Research Proposal: Template for both Linguistics and Literature students

Dr Muhammad Asif
For comments and feedback: masifshafee@yahoo.com

Sr
No
1

Component

Abstract

Title

Introduction/General
overview of the area

Thesis Statement

For you to work on

Guidelines
This should do more
than just convey the key
words associated with
the proposed research

An abstract is a concise
summary of research
thesis that concisely
describes the content
and scope of the project
and identifies the
researchs objectives, its
methodology and its
findings, conclusions,
or intended results.
Give a relatively brief
introduction of the
general idea of study
and also signify the
discipline(s) within
which it falls

A thesis statement is a
short statement that
summarizes the claim
of research. "An
effective thesis
statement suggests your
researchs direction,
emphasis, and scope

Key Research Questions

A research question is
simply a hypothesis
stated in question form,
RQs should be about
the research gap
identified in literature
review, should be about
key issues that your
research intends to
address or the specific
debates you are going to
focus on. RQs should be
between 3 -7

Significance and
purpose of research

Describe briefly the

significance/purpose of
your research in not
more than one
paragraph of 10 to 15
sentences

Limitations/Delimitatio
n

Linguistics: Give the

limitations of your
research i.e. what your
research does not cover
Literature: Give
delimitation i.e. what

Literature Review

Theoretical Framework

(Must for research in

literature)

10

Methodology
(Must for research in
linguistics)

11

Research Design

12

Conclusion

13

Bibliography

your research covers

Demonstrate that you
are aware of the debates
and critical issues raised
in relevant bodies of
literature, demonstrate
familiarity with major
lines of argument
which have been
developed in your area,
demonstrate an of the
ideas and findings of
key researchers working
on your topic, refer to
key articles and texts to
establish that you
appreciate their
relevance to your
research area,
demonstrate that there is
a research gap
Demonstrate an
awareness of the theory
that you are going to
apply to the selected
text, show how this
theoretical framework is
related to your research
questions.
Clear state the paradigm
of research that
underpins your work

Demonstrate an
awareness of the
methodological tools
available to you and
show how they are
suitable for your
research. Research can
involve quantitative,
qualitative or mixed
method research tools,
describe methodology
and tools in detail,
justify your choices
Give brief detail of
what you are going to
do in different chapters,
demonstrate your
awareness of the main
content of each chapter,
write 15 to 20
sentences about each
chapter
Show the contribution
that your research will
make to the debates and
discussions in your
particular subject area,
how it may fill the
existing gaps

Include a short list of

references to key

articles and texts,

annotate at least two
articles and two books
showing how they
discuss your topic
Note: The research proposal is not only judged on content, it is also judged on form. Your research proposal must look professional. In terms of length, a
research proposal should typically be between 3,000- 4000 words. For referencing follow APA style.
Font Size
Times New Roman is the standard choice. Font size should be 12 points.

Margins
Margins should be one inch on all sides of your paper (top, bottom, left and right). Indent the first line of each paragraph inch (the tab is
usually set to inch by default). Indent block quotes (a quotation of 40 or more words) inch from the left margin.
Page Numbers
Number all pages of your paper consecutively in the upper right corner, starting with page 1(the title page). The page number should be inch
from the top of the page and flush with the right margin.
Note:
Content of this template is borrowed/ adapted from various sources. Template, however, is original.