RESEARCH PROPOSAL

FOR
DESERTATION/THESIS

BY
PROFESSOR DR. ABU HASSAN ABU BAKAR
SCHOOL OF HOUSING, BUILDING AND PLANNING
UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA

SEPTEMBER 2013

Research Proposal Prof. Abu Hassan Abu 09/01/13

Bakar
 How to write a research proposal
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 no single format for research proposals.

 every research project is different.
 Different disciplines, donor organisations and
academic institutions all have different formats and
requirements.
 however, several key components must be included
in every research proposal:

RESEARCH
Research PROPOSAL
Proposal PROF
Prof. Abu ABU
Hassan HASSAN ABU BAKAR
Abu 09/01/13
09/01/13
Bakar
 How to write a research proposal
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3

 no single format for research proposals.

 every research project is different.
 Different disciplines, donor organisations and
academic institutions all have different formats and
requirements.
 however, several key components must be included
in every research proposal:

RESEARCH
Research PROPOSAL
Proposal PROF
Prof. Abu ABU
Hassan HASSAN ABU BAKAR
Abu 09/01/13
09/01/13
Bakar
Key components of RP are:
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• A description of the research problem.

• An argument as to why that problem is
important.
• A review of literature relevant to the
research problem.
• A description of the proposed research
methodology.
• A description of how the research
findings will be used and/or disseminated.

Research Proposal Prof. Abu Hassan Abu 09/01/13

09/01/13
Bakar
 WHY THE RESEARCH IS IMPORTANT
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Often referred to as the "rationale" is crucial, because

it is one place in which the researcher tries to
convince her/his supervisor/external examiner that
the research is worth doing.
You can do this by describing how the results may be
used.

Research Proposal Prof. Abu Hassan Abu 09/01/13

09/01/13
Bakar
 WHY THE RESEARCH IS IMPORTANT
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It is about how your research:

- may resolve theoretical questions in

your area;
- may develop better theoretical models
in your area;
- may influence public policy;
- may change the way people do their
jobs in a particular field, or
- may change the way people live.

Research Proposal Prof. Abu Hassan Abu 09/01/13

09/01/13
Bakar
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 The objective in writing a proposal is to describe what

you will do, why it should be done, how you will do it
and what you expect will result.
 Being clear about these things from the beginning will
help you complete your thesis in a timely fashion.
 A vague, weak or fuzzy proposal can lead to a long,
painful, and often unsuccessful thesis writing exercise.
 A clean, well thought-out proposal, forms the
backbone for the thesis itself.

Research Proposal Prof. Abu Hassan Abu 09/01/13

09/01/13
Bakar
 EXAMPLE:
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In the economic example of micro-enterprises in

rural communities, the researcher might argue that
the research will:
- provide an understanding of the
economic impact on micro-enterprises
- support the government's plans for
start-up loans to micro-enterprises
- demonstrate the usefulness of micro-
enterprises as part of rural development,
thereby contributing to the work of
government and non-government rural
development organizations.
Research Proposal Prof. Abu Hassan Abu 09/01/13
09/01/13
Bakar
 KNOWLEDGE HIERARCHY
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 AREA: A WIDER FIELD OF KNOWLEDGE

 TOPIC: A SECTION OF KNOWLEDGE IN A
WIDER FIELD OF KNOWLEDGE
 TITLE: A FOCUS FIELD OF KNOWLEDGE
THAT YOU ARE RESEARCH ON

Research Proposal Prof. Abu Hassan Abu 09/01/13

09/01/13
Bakar
 RESEARCH CYCLE
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PROBLEM

SOLUTION METHODOLOGY

ANALYSIS

Research Proposal Prof. Abu Hassan Abu 09/01/13

09/01/13
Bakar
 The Title
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 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:
- the WHO or/and WHAT is researched;
-the WHERE;
-the WHEN;
-the HOW; and
-an indication of the ENVISAGED
SOLUTION or possible NEW
PRODUCT.
Research Proposal Prof. Abu Hassan Abu 09/01/13
09/01/13
Bakar
 Problem Statement
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 Problem statement is the axis which the

whole research revolves around,
 what caused the need to do the research
(problem identification).
 The research problem should be stated in
such a way that it would lead to analytical
thinking on the part of the researcher with
the aim of possibly concluding solutions to
the stated problem.

Research Proposal Prof. Abu Hassan Abu 09/01/13

09/01/13
Bakar
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 “The problem statement describes the

context for the study and it also identifies
the general analysis approach” (Wiersma,
1995, p. 404).
 “A problem might be defined as the issue
that exists in the literature, theory, or
practice that leads to a need for the study”
(Creswell, 1994, p. 50).
 It is important in a proposal that the
problem stand out
Research Proposal Prof. Abu Hassan Abu 09/01/13
09/01/13
Bakar
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 A problem statement should be presented

within a context, and that context should be
provided and briefly explained, including a
discussion of the conceptual or theoretical
framework in which it is embedded.
 Effective problem statements answer the
question “Why does this research need to
be conducted.”

Research Proposal Prof. Abu Hassan Abu 09/01/13

09/01/13
Bakar
 Purpose of the Study
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“The purpose statement should provide a

specific and accurate synopsis of the overall
purpose of the study” (Locke, Spirduso, &
Silverman, 1987, p. 5). If the purpose is not
clear to the writer, it cannot be clear to the
reader.

Research Proposal Prof. Abu Hassan Abu 09/01/13

09/01/13
Bakar
  Key points to keep in mind when
preparing a purpose statement.
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Try to incorporate a sentence that

begins with “The purpose of this study
is . . .”

Clearly identify and define the central

concepts or ideas of the study.
Identify the specific method of inquiry
to be used.
Identify the unit of analysis in the
study.
Research Proposal Prof. Abu Hassan Abu 09/01/13
09/01/13
Bakar
 Review of the Literature
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 “The review of the literature provides the

background and context for the research problem. It
should establish the need for the research and
indicate that the writer is knowledgeable about the
area” (Wiersma, 1995, p. 406).

Research Proposal Prof. Abu Hassan Abu 09/01/13

09/01/13
Bakar
 The literature review accomplishes
several important things
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 It shares with the reader the results of other

SIMILAR studies (Fraenkel & Wallen, 1990).
 It relates a study to the larger, ongoing
dialogue in the literature about a topic, filling
in gaps and extending prior studies (Marshall
& Rossman, 1989).
 It provides a framework for establishing the
importance of the study, as well as a
benchmark for comparing the results of a
study with other findings.
 It “frames” the problem earlier identified.

Research Proposal Prof. Abu Hassan Abu 09/01/13

09/01/13
Bakar
 Questions and/or Hypotheses
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 A research question poses a relationship

between two or more variables but phrases the
relationship as a question;
 a hypothesis represents a declarative statement
of the relations between two or more variables
(Kerlinger, 1979; Krathwohl, 1988).

Research Proposal Prof. Abu Hassan Abu 09/01/13

09/01/13
Bakar
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 Deciding whether to use questions or hypotheses

depends on factors such as the purpose of the
study, the nature of the design and methodology,
and the audience of the research.
 Questions and hypotheses are testable propositions
deduced and directly derived from theory (except
in grounded theory studies and similar types of
qualitative inquiry).

Research Proposal Prof. Abu Hassan Abu 09/01/13

09/01/13
Bakar
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 Make a clear and careful distinction between the

dependent and independent variables and be
certain they are clear to the reader. Be
excruciatingly consistent in your use of terms.

Research Proposal Prof. Abu Hassan Abu 09/01/13

09/01/13
Bakar
 Research Methodology
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 Hypotheses
Specific research hypotheses to be tested
during data analysis.
 Research Design
Should the researcher plan to use several
groups, or repeated testing to test
particular hypotheses, this should be
explained in this section. Most research
methodology textbooks discuss the more
commonly used research designs.

Research Proposal Prof. Abu Hassan Abu 09/01/13

09/01/13
Bakar
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SAMPLING

Empirical research almost always depends upon a

sample which is assumed to accurately represent a
population. Therefore, the techniques by which the
sample was chosen are vital to a discussion the
validity of the research findings.

Research Proposal Prof. Abu Hassan Abu 09/01/13

09/01/13
Bakar
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Empirical research methodology

measurement instruments

When particular measurement instruments are

used, it is often important to explain how those
instruments were developed, where they have
previously been used (if at all), and to what effect.

Research Proposal Prof. Abu Hassan Abu 09/01/13

09/01/13
Bakar
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 Data collection procedures

Detailed data collection procedures should also be

included so that other researchers can replicate
your method exactly if required.

 Data analysis

Various techniques of quantitative and qualitative

data analysis exist and should be described in
detail in this section.

Research Proposal Prof. Abu Hassan Abu 09/01/13

09/01/13
Bakar
 SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT WRITING
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 Writing is a difficult skill to master and one that

requires practice and some dedication. Some tips
to help you in your writing include:
• Always structure your work in advance.
• Know what you want to say before trying to
write it.
• Every sentence must contain one idea only.
• Each sentence must follow logically from the
one before. A well written text is a "chain of
ideas".
• While writing, keep your reader's needs in
mind. This means providing a "verbal map" of
your document so that your reader knows what
to expect, and placing "verbal signposts" in your
text to explain what is coming next.
Research Proposal Prof. Abu Hassan Abu 09/01/13
09/01/13
Bakar
 FINAL COMMENTS ON STRUCTURE AND STYLE
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 DO:
• produce a professional looking proposal
• be interesting
• be informative
• write in a way that is easy to read
• include a contents page
• use clear headings and sub-headings
• be concise and precise
• use simple language wherever possible
• construct clear arguments
• check your spelling and grammar
• reference your work fully using an
acceptable format

Research Proposal Prof. Abu Hassan Abu 09/01/13

09/01/13
Bakar
 DO NOT:
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• use words when you are not absolutely

certain of their meaning
• use difficult words to impress your
reader
• use overly simplistic language
• repeat yourself
• digress

Research Proposal Prof. Abu Hassan Abu 09/01/13

09/01/13
Bakar
 Submission
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Before submitting, make sure you have completed

each of the following steps:
1. Proof-read your work carefully.
2. Ask a friend to read your proposal.
3. Ask an experienced researcher or your supervisor
to read your proposal.

Research Proposal Prof. Abu Hassan Abu 09/01/13

09/01/13
Bakar
 References
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APA format should be used to cite

references within the paper.

Jones (2004) found that...

or

One researcher (Jones, 2004) found that...

Research Proposal Prof. Abu Hassan Abu 09/01/13

09/01/13
Bakar
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 A complete bibliography is attached at the

end of the paper.

 Examples:

Bradburn, N. M., & Mason, W. M. (1964).

The effect of question order on response.
Journal of Marketing Research 1 (4), 57-61.
Bradburn, N. M., & Miles, C. (1979). Vague
quantifiers. Public Opinion Quarterly 43 (1),
92-101.

Research Proposal Prof. Abu Hassan Abu 09/01/13

09/01/13
Bakar
 RESEACH PROPOSAL
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Content of Research Proposal should include:

 Introduction/Background to the study area;
 Research Problems and Problem Statement;
 Research Questions or/and Hypotheses;
 Research Objectives;
 Research Methodology;
 Research Framework;
 Significance of the research;
 Research limitation; and
 Thesis Organization.
Research Proposal Prof. Abu Hassan Abu 09/01/13
09/01/13
Bakar
 THE END
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THANK YOU

Research Proposal Prof. Abu Hassan Abu 09/01/13

09/01/13
Bakar