WRITING A RESEARCH

PROPOSAL
8 ELEMENTS OF
A RESEARCH PROPOSAL
AZMI ABDUL LATIFF
LECTURER
UMB 1042-TECHNICAL
WRITING

8 ELEMENTS OF
A RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Background

of the study
Statement of the problem
Objectives of the study
Significance of the study
Limitation of the study
Definition of terms
Methodology

1. Background of the
study
Establish

the area of research in which

your work belongs, and to provide a
context for the research problem.

Provides

topic.

information to the research

1. Background of the
study
In

an introduction, the writer

should create:
i. reader interest in the topic,
ii. lay the broad foundation for the
problem that leads to the study.

2. Statement of the
problem
When

you start a research, you

have a question that you wish to
seek answer for.
The question leads to a problem
that needs to be solved by the
research.
Begin the research with A
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM or
THESIS STATEMENT

3. Objectives
States

what your research hopes

to accomplish.

4. Significance of the
study
Why

your research is important

and what contributions will it give
to the field.

State

how your findings CAN MAKE

THE DIFFERENCE and WHY it is
IMPORTANT that the research be
carried out.

5. Limitation of the study

It

is not possible to include ALL

aspects of a particular problem.
STATE WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED!
A too wide area of investigation is
impractical and will lead to
problems.
SPECIFY THE BOUNDARIES of your
research.

6. Definition of terms
Terms

or concepts that you use

should be defined and explained
unless they are familiar or
obvious.
Refer to authoritative sources for
definitions.

7. Literature review
Shows

that you are aware of the

literature study that is required in
your research area.
Your review a substantial amount of
reading materials before writing
your proposal.
Shows that you have the
theoretical knowledge in your
chosen research area

7. Literature review
By

reviewing related literature at

this stage, it will make you:
i. aware of other similar work which
has been done.
ii. expose methodologies that have
been adopted and which you may
use or adapt.
iii. provide sources of information
that you do not have yet.

7. Literature review
By

reviewing related literature at

this stage, it will inform you:
iv. if a chosen area has already
been researched extensively.
v. approaches that you do not
know of
before

8. Methodology
Describe

data that you will use in the

research, the methodology to be
adopted and justify your choice of
methodology
Inform readers
a. kinds of data going to be collected
b. research procedure (interviews?
observations? questionnaires?)

8. Methodology
If

outside organisations involved,

explain how you are going to get
hold of the data.
Indicate why the methodology is
used.
If existing methodology is not to
be used, explain why you need to
use an adapted methodology.

THANK YOU