Proposal: Definition, Structure, Rules, Goals & Methods

Definition of Proposal

A proposal is a research plan or activity to be carried out to be considered for approval by the party or institution receiving the proposal. This understanding is reinforced by Kosasih's statement (2017, p. 154), which states that a proposal is a text in the form of a request to a person or an entity to carry out an activity of scientific research.

In line with the opinion above, the Ministry of Education and Culture Team (2017, p. 143) stated that the proposal was used as a submission, request, or offer. Through the proposal, the planned activities can be carried out properly, because we will get several benefits, such as: getting permission to carry out activities, to financial assistance.

Then what is the format, systematic, or structure of the proposal? Here is the full presentation.

Proposal Structure (Systematics)

The structure or systematics of writing a proposal varies depending on the purpose. For example, a research proposal has several differences from a community activity proposal in some aspects. This, of course, will affect the systematics or structure of the proposal as well.

 

No	Research Proposal Structure	No	Activity Proposal Structure
1	Background of the problem	1	Background
2	Formulation of the problem	2	Problems and Goals
3	Research purposes		a. Problem
4	Benefits of research		b. Purpose
5	Theoretical basis	3	Scope of Activities
6	Research methods		a. Object
7	Report Writing Framework		b. Types of activities
		4	Theoretical Framework and Hypotheses
			a. Theoretical framework
			b. Hypothesis
		5	Method
		6	Event organizer
			a. Person responsible
			b. Personal composition
		7	Available Facilities
			a. Means
			b. Equipment
		8	Advantages and disadvantages
			a. Advantages
			b. Possible loss
		9	Length of Time and Place of Implementation
			a. Time
			b. The place
		10	Budget
		11	Bibliography
		12	Appendices

 

However, in general, there are several sections that should be included in the proposal, including background, problems and objectives, the scope of activities, theoretical framework and hypotheses, methods, implementing activities, facilities, advantages and disadvantages, length of time, financing (Team Kemdikbud, 2017, p. 154). Each part will be explained in the description below.

Background

The background of the proposal is a variety of circumstances, events, or other things behind the importance of carrying out research or activity. This section will list the various reasons why something put forward in a proposal is important to implement.

Because it is a meaningful reason in an argument, the background must be based on data that supports it, not just a subjective opinion. For example, use statistical data from government research institutions or research journals of academics and scientists.

For example, if the proposed research or activity concerns health, then the background is regarding the outbreak of a disease that is at an alarming level based on data or statistics from other studies that have been published.

Problems and Goals

In some proposal formats, especially research proposals, these two parts are usually separated into separate sub-chapters: problem formulation and research objectives. This section in detail and specifically mentions what problems you want to raise based on the background that has been presented. This section also contains the objectives to be achieved and conveyed rationally and persuasively according to the background raised.

Scope of Activities

The scope of activities is the various limitations of the proposed research and activities. This limitation is very important to determine so that what is proposed remains on the path of its main purpose without mentioning other things that are not needed.

The benefit of determining the scope for the recipient of the proposal is that it will be easier to see the merits and weaknesses of research or activity. Meanwhile, for the recipients of the proposal, each of them can focus more on testing and reviewing problems from the scope with specific literature materials as well as considering whether or not a proposed proposal is accepted.

Theoretical Framework and Hypotheses

In this section, a review of the theory to the results of previous research related to the problems that have been formulated is presented. The study can be in the form of comparisons, contrasts, and laying or strengthening the theory of the problem to be studied.

For example, if one of the problem formulations of the proposal is to maintain health, then health science theory can be linked to the problem to find a solution. From the theories put forward, the recipient of the proposal can understand the weight of the proposal to find out how far the proposer is prepared in proposing the thing proposed.

Method

This section presents research methods or activities to be carried out. This includes data collection techniques, steps to be taken in the activity, etc. For example, research methods that can be used are descriptive methods (describe) or qualitative methods (calculate the effect of data on research).

Meanwhile, data collection can be done using a questionnaire (questionnaire), interviews, observations, literature studies, or tests. In the research method or activity method, the data processing plan to be carried out must also be stated.

Event organizer

One of the main factors taken into account by the recipient of the proposal is the composition of personnel (personnel) of the agency that submitted the proposal. Therefore, make sure to recruit skilled and reliable personnel to carry out the proposed activities.

The proposal must attach a list of implementers of activities complete with information on education, expertise, and, if necessary, a list of experience of personnel who will be involved in it.

In research proposals such as theses, theses, or scientific journals carrying out activities, it is not necessary to mention it because the author or researcher himself is the executor of the activity.

Facility

This section describes the various facilities needed to carry out activities. The proposer must describe the various facilities that will be used. In addition to providing information about the facilities that oversee the activity, this will also show that the proposer is really serious and has taken into account the facilities that will be presented in the activity as well.

Advantages and disadvantages

Listing the benefits of the activity is certainly a reasonable thing to do. This is, of course, done to re-assure that the benefits of this activity really exist and will not be in vain. Benefits can be described through direct benefits (such as sales), side benefits (building brand image), savings, etc.

Then why should we list the losses? Of course, because whatever we do will have negative consequences too. However, are these consequences commensurate with what will be obtained? That's the main question. In the short term, the activities we propose will burden the recipients of the proposal's finances, but in the long term, it is a different matter. In addition, will our activities cause traffic jams, etc.? The loss in question can also be in the form of obstacles that will be faced when carrying out activities.

Duration

This section lists the estimated time required to complete the work to be carried out. If the activity consists of many jobs that have fairly complex stages, it is also a good idea to provide details of the various stages. The length of time for this activity or research is usually presented through a Gantt chart.

Financing

Of course, financing is one of the main concerns of the beneficiary. Therefore, the breakdown of costs must be properly worked out in the proposal. However, for a reputable agency that has a good reputation, quality is usually the priority over whether or not the fee is requested.

Proposal Language Rules

According to the Ministry of Education and Culture Team (2017, p. 169), the rules, characteristics, or linguistic elements that mark the proposal are as follows.

1. Using a lot of scientific terms, both related to the activity itself or about terms related to the scientific field. For example, in education, the term includes affective, competence, reading interest, psychological.
2. Many use action verbs that state the steps of activities (research methods). The words in question include: observing, documenting, doing, practising, filling, reading, mixing.
3. Using words that express the definition, which is indicated by the use of the word: namely, namely, is, is.
4. Rich in words that mean details, such as besides, first, second, third.
5. Using words that are "childish", such as: will be expected, planned. This is in accordance with the nature of the proposal itself as a proposal, plan, or activity program design.
6. Many use words with straightforward or denotative meaning (not figuratively). This is important to avoid misunderstandings between the proposer and the recipient of the proposal.

Purpose of Submitting Proposal

Of course, the main purpose of submitting a proposal is to get approval, endorsement, and even financing from the recipient of the proposal in working on the thing submitted. In addition, according to Happy (2008) in Dalman (2016, p. 179) reveals that the purpose of submitting a proposal, in general, is as follows:

1. Approved to conduct research related to religion, social, politics, economy, education and culture.
2. Establish a small, medium, or large business.
3. Submit tenders from government or private institutions.
4. To apply for credit to the bank.
5. Organizing events in the form of seminars, discussions, and training.

How to Prepare a Proposal

According to the Ministry of Education and Culture Team (2017, p. 172), compiling or designing a proposal can be carried out in the following stages.

1. Make observations of the environment around you, either through direct observation or through interviews with local leaders, regarding issues of health, security, morality, environmental sustainability, and other issues. Observations can also be done through online means or literature studies in the library.
2. Choose one of the various problems that have been collected by choosing the one that is considered the most important and urgent to find the cause or solution to the problem.
3. Formulate the form of research or research activities that are relevant to the problem that has been determined.
4. Also, look for references that can strengthen and clarify the issues that will underlie the research or activities to be carried out.
5. Discuss the problem and the research or activity with colleagues or compare it with other relevant research.
6. Start pouring out all the results of the pre-research by writing the background first, which will actually contain the formulation of the problem, objectives, and research methods as well.
7. Pay attention to the completeness, clarity, and attractiveness of the proposal by ensuring that all parts of the structure are in place, linguistic rules are in accordance with the proposal markers and using persuasive language and good layout and pictures to make it attractive.