Recommended Research Proposal Structure

This article provides a recommended structure for a research proposal, including sections on executive summary, research topic, objectives, literature sources, research approach, and activities. It also discusses the importance of the research topic and provides examples of literature sources. The article emphasizes the need for ethical considerations in research and includes a research ethics approval form.

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.
Research topic:
Study on the experience provided by discrimination against physical and mental disabilities in
the work place
It should contain answers to the following questions:
1. What are your research aims and objectives?
- aim: highlight the impact of discrimination based on physical and mental disabilities in the
working environment and to analyze overall behaviour described by this
- objective:
1. To assess what the impact of said discrimination is
2. To understand what employer’s and employee’s expectations are
3. To assess overall behaviour related to physical and mental disabilities discrimination
4. To develop new methods in order to improve workplace discrimination related to the
before mentioned disabilities.
2. Why is your research topic important?
Sometimes, individuals with physical and mental disabilities are either put aside by employers
from the get-go or treated differently throughout the time of employment. It is also a topic of
personal interest, especially during these strange times, to be taken seriously while having mental
difficulties.
3. How do you intend to go about answering the research aims and objectives? i.e. methods
and methodology.
- qualitative
 Sample size- questionnaire on 40 work colleagues
 Sampling method - For accuracy of content, I have chosen the simple random sampling.
All work colleagues have the same possibility to be participants after being randomly
selected (avoid being biased)
All participants were informed regarding their consent, questions, the purpose of the research, the
confidentiality policy for their identities and options. I also assumed my moral responsibility and

my duties for participants. On the other side, the participants were asked to prove consciousness
and reflect their honest opinions.
In addition, I will research using mainly internet resources, as libraries are not open to public

4. What are your expected timeframe, cost, and any other resources required for the
project.
Research Project Plan and Activities
Project Timelines
June 2020 Planned Activity Details of Planned Activity
09.06.2020-13.06.2020 Choosing the topic
I have chosen the topic regarding
discrimination against physical
and mental disabilities as I find
the research worthy and my
tutor agree with.
From 13.06.2020 onwards Literature review
I started searching for reliable
and suitable information for my
topic from books, articles,
databases, journal research –
mainly internet based
I predict from 20.06.2020 for the
questionnaire to be handed and
responses collected 5 days
Research methodology
Questionnaire handed and
responses collected
26.06.2020 for 1 day Primary data analysis
raw materials from
questionnaires are collected and
I will start to imterpret them
27.06.2020 for 2 days Research findings
The relevant findings will be
gathered, selected and
processed.
30.06.2020 Summary
I will assess the research and I
will suggest recommendations
for future.

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).
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?)
Research Aim
The main aim of current research project is, “To highlight the impact of
discrimination based on physical and mental disabilities in the working environment and
to analyse overall behaviour described by this kind of discrimination.” An investigation
conducted on Microsoft Corporation.
Research questions
The main research questions or research problem evaluated through current investigation
on Microsoft corporation are stated below:
 What impact is lead out by discrimination based on physical and mental disabilities in
the working environment?
 What employer’s and employee’s expectations are with regard to the discrimination
prevailing in the working environment?
 How overall behaviour at workplace is related to physical and mental disabilities
discrimination?
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?)
Objectives of Research
The main objectives behind leading this investigation on Microsoft Corporation are listed as
follows:
 To assess what the impact of discrimination based on physical and mental disabilities in
the working environment.
 To understand about the employer’s and employee’s expectations on discrimination
prevailing in the working environment.

 To assess overall behaviour related to physical and mental disabilities discrimination
 To develop new methods in order to deal with the workplace discrimination related to
the before mentioned disabilities in order to create better working environment.
Section Three: Reasons for choosing this research project
The main reason for selection of current topic based on the study of experience provided by
discrimination against physical and mental disabilities in the work place is as it lead better
information regarding the treatment of physically disabled employees at workplace and thee way
are discriminated from others. Further, the selection of current research topic also met the
personal interest and academic perceptive of researcher which ensures betterment in skills and
personal competencies. The selection of current research topic is rationale as it has been seen that
the individuals who are having any kind of physical or mental disability are mainly put aside that
is not ethically correct and encourages sense of discrimination. Therefore, current research
project is vital to analyses and highlight the impact of discrimination based on physical and
mental disabilities in the working environment and to analyses overall behaviour described by
this kind of discrimination. Beside this, the selection of current research topic also meets the
personal interest of the richer along with meeting the academic purpose. Along with this
improvement in the managerial kills and other competencies together with enhanced knowledge
is also facilitated with current study.
Section Four: Literature sources searched
To assess what the impact of discrimination based on physical and mental disabilities in the
working environment.
As per the view point of Abes, E.S. and Wallace, M.M., 2018, an analysis can be made out that
mental and physical disability mainly comprises of situation which leads negative impact on the
physical ability, working stamina and decision making ability of an individual or employees. Thus, an
evaluation can be made out that it leads to negative impact on overall working and performance of a
business orgnisation which carets and facilitates a high level of workplace discrimination based on
physical and mental disability.
To understand about the employer’s and employee’s expectations on discrimination
prevailing in the working environment.
With respect to information provided by the Couto E Cruz, C., Salom, C., Maravilla, J. and Alati, R.,

2018, it has been analysed that both employer’s and employee’s expectations on discrimination
prevailing in the working environment is different as employer seemed to have the norms of
employment equality as this is helpful to reduce the discrimination level. Further, the
expectation of employees on discrimination prevailing in the working environment comprises of
brining and leading out a more fair and discrimination free workplace by the way of considering
and respecting the value of all employees in an equal and fair way.
To assess overall behaviour related to physical and mental disabilities discrimination
According to the view point of Deckoff-Jones, A. and Duell, M.N., 2018, it has been evaluated that
overall a pessimist behaviour is seen in relation to physical and mental disabilities discrimination
as a disabled person lack a high level of work efficiency and finds it difficult to perform routine
job and responsibility in a viable manner. So, this comes and leads to an outcomes and result in
form of reducing the organisational productivity wholly along with also drives a firm towards
declining the performance level as compared with others within a competitive marketplace.
To develop new methods in order to deal with the workplace discrimination related to the
before mentioned disabilities in order to create better working environment
As per the opinion of Temple, J.B., Kelaher, M. and Williams, R., 2019, it is vital to come up with
some new and better ways to effectively deal with the workplace discrimination related to the
before mentioned disabilities in order to create better working environment to ensures an enhanced
level of performance and fairness at workplace for all employees. Some of these new method and
strategy to deal with workplace discrimination based on mental or physical disability consists of
providing training and effective development programmes for physical and mental disabled staff to
have improvement in their work competencies and skills. Further, proper implication and adoption
of equality act, 2010 also ensures and facilitates a more fair and discrimination free workplace by the
way of setting out a legal framework to deal with the workplace discrimination related to the
before mentioned disabilities in order to create better working environment.
Use of below stated links and online articles would be made to develop better understanding and
awareness about current research topic and its objective based on Study on the experience
provided by discrimination against physical and mental disabilities in the work place
Abes, E.S. and Wallace, M.M., 2018. " People see me, but they don't see me": An intersectional
study of college students with physical disabilities. Journal of College Student
Development, 59(5), pp.545-562.

Couto E Cruz, C., Salom, C., Maravilla, J. and Alati, R., 2018. Mental and physical health correlates of
discrimination against people who inject drugs: A systematic review. Journal of studies on
alcohol and drugs, 79(3), pp.350-360.
Dealing with Discrimination, 2018, [online] Available through<
https://employment.findlaw.com/employment-discrimination/dealing-with-discrimination-
tips-for-employees.html>
Deckoff-Jones, A. and Duell, M.N., 2018. Perceptions of appropriateness of accommodations for
university students: Does disability type matter?. Rehabilitation psychology, 63(1), p.68.
Mental health in the workplace. 2019. [Online] Available
through<https://www.who.int/mental_health/in_the_workplace/en/>
Mental Illness in the Workplace, 2017, [online] Available
through:<https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0149206317741194?journalCode=joma>
Temple, J.B., Kelaher, M. and Williams, R., 2019. Disability discrimination and avoidance in later life:
prevalence, disability differentials and association with mental health. International
Psychogeriatrics, 31(9), pp.1319-1329.
Section Four: Research approach and methodologies
Research Philosophy that you will use in your research project- use of Posistivitism research
philosophy would be made to have more systematic testing of set objective.
Research approaches that you will use in your research project- deductive approach is adopted
for current investigation to ensure better scanning of collected data.
Research strategies that you will use in your research project- survey strategy of research is used.
Time horizon of your research- cross sectional time horizons are adopted for current
investigation presented with the help of below stated Gantt chart.
Data collection methods that you will use in your research project e.g. survey using questionnaire
or interview or both- data collection method is based on quantitative format of investigation
where data is collected with the help of questionnaire.
Sampling frame - a sample size of 40 respondents is chose who are the employees of Microsoft
Corporation.
Sampling Techniques that you will use in your research project?

Random sampling method
Any particular characteristics of your participants?
Employees of Microsoft Corporation
The selection of current research method based on quantitative format of research is justifiable as
it lead to collection of numeric facts and data which ensures more easy and cost efficient way of
conducting an investigation.
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)
Aims and objective
Research methodology
Literature review
Data collection
Data analysis
Conclusion and recommendations
Final submission
How
long this
will take:
15 days
21 days
32 days
35 days
20 days
14 days
1 day

Reference list.
Deckoff-Jones, A. and Duell, M.N., 2018. Perceptions of appropriateness of accommodations for
university students: Does disability type matter?. Rehabilitation psychology, 63(1), p.68.
Itzick, M., Kagan, M. and Tal-Katz, P., 2018. Perceived social support as a moderator between
perceived discrimination and subjective well-being among people with physical
disabilities in Israel. Disability and Rehabilitation, 40(18), pp.2208-2216.
Molero, F., Recio, P., García-Ael, C. and Pérez-Garín, D., 2019. Consequences of perceived
personal and group discrimination against people with physical
disabilities. Rehabilitation psychology, 64(2), p.212.
Temple, J.B., Kelaher, M. and Williams, R., 2019. Disability discrimination and avoidance in later
life: prevalence, disability differentials and association with mental health. International
Psychogeriatrics, 31(9), pp.1319-1329.
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.

Agreed: Yes No
Name:
Date:

Research Ethics approval form
Section 1: Basic details:
Project title:
The selected topic for current research project is, “ highlight the impact of discrimination based
on physical and mental disabilities in the working environment and to analyze overall
behaviour described by this.
Student name:
Student ID number:
Programme:
College Name:
Intended research start date:
Intended research end date:
Section 2 Project summary
Please select all research methods that you plan to use as a part of your project:
 Interviews No
 Questionnaires Yes
 Observations No
 Use of personal records No
 Data Analysis Yes
 Action Research No
 Focus Groups No
 Others (Please specify) : n/a
Section 3: Participants
Please answer the following questions, giving full details where necessary.
Will your research involve human participants? Yes
Who are the participants? Tick all that apply:
Ages 12-16: No Young people aged: 17-18 No Adults: Yes
How will participants be recruited (identified an approached)?
From employees of Microsoft Corporation.
Describe the processes you will use to inform participants about what you are doing:
Implication of online and digital tools are made
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?
Consent will be obtain through signing written consent form.
Studies involving questionnaires: will participants be given the option of omitting questions that do not wish
to answer?
Yes
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.
No

Will you debrief participants at the end of their participation (i.e give them a brief explanation of the study)?
Yes
Will participants be given information about the findings of your study?(This could be a brief summary of
your findings in general)
Yes
Section 4: Data Storage and Security
Confirm that all personal data will be stored and processed in compliance with the Data Protection Act
(1998)
Yes
Who will have access to the data and personal information?
Only Researcher and tutors
During the research:
Reseacher/Supervisor
Where will the data be stored?
Stored in DOC document with the use of USB and Laptop
Will mobile devices such as USB storage and laptops be used
Yes
If Yes, please provide further details:
After the research: the data will be safely disposed
Where will the data be stored?: USB/Laptop
How long will the data and records be kept for and in what format?
Three to five months
Will data be kept for use by other researchers? No
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: N/A
It is important that you demonstrate your awareness of potential risks that may arise because of your
research. Please consider/address all issues that may apply. Ethical concerns may include, but are not
limited to the following :
 Informed consent. Yes
 Potentially vulnerable participants. n/a
 Sensitive topics n/a
 Risk to participants and /or researchers: n/a
 Confidentiality/anonymity: Yes
 Disclosures/ limits to confidentiality: Yes
 Data storage and security, both during and after the research (including transfer, sharing,
encryption, protection). Yes
 Reporting: Yes
 Dissemination and use of your findings: Yes
Section 6: Declaration
I have read, understood and will abide by the institution’s Research and Ethics Policy: Yes
I have discussed the ethical issues relating to my research with my Unit Tutor:
Yes
I confirm that to the best of my knowledge:
The above information is correct, and this is a full description of the ethical issues that may arise in the
course of my research
Name: Date: