Writing Chapters 1, 2, and 3 of

the Research Proposal

Presented by: Sheryl B. Satorre
What makes a GOOD research proposal?
 Relevance, either to the work of the funding
body or to the student’s course.
 The research is unique, or offers new insight
or development.
 The title, aims and objectives are all clear and
succinct.
 Comprehensive and thorough background
research and literature review has been
undertaken.
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 There is a good match between the issues to
be addressed and the approach being adopted.
 The researcher demonstrates relevant
background knowledge and/or experience.
 Timetable, resources and budget have all been
worked out thoroughly, with most
eventualities covered.
 Useful policy and practice implications.

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Reasons Why Research Proposals FAIL
 Aims and objectives are unclear or vague.
 There is a mismatch between the approach
being adopted and the issues to be addressed.
 The overall plan is too ambitious and difficult
to achieve in the timescale.
 The researcher does not seem to have
conducted enough in-depth background
research.
 Problem is of insufficient importance.

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 Information about the data collection is
insufficiently detailed.
 Information about the data analysis method is
insufficiently detailed.
 Timescale is inappropriate or unrealistic.
 Resources and budget have not been carefully
thought out.
 This topic has been done too many times
before – indicates a lack in background
research.
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PROBLEM
 any significant, perplexing and challenging
situation, real or artificial, the solution of
which requires reflective thinking
 a perplexing situation after it has been
translated into a question or series of
questions that help the direction of
subsequent inquiry

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Elements of a Research Problem
S Aim or purpose of the problem for
investigation. This answers the question “Why?”
 Why is there an investigation, inquiry or
study?
i The subject matter or topic to be
investigated. This answers the question “What?”
 What is to be investigated or studied?

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S The place or locale where the research is to
be conducted. This answers the question
“Where?”
 Where is the study to be conducted?
d The period or time of the study during which
the data are to be gathered. This answers the
question “When?”
 When is the study to be carried out?

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S Population or universe from whom the data
are to be collected. This answers the question
“Who?” “From whom?”
 Who are the respondents?
 From whom are the data to be
gathered?

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Characteristics of a Research Problem

Specific
Measurable

Achievable

Realistic

Time-bound

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 Specific: The problem should be specifically stated.
 Measurable: It is easy to measure by using research
instruments, apparatus, or equipment.
 Achievable: Solutions to a research problem are
achievable or feasible.
 Realistic: Real results are attained because they are
gathered scientifically and not manipulated or
maneuvered.
 Time-bound: Time frame is required in every activity
because the shorter completion of the activity, the
better.

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Sources of Research Problem
 Specialization of the researcher
 Current and Past Researches
 Recommendations from theses, dissertations, and
research journals
 Original and creative ideas of the researcher based on
the problems met in the locality and country

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Criteria of a Good Research Problem
 Interesting
 Innovative
 Cost-effective
 Relevant to the needs and problems of the people
 Relevant to government’s thrusts
 Measurable and time-bound

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Guidelines in Writing the Research Title
S Research Title must be reflective of its problem.
u It must answer the following questions:
 What question will answer the following
 What are you trying to investigate?
 What are you trying to find out, determine or discover?
 Who question will answer who are the respondents or
subjects of the study.
 Where question will indicate the research locale, setting
or the place where the research study is conducted.

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Components of a Capstone Project
Proposal Manuscript
 Chapter I – Introduction
 Chapter II – Review of Related Literature
 Chapter III – Technical Background
 Chapter IV – Methodology

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Chapter I - Introduction
1. Project Context
2. Purpose and Description of the Project
3. Objectives of the Project
4. Scope and Limitations of the Project

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Project Context
(must be at least 2 pages of presentation and discussions
of…)
2. The proponent should introduce the
presentation of the problem, that is, what is
the problem is all about. The proponent
should describe the existing and prevailing
problem situation based on his or her
experience. This scope may be global, national,
or regional and local.

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1. The proponent should give strong
justification for selecting such research
problem in his/her capacity as a researcher.
Being part of the organization or systems and
the desire and concern to improve the
systems.
2. The researcher state a sentence or two that
would show the link and relationship of the
rationale of the study to the proposed
research problem.
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Purpose and Description of the
Project
 What is the function of your project?
 What is good in your project?
 What makes your project unique, innovative,
and relevant?

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Guidelines in Formulating the Objectives
of the Project:
S Start with the General Objective which is
very parallel to the project title.
Explode the general objective into Specific
Objectives that will help realize the
proposed study.
r Objectives should be SMART

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Scope and Limitations of the Project
 Think the project scope as a box. High-level scope
defines the sides of the box and separates what is
relevant to your project from what is irrelevant.
 The scope refers to the work that needs to be
accomplished to deliver a product, service, or result
with the specified features and functions.
 The scope explains the nature, coverage, and time
frame of the study

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 The limitation, on the other hand, explains all that
are NOT included in your project.
 In other words, the scope of the project gives an
overview all the deliverables (i.e. the things that
your project gives/delivers), and the tools and
technologies used that will be used in the project
development while the limitations of the project
are the boundaries of the project (i.e.
areas/things that are out of scope).

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Chapter II – Review of Related
Literature

A survey or review of related literature and

studies is very important because such reviews
literature and studies serve as a foundation of
the proposed study. This is because related
literature and studies guide the researcher in
pursuing his research venture.

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The following are the different ways on how the review of related
literature and studies help as a guide to the researcher:

 They help or guide the researcher in searching for or

selecting a better research problem or topic.
 They help the investigator understand his topic for
research better.
 They ensure that there will be no duplication of
other studies.

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 They help and guide the researcher in locating more
sources of related information.
 They help the researcher in making his research
design.
 They help and guide the researcher in making
comparison between his findings with the findings of
other researchers on similar studies with the end in
view of formulating generalizations or principles
which are the contributions of the study to the fund
of knowledge.

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Characteristics of Related Literature
and Studies
 The surveyed materials must be as recent as possible.
 Materials reviewed must be objective and unbiased.
 Materials surveyed must be relevant to the study.
 Surveyed materials must have been based upon genuinely
original and true facts or data to make them valid and
reliable.
 Reviewed materials must not be too few or too many.

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Sources of Related Literature and
Studies
 Books, encyclopedias, almanacs, and other similar
references
 Articles published in journals, magazines, periodicals,
newspapers, and other publications.
 Manuscripts, monographs, memoirs, speeches, letters,
and diaries
 Unpublished theses and dissertations

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 The Constitution, and laws and statues of the land
 Bulletins, circulars, and orders emanating from
government offices and departments, especially from the
Office of the President of the Philippines and the
Department of Education
 Records of schools, public and private, especially reports
of their activities
 Official reports of all kinds, educational, social, economic,
scientific, technological, political, etc. from the
government and other entities
 Articles from the Internet

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Where to locate related literature and
studies?
 Libraries, either government, school or private libraries
 Government and private offices
 The National Library
 The Library of Education
 The Internet

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Review of Related Literature
This portion of the proposal manuscript contains
presentations and discussions of the following two (2)
components:
2. Related Theories
3. Related Projects

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Guidelines in Writing the Review of
Related Systems
1. Related Theories
1 Outline first, starting off with an anchor theory
t Supporting theories help elaborate the anchor theory
i Endnoting and footnoting is important which follows correct
bibliography entry
r Fluidity and continuity should be observed
2. Related Projects
1. Overview of the current system/project
2. Inventory of every related and existing projects/systems
3. Fluidity and continuity should be observed
4. Comparative matrix may be more appropriate
5. Screen shots help make the presentation believable
6. May consider 3 to 6 related studies/projects

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Chapter III – Technical Background
Guidelines in Writing the Technical Background:
2. Overview of the current technologies
(hardware/software/network) used in the current system
3. Discussions on the current trends and technologies to be
used in developing and implementing the proposed
system
 HARDWARE
 SOFTWARE
 PEOPLEWARE
 NETWORK
4. Fluidity and continuity should be observed

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Thank you 

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