INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY ISLAMABAD

FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL FORMAT (MS/Ph.D)

This document has been set up to assist students in preparing the text for their
research proposal.

The Research Proposal is a complete description of the intended research,

developed under the supervision of the assigned supervisor. The full research
proposal should be between 10 to 15 pages and present the following:

Title page
Table of contents
Abstract
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background of the Study
1.2 Problem statement
1.3 Significance of the study
1.4 Objectives of the study
1.5 Research Questions/Hypotheses
16 Delimitation(s) of the Study

2.0 Literature Review

2.1 Review of related literature
2.2 Theoretical/Conceptual framework

3.0 Research Methodology

3.1 Research Design
3.2 Population
3.3 Sampling
3.4 Operational Definitions
3.5 Instrument(s)
3.6 Procedure (Data Collection)
3.7 Data Analysis
3.8 Ethical Consideration
3.9 Work Plan

4.0 References
MS/Ph.D Research Proposal1
TITLE OF RESEARCH PROPOSAL2

Researcher3 Supervisor6

STUDENT NAME4 NAME (without designation) 7

Registration Number 5
Co-Supervisor Name8
NAME (without designation) 9

DEPARTMENT OF MEDIA & COMMUNICATION STUDIES10

FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCE
INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY ISLAMABAD PAKISTAN
(October 2021)11

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Bold, size 12. Write month and year of proposal’s submission in parentheses e.g. (June 2021)
Table of Contents

 list all headings and subheadings with page numbers and indent subheadings

TABLE OF CONTENT Page

Abstract..………………………………………………………. i

1. INTRODUCTION ………………………………………………. 1
1.1 Background of the Study.………………………………..
1.2 Problem Statement ……………………………………….
1.3 Significance of the Study ……….………………………..
1.4 Objectives of the Study ………….……………………….
1.5 Research Questions/Hypotheses…………………….
1.6 Delimitation(s) of the Study………..…………………….

2. LITERATURE REVIEW ………………………………………..

2.1 Review of related literature ……………….……………..
2.2 Theoretical/Conceptual Framework
…………………………………..

3. METHODOLOGY ………………………………………………
3.1 Research Design………………………………………….
3.2 Population……………………..…………………………
3.3 Sampling …………………………………………………
3.4 Operational Definition(s)……….………………………...
3.5 Instrument(s)………….…………………………………..
3.6 Procedure(data collection)….…………………………….
3.7 DataAnalysis ……………….…………………………….
3.8 Ethical Consideration ...…….…………………………….
3.9 WorkPlan ………………………………………………...

4. REFERENCES …………………………………………………..
ABSTRACT

The abstract is a brief summary of your research proposal. Its length

should not exceed 200 words, present a brief introduction to the issue,
make the key statement of your thesis, give a summary of how you
want to address the issue, and include a possible implication of your
work, if successfully completed.
1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

This section sets the context for your proposed project and must capture the
reader's interest, explain the background of your study starting from a broad picture
narrowing in on your research question, review what is known about your research topic
as far as it is relevant to your thesis, cite relevant references, the introduction should be at
a level that makes it easy to understand for readers with a general science background, for
example your classmates.

1.2 Problem Statement

Problem statement of your research proposal establishes the ground for the
approval of your research proposal. It introduces the research gaps and issues in detail
and depth state your thesis in a couple of sentences. This statement should capture the
essence of your intended project and also help to put boundaries around it.

1.3 Significance of the Study

Focus on the benefits of your study, not the research problem. Place yourself in
the position of responding to someone who says “so what?” Provide a persuasive
rationale for your argument by answering the following questions: Why is your study
important? To whom is it important? What can happen to society, or theory, or a program
if the study is done or not done?

1.3 Objectives of the study

Objectives should start with the verb words e.g. to identify, determine, find out,
explain,explore etc. Objectives must be in number, for example,
1. Objective No.1
2. Objective No.2 and so on
1.4 Research Questions/Hypotheses

State clearly and succinctly what you expect the results of your study to show.
Focus more on the substantive nature of what you expect to find and less on how you will
test for those expectations. Hypotheses should be in an affirmative statement,
propositions, and not in question form. If there is no hypothesis, then clearly state your
intended research questions. Research Questions or Hypotheses must be in number, for
example,

RQ.1/H1 ……….
RQ.2/H2 ……….

1.4 Delimitation(s) of the Study

This section must clearly and concisely explain the boundaries of the study.
Delimitation(s) must be in number, for example,
1. write your delimitation number 1
2. LITERATURE REVIEW

A literature review is an account of what has been published on a topic by

accredited scholars and researchers in peer reviewed journal papers, books and may be
from well-reputed conferences organized by renowned societies in the respective
discipline of study. The purpose of the literature review is to identify what past research
has been carried out and how it links to your research problem. For this purpose, search
the relevant cutting-edge research papers through a proper database. The literature review
also introduces the theoretical or experimental framework for the study. This section
should include the following:

2.1 Review of Related Literature

Locate and briefly describe those studies and theories that support and oppose
your approach to the problem. In other words, place the proposed study in context
through a critical analysis of selected research reports. Be sure to include alternative
methodological approaches that have been used by others who studied your problem.

2.2 Theoretical/ Conceptual Framework

The theoretical/ conceptual/ framework is the viewpoint or angle from which you
are approaching your topic. Here, you state your essential and necessary ideas on the
subject. State various hypothetical approaches on your subject matter, and suggest (a)
which one do you propose to use in your research and why? (b) Where, tentatively do
you stand on the topic? If there are different theories on your topic or in your field, which
ones will you use in your theoretical framework for your thesis? Which trends do you
wish to pursue from the literature review? Do you have any fresh and bright propositions
of a descriptive, interpretative, or pragmatic kind? Which pieces of research seem to have
been most successful, the most promising and which less so? What are the major lines of
criticism that can be leveled at previous work? What major omissions, gaps or neglected
emphases can be identified?
3. METHODOLOGY

The research methodology covers the methodology for collecting and analyzing
information, and the experimental part of the research. The methodology section should
identify what data is intended to be collected, how it is to be gathered and how it is to be
analyzed. The proposed method(s) to be used for the study should be explained and
justified. That is, you need to explain how and why the method is appropriate for the
study, and how it is feasible. Any sampling techniques and justification of sample size
should be described and justified where appropriate. This section should include the
following:

3.1 Research Design

This section contains an overall description of your approach, materials, and

procedures as to what methods will be used.

3.2 Population

Describe the population of your study.

3.3 Sampling

Explain the sampling method you would apply for data collection.

3.4 Operational Definition(s)

What are the key variables and how you operationalize them?

3.5 Instrument(s)

Give details of the instrument you plan to use for data collection.

3.6 Procedure (data collection)

Explain the procedure, how you would collect data and from what sources.

3.7 Data Analysis

Explain the ways you analyze the data – analysis techniques.

3.8 Ethical Consideration

The researcher must explain how he/she will address the ethical issues.

3.9 Work Plan

Describe in detail what you plan to do until completion of your thesis. List the
stages of your thesis in a table format, indicate deadlines you have set for completing
each stage of the thesis, and discuss any particular challenges that need to be overcome .
4.0 REFERENCES

References should be according to departmental reference guide.

GENERAL GUIDELINES ON FORMAT, APPEARANCE
AND DOCUMENT ORGANIZATION

1. Format & Appearance

1.1 Paper Size: Final copy of the proposal must be printed on A4 size paper

1.2 Paper Type: Paper should be white, easy to read and reproduce.

1.3 Page spacing: Should be printed on one side of paper (not back to back)

1.4 Font:
 Times New Roman typeface should be used.
 Main headings and Sub headings (Capitalize each word except prepositions)
for Example: Objectives of the Study
 Main Heading Font Size: 14, Bold and Sub heading: Font size:12, Bold
 Block quotations and footnotes (if any) should be set in 10-font size with 0.5
indenting.
1.5 Paragraphs / Line Spacing:
 The first line of all paragraphs should be indented one tab key from the left-
hand margin.
 The main body text should be justified.
 In the main body, use 1.5 line spacing.
 Add (6 point) space before and after paragraph.
1.6 Page Numbers
 Page numbers should be placed on the centre at the bottom of the page.
 Each page in the proposal, from the body onward, should be numbered in
consecutive order. This includes the text, references, and appendices.
 Preliminary pages carry lowercase Roman numerals.

1.7 Page Setup

1.8 Page Numbers
 Page number not required on title page.
 Preliminary pages (e.g. Table of Contents, List of Tables, List of Figures etc.)
should be numbered in lower case Roman numerals (i, ii, iii, etc.). The first
numbered page (i) must be the Table of Contents.
 Page numbers should be placed on the centre at the bottom of the page.
 Each page in the proposal, from the body onward, should be numbered in
consecutive order. This includes the text, references, and appendices.
1.9 References
 The word ‘References’ should be centered, bold, uppercase, 14- font size.
 There should be one line space between the heading and the first reference,
and between subsequent references.