GUIDELINES TO WRITING A RESEARCH PROPOSAL FOR PROPOSAL
DEFENSE (PD)
Please write a research proposal with the following structure:
Table of Content
The table of content consists of the outline of your thesis. The proposal consists of the first
three (3) chapters of your thesis: a) introduction, b) literature review, and c) methodology.
Proposal
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 1 consists of the following standard structure:
Background of the Study
Problem Statement
Research Questions
Research Objectives
Significance of the Study
Scope of the Study
Definition of Key Terms
Organization of the Study
Chapter 2: Literature Review
Chapter 2 consists of a critical review of the literature and theories related to the topic of the
thesis. It is meant to act as a base for the experimental of analytical section of the thesis.
Literature selected must be related to the research as a base to guide the development of
research framework. Although there is no standard structure, this chapter usually covers two
essential elements:
A Review of Theoretical Literature
A Review of Empirical Literature
While the theoretical review is expected to provide the foundation for empirical studies, the
empirical review is expected to consist of a critical discussion of previous studies (not a mere
reporting of them). At the end of the empirical review, a gap in the literature needs to be
highlighted.
Chapter 3: Methodology
Although there is no standard structure, this chapter usually covers the following
sections:
Research Framework
Model Specification/Hypothesis or Proposition development
Research Design
Definition and Measurements of Variables/Operational Definition/Measurements and
Instrumentation of Variables
Sampling (if applicable)
Data Collection Procedure
Methods/Techniques

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