PR 1 | Writing a Research Proposal

Note: This covers creating research objectives, the significance of the study, and tips for drafting a proposal.

General Research Objective

a brief statement of how you will investigate the research problem while stating the overall goal that should be achieved to answer the research question

Specific Objectives

Identifies the steps needed to achieve your general objective while being specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bounded

Significance of the Study

determines your work’s contribution from the various output that can be generated from your study

Stating the Relevance of Your Work

It must follow the perspective of your discipline/field, target participants, and larger community

Stating the Relevance of Your Work from the Perspective of Your Research Discipline or Field

its technical/scientific contribution and new learning and insights it can bring to the field

Stating the Relevance of Your Work from the Perspective of Your Target Participants

how target sector will benefit from the contribution generated by one’s study

Stating the Relevance of Your Work from the Perspective of the Larger Community

long-term perspectives on the potential contributions and impact of your research

Determining the Significance of the Study

• consider all possible stakeholders, not just the research’s direct beneficiaries

• have broad perspectives covering immediate anf long-term benefits

Drafting Proposals

• Cite all reviewed works, indicating publisher and publication date

• Relevant works must come from conference papers, journals, and books

• Check the cohesiveness across two paragraphs.

• Observe proper word choice

• Avoid marketing terms

• Do not abbreviate words

• Writing style must be in passive voice, avoid constructs like “the researchers/proponents/team/group”