MAIN PARTS OF A RESEARCH

PROPOSAL
1.Introduction (background of the study,
research objectives, statement of the problem)
2.Significance of the Study
3.Scope and Limitation of the Study
4.Relevant Literature Review
5.Research Methodology
6.Ethical considerations
7.Time frame and work schedule/Gantt chart
8.Budget
9.Organization of the study

By: Yonas H (Asst.Prof) 1

THE RESEARCH Proposal TOPIC
STEP 1: The first step to research
is developing a topic that is not too broad or
narrow in scope.
• To begin, choose a topic by considering:
• what topic(s) interest you
• what questions you have about the topic(s)
• what you would like to learn more about
STEP 2: To narrow or broaden the topic, add
or remove a time period, place, person(s),
event or subtopic

By: Yonas H (Asst.Prof) 2

1. INTRODUCTION

A. Background of the study

B. Statement of the problem
C. Research Objectives
D. Hypothesis
E. Definition of terms: defining some
technical words in the research
context

By: Yonas H (Asst.Prof) 3

1. Introduction Cont’d…
1.1. Background of the study:
The background study for a
research study (thesis) includes a
review of the area being
researched, current information
surrounding the issue,
previous studies on the issue, and
relevant history on the issue.
By: Yonas H (Asst.Prof) 4
1. Introduction Cont’d…
1.2. Statement of the problem:
 is the description of an issue currently
existing which needs to be addressed.
 It provides the context for
the research study and generates the
questions which the research aims to
answer.
 The statement of the problem is the
focal point of any research
5
1. Introduction Cont’d…
1.3. Research Objectives:
• The objective of the proposed study should
be stated very clearly.
• The objective stated should be specific,
achievable and measurable.
• If there is more than one objective the
objectives can be presented in the
appropriate order of importance (As major
and Specific Objective) 6
2.Significance of The study
• It details the benefit of conducting
the proposed study to the
sponsoring organization, other
researchers or the society at large.

By: Yonas H (Asst.Prof) 7

3. Scope and Limitation of the
Study
• It details the constraints of the
study in terms of time and
resources to cover wider research
domains.
• It states reasons that limits the
researcher not to cover wider
research domains.

By: Yonas H (Asst.Prof) 8

 4. Review of related
Literature
• This section reflects extensive review of literature done by the
investigator
• In this section, what is already known about the topic is written
• Just quoting the literature verbatim will not serve the purpose
• It is important to make it coherent, relevant and easily readable
knowledge
• It helps the investigator to gain good knowledge in that field of
inquiry
• It also helps the investigator to have insight on different
methodologies that could be applied
• Sources of Literature Review are: Books, Articles, thesis,
Conference Proceedings , Technical Reports…
9
4. Review of related
Literature Cont’d…
• Mastery of the literature on the
topic of the study is
• important and essential.
• Literature used should be
important to research questions,
problem statement and identify
gaps not yet researched so far

10
4. Review of related
Literature Cont’d…
Literature review is important to:
• demonstrate familiarity with a body of
knowledge and to establish credibility.
• show path of prior research & how a current
project is linked to it.
• analyze the strengths and weaknesses of
different perspectives and methods, and point
out any gaps in previous research
• The gap is what the research wants to fill
• The term ‘synthesis’ refers to the bringing
together of material from different sources,
and the creation of an integrated whole. 11
4. Review of related
Literature Cont’d…
• How to search from online
resources?

“Lets Type Key words related to your

topic in Google scholar Or
Reputable Journals Eg. IEEE,
Emerlad?”

By: Yonas H (Asst.Prof) 12

 5. Research methodology
Research methodology is a way to
systematically solve the research problem. It
may be understood as a science of studying
how research is done scientifically

By: Yonas H (Asst.Prof) 13

 5. Research Methodology
Cont’d…
• It is necessary for the researcher to know not only
the research methods/techniques but also the
methodology.
• Researchers not only need to know how to develop
certain indices or tests and how to calculate the
mean, the mode, the median or the standard
deviation or chi-square etc.,

By: Yonas H (Asst.Prof) 14

 5. Research methodology
Cont’d..

It is essential to discuss procedures clearly

and completely with considerable amount
of details

By: Yonas H (Asst.Prof) 15

 5. Research methodology
Cont’d…

• Research or Study design

• Study population / Sampling specifications
• Sample size needed
• Data gathering and Analysis

By: Yonas H (Asst.Prof) 16

5. Research methodology
Cont’d… (Research/Study
Design)

Definition: A research design is a

specific plan or protocol for conducting
the study, which allows the investigator to
translate the conceptual hypothesis into an
operational one.

By: Yonas H (Asst.Prof) 17

5. Research methodology
Cont’d… (Research/Study
Design)

• The study design should be clearly

stated
• The study design to be used should be
appropriate for achieving the objective
of the study
By: Yonas H (Asst.Prof) 18
 5. Research methodology
Cont’d… (Study population)
Study population / Sample specifications
• It is important to describe which would be
the study population
• How study subjects would be selected,
randomization process and other details
should be given
By: Yonas H (Asst.Prof) 19
5. Research methodology
Cont’d… (Sample Size)

Sample size
It is important to mention in the protocol what
would be the minimum sample required and how
it is arrived

By: Yonas H (Asst.Prof) 20

5. Research Methodology (Sampling
issues -basic Questions to be
answered)

• Who or what is the source of the data?

• Can the target population be identified?
• Is a sample necessary?
• How accurate must the sample be?
• Is a probability sample necessary?
• How large a sample is necessary?
• How will the sample be selected?

By: Yonas H (Asst.Prof) 21

5. Research Methodology: Data
Gathering
• Who will gather the data?
• How long will data gathering take?
• How much supervision is needed?
• What operational procedures need
to be followed?

By: Yonas H (Asst.Prof) 22

 5. Research Methodology Cont’d..:
Data Analysis

• Proposal should include the details of all process

to be adopted in the study
• How exposures, outcome variables and other
variables are going to be measured should be described in
detail
• A brief description of how the data will be processed
and use of statistical package if any should be given
• What statistical tests of significance would be used?
By: Yonas H (Asst.Prof) 23
5. Research Methodology Cont’d..:
Data analysis Questions
• Will standardized editing and coding
procedures be used?
• How will the data be categorized?
• What statistical software will be used?
• What is the nature of the data?
• What questions need to be answered?
• How many variables are to be
investigated simultaneously?
• Performance By:
criteria for evaluation?
Yonas H (Asst.Prof) 24
6. Ethical Considerations
• Things to consider regarding ethical
issues with participants: consent
forms (which state overall purpose
and any risks or benefits of
participating). potential risks that
could be involved in any questioning
(emotional distress, dignity).
confidentiality of participants
(anonymity).
By: Yonas H (Asst.Prof) 25
7. Time Frame & Work
Schedule
The proposal should include the
sequence of tasks to be performed, the
anticipated length of time required for
its completion and the personnel
required

By: Yonas H (Asst.Prof) 26

 7. Time Frame & Work
Schedule

• It can be presented in tabular or graphic

form (Gantt chart)
• Flow charts and other diagrams are often
useful for highlighting the sequencing and
interrelationship of different activities in the
Study.
By: Yonas H (Asst.Prof) 27
 8.Budget

• The budget translates project activities

into monetary terms
• It is a statement of how much money will
be required to accomplish the various tasks

By: Yonas H (Asst.Prof) 28

8. Budget Cont’d…
Major items
• Salary for staff
• Travel
• Purchase of equipment
• Printing / Photo Copying
• Consultancy charges
• Laptops
• Papers ,Binder, USB Flash Disk etc..
By: Yonas H (Asst.Prof) 29
9. Organization of the study
• This final section of the research proposal
explains the structure of the planned main
research.
Eg. You may start explaining that: The study will be
organized with Chapter 1 includes Introduction,
research objectives…Chapter 2 includes
Literature Review….Chapter 3 Research
Methodology..Chapter 4 includes Data
Presentation and Analysis..Chapter 5 includes
Discussion …and finally Chapter 6 includes
Conclusion and Recommendation
By: Yonas H (Asst.Prof) 30
APPENDICES

A. Copies of instruments that will be

used
B. Results of pilot studies
C. Departments/Advisors application
and letter of approval
D. Participant approval form

By: Yonas H (Asst.Prof) 31