Dr. Ahmad Jusoh
On what criteria are research
proposal judged?
 Do you have a clear idea of what you plan to research?
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Does your proposal have focus?
Is it a topic worthy of academic study and significance?
Do you demonstrate an adequate understanding of the
debates in the literature on this topic?
Is the project feasible? Do you have a realistic idea of
how you are going to tackle the investigation?
Is it doable within the time constraints?
Does the bibliography and referencing conform to
accepted conventions? Is it technically faultless?
The process of developing a
research proposal
Broad Theme
Particular Topic
Problem
within the
topic
The format of a research proposal:
Chapter 1: Introduction
1)
2)
Research Background (introduction)
Research Problem and Research Questions
I.
The engine of your thesis
II.
How to identify Research Problem?
I.
Literature Driven.
II.
READ, READ, READ & NO SHORT-CUT
III.
Demonstrate that you are familiar with the academic debates
on the issues chosen.
III.
It should focus on a gap in the debates /a puzzle / an ambiguity
IV.
You should be able to explain why it is a problem and why it is
worthy of study.
V.
If the answer to the question is already known, or one on which
there is scholarly consensus, then the question is not worth
pursuing.
VI.
Questions can start with “can?”, “should?”, “is?”, “how?”, “what?”,
“why?” etc.
Chapter 1: Introduction
Research Objectives
3)
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
Derived from research questions
Objective: Which is the problem your thesis hopes to
address and aimed at an academic audience.
Your thesis must have an academic aim as its central aim.
Consider starting your objectives with words like “To…:
explore, investigate, analyze, determine, understand,
compare, evaluate, assess.
4) Significant of the study
i.
ii.
Academic/ theoretical i.e; To understand the phenomena
Strategic/practical i.e; To provide recommendation for policy
makers.
5) Definitions of Terms
Chapter 2: Literature Review
A review of the relevant literature
The literature review is crucial to formulating the
framework of the research.
Examine past and recent studies that act as a basis for
proposed study.
Begin from comprehensive perspective moving to more
specific studies (that relate to your problem).
Discuss the current status of your topic
Avoid the inessential literature.
Emphasize on the:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
importance results, most recent findings and conclusion of other
studies. Any contradict findings?
trend from previous research
In what context is most of the literature located
Methodology or design (that could be duplicated or should be
avoided)
Chapter 2: Literature Review
f)
Emphasize on the .. (conti.)
v. The interpretation of the key concepts
vi. What theoretical model relates to your research topic?
g) Demonstrate that you have some sense of the debates in
literature around the topic.
h) Must show relationship between literature & Problem
Statement.
i) Discussion of the relationship between the important
variables  provide basis for hypothesis development.
j) The literature review help you to formulate the
framework of the research.
Chapter 3: Methodology
 Describe “How you are going to do”-> Research design.
 Unit of analysis (respondents): individual? Company?
Provide justification!!
 Purpose of study: Exploration? Description? Hypothesis
testing?
 Research Design:
 Sampling Procedure…Justification!!!
 Data Collection Method:
 Quantitative? Survey / secondary data.. Justification!!!
 Qualitative?? Structured or semi structured Interview?/
Participant Observation?.. Justification!!!
 Reliability & validity of the instrument
 Result of the pilot test
 Data Analysis techniques: Parametric/non-
parametric/qualitative? … Justification!!!
4.0 Indicative Structure of a Thesis
Chapter
1.
Introduction
 Background &Purpose of the study.
 Research Problem, Research Questions, Research Objectives
 Significant of the study
%
of report
10
2. Literature Review
Evaluation of the existing body of knowledge on the topic
Theoretical Framework (if applicable)
demonstrate an adequate understanding of the debates in the literature on the
topic
 Hypothesis formulation (if applicable)
30
3. Methodology
Research Design
Purpose of study (exploration/Description/Hypothesis Testing?), Sampling,
Unit of measurement, Measurement, Data collection Method, Data Analysis
Techniques
Justification for choice of methods
20
4. Finding/Result
Presentation & Discussion
5. Conclusion
Summary of what you found out in relation to each research question
Your contribution to knowledge
30
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