Developing the Research Proposal Chapter 16 Developing the Research Proposal
Research Proposal Document presenting a researchable problem and a plan of attack and protocol for investigating the problem
Purposes of the Research Proposal Basis for approval of thesis or dissertation Document requesting funding support Functions served (Locke et al, 2000) A means of communication A plan A contract Format may vary
Typical Proposal Content Explanation of the problem to be studied Background information Specific procedures to be followed
General Proposal Framework Three chapter model Chapter I – Introduction Chapter II – Review of Literature Chapter III – Procedures
Proposal title 12 – 15 words in length Problem area precisely identified Important variables identified Elimination of unnecessary words Nouns as key words
Chapter I - Introduction Brief introduction Statement of the Problem Significance of the Study Delimitations Limitations Assumptions Hypotheses Definition of Terms
Chapter II – Review of Literature Helps justify the study Synthesis of the literature that has a significant relationship to the current problem Organization may vary Chronological order Content-related Method-related Content areas
Chapter III - Procedures Presents data collection plan and step-by-step instructions for conducting the investigation Typical content includes: Research participants and sampling techniques Instrumentation (tests, measures, etc.) Design of the study Administrative procedures Data analysis methods