PROVISIONAL TITLE OF RESEARCH PROJECT
CONTENTS OF THE RESEARCH REPORT
Outline of contents - to give your research plan some structure. However, this may change as you progress.
2 INTRODUCTION / PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
Introduce your topic and give a brief explanation of the topic, an indication of why you chose your topic and why it is topical. The scope of the topic is also should be included.
3 RESEARCH OBJECTIVE(S) QUESTION (S)
In this section you outline the purpose of your research project. You may find it helpful to encapsulate your topic into a single research objective supported by one or more simple research questions. Your research-project will then be to answer the research question(s).
LITERATURE REVIEW / MARKET RESEARCH
What have key authors written about your topic? The literature review should provide a brief background to the topic. You should carry out your literature review before finalising your research questions.
RESEARCH APPROACH USED
What research methods are you intending to use; for example secondary research (books, journals) / primary research / both?
- If Primary research: Data collection methods (The method(s) to be used, the software tools to be used in designing the methods (surveys, questionnaires, etc), the sample data selected (size).
Note: Students may utilize multiple methods, i.e. SWOT analysis and surveys
DATA AND RESULTS ANALYSIS
- Data used (Primary/Secondary)
- Performance measures to be used (quantitative analysis statistical measures)
- Any statistical analysis software (SPSS) if used
- Any evaluation methods if any
POTENTIAL LIMITATIONS AND ISSUES
CONCLUSOINS
Outline the problems that you might have with the project or the things that you would like to be able to do that might not take place.
ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
Identify any ethical issues that may arise in your project. This is likely to be the case if you are involving people in your project, for example if you plan to interview one or more people.
ANTICIPATED TIMELINE
List all the major activities that you will need to do and identify when you need to have them done by. This should be updated in your progress reports.
BIBLIOGRAPHY LIST AND REFERENCE LIST
All work cited in the proposal should be included in the reference list and all other work that you have read that is relevant to your topic but which is not cited should be included in your bibliography. You must create citations in Word, using the APA style of referencing.