What is a Research Proposal?

Question

A research proposal is an outline of the entire research process, which gives the supervisor a
summary of the information in your study. The proposal is in effect an intellectual scholastic (not
legal) contract between the student and the supervisor. It specifies what you will do, how you
will do it and how you will interpret the results. Once you have the Proposal in place by the end
of this semester, carrying out the study becomes relatively easier (in the next semester) when you
and your supervisor work together as you apply the Proposal to the actual product. The following
are key areas of a proposal. Please follow them in the order given.
Answer the follwing, based on the research Topic:
Workload and stress management in Manyana Primary School
SECTION EXPECTATION
1. Title of dissertation Write a research topic. The topic should be plus or minus 12 words
in length.
2 Introduction States the field of study
3 Keywords Specialist terms, which are commonly used in the study. It is always
advisable to bring the keywords as early as after the introduction to
ensure that your audience understands the way you intend to use
them. Please avoid dictionary definitions. Rather make use of
definitions as per your area of study. Cite how scholars in the field
define terms.
i Background/context Gives the physical location of the study. Summarises some of the
of study major findings in the field, and cites the most current findings in the
subject area. Briefly highlights contentious issues in the field.

Answer 1

1. Title of Dissertation

"An Exploratory Study on Workload and Stress Management Strategies at Manyana Primary School"

2. Introduction

The focus of this research is within the field of Educational Psychology and Organizational Behavior. It aims to investigate the relationship between workload and stress management among educators and staff at Manyana Primary School. Understanding how workload impacts stress levels is vital for creating effective management strategies that enhance teacher well-being, thus improving the overall educational environment.

3. Keywords

• Workload: Refers to the amount of work assigned to a worker in a given time period. According to Cooper et al. (2018), workload is a critical factor affecting employees' stress levels and job performance.
• Stress Management: Techniques and strategies that individuals employ to control their stress, which can include both organizational interventions and personal coping mechanisms (Cox & Griffiths, 2018).
• Educational Environment: The atmosphere, culture, and conditions under which educational activities take place. According to Schunk & Zimmerman (2014), a positive educational environment is essential for effective learning and teaching.
• Teacher Well-being: Refers to the overall mental and emotional health of educators. According to B homeschooling: one approach to teaching and learning outside a traditional school setting, teacher well-being significantly impacts instructional quality and student outcomes (Collie et al., 2012).

i. Background/Context

The study will be conducted at Manyana Primary School, located in the Manyana village of Botswana. This institution serves a diverse population of students and faces unique challenges related to workload and stress management among its teachers.

Recent literature indicates that teachers often experience high levels of stress due to excessive workloads, which can lead to burnout and negatively impact student learning outcomes. For instance, a study by Lambert et al. (2019) highlighted that teachers’ excessive duties and administrative responsibilities contributed significantly to their stress levels, leading to compromised educational quality.

Contentious issues within this field of study include differing perceptions of workload across various educational settings, cultural considerations in stress management practices, and the lack of comprehensive support systems for teachers in managing stress. Researchers such as Skaalvik and Skaalvik (2017) argue that addressing these contentious issues is critical for establishing effective intervention programs that promote teacher well-being and enhance educational outcomes.

This research aims to provide insights into the specific stressors faced by educators at Manyana Primary School and to explore effective strategies for managing workload-related stress. The findings will contribute to the ongoing discourse on teacher well-being and stress management in educational settings.