Research

1

RESEARCH PROPOSAL - STEP BY STEP

13 MAY 2011

A research proposal usually consists of the following elements:

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A title

A problem statement/question

A sub-problem statement

Hypotheses statement

Demarcation of the terrain of study (assumptions, limitations and delimitations)

Definition of terminology

Indication of the importance/significance of the study

Review of related literature

A careful and detailed analysis of the proposed research procedures

A time schedule

A budget (where applicable)

Researcher's qualifications

A resource list

Before an attempt is made to start with a research project, a research proposal should be

compiled. For the beginner researcher, this is usually the most difficult part. It is, however, the

most important aspect of the research project and should be considered carefully by the

researcher. This does not only require subject knowledge, but also insight into the problem that is

going to be investigated, so as to give logic and structure to research envisaged.

The research proposal can be envisaged as the process (step by step guidelines) to plan and to

give structure to the prospective research with the fina1 aim of increasing the validity of the

research. It is therefore a written submission to spell out in a logic format the nature of the design

and the means and strategies that are going to be used.

1 The Title

The title is usually only formulated after the research problem and subproblems have been stated

in a more or less final format. The research project title should demarcate the following:

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the WHO or/and WHAT is researched;

the WHERE;

the WHEN;

the HOW; and

an indication of the ENVISAGED SOLUTION or possible NEW

PRODUCT.

Also see Research Topic.

2 Problem Statement

It was previously mentioned that research forms a circle. It starts with a problem and ends with a

solution to the problem. Problem statement is therefor...