PREPARING A RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Expectations for Bachelors Degrees and Taught Masters Degrees

When examining thesis/dissertation and research papers for Bachelors degrees and taught Masters degrees, examiners expect to see evidence that the candidate has researched the subject and formed his view on the subject based on this research.

Candidates preparing a proposal or outline of what they want to do, at this stage, are simply expected to demonstrate that they are capable of researching and writing a thesis or dissertation at that level.

For the MBA degree, examiners expect to see clear evidence of a marriage between management theory and the student's practical experience.

Expectations for Research Masters Degrees and Research Doctoral Degrees

Candidates for Research Masters and Research Doctoral degrees are required to demonstrate in their dissertation or thesis that they have thoroughly researched the subject and that they are experienced in the area. Credit is often given for clear demonstration of the marriage of the research to the experience.

Most universities expect a detailed proposal for research degrees from intending candidates for a number of reasons:

1. It helps them to ascertain the candidate knows the elements of research and how to undertake a research programme.

2. It helps them to ascertain if there is a faculty member on the staff who can handle or (is competent to) supervise that particular research project.

Both of these two reasons do determine whether there is a place for the candidate in the department or faculty. For such a candidate, the research proposal is a very serious matter. In most cases, it has to be developed to its fullness before the candidate can be admitted.

Guide for Preparing a Doctoral Research Proposal

For your guide, the proposal should not exceed three pages typed one-and-half spacing on A4 sized paper. Your Doctoral Research Proposal might usefully be organized into nine sections as follows:

1. Introduction

2. Statement of the Problem

3. Purpose, Objectives and Rationale of the Study

4. Significance of the Study (including a mention of those who will benefit)

5. Previous Research and Developments in this field of study

6. Research Methods or Procedures (that you intend to use, i.e. library research, empirical research, etc including brief mention of the intended research instruments)

7. Tentative Hypotheses (tentatively, what will the study, try to show, or prove)

8. Expected Findings (if possible)

9. Tentative Conclusions and Implications