W riting a Research P roposal

1. Writing a Research Proposal

2. The proposal is, in effect, an intellectual scholastic contract between you and your committee. A research proposal is the presentation of an idea that you wish to pursue It specifies what you will do, how you will do it, and how you will interpret the results.

3. The objective in writing a proposal is to describe what you will do, why it should be done, how you will do it and what you expect will result. Being clear about these things from the beginning will help you complete your thesis in a timely fashion. A vague, weak or fuzzy proposal can lead to a long, painful, and often unsuccessful thesis writing exercise.

4. A good thesis proposal hinges on a good idea. Once you have a good idea, you can draft the proposal. Getting a good idea hinges on familiarity with the topic. This assumes a longer preparatory period of reading, observation, discussion, and incubation A good research proposal presumes that you have already thought about your project and have devoted some time and effort in gathering information, reading, and then organizing your thoughts

5. It is not a fixed blueprint • You need to convince members of your committee that you • have identified a scientific problem • have a theoretical background and a methodological approach to solve the problem • within a realistic time frame and at reasonable expenses

6. Models for Proposals • A Two/three Page (Preliminary Proposal) Model • proposal that you might use to interest faculty in sitting on your committee. • a proposal of what you intend to work on

7. The (Longer) Standard Model • A complete version of a proposal once your initial proposal has been accepted by your committee (1-3) Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 Literature review Chapter 3 Methodology Chapter 4 Results/Findings Chapter 5 Discussion Chapter 6 Summary of Research, Conclusion, and Recommendations

8. Title It should be concise and descriptive. For example, the phrase, "An investigation of . . ." could be omitted. Often titles are stated in terms of a functional relationship, because such titles clearly indicate the independent and dependent variables.

9. Should be able to indicate: Major variables being investigated THE NATURE OF RESEARCH DESCRIPTIVE SURVEY EX POST FACTO CORRELATIONAL EXPERIMENTAL TARGET POPULATION EDU 5900 AB. RAHIM BAKAR

10. The relationship between entrepreneurial success and need of achievement, locus of control, social networking, and educational level of AIM entrepreneurs in Kelantan NATURE OF RESEARCH VARIABLES BEING INVESTIGATED TARGET POPULATION EDU 5900 AB. RAHIM BAKAR

11. proposed thesis title (should be descriptive of focus, concise, eye-catching and preferably use key words from the international information retrieval systems)

12. But, before you decide on the title, • Explore the possible area of research you may want to embark on. How?....... • Think about the rationale for the chosen area • Think about the impact if it is not researched • Think if it is researchable

13. Your research proposal should: • clearly define the topic you’re interested in and show you understand your research area • show you have started to identify and develop an original and interesting research question • demonstrate you understand how to conduct research • look professional – it should be typed, in good language, well-structured with suitable headings and clear and legible • include a bibliography, listing the books, articles and websites you have referred to

14. Your proposal must meet the interest and expertise of the academics in your field (please note, sometimes we may not have academics whose interests and expertise match your interest)

15. Before you start……. • Get ideas from your potential mentor/supervisor and the areas of research in the faculty. • Meet with the mentor/supervisor to discuss his/her previous work & research projects. • Ask about time availability and collaborators. • Review some background papers together.

16. introduction • Background: provides background information relating to the social/political/historical/ educational (etc) context of the study • may include historical, cultural, political, social or organisational information about the context of the research • may include a theoretical starting point • may include personal motivation • may include policy etc • Show citation and statistics

17. Statements of problems • this may include reference to a 'gap' in the research literature, to the need to apply certain ideas in a new context, or to the significance of your particular topic • the ways in which the study may be significant for the educational community may also be discussed • show citation and statistics

18. We want to be able to answer the “so what question”. Thus, the problem to be investigated must be meaningful. The problem must be clearly stated. You do not need to write pages…

19. Experiences EDU 5900 AB. RAHIM BAKAR

20. Review Related Literature • read critically- question concepts and statement in articles • Questions methodologies • check if here is any evidence to substantiate the position/claims • Read research, review of research, and use computerized search EDU 5900 AB. RAHIM BAKAR

21. Evaluating researchproblem Adakah ia menyumbang kepada pengetahuan dalam bidang pendidikan (Significant)? • Memperbanyakan lagi fakta bagi sesuatu isu? • Memperkukuhkan lagi dapatan yang telah lalu? • Mempekukuhkan lagi teori pendidikan ? EDU 5900 AB. RAHIM BAKAR

22. Menyelesaikan masalah ketidak selarasan hasil kajian lalu? Adakahiamenghasilkanpertalianbaruantarasatupembolehubahdenganpembolehubah yang lain? Mestibolehmenjawabsoalan , SO? Tentukan kepentingan hasil kajian ini kepada teorist dan pengamal pendidikan? Jangan pilih masalah yang trivial yang tidak ada kepentingan atau yang mana jawapan boleh diperolehi tanpa melalui kajian EDU 5900 AB. RAHIM BAKAR

23. Masalah tadi boleh menghasilkan masalah kajian baru yang menggalakkan kajian lanjutan. Kajian yang baik akan dapat menyelesaikan masalah yang ingin diselesaikan. Pada masa yang sama persoalan baru akan timbul dan memerlukan kajian lanjutan atau tambahan. EDU 5900 AB. RAHIM BAKAR

24. Objectives of the study • General and specific • Research questions • Hypotheses (directional or non-directional) • Null hypotheses in the proposal

25. Scope and significance of the study • Definition of terms • Theoretical framework of the study

26. Introduction should enable readers to understand what you are attempting to research and why this is significant but without the wealth of detail contained in the main part of the proposal It is sales pitch

27. Writing a Research Proposal