How To Write A Research Proposal

How to Write a Research Proposal |
Examples & Templates

A research proposal describes what you will investigate, why it’s important, and how you will
conduct your research.
The format of a research proposal varies between fields, but most proposals will contain at least
these elements:
 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.
Table of contents
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Research proposal purpose

Academics often have to write research proposals to get funding for their projects. As a student,
you might have to write a research proposal as part of a grad school application, or prior to
starting your thesis or dissertation.
In addition to helping you figure out what your research can look like, a proposal can also serve
to demonstrate why your project is worth pursuing to a funder, educational institution, or
supervisor.
Research proposal 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.
Achievabilit Confirm that your project is feasible within the timeline of your program or funding deadline.
y
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.
See editing example
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
Tip If your proposal is very long, you may also want to include an abstract and a table of
contents to help your reader navigate your work.
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
TipIf you’re not sure where to begin, read our guide on how to write a literature review.
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.
Building a research proposal methodology
Research type  Qualitative or quantitative?

 Original data collection or primary and secondary source analysis?
 Descriptive, correlational, or experimental research design?
Population and sample  Who or what will you study (e.g., high school students in New York; local newspaper archives
1976-80)?
 How will you select your subjects (e.g., probability sampling, non-probability sampling)?
 When and where will you collect your data?
Research methods  What data collection tools and procedures will you use (e.g., surveys, interviews, observationa
studies, experiments)?
 Why?
Practicalities  How much time will you need?

 How will you gain access to your population?
 How will you address any obstacles you face?
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.
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
Example research schedule
Research phase Objectives Deadline
1. Background research and  Meet with supervisor for initial discussion 20th January
literature review  Read and analyze relevant literature
Example research schedule
Research phase Objectives Deadline
 Use new knowledge to refine research questions

 Develop theoretical framework
2. Research design planning  Design questionnaires 13th February

 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?
To determine your budget, think about:

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

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How to Write a Research Proposal |

Examples & Templates

Research proposal purpose

Context Demonstrate your comfort and familiarity with your field.

Approach Make a case for your methodology.

Research proposal length

See editing example

 The proposed title of your project

To guide your introduction, include information about:

 Who could have an interest in the topic (e.g., scientists, policymakers)

 Comparing and contrasting the main theories, methods, and debates

Research design and methods

Building a research proposal methodology

Research type  Qualitative or quantitative?

Practicalities  How much time will you need?

For example, your results might have implications for:

 Improving best practices

Download our research schedule template

Example research schedule

Research phase Objectives Deadline

Research phase Objectives Deadline

 Use new knowledge to refine research questions

2. Research design planning  Design questionnaires 13th February

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

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

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

 Cost: exactly how much money do you need?

To determine your budget, think about:

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