FORMAT FOR RESEARCH PROPOSALS Organize sections the research proposal to answer these questions: (1) What do you

intend to do? (2) Why is the work important? (3) What have you already done? (4) How are you going to do the work? (5) References. DO NOT EXCEED 5 PAGES FOR SECTIONS 1-4. (1) Specific Aims: What do you intend to do? (one-half page.) Start with a paragraph containing a synopsis of the general problem addressed and clearly stating the hypothesis to be tested. This is necessary for the specific aims to make sense. Then, list the specific aims. (2) Background and Significance: Why is the work important? (one page) Briefly sketch the background to the proposal. Critically evaluate existing knowledge, and identify the gaps that the project is intended to fill. State concisely the importance of the proposed research by relating the specific aims to the broad, long-term objectives. (3) Preliminary Studies: What has already been done? (one page). Thesis research: describe the work you have already accomplished that is relevant to the proposal or the work in your lab that forms the rationale for your proposal. Alternate proposal: describe the work done by others that forms the rationale for the proposal. (4) Methodology : How are you going to do the work? (2.5 pages). List the aims again. Under each aim, explain the rationale for each experiment necessary to accomplish the aim, the experimental design, the interpretation of different types of results, and necessary methods (without intricate details). Include the means by which data will be collected, analyzed and interpreted. Describe any new methodology and its advantage over existing methodologies. Discuss the potential difficulties and limitations of the proposed procedures along with alternative approaches to achieve the aims. Provide a tentative sequence for the investigation. At the end, summarize how your experimental results will test your hypothesis. (5) References: quote references in the text (Author[s], date) and then collect them in alphabetical order at the end. Each citation must include the names of all authors, title of the article, name of the book or journal, volume number, page numbers and year of publication.

FORMAT FOR BUSINESS PROPOSALS The research proposal for business plans should include the concept statement. Before a group of students undertakes a business plan a concept statement should be developed. A concept statement is a preliminary description of a business & include the following;
A description of the product or service being offered: This section details the features of the

product or service and may include a sketch of it as well. A computer generated simulation of the functionality of the product or service is also helpful.
The intended target market: This section list the business or people who will buy the

product or services.
The benefits of Product or service: This section describes the benefits of the product or

service and include an account of how the product or service adds value and/ or solves a problem.
A description of how the product will be positioned relative to similar ones in the market:

A companys position describes how it is situated relative to its competitions.

A description of how the product or service will be sold & distributed: This section specifies

whether the product will be sold directly by the manufacturer or through distributor or franchises. This document should be of 4-5 pages and the relative length of each area is dependent upon the importance and significance of that area with the proposed business idea. The group could also add, modify or delete a certain area depending upon the nature of their topics.

FORMAT FOR FEASIBILITY STUDY PROPOSAL

A feasibility study is essentially a process for determining the viability of a proposed initiative or service and providing a framework and direction for its development and delivery. A feasibility study should: Verify community needs for a proposed project or service Assess the benefits and overall value of a proposed service to the community Assess market conditions and trends Articulate a service concept (ie. format, content, theme, objectives/outcomes) determine required resources (capital and operating) Determine costs and financing strategies (ie. Financial Analysis) Review service delivery options and recommend the most effective delivery strategy produce an implementation strategy for the development and delivery of the new service

FORMAT FOR IMPACT ASSESSMENT PROPOSAL

Impact assessment is the process of identifying future positive and negative consequences of the work of the existing or proposed work may have on the environment, aspects of the natural, economic and social development. It is used to make sure that the programs and policies, economically feasible, socially and environmentally sustainable.

1. Introduction 1.1. 1.2. 1.3. Rational and Background of the Problem Significance of the Research Objectives

2. Literature Review 3. Methodology 1.1. 1.2. 1.3. 1.4. Economic Impacts Social Impact Cultural impact Health impact

(it depends on the nature of the factor which has been taken by the student for impact assessment, according to the needs, select possible impacts from the above) 4. Possible outcomes from the Research 5. References