Research Proposal Example & Sample For Students
Research Proposal
A research proposal is a research manuscript that describes the whole study thoroughly. It is a concise summary of the entire research designed by researchers. The research proposal is crucial for any postgraduate student to get admission to a master’s by research and post-doctoral program. Therefore, every student must know how to write a research proposal correctly. It is a prerequisite document for application to postgraduate programs. A precise research proposal enhances the admission possibility. Additionally, a concise and sophisticated research proposal assists students in getting research grants and waivers.
Research Proposal Example For Students
A perfect research proposal must include eight components, including a title, introduction, problem statement, research objective, significance of the study, literature review, research methodology, and reference with the latest edition.
1. Research Title
The title is the fundamental part of any research proposal, so the author should ensure that it includes the keywords and relates to the field of study. It should not be too long or too short. A good research title indicates the author’s approach to what they intended to do. Finally, the title should indicate the research objectives and questions.
Title Example For Research Proposal
“An Examination of Social Media Role in Entrepreneurial Intention among Business Students” |
2. Introduction
The Introduction for a dissertation usually presents the significance of the topic understudied (in this case, the role of Facebook for business marketing and customer relationship building). A good Introduction can walk the readers through the situation.
The Introduction can be started with the premise, meaning that introducing the background of information reminds what readers already know and establishes a common ground of understanding between the writer and the readers.
3. Problem Statement
Apart from describing the basic information which people already know about, the next part that the researcher can include in this chapter is delineating the problem that exists in the field.
A researcher starts a research project because they deem a problem or problem that needs to be addressed by conducting research using an appropriate research design or method.
A problem statement, by its definition, is a concise description of an issue currently existing which needs to be addressed. In Problem Statement, a researcher will address the gap of knowledge based on an extensive literature search.
The researcher will identify if the topic has not been covered by previous research. Moreover, Problem Statement should include a discussion of how the researcher came to identify this (a phenomenon, an issue, or a subject topic) as significant and the context in which this problem emerged (for example, from past studies).
4. Research Objective
Research objectives should always fulfill SMART model principles, meaning Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timed.
It always starts with verb-to-be, such as “To examine…, To explore…,” etc.
Importantly, each RO must indicate what the researcher wants to know about IV(s) and DV.
For example: To determine the level of digital skill competencies, including specific technological competency, cognitive competency, and personal competency. = Measuring IVs.
For example: To determine whether religiosity affects the public’s recognition of smoking as a problem and their level of perceived personal involvement in the smoking issue. = Measuring IV and DVs.
Convert RO to question form; then it becomes Research Question.
5. Significance of the Study
This section explains how the proposed study is significant to Theory, Method, and Practical.
6. Literature Review
We believe you have learned Literature Review in the previous class
- So, this section should cover the conceptualization, operationalization, and theoretical framework of a study.
- You should review past studies’ findings, methods, and discussions.
- While you are explaining the theory, make sure you delineate the variables underlying the theory.
- For example, if you examine User and Gratification Theory (U&G) (Katz, 1974), make sure you first describe its history: who founded the theory. It would help if you also described what the theoretical hypotheses is. What are the variables are in theory? Any model (diagram) to present?
7. Research Methodology
This section should cover the following:
- Firstly, the Sampling method (probability or non-probability), sample selection technique (using a formula?), and the sample size?
- Additionally, the research instrument (adopt and adapt) refers to previous research and modifies the items to the need of the study.
- Measurement (are you using a 5-point scale, 7-point, or 10-point?)
- Data analysis (how will you analyze the data? Descriptively? Inferentially? Using SPSS?)
8. References
Follow APA (7th) edition