GZU Guidelines For Writing A Research Proposal

GREAT ZIMBABWE UNIVERSITY
GUIDELINES ON WRITING A RESEARCH PROPOSAL
FOR MPHIL AND DPHIL CANDIDATES
ELEMENTS OF A RESEARCH PROPOSAL
1. Title
The title should be clearly stated, and accurately reflect the scope and content of the study.
Its length should not exceed 15 words. Words such as, ‘An investigation into’ ‘A study of’
should be avoided.
2. Background to the study

The purpose of this section is to raise the reader’s understanding of the area under
investigation. This is done by providing evidence and conditions existing around the area of
study, highlighting silences as well as contradictions (gaps) that there are. The study should
be situated theoretically, socially, historically etc.
3. Statement of the problem

This section clarifies the need for carrying out the research, by indicating what will change
when this research is done or what would happen if the research is not done. It points out
what has been observed and needs a solution in the practical or theoretical world. Thus, it
should clearly state the nature of the problem and its known or estimated magnitude or
extent. The problem should be linked to the national development priorities.
3.1 Research questions and/ or objectives

These should be linked to the statement of the problem. In some cases, the main
research question is given, which will then be supported by sub questions.
4. Significance
This section should indicate the contribution of the study in terms of three main aspects
namely; theory, practice, and methodology.
5. Limitations
This section deals with potential sources of bias in the proposed study due to methods that
will be used, location or situation of the study, as well as its conceptualisation. Although
limitations should not be seen as preventing the study from being conducted, it is important
to indicate how they will be addressed.
6. Delimitations
These provide for the boundary of the research in terms of geographical, conceptual and
temporal coverage.
7. Literature review: An overview

This section should be guided by the research questions or objectives. The review should
illuminate the area of study by revealing contributions, weaknesses and gaps. Some of the
strategies that could be adopted in the process could be top-down, i.e. starting from abroad
and bringing the ideas back home; or bottom-up, i.e. starting from the local and extending
abroad. Another important aspect of the literature review is the Theoretical or Conceptual
Framework. The theoretical framework is an examination of existing theories in relation to
the study, while the conceptual framework is a scheme of concepts which a researcher will
operationalise in the study in order to answer research questions, and is normally presented
diagrammatically. In most cases, the theoretical framework or conceptual framework is
presented first in the literature review.
8. Methodology
8.1 Research paradigm – a must for doctoral candidates. This is a philosophical basic
thought (world view) on which the research is situated. The selection of a particular
paradigm should be justified.
8.2 Research design – this should be in sync with the chosen paradigm. There is need to
cite literature in order to support and justify preference of particular designs over others.
8.3 Population – This deals with of sources of information. Population characteristics

should be described.
8.4 Sampling- Proposed procedures, sample characteristics and sample size, should be
described.
8.5 Instrumentation- Proposed instruments should be described. The description should

cover their appropriateness, structure and development. The description should be
supported by literature.
8.6 Data collection procedures- This is a step by step walk through data collection. It is
necessary to highlight major incidences along the way supported by literature where
need be.
8.7 Reliability, validity, and trustworthiness issues- Steps that will be taken to ensure
the reliability, validity and trustworthiness of research instruments should be described.
8.8 Ethical considerations

This section provides information describing how the proposed study will adhere to
ethical issues. Specific reference should be made to the GZU policy on research ethics,
as well as other relevant legislation.
8.9 Data analysis- This section describes how the data that will be organised to make them
meaningful. It also gives an indication of how data will be presented, especially where
both quantitative and qualitative data will be collected.
9. References
A proposal is an academic piece of work, which should be supported by literature. All
works cited in the proposal should be written according to the approved format.
10. Length of Proposals

Each faculty would come up with its own specifications for the length of research proposal.
11. Chapter Outline

A proposal should end up with a Gantt chart indicating the outline of chapters and time
lines for completion of the study.

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GREAT ZIMBABWE UNIVERSITY

GUIDELINES ON WRITING A RESEARCH PROPOSAL

FOR MPHIL AND DPHIL CANDIDATES

ELEMENTS OF A RESEARCH PROPOSAL

2. Background to the study

3. Statement of the problem

3.1 Research questions and/ or objectives

7. Literature review: An overview

8.3 Population – This deals with of sources of information. Population characteristics

8.5 Instrumentation- Proposed instruments should be described. The description should

8.8 Ethical considerations

10. Length of Proposals

11. Chapter Outline

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