Show that you understand the current state of research on your topic.
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
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.
Like your dissertation or thesis, the proposal will usually have a title page that includes:
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:
To guide your introduction , include information about:
Discover proofreading & editing
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:
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.
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To finish your proposal on a strong note, explore the potential implications of your research for your field. Emphasize again what you aim to contribute and why it matters.
For example, your results might have implications for:
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
Research phase | Objectives | Deadline |
---|---|---|
1. Background research and literature review | 20th January | |
2. Research design planning | and data analysis methods | 13th February |
3. Data collection and preparation | with selected participants and code interviews | 24th March |
4. Data analysis | of interview transcripts | 22nd April |
5. Writing | 17th June | |
6. Revision | final work | 28th July |
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:
To determine your budget, think about:
If you want to know more about the research process , methodology , research bias , or statistics , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.
Methodology
Statistics
Research bias
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.
The best way to remember the difference between a research plan and a research proposal is that they have fundamentally different audiences. A research plan helps you, the researcher, organize your thoughts. On the other hand, a dissertation proposal or research proposal aims to convince others (e.g., a supervisor, a funding body, or a dissertation committee) that your research topic is relevant and worthy of being conducted.
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 Citation Generator.
McCombes, S. & George, T. (2023, November 21). How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates. Scribbr. Retrieved June 27, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/research-process/research-proposal/
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From the Sage Encyclopedia of Educational Research, Measurement and Evaluation:
Research proposals are written to propose a research project and oftentimes request funding, or sponsorship, for that research. The research proposal is used to assess the originality and quality of ideas and the feasibility of a proposed project. The goal of the research proposal is to convince others that the investigator has (a) an important idea; (b) the skills, knowledge, and resources to carry out the project; and (c) a plan to implement the project on time and within budget. This entry discusses the process of developing a research proposal and the elements of an effective proposal.
For a graduate student, a research proposal may be required to begin the dissertation process. This serves to communicate the research focus to others, such as members of the student’s dissertation committee. It also indicates the investigator’s plan of action, including a level of thoroughness and sufficient detail to replicate the study. The research proposal could also be considered as a contract, once members of the committee agree to the execution of the project.
Requirements may include: an abstract, introduction, literature review, method section, and conclusion. A research proposal has to clearly and concisely identify the proposed research and its importance. The background literature should support the need for the research and the potential impact of the findings.
The method section proposes a comprehensive explanation of the research design, including subjects, timeline, and data analysis. Research questions should be identified as well as measurement instruments and methods to answer the research questions. Proposals for research involving human subjects identify how the investigators will protect participants throughout their research project.
Proposals often require engaging in an external review either by an external evaluator or advisory board consisting of expert consultants in the field. References are included to provide documentation about the supporting literature identified in the proposal. Appendixes and supplemental materials may also be included, following the sponsoring organization’s guidelines. As a general rule, educational research proposals follow the American Psychological Association formatting guidelines and publishing standards. If funding is being requested, it is important for the proposal to identify how the research will benefit the sponsoring organization and its constituents.
The success of a research proposal depends on both the quality of the project and its presentation. A proposal may have specific goals, but if they are neither realistic nor desirable, the probability of obtaining funding is reduced. Similar to manuscripts being considered for journal articles, reviewers evaluate each research proposal to identify strengths and criticisms based on a general framework and scoring rubric determined by the sponsoring organization. Research proposals that meet the scoring criteria are considered for funding opportunities. If a proposal does not meet the scoring criteria, revisions may be necessary before resubmitting the proposal to the same or a different sponsoring organization.
Common mistakes and pitfalls can often be avoided in research proposal writing through awareness and careful planning. In an effective research proposal, the research idea is clearly stated as a problem and there is an explanation of how the proposed research addresses a demonstrable gap in the current literature. In addition, an effective proposal is well structured, frames the research question(s) within sufficient context supported by the literature, and has a timeline that is appropriate to address the focus and scope of the research project. All requirements of the sponsoring organization, including required project elements and document formatting, need to be met within the research proposal. Finally, an effective proposal is engaging and demonstrates the researcher’s passion and commitment to the research addressed.
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A Straightforward How-To Guide (With Examples)
By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Reviewed By: Dr. Eunice Rautenbach | August 2019 (Updated April 2023)
Writing up a strong research proposal for a dissertation or thesis is much like a marriage proposal. It’s a task that calls on you to win somebody over and persuade them that what you’re planning is a great idea. An idea they’re happy to say ‘yes’ to. This means that your dissertation proposal needs to be persuasive , attractive and well-planned. In this post, I’ll show you how to write a winning dissertation proposal, from scratch.
Before you start:
– Understand exactly what a research proposal is – Ask yourself these 4 questions
The 5 essential ingredients:
The research proposal is literally that: a written document that communicates what you propose to research, in a concise format. It’s where you put all that stuff that’s spinning around in your head down on to paper, in a logical, convincing fashion.
Convincing is the keyword here, as your research proposal needs to convince the assessor that your research is clearly articulated (i.e., a clear research question) , worth doing (i.e., is unique and valuable enough to justify the effort), and doable within the restrictions you’ll face (time limits, budget, skill limits, etc.). If your proposal does not address these three criteria, your research won’t be approved, no matter how “exciting” the research idea might be.
PS – if you’re completely new to proposal writing, we’ve got a detailed walkthrough video covering two successful research proposals here .
Before starting the writing process, you need to ask yourself 4 important questions . If you can’t answer them succinctly and confidently, you’re not ready – you need to go back and think more deeply about your dissertation topic .
You should be able to answer the following 4 questions before starting your dissertation or thesis research proposal:
If you can’t answer these questions clearly and concisely, you’re not yet ready to write your research proposal – revisit our post on choosing a topic .
If you can, that’s great – it’s time to start writing up your dissertation proposal. Next, I’ll discuss what needs to go into your research proposal, and how to structure it all into an intuitive, convincing document with a linear narrative.
Research proposals can vary in style between institutions and disciplines, but here I’ll share with you a handy 5-section structure you can use. These 5 sections directly address the core questions we spoke about earlier, ensuring that you present a convincing proposal. If your institution already provides a proposal template, there will likely be substantial overlap with this, so you’ll still get value from reading on.
For each section discussed below, make sure you use headers and sub-headers (ideally, numbered headers) to help the reader navigate through your document, and to support them when they need to revisit a previous section. Don’t just present an endless wall of text, paragraph after paragraph after paragraph…
Top Tip: Use MS Word Styles to format headings. This will allow you to be clear about whether a sub-heading is level 2, 3, or 4. Additionally, you can view your document in ‘outline view’ which will show you only your headings. This makes it much easier to check your structure, shift things around and make decisions about where a section needs to sit. You can also generate a 100% accurate table of contents using Word’s automatic functionality.
Your research proposal’s title should be your main research question in its simplest form, possibly with a sub-heading providing basic details on the specifics of the study. For example:
“Compliance with equality legislation in the charity sector: a study of the ‘reasonable adjustments’ made in three London care homes”
As you can see, this title provides a clear indication of what the research is about, in broad terms. It paints a high-level picture for the first-time reader, which gives them a taste of what to expect. Always aim for a clear, concise title . Don’t feel the need to capture every detail of your research in your title – your proposal will fill in the gaps.
In this section of your research proposal, you’ll expand on what you’ve communicated in the title, by providing a few paragraphs which offer more detail about your research topic. Importantly, the focus here is the topic – what will you research and why is that worth researching? This is not the place to discuss methodology, practicalities, etc. – you’ll do that later.
You should cover the following:
Importantly, you should aim to use short sentences and plain language – don’t babble on with extensive jargon, acronyms and complex language. Assume that the reader is an intelligent layman – not a subject area specialist (even if they are). Remember that the best writing is writing that can be easily understood and digested. Keep it simple.
Note that some universities may want some extra bits and pieces in your introduction section. For example, personal development objectives, a structural outline, etc. Check your brief to see if there are any other details they expect in your proposal, and make sure you find a place for these.
Next, you’ll need to specify what the scope of your research will be – this is also known as the delimitations . In other words, you need to make it clear what you will be covering and, more importantly, what you won’t be covering in your research. Simply put, this is about ring fencing your research topic so that you have a laser-sharp focus.
All too often, students feel the need to go broad and try to address as many issues as possible, in the interest of producing comprehensive research. Whilst this is admirable, it’s a mistake. By tightly refining your scope, you’ll enable yourself to go deep with your research, which is what you need to earn good marks. If your scope is too broad, you’re likely going to land up with superficial research (which won’t earn marks), so don’t be afraid to narrow things down.
In this section of your research proposal, you need to provide a (relatively) brief discussion of the existing literature. Naturally, this will not be as comprehensive as the literature review in your actual dissertation, but it will lay the foundation for that. In fact, if you put in the effort at this stage, you’ll make your life a lot easier when it’s time to write your actual literature review chapter.
There are a few things you need to achieve in this section:
When you write up your literature review, keep these three objectives front of mind, especially number two (revealing the gap in the literature), so that your literature review has a clear purpose and direction . Everything you write should be contributing towards one (or more) of these objectives in some way. If it doesn’t, you need to ask yourself whether it’s truly needed.
Top Tip: Don’t fall into the trap of just describing the main pieces of literature, for example, “A says this, B says that, C also says that…” and so on. Merely describing the literature provides no value. Instead, you need to synthesise it, and use it to address the three objectives above.
Now that you’ve clearly explained both your intended research topic (in the introduction) and the existing research it will draw on (in the literature review section), it’s time to get practical and explain exactly how you’ll be carrying out your own research. In other words, your research methodology.
In this section, you’ll need to answer two critical questions :
In other words, this is not just about explaining WHAT you’ll be doing, it’s also about explaining WHY. In fact, the justification is the most important part , because that justification is how you demonstrate a good understanding of research design (which is what assessors want to see).
Some essential design choices you need to cover in your research proposal include:
This list is not exhaustive – these are just some core attributes of research design. Check with your institution what level of detail they expect. The “ research onion ” by Saunders et al (2009) provides a good summary of the various design choices you ultimately need to make – you can read more about that here .
In addition to the technical aspects, you will need to address the practical side of the project. In other words, you need to explain what resources you’ll need (e.g., time, money, access to equipment or software, etc.) and how you intend to secure these resources. You need to show that your project is feasible, so any “make or break” type resources need to already be secured. The success or failure of your project cannot depend on some resource which you’re not yet sure you have access to.
Another part of the practicalities discussion is project and risk management . In other words, you need to show that you have a clear project plan to tackle your research with. Some key questions to address:
A good way to demonstrate that you’ve thought this through is to include a Gantt chart and a risk register (in the appendix if word count is a problem). With these two tools, you can show that you’ve got a clear, feasible plan, and you’ve thought about and accounted for the potential risks.
Tip – Be honest about the potential difficulties – but show that you are anticipating solutions and workarounds. This is much more impressive to an assessor than an unrealistically optimistic proposal which does not anticipate any challenges whatsoever.
The final step is to edit and proofread your proposal – very carefully. It sounds obvious, but all too often poor editing and proofreading ruin a good proposal. Nothing is more off-putting for an assessor than a poorly edited, typo-strewn document. It sends the message that you either do not pay attention to detail, or just don’t care. Neither of these are good messages. Put the effort into editing and proofreading your proposal (or pay someone to do it for you) – it will pay dividends.
When you’re editing, watch out for ‘academese’. Many students can speak simply, passionately and clearly about their dissertation topic – but become incomprehensible the moment they turn the laptop on. You are not required to write in any kind of special, formal, complex language when you write academic work. Sure, there may be technical terms, jargon specific to your discipline, shorthand terms and so on. But, apart from those, keep your written language very close to natural spoken language – just as you would speak in the classroom. Imagine that you are explaining your project plans to your classmates or a family member. Remember, write for the intelligent layman, not the subject matter experts. Plain-language, concise writing is what wins hearts and minds – and marks!
And there you have it – how to write your dissertation or thesis research proposal, from the title page to the final proof. Here’s a quick recap of the key takeaways:
Hopefully, this post has helped you better understand how to write up a winning research proposal. If you enjoyed it, be sure to check out the rest of the Grad Coach Blog . If your university doesn’t provide any template for your proposal, you might want to try out our free research proposal template .
This post is an extract from our bestselling short course, Research Proposal Bootcamp . If you want to work smart, you don't want to miss this .
Thank you so much for the valuable insight that you have given, especially on the research proposal. That is what I have managed to cover. I still need to go back to the other parts as I got disturbed while still listening to Derek’s audio on you-tube. I am inspired. I will definitely continue with Grad-coach guidance on You-tube.
Thanks for the kind words :). All the best with your proposal.
First of all, thanks a lot for making such a wonderful presentation. The video was really useful and gave me a very clear insight of how a research proposal has to be written. I shall try implementing these ideas in my RP.
Once again, I thank you for this content.
I found reading your outline on writing research proposal very beneficial. I wish there was a way of submitting my draft proposal to you guys for critiquing before I submit to the institution.
Hi Bonginkosi
Thank you for the kind words. Yes, we do provide a review service. The best starting point is to have a chat with one of our coaches here: https://gradcoach.com/book/new/ .
Hello team GRADCOACH, may God bless you so much. I was totally green in research. Am so happy for your free superb tutorials and resources. Once again thank you so much Derek and his team.
You’re welcome, Erick. Good luck with your research proposal 🙂
thank you for the information. its precise and on point.
Really a remarkable piece of writing and great source of guidance for the researchers. GOD BLESS YOU for your guidance. Regards
Thanks so much for your guidance. It is easy and comprehensive the way you explain the steps for a winning research proposal.
Thank you guys so much for the rich post. I enjoyed and learn from every word in it. My problem now is how to get into your platform wherein I can always seek help on things related to my research work ? Secondly, I wish to find out if there is a way I can send my tentative proposal to you guys for examination before I take to my supervisor Once again thanks very much for the insights
Thanks for your kind words, Desire.
If you are based in a country where Grad Coach’s paid services are available, you can book a consultation by clicking the “Book” button in the top right.
Best of luck with your studies.
May God bless you team for the wonderful work you are doing,
If I have a topic, Can I submit it to you so that you can draft a proposal for me?? As I am expecting to go for masters degree in the near future.
Thanks for your comment. We definitely cannot draft a proposal for you, as that would constitute academic misconduct. The proposal needs to be your own work. We can coach you through the process, but it needs to be your own work and your own writing.
Best of luck with your research!
I found a lot of many essential concepts from your material. it is real a road map to write a research proposal. so thanks a lot. If there is any update material on your hand on MBA please forward to me.
GradCoach is a professional website that presents support and helps for MBA student like me through the useful online information on the page and with my 1-on-1 online coaching with the amazing and professional PhD Kerryen.
Thank you Kerryen so much for the support and help 🙂
I really recommend dealing with such a reliable services provider like Gradcoah and a coach like Kerryen.
Hi, Am happy for your service and effort to help students and researchers, Please, i have been given an assignment on research for strategic development, the task one is to formulate a research proposal to support the strategic development of a business area, my issue here is how to go about it, especially the topic or title and introduction. Please, i would like to know if you could help me and how much is the charge.
This content is practical, valuable, and just great!
Thank you very much!
Hi Derek, Thank you for the valuable presentation. It is very helpful especially for beginners like me. I am just starting my PhD.
This is quite instructive and research proposal made simple. Can I have a research proposal template?
Great! Thanks for rescuing me, because I had no former knowledge in this topic. But with this piece of information, I am now secured. Thank you once more.
I enjoyed listening to your video on how to write a proposal. I think I will be able to write a winning proposal with your advice. I wish you were to be my supervisor.
Dear Derek Jansen,
Thank you for your great content. I couldn’t learn these topics in MBA, but now I learned from GradCoach. Really appreciate your efforts….
From Afghanistan!
I have got very essential inputs for startup of my dissertation proposal. Well organized properly communicated with video presentation. Thank you for the presentation.
Wow, this is absolutely amazing guys. Thank you so much for the fruitful presentation, you’ve made my research much easier.
this helps me a lot. thank you all so much for impacting in us. may god richly bless you all
How I wish I’d learn about Grad Coach earlier. I’ve been stumbling around writing and rewriting! Now I have concise clear directions on how to put this thing together. Thank you!
Fantastic!! Thank You for this very concise yet comprehensive guidance.
Even if I am poor in English I would like to thank you very much.
Thank you very much, this is very insightful.
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A research proposal is a type of text which maps out a proposed central research problem or question and a suggested approach to its investigation.
In many universities, including RMIT, the research proposal is a formal requirement. It is central to achieving your first milestone: your Confirmation of Candidature. The research proposal is useful for both you and the University: it gives you the opportunity to get valuable feedback about your intended research aims, objectives and design. It also confirms that your proposed research is worth doing, which puts you on track for a successful candidature supported by your School and the University.
Although there may be specific School or disciplinary requirements that you need to be aware of, all research proposals address the following central themes:
Before venturing into writing a research purposal, it is important to think about the purpose and audience of this type of text. Spend a moment or two to reflect on what these might be.
What do you think is the purpose of your research proposal and who is your audience?
The purpose of your research proposal is:
1. To allow experienced researchers (your supervisors and their peers) to assess whether
2. To help you clarify and focus on what you want to do, why you want to do it, and how you’ll do it. The research proposal helps you position yourself as a researcher in your field. It will also allow you to:
The main audience for your research proposal is your reviewers. Universities usually assign a panel of reviewers to which you need to submit your research proposal. Often this is within the first year of study for PhD candidates, and within the first six months for Masters by Research candidates.
Your reviewers may have a strong disciplinary understanding of the area of your proposed research, but depending on your specialisation, they may not. It is therefore important to create a clear context, rationale and framework for your proposed research. Limit jargon and specialist terminology so that non-specialists can comprehend it. You need to convince the reviewers that your proposed research is worth doing and that you will be able to effectively ‘interrogate’ your research questions or address the research problems through your chosen research design.
Your review panel will expect you to demonstrate:
Research and Writing Skills for Academic and Graduate Researchers Copyright © 2022 by RMIT University is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.
The goal of a research proposal is to present and justify the need to study a research problem and to present the practical ways in which the proposed study should be conducted. The design elements and procedures for conducting the research are governed by standards within the predominant discipline in which the problem resides, so guidelines for research proposals are more exacting and less formal than a general project proposal. Research proposals contain extensive literature reviews. They must provide persuasive evidence that a need exists for the proposed study. In addition to providing a rationale, a proposal describes detailed methodology for conducting the research consistent with requirements of the professional or academic field and a statement on anticipated outcomes and/or benefits derived from the study's completion.
Krathwohl, David R. How to Prepare a Dissertation Proposal: Suggestions for Students in Education and the Social and Behavioral Sciences . Syracuse, NY: Syracuse University Press, 2005.
Your professor may assign the task of writing a research proposal for the following reasons:
A proposal should contain all the key elements involved in designing a completed research study, with sufficient information that allows readers to assess the validity and usefulness of your proposed study. The only elements missing from a research proposal are the findings of the study and your analysis of those results. Finally, an effective proposal is judged on the quality of your writing and, therefore, it is important that your writing is coherent, clear, and compelling.
Regardless of the research problem you are investigating and the methodology you choose, all research proposals must address the following questions:
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Procter, Margaret. The Academic Proposal . The Lab Report. University College Writing Centre. University of Toronto; Sanford, Keith. Information for Students: Writing a Research Proposal . Baylor University; Wong, Paul T. P. How to Write a Research Proposal . International Network on Personal Meaning. Trinity Western University; Writing Academic Proposals: Conferences, Articles, and Books . The Writing Lab and The OWL. Purdue University; Writing a Research Proposal . University Library. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Beginning the Proposal Process
As with writing a regular academic paper, research proposals are generally organized the same way throughout most social science disciplines. Proposals vary between ten and twenty-five pages in length. However, before you begin, read the assignment carefully and, if anything seems unclear, ask your professor whether there are any specific requirements for organizing and writing the proposal.
A good place to begin is to ask yourself a series of questions:
In general, a compelling research proposal should document your knowledge of the topic and demonstrate your enthusiasm for conducting the study. Approach it with the intention of leaving your readers feeling like--"Wow, that's an exciting idea and I can’t wait to see how it turns out!"
In general your proposal should include the following sections:
I. Introduction
In the real world of higher education, a research proposal is most often written by scholars seeking grant funding for a research project or it's the first step in getting approval to write a doctoral dissertation. Even if this is just a course assignment, treat your introduction as the initial pitch of an idea or a thorough examination of the significance of a research problem. After reading the introduction, your readers should not only have an understanding of what you want to do, but they should also be able to gain a sense of your passion for the topic and be excited about the study's possible outcomes. Note that most proposals do not include an abstract [summary] before the introduction.
Think about your introduction as a narrative written in one to three paragraphs that succinctly answers the following four questions :
II. Background and Significance
This section can be melded into your introduction or you can create a separate section to help with the organization and narrative flow of your proposal. This is where you explain the context of your proposal and describe in detail why it's important. Approach writing this section with the thought that you can’t assume your readers will know as much about the research problem as you do. Note that this section is not an essay going over everything you have learned about the topic; instead, you must choose what is relevant to help explain the goals for your study.
To that end, while there are no hard and fast rules, you should attempt to address some or all of the following key points:
III. Literature Review
Connected to the background and significance of your study is a section of your proposal devoted to a more deliberate review and synthesis of prior studies related to the research problem under investigation . The purpose here is to place your project within the larger whole of what is currently being explored, while demonstrating to your readers that your work is original and innovative. Think about what questions other researchers have asked, what methods they have used, and what is your understanding of their findings and, where stated, their recommendations. Do not be afraid to challenge the conclusions of prior research. Assess what you believe is missing and state how previous research has failed to adequately examine the issue that your study addresses. For more information on writing literature reviews, GO HERE .
Since a literature review is information dense, it is crucial that this section is intelligently structured to enable a reader to grasp the key arguments underpinning your study in relation to that of other researchers. A good strategy is to break the literature into "conceptual categories" [themes] rather than systematically describing groups of materials one at a time. Note that conceptual categories generally reveal themselves after you have read most of the pertinent literature on your topic so adding new categories is an on-going process of discovery as you read more studies. How do you know you've covered the key conceptual categories underlying the research literature? Generally, you can have confidence that all of the significant conceptual categories have been identified if you start to see repetition in the conclusions or recommendations that are being made.
To help frame your proposal's literature review, here are the "five C’s" of writing a literature review:
IV. Research Design and Methods
This section must be well-written and logically organized because you are not actually doing the research, yet, your reader must have confidence that it is worth pursuing . The reader will never have a study outcome from which to evaluate whether your methodological choices were the correct ones. Thus, the objective here is to convince the reader that your overall research design and methods of analysis will correctly address the problem and that the methods will provide the means to effectively interpret the potential results. Your design and methods should be unmistakably tied to the specific aims of your study.
Describe the overall research design by building upon and drawing examples from your review of the literature. Consider not only methods that other researchers have used but methods of data gathering that have not been used but perhaps could be. Be specific about the methodological approaches you plan to undertake to obtain information, the techniques you would use to analyze the data, and the tests of external validity to which you commit yourself [i.e., the trustworthiness by which you can generalize from your study to other people, places, events, and/or periods of time].
When describing the methods you will use, be sure to cover the following:
Develop a Research Proposal: Writing the Proposal . Office of Library Information Services. Baltimore County Public Schools; Heath, M. Teresa Pereira and Caroline Tynan. “Crafting a Research Proposal.” The Marketing Review 10 (Summer 2010): 147-168; Jones, Mark. “Writing a Research Proposal.” In MasterClass in Geography Education: Transforming Teaching and Learning . Graham Butt, editor. (New York: Bloomsbury Academic, 2015), pp. 113-127; Juni, Muhamad Hanafiah. “Writing a Research Proposal.” International Journal of Public Health and Clinical Sciences 1 (September/October 2014): 229-240; Krathwohl, David R. How to Prepare a Dissertation Proposal: Suggestions for Students in Education and the Social and Behavioral Sciences . Syracuse, NY: Syracuse University Press, 2005; Procter, Margaret. The Academic Proposal . The Lab Report. University College Writing Centre. University of Toronto; Punch, Keith and Wayne McGowan. "Developing and Writing a Research Proposal." In From Postgraduate to Social Scientist: A Guide to Key Skills . Nigel Gilbert, ed. (Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2006), 59-81; Wong, Paul T. P. How to Write a Research Proposal . International Network on Personal Meaning. Trinity Western University; Writing Academic Proposals: Conferences, Articles, and Books . The Writing Lab and The OWL. Purdue University; Writing a Research Proposal . University Library. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
In academia, especially in social and behavioral sciences, writing a research proposal is an essential first step while planning a new research project. A research proposal is an initial pitch, or theoretical framework that serves to introduce the topic and anticipated results of a project, provide an overview of the methods to be used, and convince the reader that the proposed research can be conducted successfully. It is very essential to know how to write a research proposal, whether you are a student trying to fulfill course requirements or a researcher looking for funding for scholarly research. But writing a well-structured proposal is easier said than done.
To make things simpler for you, In this article, I explained the fundamentals of a research proposal, its structure, the steps involved in writing a research proposal, and common mistakes to avoid. Continue reading to gain a thorough understanding of the concept and purpose of a research proposal. This blog will also enable you to write the research proposal quickly, reducing the likelihood of rejection.
In simpler terms, A research proposal is a document written to explain and justify your chosen research topic and the necessity to carry out that particular research by addressing the research problem. Likewise, a good research proposal should carry the proposed research's results and benefits, backed by convincing evidence.
Always keep your audience in mind while writing your research proposal. Your audience expects a concise summary and a detailed research methodology from you in the research proposal.
To begin, you must understand the purpose of a research proposal in order to effectively write a research proposal and also to receive swift approvals.
A research proposal's purpose is to provide a detailed outline of the process that will be used to answer a specific research problem. Whereas the goal of the research proposal varies from person to person. In some cases, it may be to secure funding, while in others, it may be to obtain a meager approval from the committee or the supervisor to proceed with the research project. Regardless of your research proposal's end goal, you are supposed to write a research proposal that fulfills its intended purpose of presenting the best plan for your research.
While writing a research proposal, you should demonstrate how and why your proposed research is crucial for the domain, especially if it is social and behavioral sciences. It would help if you showed how your work is necessary by addressing some key points like:
Furthermore, your research proposal must demonstrate that you, as an author, are capable of conducting the research and that the results will significantly contribute to the field of knowledge. To do so, include and explain your academic background and significance along with your previous accolades to demonstrate that you and your idea have academic merit.
There are no hard and fast rules about how long a research proposal should be, and it varies dramatically from different institutions and publishers. However, as a standard domain practice, a research proposal is generally between 3000- 4000 words. A majority of globally reputed institutions follow the 3000- 3500 word limit.
Since the research proposal is written well before the research is conducted, you need to outline all the necessary elements your research will entail and accomplish. Once completed, your research proposal must resemble a concise version of a thesis or dissertation without results and a discussion section.
When you recognize a gap in the existing books of knowledge, you will address it by developing a research problem. A research problem is a question that researchers want to answer. It is the starting point for any research project, and it can be broad or narrow, depending on your objectives. Once you have a problem, it is followed by articulating a research question. After that, you can embark on the process of writing a research proposal.
Whether your goal is to secure funding or just approval, nevertheless, your research proposal needs to follow the basic outline of a research paper, containing all the necessary sections. Therefore, the structure of a research proposal closely resembles and follows a thesis or dissertation or any research paper. It should contain the following sections:
As is well known, the first thing that catches the reader's attention is a catchy title. Therefore, you should try to come up with a catchy yet informative title for your research proposal. Additionally, it should be concise and clear to reflect enough information about your research question.
To create a good research proposal, try writing the title to induce interest and information in your readers. Pro-Tip: Avoid using phrases such as “An investigation of …” or “A review of …” etc. . These have been overused for ages and may reflect your research title as a regular entry. On the other hand, concise and well-defined titles are always something readers like and stand higher chances for a proposal approval.
Write your abstract in a brief yet very informative way. It should summarize the research you intend to conduct. Put an emphasis on the research question, research hypothesis , research design and methods, and the key findings of your proposed research.
If you wish to create a detailed proposal, try including a table of contents. It will help readers navigate easily and catch a glance at your entire proposal writing. Check out this guide if you want to learn more about how to write a research abstract for your scholarly research.
All papers need a striking introduction to set the context of the research question. While framing your research proposal, ensure that the introduction provides rich background and relevant information about the research question.
Your entire research proposal hinges upon your research question. Thus, fit should come out clearly in the intro. Provide a general introduction without clear explanations, and it might render your research proposal insignificant.
Start your research proposal with the research problem, engage your audience with elements that relate to the problem, and then shed some light on the research question. Then, proceed with your study's evidence-based justification, and you'll find that the audience is sticking with your proposal narrative.
While writing your research proposal, ensure that you have covered the following:
Writing a literature review is an important part of the research process. It provides the researcher with a summary of previous studies that have been conducted on a subject, and it helps the researcher determine what areas might need additional investigation in the existing research. Guidelines for the literature review vary for different institutions.
To effectively conduct and write a literature review check this guide . You can also use tools like SciSpace Copilot , our AI research assistant that makes reading academic papers a much easier task. You can use it to get simple explanations for complex text, maths, or tables. Copilot can be particularly helpful when you’re sifting through papers as you can quickly understand the abstract, get some context around the study, and identify if the paper is relevant to your project or not.
The literature review can either be kept as a separate section or incorporated into the introduction section. A separate section is always favorable and vital in gaining the research proposal approval. Additionally, a separate section for a literature review offers in-depth background data and demonstrates the relevance of your research question by emphasizing the gaps that have remained since the previous study.
Your research proposal’s literature review must contain and serve the following:
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Research design and methods is the section where you explain how you will be conducting the proposed research. Ensure that you provide and include a sufficient explanation for the chosen methods. Additionally, include some points explaining how your chosen methods will help you get the desired or expected results.
Provide ample information to the readers about your research procedures so that they can easily comprehend the methodology and its expected results. Through your research methodology, you can easily show your audience whether the results you are promising can be achieved or not.
Most importantly, make sure the methodology you choose—whether qualitative or quantitative—is the best fit for your research. You should also be able to justify your choice.
Additionally, you should properly explain both the quantitative and qualitative components of your research if they are both used. For a qualitative approach, you must offer more elaborate and in-depth theoretical-based evidence. On the other hand, for the quantitative approach, you must describe the survey or lab setup, sample size, tools, and data collection methods.
Make sure you have plenty of explanations for the research methodology to support how you approached the research problem.
The expected research results section is where the researcher states what they expect to find in their research. The purpose of this section is to provide a summary of the study's goals, as well as give an overview of what the researcher expects will be found out. These results must orient the reader in sync with the methodology section and provide the answers to the research questions.
The limitations section of an academic research paper is a section in which the writers of the paper discuss the weaknesses of their study. They do this by identifying problems with their methods, design, and implementation. This section should also discuss any other factors that may have affected the results or accuracy of the study. This section allows readers to understand how much confidence they can place in the findings, and how applicable they are to other contexts.
Furthermore, it will also showcase your honesty and complete understanding of the topic. Your research proposal’s limitations can include:
If you don’t want your efforts to be tagged as plagiarized, ensure that you include the reference section at the end of the research proposal and follow the appropriate citation guidelines while citing different scholarly sources and various other researchers’ work.
For references, use both the in-text and footnote citations. List all the literature you have used to gather the information. However, in the bibliography, apart from including the references you have cited, you should include the sources that you didn't cite.
Research proposals often get rejected due to the smallest of mistakes. To keep the chances of getting your research proposal rejection at bay or a minimum, you should be aware of what grounds committees or supervisors often decide on rejection.
Follow through to understand the common reasons why research papers get rejected:
You must stay aware of the research proposal guidelines and best writing manners. To maximize the approval chances of your research proposal, you should try to avoid some common pitfalls like:
Try explaining the various sections of the research proposal economically. Ideally, you should strive to keep your writing as a concise, brief, and to the point as possible. The more concisely you explain the purpose and goal of your research proposal, the better.
While writing the research proposal, you may feel every issue is important, and you should provide an explanatory note for that. However, stay wiser while selecting the importance of issues. Avoid falling into the trap of trivial issues, as it may distract your readers from the core issues.
The easiest way your readers can undermine your research proposal is by stating it is far more subjective and sounds unrealistic. A potent research argument describing the gaps in the current field, its importance, significance, and contributions to your research is the foremost requirement of a good research proposal.
Remember, even though you are proposing the objective, academic way, the goal is to persuade the audience to provide you with the required research approval.
Understand that when you are going for some research, its outcome will contribute to the existing pool of knowledge. Therefore, always cite some landmark works of your chosen research domain and connect your proposed work with it.
Providing such intricate details will establish your research's importance, relevance, and familiarity with the domain knowledge.
You might also like.
Common mistakes to avoid.
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Adapted from "Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Paper," USC Libraries, University of Southern California, <https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/researchproposal>, accessed 4 Feb.. 2022.
A research proposal is simply a structured, formal document that explains what you plan to research (i.e. your research topic), why it’s worth r esearching (i.e. your justification), and how you plan to investigate it (i.e. your practical approach).
The purpose of the research proposal (it’s job, so to speak) is to convince your research supervisor, committee or university that your research is suitable (for the requirements of the degree program) and manageable (given the time and resource constraints you will face).
The most important word here is “ convince ” – in other words, your research proposal needs to sell your research idea (to whoever is going to approve it). If it doesn’t convince them (of its suitability and manageability), you’ll need to revise and resubmit. This will cost you valuable time, which will either delay the start of your research or eat into its time allowance (which is bad news).
Research proposals generally follow the same format as a research paper, with an introduction, a literature review, a discussion of research methodology and goals, and a conclusion.
From: Wong, Paul T. P. How to Write a Research Proposal . International Network on Personal Meaning. Trinity Western University
Introduction.
The first part of your proposal is the initial pitch for your project, so make sure it succinctly explains what you want to do and why. It should:
Some important questions to guide your introduction include:
If your proposal is very long, you might include separate sections with more detailed information on the background and context, problem statement, aims and objectives, and importance of the research.
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. It also shows that you’re not simply repeating what other people have already done or said.
In this section, aim to demonstrate exactly how your project will contribute to conversations in the field.
The literature review serves several important functions:
The purpose of the discussion is to interpret and describe the significance of your findings in light of what was already known about the research problem being investigated, and to explain any new understanding or fresh insights about the problem after you've taken the findings into consideration. The discussion will always connect to the introduction by way of the research questions or hypotheses you posed and the literature you reviewed, but it does not simply repeat or rearrange the introduction; the discussion should always explain how your study has moved the reader's understanding of the research problem forward from where you left them at the end of the introduction.
This section is often considered the most important part of a research paper because it most effectively demonstrates your ability as a researcher to think critically about an issue, to develop creative solutions to problems based on the findings, and to formulate a deeper, more profound understanding of the research problem you are studying.
The discussion section is where you explore the underlying meaning of your research , its possible implications in other areas of study, and the possible improvements that can be made in order to further develop the concerns of your research.
This is the section where you need to present the importance of your study and how it may be able to contribute to and/or fill existing gaps in the field. If appropriate, the discussion section is also where you state how the findings from your study revealed new gaps in the literature that had not been previously exposed or adequately described.
This part of the paper is not strictly governed by objective reporting of information but, rather, it is where you can engage in creative thinking about issues through evidence-based interpretation of findings. This is where you infuse your results with meaning.
Kretchmer, Paul. Fourteen Steps to Writing to Writing an Effective Discussion Section . San Francisco Edit, 2003-2008.
The conclusion is intended to help the reader understand why your research should matter to them after they have finished reading the paper. A conclusion is not merely a summary of your points or a re-statement of your research problem but a synthesis of key points. For most essays, one well-developed paragraph is sufficient for a conclusion, although in some cases, a two-or-three paragraph conclusion may be required.
A well-written conclusion provides you with several important opportunities to demonstrate your overall understanding of the research problem to the reader. These include:
Conclusions . The Writing Center. University of North Carolina; Kretchmer, Paul. Twelve Steps to Writing an Effective Conclusion . San Francisco Edit, 2003-2008.
Advice and guidance on writing a proposal for a student research project.
A research proposal should describe what you will investigate, why it is important to the discipline and how you will conduct your research.
Simply put, it is your plan for the research you intend to conduct. All research proposals are designed 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 aims should be centred on:
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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.
Generally, research proposals can range from 500-1500 words or one to a few pages long. Typically, proposals for larger projects such as a PhD dissertation or funding requests, are longer and much more detailed.
Remember, the goal of your research proposal is to outline clearly and concisely exactly what your research will entail and accomplish, how it will do so and why it is important. If you are writing to a strictly enforced word count, a research proposal can be a great test of your ability to express yourself concisely!
The first part of your proposal is the initial pitch for your project, so 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 problem statement and research question(s) and giving background and context. Some important questions to shape your introduction include:
If your proposal is very long, you might include separate sections with more detailed information on the background and context, problem statement, aims and objectives, and importance of the research.
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 might want to consider some of the following prompts:
Following the literature review, it is a good idea to restate your main objectives, bringing 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 definitely include:
Make sure you are not simply compiling a list of methods. Instead, aim to make an argument for why this is the most appropriate, valid and reliable way to approach answering your question. Remember you should always be defending your choices!
To ensure you finish your proposal on a strong note, it is a good idea to explore and/or 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 be going into the project with a clear idea of how your work will contribute to your field. This section might even be considered the most critical to your research proposal’s argument because it expresses exactly why your research is necessary.
You should consider covering at least some of the following topics:
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 is where you want to wrap it all up in a nice pretty bow. It is just like the concluding paragraph that you would structure and craft for a typical essay, see our essay planning template for guidance. You should briefly summarise your research proposal and reinforce your research purpose.
Your research proposal MUST include proper citations for every source you have used and full references. Please consult your departmental referencing styles to ensure you are citing and referencing in an appropriate way.
Try and avoid these common pitfalls when you are writing your research proposal:
You might also need to include a schedule and/or a budget depending on your requirements. Some tools to help include:
For guidance regarding specific research proposals (including templates), please check with your specific departments.
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Department of Anaesthesiology, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Writing the proposal of a research work in the present era is a challenging task due to the constantly evolving trends in the qualitative research design and the need to incorporate medical advances into the methodology. The proposal is a detailed plan or ‘blueprint’ for the intended study, and once it is completed, the research project should flow smoothly. Even today, many of the proposals at post-graduate evaluation committees and application proposals for funding are substandard. A search was conducted with keywords such as research proposal, writing proposal and qualitative using search engines, namely, PubMed and Google Scholar, and an attempt has been made to provide broad guidelines for writing a scientifically appropriate research proposal.
A clean, well-thought-out proposal forms the backbone for the research itself and hence becomes the most important step in the process of conduct of research.[ 1 ] The objective of preparing a research proposal would be to obtain approvals from various committees including ethics committee [details under ‘Research methodology II’ section [ Table 1 ] in this issue of IJA) and to request for grants. However, there are very few universally accepted guidelines for preparation of a good quality research proposal. A search was performed with keywords such as research proposal, funding, qualitative and writing proposals using search engines, namely, PubMed, Google Scholar and Scopus.
Five ‘C’s while writing a literature review
A proposal needs to show how your work fits into what is already known about the topic and what new paradigm will it add to the literature, while specifying the question that the research will answer, establishing its significance, and the implications of the answer.[ 2 ] The proposal must be capable of convincing the evaluation committee about the credibility, achievability, practicality and reproducibility (repeatability) of the research design.[ 3 ] Four categories of audience with different expectations may be present in the evaluation committees, namely academic colleagues, policy-makers, practitioners and lay audiences who evaluate the research proposal. Tips for preparation of a good research proposal include; ‘be practical, be persuasive, make broader links, aim for crystal clarity and plan before you write’. A researcher must be balanced, with a realistic understanding of what can be achieved. Being persuasive implies that researcher must be able to convince other researchers, research funding agencies, educational institutions and supervisors that the research is worth getting approval. The aim of the researcher should be clearly stated in simple language that describes the research in a way that non-specialists can comprehend, without use of jargons. The proposal must not only demonstrate that it is based on an intelligent understanding of the existing literature but also show that the writer has thought about the time needed to conduct each stage of the research.[ 4 , 5 ]
The contents or formats of a research proposal vary depending on the requirements of evaluation committee and are generally provided by the evaluation committee or the institution.
In general, a cover page should contain the (i) title of the proposal, (ii) name and affiliation of the researcher (principal investigator) and co-investigators, (iii) institutional affiliation (degree of the investigator and the name of institution where the study will be performed), details of contact such as phone numbers, E-mail id's and lines for signatures of investigators.
The main contents of the proposal may be presented under the following headings: (i) introduction, (ii) review of literature, (iii) aims and objectives, (iv) research design and methods, (v) ethical considerations, (vi) budget, (vii) appendices and (viii) citations.[ 4 ]
It is also sometimes termed as ‘need for study’ or ‘abstract’. Introduction is an initial pitch of an idea; it sets the scene and puts the research in context.[ 6 ] The introduction should be designed to create interest in the reader about the topic and proposal. It should convey to the reader, what you want to do, what necessitates the study and your passion for the topic.[ 7 ] Some questions that can be used to assess the significance of the study are: (i) Who has an interest in the domain of inquiry? (ii) What do we already know about the topic? (iii) What has not been answered adequately in previous research and practice? (iv) How will this research add to knowledge, practice and policy in this area? Some of the evaluation committees, expect the last two questions, elaborated under a separate heading of ‘background and significance’.[ 8 ] Introduction should also contain the hypothesis behind the research design. If hypothesis cannot be constructed, the line of inquiry to be used in the research must be indicated.
It refers to all sources of scientific evidence pertaining to the topic in interest. In the present era of digitalisation and easy accessibility, there is an enormous amount of relevant data available, making it a challenge for the researcher to include all of it in his/her review.[ 9 ] It is crucial to structure this section intelligently so that the reader can grasp the argument related to your study in relation to that of other researchers, while still demonstrating to your readers that your work is original and innovative. It is preferable to summarise each article in a paragraph, highlighting the details pertinent to the topic of interest. The progression of review can move from the more general to the more focused studies, or a historical progression can be used to develop the story, without making it exhaustive.[ 1 ] Literature should include supporting data, disagreements and controversies. Five ‘C's may be kept in mind while writing a literature review[ 10 ] [ Table 1 ].
The research purpose (or goal or aim) gives a broad indication of what the researcher wishes to achieve in the research. The hypothesis to be tested can be the aim of the study. The objectives related to parameters or tools used to achieve the aim are generally categorised as primary and secondary objectives.
The objective here is to convince the reader that the overall research design and methods of analysis will correctly address the research problem and to impress upon the reader that the methodology/sources chosen are appropriate for the specific topic. It should be unmistakably tied to the specific aims of your study.
In this section, the methods and sources used to conduct the research must be discussed, including specific references to sites, databases, key texts or authors that will be indispensable to the project. There should be specific mention about the methodological approaches to be undertaken to gather information, about the techniques to be used to analyse it and about the tests of external validity to which researcher is committed.[ 10 , 11 ]
The components of this section include the following:[ 4 ]
Population refers to all the elements (individuals, objects or substances) that meet certain criteria for inclusion in a given universe,[ 12 ] and sample refers to subset of population which meets the inclusion criteria for enrolment into the study. The inclusion and exclusion criteria should be clearly defined. The details pertaining to sample size are discussed in the article “Sample size calculation: Basic priniciples” published in this issue of IJA.
The researcher is expected to give a detailed account of the methodology adopted for collection of data, which include the time frame required for the research. The methodology should be tested for its validity and ensure that, in pursuit of achieving the results, the participant's life is not jeopardised. The author should anticipate and acknowledge any potential barrier and pitfall in carrying out the research design and explain plans to address them, thereby avoiding lacunae due to incomplete data collection. If the researcher is planning to acquire data through interviews or questionnaires, copy of the questions used for the same should be attached as an annexure with the proposal.
This addresses the strength of the research with respect to its neutrality, consistency and applicability. Rigor must be reflected throughout the proposal.
It refers to the robustness of a research method against bias. The author should convey the measures taken to avoid bias, viz. blinding and randomisation, in an elaborate way, thus ensuring that the result obtained from the adopted method is purely as chance and not influenced by other confounding variables.
Consistency considers whether the findings will be consistent if the inquiry was replicated with the same participants and in a similar context. This can be achieved by adopting standard and universally accepted methods and scales.
Applicability refers to the degree to which the findings can be applied to different contexts and groups.[ 13 ]
This section deals with the reduction and reconstruction of data and its analysis including sample size calculation. The researcher is expected to explain the steps adopted for coding and sorting the data obtained. Various tests to be used to analyse the data for its robustness, significance should be clearly stated. Author should also mention the names of statistician and suitable software which will be used in due course of data analysis and their contribution to data analysis and sample calculation.[ 9 ]
Medical research introduces special moral and ethical problems that are not usually encountered by other researchers during data collection, and hence, the researcher should take special care in ensuring that ethical standards are met. Ethical considerations refer to the protection of the participants' rights (right to self-determination, right to privacy, right to autonomy and confidentiality, right to fair treatment and right to protection from discomfort and harm), obtaining informed consent and the institutional review process (ethical approval). The researcher needs to provide adequate information on each of these aspects.
Informed consent needs to be obtained from the participants (details discussed in further chapters), as well as the research site and the relevant authorities.
When the researcher prepares a research budget, he/she should predict and cost all aspects of the research and then add an additional allowance for unpredictable disasters, delays and rising costs. All items in the budget should be justified.
Appendices are documents that support the proposal and application. The appendices will be specific for each proposal but documents that are usually required include informed consent form, supporting documents, questionnaires, measurement tools and patient information of the study in layman's language.
As with any scholarly research paper, you must cite the sources you used in composing your proposal. Although the words ‘references and bibliography’ are different, they are used interchangeably. It refers to all references cited in the research proposal.
Successful, qualitative research proposals should communicate the researcher's knowledge of the field and method and convey the emergent nature of the qualitative design. The proposal should follow a discernible logic from the introduction to presentation of the appendices.
Conflicts of interest.
There are no conflicts of interest.
Home » Proposal – Types, Examples, and Writing Guide
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Definition:
Proposal is a formal document or presentation that outlines a plan, idea, or project and seeks to persuade others to support or adopt it. Proposals are commonly used in business, academia, and various other fields to propose new initiatives, solutions to problems, research studies, or business ventures.
While the specific layout of a proposal may vary depending on the requirements or guidelines provided by the recipient, there are some common sections that are typically included in a standard proposal. Here’s a typical layout for a proposal:
When it comes to proposals, there are various types depending on the context and purpose. Here are some common types of proposals:
This type of proposal is used in the business world to present a plan, idea, or project to potential clients, investors, or partners. It typically includes an executive summary, problem statement, proposed solution, timeline, budget, and anticipated outcomes.
A project proposal is a detailed document that outlines the objectives, scope, methodology, deliverables, and budget of a specific project. It is used to seek approval and funding from stakeholders or clients.
Research proposals are commonly used in academic or scientific settings. They outline the research objectives, methodology, timeline, expected outcomes, and potential significance of a research study. These proposals are submitted to funding agencies, universities, or research institutions.
Non-profit organizations, researchers, or individuals seeking funding for a project or program often write grant proposals. These proposals provide a detailed plan of the project, including goals, methods, budget, and expected outcomes, to convince grant-making bodies to provide financial support.
Sales proposals are used by businesses to pitch their products or services to potential customers. They typically include information about the product/service, pricing, features, benefits, and a persuasive argument to encourage the recipient to make a purchase.
When seeking sponsorship for an event, sports team, or individual, a sponsorship proposal is created. It outlines the benefits for the sponsor, the exposure they will receive, and the financial or in-kind support required.
A marketing proposal is developed by marketing agencies or professionals to present their strategies and tactics to potential clients. It includes an analysis of the target market, proposed marketing activities, budget, and expected results.
In the realm of government or public policy, individuals or organizations may create policy proposals to suggest new laws, regulations, or changes to existing policies. These proposals typically provide an overview of the issue, the proposed solution, supporting evidence, and potential impacts.
Organizations often create training proposals to propose a training program for their employees. These proposals outline the training objectives, topics to be covered, training methods, resources required, and anticipated outcomes.
When two or more organizations or individuals wish to collaborate or form a partnership, a partnership proposal is used to present the benefits, shared goals, responsibilities, and terms of the proposed partnership.
Event planners or individuals organizing an event, such as a conference, concert, or wedding, may create an event proposal. It includes details about the event concept, venue, logistics, budget, marketing plan, and anticipated attendee experience.
Technology proposals are used to present new technological solutions, system upgrades, or IT projects to stakeholders or decision-makers. These proposals outline the technology requirements, implementation plan, costs, and anticipated benefits.
Contractors or construction companies create construction proposals to bid on construction projects. These proposals include project specifications, cost estimates, timelines, materials, and construction methodologies.
Authors or aspiring authors create book proposals to pitch their book ideas to literary agents or publishers. These proposals include a synopsis of the book, target audience, marketing plan, author’s credentials, and sample chapters.
Social media professionals or agencies create social media proposals to present their strategies for managing social media accounts, creating content, and growing online presence. These proposals include an analysis of the current social media presence, proposed tactics, metrics for success, and pricing.
Similar to training proposals, these proposals focus on the overall development and growth of employees within an organization. They may include plans for leadership development, skill enhancement, or professional certification programs.
Consultants create consulting proposals to present their services and expertise to potential clients. These proposals outline the problem statement, proposed approach, scope of work, timeline, deliverables, and fees.
Organizations or individuals seeking to influence public policy or advocate for a particular cause create policy advocacy proposals. These proposals present research, evidence, and arguments to support a specific policy change or reform.
Web designers or agencies create website design proposals to pitch their services to clients. These proposals outline the project scope, design concepts, development process, timeline, and pricing.
Environmental proposals are created to address environmental issues or propose conservation initiatives. These proposals may include strategies for renewable energy, waste management, biodiversity preservation, or sustainable practices.
Proposals related to health and wellness can cover a range of topics, such as wellness programs, community health initiatives, healthcare system improvements, or health education campaigns.
HR professionals may create HR proposals to introduce new policies, employee benefits programs, performance evaluation systems, or employee training initiatives within an organization.
Nonprofit organizations seeking funding or support for a specific program or project create nonprofit program proposals. These proposals outline the program’s objectives, activities, target beneficiaries, budget, and expected outcomes.
When bidding for government contracts, businesses or contractors create government contract proposals. These proposals include details about the project, compliance with regulations, cost estimates, and qualifications.
Businesses or individuals seeking to develop and launch a new product present product development proposals. These proposals outline the product concept, market analysis, development process, production costs, and marketing strategies.
Feasibility study proposals are used to assess the viability and potential success of a project or business idea. These proposals include market research, financial analysis, risk assessment, and recommendations for implementation.
Educational institutions or organizations create educational program proposals to introduce new courses, curricula, or educational initiatives. These proposals outline the program objectives, learning outcomes, curriculum design, and resource requirements.
Organizations involved in social services, such as healthcare, community development, or social welfare, create social service proposals to seek funding, support, or partnerships. These proposals outline the social issue, proposed interventions, anticipated impacts, and sustainability plans.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you with proposal writing:
The purpose of a proposal is to present a plan, idea, project, or solution to a specific audience in a persuasive and compelling manner. Proposals are typically written documents that aim to:
Proposals are typically written in various situations when you need to present a plan, idea, or project to a specific audience. Here are some common scenarios when you may need to write a proposal:
Proposals play a significant role in numerous areas and have several important benefits. Here are some key reasons why proposals are important:
Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer
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Blog Business How to Write a Research Proposal: A Step-by-Step
Written by: Danesh Ramuthi Nov 29, 2023
A research proposal is a structured outline for a planned study on a specific topic. It serves as a roadmap, guiding researchers through the process of converting their research idea into a feasible project.
The aim of a research proposal is multifold: it articulates the research problem, establishes a theoretical framework, outlines the research methodology and highlights the potential significance of the study. Importantly, it’s a critical tool for scholars seeking grant funding or approval for their research projects.
Crafting a good research proposal requires not only understanding your research topic and methodological approaches but also the ability to present your ideas clearly and persuasively. Explore Venngage’s Proposal Maker and Research Proposals Templates to begin your journey in writing a compelling research proposal.
In a research proposal, include a clear statement of your research question or problem, along with an explanation of its significance. This should be followed by a literature review that situates your proposed study within the context of existing research.
Your proposal should also outline the research methodology, detailing how you plan to conduct your study, including data collection and analysis methods.
Additionally, include a theoretical framework that guides your research approach, a timeline or research schedule, and a budget if applicable. It’s important to also address the anticipated outcomes and potential implications of your study. A well-structured research proposal will clearly communicate your research objectives, methods and significance to the readers.
Formatting a research proposal involves adhering to a structured outline to ensure clarity and coherence. While specific requirements may vary, a standard research proposal typically includes the following elements:
Writing a research proposal template in structured steps ensures a comprehensive and coherent presentation of your research project. Let’s look at the explanation for each of the steps here:
Step 1: title and abstract.
Select a concise, descriptive title and write an abstract summarizing your research question, objectives, methodology and expected outcomes. The abstract should include your research question, the objectives you aim to achieve, the methodology you plan to employ and the anticipated outcomes.
In this section, introduce the topic of your research, emphasizing its significance and relevance to the field. Articulate the research problem or question in clear terms and provide background context, which should include an overview of previous research in the field.
Here, you’ll need to outline specific, clear and achievable objectives that align with your research problem. These objectives should be well-defined, focused and measurable, serving as the guiding pillars for your study. They help in establishing what you intend to accomplish through your research and provide a clear direction for your investigation.
In this part, conduct a thorough review of existing literature related to your research topic. This involves a detailed summary of key findings and major contributions from previous research. Identify existing gaps in the literature and articulate how your research aims to fill these gaps. The literature review not only shows your grasp of the subject matter but also how your research will contribute new insights or perspectives to the field.
Describe the design of your research and the methodologies you will employ. This should include detailed information on data collection methods, instruments to be used and analysis techniques. Justify the appropriateness of these methods for your research.
Construct a detailed timeline that maps out the major milestones and activities of your research project. Break the entire research process into smaller, manageable tasks and assign realistic time frames to each. This timeline should cover everything from the initial research phase to the final submission, including periods for data collection, analysis and report writing.
It helps in ensuring your project stays on track and demonstrates to reviewers that you have a well-thought-out plan for completing your research efficiently.
Identify all the resources that will be required for your research, such as specific databases, laboratory equipment, software or funding. Provide details on how these resources will be accessed or acquired.
If your research requires funding, explain how it will be utilized effectively to support various aspects of the project.
Address any ethical issues that may arise during your research. This is particularly important for research involving human subjects. Describe the measures you will take to ensure ethical standards are maintained, such as obtaining informed consent, ensuring participant privacy, and adhering to data protection regulations.
Here, in this section you should reassure reviewers that you are committed to conducting your research responsibly and ethically.
Articulate the expected outcomes or results of your research. Explain the potential impact and significance of these outcomes, whether in advancing academic knowledge, influencing policy or addressing specific societal or practical issues.
Compile a comprehensive list of all the references cited in your proposal. Adhere to a consistent citation style (like APA or MLA) throughout your document. The reference section not only gives credit to the original authors of your sourced information but also strengthens the credibility of your proposal.
Include additional supporting materials that are pertinent to your research proposal. This can be survey questionnaires, interview guides, detailed data analysis plans or any supplementary information that supports the main text.
Appendices provide further depth to your proposal, showcasing the thoroughness of your preparation.
1. how long should a research proposal be.
The length of a research proposal can vary depending on the requirements of the academic institution, funding body or specific guidelines provided. Generally, research proposals range from 500 to 1500 words or about one to a few pages long. It’s important to provide enough detail to clearly convey your research idea, objectives and methodology, while being concise. Always check
The research plan is pivotal to a research project because it acts as a blueprint, guiding every phase of the study. It outlines the objectives, methodology, timeline and expected outcomes, providing a structured approach and ensuring that the research is systematically conducted.
A well-crafted plan helps in identifying potential challenges, allocating resources efficiently and maintaining focus on the research goals. It is also essential for communicating the project’s feasibility and importance to stakeholders, such as funding bodies or academic supervisors.
Mastering how to write a research proposal is an essential skill for any scholar, whether in social and behavioral sciences, academic writing or any field requiring scholarly research. From this article, you have learned key components, from the literature review to the research design, helping you develop a persuasive and well-structured proposal.
Remember, a good research proposal not only highlights your proposed research and methodology but also demonstrates its relevance and potential impact.
For additional support, consider utilizing Venngage’s Proposal Maker and Research Proposals Templates , valuable tools in crafting a compelling proposal that stands out.
Whether it’s for grant funding, a research paper or a dissertation proposal, these resources can assist in transforming your research idea into a successful submission.
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Writing a research proposal is a key skill for higher education as well as for any kind of research work. A well-written proposal can be the difference between getting into the University of your dreams and doing a project that really fulfills you or spending months on something that you don't really want to do. A research proposal is very different from typical types of academic writing assignments. They have a strict structure and multiple mandatory sections. Don't worry though, this article will teach you everything you need to know about how to write a research proposal that will improve your chances of achieving your goal.
A research proposal is a paper that describes in detail all the key elements of the topic you want to research. This of course includes the topic of research, but also why the research is important or interesting, what kind of methodologies you will be using, what kind of budget you might need, and more. Let's start broad and then move on to each individual section in depth.
In short, these are the main things your research proposal should aim to do.
A well-written research proposal Isn't just important to get approval, it also guides the actual research and makes it easier. A proposal is a vital part of any research project. It helps visualize the many stages and gives an opportunity to refine things beforehand rather than at crucial times in the future.
A good research proposal shows that you understand a topic well, you have the critical thinking abilities to analyze and interpret data, and the skills to communicate information effectively. It should have all the elements of the actual research study just without the actual findings of the proposed research. It may not require an in-depth literature review, but you must show that you understand the subject area of the research topic well.
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Before you jump into the actual writing there are a few things you have to figure out. Ask yourself these questions when trying to find a topic you want to research.
A couple of things to keep in mind. Make sure that you are truly and genuinely interested in the research question you want to explore. It will make the literature review, designing, and essentially everything, not just more enjoyable, but will affect the writing style of the final paper. Secondly, make sure you choose a topic that is not too broad. Even if you are really excited about an idea, think about the time and resources you have on hand.
How long should a research proposal be? Anywhere from 800 to over 4000 words, but usually around 2500. Make sure you check the requirements of the proposal and try to be as close to the word count as possible. A proposal with a word count of 800 is most likely interested in the importance of the research question and your qualifications as a researcher. On the other hand, a proposal of over 2500 words most likely cares more about the theoretical framework and the proposed research methodology.
How to write a research proposal outline and why is that an important step? An outline is a great way of fleshing out the overall research proposal structure. It helps categorize information that you come across as well as visualize the eventual look and flow of the paper. Here's a general example of a research proposal outline.
Don't worry if you don't know how to write an abstract for a research proposal. It's exactly the same as an abstract for anything else, just a short summary of the goals of the research along with why the question is important and how the results may be significant. Abstracts are not always a requirement when writing a research proposal example, so make sure to check any guidelines or ask your professor.
Okay, now with all the prep work done, let's go over the specific sections of writing a research proposal!
Remember, one of the goals is to convince the reader that your research project is worth devoting resources to. So start your introduction with a catchy hook that instantly engages the reader and makes them curious to find out more. Make sure you clearly state your research question and give some background information about it in the first few lines of your introduction. Next, briefly explain why your research is significant, how it would expand on pre-existing knowledge, explore something more in-depth, address a gap in existing knowledge, or open up avenues for further research. End your introductory section with a clear thesis statement so that readers know what to expect from the rest of the paper.
By the end of your introductory section, readers should have a clear idea of what your main research question is and why it is important. They should also be curious to discover how you are going to answer the question. This is why the introduction is so important. Make sure you spend time writing it and try to infuse your enthusiasm about the project into the writing style.
Depending on how many research questions you have or the goals of the research you may have to include a specific research aims and question section. You should have briefly gone over the research aims and questions in the introduction, but this is an opportunity to elaborate on them and include all the minor aims and questions. This section is especially important if the word count for your research proposal is relatively low. It is an opportunity to convince readers that your research study is interesting and important, that it addresses an important question, or that it addresses several questions.
Having a clear and concise main research question is vitally important when writing a proposal for a research paper. The main research question should be well defined and not too broad. There should be a clear connection between it and the topic being studied. It also needs to be original, not just a repetition of questions that have been answered in the past.
Any secondary research questions should derive from the main research question itself. If you have secondary questions that are drastically different from the main question then the scope of your research is probably too broad. Think about how realistic it is to answer all the questions in just one study and consider how much time it will take.
A good literature review shows the reader that you have a deep understanding of the important theories and past research about your topic. This doesn't mean that you should include everything you find though. Identify and state the main theories that directly relate to the subject you are studying. Too much information in the literature review can give the reader the impression that you do not understand your research question properly, or that you have failed to do in-depth research.
Include landmark research about the topic and explain why they were important and how they expanded knowledge about the topic. A good rule of thumb to follow is to start with giving general background about the topic overall, and then move on to specific theories and past research.
Look at a ‘how to write a research proposal’ example, especially their literature review section to get an idea of how to structure yours. You can structure a literature review by grouping studies with similar themes or structure it by tracing the development of information chronologically. Think about the best way to clearly present information in a way that relates to your research questions.
Since a research proposal is usually either written for higher education purposes or for grants, the literature review sources must be of high quality. Stick to books, journals, databases, and published research. A good tip to find sources is to go over previous research on similar topics and get inspiration from their literature review and bibliographies.
In this part, you will learn how to write a methods section for a research proposal. Even though you will not be conducting the research, by the end of this section the reader should have a clear idea of how you are going to conduct your research. This includes what kind of literature sources you will be analyzing as well as the framework for any studies you may want to conduct.
Clearly state the sources that you will be using, how you're going to use the information in those sources, and what methods you're going to use to analyze the sources. Make sure you don't just list sources and methodologies, rather explain why you have chosen the specific sources and methodologies. A good place to start is to go over previous research proposal examples and research papers and analyze what kind of sources they used, how they analyzed them, and what kind of studies they ran.
If you are going to conduct a study, focus group, or interviews, come up with a list of questions or a specific research methodology. Consider your target group and how to get a representative sample. This is also an opportunity to consider any potential shortcomings in your research design and explain how you plan to overcome them or why they do not matter in your particular case.
End this section by clearly explaining why you believe that the methodology you chose is the best way of answering the research question. Be sure to go over other possible ways the research question could have been answered and highlight the pros and cons of each one. This shows that you have deeply considered why you chose the methodology you did.
The purpose of a timeline is to show the readers that you have clearly thought out every step of the research project. Every main step of the project needs to have a specific deadline, with the key deliverables clearly mentioned. Make sure that the deadlines you set yourself are realistic considering the amount of work you need to do. It may seem impressive if you have a sped-up timeline, but it can give readers the impression that you have not properly considered the amount of time each step may require.
If your research proposal is accepted, you will most likely have to stick to your timeline as closely as possible, as well as provide updates regularly. Keep in mind though that timetables aren't completely set in stone. As you do your research, if you have a good explanation for why a deadline should be pushed back, you can always make a case for it.
This is also the section where you state your budgetary requirements. If the research proposal is for University or depends mainly on literary analysis then you may not require a budget. If you are going to conduct longer-term studies then you will have to present a budget. Your budget should consist of the cost of materials, the cost of hiring people, any costs you may incur based on the amount of time you spend, travel costs if applicable, the cost for renting a venue to run studies or interviews, etc. By the end of the section, you should have a specific number that you believe the entire project will cost, as well as an explanation justifying each expenditure.
Depending on the kind of research you want to do you may have to include a section on how you comply with ethical principles. You must make sure that you respect people's intellectual property and correctly cite all the references you have used. You must also ensure that any participants in interviews or studies are well taken care of. And you must ensure that you do not purposefully manipulate data to suit your own needs.
In a research paper, this is where you analyze and draw conclusions from the results and data from your research. In a research proposal, you only suggest research methodologies, so this section is about what the possible outcomes of the study may be. It is understood that you may not be able to answer this completely accurately, so based on your literature review, state what some of the likely outcomes are and what each outcome may mean.
This section is important because it shows the readers what practical benefits may come out of your research, which is very important when they consider whether to accept it or not. Ask yourself and answer the following questions.
This section doubles as your conclusion as well since it goes over the main research question, restates the thesis and asks questions about why the research is important. The last paragraph of this section, and therefore the last paragraph of your paper overall can include reasons why you are particularly well suited to conduct research on the topic or why it may be personally important to you. This is your chance to show your enthusiasm for the project and give it a personal touch.
The citation style you use depends on the field of study as well as guidelines from either your University or your professor. In general MLA (Modern Language Association) is used for subjects in the humanities, APA (American Psychological Association) is used for the social sciences and education, and Chicago style is used for business, history, and art. Make sure that you know exactly which citation style you need to use by asking your professor or advisor. This not only affects in-text citations but can also impact the overall format of the research proposal.
The bibliography of a research proposal is essentially the same as any literature review or research project. It can be called work cited, references, or bibliography based on the conventions in your fields or professors’ preferences. Make sure that you cite every piece of information that you use in the paper to avoid plagiarism.
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No paper is complete without a thorough review of your work. After spending hours on a project losing a few grades because of silly mistakes is both painful and easy to avoid. Make sure that you go through your paper checking for spelling mistakes, improper grammar usage, punctuation, and formatting. The goal of a research proposal is to convince the readers that your proposed research topic is worth investigating, you have given it proper consideration, your proposed research methodology is sound, and that you are the right person to do it.
This is your chance to make sure of the following:
Each section to make sure that everything is clear and concise.
Confirm that the paper answers the main and secondary research questions.
That the literature review is not too broad but gives enough background information for the topic to be understood as well as identifies theories and previous research that is directly relevant to your specific area of interest.
The methodology section should clearly answer the main research question and you have defended why you chose that methodology.
That your timeline and budgets are reasonable.
That your expected outcomes highlight the potential benefits of your study.
The overall research proposal has a good flow with each paragraph leading to the next.
You should now know how to write a proposal for a research paper! Writing a research proposal can seem like a challenge, but if you think of it as an easier version of a research paper and follow the steps outlined in this article, you will end up with a research proposal that will get you a good grade, can potentially get you into the program of your dreams, or get you funding for a research project that you will love. If you need any help with a research proposal, the experts at Studyfy can give you a hand. In fact, check out their website for all kinds of academic help, including write my sociology paper , argumentative essay writer , write my thesis , and write my college essay . Their team of experts is well-versed in various academic disciplines and can provide you with the necessary assistance to excel in your academic endeavors. So, don't hesitate to reach out to them for any writing or academic support you may need!
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This chapter discusses considerations surrounding the production of your research proposal. Your proposal will be required in the early stages of your candidature and is, essentially, a detailed plan of your anticipated postgraduate research journey in the context of the degree program you are enrolled in. In your proposal, you detail ‘ what ’ you intend to study in the form of the topic and research questions and ‘ why ’ (contextualisation and positioning, anticipated contribution(s), potential limitations), and ‘ how ’ (guiding assumptions, research frame, research configuration, sampling and data gathering and analysis strategies) you will obtain the answers to your questions. Your goal is to convince relevant stakeholders that your planned research has a high likelihood of achieving its goals, will add value as an original contribution, will demonstrate your capabilities as a competent researcher, and, most importantly, will likely lead to successful completion of the postgraduate program in which you are enrolled.
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To recap, the intention of your research proposal is to cover a number of key questions, including:
What are the purpose and aims of the research?
What is your broad research problem?
What are your specific research questions/hypotheses?
What prior research is relevant to the area of study?
What areas of theory inform those research questions?
What is the underlying epistemology and guiding assumptions?
How are you positioning your research?
What is the theoretical or conceptual framework (where appropriate to have one)?
What data gathering strategies are you are going to use (and do you have a Plan B)?
How will you pilot test or trial your research approach?
How will you go about addressing each research question?
How will you approach the sampling of data sources, including how you will negotiate access via relevant gatekeepers (and do you have a Plan B)?
How will you address any ethical concerns and expectations?
What form of analysis and data displays are you considering?
What do you think are the intended outcomes?
What are the potential strengths and weaknesses of the data sources and what does this mean for your research plan?
What might be the benefit or value of this research and for whom?
What do you anticipate might be the limitations of the research plan?
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Cooksey, R., McDonald, G. (2019). How Should I Shape and Defend My Proposal?. In: Surviving and Thriving in Postgraduate Research. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-7747-1_16
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The goal of a research proposal is to justify a research project you'd like to complete: including what you plan to accomplish, why it would benefit the larger community, and how you plan to do it.
According to Dr. Francis Collins , former Director of the NIH, So many worthwhile research ideas get put into the unfunded category in reviews because the proposals are not written clearly and don't present the importance of the research forcefully enough.
Let's discuss how to write a compelling research proposal.
Students may need to write a research proposal for class, a thesis proposal for a Master's degree program, or a dissertation proposal for a PhD program. Postdoctoral fellows often need to write fellowship proposals to secure funding for their salary and expenses, and professional researchers constantly need to write grant proposals to secure funding for research projects. Small grants may provide hundreds of dollars for travel expenses or a few thousand dollars for research supplies. Larger grants can provide tens of thousands to upwards of a million dollars to cover major equipment and multiple salaries.
People who are not researchers may also find themselves writing grant proposals. The grant money might be used to support after school activities for underprivileged students, provide seed money for a grocery store in a food desert, or develop a community program to help senior citizens use new technologies. While these grant proposals are not research proposals, the goal of the proposal is the same: Convince the reader that the project is immensely worthwhile, that you (and your colleagues) are extremely knowledgeable about the requirements and possible pitfalls, and that you are prepared and enthusiastic about completing the project for the benefit of the larger community.
Before writing anything, you must consider your audience. Whether you are a graduate student submitting a thesis proposal, or a faculty member applying for an external research grant, your reviewers will likely be multiple faculty members who have varying degrees of familiarity with your proposed area of research. Therefore, you must include enough background information to enable an intelligent reader to understand your proposed work.
Reviewers are busy people who essentially volunteer their time to benefit the academic community, and they all have substantial experience identifying weaknesses and discrepancies within research plans. Therefore, make sure your research proposal is concise, well organized, and convincing.
For most funding agencies, the number of good applications will greatly exceed the number of grants that can be awarded, so your proposal needs to really shine in order to be successful.
Many universities have an internal review process that must be completed before an application can be submitted for an external grant. As part of the internal review process, your proposal will be reviewed to identify weaknesses and discrepancies, and to provide editorial assistance to improve clarity and to ensure that all guidelines are meant. If these services are not offered by your institution, I strongly recommend seeking feedback from multiple readers, such as faculty advisors, senior graduate students, post-docs, or a professional editor.
The process of selecting a topic is discussed in my earlier blog post on Writing Your Thesis Proposal Like a Pro , so here I will focus on how to make your proposal as persuasive as possible.
It's a good idea to start with an outline for each section of your research proposal (see the guidelines provided by your professor or funding agency). This will help you identify any areas that may be problematic, so you can focus your reading and otherwise work to resolve potential problems. Include citations for all relevant information at this early stage, so you can avoid the nightmare of trying to track them down later. Also note the resources you have available to help complete your research. These may include university resources such as equipment, technical support, knowledgeable experts, and useful sample populations, as well as resources within the larger community (e.g. at a neighboring institution). Make a note of any other resources you may need, such as online databases or specific equipment.
For your research proposal, carefully follow the specific guidelines of your graduate program or funding agency. The length of the proposal may range from 10-15 pages for a graduate research proposal, to over 25 pages for a large government grant. Citations, figures, and indexes are not included in the word count.
A typical format includes the following sections:
Aim for about five major points in your proposal. Less than five may seem insubstantial, and more than five may make the proposal seem unfocused. Present your most important points first. Use subheadings to help organize your research proposal. When possible, use active voice (e.g. "We will identify mutations.") rather than passive voice (e.g. "Mutations will be identified."). The focus of your proposal should always be your planned research (i.e. "identify mutations that make kidney cancer more aggressive") and not the general topic (e.g. "the genetics of kidney cancer").
Value your reader's time. Write clearly and concisely so that someone unfamiliar with your area of research can understand the main points of your proposal.
Remember that your reviewers are passionate about research. Give them something they can be excited to support.
While writing a research proposal is quite daunting, the good news is that an excellent proposal will serve as a blueprint to guide you through your research. In addition, large parts of the text can often be used in your dissertation and/or manuscripts for publication.
Even if your research project doesn't go as planned, and you have to revamp major portions or change course entirely, the process of preparing a proposal makes you a stronger researcher. This is why students are asked to write research proposals that they will not carry out. Finally, dissertation committees and grant agencies don't keep a checklist of research you must complete, and are typically satisfied if you conduct well-informed research that produces meaningful results.
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A holistic and multidimensional methodology proposal for a persona with total visual impairment archetype on the web.
2. materials and methodology, 3. theorical context, 3.1. web accessibility and people with disabilities, people with visual impairment: total visual impairment and the web.
3.3. biometrics/neuroscience, galvanic skin response (gsr), 3.4. persona archetype and disabled persona, disabled persona, 4. research methodology proposal for a persona with total visual impairment, 4.1. research phase, instrumentation and stimuli.
Author contributions, institutional review board statement, informed consent statement, data availability statement, conflicts of interest, appendix a. expert questionnaire.
Click here to enlarge figure
Theorical Dimensions | Documents | Methodology Phase |
---|---|---|
ACCESIBILITY & PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES | Aizpurua et al. (2016) [ ] | RESEARCH PHASE |
Botelho (2021) [ ] | ||
Disability Rights Commission (2004) [ ] | ||
European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) (n.d.) [ ] | ||
Hassan-Montero & Fernández (2004) [ ] | ||
Henry (2006) [ ] | ||
Huber & Vitouch (2008) [ ] | ||
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) (n.d.) [ ] | ||
Lazar et al. (2004) [ ] | ||
Lazar et al. (2007) [ ] | ||
Lazar et al. (2010) [ ] | ||
Leporini & Paternò (2008) [ ] | ||
Mátrai (2018) [ ] | ||
Microsoft (2010). Engineering software for accessibility (2010) [ ] | ||
Nielsen Norman Group (2001) [ ] | ||
Nogueira et al. (2019) [ ] | ||
Pascual et al. (2014) [ ] | ||
Petrie & Kheir (2007) [ ] | ||
Petrie, Hamilton & King (2004) [ ] | ||
Power, Freire & Petrie (2012) [ ] | ||
Schmutz, Sonderegger & Sauer (2016) [ ] | ||
Schmutz, Sonderegger & Sauer (2018) [ ] | ||
Serrano (2009) [ ] | ||
Slatin (2001) [ ] | ||
Theofanos & Redish (2003) [ ] | ||
United Nations (n.d.) [ ] | ||
United States Rehabilitation Act (n.d.) [ ] | ||
Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) (n.d.) [ ] | ||
World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) (n.d.) [ ] | ||
USER EXPERIENCE & USABILITY | Brooke (1996) [ ] | |
Hassenzahl & Tractinsky (2006) [ ] | ||
Hassenzahl et al. (2003) [ ] | ||
Kirakowski & Cierlik (1998) [ ] | ||
Laugwitz et al. (2008) [ ] | ||
Matthews et al. (2020) [ ] | ||
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) (n.d.) [ ] | ||
Nielsen & Landauer (1993) [ ] | ||
Nielsen (1993) [ ] | ||
Nielsen Norman Group (1993) [ ] | ||
Nielsen Norman Group (2012) [ ] | ||
Petrie &Precious (2010) [ ] | ||
Sauer, Sonderegger & Schmutz (2020) [ ] | ||
Schmitt (2011) [ ] | ||
Van Boven & Gilovich (2003) [ ] | ||
Watson et al. (1988) [ ] | ||
NEUROSCIENCE | Bruun (2018) [ ] | |
Cohn & De la Torre (2014) [ ] | ||
Cowley et al. (2016) [ ] | ||
D’Mello, & Kory (2015) [ ] | ||
Ekman, Levenson & Friesen (1983) [ ] | ||
Foglia et al. (2008) [ ] | ||
Kocaleva et al. (2017) [ ] | ||
Kula et al. (2018) [ ] | ||
Lin et al. (2005) [ ] | ||
Mandryk et al. (2006) [ ] | ||
Nacke & Lindley (2008) [ ] | ||
Nielsen & Pernice (2010) [ ] | ||
Núñez Alonso & Martín-Albo Lucas (2004) [ ] | ||
Picard & Healey (1997) [ ] | ||
Podsakoff et al. (2003) [ ] | ||
Vallejo Ruiloba (1992) [ ] | ||
Vermeeren et al. (2010) [ ] | ||
Vicente, Hayes & Williges (1987) [ ] | ||
Yao et al. (2014) [ ] | ||
Zubair et al. (2019) [ ] | ||
GSR | Bach & Friston (2013) [ ] | |
Boucsein (1992) [ ] | ||
Bruun (2018) [ ] | ||
Calvo et al. (2014) [ ] | ||
Dawson et al. (2007) [ ] | ||
Ekman, Levenson & Friesen (1983) [ ] | ||
Fairclough (2009) [ ] | ||
Foglia et al. (2008) [ ] | ||
Ghergulescu & Muntean (2014) [ ] | ||
Healey (2000) [ ] | ||
Kula et al. (2018) [ ] | ||
Mandryk et al. (2006) [ ] | ||
Ohme et al. (2009) [ ] | ||
Ward & Marsden (2003) [ ] | ||
Yao et al. (2014) [ ] | ||
PERSONA | Adlin & Pruitt (2006) [ ] | DESIGN PHASE |
Blokmvist (2002) [ ] | ||
Calabria (2004) [ ] | ||
Cooper (1999) [ ] | ||
Forrester Research (2010) [ ] | ||
Garreta & Mor (2011) [ ] | ||
Goodwin (2009) [ ] | ||
Pruitt & Adlin (2006) [ ] | ||
Pruitt & Grudin (2003) [ ] | ||
Sauer, Sonderegger & Schmutz (2020) [ ] | ||
Zubair et al. (2019) [ ] | ||
DISABLED PERSONA | Cooper (2004) [ ] | |
Goodman et al. (2006) [ ] | ||
Grudin & Pruitt (2002) [ ] | ||
Kitchin (2000) [ ] | ||
Henry (2006) [ ] | ||
Lee et al. (2021) [ ] | ||
Sauer, Sonderegger & Schmutz (2020) [ ] | ||
Schulz & Fuglerud (2012) [ ] | ||
Zubair et al. (2019) [ ] |
TECHNIQUE | QUANTITATIVE DATA | QUALITATIVE DATA | OBJECTIVE DATA | SUBJECTIVE DATA | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
USER BASED | User testing | * | * | * | |
Checklist | * | * | * | ||
Thinking-aloud technique | * | * | |||
Questionnaires | * | * | |||
User reports and complaints | * | * | |||
Psychophysiology | * | * | |||
EXPERT BASED | User observation | * | * | * | |
Heuristic evaluation | * | * | |||
Automatic checking | * | * | |||
Cognitive Walkthrough | * | * |
Research Method | Stimuli | Instruments | Research Themes |
---|---|---|---|
(i) Literature Summary | Documents | Summary | Web accessibility errors frustrating to blind users |
(ii) Expert Questionnaire | Question Form | PC | Common accessibility errors, WCAG |
(iii) User Questionnaire | Question Form | PC | Habits, Needs, Frustration, Satisfaction, Objectives, Motivations |
(iv) Thinking-Aloud Test | 2–3 tasks × 8 websites (2 0 level, 2 A level, 2 AA level, 2 AAA level) | PC | Needs, Frustration, Satisfaction, Success, |
(v) Contextual Observation | Recordings, Notes | Needs, Frustration, Satisfaction, Success | |
(v) GSR | GSR Device | Arousal |
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Marin-Alvarez, E.; Carcelen-Garcia, S.; Galmes-Cerezo, M. A Holistic and Multidimensional Methodology Proposal for a Persona with Total Visual Impairment Archetype on the Web. Societies 2024 , 14 , 102. https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14070102
Marin-Alvarez E, Carcelen-Garcia S, Galmes-Cerezo M. A Holistic and Multidimensional Methodology Proposal for a Persona with Total Visual Impairment Archetype on the Web. Societies . 2024; 14(7):102. https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14070102
Marin-Alvarez, Esther, Sonia Carcelen-Garcia, and María Galmes-Cerezo. 2024. "A Holistic and Multidimensional Methodology Proposal for a Persona with Total Visual Impairment Archetype on the Web" Societies 14, no. 7: 102. https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14070102
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The purpose of the research proposal (its job, so to speak) is to convince your research supervisor, committee or university that your research is suitable (for the requirements of the degree program) and manageable (given the time and resource constraints you will face). The most important word here is "convince" - in other words, your ...
The goal of a research proposal is twofold: to present and justify the need to study a research problem and to present the practical ways in which the proposed study should be conducted. ... Thus, the objective here is to convince the reader that your overall research design and proposed methods of analysis will correctly address the problem ...
Research proposal purpose. Academics often have to write research proposals to get funding for their projects. ... On the other hand, a dissertation proposal or research proposal aims to convince others (e.g., a supervisor, a funding body, or a dissertation committee) that your research topic is relevant and worthy of being conducted.
The goal of the research proposal is to convince others that the investigator has (a) an important idea; (b) the skills, knowledge, and resources to carry out the project; and (c) a plan to implement the project on time and within budget. This entry discusses the process of developing a research proposal and the elements of an effective proposal.
Introduction to Writing Research Proposals In this handout we will discuss some of the basics of how to write a Research Proposal. The main goal of a Research Proposal is to convince someone to give you money. To that end, you will have be an expert salesperson and convince your audience, usually a panel of experts in the eld or a closely ...
The purpose of the research proposal is to convince - therefore, you need to make a clear, concise argument of why your research is both worth doing and doable. Make sure you can ask the critical what, who, and how questions of your research before you put pen to paper. Your research proposal should include (at least) 5 essential components:
The purpose of a research proposal is to outline and communicate your research project to others, such as academic institutions, funding agencies, or potential collaborators. ... A well-crafted research proposal helps convince funders of the value of your research and increases the likelihood of securing financial support, grants, or scholarships.
Overview. A research proposal is a type of text which maps out a proposed central research problem or question and a suggested approach to its investigation. In many universities, including RMIT, the research proposal is a formal requirement. It is central to achieving your first milestone: your Confirmation of Candidature.
myriad of proposals containing good research ideas from competent people. The world of research is a very competitive environment so one purpose of a proposal is to convince those who have a restricted number of places for research degrees and/or limited financial resources to allocate that your research deserves some special attention.
Most students and beginning researchers do not fully understand what a research proposal means, nor do they understand its importance. 1 A research proposal is a detailed description of a proposed study designed to investigate a given problem. 2 A research proposal is intended to convince others that you have a worthwhile research project and that you have the competence and the work-plan to ...
The goal of a research proposal is to present and justify the need to study a research problem and to present the practical ways in which the proposed study should be conducted. ... the objective here is to convince the reader that your overall research design and methods of analysis will correctly address the problem and that the methods will ...
1. Title. As is well known, the first thing that catches the reader's attention is a catchy title. Therefore, you should try to come up with a catchy yet informative title for your research proposal. Additionally, it should be concise and clear to reflect enough information about your research question.
A research proposal is simply a structured, formal document that explains what you plan to research (i.e. your research topic), why it's worth r esearching (i.e. your justification), and how you plan to investigate it (i.e. your practical approach).. The purpose of the research proposal (it's job, so to speak) is to convince your research supervisor, committee or university that your ...
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. Generally, research proposals can range from 500-1500 words or one to a few pages long. Typically, proposals for larger projects such as a PhD ...
A proposal needs to show how your work fits into what is already known about the topic and what new paradigm will it add to the literature, while specifying the question that the research will answer, establishing its significance, and the implications of the answer. [ 2] The proposal must be capable of convincing the evaluation committee about ...
Research proposals are commonly used in academic or scientific settings. They outline the research objectives, methodology, timeline, expected outcomes, and potential significance of a research study. ... Convince and Persuade: The primary purpose of a proposal is to convince the recipient or decision-makers to accept and support the proposed ...
Writing a research proposal template in structured steps ensures a comprehensive and coherent presentation of your research project. Let's look at the explanation for each of the steps here: Step 1: Title and Abstract. Step 2: Introduction. Step 3: Research objectives. Step 4: Literature review.
Stick to books, journals, databases, and published research. A good tip to find sources is to go over previous research on similar topics and get inspiration from their literature review and bibliographies. Step 4. The study design. In this part, you will learn how to write a methods section for a research proposal.
A quality example of a research proposal shows one's above-average analytical skills, including the ability to coherently synthesize ideas and integrate lateral and vertical thinking. Communication skills. The proposal also demonstrates your proficiency to communicate your thoughts in concise and precise language.
Learn the research proposal definition and understand the components of a research proposal. ... The primary purpose of writing these proposals is to convince the target reader, such as financiers ...
A research proposal is a vital tool that can help scholars and university students complete a dissertation, receive funding for projects or fulfill course requirements. It outlines the importance of your inquiry and summarizes how you plan to investigate your research problem. Before developing a project, it's often valuable to learn some ...
The proposal, which will be required in the early stages of your candidature, is, essentially, a detailed plan of your anticipated postgraduate research journey in the context of the degree program you are enrolled in. You will have discussed all elements of this with your supervisor (s) and, in the proposal, your intention is to communicate ...
A typical format includes the following sections: Title: Clearly and concisely state the goal of your research, in a way that gets the reader excited about reading your proposal. Introduction: A brief summary of one to three paragraphs. Include the rationale for the study, the research question and hypothesis, the major method (s) to be used ...
To achieve the purpose of this proposal, two phases are deployed: a "Research phase" to gather user data and a "Design phase" to analyze and develop a persona profile. In the first phase of research, a mixed methodology is presented with a holistic approach composed of various techniques that enable covering all layers involved in the ...
Project 2025, also known as the Presidential Transition Project, is a collection of conservative policy proposals from the Heritage Foundation to reshape the United States federal government in the event of a Republican Party victory in the 2024 presidential election. It proposes reclassifying tens of thousands of merit-based federal civil servant jobs as political appointees in order to ...
The European Commission has adopted a set of proposals to make the EU's climate, energy, transport and taxation policies fit for reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. More information on Delivering the European Green Deal. Discover the European Green Deal visual story