Research Project
Lecture 3
Developing a Research Proposal
LECTURE CONTENTS
3.1. WHAT IS A RESEARCH PROPOSAL?
3.2. CRAFTING A TITLE AND ABSTRACT
3.3. BACKGROUND AND LITERATURE REVIEW
3.4. RESEARCH AIM, OBJECTIVES, AND QUESTIONS
3.5. METHODOLOGY
3.6. EXPECTED OUTCOMES AND RESEARCH TIMELINE
3.1. What Is A Research Proposal?
Research Proposal
Research proposal is a structured plan of a
proposed research project, sometimes referred to
as a protocol or outline.
Saunders, Lewis, and Thornhill (2023)
The Importance of Research Proposal
A research proposal acts as a structured guide, specifying what, why, how, when, and
where the research will be conducted.
A well-written proposal ensures coherence and logical flow, making it easier to follow
the research process.
It ensures that ethical issues—such as participant consent, data confidentiality, and risk
minimization—are carefully considered.
It prepares researchers for potential obstacles by encouraging them to plan alternative
approaches
Key Components of Research Proposal
Title Methodology
Abstract Ethical considerations
Background Timeline
Literature review Expected outcomes
Research questions
3.2. Crafting A Title And Abstract
Characteristics Of A Good Title
Concise
A good title should use the minimum number of words while accurately describing
the content of the research.
It should avoid unnecessary phrases such as “A study to explore…” and instead focus on
the main concepts or variables in the research.
The title should be brief but informative, providing a clear indication of the research
topic without being overly complex or vague.
Suggestion: A helpful way to test a title's effectiveness is to ask a colleague to describe what
they think the research is about based on the title alone. If their response aligns with the study's
content, the title is likely effective.
Specific
A good title should clearly describe the content of the research without being too
broad or vague.
It should avoid general or ambiguous terms and instead highlight key concepts,
variables, or relationships.
Example of a vague title: "A Study on Business Growth”
Example of a specific title: "The Impact of Digital Marketing Strategies on SME Growth in Vietnam"
The title should allow readers to immediately understand the research scope and
objectives without needing to read the full paper
Reflective of The Research Focus
The title should summarize the main research problem and key variables.
Example: Instead of a vague title like "Marketing Strategies in Business," a more focused title would be "The
Impact of Digital Marketing on Consumer Purchasing Behavior.”
It should clearly define what the research is about, making it easier for readers to
understand the scope of the study without needing further explanation.
If the research direction changes during the study, the title should also be updated to
ensure it accurately reflects the study’s content
Example of Weak Titles
"Marketing Strategies in Business."
Issue: Lacks specificity about which marketing strategies, industry, or geographical focus.
"An Investigation into Various Marketing Strategies Used by Small and Medium-Sized
Enterprises to Enhance Customer Engagement in the Digital Age.”
Issue: Contains unnecessary words and could be more concise.
"The Ultimate Guide to Solving All Customer Retention Issues.”
Issue: Research should not claim to solve all problems but rather explore them with evidence-based
insights.
Example of Strong Titles
"The Impact of Social Media Marketing on Consumer Purchase Intentions”
"A Case Study of Leadership Styles in Tech Startups in Singapore”
"Assessing the Relationship Between Corporate Social Responsibility and
Brand Loyalty in the Fashion Industry”
"The Effect of Financial Literacy on Investment Decisions Among Young
Adults"
Elements of a clear and
compelling abstract
Background
The background section addresses the central issue of the research. It helps answer the
question: What is the research about, and why is it important?
It explains why the research question is significant and how it contributes to existing
knowledge.
The background must demonstrate familiarity with relevant literature.
This section is not a detailed literature review but rather a summary of key sources
that justify the research direction
Objective
The objectives should explicitly state why the study was conducted.
The objectives should be directly related to the research questions and hypotheses.
Avoid broad or vague statements; instead, be precise and specific.
The objectives should demonstrate the significance of the study.
Example: This study examines the influence of leadership styles on employee productivity in
remote work environments, offering valuable insights into effective retention strategies within the
tech industry.
Methodology
The methodology section in an abstract should concisely describe how the research
was conducted.
Clearly mention whether the study is qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods.
Indicate if it is experimental, case study, survey-based, or another research strategy.
Describe the primary and secondary data sources used in the study. Indicate whether
data was gathered through surveys, interviews, experiments, archival data, etc.
Mention any ethical approvals or considerations related to participant consent,
confidentiality, or research integrity.
Example of Methodology in Abstract
“This study employs a mixed-methods approach to examine the impact of remote leadership
on employee productivity. Data were collected through an online survey (n=300) and semi-
structured interviews (n=20) with managers from multinational corporations. A cross-
sectional research design was used, with participants selected via stratified random sampling.
Quantitative data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM), while qualitative
data underwent thematic analysis to identify key leadership challenges in virtual work
environments.”
Significance
Explains how the research advances existing knowledge.
Highlights how the findings can be applied in real-world scenarios.
Discusses how the study supports, challenges, or extends existing theories.
Addresses how the research affects society, industry, or policymaking.
Example: "The findings offer practical recommendations for e-commerce businesses to enhance
customer engagement through personalized AI-driven marketing campaigns."
3.3. Research Aim, Objectives,
And Questions
How to define the overall purpose of the study
The overall purpose of a research study involves clarifying the research question, aim,
and objectives. The research question determines whether the purpose is exploratory,
descriptive, explanatory, evaluative, or a combination of these.
Types of Research Purpose:
Exploratory Research: Seeks to explore or clarify understanding of an issue, problem,
or phenomenon. Research questions often begin with “What” or “How”.
Example: “What factors influence employee motivation in remote work environments?”
How to define the overall purpose of the study
Descriptive Research: Aims to describe characteristics of a population, situation, or
phenomenon. Often involves structured data collection methods such as surveys or case
studies.
Example: “How do small businesses implement digital marketing strategies?”
Explanatory Research: Investigates causal relationships between variables.
Example: “What is the effect of leadership styles on employee productivity?”
Evaluative Research: Assesses the effectiveness of a strategy, policy, or intervention.
Example: “To what extent does a flexible work policy improve employee satisfaction?”
Clear and specific objectives to achieve the
aim
Research objectives help operationalize the research question and define the steps
needed to meet the research aim. They must be clear, specific, and achievable.
The objective must align with the research aim and overarching research question.
All objectives should form a coherent sequence of steps, leaving no gaps.
The objective must be feasible, and data sources should be identifiable.
There should be a clear way to determine when the objective has been achieved.
Formulate testable questions based on the
SMART criteria
Specific (S): Clearly define what you are investigating.
Example: Instead of "How does social media affect business?", ask "How does Instagram
advertising impact customer engagement in small retail businesses?”
Measurable (M): Ensure the question allows for quantifiable or observable
outcomes.
Example: "What percentage of online shoppers engage with Instagram-sponsored ads, and how
does this affect their purchase decisions?"
Formulate testable questions based on the
SMART criteria
Achievable (A): The question should be realistic and feasible within the given
resources and timeframe.
Example: Instead of "How does advertising affect all industries?", ask "What is the effect of
Facebook ads on sales performance in the cosmetics industry over the last six months?”
Relevant (R): The question should align with the research aim and contribute to the
field of study.
Example: "How do digital marketing strategies influence consumer trust in e-commerce
platforms?" is more relevant than "What are all possible marketing strategies?"
Formulate testable questions based on the
SMART criteria
Time-bound (T): Define a clear timeframe for data collection and analysis.
Example: "How has the adoption of remote work policies influenced employee productivity in IT
firms over the past two years?”
Weak Question: "How do employees feel about remote work?"
Strong Question: "How has remote work influenced employee productivity and job
satisfaction in the tech industry since 2020?"
Difference between research questions and
hypotheses
Criteria Research Questions Hypotheses
Definition A research question is an inquiry into a specific A hypothesis is a testable statement that predicts
aspect of a topic that the study seeks to answer. a relationship between variables.
Purpose Guides the direction of the study by identifying Provides a clear prediction that can be tested
what will be explored using data.
Types of Research Used in both qualitative and quantitative research. Primarily used in quantitative research.
Structure Usually framed as a question (How, What, Why, To Framed as a declarative statement (If X, then Y).
what extent?)
Testing No direct testing; focuses on exploration and Requires statistical testing to confirm or reject.
Requirement analysis.
3.4. Methodology
Research Methodology
Research methodology refers to the theory and philosophy behind how research
should be conducted.
It provides a structured approach for researchers to follow when collecting, analyzing,
and interpreting data
It encompasses research philosophy, strategies, and techniques for data collection and
analysis.
It is distinct from research methods, which refer to specific techniques used for data
collection (e.g., surveys, interviews, observations).
The Importance of Research Methodology
Ensures systematic and valid research outcomes.
Provides a logical structure for conducting studies.
Helps in selecting the appropriate research design and tools.
Enhances credibility, reliability, and validity of findings.
By following a well-defined research methodology, researchers can produce high-quality,
evidence-based conclusions that contribute to academic and professional fields.
3.5. Expected Outcomes And
Research Timeline
Anticipated Findings and Their Significance
Researchers should predict potential outcomes based on literature review, theoretical
frameworks, and empirical evidence.
Example: If studying the impact of leadership styles on employee productivity, anticipated findings
might suggest that transformational leadership positively influences job satisfaction.
The findings should address the research questions or hypotheses.
By clearly articulating the anticipated findings and their significance, researchers ensure
their study adds value to existing knowledge and practice.
Academic contributions: How the research
advances knowledge
Research contributes to academic knowledge in two main ways:
1. Theoretical Contributions:
Research can contribute to theory by either building upon existing theories or
developing new theoretical frameworks. Theoretical contribution includes Incremental
contribution and Revelatory contribution.
Incremental contribution: Adds to or expands an existing theory by applying it in a new
context.
Revelatory contribution: Introduces a new way of explaining a phenomenon, leading to a
paradigm shift
Academic contributions: How the research
advances knowledge
2. Practical Usefulness:
The research should provide findings that are applicable to real-world scenarios,
ensuring practical relevance for businesses and policymakers.
The contributions can be scientifically useful (emphasizing methodological rigor) or
practically useful (helping managers and practitioners solve real-world problems)
Creating a realistic timeline with key
milestones
Define significant project stages (e.g., literature review, data collection, analysis, report
writing).
Set deadlines for each milestone.
Consider factors like research complexity, data collection methods, and resource
availability.
Allocate extra time for potential delays.
Create a visual representation of the project schedule.
Tools to visualize timelines: Gantt chart
THANK YOU
