Chapter Six Proposal writing power point presentation

Purpose of proposal writing, Structure of proposal and how to write each part

1. Chapter 6
Proposal Writing

1
Chapter 6:Writing Research proposal
1.Purpose of proposal writing
2.Parts of Research proposal
3.How to write components of the research proposal

2. Objectives of this chapter
Understand the purpose of the thesis
proposal
Understand the general structure of a
thesis proposal
Be clear about how to formulate and write
each part of research proposal
2

3. What is research Proposal
A research proposal is a document of usually three to seven
pages that informs others of a proposed plan of research.
It determines the specific areas of research, states the
purpose, scope, methodology, overall organization and
limitations of the study. It also estimates its requirements for
equipment (if necessary), finance and possible personnel.
This proposed research is usually a Bachelorette project, Masters
or Doctorate by thesis, but it can also be work for a corporate
purpose.
 
University students usually write research proposals for academics
who may eventually supervise the work based on the proposal.
 
A research proposal can be rejected as unsuitable or poorly
designed and on the basis of this, a piece of research can be
rejected.
The proposal is, therefore, an important document; one that is worth
spending some time on to get right.
3

4. Purpose of Research Proposal
Is a document which determines whether a candidate
is capable of carrying out independent research.
Presents a problem, discusses related research efforts,
outlines needed to solve the problems, and shows the
design used to gather and analyze the data.
It is a work plan, prospectus, outline, statement of
intent, or draft plan.
Tells the reader what, why, how, where, and to whom
the research will be done and shows the benefit of
doing research.
Is used in most institutions as the main criterion to
accept or reject a student’s candidacy for research.
4

5. Especially for funding –your proposal should be
Be clear, objective, succinct and realistic in your
objectives
Ask yourself why this research should be funded
and/or why you are the best person to undertake
this project
Ask yourself why this research is important
and/or timely
State and justify your objectives clearly
(“because it is interesting” is not enough!)
Make sure you answer the questions: how will
the research benefit the wider society or
contribute to the research community? 5

6. Define a research proposal
It is statement of intent and explains why the
research should be done
Two most important reason to write
proposal
Academic- Can be assigned as an assignment, they
can lead to a thesis or dissertation, or
Professional- they can be necessary for funding and
grant applications.
The quality of the final research project
often depends on the quality of the
research proposal.
6

7. The purpose of the thesis proposal is to
test the student's ability
to define, describe, and examine critically the
research project;
to think creatively and to apply basic
science/engineering, scientific, and
mathematical concepts and techniques; and
to communicate in a scholarly and rigorous
manner the plan, progress and results of
research.
7

8. Contribution of research
Your research work will make a worth
while contribution to the field if it fulfils
one or more of the following:
It provides evidence to support or
disprove a concept, theory, or model.
It contributes new data/information, new
or improved research methodology
It results in a new or improved concept,
theory or model.
8

9. Once the proposal has been approved;
The document serves as a guide for the
researcher throughout the investigations’
i.e. progress can be monitored.
It becomes a bond /contract. The approved
proposal describes a study that, when
conducted competently and completely,
should lead to an acceptable report.
9

10. Structure of Proposal
Title
Abstract
Introduction and/or background
Research question
Preliminary Literature review
Theoretical framework
Methodology
Research design and method
Ethics
Communicating the results
Significance of Research
Timeline
Budget
References
10

11. Topic selection
Many graduate students stay longer than two
years schooling because of faulty topic selection
that they are required to change topic during the
design hearing thereby delaying research
implementation.
To avoid this problem, start thinking of a topic
right away upon enrolling in your graduate
courses.
By the time you finished the course work, you
must have already a clear idea about your topic.
11

12. A research proposal should communicate the above
contents clearly and specifically in such a way that anyone
going through it should be able to undertake all tasks in the
same manner as you would have
It should also:
enable you to return to the proposal for your
own guidance in decision making at different
stages of the research process;
convince your research supervisor or a
reviewer that your proposed methodology is
meritorious, valid, appropriate and workable in
terms of obtaining answers to your research
questions or objectives.
12

13. Universities and other institutions may
have differing requirements regarding the
style and content of a research proposal.
Requirements may also vary within an
institution, from discipline to discipline or
from supervisor to supervisor.
The guidelines set out in this chapter
therefore provide a framework within
which a research proposal should be
written
13

14. 1-Title
A good title is defined as the fewest possible words that
adequately describe the contents of the study.
Title of the study

Explain the topic
Keep concise
Attention grabbing

Not more than fifteen words
The title is a critical component of your manuscript.
Even if the rest of your manuscript is perfectly written, a
weak or poorly written title can affect thesis /project
reviewers’ and editors’ impressions of the importance of
your work.
14

15. Elements in a title
In technical and scientific writing the title is a precise
description of the contents.
It should include specific words to indicate the following:
the topic, that is, the main, general subject you are writing about
the focus, that is, a detailed narrowing down of the topic into the
particular, limited area of your research
the purpose of your writing. This means including a word such as the
following, which tells the reader what kind of argumentation to expect:
An analysis of … An assessment of … A comparison of … A description of …
A discussion of … An evaluation of … An explanation of … An outline of …
Study of Arba Minch tourist attractions.
tourist attractions .
15

16. Find the three elements
Determination of Success Evaluation Factors in
Construction Project Management
Enhancement of mass transfer
performance
 of liquid-liquid system by droplet
flow in microchannels
An evaluation of sewage treatment as a tool in
environmental protection.
Thermomechanical behavior of impacted
composite structures under fatigue loading
16

17. Strong titles have three elements:
Keywords and Key Phrases
Keywords and key phrases are the terms that describe the
topic of your thesis/project. Readers use keywords and
phrases as search terms when searching for articles.
Emphasis

Emphasis means making sure that the most important
aspect of your thesis/project is prominently included in the
title.
Impact
A title with impact communicates why readers should pay
attention to the article. Add impact to your title by indicating
what is novel or innovative about the results, or how your
work will affect the field.
17

18. Title “Don’ts”
Don’t be too broad or too vague. Write a title that emphasizes
your key finding rather than describing a broad subject within your
field.
Don’t use abbreviations, unless they are approved by your target
readers.
Don’t use wordy filler phrases like “a study on” and “the effects
of.” These phrases dilute the strength of your title because they add
bulk without much meaning.
Don’t let your title become too long. Use your title to state only
the most important point in your research.
18

19. Simple strategies for evaluating potential
research topics/titles
Does the topic/title elicit interest and curiosity in you?
It is very important that the topic/title you choose is of interest
to you and that it also elicits curiosity within you.
Is the topic/title worthwhile?
If your topic is not worthwhile, not only is it unethical, but you
are also failing to satisfy the requirements of meaningful
results with theoretical and practical implications.
Is the topic do-able? 
You must make critical decisions regarding whether you will
be capable of collecting primary data to answer your
potential research question
19

20. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 10
Interest [5] 10 19 3
Worthiness [90] 45 5 58
Doable [5] 3 18 13
20

21. Find the strong title from the following
Determination of Success Evaluation Factors in
Construction Project Management
Enhancement of mass transfer performance
 of liquid-
liquid system by droplet flow in microchannels
An evaluation of sewage treatment as a tool in
environmental protection.
Thermomechanical behavior of impacted composite
structures under fatigue loading
21

22. 2-Abstract
What is abstract
The abstract is a brief summary of the entire proposal, typically
ranging from 150 to 250 words.
Thus it is the most important single element representing the
entire proposal
It is different from a thesis statement in that the abstract
summarizes the entire proposal, not just mentioning the study’s
purpose or hypothesis.
Hence outline the proposal’s major headings (content): the
research question, theoretical framework, research design,
sampling method, instrumentation, and data and analysis
procedures.
It is usually concluded with a statement that explains the
relevance of the research (why it is needed).
Do not add any information in the abstract that is not previously
discussed throughout the proposal.
22

23. Abstract …..
The word “Abstract” is centered as the first line of type on this
page.
Type the abstract as a single paragraph in block format (i.e.,
without paragraph indentation).
You may also want to list keywords (alphabetically ordered, separated
by comas) from your paper in your abstract.
Keywords are the most important words in your paper that are specifically
related to your topic.
Your editor may want you to identify these so that they can be printed at the
end of the abstract

Listing your keywords will help researchers find your work in databases.
Abstracts for proposals are generally in the future tense (you
outline what you intend to do).
Put plenty of effort into writing and revising your
abstract. Most people taking an initial look at your
report will decide whether to read the rest of it based
on what they read in the abstract
23

24. Abstract
Problem

Objective Body
Methodology
Result/Impact

24
Keyword: , , ,

25. Abstract …
Ideally, at least 50 per cent of the content of an abstract
should report the most important findings of your project.
A common error is to fill up most part of the abstract with
information about the research methods or project
design and provide only a few lines on the actual
findings.
In an abstract, always describe the project’s sample size
(where relevant) and the main data-gathering
techniques.
When referring to relationships between variables,
remember to state the direction of the relationship.
25

26. Abstract …..
Though it appears first, the abstract should be
written last, as a concise summary
It should appear on a page by itself numbered
with a small Roman numeral if the proposal
has a table of contents and with an Arabic
number if it does not.
i, ii, iii, iv
1, 2 , 3
26

27. Find the following parts from the given
Abstract
Identify the problem
Objective
Research Design (Method)
Sampling
Measurement
Analysis
 Finding (Result, Outcome and Impact)
27

28. Experimental study of the temporal dynamics of herbicides
concentration in the Kulfo catchment
Herbicides used in agricultural activities can be easily transported during rain events
by drainage and runoff to surface waters. Considering the stochasticity of the climatic
forcing and the flashy behavior of herbicides transport, their concentrations in rivers
are highly variable, causing a potential ecotoxicological risk for the aquatic
environment.
The goal of this project is to develop a sampling strategy in order to record the
concentration dynamics and particularly catch peak periods in the Kulfo River.
Samples will be analyzed in laboratory for the quantification of selected
representative herbicides, and the results will be interpreted and eventually linked to
a simple diffuse model.
At the end of the project, the student will be familiar with sampling methods and
analytical procedures. He/she will be able to understand the main transport
processes of herbicides in a catchment and interpret observed concentrations in the
stream.
Keywords: hydrology, herbicides, sampling, chemical analysis
28

29. 3. Introduction
The introduction is a short summary of the major
questions behind the research and provides
background and the context of the study.
The introduction outlines the topic, problem area or
issue

It includes the research topic
(problem/question/aim) and the significance of the
proposed study to the area of research.
Provides concise overview of relevant literature to
make the proposal sound

The introduction is your opportunity to demonstrate
that your research has not been done before and
that the proposed project will really add something
new to the existing body of literature.
29

30. 30
Broad area/background
Specific research
Known and Unknown leads
to gap

Research question/problem
Aims/Objectives
Significance the study
Scope and limitation

31. Introduction
It attempts to establish that a problem
exists and there is need for a study to be
carried out.
 It also justifies the study.
31

32. Introduction …..
In writing Introduction, the literature
review is of central importance as it
serves two main functions:
1. It acquaints you with the available literature
in the area of your study, thereby broadening
your knowledge base.
2. It provides you with information on the
methods and procedures other people have
used in similar situations and tells you what
works and what does not.
32

33. Introduction cover the following
aspects of your study area:
an overview of the main area under study;
a historical perspective (development, growth, etc.)
pertinent to the study area;
philosophical or ideological issues relating to the topic;
trends in terms of prevalence, if appropriate;
major theories, if any;
the main issues, problems and advances in the subject
area under study;
important theoretical and practical issues relating to the
central problem under study;
the main findings relating to the core issue(s).
33

34. Example
Suppose that you plan to study the relationship
between academic achievement and social
environment. The introduction would include the
following:
The role of education in our society.
Major changes in the philosophy of education over time.
Factors affecting attitudes towards education.
The development of education in … (country).
Trends in education participation rates in … (country) with
particular reference to the region in which the study is being
carried out.
Changing educational values.
Role of parents and peers in academic achievement.
Impact of social environment on academic achievement.
34

35. "The purpose of the Introduction should be to
supply sufficient background information to
allow the reader to understand and evaluate the
results of the present study without needing to
refer to previous publications on the topic.
The first paragraph should provide a brief
background in present tense to establish context,
relevance, or nature of the problem, question, or
purpose (what is known)
The second paragraph may include the importance
of the problem and unclear issues (what is un-
known)
The last paragraph should state the rationale,
hypothesis, main objective, or purpose (why the
study was done). 35

36. In the introduction, you need to give a sense of
the general field of research of which your area
is a part.
You then need to narrow to the specific area of
your concern.
This should lead logically to the gap in the
research that you intend to fill (not been said before or
that needs addressing in more detail)
When the gap is identified, a research question
can then be raised( The research question asks something
to address the gap).
The answer to this question is called the thesis
statement. (The thesis statement is your tentative or proposed answer
to this question)
36

37. Suggested format for an introduction:
Introduce the area of research (Broad)
Review key publications ( specific). Outline any controversies that are
in the literature briefly. Further details will be covered in the literature review section,
justification for your research question
Identify any gap in the knowledge
Your Statement of the problem/ research question(s) or
Hypothesis(s) / ( Rationale for the study )
Your aims and objectives
Significance or expected contribution of the study
Scope and/or limitations of the research
37

38. Introduction/Background leads to Your
Question
What is the overall problem?
Where is the specific problem?
What is known and what is unknown? Identify gap
Your Question/Hypothesis:
Important: Text should be like a funnel:
 Start broad, become more specific with each
paragraph
38

39. Research question
It is a question you are trying to find the
answer by doing research
To answer the research question is the aim or
purpose of the research.
May be re-written as an aim :
 “The purpose of this research is …”
39

40. 4. Preliminary Literature Review
‘…a systematic…method for identifying,
evaluating and interpreting the…work produced
by researchers, scholars and practitioners.
A literature review is vital in establishing what is already
known about the topic and therefore what the gaps are in
current knowledge.
Literature needs to be summarized and critiqued.
Your proposed study needs to be established in the
context of other studies that have explored the question
from a different perspective or used a different design.
40

41. Literature Review
Your survey of the relevant literature should cover major
publications on the topic.
The theoretical framework for your study must emerge from this
literature review and must have its grounding in empirical evidence.
As a rule, the literature review includes:
a conceptual framework, and theoretical and empirical information
about the main issues under study;
some of the major research findings relating to your topic, research
questions raised in the literature and gaps identified by previous
researchers.
Your literature review should also raise issues relating to the
methodology you are proposing.
it may examine how other studies operationalised the major
variables of relevance to your study and may include a critique of
methodology relevant to your study.
41

42. Preliminary Literature Review …
cover the following:
The major issues or schools of thought
Gaps in the literature (in more detail than is
provided in the introduction)
Research questions and/or hypotheses which are
connected carefully to the literature being
reviewed
Definitions of key terms, provided either when
you introduce each idea, or in a definition sub-
section
Questions arising from the gaps that can be the
focus of data collection or analysis
42

43. Purpose of Literature Review
distinguishing what has been done from what
needs to be done,
discovering important variables relevant to the topic,
synthesizing and gaining a new perspective,
identifying relationships between ideas and
practices,
rationalizing the significance of the problem,
identifying the main methodologies and research
techniques that have been used, and
placing the research in a historical context to show
familiarity with state-of-the-art developments.
43

44. We do Literature review –Focusing on
Problem
research methods,
research outcomes,
theories, or practices or applications.
44
Ref
Problem Method Result Theory Application
1
Discrepancy b/n RC code
design and exp
Comparative study ANN gives better
result
2
3

45. How to Conduct a Literature Review
It could be a step-by-step guide on how to
conduct primary research, but in fact it
describes the stages of conducting a
literature review
1. Problem formulation (key words )
2. Data collection (Journals, Books, Thesis,
Conference Proceedings)
3. Data evaluation ( Differentiate important from
irrelevant)
4. Analysis and interpretation
5. Public presentation (Writing LR)
45

46.  Purpose: Discuss the literature related to your
proposed study
Significance:
the Introduction discusses the problem.
The review of literature should concentrate on
solutions (those that exist, those that are still
required).
potential candidates read a proposal/thesis in
a similar area to get a feel for what is
required in this section
46

47. How to write LR
include a brief discussion of any “classical
studies” in this area, if appropriate,
the major portion of the content should focus
on the past decade of research.
It should close with a logical summary of past
research and transition to a statement about
what should be studied next.
All research cited must relate specifically to
your topic and should be properly referenced
47

48. How to write LR …..
write the entire paper in the past tense, - report has
already happened
Your proposal must contain appropriate references in the
body of the text and a bibliography at the end.
Cited references need proper format the citations
 within a sentence, you would cite Abebe and Habte
(2009) or within a parenthesis, it would be (Abebe &
Belay, 2009; Jackson, 2010) in alphabetical order. If
there are more than two Kidane et al. (2008) and
numbers in rectangular bracket [1], [1,5]
Avoid plagiarism
Use Paraphrasing and citing the reference
Use the text in quotation mark and cite reference
48

49. “MoSHE is preparing to mobilize the human, financial and
physical resources to produce 5000 PhD graduates by the
end of 2025, starting in January 2021, in national priority
areas through special intervention, collaboration and
implementing the differentiation and to build the capacity
of HEIs to improve the quality and relevance in teaching
and research outputs and realizing the real
internationalization of higher education through strong
collaboration and partnership “ [2] .
49
2. Bechet, S., Franke, R., Geibelmann, A., Hahn, H., Micro Process
Technology as a Means of Process Intensification, Chem. Eng. Technol.,
30(3) (2007) 295-299 .

50. Bechet et al.(2007) explained that …………… [2] .
50
2. Bechet, S., Franke, R., Geibelmann, A., Hahn, H., Micro Process
Technology as a Means of Process Intensification, Chem. Eng. Technol.,
30(3) (2007) 295-299 .

51. Paraphrasing and cite
Abebe [8] found that the percentage of delayed projects in
Saudi Arabia varied from 35% to 84%. This project delay
was not recorded in the traditional projects, it is also
recorded in green buildings projects.
Quotation mark and cite
Al-Ghafly [8] stated << the percentage of delayed
projects in Saudi Arabia varied from 35% to 84%. This
project delay was not recorded in the traditional projects,
it is also recorded in green buildings projects>>.
51

52. Citations in text
Brief citations are inserted within the text
wherever you incorporate another’s words, facts,
or ideas.
Each citation contains only enough information,
usually just the author’s surname and the year of
the source, to enable the reader to find the
corresponding source in the reference list.
Example;
This same point is made by others (Aster & Daniel,
2006).
Aster and Daniel (2006) made this same point.
52

53. Example
Find about most relevant papers that
have addressed the question you are
interested in
Summarize the key findings of these
papers
Conclude with a summary statement that
highlights why your research builds on
existing knowledge, yet will provide new
insight
53

54. How to organize a literature review
A. Introduction:
B. Body: ways to organize your discussion:
chronologically: if writers‘ majorly views have tended
to change over time.
thematically: take particular themes in the literature;
methodologically: here, the focus is on the methods
of the researcher, for example, qualitative versus
quantitative approaches.
C. Conclusion: summarize the major contributions,
evaluating the current position, and pointing out flaws in
methodology, gaps in the research, contradictions, and areas for
further study.
54

55. 5. Theoretical framework
is a conceptual model of how one theorize or makes
logical sense of the relationship among several factors
identified important to the problem
identify the network of relationship among variables
it help to hypothesize and test certain relationship to
improve the understanding of the dynamic of the situation
 literature review provide foundation for developing the
theoretical framework/model
from the theoretical framework, then testable hypothesis can be
developed to examine whether the theory formulated is valid or not.
then, the hypothesized relationship can be tested through
appropriate statistical analyses
 
55

56. 5.2. Component of theoretical framework
Defining concepts and developing conceptual framework
good theoretical framework identifies and labels the
important variables
It logically describes the interconnection among these
variables
Relationship between IV , DV, EV are elaborated
5 basic feature
variables clearly identified and labeled
Discussion of 2 or more variables are related to one another
indicate relationship would be positive or negative
explanation why expected the relationship exist
schematic diagram
56

57. 6. Research Methods versus Methodology
research methodology has many dimensions and research methods
do constitute a part of the research methodology
The scope of research methodology is wider than that of research
methods.
when we talk of research methodology we not only talk of the
research methods but also consider the logic behind the methods
we use in the context of our research study and explain why we are
using a particular method or technique and why we are not using
others so that research results are capable of being evaluated either
by the researcher himself or by others.
57

58. Research Methodology/Approach
Methodology ( a description
(Method) of, and rationale for, the
methodology, research design and
methods )
Data analysis (a description(Method)
of, and rationale for, the proposed
method of data analysis )
58

59. Method, should discuss the following aspects:
General
Include who the participants/subjects will be, what you will collect the
data with, and how you will do this. Also state where you will collect the
data and when this will be.
Address issues of rigour/truth and value. For example,
validity and reliability for a quantitative study, or credibility,
transferability, dependability and confirmability for a
qualitative or indigenous study.
The methods section is often the most systematic section in that small details are
typically included in order to help others critique, evaluate, and/or replicate the research
process.
59

60. Method, should discuss the following aspects:
Specific
What is your sample size and its parameters?)
Data collection: how will you go about collecting your information
(Observation , experiments, interviews)? This should also include any
equipment or instruments that you will need.
Data analysis and discussion: Describe how you will analyse the data to
make meaning of it, and outline advantages and disadvantages of your
particular approach to analysis.
once you have the information, what will you do with it? Include any tools you will
use to assist you with analysis (e.g. programmes, models). Indicate how analyzing
the data in this way will answer your research question.
Limitations: look at your methodology and consider any weaknesses or
limitations that may occur as a result of your research design. Address the
limitations by indicating how you will minimize them.
60

61. 7. Research ethics
is essential if the study involves research on human subjects
or on experimental animals, in order to get the institution’s
ethical approval;
Reflect on any ethical issues that may arise from the
proposed research.
include a discussion of the ways in which the
participants/subjects might be at risk in this study and the
steps taken to protect their rights.
Discuss who will approve the research.
Focus on potential benefits, risks/harm, storage of data,
informed consent, confidentiality, anonymity, privacy, right to
withdraw from the study, and communication of research
findings.
61

62. Ethical issues arise when people are being
observed, whether they are aware of it or
not.
Technological advances--cameras and
microphones—facilitate observing verbal
and non-verbal behavior that might be
considered to be an invasion of privacy,
particularly if the subject is unaware of
being observed.
Yet the information is used to make
decisions that impact the subject.
62

63. 8. Communicating the results 
how the information you discover will be
shared with the wider (research/academic)
community.
In most cases, a written document (peer-
reviewed professional journal (not
predatory), report,
 
thesis )
other forms to disseminate your
knowledge could include conference
presentations, pamphlets, Poster
Presentations.
63

64. 9.Timeline
 
A work plan/timeline is a schedule, chart or graph
that summarizes the different components of a
research project and how they will be implemented
in a coherent way within a specific time-span.
A timeline that estimates how long each task will take
It can be formatted as a list or a table of concrete
tasks / activities and time/deadlines.
work backwards and estimate how long each stage
will take
This timeline helps your committee determine if your
project is realistic given available methods and
institutional requirements (such as deadlines for
submission, etc.)
64

65. 8.Timeline….
 
Notice that some of the processes overlap. Notice also that you
go in and out of some processes (dotted lines), as the need
arises.
65

66. 9. Budget
Include an outline of all proposed expenses associated with
undertaking the study in terms of resources and materials.
a budget is included to indicate where funds will be allocated.
A budget may include items such as the cost of survey design and
printing, transcribers, software or research assistants.
66

67. 10. References
In this section you should list all the references (books,
papers in journals, and other sources) you have made throughout
the research proposal, making sure that you comply with
the referencing conventions or citation styles that have
been established
References need to contain all works cited in the text.
References may be made in the main text using index
numbers in brackets (Vancouver style) or authors name
(Harvard style ((author–date system)).
References should consistently follow one recognizable
system.
Referencing style guides
APA, Vancouver, Harvard, MLA, Chicago, MHRA, OSCOLA
, 67

68. journal paper reference contains
the names of the authors,

the title of the paper,

the name of the journal,
the volume number and Index number of the journal,

the year of publication,
the first and last page numbers of the paper.
For a book reference contains
the author,

the title, and the edition number if there is one,

the name of the publisher,
Town of publication
the year of publication

For others(thesis and conference proceeding) see the example
below
Every reference in your main text must appear in the list at the end
of your proposal, and every reference in the list must be mentioned
in your main text (cited).
68

69. References of different materials
An article in a journal: 
Bechet, S., Franke, R., Geibelmann, A., Hahn, H., Micro Process
Technology as a Means of Process Intensification, Chem. Eng.
Technol., 30(3) (2007) 295-299 .
A book:
Bird, R. B., Stewart, W. E., Lightfoot, E. N., Transport Phenomena,
 2nd
ed., John Wiley & Sons Inc., New York, 2002
Thesis
Stoker, C. (2006), Developments of the Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian
Method in non-linear Solid Mechanics, PhD Thesis , University of
Twente, Enschede.
Conference Proceeding
Hertzmann, A. and Zorin, D. (2007), “Illustrating smoth surfa ces,”
Proceedings of the 27th Annual Conference on Computer Graphics and
Interactive Techniques,517–526.
69

70. Compiling a Reference List
Books, single author- Boddy, D. (2005). Management: An introduction
(3rd ed.). Harlow: Financial Times Prentice Hall.
Books, multiple authors Clarke, S., & Cooper, C. L. (2004).
Managing the risk of workplace stress: Health and safety hazards.
London: Routledge.
Books, multiple authors (In text)-Use the first author et al. for all
citations including the first.
e.g Abebe et al., (2003)
Journal articles- Author’s Surname, initials. (Year of journal issue in
which article appeared). Full title of article. Full Title of Journal, Volume
Number (Issue Number*), page numbers of article.
Example;
Abdi, J. & Ahmed, J. (2014), Factors Influencing Implementation of Integrated
Financial Management Information System in Ethiopia, Research Journal of Finance
and Accounting, Vol 5, No (7). pp 10-17
Note: In Journal articles, we put in italics the Title of Journal and
Volume Number and NOT the Title of Article.
70

71. Some of authentic sources of materials
Elsevier
Science Direct
Taylors and Francis
Springer
Wiley
Scopus indexed
Web of Science Indexed
71

72. Synopsis
It is a summary of project on which the
project proposal of the student is validated
The content of synopsis
Front page
It contains student roll number, Name and Guide name
and qualification
Introduction of the project work
Objective of the project ( In concise manner)
Research methodology – ( Research design, Data
source, Sampling technique, Data collection
methods, analytical tools
Reference and Bibliography need to be given
72

73. The purpose of a proposal is to explain, justify
and report in a concise, simple and coherent
language what you are intending to do.
Explain Explain in a lucid systematic language to your target readers to understand
what it is, if not they may not be ready to consent.
(ii) Justify “What is the rationale of doing this research, can you substantiate?” Most
poorly described proposals are rejected because the candidate fails to clearly explain
why s/he wants to do the study
Concise You should understand your proposal study properly. Avoid so many
unnecessary quotations that may not directly contribute to shaping your proposal. Many
a time proposals are rejected because they are just so much rhetoric. Your reviewers
are only interested in determining if your proposed study makes sense. The bottom line
here is be simple, systematic and to the point.
Coherent The essential feature of a good argument is coherent in two different senses
of this term
First, the matter should flow logically from one point to the next and hold together as an
integrated whole.
Second, it should be coherent in the sense that your reviewers can grasp what you
intend to do in the way you want them to (i.e. avoid inconsistencies)
73

74. Assignment questions
Why do you need to write a good research
proposal?
Who do you think will want to read your
research proposal?
74