GUIDELINES FOR UNIVERISTY RESEARCH GRANT PROPOSALS



GRADUATE PROGRAM RESEARCH PROPOSAL GUIDELINES & CRITERIA

v.2016.01

A. PROPOSAL FORMAT

I. Proposal Title Page

[Use the format provided.]

II. Proposal [not exceeding 10 pages, excluding annexes]

1. Title

2. Background of the study

3. Problem, objectives, research questions and/or hypothesis

4. Research framework

5. Significance

6. Design and methods

7. References

III. Annexes

A. Plan for dissemination

B. Workplan and schedule of activities (Gantt chart)

C. Line item budget

B. ELEMENTS OF THE PROPOSAL

Background. The proposal starts with background information on the topic in order to set the larger context of the study. It is here where the discussion of relevant literature mostly figures in. For a guide, the following can be answered: What is known about this subject or topic? What have prior studies looked into and found out? What are the points of agreement? Are there controversies? gray areas? areas not yet known or that need to be explored? This section should not just enumerate and describe related studies but, rather, critically engage them. It assesses both their contributions and limitations and, in so doing, clears the space for the distinctive contribution of the proposed study. In the end, the background of the study should logically lead to the statement of the problem.

Problem. The problem is borne out of an assessment that something is wrong, amiss, or imperfect in the current state of knowledge or methods (e.g., a gap in the literature, conflicting findings/claims, inadequate methods or results, etc.) or practice (e.g., a program that falls short of its goals, a system that can be further improved, etc.). The problem usually comes as a single statement but is supported by paragraphs or sentences elaborating on this.

Objectives. Having identified the problem, state clearly what you want to accomplish in order to address, answer or illuminate the problem. What does your research intend to do and how is this going to contribute towards the resolution of the problem? In other words, this is the purpose of your study.

Research question/s (and/or hypothesis/es). What specific questions are you going to pose and answer in order to achieve your objective/s? The research questions may also be stated declaratively, i.e., in terms of hypothesis/es.

Research framework. Here, you can describe in more details the theoretical and methodological underpinnings to your study. Discuss the theories, concepts, methodological approaches, and variables that are important in your study. [This section may be done away with if the things mentioned here are, in fact, sufficiently discussed in the earlier sections.]

Significance. This is the ‘So what?’ section. Why is this study important? What is its relevance or contribution – in terms of theory? method? practical application? Show how this will respond to the gap of knowledge, issues of theory or method, and social action or policy-making.

[The above elements of the proposal (i.e., from ‘Background’ to ‘Significance’) may be combined into a single flowing essay without the sub-headings as listed above. What matters is that all these elements are fully addressed in the proposal. Likewise, the discussion of related literature is integrated in the ‘Background,’ ‘Statement of the problem,’ ‘Research framework,’ ‘Significance,’ or even the ‘Design and methods.’ However, if a substantial volume of literature is involved, a separate section for ‘Review of literature’ may be inserted at this point.]

Design and methods. Describe the research process, which include the following: research design, activities and procedures, materials, methods, research participants, population, sampling plan, instrumentation, statistical tools, and treatment/analysis of data. This part will vary greatly depending upon the research approach adopted, i.e., quantitative or qualitative.

References. As the thesis and dissertations are geared towards publication in refereed journals, it is expected that the references shall be limited likewise to journal articles, or that at least most of these are from journals. There should be no less than 15 journal articles as references (these pertain only to the key articles that are most relevant to the identified research problem; otherwise, it is expected that the graduate student should have covered or read much more than this number as indicated in the pre-proposal’s working bibliography).

Plan for dissemination. All research outputs are expected for publication, either as an article in a refereed journal, a chapter in a book, or a monograph. Indicate the title/s of target journal/s or the title of the book or monograph being eyed at.

Line item budget. This covers all requirements needed in the conduct of research (e.g.: supplies, transportation, research assistant/technical staff fees, etc.). This is not part of the evaluation for the thesis/dissertation proposal. It is just meant as a guide for the student to determine how much is needed for the project and if s/he has the means to finance this.

On style: Use short bond, Times New Roman 12 font, double-spaced text, and with section headings in boldface.

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W-FORM 4

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