GUIDELINES ON HOW TO WRITE A RESEARCH PROJECT PROPOSAL FOR BSSE
AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE
A. WHAT IS A RESEARCH PROPOSAL?
❑ A research proposal is a structured, formal document that outlines a planned research
project.
❑ It provides details on the following:-
1) what you intend to study (research topic),
2) why the study is important (justification), &
3) how you plan to conduct the research (methodology).
B. WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF A RESEARCH PROPOSAL?
1) It clarifies the research focus - helps in defining the research problem, formulating
research questions, & setting clear objectives, ensuring a well-structured approach to
the study.
2) It demonstrates originality & relevance - showcases the uniqueness of the research
and its significance in contributing to existing knowledge or addressing practical issues.
3) It outlines methodology - provides a detailed plan of the research design, including
data collection and analysis methods, ensuring the study's feasibility and demands.
4) It assists in planning - outlining timelines and resources needed, the proposal serves
as a roadmap, enabling efficient project management
5) It secures funding & approvals - essential for obtaining research funding and
institutional approvals, as it convinces stakeholders of the project's value and feasibility
6) It enhances your communication skills - develops the researcher's ability to articulate
ideas clearly & persuasively, a skill valuable in academic & professional settings.
C. IMPORTANT POINTS TO NOTE
• PLEASE note that when you write this research proposal you have to use the
future tense. This is because the proposal is done before the actual experiment
takes place.
• When you write this scientific report do not personalise things: i.e. don’t say “I did
this or that ...”
D. COMPONENTS OF THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL
The BSSE Agricultural Science research proposal is made up of the following
components:-
• title page
• introduction
• literature review
• methodology
• results
Page 1 of 3
(a) TITLE PAGE
The title page should show the following:
• title of the proposal
• name of student
• name of Centre
• date of submission
(b) INTRODUCTION
This provides a background information on the following:-
• topic of the research – should include crop, treatment, parameters, challenges, etc.)
• research questions or hypothesis - use simple language; avoid double-barrelled
research questions; specify the treatment (e.g. urea fertilizer)
specify the parameter measured (e.g. stem height); and specify the crop.
• outlines the purpose of the study – what is the study going to investigate or clearly
define what you are studying? Mention where and under what conditions the study is
conducted? Explain why this study is important?
• Details of the problem observed: nature of problem? where? Faced by who? Potential
implications if the problem remains unsolved?
(c) LITERATURE REVIEW (LR)
• choose at least 2 sources / reference materials and then -
• summarise the existing/previous research findings on the topic,
• identify gaps in the literature (what information is missing in the LR?
• explain how the proposed study will contribute to the agricultural field
• given the agricultural conditions in Botswana, focus on studies relevant to semi-
arid climates, sandy soils, & rain-fed maize cultivation.
• this regional focus will enhance the applicability of your literature review findings to
local farming practices.
(d) METHODOLOGY
This should give a description of the following:
• research design – include a simple randomization procedure of allocating treatments
to plots, test treatment name, control name, fertilizers to add, name of crop, variety
to be grown, size of plots, method of planting (direct/indirect or row
planting/broadcasting) and place in the school.
• sampling methods – describe how plants were selected for taking measurements on
them. This should involve use of probabilistic sampling methods if the population of
plants is overwhelming you or using a census when dealing with a smaller population
of plants.
• data collection procedures - include the details of parameters to be measured (e.g.
height, number of leaves/fruits/cobs, stem diameter, mass) on the plants during
measurement, including instruments to be used.
• data analysis techniques to be used – provide how the data collected will be
processed (data analysis) using simple statistical methods to calculate statistical
parameters such as e.g. averages, percentages, yields, etc.). mention the statistical
parameter to be calculated and the form of presentation to be used.
Page 2 of 3
(e) RESULTS
This part briefly mentions the following:
• the anticipated results to be generated by your study – provide an idea of the
expected research outcomes as guided by your hypothesis. What are the expected
trends of outcomes after applying the fertilizers on the crop?
• potential implications of the research – if the anticipated results come out positive
(like you expected) what recommendations/advices are you likely to give to the
farmers
Page 3 of 3
