Yardstick International College

Department of Business Administration

Components of a Research Proposal
A research proposal is a systematic “blue print” that brings to focus the preliminarily
planning that will be needed to fulfil the purpose of the proposed study. More specifically, the
research proposal forces the researcher to think through every aspect of the study, facilitates
the evaluation of the intended study by the researcher and others, provides a guide for the
actual condition of the study, and reduces the probability of costly mistakes for it is a plan of
a research work. Even though there are different forms of writing a research proposal, the
following are some of the elements that require inclusion in it.
A) Cover page
The cover page of a research proposal should contain the name of the sponsoring
organization/institution, the research title, and the year the proposal is prepared. A good
research title should be short, accurate and concise. It should make the central objectives and
variable clear to the reader.
1. Full Name, Title and Address of the Principal andCo-Investigators (E-mail,
telephone number, names of college and department, academic rank &
specializations):
B) The Content part
Chapter one: Introduction
The introduction section should deal with the background of the study, statement of the
problem, theoretical/conceptual framework, and objectives of the study, significant of the
study, delimitation and limitation of the study, definition of basic terms and organization of
the study.
1.1. Background of the study
The background provides some general theoretical basis on the context of the research at
hand from global to local level, the existing policies pertaining to the issue under study (if
any), the related researches that have been conducted and findings obtained in the area of
your study (if any), and finally it should end up by stating the general goal of study.
1.2. Statement of the Problem
In this section, the researcher should justify why the study is being conducted, (causes &
problems initiated for the study) and also the current impact & its future consequence of the
problem on the study area. The researcher needs to try to elaborate the problem by assessing
the local researches done on the related area, and also develop hypotheses/ key research
questions, which may help show the direction of the whole exercise. (Note that the
hypotheses/ key research questions could also be presented independently as a separate
section too).
1.3. Objectives of the Study
Here, we first state the general objective and then expand its idea in the form of specific
objectives. The statements of objectives particularly, the specific objectives are the direct
reflection of the research hypotheses/basic questions or are simply the operationalization of
the answers to the formulated hypotheses/basic questions, and refer to what the researcher is
going to do in your research.
1.4. Significance of the Study
Here, the researcher should identify the beneficiaries of the study, justify the importance and
urgency of the study as to how the results of the study will be useful to them. More
specifically, when writing the significance of the study, focus need to be given on the study's
advantage to professional literature, working practices and research policy and guideline
implications
1.5. Scope/Delimitations of the Study
The research proposal should indicate that the study is delimited both in size and depth to
manageable size supporting by tangible reasons. Based on the nature of the research
problem, the delimitation of a given research activity could comprise all or some of the
following: area, issue and time delimitation.
1.6. Limitation of the Study (Optional at Proposal stage)
The fact that your research is properly designed does not guarantee that it is free from
constraints. The limitations (uncontrollable variables that confront investigation & affect
conclusions) surrounding you study and within which your conclusion may be confined will
be of different sources. It should be noted that the compromises you make as a result of the
constraints shouldn’t be into completely change the proposed study.
1.7. Definition of Basic Terms used in the Study
In this part of the study, definitions to the basic concepts (technical terms, words or phrases)
having special meanings employed in the study need to be defined operationally by the
researcher or with the help of Authorities (books, dictionaries, references, etc)
1.8. Organization of the study (Optional at Proposal stage)
The researcher has to organize systematically how the study is to be presented. Among other
things, he/she has to explain how the study is divided in to various chapters.
1.9. Theoretical Framework/Conceptual Framework
A Framework is described as the abstract, logical structure of meaning that guide the
development of the study. All frameworks are based on the identification of key concepts and
the relationships among those concepts. Framework can be derived from related concepts
(conceptual) or existing theories (theoretical). The terms conceptual framework and
theoretical framework are sometimes used interchangeably, but they have different meanings.
Their overall purpose is to make research findings meaningful and generalizable. Theories
and conceptual models help to stimulate research and the extension of knowledge by
providing both direction and impetus.
Chapter Two: Review of the Related Literature
It is a process of documenting, tracking, reviewing and organizing information, perspectives
and discourses of relevant and related sources through critical analysis and in-depth
evaluation, and finally providing sound summary of a body of knowledge to establish the
status, scope, and gaps of a Research Theme/s .It focuses on what has been done and what
needs to be done
Chapter Three: The Research Methodology
This part includes the major issues such as: the research method, sources of data, samples and
sampling techniques, data gathering instruments and procedures of data collection, methods
of data analysis as well as ethical considerations. Each of these issues is discussed briefly as
hereunder.
3.1 The Research design
Here, the researchers should describe in general terms the method to be employed to achieve
the Study objective and justify why this method should be used. The method may include
quantitative, qualitative or the mixed approaches. The method section typically includes a
description of the experimental design for experimental research, whereas the design and
procedure section may be combined in a plan for a descriptive study.
3.2 Sources of Data
In this section, the researcher should discuss the primary sources of data (identify the
population from which data will be collected as well as the secondary sources of data (If
any).
3.3 Sample and Sampling Techniques
It is expected that the researcher should explain the type of the sampling technique that
should be employed and discuss why they are selected. She/he should also determine the
sample and discuss the representativeness of the selected sample.
3.4 Data Gathering Tools and Procedures of data collection.
Under this section, the researcher should discuss the type/s of data gathering tools and how
they are going to be employed. She/he should also describe the steps to be followed in
collecting data from the field, and also how to test the instruments for validity and reliability.
3.5 Method of Data Analysis
Regarding quantitative research the researcher should describe the different data analysing
tools (descriptive and inferential statistical tools) and explain the reasons why these tools
have been selected. For qualitative research types indicate that the data will be analysed
through coding, transcribing, categorising and putting into Themes.
3.6. Ethical Considerations
Ethics is generally a set of rules, principles and conventions that outline socially acceptable
behaviors and social members’ actions. When stating ethical issues in research proposal
emphasize on the following major points: Unbiased attitude, equal treatment of sensitive
issues, informed consent, voluntary participation: respect for privacy: safeguarding the
anonymity of participants and the confidentiality of data, plagiarism, and accuracy of report
and results.
3.7. Time frame and Budget Schedule
3. 7.1. Time Schedule
Preparing time schedule in any research proposal is a must, because, it shows the time
interval to complete the research study. It helps also the researcher to divide a study into
phases and to use his time systematically for the completion of each phase. It is used to
manage the time properly.
3.7.2. Budget Schedule
In this part of the research proposal, the researcher should also include budget proposal
estimation. The estimating research budget basically includes the funds required for travel
expenses, typing, printing and cyclostyling, purchase of stationary materials and equipments,
tools, and books and other relevant materials etc
3.8. References
In the proposal, the researcher should give lists of books, journals and other documents that
he has used in selecting the problem and which he may use during the tenure of the study. As
to the reference citation, the academy shall use APA (American Psychological Association)
style which is indicated in the annex.
3.9 Declaration
We, the undersigned, declared that the proposed study is the original work of the
investigators.