Hawassa University, Hawassa Institute of Technology

Faculty of Manufacturing Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering

Research Proposal Writing Format for Mechanical Engineering Students

 General Instructions:

o Page (word count) limits must be strictly observed

o Additional information can be provided in annexes as necessary.
o Final submission must be approved by the first advisor
o Use New Times Roman for all texts
o Use 1.5-2.0 spaced 14 font size for headings ,13 for 1st subheading 12 for 2nd
subheading and 12 with italic for third subheadings
o Use 12 font Size for the body of texts
o Pages should be numbered in a single sequence throughout the proposal
o Use either The Harvard (author, year) or The Vancouver (numbering) style to list
your references but it is important that you remain consistent throughout.
o Good quality A4 sized paper should be used. Margins should not be less than 35mm
at the binding edge and 25mm for all other margins.

The format will start from the next page.

 HAWASSA UNIVERSITY

HAWASSA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

FACULTY OF MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

TYPE YOUR TITLE HERE

(The recommendation for title length should not exceed 20 words)

A Thesis Proposal submitted to Department Mechanical engineering, School of Manufacturing

Engineering Institute of Technology, Hawassa University; in Partial Fulfillment for the
Requirement for Bachelor of Mechanical engineering

By

Name ID Number

1. Xx 0123 /09
2. Xy 0456 /09
3. Xx 0789 /09
Name of Advisors: Mr. /Mrs. /Miss Xy Xx (BSc, MSc, PhD. Asst. Professor)

Date:
Hawassa/Ethiopia
 Abstract
This section is limited to 100-150 words (approximately 12-15 lines), singly spaced. The abstract
must be an effectively self-contained and concise statement that describes a larger work. The
abstract is an original document rather than an excerpted passage. Components may contain the
thesis statement, background, and conclusion of the larger work. An abstract is not a review, nor
does it evaluate the work being abstracted.
Table of Contents
Abstract ......................................................................................................................................................... 4
List of Figures .............................................................................................................................................. 6
List of Tables ................................................................................................................................................ 6
Acrimony ...................................................................................................................................................... 6
1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 7
1.1. Problem Statement ........................................................................................................................ 8
1.2. Objectives ..................................................................................................................................... 8
1.2.1. General Objectives ................................................................................................................ 8
1.2.2. Specific Objectives ............................................................................................................... 8
1.3. Significance and Delimitation of Research ................................................................................... 9
2. Literature Review................................................................................................................................ 10
3. Methods, Material and Procedures...................................................................................................... 11
4. Work Plan ........................................................................................................................................... 12
5. Budget the Project ............................................................................................................................... 13
6. References ........................................................................................................................................... 14
List of Figures

List of Tables

Acrimony
 1. Introduction
The main purpose of the introduction is to provide the necessary background or context for the
research. How to frame the research problem is perhaps the biggest problem in proposal writing.
The introduction typically begins with a general statement of the problem area, with a focus on a
specific research problem, to be followed by the rational or justification for the proposed study.
The introduction generally express in the following ways:

o Follow a general-to-specific writing pattern

o Start by providing background information that orientates the reader to the research’s
general socio-political, historical, scientific, and educational contexts. Perhaps include a
theoretical, personal, or policy-based motivation for the research as a starting point.
o Attempt to persuade, inform or indicate to the reader of the need for the research. This is
an attempt to convince the reader that the research will be useful interesting, or significant
for the academic community, and may be suggestive of the research ‘gap’ which arises
from the following literature review

(Remarks: Use a maximum of 4-5 pages including problem statement, objectives and
significance sections; and start problem statement on the new page)
1.1. Problem Statement
Problem statement provides a clear and concise description of the issues that need to be
addressed - What is the specific problem in that research area that you will address. Use the
following ways

o State the research problem

o Provide the context and set the stage for your research question in such a way as to show
its necessity and importance.
o Clearly indicate why it is worth doing.
o Briefly describe the major issues and sub-problems to be addressed
o Identify the key independent and dependent variables of your research
o State your hypothesis or theory

1.2. Objectives
These are the general and specific objectives the research seeks to answer. It should be linked to
the general and the specific area where the study is to be undertaken. Both the general and the
specific objectives must be regularized to conform the topic of the concept. Objectives provide a
list of goals that will be achieved through the proposed research.

1.2.1. General Objectives

General objectives states what is expected to be achieved by the study in general terms?

1.2.2. Specific Objectives

o These are a breakdown of the general objectives.
o Systematically address the various aspects of the problem.
o Generally list what you will do in the proposed title.
1.3. Significance and Delimitation of Research
o State all the positive outcome of your research.
o All research has limitations and thus certain work that will not be performed.
o The work that will not be undertaken is described as the delimitations of the research.
2. Literature Review
The first part serves as the review of related literature and should include a fluid description of
the exploration process on how certain elements were used as sources of inspiration in the
formulation of the concept. Establishing connections between previous research-related works
maybe used to substantiate the descriptive process.

The most important part of this section is the theoretical framework so pay attention very well on
how you will craft this part. After presenting the background information, the next objective is to
formulate a concept based on a specific idea. This is the stage where the previous idea being
formulated will now be focused and one dominant theme or element in the problem will emerge
to ascertain a concept.

Generally the literature review serves several important functions:

o Gives credits to those who have laid the groundwork for the proposed research.
o Demonstrates your knowledge of the research problem.
o Demonstrates your understanding of the theoretical and research issues related to your
research question.
o Shows your ability to critically evaluate relevant literature information.
o Indicates your ability to integrate and synthesize the existing literature.
o Provides new theoretical insights or develops a new model as the conceptual framework
for your research.
o Convinces your reader that your proposed research will make a significant and substantial
contribution to the literature (i.e., resolving an important theoretical issue or filling a major
gap in the literature).

(Remarks: Use maximum of 3-4 pages)

 3. Methods, Material and Procedures
The Methods, Material and Procedures or Methodology section is very important because it tells
your Research committee how you plan to tackle your research problem. It will provide your work
plan and describe the activities necessary for the completion of your project.

For quantitative studies, the method section typically consists of the following sections:

o Study design: - Is it a questionnaire study or a laboratory experiment? What kind of design

do you choose (descriptive, cross-sectional, case-control)? Selection of research location.
o Subjects or participants: - Who will take part in your study? What kind of sampling method
/ procedure do you use? You will need to decide on the inclusion and exclusion criteria.
o Sample size: – you need to calculate your sample size based on the type of study you are
conducting. There are several formulas for sample size calculation.
o Study instruments: - What kind of measuring instruments or questionnaires do you use?
Why do you choose them? Are they valid and reliable?
o Data collection: - How do you plan to carry out your study? What activities are involved?
How long does it take?
o Data analysis and interpretation: – this includes plans for processing and coding data,
computer software to be used choice of statistical methods, confidence levels, significance
levels etc. It is also convenient to provide dummy tables for the data you plan to analyze
from your study.

Finally reminder the following things while you’re doing methodology section:

o Make sure the research design or approach is appropriate for the stated objectives
o Do not assume the reviewers are familiar with techniques to
o be used in your study
o Provide a brief description of the study location, study design and flow of activities

(Remarks: Use a maximum 2-3 pages)

 4. Work Plan
Planning for the research proposal should include the time frame and activity schedule for the
proposed research.

The time frame should include time for:

o Purchasing and obtaining relevant consumables and facilities needed to conduct the study
o Conduct of study
o Analysis of date
o Writing up of project report

The activity schedule is essential for effective monitoring of project. It should list the time frame
for major activities, and include milestones. A most effective way of plotting the activity schedule
is by using the Gantt Chart.

(Remarks: Use only one page!)

 5. Budget the Project
It is essential to request for an adequate budget for the study design or to manufacture the design
you are planning to conduct:

o Provide a total and yearly breakdown of the budget needed

o Give appropriate estimates of costs depending on the different areas, eg: items, equipment,
utilities, repairs, etc.…

(Remarks: Use only one page and discussed in tabular way!)

 6. References
The reference materials used for the proposal must be outline under the reference section
following a standard format that is approved by the university. Remember there are several
formats for referencing various articles and other academic work and only one must be used at
one which stated in the remark below as a standard practice.

(Remarks: Use only one style of referencing consistently throughout the proposal and direct
related articles, books, sites, etc.… use numbering APA format!)