Research Proposal Outline and Guide

RESEARCH PROPOSAL OUTLINE AND GUIDE

(Modified from “Research Proposal Guidelines” by URCO, Revised as of August 2013)

RESEARCH TITLE

1.  The Research Title must clearly reflect the problem being investigated by the proponents.

2.  It is important that the title answer the following questions:

     -  What are you trying to investigate?

     -  What are you trying to determine, establish, or solve?

     -  Who are the respondents or subjects of the study?

     -  Where is the research locale, setting, or place from which the research will be undertaken?

I.  BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

1.  The proponents should describe in broad terms the prevailing problem situation within the business establishment based on the Internal and External Audit that was conducted.  

2.  It is imperative that the proponents give strong justification for the selecting such research problem in even in their capacity as novice researchers.  

3.  It must be clear to the researchers that even at this early stage, a strong link must be established between the background of the study and the proposed research problem.

     Statement of the Research Problem

     1.  There should be an introductory statement which reflects the main problem of the study.

     2.  Sub-problems must be stated in such a way that they are not answerable by “yes”, “no”, or anything

          factual (such as a place or a year for instance).

     3.  Sub-problems should contain all variables contained in the Conceptual Framework.  These include

          the independent, dependent, and possibly even a moderating variable.  

     4.  Sub-problems must be (a) arranged in a logical manner, (b) extensive in coverage, and (c) mutually

          exclusive in dimension.

     5.  If the research is quantitative in nature, the proponents must avoid research problems that begin

          with “how”.

     Objectives of the Study

     1.  Objectives must always be determined after a good research question has been identified.

          After all, they are to explain the manner by which such research questions are going to be

           answered.  

     2.  Research objectives are usually headed by infinitive verbs such as to identify, to establish,

          to analyze, just to name a few.  

     3.  It is recommended that objective statements are distinguished between general and specific.

          Oftentimes, the general objective is tied up with the main research problem while the specific

          objectives are related to the sub-problems.

       Significance of the Study

       1.  This section describes the contribution of the study to knowledge.   This could be in the form of

             new knowledge in the field, a check on the major findings of other studies, a check on the validity

             of findings in a different population or research locale,  a check on trends over time, or a check on

             other findings using a different methodology.

       2.  The significance of the researchers’ study discusses its impact to the respondents and to the

             business establishment used for the study, as well as to the local community or even to society

             in general.  Depending on the nature of the study, even the government and its many agencies,

             educational institutions, and future researchers may also be named as potential beneficiaries of

             the study upon its completion.

        3.  This section may also proffer the anticipated impact of the study to education, science,

             technology, and on-going research projects.

        Scope and Limitation

        1.  This section explains the nature, coverage, and time frame of the study.

        2.  It briefly presents the subject area of investigation, the place, the time period, or the school year

             covered by the research undertaking.

        3.  It discusses the variables used in the study and the exclusion of other variables which are

             expected to be included.

        4.  It indicates the extend of capability of results arising from the sampling population.

II. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

1.  Related literature includes research findings, published or unpublished theories and principles

     formulated by experts or authorities in some field or discipline; and ideas or opinions of experts

     contained in books, pamphlets magazines and periodicals.

2.  It should be written in terms of the purpose of the study.

3.  It should give more weight to studies considered more authoritative as evaluated and should give

      reference to primary rather than secondary sources.

4.  It should be organized thematically to conform with the specific problems.

5.  It should be synthesized such that evidence from all the studies reviewed would get an overall

      understanding of the state of knowledge in the problem area.

6.  As a general rule, only literature published during the past five (5) years are reviewed by the

      proponents.

III.  THEORETICAL/CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK OF THE STUDY

       Theoretical Framework

       1.  The theoretical framework consists of theories, principles, generalizations, and research