Generic steps in

Academic proposal
writing

What is a research
proposal?
A research proposal is a document
that provides a detailed description
of the proposed program.
It is like an outline of the entire
research process that gives a reader
a summary of the information
discussed in a project.

Generic steps in proposal

writing
Cover Page/Front page content
Title-upper case bold and centered with
suitable font size
The following should appear in this appear
order
Authors names & department
---Surname in capital letters
Citation
---citations vary depending on the university
e.g. a research proposal submitted in partial
fulfillment of the requirements for the (name
of qualification & institution)
Months and year of submission

Declaration
------e.g. I certify that data, information
and documents communicated in the
project proposal are complete and
true.
List of acronyms---- this gives the
full list of abbreviations used in the
proposal

Chapter one
Background/introduction
Discuss the current state of affairs, and
why/how your project will investigate,
alter or otherwise influence the status
quo (existing state of affairs).
Demonstrate that the proposed project
will be a valuable addition to the
literature. Discuss the practical and/or
clinical application of the results.
Appropriate referencing will be required.

Statement of the
problem
---precisely stated;
a. It states exactly and specifically what the problem is.
b. It identifies the underlying causes of the problem.
c. It documents the problem and gives evidence for your
explanation of it.
d. It states how serious and widespread the problem is. It
states how many people are affected.
e. It identifies the likely consequences if the problem is
allowed to continue.
f. The problem statement shows that you have a good
understanding of the problem or issue targeted by the
proposed project

Objectives
a. They flow logically from the problem and the goal.
b. They lead to the reduction of the problem and
achievement of the goal.
c. They are specific.
d. They are measurable.
e. It is realistic to accomplish them in the time
specified.
f. They identify who is responsible for them.
g. They state by what date they will be
accomplished.

Objectives contd
General/overall objective
---always one general objective
Specific objective
---These can be several

Hypothesis
Many describe it as an educated
guess, based on prior knowledge
and observation.

Hypothesis
Consider using an If, then format for your hypothesis,
or state your hypothesis as a question. The former will
make it easier for your statistician to select the tests
most likely to generate appropriate results.
Examples
"Raising the temperature of a cup of water
[temperature is the independent variable] will increase
the amount of sugar that dissolves [the amount of
sugar is the dependent variable].
"If a plant receives fertilizer [having fertilizer is the
independent variable], then it will grow to be bigger
than a plant that does not receive fertilizer [plant size
is the dependent variable]."

Chapter two
Literature review--- Please perform a
scholarly review of the literature to
establish the existing knowledge in
the area of inquiry or development.
---citations cleared stated
---citations not more than five years
---proper use of the language
---fluency/coherence

Chapter three
Materials and methods
Study area--- very brief
Materials
---Outline in broad strokes the materials that will be
necessary to complete the project. Large capital
expenditures should be included. Smaller items and
consumables may be deferred to the Academic Project
Budget. Personnel being relied upon for participation in the
study should be listed by category. Please specify if/how
they will be reimbursed. Amounts should be deferred to
the budget.
Examples (lists not exhaustive):
Drug, medical supplies, etc. under investigation
Computers, cameras, or other hardware that must be
purchased for the purposes of the project
Travel bursary (to allow one investigator to supplement
cost of attendance at local, national, or international
meeting)

Methods
a. They describe how you will accomplish each objective.

b. They describe who you will work with or who will help you,
what are their qualifications, and what they will do.
c. They identify other methods considered and rejected.
e. They identify the facilities, equipment, and materials
needed to operate the program.
f. They provide a time-line of the project development and
implementation

Evaluation/statistical
analysis
a. It describes the method(s) you will use to
evaluate and monitor) the results
b. It describes who will carry out the evaluation. c. It
tells the reader what you will be looking for in the
evaluation.
d. It describes what will be done with the results.

References
References should be formatted in the
same manner used by citation manager.
Example:
----Mengual RP, Feldman MJ, Jones GR.Implementation of a novel
prehospital advance directive protocol in southeastern Ontario. CJEM.
2007 Jul; 9(4):250-9.

--- various reference managers are

available e.g. Referencer, RefDB, Zotero,
EndNote, Mendeley etc.

Appendix 1: Work plan

Outline the timeline for your project from
application through to presentation of
results or deliverables. Timeline is be used
to determine phased release of funding, as
necessary.

Appendix 2:Budget
---realistic & reasonable
---consistent with the proposal

Other Appendices
-----Supporting Material
a. Letters of support , prior work in the
area
b. Other supporting material is
included (press articles, etc.).