STRUCTURE OF RESEARCH PROPOSAL

A) Title to include:

i. Title
A concise statement of the main topic and should identify the variables.
It should be a reflection of the contents of the document.
It should be fully explanatory when standing alone.
It should not contain redundancies such as “a study of…..” or “an
investigation of…..”
Abbreviations should not be in the title.
Scientific names should be in italics
It should contain 12 to 15 words.

ii. Author’s Name and Affiliation

Avoid the use of words like “By…..”, “From….”
Preferred order of names – start with first-name, followed by the middle-
name and end with the last-name.
Full-names should be used and initials should be avoided.
Titles like Mr., Mrs., Miss., Dr. etc. should not appear as part of the name.

Affiliation should be well illustrated. i.e. “A Thesis/Research

Project/Research Proposal submitted to the Department of Information
Technology in the School of in the Information Technology and
Engineering in partial fulfillment for the degree of Bachelor of
Information Technology of Meru University of Science and Technology.”

The year should follow at the bottom of the caption.

Note:
For Proposals (spiral bound) the cover should include the Title,
author and affiliation (all on one page) and centered.

M.U.S.T IS ISO 9001:2008 CERTIFIED

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 B) Declaration
It should include both the candidate’s and the supervisor’s declaration and
duly signed.

This proposal/thesis is my original work and has not been presented for a
degree in any other University.
…………… ……………….
Signature Date

This proposal/thesis has been submitted for examination with my approval

as University Supervisor.
…………… ……………….
Signature Date

Note: Paginate using roman numbers starting with the declaration page.

C) Abstract
This is a brief statement of the problem, objectives of the study, target
population, sampling technique and sample size, instruments, data
collection, data processing and analysis, key findings and major
recommendations.

It should not exceed 1000 words.

D) Table of contents
The rubric should be in title case and single spaced.
The chapter title should be in caps and bold.
Subheadings should follow each chapter title and should be in title case.
Subheadings of rows should be – Chapter & Pages indicated once at the
top of each column e.g.,

CHAPTER 1 PAGE
1.1 Introduction ………………………………….…….1
1.2 Statement of the Problem …………………………..2

Reference
Appendices

E) List of Tables
F) List of figures
G) Acronyms
H) Definition of Terms
Define terms in the text that are not common.

M.U.S.T IS ISO 9001:2008 CERTIFIED

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 CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION
It should include the following:
1.1 Background- It should show the understanding and genesis of the problem
- Talk about the global perspective followed by the local scenario.
- Talk about the target group in the study.
- It should be approximately 5 pages (4 - 5 pages)
1.2 Statement of the problem
- It must indicate exactly what the problem is.
- Indicate why and how it is a problem. Give information to support this. E.g. by use of
statistics or evidence. This should be derived from background information to illustrate
connectivity.
- Maximum length should be 1 page.
1.3 Objectives
- One general objective should be in line with the title.
- Specific objectives- have to be in line with the variables of the candidate’s hypothesis to
influence the phenomenon being investigated.
- It should be related to the general objective.
- It should not be questions in the questionnaire.
1.4 Research Questions / Hypothesis
- They should be in line with the specific objectives and equal in number.
- They have to be numbered (1,2,3….) and should be questions and not statements.
1.5 Justification
- It should illustrate why the researcher is conducting the research and whom it shall
benefit.
1.6 Scope
- This is a kind of disclaimer. It should cite the focus of the study either a geographical
area or a target group/population.
1.7 Limitation
- This is not a must for a proposal.
- It has to be there in the final thesis/project report
- Indicate the challenges encountered in the study that may have limited the study.
Note:
- Paragraphing should be consistent. Either leave space or indent between paragraphs.
- Spacing and indenting should not be used together.
- One sentence paragraphs are unacceptable.
- A paragraph should have a minimum of five sentences.

The Table of Contents should be followed by:

- A List of figures/Tables – it should be labeled as per the chapters in which they are
found e.g. the first figure in chapter one should be labeled 1.1

M.U.S.T IS ISO 9001:2008 CERTIFIED

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 CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW
This should include:
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Theoretical review/Conceptual Framework
- Review the empirical and theoretical literature relevant to the problem being
investigated.
- Indicate what has been done by other researchers including the methodologies used
to identify gaps.
- Hypothesized variables should be subheadings of the literature review to form a
framework that would help in analysis.
- The conceptual framework should demonstrate an understanding of what variable
influences what.
- Cite 3-5 references per key section in the text.
- Use either APA or Harvard method of citation. Consistency is important in citation.
- Each key variable should be 2-3 pages long.
2.3 Critique of existing literature relevant to the study.
2.4 Summary
2.5 Research Gaps

CHAPTER THREE

METHODOLOGY
It should indicate;
3.1 Research design: – Indicate the type of research, justify the choice of type of
research by citing authority.
3.2 Population: clearly identify the population and the target population. Justify the
target population.
3.3 Sampling frame: justify the choice.
3.4 Sample and Sampling technique - illustrate the understanding of the technique.
3.5 Instruments
3.6 Data collection procedure.
3.7 Pilot test depends on the instrument being used.
3.8 Data processing and analysis.

REFERENCES
APPENDICES : Instruments(e.g. Questionnaire, Budget, Work Plan)

M.U.S.T IS ISO 9001:2008 CERTIFIED

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 DOCUMENT FORMAT

Specifications:
- Proposal length shall not exceed 20 pages double spaced. Under special circumstances a
candidate may be allowed to exceed the limit
- Referencing system should be Harvard or APA but consistently used
- Font Type – Times New Roman should be used. Fancy fonts and should be avoided.
- Font size – 12 pts should be used.
- Font colour – black should be used
- There should be a margin of 25mm on the left hand side and a margin of 20mm on the
right hand side of the paper.
- A 25mm margin should be on the top and bottom sides of the paper.
- Paper size – A4
- Paper weight 80 grams

M.U.S.T IS ISO 9001:2008 CERTIFIED

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