Module 4 Research Proposal/Final Research Report
Unit 1 Procedure in Writing a Research Proposal
Unit 2 Procedure in writing a Final Research Report
PROPOSAL AND FINAL REPORT
Introduction
Research proposal writing is a unique segment of research enterprise. It has its own
language and format which must be followed strictly. It is so strong that it determines the survival
or suspension of a research work. A well written proposal will capture the attention and interest of
a donor agency in a situation of grant offer. The steps to be followed in sequence are clearly
outlined in the chapter. Similarly, efforts were made to highlight the steps involved in writing
research report with attention given to change in language of expression used in writing research
proposal. Preliminary items in a research report are also carefully outlined.
Procedural steps in writing a research proposal
The writing of a research proposal has become a tradition with postgraduate studies.
There is also a report of demand for a research proposal at undergraduate level in some universities.
Beyond, funding/donor agencies require research proposal to take decisions about whether or not
to sponsor a study. A research proposal is a detailed account of what a researcher intends to do and
how he intends to do it. The writing of a proposal is usually in future tense. It is required because,
it gives focus to the study, and guides the researches along specific steps. From the proposal, the
researcher can visualize the cost implication, the feasibility of the study and the challenges all
ahead of time.
A typical research proposal comprises chapters 1 to 3. It should be noted that a well written
proposal is adapted for chapters 1 to 3 of the final research report. The detailed units of each
chapter are presented thus:
Chapter One: Introduction
1.1 Background of the Problem
In this unit, the researcher is expected to present an argumentative essay why the study is
necessary. He is expected to trace the conditions or circumstances about the problem. The
argument should be convincing enough that it appeals to the attention of the reader. Information
about previous studies that attempted proffering solution to the problem or explanation about the
problem should be provided. Apart from this, brief information is required about all the variables
selected to explain the phenomenon of interest.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Essentially, it involves expression of the problem of study in a clear, concise and precise
form. It is usually short, sharp and direct. The format entails, a short preamble in which the
prevailing situation of the problem is established followed by a gap identified in literature and
ultimately conclusion indicating a declaration of what the study is all about.
1.3 Purpose of the Study
This implies what the researcher intends to achieve by the study. It is more of an extension
of statement of the problem in which case it is broken down into specific objectives or better still
general objectives that convey the relevance of the study. Efforts should be made to strike a balance
between specificity and generality of the objectives, otherwise it becomes long' and unmanageable
or too short that it lacks sufficient merit.
1.4 Research Questions and or Hypotheses
From the statement of the problem or purpose of the study specific questions that address
the problem are raised and itemized in logical sequence. However, hypotheses may be formulated
in place of research questions depending on the research design. It should be noted
that research questions and hypotheses cannot be stated at the same time in a study. Both can only
come up if they address different aspects of the study as they are alternatives of each other
1.5 Scope of the Study
This describes the delimitation of the study in terms of the variables of the study and
geographic location. Hence, it is described as content and geographic scope. It sets the boundaries
for the study within the available time, resources, competence and interest.
1.6 Significance of the Study
This unit affords the researcher the opportunity to identify the specific contributions of the
study and the stakeholders to which they relate. It is difficult to write for one not to appear too
ambitious, hence it adopts a language format of its own. Verbs like ‘would’, ‘should’, are preferred
to ‘will’ or ‘shall’. The language format should be subtle. This unit expresses the usefulness of the
findings of the study either to theory or practice.
1.7 Definition of Terms
It is in this unit, the researcher provides an operational definition of all terms and concepts
that relate directly to the study. The term operational implies the meaning of the concept as utilized
or manipulated in the study. It should be noted that it is quite different from conceptual or
textbook/theoretical definition. Usually, the manipulation or context of usage., makes it
operational. However, operational and conceptual definitions of terms can be used together in a
study.
Chapter two: Review of Related Literature
2.1 Introduction
The researcher presents a short preamble or leading statement into the chapter^. Usually,
the opening statement comes with the content in itemized version.
2.2 Theoretical Framework
There is no study that exists in isolation of existing theories and if there is any they are
rare. It is essential to have a theoretical background to which the study relates. This provides the
framework for understanding the need for the new study. From the theoretical framework, we are
able to appreciate the expansion in knowledge viz a viz the findings of the new study.
2.3-2.X
This depicts other topical headings which either illustrate variable linkage or concepts
about which existing literature are reviewed.
2.Y Existing gaps and summary of literature reviewed
Here the researcher teases out the existing gap in literature the new study intends to fill.
This is followed by summary of the key issue or points in the literature reviewed. The language of
the write up on literature reviewed is past tense or reported speech form.
Chapter Three: Methodology
3.1 Introduction
This unit is all about outline of subheadings in chapter three.
3.2 Research Design
The researcher should indicate the design adopted to carry out the study. The design.
conveys information about the way the variables are manipulated or measured. It is usually short,
sharp and direct. It excludes citation of literature.
3.3 Population
Here the researcher specifies the group of people and the geographic location he is using
for the study.
3.4 Sample and Sampling Techniques
The researcher is expected to specify the sample for the study, having identified the unit of
analysis. The specific steps and the order involved in the selection should be adequately discussed.
3.5 Instrumentation
Instrumentation connotes the instrument and the process of validation. The researcher
should identify the instrument(s) he intends to use for the study, and goes ahead to indicate whether
the instrument was developed, adopted or adapted. Next to this, he should describe the essential
features of the instrument(s) in detail. Thereafter, the researcher should describe the process of
validation of each of the instruments, stating the reliability coefficient of each. This is better
presented using unit headings.
3.6 Data Collection Procedure
Essentially, the researcher describes how he intends to enlist the consent of the authority
of the organization where the sample lies, as well as the respondents or participants for the study.
This should be followed by discussion on treatment administered or administration of the
instruments. The researcher should not forget to indicate the number of weeks he envisaged for
the exercise.
3.7 Method of Data Analysis
What is expected of the researcher is the outline of statistical tools that correspond to the
research questions raised or hypotheses formulated in chapter one. Great caution should be taken
in doing this considering the assumptions behind the application of each statistical tool.
Writing Research Report
Chapters 1 to 3 of the research proposal that have been reviewed and approved are adopted.
The only modification expected is change in language format from language of intention to
language of action. Thus, research proposal is adapted for chapters 1 to 3 of the final research
report. Chapters 4 and 5 with abstract come as new addition.
Chapter Four: Data Presentation and Interpretation
4.1 Introduction
Opening statement into the chapter is essential. And so, outline of what chapter four
contains is provided.
4.2 Answers to Research Questions/Testing of Hypotheses
The researcher presents answers to research questions in sub-units. Normally, the question
is stated followed by a summary table of analysis and result presentation in prose form.
Alternatively, hypotheses testing follow the same sequence.
4.3 Discussion of Findings
At this unit the researcher is expected to discuss his findings elaborately giving reference
to previous studies that compare favourably and those that disagree with his. He is expected to
provide reasons for differences in his own results compared to others, and where the results agree
with others, he should discuss it extensively. This unit provides opportunity to the researcher to
present his own ideas, opinions and materials substantiated by empirical evidence. Normally, this
unit does not involve use of statistics as they must have been duly presented in the earlier preceding
unit.
Chapter Five: Summary of Findings, Implications and Conclusion
5.1 Introduction
This unit should convey a summary of the write up from chapters one to four. It should be
done in a way that only the salient issues are presented.
5.2 Summary of Findings
The researcher presents the outline of research findings in one stretch as obtained from
chapter four.
5.3 Implications
The relevance of any study lies in the contributions of findings of such study to knowledge.
To that extent, the researcher should tease out clearly the implications of the findings to education
or any other field of human endeavour as the case may be. The implications should be listed in
specific terms.
5.4 Recommendations
Here on the basis of your findings, you are to make specific recommendations as a way
forward to the problem.
5.5 Conclusion
The researcher draws an inference or conclusion that encapsulates the findings of the
study.
5.6 Limitations of the Study
The challenges encountered in the course of the study that technically affect the study
should be outlined in this unit. In other words, the challenges that are inherent in the particular,
type of design adopted is what we are talking about.
5.7 Suggestion for Further Research
Since there is no work that is all inclusive, there will always be room for further studies. The
researcher should be able to provide direction for further research in specific terms.
References
All references cited in the body of the write up must be listed alphabetically using latest
APA (American Psychological Association) format. Attention should be given to specific
guidelines for writing each of journals, books, books of reading, conference proceedings and
patents.
Abstract
Abstract is the summarized account of the study. It is written after writing the research
report consisting of chapters 1 to 5,' but forms part of the preliminary pages of the research report.
Normally, it is written in sequence following the order of chapters 1 to 5. For a Ph.D thesis, it
comes in four paragraphs. The first paragraph presents a preamble about the problem, the gasp(s)
identified in literature and the statement of the problem. The second paragraph specifies the design,
the instrument(s) with psychometric indices attached and statistical tools employed. The third
paragraph presents the results or findings embellished with relevant statistics. The fourth paragraph
conveys the implications of the results, conclusion and appropriate recommendations. In the
journal version all the four paragraphs are presented in one block paragraph following strictly the
specific number of words.
Other preliminary pages
Tittle page
Dedication
Abstract
Acknowledgement
Certification
Table of content
List of table
List of figures
There is no hard and fast rule to the arrangement. The order of arrangement varies from
one institution to another.
Study Questions
1. Make an outline and briefly discuss the procedural steps in writing a research proposal
2. Distinguish between writing a research proposal and research report
3. (a). What is an abstract in a research report? Clearly itemize the essential features of an
abstract
(b). List other preliminary pages in sequence apart from abstract in a research report