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

Yourresearchprojecthasasynopsisthatgivesaglimpseofwhatispresented

on the project, as well as the work’s signicance. This summary is known as your

research proposal; this is what allows your readers to understand the importance

ofyourpaperandhowyoucameabouttheproject.TheResearchproposal

formatshouldalsohavethevitalelementsoftheproposal;itmustincludethe

title, the abstract, your work’s objectives, historical background and references.

Aresearchproposalneedstobemoredetailedorspeciccomparedwithother

project proposals. The proposal should also include the methodology used for the

research project. A research proposal has the following important aspects:

Titlepage. Yourtitlepagemustbecomplete.Makesurethatitgivesa

glimpse of the nature of the proposed project

Purpose: Statementaboutthegeneralproblemaddressed.Thisspecies

thetopicorareaofwork.Itsetsthestageforbroadlyidentifyingtheareaof

research and the problems encountered in that area.

Statement of the problem.A research proposal is donebased on a problem

andquestions. Itisthereforeimperativeto giveemphasistothe problemand

let the readers identify it. The problem must have been the issue that brought

aboutthestudy,theconcernthatrequiredsuchextensiveinvestigation.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 worksand a fewsignicant applications orresearch studies. Thiscan

beasampleoftherelevantliterature,statedasanindicationofwhatwillbe

extended.

Objectives.Clearlyidentifythepurposeofyourstudy.Makesuretokeep

yourtoneformalorconventional.Acommonmistakemadeinresearch

projectsandproposals,especiallyforbeginnerswhodonotreallyknowhow

towritearesearchpaper,isthattheytendtouseemotionalwordsand

terms in their objectives and other parts of the paper.

Justi#cation/Signi#canceofthestudy.Thesignicanceofyourstudymay

includethemeaningoftheresearchworktoyouandtothosewhomight

benet from the research.

Methodology: methods and procedures to be used for each research question

in gathering ofdata.These methodsmay includesurvey ofliteratureon basis

ofwhichmodelsmaybedevelopedorextended;collectionandsynthesisof

data;surveysofgivenpopulationsorinstitutions;observationofpracticesor

behaviors;experiments; etc.Socialscience, ethnographic,systems, historical,

political science and other methodologies can be used.

References.Researchpaperwriting hascertainrulesthatsomearenot

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: Youarestronglyadvisedtopreparethisresearchproposalwiththe

assistanceoftheproposedsupervisor.Kindlycontacttherelevant

Department for researchers/lecturers in your #eld of study.