STEPS TOWARDS YOUR PROPOSAL: • You should review the relevant academic literature and answer the following questions: o What is the author’s main purpose? o What is the points s/he makes (related to your topic)? o How the points are supported (what kind of evidence is used)? o Whether the evidence seems strong and persuasive? o The conclusions that are reached (related to your topic) • You should use the notes on relevant literature and develop a detailed outline of all aspects of the final research proposal. • Write your Final Proposal o Title: You should include a relevant and interesting title to your research topic. o Introduction: Write an introduction that engages the reader and includes important background information including the Significant of the study. o Literature Review: Use the relevant literature to tie together the different ideas that shape your research question o Aims and objectives: The research purpose (or aim) gives a broad indication of what the researcher wishes to achieve in the research. The objectives should be related to achieving the main aim. o Research Methodology and Data collection: Identify which research method you will use and explain why you chose that method (linking back to your research question and literature review) including ethical considerations. o Timeline: time frame (Gantt chart) a plan that shows the stages of the research. o Bibliography: cite all sources in an appropriate style; Harvard style is preferred to be used. NOTE: Plagiarism is a serious research offense that may lead to your disqualification. Do not copy other people’s work and whenever you use someone else’s work, ensure that you acknowledge it through proper citation and referencing. The commonest types of plagiarism may involve the following: • Copying a paragraph word for word from a book, journal, webpage, lecture notes or other printed or electronic source without acknowledgement. • Copy the work of another student (past or present). • Copying a paragraph, but making small changes, such as replacing a few verbs or adjectives with words which mean the same thing. • Cutting and pasting a paragraph by using a few sentences of the original but leaving one or two out, or by putting one or two sentences in a different order. • Putting a paragraph together by cutting and pasting a few choice phrases from a number of different sources and adding in some words of your own.