THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL TEMPLATE

This document has been set up to assist students in preparing the text for their research proposal. It
is NOT intended as a document to guide you through your research proposal development, but to
assist you in setting out the proposal, in terms of text layout, section headings and sub-sections.

The Research Proposal is a complete description of the intended research, developed under the
supervision of the assigned supervisor. Through the full proposal, the student needs to demonstrate
convincingly that the study will make a contribution to an important issue or problem. The full
research proposal must be between 5 and 10 pages and should present the following:
 Title
 Brief Introduction
 Background and statement of the problem (this in the light of a thorough literature review)
 Research question or hypothesis, aim and objectives
 Study design (type of study)
 Study population and sampling
 Data collection methods and instruments
 Data analysis methods – if applicable statistical planning must be fully addressed, or the
candidate should provide evidence that statistics are not required.
 Mechanisms to assure the quality of the study – e.g. control of bias, safe storage of data
 Study period - Timetable for completion of the project
 Participants in the study – all people involved in the study, and the role they play, should be
identified.*
 Ethical considerations
 Resources required for the study
 References
 Appendices (copy of questionnaire, consent forms, etc.)

How to use thistemplate:

The template provides ALL the sections, headings and subheadings that you will require in your
proposal, as well as the line and paragraph spacing, page breaks, page numbering, referencing
system and referencing styles. You should simply edit the text where appropriate and insert your
own text as per your proposal, i.e simply type into the document. Do not attempt to change the
styles for the headings or subheadings, and do not attempt to use more than three level headings
(i.eA main heading, a sub-heading and a sub-sub-heading).

Type Font Size Paragraph, Alignment

Heading1 14, Bold 1.5 pts above and below auto.

Center Alignment
Heading2 Times New Roman 12, Bold
1.5 pts above and below auto.
Heading3 12, Bold
Left Alignment
Normal 12

Please Note that all these are predefined in the document but at the end check if you have made
unnecessary changes to type of content.
To learn how to use automatic table of content, list of tables, and list of figures please consult
YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82-uUnpfus4
Follow all given guidelines to get your report approved.

WHEN YOU ARE DONE, DELETE THIS FRONT INSTRUCTION PAGE FROM YOUR
PROPOSAL

When you have finished typing, then return to the Contents Page, place your cursor on the greyed
out section, right click with the mouse, and select “Update entire table”
 KFA Business School & IT
(Affiliated to Lincoln University College)
Mid-Baneshwor, Kathmandu

A Research Proposal
On
“TOPIC HERE”

Submitted By:
Name Surname
LUC No:

Submitted To:
Subject Teacher Name
April, 2019
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

i
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.................................................................................................................................................I

LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................................................................................... III

LIST OF TABLES ......................................................................................................................................................... III

ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................................................................................IV

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................................. 1

1.1 SUB HEADING .................................................................................................................................................... 1

1.1.1 Sub-Sub-Heading .......................................................................................................................................... 1
1.1.2 Referencing ................................................................................................................................................... 1

CHAPTER 2: PROBLEM STATEMENT................................................................................................................ 2

2.1 OVERVIEW ......................................................................................................................................................... 2

2.2 RESEARCH QUESTION/HYPOTHESIS ................................................................................................................... 2

CHAPTER 3: OBJECTIVES AND AIMS ............................................................................................................... 3

3.1 OVERALL OBJECTIVE ......................................................................................................................................... 3

3.2 SPECIFIC AIMS ................................................................................................................................................... 3

CHAPTER 4: BACKGROUND AND SIGNIFICANCE ........................................................................................ 4

CHAPTER 5: RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS ........................................................................................ 5

5.1 OVERVIEW ......................................................................................................................................................... 5

5.2 POPULATION AND STUDY SAMPLE ..................................................................................................................... 5
5.3 SAMPLE SIZE AND SELECTION OF SAMPLE ......................................................................................................... 5
5.4 SOURCES OF DATA ............................................................................................................................................. 5
5.5 COLLECTION OF DATA ....................................................................................................................................... 5
5.6 DATA MANAGEMENT ......................................................................................................................................... 5
5.7 DATA ANALYSIS STRATEGIES ............................................................................................................................ 5
5.8 ETHICS AND HUMAN SUBJECTS ISSUES .............................................................................................................. 5
5.9 TIMEFRAMES...................................................................................................................................................... 5

CHAPTER 6: STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF THE STUDY ................................................................. 6

CHAPTER 7: MANAGEMENT SIGNIFICANCE ................................................................................................. 7

REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................................................. 8

APPENDICES ................................................................................................................................................................... 9

7.1 APPENDIX 1: QUESTIONNAIRE ........................................................................................................................... 9

7.2 APPENDIX 2: OTHER DATA .............................................................................................................................. 10

ii
 LIST OF FIGURES

Figure No. Page No.

FIGURE 8.1: JELLYFISH.......................................................................................................................... 7

LIST OF TABLES

Figure No. Page No

TABLE 8.1: SAMPLE .............................................................................................................................. 7

iii
 ABSTRACT

Do not use abbreviations or insert tables, figures or references into your abstract. You abstract
generally should not exceed about 300 words.

iv
 CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION

Use heading 1 from the selection above for your main heading. Use all caps, do not use anything
else as the table of contents has been automated to use this setting

1.1 Sub Heading

Use Heading 2 from the selection of styles on the menu bar above. Do NOT use all capitals, but
write as is shown above. Do not use anything else as the Table of Contents has been automated to
include this style for a subheading.

1.1.1 Sub-Sub-Heading
Use Heading 3 from the selection of styles on the menu bar above. Do NOT use all capitals, but
write as is shown above. Do not use anything else as the Table of Contents has been automated to
include this style for a sub-subheading.

1.1.2 Referencing

1
 CHAPTER 2
PROBLEM STATEMENT

2.1 Overview

2.2 Research Question/Hypothesis

2
 CHAPTER 3
OBJECTIVES AND AIMS

3.1 Overall Objective

3.2 Specific Aims

3
 CHAPTER 4
BACKGROUND AND SIGNIFICANCE

This is your literature review. Use Headings 2 and 3 to provide sub headings in your review

4
 CHAPTER 5
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

5.1 Overview
Use headings 2 and 3 as appropriate, and use these headings if appropriate.

5.2 Population and Study Sample

5.3 Sample Size and Selection of Sample

5.4 Sources of Data

5.5 Collection of Data

5.6 Data Management

5.7 Data Analysis Strategies

5.8 Ethics and Human Subjects Issues

5.9 Timeframes

5
 CHAPTER 6
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF THE STUDY

6
 CHAPTER 7
MANAGEMENT SIGNIFICANCE

Table 7.1: Sample

Figure 7.1: Jellyfish

7
 REFERENCES
Use the APA Style of referencing. This is found at this website:
http://www.citationmachine.net/apa/cite-a-book

8
 APPENDICES

7.1 Appendix 1: Questionnaire

9
7.2 Appendix 2: Other Data

10