university of ghana research proposal format

Handbook for Research Proposal Writing

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Department of Communication Design

Kwame nkrumah university of science and technology, guidelines for mcomm/mphil research proposal.

These are general guidelines only and may vary depending on the writing style of the student

• Study these Guidelines carefully and incorporate the instructions in the proposal before submission.
• Pay special attention to the Evaluation Checklist. This will help you evaluate your proposal using similar criteria to those used by the faculty research committee and funding agencies.
• Provide a table of contents, including sub-headings and page numbers.
• A  mini-thesis  comprises a 50% mini-thesis, (50% studio course work), especially for MCOMM criteria.
• A  thesis  comprises a 100% research project.
• For candidates appliying for admission the proposal should not be more than five pages (For admitted students see Downloads). 
• When admitted, candidates will first have to register the research topic (CDPG 1.1) through the office of the coordinator, and should be done within three months of registration.
• The final research proposal (CDPG 1.2) must be ratified within six months of registering the topic.

Purpose of the research proposal

 To establish that the candidate has:

• a viable and researchable problem that the department will be able to handle
• an acceptable plan of action for undertaking the project/research
• done sufficient preparation to establish the rationale for the research
• a feasible chance of completing the programme.

The order of the layout suggested below may be changed and certain sections may be combined; additional points may also be added. The suggested headings serve as road signs to indicate to the evaluator:

• what the research problem is
• how the candidate intends doing the research
• what the outcomes of the research could be 

The examination criteria for a master’s thesis are that candidates;

• must prove that they understand a particular problem in the industry in which they have done their research/project
• are able to analyse and set it out logically;
• are able to arrive at logical conclusions or a diagnosis; and
• are then able to make proposals for the improvement/elimination of the problem. 

1.         Title

The title should be concise, as long titles are cumbersome to accommodate in information retrieval systems. Select appropriate key words or phrases, and avoid rambling and meaningless statements such as:  An investigation into the possibility of conducting research in . . .  Do not start a title with a present participle, such as  Investigating , or  Analysing . The title should rather read:  An analysis of …

2.         Statement of research/project problem

This is the heart of the proposal. Normally a sentence, or at most a paragraph, is all that is required to describe exactly what the problem is. Many candidates have difficulty in describing the problem: instead they list the objectives, outcomes, needs or other irrelevant aspects.

If the research problem is not adequately or precisely described, it is likely to be rejected. It is important to note that poorly formulated problems might lead to long periods of completion. Furthermore, researchers often indulge in jargon, which seems to obscure rather than explain what the research problem is.  CANDIDATES SHOULD ENSURE THAT THE RESEARCH PROBLEM AND THEIR OBJECTIVES REMAIN THE FOCUS OF THEIR THINKING AND WRITING .

3.         Background to the research/project problem

Since the statement of the problem should be very brief, it is necessary to explain separately what the background to the problem is. Clarify the area of concern, or what needs to justify the research (this could be a sub-heading). Any information that helps the critical reader/evaluator to understand the problem may be included. Indicate why you believe that it is, in fact, a researchable problem. This section could be combined with the literature review, or form a sub-section of it.

4.         Preliminary literature review

An adequate preliminary literature review is required for the proposals. The purpose of the preliminary literature review should:

• Provide evidence to the departmental post-graduate committee that the candidates are well acquainted with past and current research in the intended field of study.
• Prove that the project/research will not duplicate past or current research.
• Indicate how the intended project/research relates to similar and past projects/research; in other words, the literature review positions your project/research within the existing body of knowledge.
• Indicate what related aspects of existed research require further research.
• Provide a rationale for the choice of problem.

In the final thesis/project report, a much more complete and extensive list of  References  (all sources cited) will have to be presented than in the initial review.

The guidelines provided by the School of Graduate Studies of the university entitled:  Research and the APA method of reference/bibliographic citation: a research writing and style guide for postgraduate students,  should be followed meticulously (see the SGS manual and the Postgraduate page on the departmental website for more on this: i.e.  www.decode.knust.edu.gh ).

5.         Hypotheses or research questions

If you state hypotheses, indicate whether they are statistical or non-statistical hypotheses. If statistical, indicate at what level of statistical significance they will be accepted or rejected. Depending on the nature of your methodology, it may not be necessary to base your research on hypotheses. You may list certain fundamental research questions or underlying assumptions that underpins your research.

6.         Objectives of the research

Clarify the aims and objectives of the research. Where feasible, objectives should be divided into main and subsidiary objectives, and should be numbered. It must be emphasised that ALL INDICATED objectives MUST be well articulated and SHOULD BE REALISTIC and ATTAINABLE. In writing the proposal and most importantly, the thesis, it is important to remain focused on the objectives.

7.         Research design and/or methodology

This is the cornerstone of the research proposal, and therefore a critically important section. Failure to handle this section properly can lead to the research proposal’s rejection and even to the rejection of your admission. While you may not be able to give final details of your methodology at this preliminary proposal stage, it is important to give a sound provisional indication so that the evaluator is satisfied that your methodology is relevant and acceptable.  Candidate should also NOTE THAT THE MCOMM PROGRAMME IS A DESIGN-LED/PRACTICE-BASED PROGRAMME

Clarify your method of investigation, e.g.:

• Questionnaires
• Personal interviews
• Focus groups
• Design techniques, etc.

Indicate your sampling methodology, e.g.:

• Size of sample
• Experimental and control groups
• Prevention of bias, etc.

Indicate statistical methods and substantiate why you intend using the proposed specific statistical methods ( should the study be directed in such methodology ).

Indicate ethical considerations and indicate how to tackle such challenges if need be.

It must be noted that within some studies there seems to be no correspondence between the stated aims of the research and the chosen methodology. Often the descriptions of the methodology are restricted to the mere statement that qualitative or quantitative research methods were to be utilised. Instruments designed in other contexts are also relevant to the studies.

Plan your investigation in phases, setting measurable target dates where feasible.

8.         Delineation of the research (Delimitation)

Delineate the boundaries of your research, e.g.:

• A study of design firms with fewer than 25 employees.
• Festivals that take place in the Kwabre East District only.
• A study of advertising agencies in the Kumasi Metropolis, etc.

It might be helpful to indicate what will not be covered by your research.

9.         Significance of the research

Indicate the significance of the research. Why is it important?  Whom, or what industry, will it benefit?  This is usually vital, especially since this can help for funding.

10.       Expected outcomes, results and contributions of the research

What are the expected outcomes and what do you wish to achieve, e.g.:

• A new theory
• A prototype
• A new model
• An artefact
• A new design process
• A solution to a practical problem
• A specific aid to practitioners in a particular field
• An instrument of use in the animation industry, etc. 

What contribution will this research make to the body of knowledge in the particular field of study?

11.       References cited (APA)

This is a list of the literature referred to in your research proposal. Do not include titles not cited, or that have no relevance to your research problem. You should have read the references you list (or at least the relevant parts). Indicate how they relate to your research.

Distinguish clearly between a list of References cited and a Bibliography. The latter includes all material consulted, including background reading not necessarily cited. Alternatively you may provide separate lists of References Cited and Other References.

12.       Keywords

Give up to ten  specific  keywords or phrases, which will be used to index your research in relevant databases.

OPTIONAL FEATURES

Contextualisation

If your research is multi-disciplinary, clarify which disciplines it covers, in which discipline the main thrust lies, and what interdisciplinary interaction there is with other disciplines or fields of study. Make the context of your research quite clear, e.g., does it fall within the sub-discipline of Industrial Relations, which resorts under the discipline of Human Resource Management, or does it address legal aspects of Industrial Law and thus resort under Law.

Planning and time parameters

  Funding agencies find it especially useful if you give some provisional indication of what time parameters you are setting for your research and what the expected completion dates for the specific sections and tasks are.

Materials and infrastructure

“Infrastructure” includes equipment, facilities and support services.

Pilot study

In some projects a pilot study should be done. Your supervisor should advise you. When little information about the proposed research project is available, it is advisable to execute a pilot study on a few selected aspects of the research proposal. A pilot study could:

• check the methods to be used
• collect data on which the actual sample size will be based
• iron out some practicalities of the project.

The pilot study may appear under a separate heading, or may be incorporated as a sub-section under Research Design, where the preliminary pilot study findings may serve as a basis for the actual research design. 

Interface with other institutions/industry

Here you may clarify to what extent your research will be undertaken by utilising the facilities of other institutions or companies, or whether you will have access to expertise at other institutions.

For large projects it is useful to include a simple budget, stating cost of equipment, running and travel costs, salaries of research assistants, etc.

EVALUATION CHECKLIST FOR RESEARCH PROPOSALS

 (This checklist incorporates the items used by government funding bodies in their evaluation of research proposals.)

1.         Problem identification

1.1       Is the problem/line of enquiry clearly defined?

1.2       Is the basic research problem well formulated, or is it poorly and vaguely structured?

1.3       Is it briefly and concisely stated?

1.4       Does the researcher indulge in jargon which obscures rather than explains what the research problem is?

2.         Background to the research problem

2.1       Has there been an adequate description of the background to the problem either under a separate heading or as

            part of the literature?

2.2       Has the area of concern regarding the problem been identified, i.e., has the need that exists to research the

             problem been clarified?

2.3       Have the basic terms and concepts been clarified, either under a separate heading, or as a suitable sub-heading?

3.         Preliminary literature review

3.1       Is there clear evidence of a review of the literature?

3.2       Is there a theoretical engagement with the relevant literature (where possible)?

3.3       Has appropriate literature been examined in order to provide the background and rationale to the problem and

            its formulation?

3.4       Have relevant sources been used to identify the problem?

3.5       Does the literature review correspond with the aims of the research?

3.6       Are the cited references acceptable?

3.7       Are textual references and bibliographic citation correct? 

4.         Conceptual framework (if it is required)

4.1       To what extent are the conceptual framework and theoretical assumptions clearly stated?

4.2       Has the study been clearly delineated under a separate heading or sub-heading, i.e., have the boundaries of the

             research been stated?

4.3       Has a suitable hypothesis (or hypotheses) been formulated, or has a suitable research question(s) been stated?

5.         Objectives

5.1       Have the objectives been stated clearly?

5.2       If there are more than three objectives, have they been divided into main and subsidiary objectives?

6.         Research design

6.1       Is the project and research design well structured and outlined, or is it poorly articulated?

6.2       Has the research methodology been articulated clearly?

6.3       Is there a clear correspondence between the stated aims of the research and the chosen methodology?

6.4       Is there a mere statement of the qualitative or quantitative research methods to be used, or is there justification

            for their use?

6.5       Have the sampling methodology and data collection technique been adequately clarified?

6.6       Is the analysis appropriate to the aims of the research?

7.         Significance

7.1       To what extent will the research make an original and creative contribution to knowledge (at doctoral level)?

7.2       Alternatively, to what extent will the research analyse and diagnose a particular problem, set it out logically, arrive at

            conclusions and make proposals for the solution of the problem (at master’s level)?

7.3       Why is it important to undertake this research?  Whom will it benefit or to whom will it be important?

7.4       Is the proposed research likely to promote further investigation within and/or across disciplines and fields?

7.5       Has the expected outcome (or outcomes) of the research been clearly identified?

8.         Feasibility

8.1       Is the problem researchable and is it feasible?  Do the preliminary data and available resources support its

            feasibility?

8.2       Does the candidate’s academic profile or potential support his/her ability to accomplish the project?

8.3       Does the supervisor (or supervisors) have a research and supervision profile to support the candidate?

9.         Other general comments

            Is the proposal well structured or poorly compiled?  If the latter, what should be done to make it a well-structured

            proposal?

10.       Language

             Has the research proposal been proofread and edited?

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SAMPLE RESEARCH PROPOSAL

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• How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates

How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates

Published on October 12, 2022 by Shona McCombes and Tegan George. Revised on November 21, 2023.

A research proposal describes what you will investigate, why it’s important, and how you will conduct your research.

The format of a research proposal varies between fields, but most proposals will contain at least these elements:

Introduction

Literature review.

• Research design

Reference list

While the sections may vary, the overall objective is always the same. A research proposal serves as a blueprint and guide for your research plan, helping you get organized and feel confident in the path forward you choose to take.

Table of contents

Research proposal purpose, research proposal examples, research design and methods, contribution to knowledge, research schedule, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about research proposals.

Academics often have to write research proposals to get funding for their projects. As a student, you might have to write a research proposal as part of a grad school application , or prior to starting your thesis or dissertation .

In addition to helping you figure out what your research can look like, a proposal can also serve to demonstrate why your project is worth pursuing to a funder, educational institution, or supervisor.

Research proposal length

The length of a research proposal can vary quite a bit. A bachelor’s or master’s thesis proposal can be just a few pages, while proposals for PhD dissertations or research funding are usually much longer and more detailed. Your supervisor can help you determine the best length for your work.

One trick to get started is to think of your proposal’s structure as a shorter version of your thesis or dissertation , only without the results , conclusion and discussion sections.

Download our research proposal template

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

Writing a research proposal can be quite challenging, but a good starting point could be to look at some examples. We’ve included a few for you below.

• Example research proposal #1: “A Conceptual Framework for Scheduling Constraint Management”
• Example research proposal #2: “Medical Students as Mediators of Change in Tobacco Use”

Like your dissertation or thesis, the proposal will usually have a title page that includes:

• The proposed title of your project
• Your supervisor’s name
• Your institution and department

The first part of your proposal is the initial pitch for your project. Make sure it succinctly explains what you want to do and why.

Your introduction should:

• Introduce your topic
• Give necessary background and context
• Outline your  problem statement  and research questions

To guide your introduction , include information about:

• Who could have an interest in the topic (e.g., scientists, policymakers)
• How much is already known about the topic
• What is missing from this current knowledge
• What new insights your research will contribute
• Why you believe this research is worth doing

Receive feedback on language, structure, and formatting

Professional editors proofread and edit your paper by focusing on:

• Academic style
• Vague sentences
• Style consistency

See an example

As you get started, it’s important to demonstrate that you’re familiar with the most important research on your topic. A strong literature review  shows your reader that your project has a solid foundation in existing knowledge or theory. It also shows that you’re not simply repeating what other people have already done or said, but rather using existing research as a jumping-off point for your own.

In this section, share exactly how your project will contribute to ongoing conversations in the field by:

• Comparing and contrasting the main theories, methods, and debates
• Examining the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches
• Explaining how will you build on, challenge, or synthesize prior scholarship

Following the literature review, restate your main  objectives . This brings the focus back to your own project. Next, your research design or methodology section will describe your overall approach, and the practical steps you will take to answer your research questions.

To finish your proposal on a strong note, explore the potential implications of your research for your field. Emphasize again what you aim to contribute and why it matters.

For example, your results might have implications for:

• Improving best practices
• Informing policymaking decisions
• Strengthening a theory or model
• Challenging popular or scientific beliefs
• Creating a basis for future research

Last but not least, your research proposal must include correct citations for every source you have used, compiled in a reference list . To create citations quickly and easily, you can use our free APA citation generator .

Some institutions or funders require a detailed timeline of the project, asking you to forecast what you will do at each stage and how long it may take. While not always required, be sure to check the requirements of your project.

Here’s an example schedule to help you get started. You can also download a template at the button below.

Download our research schedule template

If you are applying for research funding, chances are you will have to include a detailed budget. This shows your estimates of how much each part of your project will cost.

Make sure to check what type of costs the funding body will agree to cover. For each item, include:

• Cost : exactly how much money do you need?
• Justification : why is this cost necessary to complete the research?
• Source : how did you calculate the amount?

To determine your budget, think about:

• Travel costs : do you need to go somewhere to collect your data? How will you get there, and how much time will you need? What will you do there (e.g., interviews, archival research)?
• Materials : do you need access to any tools or technologies?
• Help : do you need to hire any research assistants for the project? What will they do, and how much will you pay them?

If you want to know more about the research process , methodology , research bias , or statistics , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

Methodology

• Sampling methods
• Simple random sampling
• Stratified sampling
• Cluster sampling
• Likert scales
• Reproducibility

 Statistics

• Null hypothesis
• Statistical power
• Probability distribution
• Effect size
• Poisson distribution

Research bias

• Optimism bias
• Cognitive bias
• Implicit bias
• Hawthorne effect
• Anchoring bias
• Explicit bias

Once you’ve decided on your research objectives , you need to explain them in your paper, at the end of your problem statement .

Keep your research objectives clear and concise, and use appropriate verbs to accurately convey the work that you will carry out for each one.

I will compare …

A research aim is a broad statement indicating the general purpose of your research project. It should appear in your introduction at the end of your problem statement , before your research objectives.

Research objectives are more specific than your research aim. They indicate the specific ways you’ll address the overarching aim.

A PhD, which is short for philosophiae doctor (doctor of philosophy in Latin), is the highest university degree that can be obtained. In a PhD, students spend 3–5 years writing a dissertation , which aims to make a significant, original contribution to current knowledge.

A PhD is intended to prepare students for a career as a researcher, whether that be in academia, the public sector, or the private sector.

A master’s is a 1- or 2-year graduate degree that can prepare you for a variety of careers.

All master’s involve graduate-level coursework. Some are research-intensive and intend to prepare students for further study in a PhD; these usually require their students to write a master’s thesis . Others focus on professional training for a specific career.

Critical thinking refers to the ability to evaluate information and to be aware of biases or assumptions, including your own.

Like information literacy , it involves evaluating arguments, identifying and solving problems in an objective and systematic way, and clearly communicating your ideas.

The best way to remember the difference between a research plan and a research proposal is that they have fundamentally different audiences. A research plan helps you, the researcher, organize your thoughts. On the other hand, a dissertation proposal or research proposal aims to convince others (e.g., a supervisor, a funding body, or a dissertation committee) that your research topic is relevant and worthy of being conducted.

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The UEW Library houses a comprehensive collection of Theses, Dissertations, and Long Essays. These special collection is a testament to the original and scholarly achievements of our students and researchers.

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UG RESEARCH PROPOSAL FORMAT. 

UG RESEARCH PROPOSAL FORMAT.

https://www.birmingham.ac.uk defines a research proposal as a concise and coherent summary of your proposed research. It sets out the central issues or questions that you intend to address. It outlines the general area of study within which your research falls, referring to the current state of knowledge and any recent debates on the topic.

https://www.unh.edu stated that, The research proposal is your chance to explain the significance of your project to organizations who might wish to fund or otherwise support it. Ideally, it will demonstrate the quality and importance of your project as well as your ability to conduct the proposed research.

https://www.restore.ac.uk states that The Executive Summary of a proposal is the most important section. It should provide the reader with an overview of the information which follows.

Below is the format of University of Ghana Research Proposal.

Table of Contents

College/School Format Requirements.

Notwithstanding the above, School/departmental formats shall apply to:

• Chapter Structure Design.
• Chapter Headings.
• Reference Style.
• Figures and Tables.
• Chapter Content Design.
• List of Abbreviations.

University format Requirement shall consist of the following sections:

• Preliminary Information.

Substantive Section.

Bibliography and appendices..

• Title Page.

The title page shall consist of the following which should be centered following the sample and wording in the (Graduate School Manual)

• Title of the Thesis.
• Statement of Submission.
• Name of Candidate (No Titles)
• Student Number (In brackets below the name.)
• In partial fulfillment (partly taught courses, e.g. MA MPhil) of the Requirement for the Award of (Relevant Degree, e.g. Master of Philosophy – written out fully).
• The date of submission (Month and Year).
• Declaration/Signature Page.
• A candidate submitting a dissertation or thesis for a Masters degree shall make a declaration to the effect that the thesis/ dissertation is his/her own work poroduced from research under supervision.
• Signatures: The declaration page shall be signed by the following:

The Candidate.

Supervisors.

Every candidate shall present a short abstract of his/her dissertation or thesis of a maximum of 2 pages (double spaced).

• Dedication (Optional).
• Acknowledgment. (1 page maximum).
• The candidate may briefly acknowledge those who made important contributions to the success of his/her research and presentation of thesis.
• Where the thesis has benefited from a collaborative project done in conjunction with the candidate’s Supervisor(S), this should be dully acknowledged.
• Table of Contents.
• A well aligned presentation of preliminary information. chapters with subsections, bibliography and appendices of the thesis with relevant page numbers indicated.
• List of Figures/Maps.

A list of figures and maps with their relevant designated numberings and relevant pages at which they are located.

• List of Tables.

A list of tables with their relevant designated numbering and relevant pages at which they are located.

A list of relevant abbreviations and their lull rendering occurring in the thesis.

• Chapter Structure

A thesis must consist of substantive Chapters including an introduction, intervening chapters and a concluding chapter as determined by the School/departmental format.

• Reference Style 
• The reference style shall follow the School/departmental format. 
• Thesis Size.

A thesis/dissertation shall normallv not exceed the following pages excluding bibliography, figures, tables, photographs and appendices.

• The bibliography should be placed at the end of the thesis and not after each chapter with the exception of cases where the Departmental format filed with the school of Graduate Studtes requires this.
• The order of arrangement of the bibliography and appendices should follow the format of the Graduate School Manual. Unless, the Departmental format requires an alternative order.
• The candidate may submit, as subsidiary matter in support of his or her candidature, any printed contributions to the advancement of his/her subject, which he or she may have published independently or jointly, or any other supporting material. In the event of a candidate presenting material from a joint work, he or she shall be required to state fully his or her own contribution.

Presentation Format.

• Two (2) typed or printed copies of the dissertation or thesis, using standard A4 paper, shall be submitted to the School of Graduate Studies through the Head of Department for examination.
• Typed thesis should be on only one side of the paper.
• Margins: When bound, all margins of the thesis should be 2.54cm(1 inche).
• Font Type & Size: These should be typed in New Times Roman, Font Size 12.
• Chapter headings should be in New Times Roman, Font Size 14 Bold.
• Font sizes for indented citations, graphs, figures and tables should not be lower than New Times Roman, font size 10.
• Page Numbers: Page numbers should be centred at the bottom of page throughout the thesis.
• The preliminary pages should be numbered with Roman numerals.
• Page numbering in Arabic numerals should run through the entire thesis.
• Footnote numbering should run through a thesis.
• Footnotes NOT Endnotes should he used in all these.

Examination Copy.

• A thesis submitted for examination should be bound in soft manila card cover (green or light blue). The cover should bear the details of the Title Page of the thesis.
• For the purpose of examination, a candidate shall be required to submit two (2) copies of his/her Masters degree thesis or dissertation and a soft version in PDF.

Final Copy.

After the dessertation or thesis has been approved, it must be bound in standard form Art vellum or cloth; overcast; edges uncut. Three(3) final hard copies and the PDF soft version of the thesis/dissertation that have been accepted for the award of a Master’s or a Doctoral degree shall be distributed as follows;

One hard copy and the PDF version shall be sent to the School of Graduate Studies to be kept by the School.

The remaining two(2) copies shall be retained by the candidate’s Head of Department, one of which shall be kept in the Departmental Library and the other given to the candidate.

Labelling of Final Copy.

• Front Cover

The front cover of the final copy should be lettered boldly in gold (0.5.-1.25cm) with the details of the

Title Page of the Thesis.

The spine of the thesis should be lettered boldly up back in gold (0.5 to 1.25cm) with the degree, date, name, before the award of the Degree is published by the Registrar.

• Binding Colour Scheme.

The following colour scheme should be used in binding the dissertations/theses:

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