Research Proposal Writing By Dr Khadija N Abdullah

Research Proposal Writing By Dr. Khadija N. Abdullah Faculty of Community Health Sciences Director, UMR Peshawar Medical College

What is a research proposal? A research proposal is a document written by a researcher that describes in details the program for a proposed research. It is an outline of the entire research process that gives a reader a summary of the project. It may be required on a standard format; on-line or off-line, with or without/additional financial proposal.

WHY A RESEARCH PROPOSAL? Research proposals may be written for any of the following: • Request for budget/funding for a research • Certification requirements for research, e. g. ethical review committee or accreditation • As a synopsis/outline and a condition for approval of a masters or Ph. D dissertation • A condition for employment at a research institution for technical evaluation of a candidate

KEY COMPONENETS OF A RESEARCH PROPOSAL 1. Title (or Cover) Page: Title, name, date, institutional affiliation 2. Summary: A brief of the entire research project not report 3. Table of Contents: With page numbers, including tables etc. 4. Introduction: Statement of problem, rationale, and significance 5. Background: Literature review, definition of basic themes/terms 6. Purpose and objectives of research: Brief outline 7. Details of research methodology: Design, variables, participants (sampling), methods, materials, , data analysis 8. Personnel: (if required) not relevant for dissertations 9. Timetable: Gantt chart 10. Budget: (if required) not required for dissertations 11. List of References: (Initial), to cover key literature and methods