COMMON ERRORS OBSERVED IN MSAL STUDENTS RESEARCH PROPOSALS

1. Title Page:
Title should be comprehensive and complete. Cannot be changed later so phrase it in a
way that the focus/central issue/variable/s is clearly stated.
Inappropriate title page.
2. Abstract
Use all the elements of a well- structured abstract. It should include the gist of everything
that is coming within the proposal
3. Prefatory Parts:
Abstract missing.
Table of Contents should be properly made.
List of illustrations should be proper and accurate.
Formatting ignored
4. Introduction:
List all themes that your study touches upon and see if all these themes are covered in the
background to orient the reader about the topic and the field.
Organize your background under themes (and if required sub themes).
Avoid listing points; write in a paragraph or provide a table and visual.
Include citations.
Improve your background by dividing and structuring it around the themes to give the
overview of the topic and relevance to our context.
More Literature support is needed to strengthen the background. Very vague background
and not developed adequately to orient the readers towards what is the area/topic/issue
under discussion
Please develop / separate introduction under themes. It is going on and on - no
paragraphs. Separate paragraph allow you to deal with one theme and makes it one
separate.
All old references you should rely more on references from 2000; especially between
2005-2012.
Too brief, short does not capture the topic and field.
5. Statement of the problems
Extend considerably to give a good overview of the chosen area and the problem.
State properly so it looks like a problem(topic/issue/question) worth investigating
Contextual studies should be added to situate the problem
Quote facts and figures from newspapers / previous studies regarding the problem to
establish it as a problem required to be given formal consent for MS level research.
6. Purpose:
Aims do not match the kind of research you want to pursue (so what do you propose and
what would be the strategy to fill this gap).
Avoid repetition of the problems.
Objectives are missing.
Objectives are beyond the study.
Be precise while stating your objective.

See if your objectives link backwards with the statement of the problem, background and
topic.
7. Scope:
You are deviated considerably from the scope set earlier.
You need to adjust your scope, limitations, and assumptions with the study.
Not stated properly; need to be rephrased.
Avoid repetition.
Cover what your study will accomplish and then relate how helpful your study will be.
Avoid vague statements.
8. Limitations:

Provide rationale that despite limitations the study will have adequate
generalizability.

9. Definition of Key Words:

I hope you will understand that by these definitions you will then collect data in your
study.
What would the definition be in terms of this research?
Inappropriate and irrelevant.
After given the technical definition explain what it means in your study.
10. Methodology:
Avoid the contradiction in the type of study.
Identify detail the intervention to be given to two groups before you describe the
procedure.
Write the procedure for each stage.
Revisit the scope of your study and revise the data collection procedure.
Add more references to strengthen your research design and approach.
11. Population and Sampling:
Sampling frame is missing.
Describe the population clearly.
Describe general features of populations. [all general traits should be spelled out that
would help the reader in understanding the population characteristics)
Give the diagrammatic representation of your sampling.[as shown to you in the research
books and the resource book suggested in RMAL]
Give the sampling method /criteria on which sample will be selected.
12. Research Questions:
Revise your questions considering the study.
Restrict yourself; some of these questions will prove difficult in collecting data.
13. Hypotheses:
There is a bias in your statement of hypotheses.
14. Variable:
Link your variables with your research questions and elements.
15. Conceptual Framework:
If possible develop a visual framework to illustrate your study. See many examples
provided to you in the resource book.
16. Plan of Analysis:
Go to the relevant literature and identify data analysis plan [detailed step by step plan].
Provide proper analysis for both Qualitative and Quantitative studies.

17. Research Timeline:

Change the way timeline is presented. Use Gantt chart tool
Insert all major activities related with the dissertation/ISP including proposal
development; Literature review; instrumentation; etc.
18. References:
Be careful about the APA citation.
Ensure providing sufficient references. Also variety of references
Use latest references. References prior to last 10 years must be used with caution.
19. MS Office Handling & format issues:
Maintain uniform font style / size throughout.
Each section should have a proper heading; beginning with a new page [Chapter 1:
Introduction, Chapter 2: Methodology, Chapter 3: Research Timeline]
Paragraphs should be indented.
APA 6th was not properly followed.
Margins, line spacing, headings and subheadings, Number and titles with tables/figures
and visuals, header and footer