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Making academic presentations Academic Communication for Advanced Secondary Schools

approval and where need be funding. This means that one must describe where the
research will be conducted, who or what will the data source be, when the research will
begin and end, how the data will be collected, who will collect the data, how the data
will be analysed and the report be written, how much the research will cost, what ethical
issues will be observed, and so on. A research proposal also elucidates the significance of
carrying out the research. However, the nature or goal of the research will determine the
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particular requirements of a proposal. A grant proposal, for instance, will have distinct
specifications. It is necessary to refer to various sources to ascertain the requirements
of a particular research proposal. Usually, a proposal is written and reviewed by experts
and peers to determine the feasibility of the research. Generally, all research proposals
must be convincing, successful, and clear. A well-written proposal produces a quality
report. As a student at one point in time you will be subjected to this academic process.
You should, therefore have the knowledge of the strategies to ensure clarity, coherence,
and persuasiveness of your proposal.

Strategies to consider when preparing a proposal

Understand the requirements� Before you embark on the drafting of your proposal,
you should carefully read and understand the guidelines and requirements provided
by your teacher or school. Address all the specified components and follow any other
given instruction.

Identify your interests� If the topic or theme for your project is not allocated to you by
your teacher or institution, you should start by identifying topics or themes that resonate
with your interest and passion.

Align with Curriculum� Conducting research in school is part of the learning process.
Any learning activity has to align with curriculum or learning objectives so is the proposed
study. This helps demonstrate the educational value of the project and its integration
into your academic experience.

Express objectives� You should clearly express the objectives of the project you are
proposing by specifying what you will learn and achieve through the project. These
objectives should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).
Conduct a thorough literature review� Before you start writing you proposal you
should familiarise yourself with existing information on your topic. You can do so by
conducting a comprehensive literature review whereby, existing gaps or unanswered
questions will be identified and used to justify what your research will address.

Craft a compelling introduction� A proposal is supposed to convince the one you are
seeking their approval or financial support from. A convincing proposal should clearly
state the problem gap you aim to tackle, therefore, start with an engaging introduction
that provides context for your research, explains its significance, and highlights the key
research question(s) or hypothesis(es).

Student’s Book Form Five
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Academic Communication.indd 49
Academic Communication.indd 49 30-Jun-24 11:02:06 AM