Research Proposal

A research proposal is a structured and formal document of a research project. It explains

what needs to be researched, the questions to be addressed, why the research is required, and
how to investigate.
Research proposal purpose
Academics often must write research proposals to get funding for their projects. As a student,
you might have to write a research proposal as part of a grad school application, or prior to
starting your thesis or dissertation.
The format of a research proposal varies between fields, but most proposals will contain at
least these elements:
 Title page
 Introduction
 Literature review
 Research design
 Reference list
While the sections may vary, the overall objective is always the same. A research proposal
serves as a blueprint and guide for your research plan, helping you get organized and feel
confident in the path forward you choose to take.
Research proposal aims:
 Relevance - Show your reader why your project is interesting, original, and
important.
 Context - Demonstrate your comfort and familiarity with your field. Show that
you understand the current state of research on your topic.
 Approach- Make a case for your methodology. Demonstrate that you have carefully
thought about the data, tools, and procedures necessary to conduct your research.
 Feasibility - Confirm that your project is feasible within the timeline of your program
or funding deadline.
Research proposal length
The length of a research proposal can vary quite a bit. A bachelor’s or master’s thesis
proposal can be just a few pages, while proposals for PhD dissertations or research funding
are usually much longer and more detailed. Your supervisor can help you determine the best
length for your work.
One trick to get started is to think of your proposal’s structure as a shorter version of your
thesis or dissertation, only without the results, conclusion and discussion sections.
Research proposal examples:
Writing a research proposal can be quite challenging, but a good starting point could be to
look at some examples. We’ve included a few for you below.
Example research proposal #1: “A Conceptual Framework for Scheduling Constraint
Management”
Example research proposal #2: “Medical Students as Mediators of Change in Tobacco Use”
Title page
Like your dissertation or thesis, the proposal will usually have a title page that includes:
 The proposed title of your project
 Your name
 Your supervisor’s name
 Your institution and department
Introduction
The first part of your proposal is the initial pitch for your project. Make sure it succinctly
explains what you want to do and why.
Your introduction should:
 Introduce your topic
 Give necessary background and context
 Outline your problem statement and research questions
To guide your introduction, include information about:
 Who could have an interest in the topic (e.g., scientists, policymakers)
 How much is already known about the topic
 What is missing from this current knowledge
 What new insights your research will contribute
 Why you believe this research is worth doing
Literature review
As you get started, it’s important to demonstrate that you’re familiar with the most important
research on your topic. A strong literature review shows your reader that your project has a
solid foundation in existing knowledge or theory. It also shows that you’re not simply
repeating what other people have already done or said, but rather using existing research as a
jumping-off point for your own.
In this section, share exactly how your project will contribute to ongoing conversations in the
field by:
 Comparing and contrasting the main theories, methods, and debates
 Examining the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches
 Explaining how will you build on, challenge, or synthesize prior scholarship
Research design and methods
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.

Contribution to knowledge
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:

 Improving best practices

 Informing policymaking decisions
  Strengthening a theory or model
 Challenging popular or scientific beliefs
 Creating a basis for future research

Reference list
Last but not least, your research proposal must include correct citations for every source you
have used, compiled in a reference list.

Research schedule
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.

Example research schedule

Research phase Objectives Deadline

1. Background research  Meet with supervisor for initial discussion. 20th January
and literature review  Read and analyze relevant literature.
 Use new knowledge to refine research questions.
 Develop theoretical framework

2. Research design  Design questionnaires 13th February

planning  Identify channels for recruiting participants.
 Finalize sampling methods and data analysis methods

3. Data collection and  Recruit participants and send out questionnaires. 24th March
preparation  Conduct semi-structured interviews with selected
participants.
 Transcribe and code interviews
 Clean data

4. Data analysis  Statistically analyze survey data 22nd April

 Conduct thematic analysis of interview transcripts
 Draft results and discussion chapters

5. Writing  Complete a full thesis draft 17th June

 Meet with supervisor to discuss feedback and revisions

6. Revision  Complete 2nd draft based on feedback 28th July

 Get supervisor approval for final draft
 Proofread
 Print and bind final work
 Submit
Budget
If you are applying for research funding, chances are you will have to include a detailed
budget. This shows your estimates of how much each part of your project will cost.
Make sure to check what type of costs the funding body will agree to cover. For each item,
include:
 Cost: exactly how much money do you need?
 Justification: why is this cost necessary to complete the research?
 Source: how did you calculate the amount?
If your study requires funding from an external source, consider including financial details in
your research proposal. Based on the instructions of a funding organization, you can develop
a budget that describes the costs of every project component and why these items can help
you achieve your research goals. Here are some specific items to address in a budget for a
research proposal:
 Travel expenses: If your team commutes to a specific location to interview subjects or
collect physical data, your project may have additional costs.
 Research materials: You might purchase certain tools to support your efforts, like a
software program for data collection.
 Research personnel: Depending on the scope of a project, you may hire assistants to
conduct certain tasks, like organizing data or transcribing discussions.