Fillable Printable Research Proposal Format
Fillable Printable Research Proposal Format
Research Proposal Format
THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES
ST. AUGUSTINE, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, WEST INDIES
OFFICE OF THE CAMPUS REGISTRAR
SCHOOL FOR GRADUATE STUDIES & RESEARCH
TELEPHONE: (1-868) 645-3232 ext. 2209/2616/3797 FAX: (1-868) 645 7327 E-mail: postgrad @sta.uwi.edu
Research Proposal Format
Your research project has a synopsis that gives a glimpse of what is presented
on the project, as well as the work’s signicance. This summary is known as your
research proposal; this is what allows your readers to understand the importance
of your paper and how you came about the project. The Research proposal
format should also have the vital elements of the proposal; it must include the
title, the abstract, your work’s objectives, historical background and references.
A research proposal needs to be more detailed or specic compared with other
project proposals. The proposal should also include the methodology used for the
research project. A research proposal has the following important aspects:
Title page. Your title page must be complete. Make sure that it gives a
glimpse of the nature of the proposed project
Purpose: Statement about the general problem addressed. This species
the topic or area of work. It sets the stage for broadly identifying the area of
research and the problems encountered in that area.
Statement of the problem. A research proposal is done based on a problem
and questions. It is therefore imperative to give emphasis to the problem and
let the readers identify it. The problem must have been the issue that brought
about the study, the concern that required such extensive investigation. A
research proposal may not be considered acceptable when the researcher fails
to clearly identify the problem.
Literature Review/Previous work: a review of the most pertinent literature,
works or achievements related to the problem at hand. This can include a few
general works and a few signicant applications or research studies. This can
be a sample of the relevant literature, stated as an indication of what will be
extended.
Objectives. Clearly identify the purpose of your study. Make sure to keep
your tone formal or conventional. A common mistake made in research
projects and proposals, especially for beginners who do not really know how
to write a research paper, is that they tend to use emotional words and
terms in their objectives and other parts of the paper.
Justi#cation/Signi#cance of the study. The signicance of your study may
include the meaning of the research work to you and to those who might
benet from the research.
Methodology: methods and procedures to be used for each research question
in gathering of data. These methods may include survey of literature on basis
of which models may be developed or extended; collection and synthesis of
data; surveys of given populations or institutions; observation of practices or
behaviors; experiments; etc. Social science, ethnographic, systems, historical,
political science and other methodologies can be used.
References. Research paper writing has certain rules that some are not
even aware of. Plagiarism is a serious issue and it is essential for the writer to
cite the sources used in his project. The University has a Policy on Plagiarism
with penalties that apply.
NB: You are strongly advised to prepare this research proposal with the
assistance of the proposed supervisor. Kindly contact the relevant
Department for researchers/lecturers in your #eld of study.
