same paragraph.
 Connection among paragraphs is also important.
 Do not copy from the internet; that is plagiarism and will not be admitted.

Content:

1. TITLE: summarizes the general idea of the research. There is no need to include
the participants in the title.

1. PROBLEM STATEMENT: 3 paragraphs referring to:

 Importance of the research topic.

  Description of the problematic situation: Describe in detail how the problem is
evidenced in the educational context. Suggest symptoms and potential causes.
 Connection between the problem and the necessity of the study. This paragraph
ends with the formulation of the problem, in the form of a question, which requires
mentioning the participants.

1. JUSTIFICATION: 2 paragraphs referring to:

 Why (existing gap, why it is important to research this issue) and

 What for (what results will be obtained and their impact to pre-service teachers, in-
service teacher, the research/ educational context). The benefits results will bring to
different actors.

1. GENERAL OBJECTIVE resembles the formulation of the problem. This should

mention the participants.

1. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK AND ANTECEDENTS: Include:

 An introductory paragraph, where you mention the basic theoretical aspects and
sub-aspects you will refer to in relation to your research problem, and the previous
studies you will review.
 Brief definition or description of the factors or theoretical constructs comprised in
the research question. Resort to well known authors to back up your definitions. Use
at least two authors per concept. Refer to specific aspects, such as the definition,
types, advantages. Eg: Definition of motivation and types of motivation.
 You may paraphrase the author, keeping the sense of the original source, Eg:
(Littlewood, 1980), or quote literally, Eg: (Larsen-Freeman, 1982, p.56); in both
cases give the corresponding credit as shown in the examples. Use APA Style,
Check http://owl.english.purdue.edu/ (citations).
 Review at least 2 previous empirical studies with central relevance to your research
topic. Include national and international studies. For each of them, describe the aim
of the study, the results and the contribution to your own proposal.

1. METHODOLOGICAL DESIGN: Include an introductory paragraph, where you

mention the subsections you will refer to.
6.1 Type of Research: Approach, paradigm and method with short explanation.

6.2 Research Context and Participants:

First, Describe the educational institution: (As detailed as possible)

Primary/ secondary/ higher education, private/ state, offered shifts, total # of students,
socio-economic status, specific emphasis if applicable, facilities.

Second, Describe the program, semester or grade you will work with: Shift, # of
participants. Specify if you will work with a subset of the total # of students, gender,
English level.

6.3 Data Collection Instruments:

Mention all the specific instruments you will use for the achievement of your
objectives. Identify the participants to which it will be addressed, and mention the aim you
pursue with the instrument. Remember this aim is closely related to the objective.

1. REFERENCES

Include complete references of the authors used to back up definitions Use APA Style,
Check http://owl.english.purdue.edu/ (list of references)

Oral Presentation: 5 minute presentation where you:

 Demonstrate coherence between title, RQ and objective.

 Identify and describe briefly your theoretical constructs.
 Explain your methodology: type of study, participants and instruments. The
methodology should be consistent with your question and objective.

Note: Plagiarism is illegal and will not be accepted in this class. When you quote an author
from a book or from the internet, include the corresponding source and reference. Your
work must be 100% your own production. Not following this guideline will prevent you
from getting any credit on this or other assignments.