Review:

Writing a Research Proposal

 What is research? (1)
Research is about inquiry, a process of
investigation to find out solutions to
problems through the planned and
systematic collection, analysis, and
interpretation of data .
 What is research? (2)
• Research is a process of steps used to collect and analyze
information to increase our understanding of a topic or issue
(Creswell, 2008: 3)
• Three steps of research:
1. Pose a question.
2. Collect data to answer the question.
3. Present an answer to the question.
What is the purpose of
research?

 to contribute to a particular
discipline
 to inform policy
 to address a specific issue of
problem
 How to conduct a
research?
 Define what you want to find out
 Explain why you wish to research this topic
 Establish why it is important for this research to be
done
 Present what data or information exists relating to
similar studies elsewhere
 Review studies related to the research problems
 Frame in a manner consistent with approach to
research
 What are the research
stages and components?

Part I: Introduction
Part II: Review of Related Literature
Part III: Research Methodology
Part IV: Research Findings & Discussion
Part V: Conclusion, Implication, Recommendation
 Main Sources

• Creswell (2003)
• Creswell (2008)
Part I: Introduction
A. Background of the Study
B. Identification of a problem (s)
C. Research questions
D. Limitations
E. Purpose of the study
F. Significance of the study
Section A
Stating the background of the
study
• also called a statement of the problem
• to provide readers with the background
information for the research;
• to establish a framework for the research
(issue or concern leading to the research)
 Strategies in writing the
Background of the Study (1)
• Visualize this section as five paragraphs, with
each paragraph addressing one of the five
aspects of the section.
• Write sections in order:
- Topic
- Research problems
- Justification of the importance of the
problem as found in the past research &
practice
- The deficiencies in our existing knowledge
about the problem
- The audience that benefit from the
research
 Strategies in Stating the
Background of the study (2)

• Use frequent references to the literature

throughout this introductory passage.
• Provide references from statistical trends to support the
importance of studying the research problem.
• Use quotes from participants in a study or from notes
obtained from observing
participants to begin your introduction.
 Stating the Topic

• A topic is the broad subject matter

that a researcher wishes to
address in a study and that creates
initial interest for the reader.
• Researchers state the topic in the
title and introduce it in the first
sentences.
 Stating a Research Problem
A research problem is an educational issue,
concern, or controversy that the researcher
investigates.
Types of research problems:
• Practical research problems → come from issues
or concerns found in a certain educational setting.
• Research-based research problems
→ based on a need for further research because a
gap exists or we need to extend the research
into other areas.
→ based on conflicting evidence in the literature.
 Justifying the Importance
of the Problem
Presenting reasons for the importance
of studying the issue or concern by
citing evidence from:
→ Other researchers and experts as
reported in the literature
→ Experiences others have had in the
workplace
→ Personal experiences
 Showing Deficiencies
• A deficiency in the evidence means that the

past literature or practical experiences of

the researchers does not adequately address
the research problem.
• Deficiencies in the research may require a
need to:
→ extend the research,
→ replicate a study,
→ explore a topic,
→ lift the voices of marginalized people,
 The Audience
• The audience consists of individuals and
groups who will read and potentially benefit
from the information provided in your
research study.
• These audiences will vary depending on the
nature of the study, but several often
considered by educators include
researchers, practitioners, policy makers,
and individuals participating in the studies.
Section B
Research Problem

• The issue that exists in the

literature, in theory, or in practice
that leads to a need for the
study.”
• Research problems are the
educational issues, controversies,
or concerns that guide the need
for conducting a study.
 Identifying (a) research
problem(s)

• From a research standpoint, specifying

a research problem in a study is
important because it sets the stage for
the entire study.
• Without knowing the research
problem, readers do not know why the
study is important and why they should
read the study.
 How does the research problem differ
from other parts of research?

• A research topic is the broad subject matter

addressed by the study.
• A research problem is a general educational
issue, concern, or controversy addressed in
research that narrows the topic.
• A purpose is the major intent or objective of the
study used to address the problem.
• Research questions narrow the purpose into
specific questions that the researcher would like
answered or addressed in the study.
Section C
Framing the research questions

• Research questions are questions in

quantitative and qualitative research that
narrow the purpose statement to specific
questions that researchers would like
answer or address in the study.
Section D
Limitation

• It indicates the statement

as central and controlling
idea in a study.
 Section E
Purpose/Objective of the Study

• Research objective is a statement of

intent used in research that specifies
goals that the investigators plans to
achieve in a study.
 Characteristics of the
Objectives
of the Study
• Often subdivided into major and minor objectives
• Appear frequently in survey or questionnaire
studies or in evaluation research in which
investigators have clearly identified objectives
• Found at the end of the “statement of problem”
section, after the literature review, or in a
separate section of the study
• Can be identified by looking for phrases such as:
“The objectives in this study are…”
 Why are Research Objectives and
Research Questions Important?
• To help the readers find and focus on the central ideas addressed
in a study
• To help the researchers identify the most appropriate methods
for collecting data
• To provide key components for understanding the results of a
project
• Good research links the purpose statement and questions to
major result.
Part II:
Literature Review

• Review theories and findings of other

researchers in the area of interest
presented as an organized collection of
references or citations;
• Use catalog, central information system,
reference works (indexes, bibliographies,
guides to research, dictionary,
encyclopedias);
Part II:
Literature Review

• Compile a working bibliographies (from books, magazines, internet,

etc.) for finding and acquiring information, ideas and data needed;
• Take notes: evaluate, make summaries, paraphrase, and quote sources;
• Get rid of plagiarism: a wrongful act of taking the product of another
persons’ mind, and presenting it as one’s own (Lindey, 1952).
Part III
Research Methodology
• The purpose of the study;
• Overall design of the study;
• Site and population/sample: who participated, what is being observed, how
are they selected, when and where the sample investigated,
• Data gathering methods
• Data analysis procedures
• Data trustworthiness
Part IV
Research Findings & Discussion

• Data presentation with regard to the

research questions or hypotheses;
• Discussion of findings with regard to
theories related to the focus area of the
study and the identification of the answer
of the study;
 Part V
Conclusion &
Recommendation
• Conclusion:
presentation of answer to research
questions as can be inferred from findings
of the study;
• Implication
• Suggestions
• References: list of works referred
to/cited in the report.
• Appendices