Research Proposal Guidelines: The Proposal Process

Research Proposal Guidelines The Proposal Process Your proposal is due on week 15. The maximum word limit of the proposal is 4,000 +_ 5% excluding the title (cover) page, references and appendices. Avoid repetition and be concise . The exact format of each student’s proposal is likely to vary in content, style and presentation. The example below provides a possible structural framework for your proposal and should be used as a guide only.

It is important to bear in mind that different approaches may necessitate differences in structure. Overall, ensure that deviations from a ‘traditional’ structure are clearly explained and justified.

Title (Cover page)

This is a mandatory inclusion and should contain the following information: Title of project, Author Name, Proposal Submitted for the Master of Science in Nursing, College of Nursing, Hail University, Month and Year of Submission. The title (cover) page and page numbers should be exactly per APA style. Proposal should be written in future tense, except for the literature review section.

Introduction

Introduce your topic of interest for the reader. Provide information on the context and rationale for the topic you chose to study and why it is important. Describe the broad foundations of your proposal, including some references to existing literature and/or empirically observable situations. The introduction needs to provide sufficient background for readers to understand where your research proposal, process improvement, or policy initiative is coming from.

Background

This section describes the topic being studied within the Saudi Arabian context, providing justification of its importance and relevance based on existing trends, reports, theory, research, and practice. Indicate the scope of your project, clarify the problem or knowledge gap your project responds to.

Review of Literature

Demonstrate wide reading in the immediate area and related theoretical fields, discussing underlying theories and supporting evidence. Include your search strategy—keywords, databases, inclusion/exclusion criteria, and final results. Provide a comprehensive, critical review of relevant literature, identifying strengths, weaknesses, gaps, and trends. Categorize literature into topic clusters, synthesize findings to build logical connections, and avoid overloading with studies irrelevant to your specific research question. Use a nonjudgmental tone, balancing different perspectives and identifying areas needing further investigation. The goal is to contextualize your research problem within existing knowledge and to identify a suitable conceptual framework to guide your study.

Conceptual / Theoretical Framework

This section should detail the framework guiding your research, including the creator’s name, discipline, description, and relevance. If you employ non-nursing theories (e.g., PDSA for process improvement), discuss how a nursing theory aligns with your project. Ensure you fully understand the purpose of using a conceptual or theoretical framework, and justify your choice based on your project’s aims.

Methodology

This section explains your research methods, providing a rationale for your choices and including:

  • Aim and Objectives: Clear statement of your research aims, objectives, hypotheses, or research questions (e.g., PICO format).
  • Philosophical Stance: Brief explanation of your methodological worldview or paradigm.
  • Research Design: Justification of the type of research design and its appropriateness.
  • Sample: Description of the target population, sampling method, size, and characteristics.
  • Instruments: Description of data collection tools, Rigor considerations, including translation to Arabic if necessary.
  • Ethical Issues: Discussion of ethical considerations, approvals needed (e.g., Saudi Ministry of Health).
  • Procedure: Step-by-step description to enable replication.
  • Data Analysis: Statistical tests or qualitative analysis methods with justifications.
  • Work Plan: Timeline and sequence of tasks for project completion.

References

All cited sources must follow APA 6th edition formatting standards.

Appendices

Include relevant supplementary materials such as questionnaires, interview guides, consent forms, etc.

Project Binding Regulations

Use Times New Roman font size 12, 1.5 line spacing, 1” margins. Word limit is 4,000 words; avoid repetition and ensure equal emphasis on all sections. Pay attention to the quality of writing, coherence, and proper referencing throughout the proposal.

Paper For Above instruction

The research proposal is a critical step in the scholarly process, serving as a detailed blueprint for conducting a study that addresses specific nursing issues or questions. Framing an effective proposal requires meticulous planning, clarity of purpose, and adherence to established academic standards. This paper elaborates on the essential components of a comprehensive research proposal based on the guidelines provided by the College of Nursing at Hail University, Saudi Arabia.

Introduction

The introduction of a research proposal contextualizes the study within the broader field of nursing and health sciences. It must articulate the significance of the research problem, providing background and rationale that highlight the gap in existing knowledge. For example, if the study aims to explore nursing interventions for diabetes management in Saudi Arabia, the introduction should reference the prevalence of diabetes, challenges in current care practices, and the necessity of culturally tailored interventions. According to Creswell (2014), establishing a clear rationale is crucial for gaining stakeholder support and ethical approval.

Background and Significance

This section narrows the focus from the global or national context to specific community or institutional issues. It assesses existing reports, trends, and research evidence that support the study's importance. For example, a background discussing the rising incidences of chronic diseases in Saudi Arabia, coupled with limited research on nursing-led interventions, justifies the proposed study. According to Al-Yami and Al-Ghamdi (2017), identifying contextual factors enhances the relevance and applicability of research outcomes.

Review of Literature

An effective literature review synthesizes current evidence, identifies gaps, and grounds the study within established research. Utilizing a systematic search strategy—defining keywords, databases, and inclusion/exclusion criteria—ensures comprehensive coverage. For instance, literature on diabetes management in Middle Eastern populations, the impact of culturally sensitive care, and nursing roles in chronic disease management should be synthesized to inform the study’s conceptual framework. As Greenhalgh (2014) emphasizes, critique and synthesis of literature foster insight into potential theoretical approaches and research questions.

Conceptual and Theoretical Framework

The framework provides a theoretical lens through which the research problem is examined. For a study on patient adherence, Leventhal’s Common-Sense Model (Leventhal et al., 1997) may be suitable. Details should include the originator’s discipline, description of the framework, and justification for its selection. If non-nursing theories like PDSA are used for process improvement, they must be aligned with nursing models to maintain conceptual coherence. Edward and Braun (2018) highlight that a well-articulated framework enhances methodological rigor and interpretability.

Methodology

Methodological rigor characterizes a strong proposal. The aims and objectives must specify the purpose, research questions, and hypotheses, formatted according to PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) for clinical studies. The philosophical stance—such as pragmatism or interpretivism—guides methodological choices.

Research design should be justified, e.g., quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods, based on the research questions. Sample selection details should include inclusion/exclusion criteria, sampling techniques, and sample size calculations. Data collection instruments, their validity, reliability, and translation procedures must be described, along with ethical considerations such as consent and confidentiality. The procedural steps should be explicit to enable replication.

Data analysis plans must specify statistical tests or thematic analysis procedures, with clear justification. A detailed work plan ensures systematic progression, with timelines for each phase of the project.

References

  • Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (4th ed.). Sage.
  • Al-Yami, M., & Al-Ghamdi, S. (2017). Chronic disease management in Saudi Arabia: Challenges and opportunities. Journal of Saudi Health, 5(2), 45-52.
  • Greenhalgh, T. (2014). How to read a paper: The basics of evidence-based medicine. John Wiley & Sons.
  • Leventhal, H., Brissette, I., & Leventhal, E. A. (1997). The common-sense model of self-regulation of health and illness. In L. R. Cohen, J. E. Taylor, & A. M. McLeod (Eds.), The health psychology handbook (pp. 85-96). Guilford Press.
  • Edward, S. R., & Braun, S. (2018). The importance of theoretical frameworks in nursing research. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 50(3), 304-312.
  • Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2017). Nursing research: Generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice (10th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.
  • Schmidt, N. A., & Brown, J. M. (2019). Evidence-based practice for nurses: Appraisal and application of research (4th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
  • Hammersley, M., & Traianou, A. (2012). Ethics and educational research. Routledge.
  • Yin, R. K. (2018). Case study research and applications: Design and methods (6th ed.). Sage.
  • Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2019). Nursing research: Generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice (11th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.

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