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Prof. Veena Poonacha
Research Centre for Womens Studies
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Research is an exciting process ofdiscovering new knowledge
It also requires hard work
The research proposal/outline is the firststep in the road towards the Degree
It provides the road map for your researchstudy
Subsequent changes in the researchframework will require the permission of theResearch Recognition Committee of theUniversity
Take time in planning your research topic
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Develop familiarity with the area of research
you wish to undertake
This requires background reading on the area
of research, relevant theories and possiblemethodologies
Find out if similar studies have been
undertaken by other scholars.
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Critically identify the gaps in the available
body of knowledge in the area of study
Clearly identify the kind of research you wish
to undertake: 1) Is it aimed at testingexisting theories; 2) Is it aimed at developing
new theoretical insights; 3) Is it exploratory;
or 4) field research with policy implications;
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Estimate the time and resources required for
the study
Limit the scope of your study Be prepared for critical appraisal of the
proposal by your guide, the Department
Research Committee and the Research
Recognition Committee of the University
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Completeness of the proposal and capacity of
the student to undertake the study
Creativity and originality
Cost effectiveness
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A proposal is not an essay, it is a road map
indicating the research framework- the scope
of the study, the theories, methods, dataanalysis techniques, limitations of the study
The proposal comprises several clearly
delineated sections
Keep the considerations of timeline and costs
in mind
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Nature and scope of the problem (where the problem
is coming from)
What is currently being done about it (or where is
the problem right now)?
What would you like to do about it?
Be simple, direct, to the point and intelligible
The proposal provides a concise picture of the
substance objectives and design
Avoid need to define terms, polemics and jargon
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The title should be brief, arresting, concise andintelligible.
The title flags the substance of the study
There should be parity between the imagesinvoked by the title and the opening pages ofthe proposal
The title defines and limits the study
Should not exceed two lines in length
Avoid needless words such as Aspects of,Investigation of or Analysis of
The title is the first contact with the reader
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The review of literature is an important component
of research
The review is a critical engagement with other
researchers to identify gaps in the existing body of
knowledge, developing hypothesis and asking
research questions
Planning the research design, selecting methodologyand delimiting the topic
Literature review is not listing of books you have
read
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The tools and techniques of research
investigation is determined by the research
question, objectives and hypothesis
It defines the procedure for data collection
Assessment of quality
Determines the time line and cost of the
research study
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Aims and objectives
Review of literature
Rationale and significance of the study
Research questions Hypotheses (if any)
Methodologysample size, data analysis, etc.
Chapter scheme
Please note: while these items are important,there has to be a logical and coherentconnections between these sections of theproposal.
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Critically revise the proposal for
needless repetition
clarity
Spelling and grammar corrections
suitable subtitling and logical delineation ofparagraphs
Submit a neat proposal
Good Luck
