Research Proposal Writing Format

1. Cover page

This should include the title, project code, investigators name, their title, address, Institute/school
and Department, month and the year.

 Research topic: The research topic should be concise, descriptive and fairly self-
explanatory. Choose a title that is easy to understand and represent the main theme of
your research.
 Your full-name/ Principal Investigator
 Name of your supervisor or advisor
 University/Institute/Department of study
 Date of submission

2. Project Title

The project title must be short and simple, clear and concise. It should clearly describe the
basic objectives of the proposed project and be understandable by a scientist who is not expert in
your field

3. Summary/Abstract

Give a short summary, maximum 400 words, sufficiently informative for other scientists who are
not necessarily in your field of expertise. This summary should contain the title, a problem
statement of the project, followed by the objectives and a brief description of how these will be
accomplished including how the data will be analyzed with expected results.

The first sentence should clearly state the objective of the experiment. The subsequent sentences
describe how the investigation was carried out. The final sentences describe the significance of
the results and the impact of this work on the general field of study.

4. Introduction

An introduction is meant to give the readers, or audience, an idea of what is going to be

discussed in the body paragraphs. It helps the audience to prepare themselves for the topic in
discussion.
  State the relevance and significance of the subject to deal about.
 Provide state of the art/knowledge-provide a general presentation.
 Analysis of previous works in relation to the problems based on updated literature
review.
 Indicate the limitations of previous works such as unaddressed subjects or the research
gaps.
 State the new knowledge (or policy brief) that this piece of work could add to the existing
body knowledge in the area, or the new technology that this research would create.

The introduction requires a short review of the literature pertaining to the research topic. The
introduction is then best constructed as a descriptive funnel, starting with broad topics and
slowly focusing on the work at hand. Perhaps three to four paragraphs are needed. One approach
may be to start with one or two paragraphs that introduce the reader to the general field of study.
The subsequent paragraphs then describe how an aspect of this field could be improved.

The final paragraph is critical. It clearly states, most likely in the first sentence of the paragraph,
what experimental question will be answered by the present study. The hypothesis is then stated.
Next, briefly describe the approach that was taken to test the hypothesis. Finally, a summary
sentence may be added stating how the answer of your question will contribute to the overall
field of study.

5. Problem statement

This section of the proposal should provide a clear, concise description of the central problem
to be investigated and the questions or problems that will guide to research. It may also discuss
points such as how the research related to the development priorities of the country; the
magnitude of the problem and how the research will contribute to its solution; why and for whom
the research is important; and whether the research relates to any of the researcher’s or
institutions other on-going or planned activities, if any.

The problem should be the already identified that should be the real problem. This should be a
brief statement of the problem to which the research would like to come up with solutions or
answers and it should be stated very clearly. This section should provide a brief review of
research to-date that is relevant to the problem to be investigated through this proposal and
discuss how the research project will help fill the knowledge gap or inform policy. Describe
basic assumptions/concerns that led you to study this topic. Describe the gaps that the proposed
research is intended to fill.

6. Literature Review

The section demonstrates that you are knowledgeable of the primary texts and secondary
research studies done by other researchers and ensure that you are not “reinventing the wheel”. It
is important to note that this section is not merely a summary of the relevant literature you have
read but instead, you have to provide a critical review on it and be able to relate the literature to
your proposed research.

You should point to areas overlooked or inadequately addressed by previous studies and discuss
how your proposed research could contribute to the knowledge advancement in the area. This
shows your ability to integrate and synthesize the literature and to develop new ideas and
innovations.

7. General and specific objectives

This section should include a general objective (a short statement on the ultimate goal of the
research) and specific objectives (the precise short-term objectives of the proposed research that
the methodology will address). Objective should be realistic in terms of time, resources and
capacity.

8. Scope of the Study

The Scope which outlines any limitations imposed on the project or Research such as cost, time,
facility, range, capacity, etc.

9. Methodology

This section explains “how” you are going to conduct your research. You should demonstrate
that you are fully aware of the alternative research methods and explain how your proposed
methodology is more advantageous than the others in attaining your stated objectives. It gives
details of how the study was actually carried out and ends in the development of the study
hypotheses and/or propositions.
The methodology section should describe how each specific objective will be achieved, with
enough detail to enable an independent and informed assessment of the proposal. This section
should include:

6.1. Research tasks: hypothesis, research questions;

6.2. Study population and sampling: Description of the study area, population and the procedures
for their selection;

6.3. Data collection: Description of the approaches and methods to be used to collect
information;

10. Data analysis

Description of data processing and analyzing procedures; Laboratory procedures: Description of

standardized procedures and protocols and new or unique procedures; and the specific tools that
will be used to study each research objective.

11. Expected Output

State the contribution of your research to the scientific knowledge and in solving community
problems. What are the major achievable milestones or deliverables that the research is designed
to accomplish? And usable technologies that could be achieved during and after the completion
of the research.

What is the benefit?

Who is going to get benefit?

12. Users and beneficiaries

Provide the short and long-term beneficiaries to whom your research is benefits? This section
should describe the how research results will be used and discuss the immediate or intermediate
users of the results.

Example:

 For Formers
 For Academics
  For Research Peoples
 For Industries
 For Society
 For Employees of the organization
 For Domestic customers.
 For Consumers

13. Ethical considerations

Precise considerations of ethical aspects and descriptions on how the study will deal with them
have to be presented; providing a basis for application for ethical clearance (if applicable).
Suggest how you would properly address ethical issues if human and animal subjects are
involved in the action. Confidentiality, Rule and Regulations, Right or wrong

14. Work plan/ Time frame

Work schedule, roles and responsibilities, monitoring and evaluation tools, careful estimate of
the time needed to carry out each principal phases of the project as well as the projects total
duration must be described. Indicate possible constraints in adhering to the time table.

15. Budget Break Down

 Salaries: all remuneration allowances and benefits to be paid to project staffs;

 Research expenses: services and materials including reference materials to carry out the
research;
 Capital equipment’s: equipment’s to be purchased for the specific purpose of the project;
 Logistics: Facilities required for efficient implementation of the project, like vehicles and
related materials have to be secured.

16. Collaborating Researchers & Institutions

List who will be involved in carrying out the project both from within the institution and any
external experts, their roles, time commitments, qualifications, experiences, and other relevant
information including their CVs, Addresses (E-mail, Telephone).
17. Reference

Provide references which support the information in the background and justification section.
All the literatures referred during the compilation of the proposal should be referenced.

 Journal Articles,
 On line journals
 Presentations at conferences,
 Proceeding papers
 Research articles
 Academic Thesis and project reports.
 Books
 Web sites

18. Appendices

As an appendix, attach your research instrument and a list of detailed facility, profile or any other
information need to attached.