Explain the parts of Proposal | BASICS OF TECHNICAL ENGLISH | Course Code: 6465

BASICS OF TECHNICAL ENGLISH | Course Code: 6465

Q. 3  Explain the parts of Proposal.

Parts of Proposal

Title of research proposal

The first and foremost step is to search out a tentative topic of your intended research. The proposed title should have the flexibility to be revised and edited at any stage of research. Topic should include two things; dependent variable and independent variable.

Abstract

The next step in writing a research proposal is to write down an abstract of your study. An abstract will follow the main body of research. An abstract is a written concise statement which tells the whole study in a nut shell. It is a small breakup of the research, including all the details in a short manner.

Introduction:

In writing a research proposal the next step is to introduce your topic to the reader/audience. In philosophical terms it is called ontological perspective of research. The researcher should start a proposal with a clear ontological position dealing with the fundamental existence of nature. Crotty (2003) defined ontology as ‘study of being’. It is about ‘what kind of world we are investigating, with nature of existence, with structure of reality as such’. Guba & Lincoln (1989) stated that ontological assumption are considered those that can respond to the question ‘what is out there, which can be known? Or what could be the nature of existing reality?

Background of the study

The next step is to give a little bit background so that the readers’ can get a clearer understanding of research proposal. There is a difference between the introduction and background of the study, the students’ should not confuse the two. An introduction is an attempt to present preliminary data of research proposal because the readers’ will be interested to read it. The background of the research proposal discusses it at length whereas in introduction only a brief overview is given.

Statements of the problem Usually a statement of problem is given under this heading. In this statement the researcher define the problem at length, and try to capitalize it under the given circumstances. The problem statement is mandatory and must highlight the issues which need to be addressed in the research proposal.

Objectives of the study

After giving a problem statement, the next step of a research proposal is to state its objectives. The researcher should state clear and achievable objectives which are realistic. Sometimes it may happen that the objectives look very rosy on paper but it becomes difficult for the researcher to meet them. Such objectives should be avoided, last but not the least objectives should be in line with the research questions.

Research questions/Hypothesis

There is no research proposal which does not include research questions or hypothesis in the study. Research questions are guiding principles of the study that are necessary to be defined in the beginning of any research. If the study is quantitative, it should include a hypothesis—which is a guess or hunch statement about the topic of the study. This statement should be proved positive or negative with the findings of the study. If the research is qualitative it must include at least three questions regarding the research of which the research must seek its answer.

Significance of the study

In this section the researcher should highlight the sociological, economic and cultural importance of the proposed research. What kind of impact this research would have, and what it could achieve? The significance would tell the reader that if this research is not done it could have a negative impact on the desired population and similarly by doing this research the community could get the maximum benefit.

Delimitation of the study

The next most important step is called delimitation. In this section the research would delimit the already selected area. What could be achieved remaining in the limited time period and having required resources? Definitely, the researcher cannot study and investigate the whole desired area; therefore, it is mandatory to cut it short according to sizable population and subject.

Time scale

The last step in this section is giving a time scale, which would elaborate a tentative time period for each chapter. It would not only clear the researcher’s mind but it will also give an idea to the supervisor or guide that how much time will the proposed study will take to get it finished.

Literature Review

A literature review must contain the summary of what kind of knowledge is already available on a particular subject. It must be gathered through secondary sources, which have been already written by other theorists and researchers. It does not dig not new information and new knowledge rather it can pave the way for further research. It focuses on the relevant material which should be brought in by the researcher to illustrate the topic or point under discussion. It always contains the data collected by the previous researchers on the same subject and it may also present theoretical stand point given by the theorists or recognized experts working in the field

Methodology:

In this section, the researcher will answer the question ‘how’, what ways and means to be adopted to bring out expected result. It will include larger methodological breakup including research paradigm, type and methods of analysis to be included in research proposal.

Design

Research design is an organised approach that a researcher can use in the research proposal. It is the handsome synchronization of all the mentioned components along with data which result in a possible outcome. The research design should have a proper methodology in order to comply with accurate and authentic results.

Tools

There are different kinds of tools used in a research to elicit data from the subjects/population. E.g questionnaire, interview etc

Grant for Research

The students’ are required to fill the following form in order to obtain travel grant for their research paper. Higher Education Commission Pakistan provides the students’ travel grant option if they want to go abroad to present their paper in a conference.

Data Analysis:

This chapter is reserved for data presentation, tabulation and analysis. The data collected in the previous chapter via different tools mentioned are analyzed with various methods of analysis. The statistical representation and tabulation are one form of exhibiting the data.

Discussion

This section is reserved for discussion on the various themes emerged from the data analysis chapter. The sole purpose of discussion is interpretation and description keeping in view the significance of the known findings of the proposed research study.

Conclusion

The main goal of your proposal is to let the board know what you will be writing your paper on. It is a research idea that needs to be original and add to the overall knowledge on the subject. It needs to convince the board that your paper has enough information on it to conduct a study on. It also has to be unique and something that builds on the knowledge in the field. You won’t be able to move on to actually writing your paper until this part is completed.