1. Developing the Research Proposal
Chapter 16
Developing the Research Proposal

2. Research Proposal
Document presenting a researchable problem and a plan of attack and protocol for investigating the problem

3. 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

4. Typical Proposal Content
Explanation of the problem to be studied
Background information
Specific procedures to be followed

5. General Proposal Framework
Three chapter model
Chapter I – Introduction
Chapter II – Review of Literature
Chapter III – Procedures

6. Proposal title 12 – 15 words in length
Problem area precisely identified
Important variables identified
Elimination of unnecessary words
Nouns as key words

7. Chapter I - Introduction
Brief introduction
Statement of the Problem
Significance of the Study
Delimitations
Limitations
Assumptions
Hypotheses
Definition of Terms

8. 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

9. 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