Competency Based Qualification

Design Research Project: Proposal

Certificate in Interior Design (KNQF)

Unit Aim

The aim of this unit is to provide Learners with the knowledge, understanding and skills necessary to develop well-structured research proposals. This unit focuses on the fundamental principles of research proposal writing, including problem identification, literature review, research design and methodology. Learners learn how to formulate research objectives, structure proposals effectively and present their research ideas clearly. The unit also emphasises ethical considerations in research and provides opportunities for practical application through proposal presentations and field visits.

Unit Content

Know the purpose and importance of research proposals.

Introduction to research proposals

Purpose and importance

Key components

Proposal development process

Be able to identify and formulate clear and researchable problems.

Research problem formulation

Identifying research problems

Criteria for clarity

Role of problem statements

Be able to conduct a literature review to analyse and synthesise existing research.

Literature review

Searching and selecting sources

Synthesising research

Writing the review

Be able to select appropriate research designs, sampling methods and data collection techniques.

Research design and methodology

Choosing research designs

Sampling and data collection

Validity, reliability, ethics

Be able to develop a well-structured research proposal with clear objectives and methodology.

Writing the proposal

Structuring the document

Writing objectives and hypotheses

Explaining significance

Be able to present and defend research proposals effectively.

Presentation and feedback

Preparing the presentation

Communication techniques

Incorporating feedback

Recommended Text

Alternative Reading

Booth, W. C., Colomb, G. G., & Williams, J. M. (2016). The craft of research (4th ed.). University of Chicago Press.

Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods

approaches (5th ed.). SAGE Publications.

Kothari, C. R., & Garg, G. (2019). Research methodology: Methods and techniques (4th ed.). New Age International.

Leedy, P. D., & Ormrod, J. E. (2020). Practical research: Planning and design (12th ed.). Pearson.

Machi, L. A., & McEvoy, B. T. (2016). The literature review: Six steps to success (3rd ed.). Corwin Press.

Punch, K. F. (2016). Developing effective research proposals (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications.

Walliman, N. (2021). Research methods: The basics (2nd ed.). Routledge.

Yin, R. K. (2018). Case study research and applications: Design and methods (6th ed.). SAGE Publications.