2. FRAMEWORK OF RESEARCH PROPOSAL
A research proposal is a systematic plan, which brings to focus the preliminary planning that will be
needed to accomplish the purpose of the proposed study.
The preparation of a research proposal is a prerequisite in the research process. In many institutions, a
researcher is required to submit a proposal of the research project for approval.
It serves as a basis for the determination of the feasibility of the project and provides a systematic plan
of procedure for the researcher to follow.
It gives the research supervisor (if any) a basis for guiding the researcher in his pursuit of study.
The initial draft of the proposal is subject to modification in the light of the constructive criticism,
comments and suggestions of the experts in the fields. These experts include researcher’s supervisor,
colleagues, and other experienced researchers who act as members of the research committee of an
institution or organization.
A research proposal always goes through the developmental phases and deficiencies, if any, may be
corrected by discussing the same with experts. An acceptable research proposal therefore is usually the
result of several modifications.
TYPES OF RESEARCH PROPOSAL:
Research proposal can be broadly classified into three groups. This classification is based mainly on the type of
the research study to be undertaken and its purpose.
1. Research Proposal for degree: This common type of proposal is prepared and presented by those
researchers who are required to conduct a research study for the fulfillment of their Master’s degree or
Doctoral degree in education. Submission of a research proposal is a general requirement in most of the
universities for beginners in research. The proposal is evaluated by a committee of experts to determine
the feasibility of the study.
2. For Financial Support: This type of research proposal is one that is submitted by researcher to a
private or governmental agency for financial assistance. Such assistance is given on the recommendation
of a panel of experts who evaluate the proposal.
3. For Grants by Government: This type of research proposal is submitted by a university or a college
teacher to some research organization, such as university, the Indian Council of Social Sciences
Research, the National Council of Educational Research and Training or any other autonomous research
organization. Since at present more funds are earmarked by such organizations for research, more
teachers are taking interest to investigate problems in the areas of concern in the field of education at the
school, college or university levels.
PREPARATION OF RESEARCH PROPOSAL:
There are certain specifications that are essential to good research and therefore, all such specifications should
appear in each plan. The following categories of information should appear in the research proposal.
INTRODUCTION:
The introductory part of the proposal should include the following information:
1. The Title:
The title of the research proposal should do no more than name of the topic. It should be so worded that it
suggests the theme of the study. In selecting a title, the researcher should consider two things.
a) The title should not include unscientific, argumentative, emotional terms. The language in the title should be
professional in nature.
3. b) The title should not be too lengthy or too involved. It should be specific to the area of study. It must be noted
that the proposed study cannot be so worded that it would give sufficient information about the nature of the
study.
2. Statement of the Problem:
The problem may be presented either as a declarative statement or in a question form. It serves as a goal that
gives direction to the researcher. Statement of the problem should primarily be an expansion of the title. It is
highly important for both the researcher and the evaluator of research proposal to focus on the significance of
the problem. The researcher must show how his/her research work is going to contribute to the existing
knowledge or influence the educational theory and/or practice. And in order to maintain the quality of
educational research, the evaluator must critically examine the significance and relevance of the submitted
proposal.
3. Objectives:
Objectives are the goals you set out to attain in your study. They inform a reader what you want to attain
through the study. Objectives may be listed under two headings
a) Main objectives-overall statement of the thrust of your study
b) Sub-objectives- specific aspects of the topic that you want to investigate within the main framework of your
study. Generally we use words like ‘to determine’, ‘to find’, ‘to ascertain’, ‘to measure’, ‘to explain’ etc to state
the objectives.
4. The Hypothesis:
Hypothesis is a tentative solution to our problem which is tested on the basis of the analysis of the collected
data. Hypothesis are not just guesswork, rather depend on logic and previous knowledge. In research proposal,
we should specify one major hypothesis and several minor hypotheses as the case and need may be. These give
direction to the data-gathering and research process. The hypothesis should also be reasonable and consistent
with previously known facts or theories. Also we must state in such a way that we can test it and find it to be
either probably true or probably false. It is just a tentative solution to the problem which can be found false also
after testing. So, testing hypothesis is simply a research process or statistical process of verification or
disconfirmation. Also, it is equally important to formulate hypotheses before the data are actually gathered. This
will lead us to scientific and unbiased investigation of our research problem.
5. Review of Related Literature:
The theoretical and empirical framework from which the problem arises must be briefly described. A brief
resume of related studies found in journals, magazines, abstracts, and reports should be made. This provides
evidence that the researcher is familiar with what is already known and also with what is unknown and
unproved. An analysis of the previous research eliminates the risk of duplication of what has been done, and
provides a basis for formulating hypotheses. The researcher has to make it clear that his problem has roots in the
existing Literature, but it needs further research and exploration.
6. Significance of the Study:
A research proposal should show the worth and urgency of the study. It should indicate clearly how the results
of the research can influence educational theory or practice. The need for undertaking the study can be shown in
several ways.
One way of establishing a need for a research study is to show the time lapse between the earlier study and the
present one.
A second way of justifying the need for a study is to show that there are gaps in the knowledge provided by
previous research studies and to show how the present study will help to fill in these gaps and add to the
quantum of existing knowledge.
A third way to justify the need for a study is to show the lack of information about a problem by presenting the
supporting statements of other research studies.
4. A final way to justify the need for a study is to relate it to the existing social issues and to priority areas in the
context of national and international educational developments.
7. Definition of Terms and Concepts:
It is necessary to define all unusual terms and concepts that could be misinterpreted. The technical terms or
words and phrases having special meanings need to be defined operationally. We come across unanimous
definition or modes of measurement for certain concepts and terms, such as intelligence, motivation,
achievement, etc, and in such situations it becomes obligatory on the part of the researcher to provide an
operational definition of such terms or concepts by stating how the variables will be measured and interpreted.
8. Delimitations of the study:
Boundaries of the study should be made clear with reference to
a) The scope of the study by specifying the areas to which the conclusions will be confined, and
B) The procedural treatment including the sampling procedures, the techniques of data collection and analysis,
the development of measuring tools and their use in the study.
9. Basic Assumptions:
Assumptions are statements of ideas that are accepted as true. They serve as the foundation upon which the
research study is based.
The researchers in writing their proposals should select their basic assumptions with care and be particularly
aware of certain common errors. Turney and Robb have listed these errors as.
1. The first error is failure to state all of the basic assumptions that are relevant to the study.
2. The second error concerns irrelevant assumptions. Such assumptions are neither applicable nor necessary to
the study.
3. The third error is that of selecting unsubstantiated assumptions which cannot be defended by any logic,
empirical evidence (objective data), or authoritative sources.
PROCEDURES FOR COLLECTING DATA:
In this section the details about sampling procedure and the data collecting tools are described.
1. Population:
A population refers to any collection of specified group of human beings or of non-human entities such as
objects, educational institutions, time units, geographical areas, prices of wheat or salaries drawn by individuals.
The population is properly defined so that there is no ambiguity as to whether a given unit belongs to the
population. A population cannot be drawn until the nature of the units that comprise it is clearly identified. If a
population is not properly defined, a researcher does not know what units to consider when selecting the
sample.
In order to select a sample from a given population, it is also necessary to have a complete, accurate, and up-to-
date list of all the units in the population. Such a list is known as a sampling frame. After defining a population
and listing all the units, a researcher selects a sample of units from the sampling frame. The process of such a
selection is called sampling.
2. Sampling:
In research situations the researcher usually comes across unmanageable populations, wherein large numbers
are involved. In such cases, the researcher may use different sampling methods, such as random, systematic,
multistage, stratified, cluster judgment, or quota sampling depending upon his requirement. The researcher
should be well informed about the scope and limitations of each one of these sampling methods before he thinks
of his own sample in the study. A research proposal should clearly define the population from which the
researcher will draw his sample and describe the procedure he will use to select the sample.
3. Tools:
5. In order to collect evidence or data for a study, the researcher has to make use of certain testing and non-testing
tools such as intelligence tests, aptitude tests, achievement tests, personality inventories, observation, interview,
questionnaire, rating scales, etc.The researcher must be well versed in the development and use of these tools
and fully aware of their merits and demerits. The research proposal should explain the reasons for selecting a
particular tool or tools for collecting data. The proposal should also include the reported evidence of the
reliability and validity of the standardized tools for the purpose of the study.
PROCEDURES FOR TREATING DATA
In this section the researcher describes how to organize, analyze, and interpret data. The details of the
qualitative and quantitative (statistical) techniques and the rationale for using such techniques should be
described in the research proposal. What particular Statistical technique is to be used, and how data are to be
analyzed depend on our particular study. We should clearly describe our complete data-analysis procedures in
our research proposal so that the readers may get a clear idea of our research plan.
Bibliography:
In each research proposal, the researcher should give a list of books, journals, and other documents that he has
used in selecting the problem and which he may use during the tenure of study.
Time Schedule:
In the research proposal, the researcher should also indicate a realistic time schedule to complete the project.
Dividing a study into phases and assigning dates for the completion of each phase helps the researcher to use his
time systematically. With the help of this time schedule, the research supervisor may also keep an eye on the
progress of research with much ease. And, above all, the schedule acts as a motivator in helping and motivating
the researcher to move more confidently and systematically toward his/her ultimate goal of the completion of
the research.
Budget Schedule:
The research proposals which are submitted to government, private or autonomous agencies for financial
assistance should also include a budget proposal estimating the funds required for travel expenses, typing,
printing and cyclostyling, purchase of equipment, tools, books and other materials. In your research proposal
you should justify the allocation of money for the various heads of our budget estimates because the funding
agency is going to evaluate this very critically. We should prepare these estimates very carefully and under the
guidance of any experienced expert.
References:
Koul.L (1984), Methodology of Educational Research, Delhi, Vikas Publishing house Pvt.ltd
Shastri.V.K (2008), Research Methodology in Education, Delhi, Authors press
