Writing Chapters 1, 2, and 3 of the Research Proposal

What makes a GOOD research proposal?

1. Relevance, either to the work of the funding body or to the student’s course.
2. The research is unique, or offers new insight or development.
3. The title, aims and objectives are all clear and succinct.
4. Comprehensive and thorough background research and literature review has been
undertaken.
5. There is a good match between the issues to be addressed and the approach being adopted.
6. The researcher demonstrates relevant background knowledge and/or experience.
7. Timetable, resources and budget have all been worked out thoroughly, with most eventualities
covered.
8. Useful policy and practice implications.

Reasons Why Research Proposals FAIL

 Aims and objectives are unclear or vague.

 There is a mismatch between the approach being adopted and the issues to be addressed.
 The overall plan is too ambitious and difficult to achieve in the timescale.
 The researcher does not seem to have conducted enough in-depth background research.
 Problem is of insufficient importance.
 Information about the data collection is insufficiently detailed.
 Information about the data analysis method is insufficiently detailed.
 Timescale is inappropriate or unrealistic.
 Resources and budget have not been carefully thought out.
 This topic has been done too many times before – indicates a lack in background research.

PROBLEM

 any significant, perplexing and challenging situation, real or artificial, the solution of which
requires reflective thinking
 a perplexing situation after it has been translated into a question or series of questions that
help the direction of subsequent inquiry

Elements of a Research Problem

Aim or purpose of the problem for investigation. This answers the question “Why?”
Why is there an investigation, inquiry or study?

The subject matter or topic to be investigated. This answers the question “What?”
What is to be investigated or studied?

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The place or locale where the research is to be conducted. This answers the question “Where?”
Where is the study to be conducted?

The period or time of the study during which the data are to be gathered. This answers the question
“When?”
When is the study to be carried out?

Population or universe from whom the data are to be collected. This answers the question “Who?”
“From whom?”

Who are the respondents?

From whom are the data to be gathered?

CHARACTERISTICS OF A RESEARCH PROBLEM

Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Realistic
Time-bound

 Specific: The problem should be specifically stated.

 Measurable: It is easy to measure by using research instruments, apparatus, or equipment.
 Achievable: Solutions to a research problem are achievable or feasible.
 Realistic: Real results are attained because they are gathered scientifically and not
manipulated or manoeuvred.
 Time-bound: Time frame is required in every activity because the shorter completion of the
activity, the better.

Sources of Research Problem

 Specialization of the researcher

 Current and Past Researches
 Recommendations from theses, dissertations, and research journals
 Original and creative ideas of the researcher based on the problems met in the locality and
country

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Criteria of a Good Research Problem

 Interesting
 Innovative
 Cost-effective
 Relevant to the needs and problems of the people
 Relevant to government’s thrusts
 Measurable and time-bound

Guidelines in Writing the Research Title

 Research Title must be reflective of its problem.

 It must answer the following questions:
 What question will answer the following
 What are you trying to investigate?
 What are you trying to find out, determine or discover?
 Who question will answer who are the respondents or subjects of the study.
 Where question will indicate the research locale, setting or the place where the research study
is conducted.

Components of a Project Proposal Manuscript

Chapter I – Introduction
Chapter II – Review of Related Literature
Chapter III – Technical Background

Chapter I – Introduction

1. Project Context
2. Purpose and Description of the Project
3. Objectives of the Project
4. Scope and Limitations of the Project

Project Context
(must be at least 2 pages of presentation and discussions of…)

The proponent should introduce the presentation of the problem, that is, what is the problem is all
about. The proponent should describe the existing and prevailing problem situation based on his or
her experience. This scope may be global, national, or regional and local.

1. The proponent should give strong justification for selecting such research problem in his/her
capacity as a researcher. Being part of the organization or systems and the desire and
concern to improve the systems.
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 2. The researcher state a sentence or two that would show the link and relationship of the
rationale of the study to the proposed research problem.

Purpose and Description of the Project

1. What is the function of your project?

2. What is good in your project?
3. What makes your project unique, innovative, and relevant?

Guidelines in Formulating the Objectives of the Project:

 Start with the General Objective which is very parallel to the project title.
 Explode the general objective into Specific
 Objectives that will help realize the proposed study.
 Objectives should be SMART

Scope and Limitations of the Project

 Think the project scope as a box. High-level scope defines the sides of the box and separates
what is relevant to your project from what is irrelevant.
 The scope refers to the work that needs to be accomplished to deliver a product, service, or
result with the specified features and functions.
 The scope explains the nature, coverage, and time frame of the study

 The limitation, on the other hand, explains all that are NOT included in your project.
 In other words, the scope of the project gives an overview all the deliverables (i.e. the
things that your project gives/delivers), and the tools and technologies used that will be
used in the project development while the limitations of the project are the boundaries of
the project (i.e. areas / things that are out of scope).

Chapter II – Review of Related Literature

A survey or review of related literature and studies is very important because such reviews literature
and studies serve as a foundation of the proposed study. This is because related literature and
studies guide the researcher in pursuing his research venture.

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The following are the different ways on how the review of related literature and studies help as a
guide to the researcher:

1. They help or guide the researcher in searching for or selecting a better research problem or
topic.
2. They help the investigator understand his topic for research better.
3. They ensure that there will be no duplication of other studies.
4. They help and guide the researcher in locating more sources of related information.
5. They help the researcher in making his research design.
6. They help and guide the researcher in making comparison between his findings with the
findings of other researchers on similar studies with the end in view of formulating
generalizations or principles which are the contributions of the study to the fund of knowledge.

Characteristics of Related Literature and Studies

1. The surveyed materials must be as recent as possible.

2. Materials reviewed must be objective and unbiased.
3. Materials surveyed must be relevant to the study.
4. Surveyed materials must have been based upon genuinely original and true facts or data to
make them valid and reliable.
5. Reviewed materials must not be too few or too many.

Sources of Related Literature and Studies

 Books, encyclopaedias, almanacs, and other similar references

 Articles published in journals, magazines, periodicals, newspapers, and other publications.
 Manuscripts, monographs, memoirs, speeches, letters, and diaries
 Unpublished theses and dissertations
 The Constitution, and laws and statues of the land
 Bulletins, circulars, and orders emanating from government offices and departments,
especially from the Office of the President of the Philippines and the Department of Education
 Records of schools, public and private, especially reports of their activities
 Official reports of all kinds, educational, social, economic, scientific, technological, political, etc.
from the government and other entities
 Articles from the Internet

Where to locate related literature and studies?

 Libraries, either government, school or private libraries

 Government and private offices
 The National Library
 The Library of Education
 The Internet

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Review of Related Literature

This portion of the proposal manuscript contains presentations and discussions of the following two
(2) components:

1. Related Theories
2. Related Projects

Guidelines in Writing the Review of Related Systems

1. Related Theories

 Outline first, starting off with an anchor theory

 Supporting theories help elaborate the anchor theory
 End noting and footnoting is important which follows correct bibliography entry
 Fluidity and continuity should be observed

2. Related Projects

 Overview of the current system/project

 Inventory of every related and existing projects/systems
 Fluidity and continuity should be observed
 Comparative matrix may be more appropriate
 Screen shots help make the presentation believable
 May consider 3 to 6 related studies/projects

Chapter III – Technical Background

Guidelines in Writing the Technical Background:

1. Overview of the current technologies

2. (hardware/software/network) used in the current system
3. Discussions on the current trends and technologies to be used in developing and implementing
the proposed system

 HARDWARE
 SOFTWARE
 PEOPLEWARE
 NETWORK

4. Fluidity and continuity should be observed