8 ELEMENTS OF A GOOD RESEARCH PROPOSAL

RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Before going into the details, we would like to state that from doing our own research and the knowledge gained from the in class lectures, we successfully managed to come up with a great research proposal that was accepted by our lovely lecturer, Miss Hani Suraya.

              

The topic of our research is 

“THE ADJUSTMENT CHALLENGES FACED BY INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS OF UTHM”.

The links to our research proposal and the slides during the proposal presentation are as below:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B5XlafUbHRxfeHZaQ3Bhejd3TzA

8 ELEMENTS OF A GOOD RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Writing a good proposal will help you manage your time so that you can complete the quarter with three papers that meet your objectives. The specific format and content of these elements may vary; they may not always appear as separate sections or in the order listed here.

1.    Background of the study

2.    Problem Statement

3.    Objectives of the study

4.    Significance of the study

5.    Limitation of the study

6.    Definition of terms

7.    Literature Review

8.    Methodology

Background of the study

The main idea of the background of study is to establish the area of research in which your work belongs, and to provide a context for the research problem. It also provides information to the research topic.

In an introduction, the writer should create:

v  reader interest in the topic,

v  lay the broad foundation for the problem that leads to the study.

Statement of the problem

When you start a research, you have a question that you wish to seek answer for. The question leads to a problem that needs to be solved by the research. Begin the research with a description of the problem or a thesis statement.

Objectives of the study

States what your research hopes to accomplish.

Significance of the study

Why your research is important and what contributions will it give to the field. It is also advised to state how your findings can make a difference and why is it important that the research be carried out.

Limitation of the study

It is not possible to include ALL aspects of a particular problem. State what is not included.  Specify the boundaries of you research. A too wide area of investigation is impractical and will lead to problems.

Definition of terms

Terms or concepts that you use should be defined and explained unless they are familiar or obvious. You should refer to authoritative sources for definitions.

Literature Review

This section need not be lengthy but it should reflect your understanding of relevant bodies of literature. List all pertinent papers or reports that you have consulted in preparing the proposal; include conversations with faculty, peers or other experts. A well-written review provides a sense of critical issues which form the background for your own work this quarter.

By doing this it shows that you are aware of the literature study that is required in your research area. Your review a substantial amount of reading materials before writing your proposal.It shows that you have sufficient theoretical knowledge in your chosen research area.

By reviewing related literature at this stage, it will make you:

v  Aware of other similar work which has been done.

v  Expose methodologies that have been adopted and which you may use or adapt.

v  Provide sources of information that you do not have yet.

By reviewing related literature at this stage, it will inform you:

v  If a chosen area has already been researched extensively.

v  Approaches that you do not know of before

Methodology

This section is the heart of the proposal because it provides insight into your perspective as well as details on how you plan to carry out the project. How will you accomplish your objective(s)? What theories or concepts will guide the study? How do they or might they suggest the specific hypotheses or research questions? Where might you run into obstacles?

Explain the specifics of what you want present in your project (statistical data, comparisons of historical and recent data, the evolution of a paradigm, etc.).  One way to do this is by developing a rough outline of the major topics and sub-topics that you will investigate.

Your timeline and a very rough scope (past – current – future) has been pre-determined. If outside organizations involved, explain how you are going to get hold of the data. Indicate why the methodology is used. If existing methodology is not to be used, explain why you need to use an adapted methodology.

A final note about good proposals

Quality writing is critical. The proposal should be clear, concise, and free of jargon. There should be no spelling or grammatical errors, and the proposal should be easy to read.

Start early and share ideas with peers! Incorporate feedback; gain ideas from reading other student work.

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References:

http://www.slideshare.net/azmial/8-elements-in-a-research-proposal

https://www.bcps.org/offices/lis/researchcourse/key_elements.html

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiL4Zu4zO3JAhUFGo4KHapbA8QQFggtMAI&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcourses.washington.edu%2Fcom538%2F2004%2Fpub%2FResearchProposal.doc&usg=AFQjCNFLBjtyemWougLB_lbFlxQ7PYKOEQ&sig2=CG2mTpCSyt6N-Y9ix4EaIQ&bvm=bv.110151844,d.c2E

http://www.centenary.edu/research/proposal/elements#sthash.XhuOMqAO.dpuf

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About Los Ingenieros

Los Ingenieros, loosely translated into The Engineers (from Spanish), is a group consisting of three students from Section 46 of Technical Writing subject, namely Adrian Savari Thomas, Dennis Daniel Lopez and Tillak R Chandra Mohan.

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