Subject
Year
: G-1342 Research Seminar
: 2008/2009
INTRODUCTION:
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
AND ITS PARTS
Meeting 1
What is a Research Proposal?
• A Research Proposal is a structured written plan for a study
or investigation.
• It communicates the intention of a researcher and spells
out how the researcher plans to achieve his or her
investigative objective.
• It should include the purpose of the study, its significance,
and a detailed step-by-step plans for conducting the
study.
• It outlines the main problems to be investigated whereby
the research question(s) are stated together with the
variables to be investigated.
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Three Basic Components of a Proposal
1. Introduction
Introduces the main research problems and outlines
the study including the research questions, the
significance and limitations of the study.
2. Literature Review
Discusses the research problems/hypotheses and
their relationship to the existing body of related
literature.
3. Methodology
Details the research methodology i.e. the population,
the sample, the data collection and data analysis
processes.
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Introduction
•
•
•
•
Generally introduces what the research is all about;
The first major section the reader encounters;
Has to be effective in order to encourage further interest;
Provides the reader with a brief background to the
research and goes on to establish the theoretical
framework for the research;
• Look at the following example of elements required to
structure an introduction:
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Example:
Title:






“Learning readiness among the staff of the Faculty
of Education, Universiti Teknologi MARA”
A brief description of what e-Learning is
Usage of e-Learning at large (from the literature)
A brief description of what this study will be focusing on
The e-Learning tools in place
Impact of e-Learning on teaching and learning
The importance and benefits of this study
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Background of Study
• Creates in the readers the desire to know more about
the study
• Prepares readers to gain a better understanding of the
research topic in the relevant context
• Starts with a general statement or explanation
• Then focus on the specific area identified
• This specific discussion is based on appropriate and
established theories, concepts, models, and principles
within that particular area of research
• May include the history or latest development of the area
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Statement of the Problem
• Accurately worded problem statement to focus on issues
being studied
• Constructed using simple and clear language
• Each sentence comprises only one unit of meaning or
message at one time
• Become the backbone/base/point of departure to clarify
the confines and direction of the research
• The research statement should be researchable, ethical,
and one that will not only contribute to the existing body
of knowledge, but also lead to further research
• Can be constructed either in the form of a question (?) or
declarative(+) statement
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Criteria for Research Problems
(Ary, Jacobs & Razavieh, 2002):
• It clarifies exactly what is to be investigated. This is done
by specifying the variables involved in the problem,
stating those variables in question form, and
operationally defining the variables.
• The problem focuses on a relationship between two (or
more) variables stated in the form of a question or
implied question.
• The problem should be stated in such a way that
research into the question is possible.
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Quantitative vs Qualitative Problem Statement
• Quantitative researchers state the problem in the form of a
specific question about the relationship between variables:
– “Do students contribute their academic success to the amount of time
they spent on homework?”
– “Do children who are taught reading through mastery learning score
higher on reading achievement than children who are taught reading
aloud?”
• Qualitative researchers begin with a general topic of interest.
The problem statement focuses on the “why” or “how” of certain
phenomena:
– “How do Indonesian teachers cope with children with special needs in
inclusive education?”
– Why are students lured into substance abuse?
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Limitations of the Study
• Limiting conditions or constrains that may
occur while the research is being
conducted;
• Includes conditions such as sample size,
location, lack of time, facilities, energy,
finance, methodology, etc.
• Therefore, the research must be focused.
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Purpose and Objectives of the Study
• Stated clearly and related specifically to the variables
identified in the study;
• Enables the researcher to be sensitive to and abide by
the constraints of the research design, review of
literature, data requirements and the subsequent
procedures for data analysis;
• Clarifies the nature and direction of the study
• Prevents the researcher from digressing from or going
beyond the focus of the study.
• Two sections: purpose (general) and objective (more
detailed, specific, firmly stated)
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Research Method
• Provides an overview of the methodology
• Justification on the chosen
methodology/technique
• Includes:
– Research Design
– Population and Samples
– Instrumentation
– Data Collection
– Data Analysis Procedures
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