KULLIYYAH OF EDUCATION, IIUM GOMBAK

MASTER OF EDUCATION

EDU 6001: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

STRUCTURE OF RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Instructions
For this course, you are required to produce a 10-page quantitative research proposal (double-spaced, justified
alignment, Times New Roman typeface--12pt for body text and 14pt for titles and headings, clear numbering, &
APA format for tables, references and citations).

The proposal may involve the conduct of a survey or an experimental study. Your proposal must follow the
structure given below:

TITLE
Should be between 12 and 14 words in length; must indicate the main variable(s) and the respondents

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

(3 or 4 paragraphs about the variables & their likely connections)

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

(2 paragraphs highlighting the research gaps or the gaps in current understanding about the
variables)

1.3 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

(1 paragraph summarizing what your research intends to do/find out. Tip: write out your RQs
first and then turn them into objectives)

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

(phrase your research objectives as questions; your RQs must align with the ROs)

1.5 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

(explain the theory in use, eg Keller's ARCS for the study of motivation)

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

(what are the outcomes of your research and how will they inform theory and practice? What
benefits do they bring to relevant parties?)

1.7 DELIMITATION(S)
(what is the scope of your research? what boundaries have you set in your research
undertaking?)

1.8 DEFINITIONS OF TERMS

(how are the variables contextualized, defined and measured in your study? Note:
Dictionary or Wiki definitions are not allowed as operational terms)

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 REVIEW OF MAIN VARIABLES

(define every variable, present its definitions from different authors, synthesize the definitions
of each variable into a single coherent definition leading to its operational definition. Do the
same for all other variables)

2.2 THEORIES ABOUT THE VARIABLES

(review the theories that talk about the variables; synthesize and summarize what they say;
state your opinion/stand)

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 2.3 EMPIRICAL RESEARCH
(review at least 10 recent studies on the variables; summarize and synthesize the findings to
show the gaps in current understanding. Use these gaps to justify your research)

CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY (FOR SURVEYS)

3.1 RESEARCH DESIGN

(explain the design of your survey--eg one-shot ex-post facto, longitudinal, causal
correlational etc)

3.2 POPULATION AND SAMPLE (INCLUDING SAMPLE SIZE DETERMINATION)

(para 1: who are the people you're studying about? describe their characteristics and size in
number if you have the information)
(para 2: who will make up your study sample? how many? what are some of their important
characteristics?)
(para 3: how did you decide the sample size? what is your margin of error? and level of
confidence? explain these things)

3.3 SAMPLING TECHNIQUES/PROCEDURES

(how will you obtain the sample? will it be through random sampling? or stratified sampling?
or quota sampling? do you have a sampling frame/population list? describe your plan to
obtain the sample)

3.4 INSTRUMENT
(describe your questionnaire--for surveys--or pretest-posttest--for experiments--clearly in
detail; every section must be clearly explained)

3.5 VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY

(how will you ascertain that the instrument is valid? describe the validity measures you will
undertake; report the reliability index of the variables)

3.6 RESEARCH PROCEDURES

3.6.1 PILOT STUDY
(this part expects you to have conducted or completed a pilot study; therefore
describe your pilot sample and the findings of the exercise)

3.6.2 DATA COLLECTION

(describe all the steps you will take to get the data--from getting the research
approval to the research authorization to contacting the respondents/contact
persons to following up...)

3.6.3 DATA ANALYSIS

(describe the data you will obtain and the statistical techniques you will use to give
meaning to the data)

3.7 SUMMARY OF THE RESEARCH

(write a concise overview of your research)

REFERENCES (must follow APA citation style)

(it is your responsibility to learn the APA citation format)

APPENDIX (QUESTIONNAIRE ATTACHED)

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CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY (FOR EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES)

3.1 RESEARCH DESIGN

(explain the design of your experiment-- e.g. pretest-posttest control group comparison or
repeated measures design--and draw out the schematic diagram)

3.2 POPULATION
(para 1: who are the people you're studying about? describe their characteristics and size in
number if you have the information)

3.3 SUBJECTS
(para 2: who will make up your study sample? how many in total? how many in the control
group and how many in the treatment group? how did you assign them to groups?)

3.4 MATERIALS
(what materials will you use to deliver the intervention/treatment? eg stories, lesson plans,
videos etc)

3.5 INSTRUMENT
(describe the test, scale or inventory you will use to measure the outcomes of the
treatment/intervention) every section/part of the test/scale/inventory must be clearly
explained)

3.6 VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY

(how will you ascertain that the instrument is valid? describe the validity measures you will
undertake; report the reliability index of the variables)

3.7 RESEARCH PROCEDURES

3.7.1 PILOT STUDY
(this part expects you to have conducted or completed a pilot study; therefore
describe your pilot sample and the findings of the exercise)

3.7.2 DATA COLLECTION

(describe all the steps you will take to get the data--from getting the research
approval to the research authorization to contacting the respondents or contact
persons to following up...)

3.7.3 DATA ANALYSIS

(describe the data you will obtain and the statistical techniques you will use to give
meaning to the data)

3.8 SUMMARY OF THE RESEARCH

(write a concise overview of your research)

REFERENCES (must follow APA citation style)

(it is your responsibility to learn the APA citation format)

APPENDIX (TEST/SCALE/INVENTORY ATTACHED)

prepared by
Tunku Badariah Tunku Ahmad
Nov 20 2018