Research Proposal Part I

(Introduction)

BRM
Sarah Wali Qazi
 Research Proposal
“A research proposal is a document that describes the
essential features of a study to be conducted in the
future, as well as the strategy whereby the inquiry
may be logically and successfully accomplished.”
Busha & Harter, Research Methods in
Librarianship, p. 343.

 Chapter 1: Introduction
 Chapter 2: Research Methodology
 References
INTRODUCTION

1. Background of the study

2. The problem statement (Mention Purpose)
3. Research Objectives
4. Justification
5. Limitation
6. Scope
7. Assumptions
8. Definition of terms
Introduction
Background of the study
The background study for a project includes a review of the area
being researched, current information surrounding the issue,
previous studies on the issue, and relevant history on the issue.

Opening about the topic

The overview of the area under study

Significance or any gap

Major Findings related to the core issues.

Problem Statement

A problem statement is the description of an issue

currently existing which needs to be addressed. It provides
the context for the research study and generates the
questions which the research aims to answer. The
statement of the problem is the focal point of any research.
A good problem statement is just one sentence (with
several paragraphs of elaboration). For example it could be:
“Is the frequency of job layoffs creating fear, anxiety, and a
loss of productivity in middle management workers."
Examples of Topic and Problem
Statement
Topic: Corporate Social Responsibility in Local
Organizations: Western Mimicry or Indigenous
Initiatives?

“Are organizations implementing the true concept of

Corporate Social Responsibility and practicing indigenous
practices of or not?
As corporate social responsibility practices may vary country
to country, Pakistan is a developing nation and has been
facing different societal problems then the western nations, if
Pakistani organizations are engaged in doing CSR activities
so are they designed them according to own social and
ethical issues means doing indigenous practices or just
executing the replicated western CSR conducts”
Descriptive Research Problem -- typically asks the question,
"what is...?" with the underlying purpose to describe a situation,
state, or existence of a specific phenomenon.

Exploratory Research Problem– about extracting the insights of

particular concept from the perspective of experts. The aim is to
explore the perception, feelings and experiences that are realized
for the phenomena.

Relational Research Problem -- suggests a relationship of some

sort between two or more variables to be investigated. The
underlying purpose is to investigate qualities/characteristics that
are connected in some way.
PROBLEM STATEMENT PARAGRAPH 4 required parts

1. Start with a general problem identifying the need for the study.
E.g. The problem of this study is ______

2. State the specific problem proposed for research. (use citation &
usually a number to make it clear to the reader, e.g. 30% of the
farms have been affected by the Napier grass disease

3. Introductory words describing Methodological approach (i.e.

Research Design) are given and are appropriate to the specific
proposal problem, e.g. this qualitative study will need to explore...
or this quantitative study will examine ...

4. General population group of proposed study is identified. Small

scale farmers in affected locations will be surveyed to determine ...
Research Objectives
Provides Objective
Use action Oriented words like To determine, To
explore, To identify
Written in Paragraphs or Bullets for different
objectives
This will basically answer what this study would be
rather why
Research Objectives

To identify the organization’s motives behind

doing corporate social responsibility practices?
To explore the modern understanding of CSR in
Pakistan with emphasis on the waves, issues, and
modes of CSR among indigenous organization.
To recognize the role of government in
encouraging CSR practices and how the
government framework or regulations regarding
CSR, if exist, affect the organization’s indigenous
CSR practices.
Justification
Specify the Reasons of your Study
Identify Stakeholders (direct and related) and their
benefits
Limitations
What this study will not accomplish
Under what circumstances/conditions/settings the
results will be applicable.
Reasons of these limitations
Scope
To what extent this study will be conducted
To what conditions/setting the results can be
generalized/applicable
Assumptions
State all the assumptions you have taken to conduct
this study
Key Terms Definition
Define Key Terms/special terms/specific terms
Explain acronyms used in your study
Thank you