WHAT IS A RESEARCH/PROJECT PROPOSAL?

A research project is nothing less than “a tell-me-what-you-want to do-report” in respect of an intending research work.in other words,it is the plan of the research which the researcher intends to carry out.it is a direction-giving instrument of the intending research.it is used to make a ‘face judgement’ of the quality of the results which are attained after executing the research. It helps the researcher to have proper view of what is involved in carrying out a particular study. The researcher can articulate, ahead of time, the difficulties to be encountered and then able to device appropriate way of overcoming them. The researcher ,through the proposal,would be able to ascertain the work ability of some methods, cost involved and the number of external hands (enumerators) he requires in the implementation of the study. Both undergraduate and graduate research works, and of course every other research endeavour begin with writing of research proposal for the intending research.

HOW DO I BEGIN MY RESEARCH/PROJECT PROPOSAL AS AN UNDERGRADUATE OR GRADUATE STUDENT?

Do not begin your research proposal until you have agreed on a research title with your supervisor. When this is done, a research collaboration exercise has begun between you and your supervisor. It is at this point that you can start to write the proposal of your research based on the title you have agreed upon your supervisor. Some students thinks that writing a research proposal is to suggest a title to their research supervisors in writing for approval. It is not. A research proposal is a report that contains items which is more than just the research title.

A good research proposal is produced if the student-researcher ,first of all, spends some time reading issues around his research title, This will not only enable the researcher to put down the fact but will enable him put down currents facts about the research and the problem area concerned. In developing the content,there are certain guidelines that would be beneficial.

click here to know more on the typical formats for writing research project

HOW DO I GET MY RESEARCH/PROJECT TITLE?

On allocation to a supervisor, the student should approach his /her supervisor for introduction, and discussions on possible research title to work on. At this point either of two things will happen. The supervisor may give the student a title to undertake or a free hand to choose a title to work on. If the former is the case, the student has no choice -the teacher knows best. In the later case, which is being popularised these days, the issue of how the students get the research title will now arise. In seeking for a research /project title or topic, the student should boldly look around to see what problems exist in the society that relate to his field of study. This deserves insight through scientific study.

WHAT CONTENTS MAKE UP THE CHAPTERS IN STUDENTS RESEARCH/PROJECT PROPOSALS?

The chapter contents for graduate research proposals are the same with undergraduate research proposals, but normally one would expect a more mature discussion under each chapter by graduate than undergraduate students.

The contents of the chapters in students research proposals are as follows :

CHAPTER ONE

  • Introduction
  • Background to the study
  • Statement of the problem(or the problem statement),including the research questions
  • General objectives of the study
  • Specific objectives of the study
  • Hypothesis of the study(optional)
  • Significance of the study(or the justification for the study)
  • Definition and limitations of the study(Note:the limitations referred to here are those being expected)
  • Conceptual and Theoretical definition of terms

CHAPTER TWO

  • REVIEW OF LITERATURE(literature review)

CHAPTER THREE

  • METHODOLOGY
  • The study area(or the research area)
  • The population of the study(or the sample frame or the universe)
  • The research design
  • The sample size and sampling procedure
  • Types of data and instrument for data collection
  • Test of validity and reliability of instruments for data collection
  • Methods of data collection
  • Analysis of data
  • Operationalization of variables

UNDER WHAT CONDITION SHOULD I PRESENT MY RESEARCH/PROJECT WORK TO MY RESEARCH SUPERVISOR?

The nature in which a student submits his research matters a lot. The commencement of a research work should be closely associated with the opening of a research file.

The file should carry on its top(bear) the title of the research, the name and or the matriculation number of the research student,his/her address (name of department and university) and the name of the supervisor. Of course the session /year concerned should not be left out. This could be specified at the bottom position of the file.

Note:it is ideal that students address their research file appropriately, to avoid mistake which can delay work assessment.

    Article written by

    Henrib, the CEO at

    HASEATECH company

    Email:henrib704@gmail.com