1. Advanced Business
Research Methods
Lecture No 05
1: Research Proposal
2: Samples of Research Proposals

2. Definition

A proposal is also known as a work
plan, prospectus, outline, or draft plan
to answer following questions;
 What
will be done
 Why it will be done
 How it will be done
 Where it will be done
 What
is benefit of doing it

3. Purpose of the Research Proposal
To present the question to be
researched and its importance
 To discuss the research efforts of others
who have worked on related questions
 To suggest the data necessary for
solving the question


4. What are the Benefits of the
Proposal to a Researcher?
Allows the researcher to plan and
review the project’s steps
 Serves as a guide throughout the
investigation
 Forces time and budget estimates


5. Style of Proposal
Use section headings.
 Present the information in short
paragraphs.
 Write short and simple sentences.


6. Modules in a Research Proposal

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Executive Summary
Problem Statement
Research Objectives
Literature Review
Importance of the Study
Research Design
Data Analysis
Nature and Form of
Results

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Qualifications of
Researcher
Budget
Project Management
Bibliography
Appendices

7. 1.Inroduction
Introduction (background, problem
identification and problem statement).
 Your first sentence of your introduction
should identify the research problem.
This sentence or two should address why
the research is important and what you
are hoping to accomplish.
 Provide the background information with
relevant key literature review to support
question and objectives.
 Identify any gap in knowledge or question
which have to be answered.


8. Problem Statement
Problem is clearly stated with out the use of
idioms.
 It should be in present tense.
 Already specific and suggest research
questions. Focus on the following:
◦ a. Explore unexpected findings discovered
in previous research.
◦ b. Follow future research suggestions.
◦ c. Apply existing theory to new topic.
◦ d. Challenge the previous findings.
◦ e. Specify the intervening process



9. Research Objectives
It is the purpose of the study.
 It should be written in assertive form.
 It is best to list the objectives in order of
importance.


To study the trends in the dividend payment of Pakistani
corporate firms.
 To identify the prominent variables influencing the dividend
policies of the select companies.
 To study the non-financial and financial firms separately and
examine which variables are influencing these firms.

10. Literature Review
Include relevant and recent research
studies.
 Begin
your
literature
review
comprehensive perspective , moving to
more specific studies.
 Avoid the extraneous details of the
literature; do a brief review.
 Emphasize the important results and
conclusions of other studies.
 Summarize the literature review section
and indentify the gap.


11. Research Design
The design module describes what
you are going to do in technical terms.
 Provide information on your proposed
design for such tasks as; sample
selection,
size,
data
collection
methods, variables, instrumentation
and procedures.
 Future tense will be used.


12. Data Analysis
Methods used for analyzing data.
 Proposed
treatment
and
the
theoretical basis for using the selected
technique.
 By use of dummy charts and tables its
presentation can be enhanced.


13. Appendices

A glossary of concepts, constructs,
and definitions

Samples
of
instrument

Other materials that reinforce the body
of the proposal
the
measurement

14. Evaluating the Research Proposal
Proposal must be neatly written in
appropriate writing style
 Major topics should be easily found and
logically organized
 Proposal must meet specific guidelines
set by the sponsor
 Technical writing style must be clearly
understood and explained
