Research Proposal Guide

For a Social Work Class
1.)Introduction (3 pages maximum)
​A.​Background (history of problem (1 pg)
​B.​Brief statement of the problem (1/2 pg)
​C.​Significance of the study (1/2 pg)
​D.​Implications for social work practice and policy (1 pg)
2.​Review of Literature (3 pages maximum)
​A.​Brief review of current published works with a direct bearing on
     the problem (1 pg)
​B.​Review of any “classic” studies related to the problem (1 pg)
​C.​Establish if reviewed findings are consistent or disagree with each
     other and explain (1/2 pg)
​D.​Summary of the literature review (1/2 pg)
3.​Theoretical or Conceptual Framework (1 1/2 pages maximum)
​A.​Identify and discuss theory or model (1/2 pg)
​B.​Establish relationship to proposal topic (how these theories or models 
​help explain the problem to be investigated? (1/2 pg)
C.   Summarize the theory or model (1/2 pg)
4.​Questions and Hypothesis (1/2 page maximum)
​A.​State three general research questions
B.​State the general, the null, and two directional research hypotheses
​C.​State independent and dependent variables
​D.​Define variables and concepts
5.​Research Method (2 pages maximum)
​A.​Identify and describe type of research design
​B.​Population sample (i.e. sample size, sampling techniques, procedures 
​and forms
​C.​Plan of Data collection 
​D.​Development of Questionnaire
​​1. What items will be included?
​​2. Explain any instruments that have been developed by other 
​researchers.
​   3. Include sample of questionnaire (limit to 3 pages)
​E.​Plan of data analysis
6.​Conclusion and Limitations of study
​a.​What are the ethical and behavioral considerations when working with this population ​(use the NASW Code of Ethics)? If there was an ethical dilemma involving this client or ​study population, how would you resolve it? 
​b.​How does diversity impact the client or study population? What do social workers need ​to know?
​c.​What are the policy implications and how would you change policies to benefit this ​population? 
7.​References