Research Proposal A research proposal is a paper that
proposes an experiment to examine some aspect of social work practice by using
scientific methods to gather empirical evidence to answer research questions. A
research proposal is not a research report. The final assignment asks you to
propose a primary research experiment in your area of interest.
The sections to be included, as well as their descriptions,
are as follows:
❖ Cover page
❖ Abstract
❖ Introduction
❖ Literature review
❖ Research methods
❖ Limitations of study
❖ References
❖ Appendices
1. The cover page includes the APA 7th edition requirements
for the student cover page.
2. The abstract consists of a brief statement about the type
of research study, problem to be studied, specific aims/objectives of the
study, research methodology, and anticipated implications. 3. The introduction
consists of the following:
❖ The problem statement presents
the dependent and independent variables and includes the background of the
problem. This discussion should include historical factors contributing to the
problem; the local and national scope of the problem; and relevant statistics.
The problem statement also identifies the study variables (the).
❖ Specific aims/objectives of
the proposed research – this section presents the study purpose, which is
directly aligned with the goals of the research design.
❖ Research question – what is
the question that the proposed research seeks to answer?
❖ Hypotheses will include both
the null and alternative hypotheses.
❖ The significance of the study
to social work practice will address the ways that the proposed study can
positively impact social work practice. 4. While the literature review will not
be re-graded, that document will be included in this final proposal. 5.
Research methodology covers the following:
❖ Research design – this section
will discuss the nuances of the study design and its application to the
research question.
❖
Both the independent and dependent variables will be presented again, along
with their operational definitions and their levels of measurement. SWRS 205
Research Methods & Data Analysis Page 13
❖ Data collection methods will
include administrative procedures, measurements, their titles, psychometric
characteristics, scales, range of scores, and examples of items. This section
should include a detailed explanation of the appropriateness of the data
collection methods selected.
❖ The sampling plan will include
the sample, sampling size and its appropriateness, and sampling method. This
section should include a detailed explanation of the appropriateness of the
sampling methods selected.
❖ Data analysis methods will
include descriptive statistics, hypothesis testing, and inferential statistics.
This section should include a detailed explanation of the appropriateness of
the data analysis methods selected.
6. Limitations of study include the areas of the methodology
that can be improved in a future study of the same nature.
7. APA style reference list should include all references
used in the paper. 8. Appendices include an informed consent form, research
instruments, and a detailed timetable/schedule, including a Gantt chart or
calendar of events. The research proposal assignment must be written in APA
style and shall be between 7 and 9 double-spaced pages (excluding items 7-8)
with one-inch margins and using a 12-point Times New Roman font. This paper
must include headings and sub-headings.
