Proposal for Project
A research proposal is a document that presents a plan for a project to reviewers for
evaluation. It is actually a road map showing clearly the location from where a
journey begins; the method of getting there and the destination to be reached at.
The purpose of the project proposal is to:
Present the issue to be researched and its importance.
Give an idea to instructor about how you will proceed in project.
Suggest the data necessary for solving the problem and how the data
will be gathered, analyzed and interpreted.
A proposal is also known as a work plan, prospectus, and outline, statement of
intent or draft plan. It tells us:
What will be done?
Why it will be done?
How it will be done?
Where it will be done?
For whom it will be done?
What is the benefit of doing it?
Format of Proposal for Project
Title page: It should include:
The topic
Name & ID of the student
Name of the University
University Logo
Date of Submission
Table of Contents: List the important headings and sub-headings used in the project
proposal with page numbers.
Chapter 1:
1.1 Introduction of the Project: It should include:
Introductory paragraph
Descriptions of the project title i.e. what this project is all about?
Rationale – Why this research is needed?
1.2 Background: Background of the research shows the impact and implication of
the topic on the environment (the specific set up in which you are studying the
issue). It should be well elaborated. It is advised to include current facts and
figures in the background. You should also explain it in the context with the
work already done on the topic. It should provide all the necessary initial
information so that the reader can better understand the situation under study.
1.3 Objectives: The objective of a certain research summarizes what to be achieved
by the study. Student should consider following points on stating research
objectives:
These should state the purpose of the project
These must be based on logical facts and figures
These must be achievable within a specified timeframe and
parameters
These objectives should be presented such that these should facilitate
the reader to locate various important points in the research work
The specified objectives should be clearly phrased in operational
terms specifying exactly what you are going to do, where and for what
purpose
At the end of the study, objectives must be assessed to see if they have
been met/achieved or not
1.4 Significance: It lays down the importance or potential benefits of the project. It
specifies how your study will improve, modify or broaden presented facts in the field
under exploration. Make a note that such improvements/ modifications may have
significant implications also.
When you are taking into account the importance of your study, pose yourself
the following questions.
What will be the outcomes of this research study?
Will the results of this research contribute to the solution or
development of anything related to it?
What will be improved or changed as a result of the proposed
research?
How will results of the study be implemented and what innovations
will come out?
Chapter No 2: Project Proceedings
It should include expected project sections, parts, main headings or outline of the
final project
Chapter No 3: Methodology
Explain methodology of your project and provide justification.
Tip: Keep in view the methodology used on the topic by other researchers previously and provide
reference according to APA format.
3.1 Data Collection Sources: Describe all the sources to be used for data collection.
Primary sources
Secondary sources
3.2 Data Collection Tools/Instruments:
Which tools will be used for data collection (i.e. Questionnaire,
Structured Interviews, Observations, etc) according to the need of the
project?
Why a particular tool is selected?
Is it possible to use multiple tools? If yes provide justification.
3.3 Subjects/Participants:
What is the target population?
What sampling frame will be used?
What type of sampling technique will be used?
3.4 Fieldwork/Data Collection:
How will the data be collected?
How will the quality control be assured during data collection?
How will the answers about practical issues be answered? For
example if you are going to carry out survey, then think about where
and for how long this survey will be carried out? Will organizations
(specify names) provide you access (physical, time, documents) to
what you need for your project?
3.5 Data Processing & Analysis: (Methods you will use to extract and process the
information you will gather)
How will the analysis be carried out?
Which software package (MS Excel, SPSS, etc.) will be used for data
entry and analysis?
Bibliography
Bibliography is a list of source materials on a particular subject. In a formal report,
it includes books and other library materials which have been consulted in the
preparation of the project. As a part of the reference matter, it follows the
appendices.
Note: The APA format for the reference citation is given in the lesson # 45 of the
lecture hand outs of STA630. It is also advised to consult the said course for a better
understanding of the research process.