The Research Proposal

Question 1

What is a Research Proposal?

Answer 1

• a summary of a proposed research study.
• goal is to justify the need to embark on the research study.
• outlines the process to conduct the proposed study and it can be used to request for funds to carry out a project.
• provides a rationale as to why the study will be undertaken and how it will be conducted, useful for planning.

Question 2

What are the outlines of a Research Proposal?

Answer 2

Title of Research
- tentative title of the research study

Introduction & Problem Statement
- give a broad background against which the research is going to be conducted, brief overview of the general area of study, summarising the current state of knowledge on the topic.

Context & Lit Review

• provide supporting lit to endorse the study
• ensure there is relevancy of the lit to the topic, what does the articles say regarding the topic, how was it carry out, what is missing.

Research Question & Hypotheses
- focus on the study, determines the methodology and guides all stages of inquiry, anakysis and reporting.

Assumptions & Limitatiions
- conditions of the study that the researcher cannot control

Significance of the Study
- describe potential significance of the findings from the research that might contribute to social work.

Research Methodology / Design

• Research Method - how to be carried out, to be qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods
• Population & Sampling Plan - identify the population & explain the sampling technique
• Data Collection Procedures - explain the dcp, incl questionnaires, ethical considerations and data confidentiality of data.
• Data Analysis & Presentation of the Findings - describe the methods & give reasons, include how the findings are going to be presented in the report

Listing Cost

• budget, be specific where money go to
• make a list of items needed.

Schedule to Guide & Monitor Data Collection

• use it to track that project on schedule & include contingency plan
• act as memory tickler, i.e keeps the interview refreshed on different aspects that are to be kept track.
• ensure sufficient time for each component of the research.

Acknowledgement To Avoid Plagiarism

• to give due acknowldegement other people’s work.
• include declaration of authenticity clause or statement.
• in-text citation and references at the end of Lit Review.