Jimma University
CHAPTER FOUR
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
4.1. Definition
A research proposal is a document where a researcher provides all the details of a proposed research
project. It describes a research problem that is going to be investigated, the scope and rationale of this
investigation, the methods used during the investigation, the implementation process and resources
required to conduct the investigation. A research proposal outlines the entire purpose and
implementation of a research project.
A research proposal is an overall plan, scheme, structure and strategy designed to obtain answers to
the research questions or problems that constitute our research project.
4.2. Importance of Research Proposal
It should outline the various tasks we plan to undertake to fulfil our research objectives, test
hypothesis or obtain answers to our research questions. It should also state our reasons for undertaking
the study.
Broadly, a research proposal’s main functions are to detail the operational plan for obtaining answers
to our research questions. In doing so it ensures and reassures the reader of the validity of the
methodology for obtaining answers to your research questions accurately and objectively.
In order to achieve this function, a research proposal must tell us, our research supervisor and
reviewers the following information about our study:
ü What you are proposing to do
ü How you plan to proceed
ü Why you selected the proposed strategy
4.3. Components (Elements) of a Research Proposal
Although the format of a research proposal may vary by the institution/organization that you are
submitting it to, this section describes the key components of a research proposal. However, ensure
that you review and follow the guidelines prescribed by your institution/organization carefully, as not
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By: Aleka J.
Jimma University
doing so can imply a rejection of your proposal.
A research proposal should contain the following information about your study:
1. Title Page: The title page must have the following information: Personal details: Your name,
your academic title or designation, date of submission, the name of your supervisor (if any), name
of your university/institution (if any) and the name of the organization/entity to whom you are
submitting the proposal.
Title of the study: The title should be concise, relevant, and descriptive of the major focus of the
study. By reading the title one should get a clear idea about what and who are studied. An effective
title not only catches the reader's interest, but also predisposes him/her favorably towards the proposal.
Since the title reflects the nature of your entire research project, sometimes it may be useful to
finalize this only once you have completed writing the entire proposal.
2. Abstract (Optional): It should include a brief mention of the research question and objectives,
hypothesis if any, and the methodology to be used. Descriptions of the methodology may include
the design, the sample and research tools. Describe your project as clearly and concisely as you can
remember you have word restrictions.
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Jimma University
3. Table of Contents: The Table of Contents is a listing of all the different sections of the
proposal along with their page numbers. This may not be required for short proposals with two or
three pages.
4. Introduction: Provide a brief overview of the theme/area of your research study and then
describe what specific goal or question your study will address within this broad area. Research
question is studied with the help of specific study objectives and hypotheses (in some cases) and they
have to be clearly spelt out.
An introduction, including a brief theoretical framework that underpins the study, conceptual
framework which constitutes the basis of our study, objectives or research questions of our study,
problem of the study, hypothesis to be tested, if applicable.
Problem: Having provided a broad introduction to the area under study, now: focus on issues
relating to its central theme, identify some of the gaps in the existing body of knowledge, identify
some of the main unanswered questions, some of the main research questions that you would like to
answer through your study should also be raised and a rationale for each should be provided.
Example: 1. Possible points which should be out lined under the section entitled ‘The
problem’fromexample1above are as under:
ü What settlement process does a family go through after immigration?
ü What adjustment do immigrants have to make?
ü What types of change can occur in family members’ attitudes?
ü What is the possible impact of settlement on family roles and relationships?
ü In terms of impact, what specific questions do you want to answer through the study?
ü What does the literature say about these questions?
ü What are the different viewpoints on these issues?
ü What are your own ideas about these questions?
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Jimma University
ü What do you think will be the relevance of the findings of your study to the existing body
of knowledge and to your profession?
ü How will the findings add to the body of knowledge and be useful to professionals in your
field? etc.
Objectives of the Study: In here, explain both your study’s main and specific (specific)
objectives.
Your main objective indicates the central thrust of your study, whereas the sub objectives (specific
objectives) identify the specific issues you propose to examine
E.g.1: Fromexample1above, the main objective could be:
· To ascertain the impact of immigration on the family
The sub objectives (the specific objectives) could be:
· To determine the impact of immigration on husband/wife roles as perceived by immigrants
Hypothesis to be tested: A hypothesis is a statement of your assumptions about the prevalence of a
phenomenon or about a relationship between two variables that you plan to test within the
framework of the study.
When formulating a hypothesis you have an obligation to draw conclusions about it in the text of the
report. Hypotheses have a particular style of formulation.
E.g.1: Fromexample1above, we can formulate the following hypotheses:
ü H1 = In most cases, there will be a change in husband/wife roles after immigration
ü H2 = In a majority of cases there will be a change in parents ’expectations of their children
ü H3 =etc
5. Literature review: The purpose of this section is to review previous research conducted on
your research topic. Remember to make note of research findings as well as research gaps. You must
also explain your research question(s) and objectives within the context of these gaps as this will also
help you explain how your study adds to the existing body of knowledge.
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By: Aleka J.
Jimma University
6. Methods: It describes your work plan and the activities necessary for the completion
of your project. While writing this section, maintain a focus on the research question(s),
objectives and hypotheses and use the section to describe how you would go about
collecting the data that is required to answer them. It is also important to make sure that
the research questions, objectives and methods all link up to each other, and flow
smoothly.
7. Budget: This section includes information on the expenses required to implement the
project
In order to make sure you have estimated all the expenses you may incur, you may find
it useful to coordinate the budget with the timeline. Look at your timeline and estimate
the expenses you are incurring at each stage. This will help you develop your budget
more effectively. It should also contain proposed chapters and problems and limitations
of the study.
8. Bibliography: The bibliography or reference list is a list of all the texts you have
referred to in your literature review and other parts of your proposal.
RESEARCH PROPOSAL FORMAT
A) Title page
Should include:
i. Title
ii. Author’s name and affiliation
B) Declaration
C) Dedication (Optional)
D) Table of contents
Contents Page
CHAPTER 1........................................................................................................... 1
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Jimma University
1. Introduction ..................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Background Information..................................................................................... 1
1.2 Statement of the problem..................................................................................... 2
References------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appendices-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table of contents should be followed by:
E) List of Tables (if any)
F) List of Figures (if any)
G) List of Appendices
H) Abbreviation and Acronyms (if any)
I) Definition of terms (if any)
J) Abstract
FORMAT OF MAIN BODY
Each chapter e.g. Chapter One: INTRODUCTION should start on a
separate page. CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background Information: Should show understanding and genesis of the problem.
1.2 Statement of the problem
1.3 Justification of the study
1.4 Objectives
1.4.1 General Objective
1.4.2 Specific objectives
1.5 Research Questions
1.6 Hypotheses: Where applicable
1.7. Conceptual/Theoretical Framework (where applicable).
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Jimma University
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
Relevant themes to the study and derived review should be consistent with the
requirements of the title Review the empirical and theoretical literature relevant to
the problem being investigated showing clearly the linkage of literature review to
the research questions.
CHAPTER
THREE MATERIALS
AND METHODS
This Chapter highlights methodological details
appropriate to the study This chapter should include:
1.1 Study Site: State where the study will be done (location) and why it was chosen
1.2 Study design- State and justify the chosen design
1.3 Study Variables. Explain the independent and dependent variables
1.4 Study Population
1.5 Sample Size Determination: Describe how the sample size will be computed
1.6 Sampling techniques- Provide description of the technique
1.7 Data collections tools: Explain the tool that will be used in the study
and how they will be constructed
1.8 Pre-Testing of data collection tools (if any)
1.9 Data Collection: Explain how field or laboratory data collection will be done
1.10 Data Management and analysis
1.11 Ethical Considerations
WORKPLAN
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Jimma University
BUDGET
REFERENCES
References listed alphabetically in the reference list. For citation within the
text the format of author and year of publication (Harvard of APA format are
recommended)
APPENDICES
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