Guidelines1 for Master’s Research
Proposals
A comprehensive master’s research proposal should at least cover the following aspects:
• Background and necessity of the proposed research.
The introduction to the research proposal should present a systematic funnel-like argument that
logically culminates in the formulation of the research initiating question2 that the proposed
research endeavours to answer. The introductory argument should provide a convincing motivation
for the research objective.
• Research objective.
The research objective should state what the proposed research intends achieving. The research
objective in essence is to answer the research initiating question.
• Literature study.
The literature study should unfold a systematic reasoned argument through scholarly theorising that
presents a convincing answer to the research initiating question. In the case of an explanatory
research study the literature study should culminate in a structural model as a complex hypothesis3.
The structural model describes the overarching substantive research hypothesis that will be tested in
the study as an answer to the research initiating question. In the case of a descriptive study the
literature study should culminate in a descriptive hypothesis that presents an essay-format
description of the current reality [in contrast to an ideal state] as well as an array diagnostic
hypotheses explaining why the current reality deviates from the ideal state. In the case of an
evaluation study the literature study should indicate whether theoretical reason exist to expect that
the intervention should achieve its stated objectives.
• Research methodology:
The research methodology section of the research proposal should indicate how the hypotheses that
emanated via theorising from the literature study, in response to the research initiating question,
will be empirically tested.
Research problems.
The research problems in essence ask whether the positions that were developed in
response to the research initiating question via theorising in the literature study are valid.
Research hypotheses.
The research hypotheses in essence state that the positions that were developed in
response to the research initiating question via theorising in the literature study are valid.
Research design.
The strategy in terms of which the validity of the substantive research hypotheses will be
tested should be described and evaluated critically.
Statistical hypotheses [if appropriate].
The substantive research hypotheses should be translated into statistical hypotheses given
the choice of research design.
Statistical analysis [if appropriate].
The statistical analysis technique by means critically of which the stated statistical
hypotheses will be tested should be described and evaluated.
Sampling.
The sampling procedure that will be used to select a sample from the target population
should be described and evaluated critically.
Measuring instruments.
The measuring instruments that will be used to evaluate the hypotheses should be described
and evaluated critically.
• Expected results and interpretation.
The expected decisions with regards to the stated statistical hypotheses [explanatory research] or
descriptive and diagnostic hypotheses [descriptive] should be indicated. The manner in which the
expected results will be interpreted theoretically-substantively with regards to the reasons that gave
rise to the study should be indicated.
• Expected conclusions and recommendations [theoretical, practical and future research].
The practical implications of the expected results should be indicated. The manner in which future
research could continue the momentum created by the current study should be indicated.
• Estimated contribution of the study to the achievement of the research objective.
The extent to which the proposed study should contribute to satisfying the reasons that gave rise to
the study should be indicated.
1 It should right from the start be conceded that no guideline or template could ever cater for all possible contingencies. Fundamentally the function of a
research proposal is to clarify what the proposed research attempts to achieve and why, to present and motivate the theoretical position that the research
will test and to explain how the theoretical position will be tested and why. A research proposal can be considered successful if the objectives are convincingly
achieved.
2 The research initiating question should, however, not be confused, with the research problem. The research initiating question is the question that sets the
research in motion. In the case of explanatory research the research initiating question is in essence the question why variance occurs in one or more
endogenous latent variables. In the case of descriptive research the research initiating question is in essence the question how units of analysis react with
regards to something and why they respond in this manner. In the case of evaluation research the research initiating question in essence is the question
whether theoretical grounds exist to expect the intervention to achieve its stated objective, whether the stated objectives are actually achieved and whether
the stated objectives are achieved in the intended manner.
3 It is thereby, however, not implied that the model necessarily has to be tested by means of structural equation modelling.