CHAPTER FOUR
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Research Topic (Title); this refers to the title of the study, which will provide guidelines to the
researcher on the scope of the research.
Statement of the Problem; Statement of the problem in research is an issue or concern that
puzzles a researcher and hence needs a solution. This should be clearly explained what is to be
investigated and how big the problem is.
Research Objectives; A research objective is a specific and measurable statement or relating to
the defined purpose of the study. It is therefore a means by which the purpose of the study could
be achieved.
Objective in research is important because it outlines specific activities that the researcher wants
to achieve by undertaking the study.
The purpose is a general statement of the aim of study while the objectives must be
SMART. That is they must be;
S - Secific
M- easurable
A- chievable
R - ealistic
T- ime bound.
Importance of Research Objectives
The formulation of objectives helps in the following areas;
a. Focus the study (narrowing it down to essentials)
b. Avoid the collection of data which are not strictly necessary for understanding and solving
the problem you have identified.
c. Properly formulated, specific objectives will facilitate development of your research
methodology and will help to orient the collection, analysis, interpretation and utilization of
data.
Research Questions; Research questions are issues that a researcher intends to answer so as to
achieve the study objectives. Research questions should be related to research objectives. It is the
objectives that the researcher translates into research questions.
Hypothesis Development; A hypothesis is a suggested explanation of a phenomenon, or
alternatively a reasoned proposal suggesting a possible correlation between or among a set of
phenomena.
Hypothesis is formulated in such a way, that this hunch (an idea that based on a stronger feeling
that one has and not evidence) can be tested. Based upon the findings of the research, the
hypothesis is supported or rejected and more hypotheses are formulated to continue the process
of building cohesive theory. The most common use of hypothesis is to test whether an existing
theory can be used to solve a problem. In everyday situations, those who confront problems often
propose informal hypotheses that can be tested directly.
For example, when a bulb fails to light when the switch is turned on, several hypotheses come
to mind based upon our understanding of electricity and our past experiences with bulbs.
1. The plug is not properly connected to the wall outlet.
2. The bulb is buried out
3. The fuse is burned out or the circuit breaker has been tripped.
RESEARCH METHODS CHAPTER 4 RESEARCH PROPOSAL PREPARED BY MR. ANTONY AMBIA 1
, 4. There has been a power failure in the neighborhood.
Each of these speculations can be tested directly by checking the plug connection, substituting a
bulb known to be in working condition, inspecting the fuse or circuit breaker, or by noting
whether or not other lights in the house or in neighbor’s house are on. Therefore, a research or
scientific hypothesis is a formal affirmative statement predicting a single outcome.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Literature review is the analysis of textbooks, or manuscripts that a researcher consulted in
understanding and investigating the problem during the research. This information about the
research problem is needed so that it can be put in the proper context for the research to proceed
effectively.
Basically in literature review the researcher attempts to determine what other scholars have
found out about similar research problem in order to gather information relevant to the research
at hand. This is the information got from publications that is related to the problem under
investigation. A literature review is much more than a collection of different extracts. It must be
well organized preferably according to the different themes, sections or variables of the study
questions or the objectives of the study.
Literature review is a critique of the literature on the chosen variables / constructs cited in the
study (relational review). It is not meant to contain all the literature on a given subject, only that
relevant to the context of the research and should identify what has been done and what needs to
be done. It is a systematic process that requires careful and perceptive reading and attention.
Importance of Literature Review
It enables the researcher to;
Know what has been done in a particular areas or selected field.
Identify and create limit what needs to be done.
Sets ground for further studies
Identify the strength and weakness of other researcher.
It is a basis for developing historical background.
Controversies could easily be identified and reconciled.
Avoid duplication of knowledge
Know the recommendations of previous researchers for further research.
Understand research methodology.
Provides background for interpreting results of the study.
Researcher builds confidence in the area of concern.
It is a basis for developing historical background.
Steps Involved in Literature Search
Steps involved in literature search
These include;
a. Identifying the key issues in the research problem to be addressed by the literature review.
These may include the research title, research question and objectives.
b. Identifying sources of information such as index or retrieval system. For example Libraries
and internet.
c. Identifying titles of relevant reports, periodic papers and related research publications.
d. Separate the related academic material reports into categories of relevance and delete
irrelevant reports, analyzed related academic material relevant to the current study which
shows current areas in the study.
e. Preparing abstracts or summaries of the related academic materials.
RESEARCH METHODS CHAPTER 4 RESEARCH PROPOSAL PREPARED BY MR. ANTONY AMBIA 2
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Research Topic (Title); this refers to the title of the study, which will provide guidelines to the
researcher on the scope of the research.
Statement of the Problem; Statement of the problem in research is an issue or concern that
puzzles a researcher and hence needs a solution. This should be clearly explained what is to be
investigated and how big the problem is.
Research Objectives; A research objective is a specific and measurable statement or relating to
the defined purpose of the study. It is therefore a means by which the purpose of the study could
be achieved.
Objective in research is important because it outlines specific activities that the researcher wants
to achieve by undertaking the study.
The purpose is a general statement of the aim of study while the objectives must be
SMART. That is they must be;
S - Secific
M- easurable
A- chievable
R - ealistic
T- ime bound.
Importance of Research Objectives
The formulation of objectives helps in the following areas;
a. Focus the study (narrowing it down to essentials)
b. Avoid the collection of data which are not strictly necessary for understanding and solving
the problem you have identified.
c. Properly formulated, specific objectives will facilitate development of your research
methodology and will help to orient the collection, analysis, interpretation and utilization of
data.
Research Questions; Research questions are issues that a researcher intends to answer so as to
achieve the study objectives. Research questions should be related to research objectives. It is the
objectives that the researcher translates into research questions.
Hypothesis Development; A hypothesis is a suggested explanation of a phenomenon, or
alternatively a reasoned proposal suggesting a possible correlation between or among a set of
phenomena.
Hypothesis is formulated in such a way, that this hunch (an idea that based on a stronger feeling
that one has and not evidence) can be tested. Based upon the findings of the research, the
hypothesis is supported or rejected and more hypotheses are formulated to continue the process
of building cohesive theory. The most common use of hypothesis is to test whether an existing
theory can be used to solve a problem. In everyday situations, those who confront problems often
propose informal hypotheses that can be tested directly.
For example, when a bulb fails to light when the switch is turned on, several hypotheses come
to mind based upon our understanding of electricity and our past experiences with bulbs.
1. The plug is not properly connected to the wall outlet.
2. The bulb is buried out
3. The fuse is burned out or the circuit breaker has been tripped.
RESEARCH METHODS CHAPTER 4 RESEARCH PROPOSAL PREPARED BY MR. ANTONY AMBIA 1
, 4. There has been a power failure in the neighborhood.
Each of these speculations can be tested directly by checking the plug connection, substituting a
bulb known to be in working condition, inspecting the fuse or circuit breaker, or by noting
whether or not other lights in the house or in neighbor’s house are on. Therefore, a research or
scientific hypothesis is a formal affirmative statement predicting a single outcome.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Literature review is the analysis of textbooks, or manuscripts that a researcher consulted in
understanding and investigating the problem during the research. This information about the
research problem is needed so that it can be put in the proper context for the research to proceed
effectively.
Basically in literature review the researcher attempts to determine what other scholars have
found out about similar research problem in order to gather information relevant to the research
at hand. This is the information got from publications that is related to the problem under
investigation. A literature review is much more than a collection of different extracts. It must be
well organized preferably according to the different themes, sections or variables of the study
questions or the objectives of the study.
Literature review is a critique of the literature on the chosen variables / constructs cited in the
study (relational review). It is not meant to contain all the literature on a given subject, only that
relevant to the context of the research and should identify what has been done and what needs to
be done. It is a systematic process that requires careful and perceptive reading and attention.
Importance of Literature Review
It enables the researcher to;
Know what has been done in a particular areas or selected field.
Identify and create limit what needs to be done.
Sets ground for further studies
Identify the strength and weakness of other researcher.
It is a basis for developing historical background.
Controversies could easily be identified and reconciled.
Avoid duplication of knowledge
Know the recommendations of previous researchers for further research.
Understand research methodology.
Provides background for interpreting results of the study.
Researcher builds confidence in the area of concern.
It is a basis for developing historical background.
Steps Involved in Literature Search
Steps involved in literature search
These include;
a. Identifying the key issues in the research problem to be addressed by the literature review.
These may include the research title, research question and objectives.
b. Identifying sources of information such as index or retrieval system. For example Libraries
and internet.
c. Identifying titles of relevant reports, periodic papers and related research publications.
d. Separate the related academic material reports into categories of relevance and delete
irrelevant reports, analyzed related academic material relevant to the current study which
shows current areas in the study.
e. Preparing abstracts or summaries of the related academic materials.
RESEARCH METHODS CHAPTER 4 RESEARCH PROPOSAL PREPARED BY MR. ANTONY AMBIA 2
