Research proposal guidelines for ARCH G.

C students

Components of a Research Proposal

I. Preliminary section

Title

 Research proposal title should demarcate the main focus/ or theme of the
proposed study.
 The title should accurately reflect the scope and content of the study.
 Should be concise, simple and catchy in not more than 20 words.
 Should be informative/descriptive yet discrete and contain the key words of
the proposal.

Proposal Summary

 It is a brief summary of consisting approximately 300 words (more or less)

 It should include the research objective, the rationale for the study,
significance of study, and method of the study.
 It should also be one page, one paragraph, single space and italic in format.

1. Introduction

 This section includes the background information of the subject,

statement of the problem, significance of the study and objectives of the
study.

1.1 Background of the study:

In background of the study, the researcher should:

 Create reader interest in the topic,

 lay the broad foundation for the problem that leads to the study,
  Place the study within the larger context of the scholarly literature, and
Reach out to a specific audience.

1.2 Statement of the problem

 The problem statement describes the context for the study, and it also
identifies the general analysis approach.
 It is important in a proposal that the problem stands-out that readers can easily
recognize it.
 A problem statement should be presented within a context, and that context
should be provided and briefly explained, including a discussion of the
conceptual or theoretical framework in which it is embedded.
 Clearly identify and explain the theoretical framework that undergirds the
study.

1.3. General and specific objectives

 These are specific objectives arising directly from the general objectives
of the study.
 For each specific objective you must have a method to attempt to achieve it.

1.4. Research Questions

 Questions are most often used in qualitative inquiry.

 A research question poses a relationship between two or more variables but
phrases the relationship as a question;
 Deciding whether to use questions depends on factors such as the purpose
of the study, the nature of the research design and methodology.
1.5. Significance of the study

 Indicate how the researcher will refine, revise, or extend existing

knowledge in the area under investigation.
 Such refinements, revisions, or extensions may have substantive, theoretical,
or methodological significance.
 Practitioners and professional readers should be considered.

1.6 Delimitation/Scope of study

 This section delimits the specific area of the research. Delimitation addresses
how a study will be narrowed in scope—how it is bounded.
 This is the place to explain the things that the researcher is doing and why
he/she has chosen not to do them—the literature he/she will not review (and
why not), the population he/she is studying (and why not), the methodological
procedures he/she will not use(and why he/she will not use them).

1.7. Description of study area

 It shows land surface area which was mapped and quantitatively

described regarding to the research title.
 What a research topic is placed into, but is much broader than the scope of
the topic.

1.8. Operational Definitions (this component is field specific)

 This section clearly identifies and defines the central concepts or ideas of the
study.
 When defining terms, make a judicious choice between using descriptive or
operational definitions.
2. Literature Review

 It deals with the analysis of existing literature on the subject with the objective
of revealing contributions, weaknesses and gaps.
 It should be according to the themes of the study and should reflect the
objectives, hypotheses, methods and research questions.
 It provides the background and context for the research problem.
 It helps relate the proposed study to the larger ongoing discourse in the
literature about a phenomenon, filling in gaps in the literature and extending
earlier studies.
 It should establish the need for the research and indicate that the writer is a
knowledgeable about the area.

3 Research methodology

 In this section the students should give clear, specific, appropriate and credible
procedures that shall be followed to attain the proposed objectives of the
study.
 The research design planed for use should be clearly stated.
 The research method should be appropriate to the problem area i.e. the
statement of the problem, objective and questions.

3.1. Sampling

 Based on the nature of the field of specializations the necessary sampling

techniques and size should be identified and employed in consultation with
advisor.

3.2. Data Collection

 Outline the general plan for collecting the data.

  This may include administration procedures, interview or observation
procedures.
 Include an explicit statement covering the field controls to be employed.
 Provide a general outline of the time schedule you expect to follow.

3.3. Data Analysis

 The students should decide how the data generated will be analyzed.
 Descriptions of data analytical methods, techniques, tools and statistical tests
that will be used should be provided.
 Software planed for use in statistical analysis may also mention (e.g.,
ethnography, SAS, SPSS, STATA and Others).

3.4. Ethical Consideration

 Ethics of the research here refers to the morals of the investigation or

intervention as regards the minimal abuse, disregard, safety, social and
psychological well -being of the person, community and /or animals i.e., how
the principles of consent, beneficence and justice are handled in the study.
 The researcher needs to include a statement where ethical clearance will be
obtained.

4 Budget

 This is the financial plan for implementation of the research.

 It should be clear, realistic and reasonable (affordable).
 It should be itemized according to the following: equipment, stationery,
materials, per-diem, travel, research assistance, services (Secretarial,
 Photocopying, Printing, Binding, laboratory etc.), dissemination
(Publishing, Conferences etc.), contingency 10%, and Others (Specify).

5 .Time Framework/Work Plan

 This is the schedule / time-table of activities covering the period over which
the research is to be implemented with due regard to budgetary consideration.

References

This is a list of all works cited in the proposal and should be written
according to the approved format. Citations shall not be less than 15 in the
proposal and text books as a citations are not advisable. The format shall be
according to field area of specialization.
 Summary of quick guideline for proposal writing

Chapter One: Introduction

1.1.Background of study 1.4. Research questions

1.2.Statement of the Problem 1.5. Significance of study
1.3.Research objective 1.6. Scope of study
1.3.1.General objective 1.7.Description of study area

1.3.2. Specific objectives 1.8 .Operational definations

Chapter Two: Literature review

 Theoretical review
 Conceptual review
 Contextual review

Chapter Three: Research Methodology

3.1. Research design 3.4.2. Sample size
3.2. Data types 3.5. Method of data collection
3.3. Data sources 3.6. Method of data analysis
3.4. Sampling design 3.7. Method of data presentation
3.4.1. Sampling techniques 3.8. Validation & reliability

Chapter Four: Work Plan

4.1.Schedule for work plan

Chapter Five: Budget Plan

5.1. Material costs 5.3.Grand sum total
5.2.Transport costs
Reference
 Thesis Proposal Outer Cover Page
Title----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------
--------------------------

Name of Candidate (Full Name)

A Proposal Submitted to the department of----------------,

School of ……………..

Office of Graduate Studies

Dilla University

Dilla
Month, year
 Thesis Proposal Inner Cover Page
Title----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------
--------------------------

Name of Candidate (Full Name)

Advisor(s)

A Proposal Submitted to the department of----------------,

School of ……………..

Office of Graduate Studies

Dilla University

Dilla
Month, year
 Approval sheet for thesis proposal
_________________ _____________________ ___________________
Name of Student Signature Date
________________ _________________ ___________________
Advisor /Supervisor/ Signature Date
________________ _________________ ___________________
Department head Signature Date
________________ _________________ ___________________
Examiner Signature Date
Declaration
I hereby declare that this BSc thesis is my original work and has not been presented for a degree
in any other university, and all sources of material used for this thesis have been duly
acknowledged.

Name: ___________________________________________________________
Signature: _______________________________________________________

This BSc thesis has been submitted for examination with my approval as thesis advisor/
Supervisor.

Name: __________________________________________________________
Signature: _______________________________________________________

Date of submission…………………
 Table of Content
LIST OF FIGURES………………………………………………………………………... I

LIST OF TABLES…………………………………………………………………………. II

LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS………………………………………..III

PROPOSAL SUMMARY…………………….……………………………..…………….. IV

CHAPTER ONE……………………………………………………………………….……...1

1. INTRODUCTION…….…………..………………………………………………….…..…1

1.1.Background of study……………………………………………………………….....……………..
1.2.Statement of the Problem……………………………………………………………………....…..
1.3.Research objective………………………………………………………………..........…………...
1.3.1.General objective……………………………………………………………..………..
1.3.2. Specific objectives………………………………………………………….……..….
1.4. Research questions .....................................................................................................................
1.5. Significance of study..................................................................................................................
1.6. Scope of study ............................................................................................................................
1.7.Description of study area……………………………………………………………………..
1.8 .Operational definations ……………………………………………………………………...
CHAPTER TWO ……………………………………………………..………………………..

2. LITRATURE REVIEW…………………………………...…………………………………...

2.1. Theoretical review ……………………………………………………....……………………

2.1.1.………………………………………………………..…..…………..……………………
2.1.2……………....…continued ……………………………….…..………………………...…
……………………………………………………………………...…………………………
2.2. Contextual review ………………………………………….…….……………………………
2.2.1 ………………………………………………………………...……………….………….
2.2.2………… ………continued ……………………… ……….…………………………….
…................................................................................................................................................
CHAPTER THREE ........................................................................................................................
3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY…………………………………………………………......

3.1……………………………………………………………………………………………….….
3.2………………...…………………………………………………………………………………
3.3 …………………………………………………………………………………………..………
3.4………………………………continued …………………………………………..……………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

CHAPTER FOUR ...........................................................................................................................

4. WORK PLAN..............................................................................................................................
4.1.Schedule for work plan .............................................................................................................
CHAPTER FIVE ............................................................................................................................
5. BUDGET PLAN ..........................................................................................................................
5.1. Material costs ........................................................................................................................................
5.2.Transport costs ....................................................................................................................................
5.3.Grand sum total ........................................................................................................................
Reference.......................................................................................................................................
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1…………………………………………………………………………………………
Figure 2…………………………………………………………………………………………
Figure 3…………………………………………………………………………………………
Figure 4…………………………………………………………………………………………
Figure 5…………………continued……………………………………………………………
List of tables
Table 1…………………………………………………………………………………………
Table 2…………………………………………………………………………………………
Table 3…………………………………………………………………………………………
Table 4…………………………………………………………………………………………
Table 5…………………continued……………………………………………………………
LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

……………. ………………………………..

……………. ………………………………..

……………. ………………………………..

……………. ………………………………..

……………. ………………………………..
 Proposal summary
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………….

Key words: ----------------, ----------------, ----------------,

 Standard format for Reporting
The research report should be written in a style that it is clear and concise. Therefore the
following considerations should be kept in view in writing a research report.

Language English
Paper Specifications:

Color White
Size 21 cmx29.7 cm (A4)
Typing:

Left margin 3 cm
Right margin 2.5 cm
Top margin 2.5 cm
Bottom margin 2.5cm
Spacing 1.5
Side Front Single
Font size 12
Font type Times New Roman,
Font style Regular
Font color Black
Breaking a word on 2 lines Not allowed
Corrections with fluid Not allowed
Overwriting Not allowed
Crossing out words Not allowed
Typing machine Computer
Printing quality Laser or better quality
Copies High quality photocopy