DEFINITION OF PROPOSAL:

A proposal is an individual's or company's offer to produce a product

or render a service to a potential buyer or sponsor.
A proposal is also known as a work-plan, prospectus, and
outline, statement of intent or draft plan.

WHAT IS RESEARCH PROPOSAL:

A document that sets out the purpose of the study and the research
design details of the investigation to be carried out by the researcher.
or
A written statement of the research design that includes a statement
explaining the purpose of a study and a detailed systematic outline of
a particular research methodology.

EXPLANATION OF RESEARCH PROPOSAL:

The research proposal drawn up by the investigator is the result of a
planned, organized and careful effort and basically contains the
following:

1) Broad goals of the study

2) The specific problem to be investigated
3) Details of the procedures to be followed
4) The research design offering details on:
i) The sampling Design
ii) Data collection methods
iii) Data analysis
5) Time frame of the study
6) The budget, detailing the costs with reference to specific items of
expenditure.

PURPOSE OF THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL:

1) To present the management question to be researched and relate its

importance.
2) To discuss the research efforts of others who have worked on related
management questions.
3) To suggest the data necessary for solving the management question
and how the data will be gathered, treated and interpreted.
4) To present the researcher's plan, services and credentials in the best
possible way to encourage the proposal's selection over competitors.
5) To help the researcher to define the contents and to plan and
execute his/her research project.
6) To inform potential collaborators and supporters about the topic and
the expected quality of the research.

TYPES OF RESEARCH PROPOSAL:

a) Internal Proposal
b) External Proposal

INTERNAL PROPOSAL:
A proposal done by staff specialists or by the research department
within the organization is called internal proposal.

EXTERNAL PROPOSAL:
A proposal sponsored by university grant committees, Government
agencies, Government contractors, non-profit organizations, or
corporation is called External proposal.

External proposal can be divided into two parts.

a) Solicited Proposal :- A proposal which is made in response to a
request for proposal is called solicited proposal.
b) Unsolicited Proposal :- A proposal which represents a suggestion
by a contract researcher for research that might be done is called
unsolicited proposal.

ELEMENTS OF RESEARCH PROPOSAL:

Title
Abstract
Problem Statement
Literature Review
Methodology and research methods
Field work
Duration
Final Product
Budget
Appendices

EXPLANATION OF ELEMENTS OF RESEARCH PROPOSAL

1) Title
A good title should be short, accurate and concise. It should make the
central objectives and variables of the study clear to the reader. The
title provides the key words for the classification and indexing of the
project. If it is possible without undue length, the title can give a
preview of the protocol. It is important to specify what universe will be
investigated.

2) Abstract
The abstract must be typed within the IRB application and should not
exceed one page in length. The abstract may also included as part of
the protocol but does not have to be included. The abstract should give
a clear idea to the reader of the central question that the research is
intended to answer and its justification. It should specify the
hypothesis and the research objectives. In addition, the abstract should
briefly describe the methods laid out in the chapter on methodology.

3) Statement of the problem

The statement must be written in a way that gives empirical references
to describe the situation and also clearly specifies the gaps in existing
knowledge of the problem and the existing controversary and no
conclusive evidence. A logical sequence for presenting the statement
would be
o Magnitude, frequency, and distribution. Affected geographical
groups affected by the problem.
o Probable cause of the problem: What is the current knowledge of
the problem and its cause? Is there controversary? Is there
conclusive evidence?
o Possible solutions: In what ways have solutions to the problem
been attempted? What has been proposed? What are the
results?
o Unanswered questions: what remains to be answered? What
areas have not been possible to understand, determine, verify or
test?

4) Literature review
The literature review section examines recent research studies,
company data, or industry reports that acts as a basis for the proposed
study.

5) Methodology and research methods

The methodology explains the procedures that will be used to achieve
the objectives. In this section the operational definition for the variable
used should be specified in detail, along with the type of variables and
the ways to measure them.

6) Field Work
Identify the relevant courses, workshops, pre-dissertation research or
any other activity. Laid the basis of foundation of research.
7) Duration
A clear indication of time frame of the project and specific time when
each aspects or stage of the project will be implemented.

8) Final Product
It includes the following:
Thesis
Articles
Books

9) Budget
The budget should be presented in the form the sponsor requests. In
addition, limitations on travel, per diem rates, and capital equipment
purchases can change the way in which you prepare a budget.

10) Appendices
It should be devoted to those aspects of the proposal that are of
secondary interest to the review.

ADVANTAGES OF RESEARCH PROPOSALS:

ADVANTAGES TO RESEARCHER`S

The researcher has many advantages by preparing research proposal.

Some of the advantages are described below:

1) Planning and Review of steps

The process of writing a proposal encourages the Researcher to plan
and review the projects logical steps. These steps encourage the
researcher to perform his research thoroughly.
2) Guideline of the Investigation
The in-house or contract researcher uses the approved research
proposal as a guide throughout the investigation. Process can be
monitored and milestone noted. At completion, the proposal provides
an outline for the final research project.
3) A Review of Previous Plans
Related management and research literature is examined in
developing the research proposal. This review promotes the researcher
to access previous approaches to the similar management question
and revise the research plan accordingly.
4)Controlling of Errors
By developing research proposal there is an opportunity of spotting
flaws in the logic, errors in assumptions, or even management question
that are not adequately addressed by the objectives and design.
5) Acertation of Profit
Like any other business, the researcher makes his/her profit from
correctly estimation of cost and pricing the research project
appropriately.
6) Estimation of Cost
A thorough proposal process is likely to reveal all possible cost-related
activities, thus making the cost estimation more accurately.
7) Estimation of Time
The researcher can estimate the time function with the help of
research proposal. These time estimates encourages the researcher to
plan the project so work progresses steadily towards the deadline.

ADVANTAGES TO THE SPONSOR

1) Selection of the researcher

The research proposal helps the sponsor to select the appropriate
researcher for the overall research plan.
2) Checking the sincerity of the researcher
The research proposal allows the sponsor to access the sincerity of the
researcher's purpose.
3) Knowledge of the Researcher
The research proposal allows the sponsor of the research to have a
glance at the background of the researcher's knowledge.
4) Display of Researcher's Discipline
The proposal displays the researcher's discipline, organization and
logic. It thus allows the research sponsor to assess both the researcher
and the proposed design, to compare them against competing proposal
on current organizational, scholastic, or scientific needs, and to make
the best selection of the project.
5) Comparison of Research Proposal with Project
Comparison of research projects results with the proposal is also the
first step in the process of evaluating the overall research. By
comparison the final product with the stated objectives, it is easy for
the sponsor to decide if the research goal a better decision on the
management question has been achieved.
6) Catalyst for Discussion
The research proposal acts as a catalyst for discussion between the
manager conducting the research and the manager. The researcher
translates the management question, as described by the manager,
into research question and outline of the objectives of the study.

STRUCTURE OF THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL:

 Executive Summary
Qualifications of Researcher
Problem Statement
Budget
Research Objectives
Schedule
Literature Review
Facilities and special
Importance of the Study Resources

Research Design Project Management

Data Analysis Bibliography

Nature and Forms of results Appendices

Explanation of the Structure of Research Proposal

Executive Summary
Executive Summary which is for the sponsor to understand quickly the
thrust of the proposal.

Research Objective
Purpose of the investigation and specific, concrete and achievable
goals.

Problem Statement
This section convinces the sponsor to continue reading the proposal.
We should capture the reader's attention by stating the problem, its
background, and consequences. The importance of the problem should
be emphasized here if a separate module on the benefits of study is
not included later in the proposal. The problem statement will include
any restrictions or areas of the problem that will not be addressed.

Literature review
The literature review section examines recent (or historically
significant) research studies, company data, or industry reports that
act as a basis for the proposed study. Begin our discussion of the
related literature and relevant secondary data from a comprehensive
perspective, moving to more specific studies that are associated with
our problem. If the problem has a historical background, begin with the
earliest references.
 Importance of the study
This section allows us to describe explicit benefits that will accrue from
our study. The importance of doing the study now should be
emphasized. Usually, this section is not more than a few paragraphs. If
we find it difficult to write, then we have probably not understood the
problem adequately. Return to the analysis of the problem and ensure,
through additional discussions with our sponsor, our research team, or
by a re-examination of the literature, that we have captured the
essence of the problem.

Research Design
Research design includes sample size, data collection, methods,
instrument, procedure and ethical requirement.

Data Analysis
Data analysis contains purposed handling of the data and theoretical
basis for using selected techniques.

Nature and form of research

This section contains the contractual statement telling the sponsor
exactly what types of information will be received. Statistical
conclusions, applied findings, recommendations, action plans, models,
strategic plans, and so forth are examples of the forms of results.

Qualification of researcher
This section should begin with the principal investigator. It is also
customary to begin qualifications with the highest academic degree
held. Experience is carrying out previous research is important,
especially in the corporate market place, so a concise description of
similar projects should be included.

Budget
The budget should be presented in the form the sponsor requests. For
Example, some organizations require secretarial assistance to be
individually budgeted, whereas others insist it to be included in the
research director's fees or the overhead of the operations. In addition,
limitations on travel, per diem rates, and capital equipment purchases
can change the way in which we prepare a budget.

Typically, the budget should be no more than one to two pages. It is

extremely important that we retain all information we use to generate
our budget. Some costs are more elusive than others. Dont forget to
build the cost of proposal writing into our fees. Publication and delivery
of final reports can be a last-minute expense that can easily be
overlooked in preliminary budgets.

Schedule
Our schedule should include the major phases of the project,
their timetables, and the milestone that signify completion of a phase.
For Example may be:

1) Exploratory interviews
2) Final research proposal
3) Questionnaire revision
4) Field interviews
5) Editing and coding
6) Data Analysis
7) Report generation

Each of these phases should have an estimated time schedule and

people assigned to the work.

Facilities and special resources

Often, projects will require special facilities or resources that should be
described in detail. For Example, a contract exploratory study may
need specialized facilities for focus group sessions. Computer-assisted
telephone or other interviewing facilities may be required.
Alternatively, our proposed data analysis may require sophisticated
computer algorithms, and therefore, we need access to an adequate
system. This requirement varies from study to study.

Project Management
Project management is a master plan how a research team is
organized to complete the project efficiently.

Bibliography
From which material is taken.

Appendices
Glossary, measurement and other factors.

TiPS
1) Proposal must be neatly written in appropriate writing style.

2) Major topics should be easily found and logically organized.

3) Proposal must meet specific guidelines set by the question designer.

4) Technical writing style must be clearly understood and explained.

5) Justly the chosen research project.

6) Describe the current state of knowledge on the research topic,

considering important relevant literature.

7) Formulate the hypothesis or research questions.

8) Define the research strategy and methodology to be used to test the

hypothesis.

9) Discuss ethical considerations about the research methodology.

10) Serve as an important tool for monitoring the research.

Why proposals fail (not much important), just read it uper se

There are three major reasons why research proposals fail.
1) Ethics clearance
Some studies will require ethics clearance through the Research Integrity
and Animal Care unit before the research proposal is submitted. Consult your
supervisor to verify whether you need this clearance.
If you do not need it for your research proposal, then list this as a
designated task in your formal confirmation of candidature schedule.

2) Failure to follow guidelines

You need to follow the guidelines for preparing research proposals. Carefully
read the guidelines address all the relevant sections and obtain the
relevant signatures before submitting your research proposal.

3) Reviewer concern
The reviewer may take issue with certain aspects of the research
proposal which relate specifically to content. The review process
highlights some of the more prevalent areas of concern.

There are also some Problems which cause the Failure of Research
Proposal

Improper presentation of Not clear written

proposal Language problem
Unorganized proposal
Background problem
statement
Not according with client's
thinking
Extraneous detail of
literature review
Not understandable
Schedule and budget not
mentioned
Time frame not mentioned