THE RESEARCH PROCESS
The research process consists of a number closely related activity that overlap continually rather
than following a strict prescribed sequence. This means that the first step of a research project
determines the nature of the last.
If the subsequent steps have not been taken into account in the early stages serious difficulties may
arise and prevent the completion of a study.
Steps on research writing
The steps include
1. Selection of the problem.
2. Review of the literature.
3. Formulate objectives.
4. Design research project, where to do it (site) data collection methods
5. Data collection
6. Organization
7. Interpretation of data
8. Conclusion/ recommendations
9. Publication
FORMAT OF WRITING RESEARCH
Title Page
This page contains the title, name of the student, degree being pursued, department and University
and ends with copyright and date.
The title should have less than 21 words and contain both the independent and dependent variable.
For example:
THE EFFECT OF FORMS OF PLAY ON NUMBER RECOGNITION AMONG PRE-
SCHOOL LEARNERS IN MANDERA COUNTY, KENYA.
The title page should have your name.
It should also have the department as shown in the phrase below.
A research proposal submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of
the degree of Bachelor of Education in (Early Childhood Education) of the Department of
Education Communication and Technology, the Lukenya University.
The last part is the copyright and date: © December, 2023
DECLARATION
Then you have the declaration page contains the following statement.
I declare that this research proposal is my original work and has not been submitted to any
university for examination or for any other award.
This is followed by signature and your name. You sign above the line and write the name below
the line.
Hassan Kassim
You leave some space and then write this statement:
This proposal has been submitted for examination with our approval as university supervisors.
Underneath the statement put a dash for the supervisor to sign.
Mary Muema
Department of Education Communication and Technology
Lukenya University
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
SECTION/CHAPTER ONE
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background to the Study
Here you undertake a mini literature review in a funnel model: beginning with international,
regional, national and local level EMPIRICAL research related to your topic. You organize it
according to your objectives and do the same in Chapter 2.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Here you begin with the ideal: What would be the perfect scenario in relation to your topic of
interest? Then you state the current state; next you state efforts being made by the Government
through Ministry of Education to address the issue; State what else needs to be done to bring the
situation to the ideal. That is the gap you will fill.
N.B: The research gap will been established through a review of relevant literature organized by
objectives of your study outlining what has been done in your area of interest and what further
gaps there are to fill. The ones you do not fill then become your suggestions for further research.
1.3 Purpose of the Study
This is just a restating of your title and should only be a sentence beginning with:
The purpose of this research study will be/was to…
1.4 Objectives of the Study
Apart from the topic, this is the most important part of your study because it will guide how you
organize EVERYTHING else. So think through it seriously. Some of the factors to consider in
developing objectives of the study may include, but are not limited to:
1. The topic/title of the study
2. The independent and dependent variables. How many levels of the independent variable
can be derived? For utilization of group discussion strategy one may consider: How
learners will be grouped (same/mixed ability; same of different gender;
day/boarding/boys/girls/mixed/rural/urban schools; time (minutes or time of day –
morning/lunch/evening; gender – boys/girls/mixed gender; attitude –
positive/negative/ambivalent)
3. Teacher characteristics: Academic qualification (Certificate; diploma; B.Ed; M.Ed; PhD);
Experience (years): less than 5; 6-10; 11-15; 16-20; more than 20; gender: male and female
Academic
Achievement
Academic Certificate
qualification
diploma
B.Ed
M.Ed
PhD
Experience less than 5
6-10
11-15
16-20
Gender males
females
When writing objectives you have the following stem:
This study will be (was) guided by the objectives to:
1.5 Research Questions
The research questions are hived out of the objectives of the study. You start with this stem:
This study will be (was) guided by the following research questions:
1.6 Hypotheses of the Study/Null Hypotheses/Alternative Hypotheses
These are also hived from or informed by objectives of the study. Note also that you use
either research questions OR hypotheses of the study. NOT BOTH!
You start with the statement:
1.7 Significance of the Study (importance/benefit to different education
stakeholders)
This section focuses on who would benefit from your research and may include the following:
Learners – improved learning outcomes (scores); collaboration and communication skills.
Teachers – make their teaching easier; taking on the role of facilitator as opposed to teacher
to guide learners in various groups;
Curriculum developers incorporate similar strategies in curriculum development; reinforce
the use of similar strategies
Policy-makers – they will make evidence-based policy decisions regarding instructional
strategies.
Researchers/knowledge field – find the basis upon which they can undertake further
research.
Parents/community – have future leaders who work together and share available resources
1.8 Limitations of the Study
This sections focuses on challenges you are likely to face (or faced) during the whole research
process but more so during data collection EXCLUDING time and money. Why? These two limited
resources determine the research design and methods you adopt. They must be those that fit your
context and circumstances.
Each challenge must be accompanied by a way to go around it. Consider potential ethical
challenges associated with your own research such as those related with working with small
children or researching sensitive topics (emotional adjustment of orphans).
1.9 Delimitations of the Study
You include a statement as follows:
This study is delimited to……
Setting research boundaries in:
1. topic to research on (group discussion (strategy) and Business Studies (subject) and
performance (DV)
2. Theories, theoretical frameworks and models informing your study (constructivist
conceptual framework/Social constructivist approach Lev Vygotsky)
3. Methodology: research design (e.g., qualitative case study; descriptive survey research
design; pre-test-post-test experimental research design; ex-post-facto research designs);
target population (e.g., secondary school students and teachers); data collection and
analysis methods).
1.10 Basic Assumptions of the Study
The section has a statement:
The study made the following assumptions or made the assumption that….
1.11 Operational Definition of Key Terms of the Study
In this section choose key terms NOT every word should be defined. Some definitions can be
integrated in the text as you write it. The terms are arranged in alphabetical order. Begin with the
statement:
The following are the definitions of key terms used in the study.
1.12 Organization of the Study
This section summarizes the key sub-titles of all the three OR five sections of your research work.
Example
The study is organized into (three sections) or five chapters. Section/Chapter One discusses
background to the study, statement of the problem, purpose of the study and objectives and
questions guiding the study. The section/chapter also deals with significance of the study,
limitation and delimitations of the study as well as basic assumptions made in the study. The
section/chapter ends with operational definition of terms and organization of the study.
Section/Chapter Two focuses on review of literature related to the study organized by objectives
of the study. The section/chapter ends with a discussion of theoretical and conceptual framework
and conclusion of the chapter and establishment of research gaps.
Section/Chapter Three focuses on research methodology. It begins with research design adopted
in the study, target population, sampling technique and sample size, and instruments used for data
collection. The section/chapter ends with a discussion on validity and reliability of the research
instruments, procedure for data collection, ethical considerations made in the study and data
analysis techniques.
The focus of Chapter Four is on presentation analysis, interpretation and discussion of key findings
of the study organized by objectives of the study.
Chapter Five summarizes key findings of the study and presents conclusions and recommendations
based on the findings of the study. The chapter ends with suggestions for further research.
