Components of a Research Proposal

1. Components of a Research Proposal

2. Components of a Research Proposal • Introduction • Literature Review • Research Method

3. The Introduction • background /Motivation of the study • Brief literature review • how the current research is related to other research • Do not review single, isolated studies-introduce larger groups of studies to present broader picture of the literature • Conveys information about a research PROBLEM • The authors announce a problem • The authors justify why it needs to be studied • Indicate why the problem is important by citing references that justify the need to study the problem • Purpose statement • Research questions/hypothesis • the significance of the study

4. Literature Review • Theoretical framework • address the independent variable(s) proposed by the study • address the dependent variable(s) proposed by the study • address studies conducted on the independent variable(s) and the dependent variable(s) • a summary that highlight the key research studies relevant to the proposed study, their general findings that relate to the proposed study and support for the need of additional research on the proposed topic • Definition of terms-conceptual and operational definitions

5. Method • Participants/setting/research context • Research design • Treatments- Independent variables • Instruments-Dependent variables • Research material • Research procedures • Threats to validity-internal validity and external validity • Data analysis plan

6. Internal validity • Be cautious of factors affecting internal validity • Subject variability • Size of subject population • Time allotted for data collection or the experimental treatment • Diffusion effect • Instrument/task sensitivity

7. Data analysis plan • Tell the readers about the type of statistical analysis that will be used • Report the descriptive statistics-mean, standard deviations, and ranges • Indicate the inferential statistical tests used to examine the hypotheses in the study