This document provides information on proposals, research, and reports. It defines a proposal as a written presentation that clarifies a research problem, purpose, methodology and budget. Research is defined as a systematic search for knowledge on a topic. There are different types of proposals including new, revised, supplemental and continuation. The document also discusses writing a research proposal, what constitutes research, characteristics of good research, and how to prepare and structure reports. It provides guidance on the key differences between proposals, research and reports.

1. 1 © 2017 Ali Jili'ow. Difference between Proposal, Research & Report
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
PROPOSAL, RESEACH
&
REPORT
BY
ALI JILI'OW
MBA /OUM
MAY, 2017

2. 2 © 2017 Ali Jili'ow. Difference between Proposal, Research & Report
INTRODUCTION
Each and every year, thousands of students graduate from different colleges and universities, but
before they graduate they had to present their graduation projects, so Good Proposal writing,
submitting and presenting has always been the concern for many students in academic arena,
especially for final year students, because students can't graduate without submitting their
graduation project. Nevertheless, submitting good proposal is the only first step to move into this
stage. However, this paper highlights very briefly what a proposal is all about, meaning and
definition, steps to following when writing proposal, what is a research, characteristics of
research, difference between research and proposal, different between research and report, the
steps to follow when writing report as well as proposal, finally the paper presents practical guide
for writing project proposal.
WHAT IS PROPOSAL? MEANING, CONCEPTS & DEFINATIONS
Proposal is detailed and written presentation of research clarifying the problem, purpose,
objective, scope, methodology and the budget of the study. According to Longman dictionary of
contemporary English'' proposal is a plan or suggestion which is made formally to an official
person or group''.
Proposal is solicited submission by one party to supply certain goods or services to other. “What
makes a good proposal?” A good proposal stems from a good concept. The best Proposals are
those to which the reviewers respond, “Of course, I wish I had thought of that!”
CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD PROPOSAL
A good proposal is always readable, well-organized, grammatically correct, Written in detail,
and understandable.
However, the proposal must be written in sufficient detail to allow reviewers to understand:
What the project hopes to accomplish; If the project personnel have the necessary expertise to
accomplish the goals and objectives; the potential of the project to improve undergraduate
education; The national impact and cost effectiveness of the project; and evaluation and
dissemination plans (National Science Foundation, 2016).

3. 3 © 2017 Ali Jili'ow. Difference between Proposal, Research & Report
TYPES OF PROPOSALS
There are different types of proposal, each has its own characteristics and requirement weather it
submitted for academics or otherwise, so the following are some of the proposal submitted for
specific purposes.
 New Proposal
 Revised Proposal
 Supplemental Proposal
 Continuation Proposal
New Proposal: A new proposal submitted to a sponsor for the first time
Revised Proposal: Revised Proposal modifies a proposal that is pending or is otherwise
unfunded, but not official declined by the sponsor. If a proposal has been declined, a new
proposal must be prepared.
Supplemental Proposal: A supplemental proposal asks for an increase in support for a proposal
that has already been funded. The requested increase would occur in the current budget period
and may involve a broadening of the project's approved scope.
Continuation Proposal: A continuation proposal applies to a multi-year award. The continuation
proposal requests the already approved funds for the next phase of the project (Michigan tech,
N/A).
WRITING RESEARCH PROPOSAL
writing research proposal has been very essential in the entire research process and it's frequently
used by the evaluators to decide whether proposed project should be accepted or reject, so the
importance of one's research can be determined by the how perfect is his/her research.
Research writing is the final stage after having a long course of study and most students do this
after the proposal has been accepted and then they precede their actual study and gather a report
based on the research findings. According to Oso & Onen (2008), there are no clear guidelines

4. 4 © 2017 Ali Jili'ow. Difference between Proposal, Research & Report
for writing a research proposal and it depends on funding agencies, university, school, colleague
and faculties.
WHOLE PROJECT FORMAT
1) Title
2) Chapter one format
3) Introduction
4) Background
5) Problem statement
6) Objectives of the study
7) Research questions
8) Research hypothesis
9) Significance of this study
10) Definitions
11) Conclusion
WHAT IS A RESEARCH? CONCEPT, MEANING AND DEFINITIONS
Research in common idiom refers to investigate for knowledge. Once can also define research as
a scientific and systematic search for pertinent information on a specific topic. In fact, research is
an art of scientific investigation (Kothari, Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques,
2004).
Research refers to a search of knowledge, its systematic search for information on a specific
topic. Research is an art of scientific investigation. It is actually a journey of discovery. Research
is considered an original contribution to the existing stock of knowledge (Kothari, 2004).
RESEARCH METHEDOLOGY
Research methodology is the process that researcher follows to complete his/her study, it include
the procedure for data collection, data analyzing tools and overall the procedure that one wills to
complete his project. Research methodology is a technique to scientifically solve the study
problem. It may be understood as a science of studying how research is done scientifically. In it

5. 5 © 2017 Ali Jili'ow. Difference between Proposal, Research & Report
we study the various steps that are generally adopted by a researcher in studying his research
problem along with the logic behind them (Kothari, 1990).
2.2 IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH
The importance of the research relates to the relevance of the investigation interns of academic
contribution and practical use that can be made of the findings (Onen W. Y., 2008). The main
significant of research are summarized below. Research inculcates scientific and inductive
thinking and it promotes the development of logical habits of thinking and organization. The role
of research in several fields of applied economics, whether related to business or to the economy
as a whole, has greatly increased in modern times. Research provides the basis for nearly all
government policies in our economic system.
Research has its special significance in solving various operational and planning problems of
business and industry. Operations research and market research, along with motivational
research, are considered crucial and their results assist, in more than one way, in taking business
decisions. Research is equally important for social scientists in studying social relationships and
in seeking answers to various social problems.
According to Kothari (2004), the significance of research can also be understood keeping in
view the following points:
 To those students who are to write a master’s or Ph.D. thesis, research may mean careerism
or a way to attain a high position in the social structure.
 To professionals in research methodology, research may mean a source of livelihood
 To philosophers and thinkers, research may mean the outlet for new ideas and insights
 To literary men and women, research may mean the development of new styles and creative
work. To analysts and intellectuals, research may mean the generalizations of new theories.
CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH
As the matter of fact, the characteristics of research demands on a clear statement of the problem,
It also requires a plan and builds on existing data, using both positive and negative findings, so
new data should be collected as required and be organized in such a way that they answer the
research question(s).

6. 6 © 2017 Ali Jili'ow. Difference between Proposal, Research & Report
THE MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH ARE
Research is a Systematic and critical Investigation. It adopts Scientific method. It is Objective
and Logical, It is based up on Observable Experience or empirical evidence, Research is directed
towards finding answers to pertinent questions & solutions to problems, it emphasizes the
development of generalization, principles or theories (Yigzaw, 2006).
PROPOSAL WRITING AND REPORT WRITING
As the matter of fact, there are different between report and proposal, so before we discuss how
to write and procedure to follow for proposal and report writing, let us see very briefly what are
report and proposal, meaning and definitions.
WHAT IS REPORT?
Report is a document containing information organized in a narrative, graphic or tabular form,
prepared on ad hoc, periodic, recurring regular or as required basis. Report may refer to specific
periods, events, occurrences or subjects and may be communicated or presented in oral or written
form.
REASONS FOR WRITING REPORT
Reports may be written for many reasons, for example they may intend to: inform, to
recommend, to motivate; to prompt or play a part in debate; to persuade; to impress; to record;,
to reinforce or build on existing situations or beliefs and to Instruct (Forsyth, 2010).
TYPES OF REPORT
There are two different categories of reports, the main are the following
A. Routine report
B. Special report
1. ROUTINE REPORT
Routine reports are the reports that are being prepared in every day
a) Representative report
b) Manager's report
c) Equipment and maintenance report
d) Progress report

7. 7 © 2017 Ali Jili'ow. Difference between Proposal, Research & Report
e) Safety report
f) Accident report
2. SPECIAL REPORT
Special report is a report prepared for specific purposes
1) Reports written in response to request for specific information
2) Reports made on special topic after research investigation
3) Reports regarding chance of policy
4) Market research report (Taylor, 1999)
HOW TO PREPARE REPORT
When preparing report there are a number of steps to follow, the steps are as follows:
a. Heading: Name of the Org. Report heading
b. Terms of references: Why the report being written, who requested it, subject, title and date
c. Procedure: Methods of data collection
d. Findings: The longest section that covers all the report
e. Conclusion & Recommendation
TIPS FOR WRITING
 Begin with a rough draft – you may want to start with what seems easiest such as the
findings.
 Use simple words and short sentences.
 Use plenty of space.
 Use headings and subheadings to grab the reader’s attention.
 Present facts in an objective way.
 Use bullets, bold, and italics (if applicable).
3.5 WHOLE PROJECT REPORT SEQUENCE
a. Title page
b. Abstract
c. Declaration
d. Dedication
e. Table of contents

8. 8 © 2017 Ali Jili'ow. Difference between Proposal, Research & Report
f. List of figures and tables
g. List of abbrevission
h. Body of text
i. References
j. Appendices
SUMMARY & CONCLUSION
Good Proposal writing, submitting and presenting is has always been the concern for many
students in academic arena. Proposal is detailed and written presentation of research clarifying
the problem, purpose, objective, scope, methodology and the budget of the study.
writing research proposal has been very essential in the entire research process and it's frequently
used by the evaluators to decide whether proposed project should be accepted or reject, so the
importance of one's research can be determined by the how perfect is his/her research.
Research in common idiom refers to investigate for knowledge. Once can also define research as
a scientific and systematic search for pertinent information on a specific topic. In fact, research is
an art of scientific investigation (Kothari, Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques,
2004).
Research refers to a search of knowledge, its systematic search for information on a specific
topic. Research is an art of scientific investigation. It is actually a journey of discovery. Research
is considered an original contribution to the existing stock of knowledge (Kothari, 2004).
Reports may be written for many reasons, for example they may intend to: inform, to
recommend, to motivate; to prompt or play a part in debate; to persuade; to impress; to record;,
to reinforce or build on existing situations or beliefs and to Instruct (Forsyth, 2010).
There are two different categories of reports, the main are the routine report and special report,
Routine reports are the reports that are being prepared in every day including Representative
report, Manager's report, Equipment and maintenance report, Progress report, Safety report and
accident report

9. 9 © 2017 Ali Jili'ow. Difference between Proposal, Research & Report
REFERENCES
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Bwisa, H. M. (2008). How to write a statement problem: Our Proposal Companion. Henry M.
Bwisa, Professor of Entrepreneurship Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.
Forsyth, P. (2010). How to Write Reports and Proposals. India.
National science foundation,(2016). A guide for proposal writing: directorate for education and
human resources. Arlington, United States of America.
Forsyth, P. (2010). How to write Reports and Proposals.
Korb, K. A. (2017, June Friday). Educational Psychology. Retrieved June Friday, 2017, from
http://korbedpsych.com/index.html
Kothari, C. (1990). Research Methedology: Methods and Techniques. New age International (P)
Limited, Publishers.
Kothari, C. (2004). Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques. Published by New Age
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Kothari, C. (1990). Research Methedology: Methods and Techniques. New age international (p)
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KOTHARI, C. (2004). Research Methedology: Methods and Techniques. New Delhi, India:
Published by New Age International (P) Ltd., Publishers.
Mark Saunders, P. L. (2009). Research methods for business students. London, United Kingdom:
Pearson Education Limited.
Mark Saunders, P. L. (2009). Research methods for business students. London: Pearson
Education Limited.
Michigan tech. (N/A). Types of research. Michigan, United states of America.

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National Science Foundation. (2016). A Guide for proposal writting: Directorate for education
and human resources: Arlington, United States of America.
Onen, W. Y. (2008). General guide to writting research proposal and report. Kampala, Uganda.
Onen, W. Y. (2008). General guide to writting research proposal and report. Kampala, Uganda.
Onen, W. Y. (2008). General guide to Writting Research Proposal and Report: Hand book for
begining researchers. Kampala: East African Institute of higher education.
Taylor, S. (1999). Communication for business: Practical aproach. Edingburgh: Pearson
Education Limited.
University of Southern California. (2017, June Friday). USC Libraries. Retrieved June Friday,
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