PSYC2006 - Research Design and Analysis - Semester 2
Introduce students to the theory and procedural steps informing the
development and writing of a formal research proposal in the field of Psychology (with applications to other fields of study).
A research proposal is thus a document (usually presented in written form) that describes
relevant background theory and the proposed steps that will be taken to answer (a)
research question/s of interest.
1 PROPOSAL OVERVIEW
1.1 PURPOSE
The intention of the research proposal is to outline the entire research process to be
followed, from initial conceptualisation to intended outcomes. It should thus clearly
highlight:
• what the researcher plans to accomplish
• why this is of interest and/or important.
• how this will be achieved
Writing a research proposal is useful because it helps the researcher to:
• Organise their ideas and plan how the study will be carried out.
• Refine what they want to accomplish and how they will do this and evaluate the
intended research process.
• Obtain feedback from others about the best options for and solutions to potential
problems with the research process.
• gain approval to conduct the study.
• Begin preliminary drafting of the final research report (transfer of information from
the proposal)
It is essential that the proposal for a study convinces the proposal reader or reviewer that:
• The topic has been carefully considered and deliberately chosen.
• The proposed project has ‘merit’ (value) and could yield important findings/ make a
meaningful contribution to existing knowledge (i.e., to what is already known).
• The researcher has a solid and substantial understanding of relevant previous work
related to the topic (i.e., of existing theory and of other studies or projects carried
out related to the topic)
• The researcher is sufficiently capable and is prepared and able to implement the
research process effectively.
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, • The researcher is sufficiently aware of potential issues or problems that may arise
as well as the limitations and strengths of the proposed research project.
• The proposed project is logical, feasible (achievable), and appropriate in size and
scope (i.e. both in terms of what will be included and in terms of what the researcher
will attempt to accomplish given the time and resources available.
1.2 CONTENT
A proposal typically includes:
• the topic/ focal area
• the intention/ purpose of the study
• the significance of the study/ justification for the study
• a review of relevant literature and/or guiding theory
• the research question/s to be addressed.
• the planned research process (design, sample, data collection, ethical considerations,
and data analysis)
• a description of potential outcomes and/or the relevance of the study.
A recommended proposal structure for undergrad/postgrad psych student is:
1. Title 8. Sample & sampling
2. Aim/s 9. Data collection (instruments &
3. Rationale procedure)
4. Literature review 10. Ethical considerations
5. Research questions 11. .data analysis
6. Methods 12. Conclusion
7. Research design 13. Appendices
• Title: should be brief, interesting, and focussed on the key concepts (constructs or
variables) that will be explored in the study.
• Aim/s: should outline the key focus of the study – they are usually stated in a very
concise way and present the key concept/s and intention/s (purpose) for the proposed
study.
o Example: The study aims to explore the nature of the relationship between
levels of resilience and levels of optimism in a sample of South African first-
year university student.
• Rationale: should present a brief summary of the key reasons for why the study is
valuable, worthwhile, and will make a difference (i.e. contribute to knowledge).
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, o This can include highlighting the relevance of the proposed study for adding
to existing theory and data available on the topic, expanding understandings
of the topic in different contexts, and the potential impact that the findings
might have.
o usually based around how the study will be valuable and make a
contribution theoretically (adding to existing knowledge), practically (in
terms of intervention or practice), and contextually (adding to understanding
in different contexts, samples, cultures, environments, and/or situations)
• Literature Review: provide a relatively brief but comprehensive argument
(justification) to support the research questions posed in the study.
o The argument needs to demonstrate how the study will contribute to
knowledge (i.e., add value) by addressing a ‘gap’ in existing understanding.
o the literature review must include a comprehensive overview of existing
theory and empirical work (data-based findings) related to the topic; and
must also clearly illustrate how the key concepts in the study might relate to
one another i.e., how these fit together.
o It is also essential that each of the core concepts in the study is defined
clearly.
• Research Question: should be presented as (a) direct question/s at the end of the
literature review. They should be supported by the argument in the literature
review.
o They should follow logically based on the argument given; and they also need
to be stated in a clear and concise manner.
o ▪ It is also vital that the research questions are sufficiently refined and can
be answered (addressed) by the methods proposed for the study. the research
questions must be operationalizable.
• Methods: presents the proposed steps, procedures/processes, and instruments that
will be used by the researcher to carry out the study. Should be presented in future
tense.
o The methods section is generally divided into a series of subsections that
address the overall design for the proposed study, the sample/s and sampling
strategy/ies that will be used, the data collection methods that will be used
(instruments and procedure), ethical considerations for the study, and the
analysis of the data that will be collected.
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