• StudySkills@Sheffield
  • Research skills
  • Research methods

How to write a research proposal

Advice and guidance on writing a proposal for a student research project.

Purpose of a research proposal

A research proposal is your plan for the research you intend to conduct. It should describe:

  • what you will investigate, 
  • why it is important to the discipline and 
  • how you will conduct your research.

Your research proposal also needs to persuade someone about how and why your intended project is worthwhile. 

In your proposal you will need to explain and defend your choices. Always think about the exact reasons why you are making specific choices and why they are the best options available to you and your project.

Your research proposal should focus on: 

  • Relevance - You want to convince the reader how and why your research is relevant and significant to your field and how it is original. This is typically done in parts of the introduction and the literature review.
  • Context - You should demonstrate that you are familiar with the field, you understand the current state of research on the topic and your ideas have a strong academic basis (i.e., not simply based on your instincts or personal views). This will be the focus of your introduction and literature review. 
  • Approach - You need to make a case for your methodology, showing that you have carefully thought about the data, tools and procedures you will need to conduct the research. You need to explicitly defend all of your choices. This will be presented in the research design section. 

Feasibility - You need to show that your project is both reasonable and feasible within the practical constraints of the course, timescales, institution or funding. You need to make sure you have the time and access to resources to complete the project in a reasonable period.

Writing a Research Proposal workshop: book here

Proposal format

The format of a research proposal varies between fields and levels of study but most proposals should contain at least these elements: 

  • introduction, 
  • literature review, 
  • research design and 
  • reference list.

Research proposals usually range from 500-1500 words. However, proposals for larger projects, such as a PhD dissertation or funding request, may be longer and more detailed.

Check the required format for your discipline and context.

Introduction

The introduction to your proposal is the initial pitch for your project. Make sure it succinctly explains what you want to do and why. In other words, this is where you answer the reader’s “so what?” 

It should typically include: 

  • introducing the topic, 
  • outlining your research question(s) and 
  • giving background and context. 

Some important questions to shape your introduction include: 

  • Who has an interest in the topic (e.g. scientists, practitioners, policymakers, particular members of society)?
  • How much is already known about the problem and why is it important?
  • What is missing from current knowledge and why?
  • What new insights will your research contribute?
  • Why is this research worth doing?

If your proposal is very long, you might include separate sections with more detailed information on the background and context, aims and objectives, and importance of the research.

To get you started, try describing your proposed research project to a friend or family member, or imagine how you would describe it to them.  What background information would you need to provide?  What would the impact of the research be for the general public?

Literature review 

It’s important to show that you’re familiar with the most important research on your topic. A strong literature review convinces the reader that your project has a solid foundation in existing knowledge or theory (i.e. how it relates to established research in the field).

Your literature review will also show that you’re not simply repeating what other people have already done or said. This is also where you explain why your research is necessary. 

You do not need to conduct a full literature review, as you will do that later during the research project, but you do need to provide an overview of the key research and ideas relating to your topic.

You might want to consider some of the following prompts:

  • Comparing and contrasting: what are the main theories, methods, debates and controversies?
  • Being critical: what are the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches?
  • Showing how your research fits in: how will you build on, challenge or synthesise the work of others? 
  • Filling a gap in the existing body of research: why is your idea innovative? 

Visit How to write a literature review for detailed information.

Research design and methods

Following the literature review, you can restate your main objectives to bring the focus back to your own project. 

The research design/ methodology section should describe the overall approach and practical steps you will take to answer your research questions. You also need to demonstrate the feasibility of the project, keeping in mind time and other constraints.

You should include:

  • Qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods research?
  • Will you collect original data or work with primary/secondary sources? 
  • Is your research design descriptive, correlational or experimental? Something completely different?
  • If you are undertaking your own study, when and where will you collect the data? How will you select subjects or sources? Exactly what or who will you study?
  • What tools and procedures will you use (e.g. systematic reviews, surveys, interviews, observation, experiments, bibliographic data) to collect your data? 
  • What tools/methods will you use to analyse your data? 
  • Why are these the best methods to answer your research question(s)? This is where you should justify your choices. 
  • How much time will you need to collect and analyse the data? 
  • How will you gain access to participants and sources?
  • How will you address any ethical issues?
  • What problems might you encounter? How will you address them?

Do not simply compile a list of methods. Explain why this is the most appropriate, valid and reliable way to approach answering your question. Remember you should always be defending your choices! 

You might also need to include a schedule or a budget - check what is required for your proposal. 

Implications and contributions to knowledge

To finish your proposal on a strong note, emphasise the potential implications of the research. This means: what do you intend to contribute to existing knowledge on the topic?

Although you cannot know the results of your research until you have actually done the work, you should have a clear idea of how your work will contribute to your field. 

This section is very important because it expresses exactly why your research is necessary. 

Try to cover at least some of the following topics:

  • Ways in which your work can challenge existing theories and assumptions in your field. 
  • How your work will create the foundation for future research and theory. 
  • The practical value of your findings for practitioners, educators or other academics in your field. 
  • The problems or issues your work can potentially help to resolve. 
  • Policies that could be impacted by your findings. 
  • How your findings can be implemented in academia or other settings and what difference this will make.

This part is not about stating the specific results that you expect to obtain but rather, this is the section where you explicitly state how your findings will be valuable. 

This section should tie your whole proposal together. It is just like the concluding paragraph that you would structure and craft for a typical essay. You should briefly summarise your research proposal and reinforce why your research is important. 

Reference list

Your research proposal must include proper citations and full references for every source you have included. Follow your department’s referencing style .

Writing style

You should write in an academic style. 

Your proposal is a piece of persuasive and critical writing. Although you are presenting your proposal in an academic and objective manner, the goal is to get the reader to say ‘yes’ to your work. Make sure you emphasise the strengths of your proposal and why your research is important.

Resources on how to write critically:

  • How to write critically
  • The Manchester academic phrasebank includes some examples of phrases you can use when being critical .

Academic writing does not need to be flowery or pretentious. Aim to write in a concise and accessible style.

Book a writing advisory service appointment for advice and feedback on your style and other aspects of your proposal.

Make an appointment

Checklist for a strong proposal 

Once you have written your proposal, read back through it with the following questions in mind.

  • Have you made a strong and persuasive argument for the value of your research?
  • Have you focused on key information? Avoid unnecessary details.
  • Is your proposal easy to understand? Have you expressed your ideas clearly?
  • Have you included references for all the sources you cite?
  • Is your reference list formatted correctly?

Check for spelling, grammatical or stylistic errors. Visit How to proofread your work for more information.

After submitting your proposal

Once you get to the stage of carrying out your research project, you may find our 

Research Writing workshop useful. This workshop will look at some of the main writing challenges associated with writing a large-scale research project and look at strategies to manage your writing on a day-to-day basis. It will identify ways to plan, organise and map out the structure of your writing to allow you to develop an effective writing schedule and make continuous progress on your dissertation project.

  • How to plan a dissertation or final year project
  • How to write a literature review
  • How to identify your research methods

Further Resources

  • Applying essentials – PhD study

mySkills logo

Use your mySkills portfolio to discover your skillset, reflect on your development, and record your progress.

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, automatically generate references for free.

  • Knowledge Base
  • Research process
  • How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates

How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates

Published on 30 October 2022 by Shona McCombes and Tegan George. Revised on 13 June 2023.

Structure of a research proposal

A research proposal describes what you will investigate, why it’s important, and how you will conduct your research.

The format of a research proposal varies between fields, but most proposals will contain at least these elements:

Introduction

Literature review.

  • Research design

Reference list

While the sections may vary, the overall objective is always the same. A research proposal serves as a blueprint and guide for your research plan, helping you get organised and feel confident in the path forward you choose to take.

Table of contents

Research proposal purpose, research proposal examples, research design and methods, contribution to knowledge, research schedule, frequently asked questions.

Academics often have to write research proposals to get funding for their projects. As a student, you might have to write a research proposal as part of a grad school application , or prior to starting your thesis or dissertation .

In addition to helping you figure out what your research can look like, a proposal can also serve to demonstrate why your project is worth pursuing to a funder, educational institution, or supervisor.

Research proposal length

The length of a research proposal can vary quite a bit. A bachelor’s or master’s thesis proposal can be just a few pages, while proposals for PhD dissertations or research funding are usually much longer and more detailed. Your supervisor can help you determine the best length for your work.

One trick to get started is to think of your proposal’s structure as a shorter version of your thesis or dissertation , only without the results , conclusion and discussion sections.

Download our research proposal template

Prevent plagiarism, run a free check.

Writing a research proposal can be quite challenging, but a good starting point could be to look at some examples. We’ve included a few for you below.

  • Example research proposal #1: ‘A Conceptual Framework for Scheduling Constraint Management’
  • Example research proposal #2: ‘ Medical Students as Mediators of Change in Tobacco Use’

Like your dissertation or thesis, the proposal will usually have a title page that includes:

  • The proposed title of your project
  • Your supervisor’s name
  • Your institution and department

The first part of your proposal is the initial pitch for your project. Make sure it succinctly explains what you want to do and why.

Your introduction should:

  • Introduce your topic
  • Give necessary background and context
  • Outline your  problem statement  and research questions

To guide your introduction , include information about:

  • Who could have an interest in the topic (e.g., scientists, policymakers)
  • How much is already known about the topic
  • What is missing from this current knowledge
  • What new insights your research will contribute
  • Why you believe this research is worth doing

As you get started, it’s important to demonstrate that you’re familiar with the most important research on your topic. A strong literature review  shows your reader that your project has a solid foundation in existing knowledge or theory. It also shows that you’re not simply repeating what other people have already done or said, but rather using existing research as a jumping-off point for your own.

In this section, share exactly how your project will contribute to ongoing conversations in the field by:

  • Comparing and contrasting the main theories, methods, and debates
  • Examining the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches
  • Explaining how will you build on, challenge, or synthesise prior scholarship

Following the literature review, restate your main  objectives . This brings the focus back to your own project. Next, your research design or methodology section will describe your overall approach, and the practical steps you will take to answer your research questions.

To finish your proposal on a strong note, explore the potential implications of your research for your field. Emphasise again what you aim to contribute and why it matters.

For example, your results might have implications for:

  • Improving best practices
  • Informing policymaking decisions
  • Strengthening a theory or model
  • Challenging popular or scientific beliefs
  • Creating a basis for future research

Last but not least, your research proposal must include correct citations for every source you have used, compiled in a reference list . To create citations quickly and easily, you can use our free APA citation generator .

Some institutions or funders require a detailed timeline of the project, asking you to forecast what you will do at each stage and how long it may take. While not always required, be sure to check the requirements of your project.

Here’s an example schedule to help you get started. You can also download a template at the button below.

Download our research schedule template

If you are applying for research funding, chances are you will have to include a detailed budget. This shows your estimates of how much each part of your project will cost.

Make sure to check what type of costs the funding body will agree to cover. For each item, include:

  • Cost : exactly how much money do you need?
  • Justification : why is this cost necessary to complete the research?
  • Source : how did you calculate the amount?

To determine your budget, think about:

  • Travel costs : do you need to go somewhere to collect your data? How will you get there, and how much time will you need? What will you do there (e.g., interviews, archival research)?
  • Materials : do you need access to any tools or technologies?
  • Help : do you need to hire any research assistants for the project? What will they do, and how much will you pay them?

Once you’ve decided on your research objectives , you need to explain them in your paper, at the end of your problem statement.

Keep your research objectives clear and concise, and use appropriate verbs to accurately convey the work that you will carry out for each one.

I will compare …

A research aim is a broad statement indicating the general purpose of your research project. It should appear in your introduction at the end of your problem statement , before your research objectives.

Research objectives are more specific than your research aim. They indicate the specific ways you’ll address the overarching aim.

A PhD, which is short for philosophiae doctor (doctor of philosophy in Latin), is the highest university degree that can be obtained. In a PhD, students spend 3–5 years writing a dissertation , which aims to make a significant, original contribution to current knowledge.

A PhD is intended to prepare students for a career as a researcher, whether that be in academia, the public sector, or the private sector.

A master’s is a 1- or 2-year graduate degree that can prepare you for a variety of careers.

All master’s involve graduate-level coursework. Some are research-intensive and intend to prepare students for further study in a PhD; these usually require their students to write a master’s thesis . Others focus on professional training for a specific career.

Critical thinking refers to the ability to evaluate information and to be aware of biases or assumptions, including your own.

Like information literacy , it involves evaluating arguments, identifying and solving problems in an objective and systematic way, and clearly communicating your ideas.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the ‘Cite this Scribbr article’ button to automatically add the citation to our free Reference Generator.

McCombes, S. & George, T. (2023, June 13). How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates. Scribbr. Retrieved 18 November 2024, from https://www.scribbr.co.uk/the-research-process/research-proposal-explained/

Is this article helpful?

Shona McCombes

Shona McCombes

Other students also liked, what is a research methodology | steps & tips, what is a literature review | guide, template, & examples, how to write a results section | tips & examples.

University of Cambridge

Study at Cambridge

About the university, research at cambridge.

  • Undergraduate courses
  • Events and open days
  • Fees and finance
  • Postgraduate courses
  • How to apply
  • Postgraduate events
  • Fees and funding
  • International students
  • Continuing education
  • Executive and professional education
  • Courses in education
  • How the University and Colleges work
  • Term dates and calendars
  • Visiting the University
  • Annual reports
  • Equality and diversity
  • A global university
  • Public engagement
  • Give to Cambridge
  • For Cambridge students
  • For our researchers
  • Business and enterprise
  • Colleges & departments
  • Email & phone search
  • Museums & collections
  • Applying for postgraduate courses at Cambridge
  • Writing a research proposal
  • Postgraduate Study
  • Why Cambridge overview
  • Chat with our students
  • Cambridge explained overview
  • The supervision system
  • Student life overview
  • In and around Cambridge
  • Leisure activities
  • Student union
  • Music awards
  • Student support overview
  • Mental health and wellbeing
  • Disabled students
  • Language tuition
  • Skills training
  • Support for refugees
  • Courses overview
  • Course Directory
  • Department directory
  • Qualification types
  • Funded studentships
  • Part-time study
  • Research degrees
  • Visiting students
  • Finance overview
  • Fees overview
  • What is my fee status?
  • Part-time fees
  • Application fee
  • Living costs
  • Funding overview
  • Applying for University funding
  • Doctoral training programmes
  • External funding and loans
  • Colleges overview
  • College listing overview
  • Accommodation
  • Applying overview
  • Application deadlines
  • Entry requirements
  • International qualifications
  • English language requirements
  • Find a supervisor
  • Widening access and participation
  • Supporting documents overview
  • Preparing a personal statement
  • Application fee overview
  • Application fee waiver
  • International applications
  • Disabled applicants
  • AI and postgraduate applications
  • Admissions fraud
  • How we assess your application
  • Outcome of your application overview
  • Appeals and complaints
  • Your offer overview
  • Visas and immigration
  • Declaring criminal convictions
  • Defer your application
  • Prepare to arrive
  • Track your application
  • International overview
  • International events
  • International student views overview
  • Akhila’s story
  • Alex’s story
  • Huijie’s story
  • Kelsey’s story
  • Nilesh’s story
  • Get in touch!
  • Events overview
  • Upcoming events
  • Postgraduate Open Days overview
  • Discover Cambridge webinars
  • Virtual tour
  • Research Internships
  • How we use participant data
  • Postgraduate Newsletter

research proposal definition uk

You will need to write a research proposal as part of your application if: 

  • it’s a requirement for your course - check the applying information on the course page  
  • you’re applying for Gates Cambridge funding  

A research proposal outlines what your research will focus on and your plan for approaching your research project. 

This page will help you to prepare your research proposal for Cambridge. 

Tips for your research proposal 

Before you start, you should check: 

  • the maximum word count and character limit
  • what’s included in the word count – for example, footnotes 
  • if there’s anything specific that the department wants you to include 

This information is usually on the course page or the Applicant Portal.  

Plan and research 

It’s important to start planning before you start the application process. 

You should: 

  • think about why your research project is important 
  • find out what research is being done in the subject area, including at Cambridge 
  • consider what resources you need and whether your project is achievable 
  • check the University’s policy on AI and postgraduate applications

You may also want to find a supervisor and discuss your proposal before you begin writing. 

Writing your proposal 

You should aim to write a clear proposal that showcases your research project. 

Use your proposal to persuade your department that your project is valuable, achievable and fits with a supervisor or research group. 

Typically, your proposal should outline: 

  • your project and research goals 
  • how your project fits into the field 
  • your plan for conducting your research 
  • the scope of the project and timescales 

Depending on your area of research, you might want to address any ethical issues or risk factors. 

Subject-specific advice 

The information on this page is just a starting point for your proposal. 

Always follow course-specific guidance. There are usually different expectations for different subject areas. 

Get in touch with your department if you have questions. 

Watch our webinars 

Get more advice by watching our webinars. 

  • Writing proposals for Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths subjects
  • Writing proposals for Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences subjects

Applicant Portal

Log in to create, manage and track your postgraduate application.

Related Links

Postgraduate admissions office.

  • Admissions statistics
  • Start an application
  • Applicant Self-Service

At a glance

  • Bringing a family
  • Current Postgraduates
  • Cambridge Students' Union (SU)

University Policy and Guidelines

Privacy Policy

Information compliance

Equality and Diversity

Terms of Study

About this site

About our website

Privacy policy

© 2024 University of Cambridge

  • Contact the University
  • Accessibility
  • Freedom of information
  • Privacy policy and cookies
  • Statement on Modern Slavery
  • Terms and conditions
  • University A-Z
  • Undergraduate
  • Postgraduate
  • Research news
  • About research at Cambridge
  • Spotlight on...
  • {{item.title}} {{item.title}} 0" aria-label="Find options under this page" @click="mobchildshow(true, item.title)" class="more-menu">
  • {{subitem.title}}

Writing a research proposal

How to write a research proposal.

For many subjects, writing a research proposal is a key part of your postgraduate research degree application. This is your opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge and how you want to contribute to the subject.  

We use the proposal to match your interest with an appropriate supervisor to make sure you have the best support during your degree. We are looking for originality and relevance when assessing the overall quality of your application, including your suitability for this level of study.  

We highly recommend that you explore which academic researchers are working in your subject area and contact them first with any questions, this is a good opportunity to firm up your ideas, further explore the topic and talk with others in your field.  

What is a research proposal?  

A research proposal is a concise and coherent document, usually between 1500 – 2000 words, maximum 4 x A4 pages. You should outline your proposed research project, why it is of relevance (rationale), what research questions are you going to ask, what you hope to achieve (aims and objectives) and how you plan to carry out your research (methodology).   

Step-by-step 

This page is your comprehensive guide to writing a research proposal and will cover seven key elements of a proposal:  

Working title

You should include a title for your thesis in the proposal.

Your title may change as you further your research, but at this stage it's important to state succinctly what your research will cover.

Introduction

Briefly identify your idea, what is your ‘research question’?

It could be the theory you want to test, or a more open question. It would be useful to give examples, 3-5 research questions from recently completed PhDs in a relevant field. You should discuss the context around your research topic, such as current debates and issues. The important thing here is that you introduce your research project with clarity and in a way that stimulates your reader’s interest.

Demonstrate the significance of your research project.

To do this, explain why your research is important, what makes it original and how it will contribute to existing knowledge within its field.

Aims and objectives

What are you hoping to achieve with your research?

Try and produce four or five bullet points of objectives for each aim, which demonstrate your understanding of how to meet your research aims. You can use the SMART acronym to support you in creating objectives, which involves making your objectives: specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time specific.

Literature Review

Demonstrate your knowledge and awareness of relevant literature

A literature review is a discussion and evaluation of academic literature or a relevant body of knowledge (for practice-based research). You should use this section of your proposal to show that you are familiar with work in your chosen topic area and that your research will contribute something new and/or meaningful to it.

Methodology

Explain how you plan to carry out your research

The methodology section of your research proposal is where you explain how you plan to carry out your research. This should include the research techniques and methods you will use, why these are most appropriate and how you will implement them. You should also include a discussion of the research strategy (general approach) you will adopt, with appropriate justification, including the analytical approach. The section should also contain the range of research findings that will be gathered from the research and how you will analyse or evaluate this. For practice based research, include how will your portfolio of artefacts, code, software, compositions, computer games etc. articulate the originality of your research?

Reference all the materials you used in the preparation your proposal

You may also list references that you didn't directly draw upon, to demonstrate awareness of literature relating to your proposed material.

Support from academic staff in drafting your research proposal

Your research proposal will be read by academics with an interest in your field of research. You are therefore encouraged to contact members of academic staff informally prior to submitting your application to discuss to your research proposal. This can often speed up the applications process, as you can identify the member(s) of staff you have spoken to on your research degree application form.

Use the Huddersfield Research Portal to browse academic staff profiles and search using key words to find staff members who share your research interests.

Changing aspects of your research proposal after gaining a place as a research student

Your research proposal is your starting point, and we understand that as your idea develop s , your proposed research is likely to change. As such, you will not be obliged to adhere to the specifics of your proposal if you are offered a place as a research degree candidate at Huddersfield. However, as the proposal is the foundation of your working relationship with your supervisor(s), you will need to discuss any changes with them first. 

Useful tips for writing a research proposal

  • Maintain a focus in your proposal: Your research proposal should be clear and concise, outlining your research idea and its benefits to your chosen field of study, in a way that the reader can clearly understand. Remember, your proposal is just the starting point and an outline and does not need to be overly complicated.
  • Share your proposal: Ask someone you trust (a friend, family member, tutor) to read your proposal and provide some feedback. Do they understand what your research is about? Do they think your aims and objectives are achievable? Does your research engage them?
  • Align your proposal topic with University research themes: Whilst it is important to choose a research topic that you are passionate about, your proposal will be assessed (in part) on its fit with our University research themes. You therefore need to choose a topic which aligns with topics of interest to the University or academic school you hoping to work within and make it clear how your project matches up with them.
  • Be realistic in your proposal: Your proposal is assessed not only on its quality, originality and fit with our research themes but also the likelihood of completion, so make sure that the scope of your research project is reasonable and realistic .
  • Take your time when writing your proposal: There are a lot of elements to a high-quality research proposal, so take the time to ensure that you meet them all. At the University of Huddersfield, there are three opportunities for enrolling onto a research degree programme during the academic year (October, January, and April), meaning less time pressure when working on your proposal and application.

Once you have written your proposal, what next?

Once you have written your research proposal you will need to complete an application form. Look at our how to apply webpage for more information.

...

How to apply for a research degree

Our step-by-step guide will help you to make the most out of your application for a research degree

...

Scholarships and funding

Explore our funding options, including scholarships and Doctoral Loans.

Home

Guidance on writing a research proposal

Two people working with laptops

A crucial part of the PhD application process is the research proposal. It is one of the key criteria that the University of Salford uses to differentiate between applicants and to make decisions on whether to make offers of acceptance onto the doctoral programme.

This page will give you more information on how to write a research proposal, with a few suggestions on what to include and what to avoid.

What is a research proposal?

A research proposal is an outline of your proposed research that is designed to:

  • Formulate and define a clear, interesting research question; this may take the form of a hypothesis to be tested, or an open-ended enquiry
  • Establish the relevance and value of the proposed research question in the context of current academic thinking, highlighting its originality and significance
  • Outline a clear and practical methodology which enables you to answer the research question, and to describe and evaluate any data or source material you will draw upon
  • Suggest what you hope to discover at the end of your research and what new areas it might open up
  • Provide a provisional timeline of your research

What is the purpose of the research proposal?

Your proposal gives a relatively brief overview of what you would like to study. You will demonstrate how and why you have chosen to do this particular research, so that the university or school can see whether it is a viable project.

It is your chance to showcase your knowledge and expertise in your subject, what you know and, most importantly, what knowledge you are looking to add or build upon. It is your chance to say what your original contribution to the field will be.

It will also need to demonstrate your passion for the subject area and a persuasive argument about what your project can achieve.

What to include in your research proposal

A research proposal should include the sections below, but please note that this is a general guide and that you may be given more specific instructions by your supervisor.

A working title

This might not be the finalised title of your project but must show that you have thought about what you are hoping to achieve. Make sure any key words appear in the working title.

A general overview

A brief section about the subject area you are looking at, and how it fits into certain discipline(s). This will be most important in PhD research proposals where you are applying for funding, as you will need to show how your topic fits into the disciplines funded by the body.

A review of general literature

This isn’t an enormous literature review, but you need to show that you are aware of the important issues, themes and debates in the relevant literature. You must refer to key texts and briefly show that you understand how they are relevant to your research area. You are therefore summarising what has been done before on this topic. Remember that a PhD is original research, so for PhD proposals you will also need to show that what you’ll be studying hasn’t been done before.

Key research questions

These questions should set out the aims and objectives of your research.

What are the questions you’ll be looking to answer? What are you hoping to find out?

If undertaking original research, your hypothesis can be explained in this section. Be careful not to include an unachievable number of goals or be over-ambitious. Ambition is good but you must be able to actually carry out the things you have described.

Methodology

This is a really important section. You might have an excellent idea but be unable to access the information you need to conduct your research. You need to ask yourself how you are planning to do this research:

  • What methods will you use?
  • Are you looking for qualitative or quantitative data, or both?
  • Will you be carrying out laboratory experiments or questionnaires?
  • What options are open to you or what different methods could you use, and why have you chosen the ones you have?
  • What other sources will you need to access?
  • Is all the information available in the UK, or will you have to travel?
  • If you are studying via distance learning will this affect the access to materials and sources?

Expected results

Obviously, you can’t say what the results will be, because you haven’t done the research yet. You can, however, explain what kinds of results you hope to achieve, such as a greater understanding of the way something works, a new method of doing something and so on. Think about how your research will affect or impact the subject area. This will showcase your original contribution to the field.

Include a timescale, showing that you understand the need to plan your research carefully and have thought about how long the different tasks might take you. It doesn’t need to be very detailed and it may of course change later, but it’s essential that you show you’ve thought about whether your project is achievable in the time available. The timescale should highlight if you are planning to study as a full or part time student.

Include a list of the key texts you’ve referred to, in the format required by your school (in most cases at the University of Salford, this will be the Harvard referencing system).

Your research proposal needs to be accessible

A good research proposal needs to be accessible to anyone at the University, not just a specialist in your field. Ensure when you write the research proposal it includes all the information you need to convey but is written in a way that anyone can read it and know the area of research and goals you aim to achieve.

Can you sum up your project in one sentence?

A popular viva question is to ask you to summarise your research in one sentence. Keep this in mind when writing your proposal. This could help keep you focused and stop your project sprawling.

Don’t choose something too broad or vague

Your research must be achievable. Your project might feel like it’s going to last a long time, especially if it is a PhD, but be aware of how long different aspects of your research might take. You won’t be able to answer every question about the topic or investigate every single aspect of a subject. Make sure your proposal has sensible, achievable goals. Your proposal also needs to be as defined as possible, as a proposal which is too vague will look like you haven’t thought it through.

Is there an appropriate supervisor?

Make sure there’s somebody available to supervise your research. Don’t propose to study a topic if there isn’t a suitable supervisor within the School/University!

Make sure you find the topic interesting

Be sure to choose something you are interested in and passionate about. You’ll spend a minimum of three years studying it, so you must be committed to the topic.

The research proposal is not set in stone

A good project will evolve over time as you discover more about the topic. It is normal for students to refine their original idea, proposal or title as the project proceeds. As you delve further into the subject you will see different pathways open up.

It is useful to view your proposal as an initial outline rather than a summary of the final product.

Does the proposal need to be written in a particular format?

When starting your research proposal, please check with your department to find out if they require you to submit using a specific template. For the most part they will ask you to cover the key areas mentioned above but may require you to include certain areas.

How much to write

Most research proposals are between 1,500 and 2,000 words long.

If you'd like further information or if you have any questions about writing your research proposal, please contact your relevant course area:

Arts, Media and Creative Technology

Business, Management and Law

Science, Engineering and Environment

Health and Society

Website navigation

In this section

  • Imperial Home
  • Postgraduate doctoral

Application process

Writing a research proposal

Mano Jacob responsible for library service provision to the Chemical Engineering department and to the Department of Bioengineering.

How to write a tailored research proposal

If your supervisor asks you to formalise your idea as a research proposal (this is not always a requirement) this needs to define a clear research question.

You should also be prepared to explain how this contributes to and develops (or challenges) any existing theories in the field.

It’s important to tailor your proposal to the department you’re applying to.

Different departments may also have different format requirements (e.g. word limit, content) so it’s important to discuss these with your potential supervisor in advance.

For more general advice on how to write a good proposal, see  FindaPhd.com .

Choose a course

Application reference

Finding a supervisor

IMAGES

  1. 17 Research Proposal Examples (2024)

    research proposal definition uk

  2. How to Write a Successful Research Proposal

    research proposal definition uk

  3. How to Write a Research Proposal. Full Writing Guide

    research proposal definition uk

  4. 10 Tips: How to Write a Research Statement in 2023

    research proposal definition uk

  5. 11 Research Proposal Examples to Make a Great Paper

    research proposal definition uk

  6. What is the Best Format of Research Proposal?

    research proposal definition uk

VIDEO

  1. [n] Proposal meaning (suggestion, plan) with 5 examples

  2. How to write a Research Proposal?

  3. What does proposal mean?

  4. Research Proposal Example Template Part 5

  5. What is the proposal? #Section2a,#Indian contact act 1872,#YouTube

  6. Research Proposal: Rationale & Literature Review

COMMENTS

  1. How to write a research proposal

    A research proposal is your plan for the research you intend to conduct. It should describe: what you will investigate, why it is important to the discipline and. how you will conduct your research. Your research proposal also needs to persuade someone about how and why your intended project is worthwhile.

  2. How to Write a Research Proposal

    Research proposal aims. Relevance. Show your reader why your project is interesting, original, and important. Context. Demonstrate your comfort and familiarity with your field. Show that you understand the current state of research on your topic. Approach. Make a case for your methodology. Demonstrate that you have carefully thought about the ...

  3. Writing a research proposal

    Writing your proposal. You should aim to write a clear proposal that showcases your research project. Use your proposal to persuade your department that your project is valuable, achievable and fits with a supervisor or research group. Typically, your proposal should outline: your project and research goals. how your project fits into the field.

  4. Research proposals

    Research proposals. If you are applying for research programme, you may be required to submit a research proposal as part of your application. A research proposal helps us assess both your suitability for a research degree and whether we can offer supervision. It can also be used to apply to external bodies for funding. For most of our research ...

  5. Writing a research proposal

    Align your proposal topic with University research themes: Whilst it is important to choose a research topic that you are passionate about, your proposal will be assessed (in part) on its fit with our University research themes. You therefore need to choose a topic which aligns with topics of interest to the University or academic school you ...

  6. PDF How to write a good postgraduate RESEARCH PROPOSAL

    der and set the context of your proposed research. Get your reader's attention early on and do n. t waste space with obvious and general statements. The introduction is your opportunity to demonstrate that your research has not been done before and that the proposed project will really ad.

  7. Guidance on writing a research proposal

    A research proposal is an outline of your proposed research that is designed to: Formulate and define a clear, interesting research question; this may take the form of a hypothesis to be tested, or an open-ended enquiry. Establish the relevance and value of the proposed research question in the context of current academic thinking, highlighting ...

  8. Writing a research proposal

    How to write a tailored research proposal. If your supervisor asks you to formalise your idea as a research proposal (this is not always a requirement) this needs to define a clear research question. You should also be prepared to explain how this contributes to and develops (or challenges) any existing theories in the field.

  9. Writing a Research Proposal

    Here are some common components of a research proposal: Introduction. Your introduction is an overview of the research topic and sets the scene for the research proposal. It discusses the broader context of the topic and identifies the rationale for why the research is important. You want to highlight the significance of the research within ...

  10. How to Write a Research Proposal

    State the research problem, which is often referred to as the purpose of the study. Provide the context and set the stage for your research question in such a way as to show its necessity and importance. Highlight what's missing from current knowledge and what your research aims to contribute. Present the rationale of your proposed study and ...