FACULTY OF EDUCATION, CPUT

SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES AND RESEARCH

FORMAT OF MEd & DEd PROPOSALS

1. INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND

First par: Introduction: The research issue/theme (of a real existing problem in education
practice) must be indicated and stated within the context of the specific education or teaching
practice. 6-8 sentences

Second par: Background: Give the context of the problem, also some history of how the problem
has been dealt with in the past and the results/limitations of such actions/interventions. This
section must also give a brief overview of the most relevant literature on how other researchers
have dealt with or described the problem and the gaps indicated in literature, to provide and
lead up to the rationale for this research.

Third par: Motivation/Rationale: why is it necessary to do this research, why is it a problem,

These must all lead up meaningfully to the problem statement, following next.

2. PROBLEM STATEMENT

This section contains only the main and sub-problems and no description/background any more.
In the case of quantitative research the MAIN research problem is normally formulated by using
terms like Is there...? What is the relation between...? Etc. The answer to this kind of question
will yield a yes/no answer, or statistics as results. If there is a hypothesis, it must be stated here
as well. Name the dependent and independent variables in the hypothesis.

In the case of qualitative research the MAIN research problem is usually formulated by using
terms like How? What? Why? The answer to this kind of question will yield descriptive results in
terms of rich textual discussion.

Sub-questions must follow from the main question in terms of aspects of the main problem that

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have to be unpacked and formulated in terms of questions.

3. AIM/OBJECTIVE

The aims have to correspond one-on-one with statements of the main and sub-problems. That
is, the problem statements are merely reformulated into statements as the aims. E.g.: The aim is
to establish what.../why... etc.

4. LITERATURE REVIEW

This section can be more descriptive than in the background, but relevant to the core aspects in
the title and problem statements – paragraphs for each of the core aspects. It can also have a
brief statement about the theoretical/conceptual framework to be used, with motivation, or this
can be in a separate next heading.

In the case of qualitative research the following format must be followed:

5.1 DESIGN

The name of the design that is to be used must be given, as well as a motivation for the use of
the specific design.

The paragraph will start as follows:

“A qualitative approach will be used in this study, with a ......... design” (one of the following
designs: Interpretive / Critical / Phenomenological /Case Study/ Ethnography/Narrative / Action
research/etc.)

Then: “This design is suited to this study because...”

5.2 METHODOLOGY

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5.2.1 SITE SELECTION (OR SOCIAL NETWORK)

Describe the selected site(s) in terms of its characteristics such as public or private institution,
environment, infrastructure, history, tradition, type of school, etc, in order to illustrate/motivate
its suitability for investigating the phenomenon at that specific site.

5.2.2 PARTICIPANT SELECTION

Describe the participants (individuals or groups). Explain how these specific participants will be
selected, how many and why that number, then why they are selected – in what way they are
information-rich key informants. Describe the type(s) of selection strategy which will be used,
e.g. purposeful sampling, convenient sampling, etc.

5.2.3 DATA COLLECTION

As applicable, one or more of the following field work methodologies:

# Observation – the what, where and when. Observation is accompanied by field notes, which
also forms part of the data. Provide the protocol of aspects to be observed as addendum.

# Individual and/or focus group interviews. Provide the protocol of questions to be asked as
addendum.

If both individual and group interviews, motivate, and indicate the different data to be obtained
by the individual and focus groups, by way of examples of some of the different types of
questions to be asked to the individuals and the groups

# Document analysis – state which documents and why

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# Artefact analysis – state which and why

# Written diaries / journals / reflections / letters / photos, provided by the participants, and why

Also state the expected duration of the above field work and explain how and when each of the
data sets will be collected and documented/written up/transcribed, and in which form:
text/video/audio tape/video tape, etc.

5.2.4 DATA ANALYSIS

Qualitative data analysis is always inductive. Describe the inductive analysis process in terms of
organising, coding and categorising the data. If an electronic qualitative software programme is
to be used, name it and motivate why.

5.2.5 TRUSTWORTHINESS

Explain how provision for trustworthiness will be made e.g. by means of triangulation, member
checking, etc.

Rather avoid terms like validity = quan-speak. Trustworthiness is the equivalent of validity.

5.2.6 THE RESEARCHER’S ROLE

Describe the role(s) that the researcher will play during data collection, e.g. participant
observer/interviewer/facilitator, etc.

5.2.7 ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

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The ethical aspects must be explained such as how permission will be obtained from whichever
authority, e.g. the DoE, school, parents, students/learners or any other participants. Indicate
how the participants will be informed about the research, that they will be given choice of
participation before giving informed consent to participate on a voluntary basis, and that they
can withdraw at any time from the research. Indicate how confidentiality will be ensured, and
how the documented data will be stored to ensure safety, confidentiality and the research trail.

In the case of sensitive research (participants or questions) indicate how the participants’ well-
being will be protected.

(Note: After acceptance of the proposal at the FRC, the proposal also has to be submitted to the
Faculty Ethics Committee, who will specifically assess these ethical aspects of the study.)

6. CONTRIBUTION OF THE STUDY

What will the study’s new contribution be to the body of knowledge in the discipline/knowledge
field? (Mostly for DEd)

7. PRELIMINARY CHAPTER DIVISION

Chapter 1: Background/Introduction

Chapter 2/3/4: Theory / Literature study on – (name)

Chapter 3: Methodology

Chapter 4: Empirical results and discussion

Chapter 5: Conclusions and recommendations

In the case of a doctoral thesis there will be a chapter after the results and discussions chapter,
with the new contribution to the knowledge of and insight into the particular subject
field/discipline, e.g. a theoretical/practical model or framework, and thereafter the final chapter
with conclusions and recommendations.

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8 REFERENCES

The list of references or bibliography must include a sufficient number of recent primary (and
only few secondary) sources. Only use published research articles and internet sources.
Referencing style: Harvard.

In the case of quantitative research the following format must be followed:

5 RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY

5.1 DESIGN

The name of the design that is to be used must be given, as well as a motivation for the use of
the specific design.

The paragraph will start as follows:

“A quantitative approach will be used in this study, with a ......... design” (one of the following
designs: experimental, non-experimental )

Then also: “This design is suited to this study because...”

5.2 METHODOLOGY

5.2.1 POPULATION AND SAMPLING

The population and method of sampling must be clearly described, e.g. random sampling,
stratified sampling, etc. The sample must be appropriate for attaining the stated
aim/objectives(s) of the research or for the investigation of the hypotheses.

5.2.2 DATA COLLECTION

The instrument is usually a questionnaire with closed questions and is either self-constructed or

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an existing standardised or non-standardised questionnaire. It must be appropriate for data
collection for the specified variables. In the case of a standardised questionnaire, brief
information must be given about the development and standardisation of the questionnaire and
what it measures. In the case of a non-standardised questionnaire developed by another
researcher, only the contents must be briefly described. In the case of the questionnaire being
developed by the researcher, the process and content must be described and were the content
is derived from.

The procedures utilised to distribute and collect the questionnaires must also be described.

5.2.3 DATA ANALYSIS

It must be indicated whether descriptive and/or inferential statistics will be used to analyse the
data. If inferential statistics are to be used, the specific techniques that will be used must be
indicated, e.g. t-tests, HANOVA or ANOVA, multiple regression analysis, etc.

5.2.4 ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Same as in qualitative research.

6. CONTRIBUTION OF THE STUDY

Same as in qualitative research.

7. PRELIMINARY CHAPTER DIVISION

Same as in qualitative research.

8. REFERENCES

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Same as in qualitative research.

In the case of mixed methods research the following format must be

5 RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY

5.1 DESIGN

The name of the design that is to be used must be given, as well as a motivation for the use of
the specific design.

The paragraph will start as follows:

“A mixed methods approach will be used in this study, with a ......... design”.

Then also: “This design is suited to this study because...”

5.2 METHODOLOGY

5.2.1 POPULATION AND SAMPLING

The population and method of sampling must be clearly described, in this case, from both the
qualitative and quantitative approaches.

5.2.2 DATA COLLECTION

The data collection methods must be described together, first for the qual. and then the quan.

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research.

The procedures utilised to distribute and collect all the data must also be described.

5.2.3 DATA ANALYSIS

First the qual and then the quan analysis methods must be described.

5.2.4 ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Same as in qual. and quan. research.

6. CONTRIBUTION OF THE STUDY

Same as in qual. and quan. research.

7. PRELIMINARY CHAPTER DIVISION

Same.

8. REFERENCES

Same.

TECHNICAL ASPECTS FOR BOTH QUAL AND QUAN PROPOSALS:

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LANGUAGE The proposal should be language edited before
submission

TECHNICAL FINISH The proposal must be checked for technical

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