Recommended Research Proposal Structure

This article provides a recommended structure for a research proposal, including an executive summary, research objectives, literature review, research approach, and activities and timescales. It discusses the importance of the research topic, the challenges faced by companies due to gender pay gap, and alternative ways organizations can overcome these challenges. The article also covers research methods, participant recruitment, data storage and security, and ethical considerations.

Research Proposal

Recommended Research Proposal Structure
Section One: Executive Summary
It is a short summary of the contents of the research proposal. This enables those who are
not sure whether they wish to read the complete proposal to make an informed decision.
For those who intend to read the whole proposal the executive summary prepares them for
what is to come.
It should contain answers to the following questions:
1. What are your research aims and objectives?
“To investigate the impact of gender pay gap on workers productivity within the
organization”. A study on Everything Everywhere.
2. Why is your research topic important?
This research topic provide vast and detailed information towards the gender pay gap that
impact on workers productivity within the business organization. With the help of this,
investigator analysis the ways to overcome from the issue of gender pay gap.
3. How do you intend to go about answering the research aims and objectives? i.e.
methods and methodology.
By using primary and secondary method will be applied to gather relevant information to
answering the research aim and objectives.
4. What are your expected timeframe, cost, and any other resources required for the
project.
Section Two: Title, objective, responsibilities
The section should give the reader a clear idea about the central issue of concern in your
research It should also include a full statement of your research aim, research objectives,
research questions and research hypothesis (If any).
“To investigate the impact of gender pay gap on workers productivity within the
organization”. A study on Everything Everywhere.
Research project objectives (e.g. what is the question you want to answer? What do you
want to learn how to do? What do you want to find out?)
 To evaluate the influence of gender pay gap on workers performance.
 To analysis the challenges faced by company due to gender pay gap within the
company.
1

 To determine the ways by which organization can overcome from challenges of
gender pay gap.
Research questions:
 What is the influence of gender pay gap on workers performance?
 What are challenges faced by company due to gender pay gap within the company?
 What are the alternative ways by which organization can overcome from challenges
of gender pay gap?
Section Three: Reasons for choosing this research project
Why you think that this is worth studying?
Reasons for choosing the project (e.g. links to other subjects you are studying, personal
interest, future plans, knowledge/skills you want to improve, why the topic is important)
The main reason for selecting this research project is to develop vast understanding about
gender pay gap within the company and also evaluate the ways to overcome from the same.
Along with this, researcher also has interest within this research that help them in
improving their skills and knowledge about gender pay gap and its influence over the
company and its employees as well. Mainly, this topic is important because it provide depth
knowledge and information that support investigator to take right and valid decision at the
end of the research to make it more successful.
Section Four: Literature sources searched
Initial literature review giving the background and conceptualization of your proposed area
of study. This should provide existing knowledge and benchmarks by which your data can
be judged.
Influence of gender pay gap on workers performance
Gender pay gap is one of the major issue faced by business organisation that negatively affect
on the overall performance of employees at workplace. In this regards, gender pay gap is refers
to the average difference between male and female workers who are working at workplace. In
this, women are considered to be paid less then men that affect their overall productivity level.
This is consider as a major issue for business organisation as it arise issues among workers that
reduce employees productivity level. Thus, it is crucial for business organisation to effectively
manage workforce that assist in improving employees performance and relation as well.
Challenges faced by company due to gender pay gap within the company
Today's globalised world, majority of organisation face issue of gender pay gap wherein in
2

female workers paid less as compare to male workers. This is the reason that they fail in
developing positive relation with each other. In context of this, there are some major challenges
of gender pay gap that faced by company like, less employee involvement, reduce motivation,
increase employee turnover, negative working environment and many more. All these are
negatively affect on the employees performance and company image as well.
Alternative ways by which organization can overcome from challenges of gender pay gap
For improving overall performance of company, it is crucial to manage equality at workplace so
that every employees can easily perform their task activities and at the same time also may
enhance their productivity level. In addition of this, company also focus on making employees
more productive by encouraging as well as motivating the to perform their task activities in an
effective manner. Along with this, there are some effective ways by which company can easily
overcome from gender pay gap issues such as equal pay, proper training and development, equal
opportunities, fair decisions, fair treatment as well. All these are directly contributes in
improving workers performance at workplace.
Section Four: Research approach and methodologies
Research Philosophy that you will use in your research project?
In this research project, investigator will applied positivism research philosophy because it
provide accurate and valid information about the research topic and at the same time also
support in attaining positive outcomes.
Research approaches that you will use in your research project?
For undertaking this research, investigator will use deductive research approach that
support investigator in collecting quantitative information.
Research strategies that you will use in your research project??
Under this research, questionnaire is one of the effective strategy that support in gathering
valid and authentic information towards the research topic.
Time horizon of your research?
Data collection methods that you will use in your research project e.g. survey using
questionnaire or interview or both?
For undertaking this research, both primary and secondary method will be applied by
researcher in which research gather depth analysis towards the research topic. Primary
3

method help in preparing questionnaire and secondary method aid in undertaking literature
review that includes various aspects such as books, journals, articles and many more.
Sampling frame ( if applicable) and sample size that you will use in your research
Sampling Techniques that you will use in your research project?
Probabilistic sampling technique will be used in this project in which 40 respondents
selected as per random basis.
Any particular characteristics of your participants?
Any other details of research settings.
Justify your selection.
Section Five: Activities and timescales
Activities to be carried out during the research project (e.g. research,
development and analysis of ideas, writing, data collection, numerical analysis,
tutor meetings, production of final outcome, evaluation, writing the report)
The above could be given in the form of a Gantt chart for your research project.
You may provide same in the form of a simple table.
How long
this will
take:
Milestone one: .........................................................................................
Target date (set by
tutor): ......................................................................................
Milestone two: .........................................................................................
Target date (set by
tutor): .......................................................................................
Reference list.
List any applicable references
Comments and agreement from tutor
Comments (optional):
I confirm that the project is not work which has been or will be submitted for another
qualification and is appropriate.
4

Agreed: Yes No Name: Date:
Research Ethics Approval Form
All students conducting research activity that involves human participants or the use of data
collected from human participants are required to gain ethical approval before commencing
their research. Please answer all relevant questions and note that your form may be returned
if incomplete.
Section 1: Basic Details
Project title:
Student name and ID number:
Intended research start date:
Intended research end date:
Section 2: Project Summary
Please select all research methods that you plan to use as part of your project:
Interviews Questionnaires Observation Us e of Personal Records
Data Analysis Action Research Focus Groups Other (please specify):
Section 3: Participants
Please answer the following questions, giving full details where necessary.
Will your research involve human participants? Yes No
Who are the participants? Tick all that apply: Ages 12-16 Ages 17-18 Adults
How will participants be recruited (identified and approached)?
Probabilistic sampling technique help in recruiting participants.
Describe the processes you will use to inform participants about what you are doing:
Through email participant will be informed
5

How will you obtain consent from participants? Will this be written? How will it be made
clear to participants that they may withdraw consent to participate at any time?
inform consent form will be provided to participant for taking their consent where it will be
clearly mentioned that the when and how they can withdraw
Studies involving questionnaires: Will participants be given the option of omitting
questions they do not wish to answer? Yes No
If No please explain why below and ensure that you cover any ethical issues arising from
this
Studies involving observation: Confirm whether participants will be asked for their
informed consent to be observed. Yes No
Will you debrief participants at the end of their participation (i.e. give them a brief
explanation of the study)? Yes No
Will participants be given information about the findings of your study? (This could be a
brief summary of your findings in general) Yes No
Section 4: Data Storage and Security
Confirm that all personal data will be stored and processed in compliance with the GDPR
2018 Yes No
Who will have access to the data and personal information?
Researcher
During the research:
Where will the data be stored?
In USB and Laptop
Will mobile devices such as USB storage and laptops be used? Yes No
If Yes, please provide further details:
After the research:
Where will the data be stored?
In USB and Laptop
How long will the data and records be kept for and in what format?
Approx 2-3 years
Will data be kept for use by other researchers? Yes No
6

If Yes, please provide further details:
Section 5: Ethical Issues
Are there any particular features of your proposed work which may raise ethical concerns?
If so, please outline how you will deal with these:
(Write your answer here)
It is important that you demonstrate your awareness of potential risks that may arise as a
result of your research. Please consider/address all issues that may apply. Ethical concerns
may include, but are not limited to the following: Informed consent; Potentially vulnerable
participants; Sensitive topics; Risks to participants and/or researchers;
Confidentiality/anonymity; Disclosures/limits to confidentiality; Data storage and
security, both during and after the research (including transfer, sharing, encryption, and
protection); Reporting; Dissemination and use of your findings.
Section 6: Declaration
I have read, understood and will abide by the College’s Research and Ethics Policy: Yes
No
I have discussed the ethical issues relating to my research with my Unit Tutor: Yes No
I confirm that to the best of my knowledge:
The above information is correct and that this is a full description of the ethics issues that
may arise in the course of my research.
Name: Date:
Please submit your completed form in the designated section on Moodle (Turnitin)
Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria
7