research proposal buy

  Take 10% OFF— Expires in h m s Use code save10u during checkout.

Chat with us

• Live Chat Talk to a specialist
• Self-service options
• Search FAQs Fast answers, no waiting
• Ultius 101 New client? Click here
• Messenger  

International support numbers

For reference only, subject to Terms and Fair Use policies.

• How it Works

Learn more about us

• Future writers
• Explore further

Buy Research Proposal

If you're interested in buying a research proposal, you have come to the right place. Ultius writers are drawn from all disciplines and have countless hours of experience with both research and writing. Let us get you on the right track with a a custom-written research proposal.

• Money Back Guarantee
• 24/7 Support
• Free Revisions
• Confidential & Secure

Spend 5 Minutes, Save 5 Hours

What people are saying

" Great service! The writers are extremely professional and with extraordinary writing skills. Customer service is 5 stars. They offer email, live chat and phone assistant with a live person, not a recording. Top of the line writing service, I really recommended. "

Kendy L. reviewed Ultius on Feb 02, 2015 via SiteJabber Click to see the original review on an external website. ? Learn more about our commitment to verified reviews.

Trying Ultius is risk-free with these guarantees

Never Late, Always Great SM Guarantee

That's right. Guaranteed to be delivered on time and great writing or your money back*.

99th Percentile Writers

Native English speakers who are more qualified and experienced than anywhere else. Guaranteed.

Free Revisions—Always

If you're unhappy with your final draft, we will edit it for free*.

* Some terms apply. Please see our full terms and revision policy

Getting started is fast, secure, and confidential. You'll be glad you did.

A solid research proposal is the foundation of a great research paper

The research proposal is your general game plan and highlights important key points for the full research paper.

A research proposal is where you conceptualize your research paper as a whole. It includes the primary research question you will be exploring, as well as the avenues you will pursue in order to explore that question. It essentially contains your main idea and serves as the core of your project.

Developing your research proposal can be the most difficult part of any research project. Ultius understands this is because the research proposal is the foundation of your entire project, and where you will need to use your creativity in order to formulate a workable plan for moving forward.

The process for writing a great research paper starts with a great proposal

A solid research paper should begin with a strong research proposal. Our writers can help you plan, gather and anaylze sources, and even write the eventual research paper. This involves conducting the relevant research through the use of academic databases and/or other sources.

Research proposal

Research writing

This chart shows you the main steps of a research project. The research proposal is the beginning and organizes the project as a whole. Continue referring back to your research proposal during the entire process until your research paper is complete.

If you don't get your research proposal completed correctly, it will be more difficult to complete your research paper or project successfully.

We can help you with your research proposal by using the correct citation style, scholarly sources, and more

The writers who work with Ultius have extensive experience writing research papers and research proposals. They understand how to structure a research proposal and what is expected from a successful proposal.

They also have access to a wide range of academic resources in order to proceed with the research project in an effective way.

Where we find sources

Our commonly used databases

• EBSCOhost Academic Search Complete
• Google Scholar
• Amazon Preview
• Various open access databases
• Google Books
• EBSCOhost CINAHL

Citation styles we accommodate

See the formats our writers work on

• Anything else you may need

What you get when working with your writer

You can personally message your writer, upload any files, and request a revision if needed.

A secure and trusted team

The system used by Ultius is setup to ensure that the privacy and security of your information are always protected.

Scanned daily

A+ BBB Rating

256-Bit SSL Encryption

Our writers are also professional researchers who are able to access not only the academic resources that are available to the general public but also other specialized resources that are not as widely available. In short, they've got your research needs covered.

Work with an expert who understands research and conceptualization

If you want to make sure that your research proposal sets you up for success, consider working with an expert. Ultius works with expert writers who have access to the best research materials and are skilled at conceptualizing research plans. Best of all, if you like the work your writer produces, you will be able to request the same writer for your actual research paper.

The best research materials

Our writers have access to a wide range of academic resources. If you need it, they can probably find it.

Conceptualization of the project

Your writer will have a great deal of skill at working with concepts—meaning, they will be deliver a full model research plan/outline to you without any problems.

Our requested writer feature

You can work with the same writer as you move forward with your research project to ensure experience and continuity.

Citation style experts

Our writers focus on CMS and Turabian styles for research papers, but our writers can use whichever style you need.

Working with a professional writer can save you a great deal of time. You won't have to worry about how a research proposal is supposed to look, since you'll know by looking at your expert's professionally written proposal. Our writers are specifically trained to know the difference between a proposal and the more common essay writing format . This can give you a great head start when you turn to work on your own project.

Some questions you may have about buying a research proposal

These include questions about pay, questions about revisions, and working with the same writer.

You may still have some questions about what it will be like to work with an Ultius writer. Our Knowledge Base is here to answer those questions for you. This guide will address issues such as the process for placing an order, the actual content you can expect to receive, and more.

With our requested writer feature, you can ask for the same writer to work with you on other parts of your project after the research proposal. We cannot guarantee that the writer will be available (read full policy) , but the vast majority of writers who receive special requests tend to take them on.

The pricing of our products depends on a few factors including the difficulty level, the deadline, and the number of pages you would like to see written. Please feel free to check out our full pricing chart for more detailed information on this subject.

Absolutely. All of the writers who work with Ultius are expected to produce original content, from scratch. Each and every order is scanned with anti-plagiarism software before it is sent out to the customer, in order to ensure that no plagiarism has occurred.

If you find that your writer has failed to meet your instructions or expectations, then you can request a revision after you have received your order. This revision request is a free amenity that is included with each and every order as part of our guarantee to you.

We at Ultius have a dedicated Client Success team to ensure that any and all of your concerns are effectively addressed. Call or email us, we're here to help! We should be able to answer any further questions that you may still have.

The Ultius order process is easy, streamlined, and designed with your convenience in mind. Once you have placed your order, you can communicate with your matched writer and provide any relevant materials. And after you receive your order, you have the option of requesting a revision if you aren't fully satisfied.

Example research proposal from an Ultius writer

Reading the sample below can help you get an idea of how a research proposal should look.

A research proposal is a fairly standardized document that has a specific structure and is expected to include specific content sections. No matter what the subject of a given research proposal may be, this structure tends to remain the same. You can see this in the following model research proposals that have been produced by writers who work with Ultius.

This is just an example of a previously written research proposal, and there are plenty of other custom writing examples you can see on our blog . If you order your own research proposal, you can expect your product to be similar to these examples in structure and content. Our writers are skilled at conducting research on just about anything under the sun.

1 When writing a research proposal, have a clear objective in mind

A research proposal should explain the reason why a research study is needed, and contain a review of the existing literature on the subject.

Scholars create research proposals to assert that a new study on a particular subject needs to be conducted. The purpose of the research proposal is to validate the need to conduct your research, while outlining when and how the study will happen.

Students at the undergraduate and graduate levels are often required to write research proposals . Established academics also write research proposals as part of their responsibilities and to support progress in their fields.

Prior to writing a proposal, one must review a substantial amount of existing literature written about the chosen subject. This ensures that the research proposal does not reiterate or replicate what other academics have already written.

A literature review is also done to generate ideas and potential approaches for the proposal itself. Research proposals are read by professors so they can evaluate students’ writing and research skills.

The proposals are also read by academic committees in order to...

• Determine feasibility of the proposal
• Determine whether to grant funding
• Extend university resources to the scholar to conduct the research
• To assess a scholar’s potential as an academic

Ask yourself what, why, and how your proposal will answer the questions posed by your research subject.

Knowing what the plan is, why it’s important, and how it’ll be carried out is essential to writing a great research proposal.

When writing a research proposal, the content needs to be precise and organized in a logical fashion. Prior to writing, the following should be determined:

After you ask yourself these questions, make sure you're satisfied with the answers. If you’re not satisfied, the reviewer won’t be either.

2 Use the right research approach for your proposal

The research methods you use will affect the outcome of your proposal.

There are two different ways to approach a proposal:

• Conducting practical research
• Conducting theoretical research

Practical research : This type of research is rooted in direct experience with the subject matter. A proposal using the practical approach will include a hands-on study to uncover data. This is also referred to as primary research and will often be conducted by the writer of the proposal.

A survey administered to research participants regarding their impressions of various versions of the same product.

Theoretical research : This type of research concentrates on gathering data from already published sources. It does not involve a hands-on approach, but rather uses the data from others’ studies to discover and support the answer to the research question.

A combination of scholarly journal articles that contain the results of studies conducted on consumers’ impressions of various versions of the same product.

The methodologies used in research proposals are either qualitative or quantitative .

There are some very important differences between quantitative and qualitative research . The main differences are:

This doesn’t mean that qualitative methods should not be used if they are the best ways to answer the research questions. What it means is that the proposal should contain additional support for why a qualitative method is being used.

For what it's worth: Qualitative methods are not taken at the same face value as their quantitative counterparts.

3 Constructing a convincing proposal requires reviewing the previous research done on the topic

Knowing the already published research on your topic will help you approach your proposal in a fresh, original way.

Prior to writing the proposal, you’ll need a properly refined topic that does not duplicate the topic’s existing literature. Your proposal’s study must be designed to reveal a previously uncovered aspect about the topic.

Review the existing literature as thoroughly as possible to ensure your preconceived proposal idea is unique. Once you’ve narrowed down your idea, decide whether a qualitative or quantitative approach is best. Consider the following:

• Think about how the study in the proposal could turn out.
• What data you expect to uncover.
• How those results will change or supplement field practice.
• Theoretical knowledge of the topic.

When you know how you will be approaching your research proposal, it’s time to determine how you will structure it.

Research proposal structure -- how to start

How you structure your research proposal can affect the flow of it, and how readers absorb the information you’re presenting.

Most research proposals consist of six different sections, plus a list of sources. Plan on including the following.

Keep in mind that the sections on expected results and expected impacts should defend how the research proposal will expand the current scholarly research on the topic.

Structuring your paper in an easily readable format will endear you to your reviewers and instructor.

Step 1: The introduction should let the reader know the question the study will be answering.

Within the introduction, a summary of the background information about the topic should be included. The methodology will need to be stated, along with a rationale for that choice.

Finally, you’ll need to explain why the study is important, how it will make an impact, and why those reading the proposal should want to support its implementation.

Remember that you’re not just describing what you want to study and why, but that you’re also trying to convince a professor or academic committee that the study is worthwhile.

Step 2: A background elaborates on several points you touched upon in your introduction.

• Go into detail regarding the main research question and its function. Is there anything the reader needs to know in order to understand the question and its purpose?
• Is there any terminology that needs to be defined and explained? Provide even more details about why you’re conducting the study.
• Why is it important to conduct the study? This is where you may want to indicate the current literature does not address what you want to accomplish or reveal about the subject. Is your research study going to provide a solution to an existing problem that the current literature does not?
• Provide details on how you will conduct your study, including how you will gather and evaluate the data.
• Explain any limitations to your study, especially if you are aware of a problem or aspect of a problem that your study will not be focusing on. Provide a rationale for any limitations or exclusions.

Ask yourself if your research proposal is going to provide a solution to an existing problem that the current literature does not.

Step 3: Detail why your research proposal is significant.

This is where you’ll explain why you’re doing the proposal to begin with. What do you hope to achieve, or what problem may your proposal solve? This may very well be the most important part of your proposal.

You want to explain why your proposal is different from previous research done on the subject. Being specific or use visual aids to assist with your presentation will go a long way.

Comparing, contrasting, and connecting your research to other research done on the subject may help your own research stand out.

Step 4: The literature review should be a comprehensive summary and methodology of research that can be tied to your research question.

With the literature review , you don’t want to stick to only summarizing the information.

Make sure you demonstrate that you’ve been able to analyze and critique the information, and that you’ve been able to uncover a need for your study. You should remember to cite all information you take from the sources and stick to a fact-based analysis.

Think about how the various authors/researchers have approached their studies, how their results differ, and how their results overlap.

The methodology outlines the details you’ll be using to put your research proposal together.

In this section, you’ll need to describe how you’ll be conducting your study. Your details will need to account for the specific actions that you’ll be undertaking, including the ways you’ll be reaching conclusions about the data.

Be sure to indicate how your methods, evaluations, and interpretations, will support the main research question. For instance, if your study is meant to reveal what factors account for individual financial success, a quantitative method using a weighted average formula needs to be more than just stated.

• How will the factors used in the formula be determined?
• What is each factor's significance?
• What weight is assigned to each factor and what is the rationale for each weight?
• Are there different methods that could have been used and what was the advantage to using the weighted average formula?
• What are the disadvantages to using the formula and what data does the formula either exclude, potentially skew or overlook?

Asking yourself these types of questions ahead of time, will save you a lot of time and headaches when you start writing your research paper.

Step 5: Once you explain your reason for conducting the research, you’ll need to highlight what results and impacts you expected.

This section is where you’ll indicate what you believe your research will uncover, but in some cases, you’ll also need to state this in the form of a hypothesis and a corresponding null hypothesis .

Null hypothesis: What you believe the data will not prove; often the direct opposite of the stated hypothesis.

You’ll need to write this section in an argumentative style and tone . Think about the following questions as you’re writing:

• What improvements could happen as a result of your findings?
• Could policies (national, state, local) be impacted?
• Will practitioners need to modify their approaches, responsibilities, and tasks?
• Who would benefit from your findings?
• Will your findings open avenues for future research? Will the findings uncover a new gap in the literature?

You’ll be justifying how the expected results will make a significant contribution to the field, either from an academic, practical, or political standpoint.

Step 6: Your conclusion should drive home why the research proposal is significant and why the proposal needs to be undertaken.

Include a summary of what makes your research proposal stand out and the main points your study will cover. Concise explanations of all of the proposal’s sections should be included here, with a restatement of how the proposal’s findings will make a contribution.

Don’t feel as though you need to restate every point within the proposal; stick to the significant highlights. Try to keep the content to no more than two paragraphs.

More resources

Although this guide provides a detailed overview of the general structure of the research proposal, the content you’ll need to include can vary by academic discipline. Sample research proposals according to a variety of academic disciplines are available online through a variety of sites, including resources found on the Ultius site .

Also, consider seeking help from a friend, a trusted peer, or through professional assistance. Remember, there’s nothing wrong with seeking help!

Not what you're looking for or not convinced?

The links below may help.

Related Research Paper Writing Services

• Generic Research Paper
• Research Outline
• Research Summary
• Research Paper Editing

Search hundreds of writing services

Tested Daily

Click to Verify

Ultius Reviews

Ultius is proud to have thousands of great (verified) reviews from real customers. Last updated on December 10th, 2018 .

• 4.9 /5 Reviews.io Based on 301 reviews
• A+ Better Business Bureau® Accredited since 2013
• 4.5 /5 SiteJabber Based on 457 reviews

The Ultius Promise

With every order, you can count on the following:

• Delivered on time
• 100% original
• Free revisions
• Awesome 24/7 support
• World-class writers

What's Included?

Every order comes with these free features:

• 275 Words Per Page
• Free Title Page
• Free Bibliography
• American Writers
• Plagiarism Scan

Enjoy 15% off your first order

Connect with a professional writer by placing your first order. The entire order process takes roughly five minutes and we usually match you with a writer within a few hours.

Enter code newcust during checkout and save money on your first order.

Have more questions?

Get in touch with us or explore common questions.

Fair Use Policy

Ultius provides an online platform where we connect you with a freelance writer for sample writing, editing and business writing services. The company encourages and expects fair use of our services. Here are the guidelines.

Order Revisions i

The company offers free revisions, but there are some limitations like the deadline and whether we met the original instructions.

Sample Writing ii

Custom sample services are for model and reference use only. When referencing our work, you must use a proper citation.

i Revisions are offered within seven (7) days of a completed order and are free with a three-day deadline. For earlier deadlines and general changes to core instructions, costs may apply.

ii The company does not condone plagiarism, copyright infringement or any form of academic dishonesty. All provided sample services must only be used for reference purposes while being cited properly. Please read the Fair Use Policy.

• Writer Options
• Custom Writing
• Business Documents
• Support Desk
• +1-800-405-2972
• Submit bug report
• A+ BBB Rating!

Ultius is the trusted provider of content solutions for consumers around the world. Connect with great American writers and get 24/7 support.

© 2024 Ultius, Inc.

• Refund & Cancellation Policy

Claim Your 20% OFF Coupon Code

Before you go —Get your final discount offer by providing your email address below. This is the highest discount code we provide (you can check online).

This offer is valid for new customers only.

* We will never share your email with third parties for advertising purposes or spam you.

** By providing my email address, I am consenting to reasonable communications from Ultius regarding the promotion.

You're Almost There!

Just one more step to claim your offer

Check your email for the discount code. It should be there within 5 minutes.

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, generate accurate citations for free.

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

How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates

Published on October 12, 2022 by Shona McCombes and Tegan George. Revised on November 21, 2023.

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

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

Introduction

Literature review.

• Research design

Reference list

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

Table of contents

Research proposal purpose, research proposal examples, research design and methods, contribution to knowledge, research schedule, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about research proposals.

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

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

Research proposal length

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

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

Download our research proposal template

Receive feedback on language, structure, and formatting

Professional editors proofread and edit your paper by focusing on:

• Academic style
• Vague sentences
• Style consistency

See an example

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

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

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

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

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

Your introduction should:

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

To guide your introduction , include information about:

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

Here's why students love Scribbr's proofreading services

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:

• 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

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

To finish your proposal on a strong note, explore the potential implications of your research for your field. 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

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

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

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

Download our research schedule template

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

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

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

To determine your budget, think about:

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

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

• Sampling methods
• Simple random sampling
• Stratified sampling
• Cluster sampling
• Likert scales
• Reproducibility

 Statistics

• Null hypothesis
• Statistical power
• Probability distribution
• Effect size
• Poisson distribution

Research bias

• Optimism bias
• Cognitive bias
• Implicit bias
• Hawthorne effect
• Anchoring bias
• Explicit 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.

Cite this Scribbr article

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

McCombes, S. & George, T. (2023, November 21). How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates. Scribbr. Retrieved April 3, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/research-process/research-proposal/

Is this article helpful?

Shona McCombes

Other students also liked, how to write a problem statement | guide & examples, writing strong research questions | criteria & examples, how to write a literature review | guide, examples, & templates, unlimited academic ai-proofreading.

✔ Document error-free in 5minutes ✔ Unlimited document corrections ✔ Specialized in correcting academic texts

• Research Process

Writing a Scientific Research Project Proposal

• 5 minute read
• 95.8K views

Table of Contents

The importance of a well-written research proposal cannot be underestimated. Your research really is only as good as your proposal. A poorly written, or poorly conceived research proposal will doom even an otherwise worthy project. On the other hand, a well-written, high-quality proposal will increase your chances for success.

In this article, we’ll outline the basics of writing an effective scientific research proposal, including the differences between research proposals, grants and cover letters. We’ll also touch on common mistakes made when submitting research proposals, as well as a simple example or template that you can follow.

What is a scientific research proposal?

The main purpose of a scientific research proposal is to convince your audience that your project is worthwhile, and that you have the expertise and wherewithal to complete it. The elements of an effective research proposal mirror those of the research process itself, which we’ll outline below. Essentially, the research proposal should include enough information for the reader to determine if your proposed study is worth pursuing.

It is not an uncommon misunderstanding to think that a research proposal and a cover letter are the same things. However, they are different. The main difference between a research proposal vs cover letter content is distinct. Whereas the research proposal summarizes the proposal for future research, the cover letter connects you to the research, and how you are the right person to complete the proposed research.

There is also sometimes confusion around a research proposal vs grant application. Whereas a research proposal is a statement of intent, related to answering a research question, a grant application is a specific request for funding to complete the research proposed. Of course, there are elements of overlap between the two documents; it’s the purpose of the document that defines one or the other.

Scientific Research Proposal Format

Although there is no one way to write a scientific research proposal, there are specific guidelines. A lot depends on which journal you’re submitting your research proposal to, so you may need to follow their scientific research proposal template.

In general, however, there are fairly universal sections to every scientific research proposal. These include:

• Title: Make sure the title of your proposal is descriptive and concise. Make it catch and informative at the same time, avoiding dry phrases like, “An investigation…” Your title should pique the interest of the reader.
• Abstract: This is a brief (300-500 words) summary that includes the research question, your rationale for the study, and any applicable hypothesis. You should also include a brief description of your methodology, including procedures, samples, instruments, etc.
• Introduction: The opening paragraph of your research proposal is, perhaps, the most important. Here you want to introduce the research problem in a creative way, and demonstrate your understanding of the need for the research. You want the reader to think that your proposed research is current, important and relevant.
• Background: Include a brief history of the topic and link it to a contemporary context to show its relevance for today. Identify key researchers and institutions also looking at the problem
• Literature Review: This is the section that may take the longest amount of time to assemble. Here you want to synthesize prior research, and place your proposed research into the larger picture of what’s been studied in the past. You want to show your reader that your work is original, and adds to the current knowledge.
• Research Design and Methodology: This section should be very clearly and logically written and organized. You are letting your reader know that you know what you are going to do, and how. The reader should feel confident that you have the skills and knowledge needed to get the project done.
• Preliminary Implications: Here you’ll be outlining how you anticipate your research will extend current knowledge in your field. You might also want to discuss how your findings will impact future research needs.
• Conclusion: This section reinforces the significance and importance of your proposed research, and summarizes the entire proposal.
• References/Citations: Of course, you need to include a full and accurate list of any and all sources you used to write your research proposal.

Common Mistakes in Writing a Scientific Research Project Proposal

Remember, the best research proposal can be rejected if it’s not well written or is ill-conceived. The most common mistakes made include:

• Not providing the proper context for your research question or the problem
• Failing to reference landmark/key studies
• Losing focus of the research question or problem
• Not accurately presenting contributions by other researchers and institutions
• Incompletely developing a persuasive argument for the research that is being proposed
• Misplaced attention on minor points and/or not enough detail on major issues
• Sloppy, low-quality writing without effective logic and flow
• Incorrect or lapses in references and citations, and/or references not in proper format
• The proposal is too long – or too short

Scientific Research Proposal Example

There are countless examples that you can find for successful research proposals. In addition, you can also find examples of unsuccessful research proposals. Search for successful research proposals in your field, and even for your target journal, to get a good idea on what specifically your audience may be looking for.

While there’s no one example that will show you everything you need to know, looking at a few will give you a good idea of what you need to include in your own research proposal. Talk, also, to colleagues in your field, especially if you are a student or a new researcher. We can often learn from the mistakes of others. The more prepared and knowledgeable you are prior to writing your research proposal, the more likely you are to succeed.

Language Editing Services

One of the top reasons scientific research proposals are rejected is due to poor logic and flow. Check out our Language Editing Services to ensure a great proposal , that’s clear and concise, and properly referenced. Check our video for more information, and get started today.

• Manuscript Review

Research Fraud: Falsification and Fabrication in Research Data

Research Team Structure

You may also like.

Descriptive Research Design and Its Myriad Uses

Five Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a Biomedical Research Paper

Making Technical Writing in Environmental Engineering Accessible

To Err is Not Human: The Dangers of AI-assisted Academic Writing

When Data Speak, Listen: Importance of Data Collection and Analysis Methods

Choosing the Right Research Methodology: A Guide for Researchers

Why is data validation important in research?

Writing a good review article

Input your search keywords and press Enter.

Research proposal writing service

From a trustworthy service

Hire research proposal writers and get help today.

Trusted by 1,5M+ happy customers

The upsides of our service

Find out why using our research proposal writing service is a good idea.

Plagiarism-free writing

Don’t let a single person doubt the originality of your content. Be confident in receiving a 100% unique text.

First-class results

Rely on the best experts on the market. Receive A-level work with every order.

24/7 Customer support

Let our support agents troubleshoot any of your minor or major issues. Contact them at any time, day or night, for immediate assistance and guidance.

Privacy guarantee

Your privacy is our top priority. We take every precaution to protect your payment and personal information.

Always on time

Our lightning-fast delivery will make you breathe a sigh of relief. Get everything done on time with our 6-hour deadline option.

Our professional experts

Leverage the expertise of qualified authors at our research proposal writing service.

Get a custom research proposal in 3 steps

Step 1. leave us instructions.

Detail the task for expert writers at our Ph.D. proposal writing service.

Step 2. Choose your expert

Pick out the top writer from our service.

Step 3. Receive your paper

Get your delivered to your inbox before the deadline.

Check out our customer reviews

Find out why we are one of the top-rated services in the industry.

Frequently asked questions

How to benefit from your help, how can a guide help me, why use a custom research proposal writing service, how can i get research proposal help, who will be handle a research proposal, how many paper revisions can i make, benefits from our research proposal writing services.

Research proposal is no easy task, especially for those who are new to academic writing. Researching credible sources, analyzing data, and formulating a well-structured proposal requires expertise and time.That's where our service come in. With our expert team of academic writers, we can take the burden off your shoulders and provide you with a customized research proposal that meets even the most specific requirements.

With EssayPro's quality assistance, you can be confident that your research proposal will be of the highest standard. We guarantee top results with every order. If not, you can request as many revisions as you need or ask for a refund.What’s more, our all-round writing services will not break your budget. We understand that students often have limited funds. That's why we’ve designed our pricing structure in a flexible way that caters to different budget constraints.

Whether you are in need of a comprehensive research proposal or just a few sections, we have affordable options that will suit your needs. We believe that quality writing should be accessible to everyone, and we strive to provide value for money.

Ask us "write my research proposal" and get some benefits

There's a good chance that you've visited a number of online writing platforms in search of writers. However, what distinguishes us from them? And why should you trust us to handle your research proposal? We have the answer for you.

While many services offer low prices and quick turnaround times, there's often a trade-off in terms of quality. At Essaypro, we prioritize the quality of the papers we deliver above all else. If you get a work from someone else, chances are that it may be poorly written or plagiarized. Yet, we have an originality guarantee on every paper we deliver. On top of that, you can request a free originality report to ensure that your paper is 100% unique.

Customization is also a key aspect that sets our research proposals apart from others. We understand that every project is unique and requires a personalized approach. That's why we select the writing style and tone that best suit your requirements. It is what makes it authentic and worthy of a high grade. So, when you need a little bit of guidance and support, turn to EssayPro.

Guaranteed confidentiality with every professional writer cooperation

When you choose to work with a research proposal writing service like EssayPro, you can be sure that your information and ideas will be kept strictly confidential. We have a rigid hiring policy; therefore, each of our authors has gone through numerous selection procedures. On top of being highly qualified and experienced in their respective fields, our pro writers are also committed to upholding the highest standards of confidentiality.

If you are interested in other writers' qualifications and expertise, we provide detailed profiles for each dissertation proposal writer on our website. You may learn more about their talents and abilities by reviewing their educational background, competences, success rate, and customer reviews. Also, be sure that everyone of them has native English proficiency and is skilled to deliver various types of papers.

So, if you need dissertation proposal writing help , EssayPro is your go-to option. We can perform any task of varying complexity and leave you more free time to focus on other important aspects of your life.

Hire a reliable research proposal writer every time

You can be certain that if you come to EssayPro for help, you will receive the best possible service. If you're ever in doubt, check out our extensive list of experts and their qualifications. Examine customer testimonials as well. This way, you can relax knowing that you are hiring a reliable research proposal writer every time.

Some students are also concerned that the proposal writing service they have chosen will not deliver their paper on time. However, this is not the case with EssayPro. Punctuality is one of our top priorities. Regardless of the complexity or urgency of your assignment, our team works diligently to ensure that your paper is delivered to you on time.

Fast turnaround time is our commitment to our customers. We have set up our processes in such a way that every customer can contact us six hours before the deadline and receive their paper within the agreed-upon timeframe. While promptly delivering help, we won't compromise on the quality of your paper. You will receive a well-researched, well-referenced, and professionally written work that meets all academic standards.

Will dissertation proposal writing service meet your needs?

Our dissertation proposal writers will make your dream of a degree a reality and bring your words and ideas to life. You can discuss your specific requirements with our team of experts, and they will develop a tailor-made research proposal for you.

With us, you can get rid of time-wasters and focus on the more important aspects of your doctoral journey. We will handle all the tedious and time-consuming tasks of writing this complicated paper. You can entrust EssayPro with research, outline writing, editing, proofreading, formatting, and more.

Unlike other services, we prioritize customization and personalization. Therefore, we strive to produce a research proposal that aligns with your specific research objectives and requirements, as well as mimics your writing style. You can send us a sample of your writing, and we will ensure that the research proposal we deliver matches your tone and language.

If you want to enjoy a smooth and stress-free writing process, don't hesitate to choose us. Every aspect of our service stands out from other Ph.D. writing services . With Essaypro, you can rest assured that your proposal will grab the attention of your committee and set you on the path to success.

Buy Research Proposal

The ultimate solution: buy a research proposal at writeondeadline.com.

Embarking on a research journey can be both exhilarating and daunting. As most scholars would confirm, the preliminary step of crafting a compelling research proposal often determines the trajectory of the entire project. But, with the increasing academic pressures and other commitments, finding time and inspiration for this crucial task might be challenging. That’s where WriteOnDeadline.com comes into play. Let’s delve deeper into why you should consider our services.

Why Choose WriteOnDeadline.com to Buy Research Proposals?

Expert Writers : Our team comprises experienced writers well-versed in diverse research fields. When you buy a research proposal from us, you’re not just getting a document; you’re acquiring a piece of well-researched content crafted with precision.

Tailored to Your Needs : We prioritize your guidelines and requirements. Our aim? To deliver a research proposal that mirrors your academic aspirations and research goals.

Timely Delivery : Time is of the essence, especially in academic settings. When you buy research proposals from us, we ensure timely delivery, every time.

Cost-Effective Solutions : Quality doesn’t always come at a hefty price. With us, you get top-tier quality without burning a hole in your pocket.

The Ease of Buying a Research Proposal Online

The digital age has made it incredibly easy to get services at the click of a button. By choosing to buy a research proposal online, you’re not just opting for convenience but also for a wealth of expertise that’s now accessible from anywhere in the world.

Simple Process : With WriteOnDeadline.com, the process of buying a research proposal is streamlined. Just log in, detail your requirements, and let our experts do the magic.

Safe and Secure : Data security is our top priority. Rest assured, all transactions and personal information remain confidential.

Feedback Loop : Our platform promotes a two-way communication channel, ensuring any feedback or revisions are promptly addressed.

Making the Decision to Purchase a Research Proposal

As the academic landscape becomes more competitive, scholars are continuously seeking solutions to ensure their research stands out. By making the decision to purchase a research proposal, you’re investing in:

• Quality : Crafted by experts who understand the nuances of research.
• Time : Free up your schedule for other pressing academic tasks.
• Peace of Mind : Knowing your research proposal is in expert hands.

Still Contemplating? Here’s What Our Clients Say

“When I chose to buy my research proposal from WriteOnDeadline.com, I wasn’t just buying a document. I was buying time, quality, and peace of mind. The proposal exceeded my expectations and set a strong foundation for my research.” – Amanda K.

Take Action Now: Your Research Deserves the Best Start!

Buy research proposal services from WriteOnDeadline.com and propel your research journey to new heights. With our blend of expertise, commitment, and service quality, you’re not just getting a proposal but a launchpad for your research success.

Don’t wait! Elevate the quality of your research. Click here to buy your research proposal from WriteOnDeadline.com today.

How do I buy a research proposal from WriteOnDeadline.com?

Simply log in and detail your requirements, and our team will get started.

Is it safe to buy research proposals online?

With WriteOnDeadline.com, your data’s safety is guaranteed. Our platform is encrypted, ensuring complete confidentiality.

Can I communicate with the writer handling my research proposal?

Yes, our platform encourages a two-way communication channel to ensure all your requirements are met.

We use essential cookies to make Venngage work. By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.

Manage Cookies

Cookies and similar technologies collect certain information about how you’re using our website. Some of them are essential, and without them you wouldn’t be able to use Venngage. But others are optional, and you get to choose whether we use them or not.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are always on, as they’re essential for making Venngage work, and making it safe. Without these cookies, services you’ve asked for can’t be provided.

Show cookie providers

• Google Login

Functionality Cookies

These cookies help us provide enhanced functionality and personalisation, and remember your settings. They may be set by us or by third party providers.

Performance Cookies

These cookies help us analyze how many people are using Venngage, where they come from and how they're using it. If you opt out of these cookies, we can’t get feedback to make Venngage better for you and all our users.

• Google Analytics

Targeting Cookies

These cookies are set by our advertising partners to track your activity and show you relevant Venngage ads on other sites as you browse the internet.

• Google Tag Manager
• Infographics
• Daily Infographics
• Graphic Design
• Graphs and Charts
• Data Visualization
• Human Resources
• Training and Development
• Beginner Guides

Blog Education

How to Write a Research Proposal: A Step-by-Step

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.

What to include in a 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.

How to format a research proposal?

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:

• Title Page: Must include the title of your research proposal, your name and affiliations. The title should be concise and descriptive of your proposed research.
• Abstract: A brief summary of your proposal, usually not exceeding 250 words. It should highlight the research question, methodology and the potential impact of the study.
• Introduction: Introduces your research question or problem, explains its significance, and states the objectives of your study.
• Literature review: Here, you contextualize your research within existing scholarship, demonstrating your knowledge of the field and how your research will contribute to it.
• Methodology: Outline your research methods, including how you will collect and analyze data. This section should be detailed enough to show the feasibility and thoughtfulness of your approach.
• Timeline: Provide an estimated schedule for your research, breaking down the process into stages with a realistic timeline for each.
• Budget (if applicable): If your research requires funding, include a detailed budget outlining expected cost.
• References/Bibliography: List all sources referenced in your proposal in a consistent citation style.

How to write a research proposal in 11 steps?

Writing a research proposal 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 Step 5: Methodology Step 6: Timeline Step 7: Resources Step 8: Ethical considerations Step 9: Expected outcomes and significance Step 10: References Step 11: Appendices

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. 

Step 2: Introduction

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.

Step 3: Research objectives

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.

Step 4: Literature review

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.

Step 5: Methodology

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​​.

Step 6: Timeline

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.

Step 7: Resources

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. 

Step 8: Ethical considerations

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.

Step 9: Expected outcomes and significance

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. 

Step 10: References

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.

Step 11: Appendices

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.

Research proposal FAQs

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

2. Why is the research plan pivotal to a research project?

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.

Research Proposal Example/Sample

Detailed Walkthrough + Free Proposal Template

If you’re getting started crafting your research proposal and are looking for a few examples of research proposals , you’ve come to the right place.

In this video, we walk you through two successful (approved) research proposals , one for a Master’s-level project, and one for a PhD-level dissertation. We also start off by unpacking our free research proposal template and discussing the four core sections of a research proposal, so that you have a clear understanding of the basics before diving into the actual proposals.

• Research proposal example/sample – Master’s-level (PDF/Word)
• Research proposal example/sample – PhD-level (PDF/Word)
• Proposal template (Fully editable) 

If you’re working on a research proposal for a dissertation or thesis, you may also find the following useful:

• Research Proposal Bootcamp : Learn how to write a research proposal as efficiently and effectively as possible
• 1:1 Proposal Coaching : Get hands-on help with your research proposal

FAQ: Research Proposal Example

Research proposal example: frequently asked questions, are the sample proposals real.

Yes. The proposals are real and were approved by the respective universities.

Can I copy one of these proposals for my own research?

As we discuss in the video, every research proposal will be slightly different, depending on the university’s unique requirements, as well as the nature of the research itself. Therefore, you’ll need to tailor your research proposal to suit your specific context.

You can learn more about the basics of writing a research proposal here .

How do I get the research proposal template?

You can access our free proposal template here .

Is the proposal template really free?

Yes. There is no cost for the proposal template and you are free to use it as a foundation for your research proposal.

Where can I learn more about proposal writing?

For self-directed learners, our Research Proposal Bootcamp is a great starting point.

For students that want hands-on guidance, our private coaching service is recommended.

Psst… there’s more!

This post is an extract from our bestselling Udemy Course, Research Proposal Bootcamp . If you want to work smart, you don't want to miss this .

You Might Also Like:

I am at the stage of writing my thesis proposal for a PhD in Management at Altantic International University. I checked on the coaching services, but it indicates that it’s not available in my area. I am in South Sudan. My proposed topic is: “Leadership Behavior in Local Government Governance Ecosystem and Service Delivery Effectiveness in Post Conflict Districts of Northern Uganda”. I will appreciate your guidance and support

GRADCOCH is very grateful motivated and helpful for all students etc. it is very accorporated and provide easy access way strongly agree from GRADCOCH.

Proposal research departemet management

I am at the stage of writing my thesis proposal for a masters in Analysis of w heat commercialisation by small holders householdrs at Hawassa International University. I will appreciate your guidance and support

please provide a attractive proposal about foreign universities .It would be your highness.

comparative constitutional law

Kindly guide me through writing a good proposal on the thesis topic; Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Financial Inclusion in Nigeria. Thank you

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Print Friendly

Have a language expert improve your writing

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

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

How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates

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

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

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

Introduction

Literature review.

• Research design

Reference list

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

Table of contents

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

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

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

Research proposal length

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

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

Download our research proposal template

Prevent plagiarism, run a free check.

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

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

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

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

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

Your introduction should:

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

To guide your introduction , include information about:

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

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

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

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

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

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

For example, your results might have implications for:

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

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

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

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

Download our research schedule template

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

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

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

To determine your budget, think about:

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

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

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

I will compare …

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cite this Scribbr article

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

McCombes, S. & George, T. (2023, June 13). How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates. Scribbr. Retrieved 2 April 2024, from https://www.scribbr.co.uk/the-research-process/research-proposal-explained/

Is this article helpful?

Shona McCombes

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

• How It Works
• Prices & Discounts

Buy Research Proposal

Research Proposal Problems?

Submit your request for a research proposal through our website. Our refined service guarantees a professional standard of work.

Create an Account to Start

By clicking the 'Sign Up' button, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Trusted by over 50,000+ students worldwide

Hire a Professional Proposal writer

From university professors and MBA students to corporate employees, our prolific team of research proposal writers has the expertise, know-how, and dedication needed to deliver well-researched, high-quality proposals.

How to pay for your Proposal

Fill out the order form online, make a payment, writer assigned, receive the final paper, we don't just write research proposals.

We help students succeed. Our commitment to academic success goes beyond providing a well-written paper. We aim to become a partner in your academic journey, providing resources, advice, and support to help you reach your full potential.

Advantages of Our Research Proposal Writing Service

24/7 customer support, transparent fees, no hidden charges, on time delivery as promised, improvement in academic performance, confidentiality and privacy guaranteed, catering to wide demographics, 100% original and human written, digital and sustainable, what our customers say, writers per hour: your gateway to an excellent research proposal.

Research proposals are crucial stepping stones in your academic journey, opening doors to new discoveries, and paving the way for your future work. But we understand crafting an impeccable research proposal is a task easier said than done. So, if you're wondering, "Can I buy a research proposal?" The answer is a resounding "yes." Our research proposal writing service is specifically designed to alleviate your stress and provide you with a top-notch proposal that impresses your tutors.

Setting the Stage: Why Choosing to Buy a Research Proposal Paper Makes Sense

In the professional and academic landscape, a compelling research proposal is a necessity. It serves as a roadmap, outlining the trajectory of your research while showcasing your ability to think critically about complex issues. However, creating such a document can be time-consuming, and often intimidating. This is where our "buy research proposal online" service comes into play.

Whether you're working on a quantitative research proposal or a criminal justice research proposal, our dedicated team of writers is ready to assist. We cater to diverse fields of study, ensuring that no matter the subject, we've got you covered.

Our Unique Approach to Research Proposals: Why Writers Per Hour Excels

Have you ever asked yourself, "Where can I buy dissertation research proposal that truly understands my needs?" Here at Writers Per Hour, our team of dedicated writers not only boasts an impressive range of qualifications but also brings to the table a unique approach to crafting research proposals.

We believe that each research proposal is unique - just like your academic journey. From comprehensive client briefings to meticulous drafting and editing, we are committed to delivering a custom research proposal that accurately reflects your research objectives and methodologies. Regardless of whether you need a PhD research proposal writing service or assistance at the undergraduate level, we ensure that every client receives personalized attention and a tailored service.

Delving Into the Benefits: Why Buy a Research Proposal From Us?

There are countless benefits to choosing to buy research proposal online from Writers Per Hour. Apart from saving you valuable time, our service is designed to reduce the stress that often comes with academic writing. We guarantee high-quality output that not only meets but exceeds your expectations. Confidentiality, plagiarism-free content, and free revisions are all part of our commitment to your success. So why wait? Start your journey to academic success today!

Cost, Deadlines, and Flexibility: Making Research Proposal Convenient

When you choose to buy a research proposal from Writers Per Hour, we provide you with the flexibility and affordability you need. Our pricing system is dynamic, varying based on factors such as academic level, number of pages/words, and your deadline. Whether you're in need of a research proposal PhD completed in a couple of weeks or an undergraduate proposal in a matter of days, our team is equipped to handle the urgency.

Looking for a research proposal buy with payment plan option? We've got you covered! Our customer-friendly payment plans and accepted payment methods – including PayPal and all major credit cards – ensure a smooth, stress-free process.

Unraveling the Discounts: Make Your Research Proposal Buy More Affordable

At Writers Per Hour, we believe that quality academic help should be accessible to everyone. This is why we offer a range of discounts, including special offers and loyalty programs, to make our services even more affordable. Whether you're a regular client, a first-time buyer, or a social media subscriber, we have attractive discounts tailored just for you.

You don't have to take our word for it when you ask, "Who can write my research proposal?" At Writers Per Hour, we let our work speak for itself. Our portfolio of previous research proposals, from quantitative studies to literature reviews , is available to give you an idea of the quality we deliver. Our longstanding reputation since 2015 and the plethora of positive client testimonials are proof of our dedication to client satisfaction. We are more than just a college research proposal writer - we are your partners in academic success.

Launch Your Academic Journey with Writers Per Hour: Custom Research Proposal at Your Fingertips

Crafting a compelling research proposal no longer has to be a stressful endeavor. With Writers Per Hour, you can get a custom research proposal tailored to your academic needs. Our top-notch writing team is ready and waiting to help elevate your academic performance. So why not start your success story with us today?

After all, why would you just get a research proposal paper when you can purchase a ticket to academic success? Access a world-class research proposal writing service with Writers Per Hour today, because your success is our success!

At Writers Per Hour, we believe in going the extra mile for our clients. In addition to the advantages already mentioned, we also offer the choice to pay for an advanced or ENL writer. This additional service ensures your research proposal is crafted by a highly experienced writer or a native English speaker, offering even greater assurance of the quality we provide.

Your Journey Towards a Stellar Research Proposal Begins Now!

So, are you ready to shed the burden of crafting a perfect research proposal? Take the first step towards academic success with Writers Per Hour. Connect with our team of experienced writers who are dedicated to helping you achieve your academic goals. Remember, when you choose Writers Per Hour, you're not just purchasing a research proposal - you're investing in your future.

Whether you need a PhD research proposal writing service or assistance at any other academic level, you are just a click away from obtaining a high-quality, custom-written research proposal. So why wait? Begin your journey with us today.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any difficulties with placing an order or you just want to know more about our service. Please chat to our friendly team or go to Help Center.

Monday 00:00 AM − Saturday 01:00 PM (UTC)

Last updated: Jun 23, 2023

• Our CLT & Focus Group Facilities
• Concept Ideation & Invention Methods
• Creative Problem Solving Research
• Product & Packaging Evaluation
• Consumer / Shopper Segmentation
• Path to Purchase / Journey Mapping
• Virtual Store Testing
• Brand Positioning Research
• Message Evaluation Optimization
• Ad Copy Testing
• Reputation Management
• Brand Equity Assessment
• Market Structure & Landscape
• Competitive Intelligence
• Benchmarking Market Research
• Customer & Employee Satisfaction Surveys
• Habits & Practices / Attitudes & Usage
• Data Presentation & Reporting
• Data Analysis & Interpretation
• Data Processing & Analytics
• Syndicated Data
• Segmentation Algorithms & Panels
• Proprietary Research Reports
• Data Mining
• Consumer Insights
• Sensory Data Analysis
• Crisis Communications
• Marketing & Business Strategy
• Focus Groups
• Face To Face Interviews
• In-Depth Interviews
• Public Opinion
• Web Interviews
• Postal Mail Surveys/Questionnaires
• Interactive Voice Responses
• Public Opinion & Community Engagement
• Leadership Team
• Company Acquisitions
• Testimonials
• Pharmaceutical
• Retail & Consumer
• Agriculture
• Manufacturing
• Marketing & Advertising
• Entertainment
• Finance & Legal
• Food & Beverage
• Travel & Hospitality
• Apparel & Footwear
• Home & Hardware
• Health & Beauty Aids
• Hi-Tech & Ecommerce
• Alternative Energy
• Case Studies
• Project Summaries
• Research Tools
• Join Our Panel

How to Write a Winning Market Research Proposal

The current pandemic may have curbed our travel, but that doesn’t mean we don’t all still know the value of having good maps and a suggested itinerary. Indeed, a solid plan of action makes any endeavor — whether it be a fun-filled vacation, an educational goal, or a professional enterprise — more focused, less stressful, and, thus, more effective. It doesn’t matter if life interrupts our plans (“Hello, COVID-19!”); in fact, interruptions are a given, but we still know that good plans prepare us for whatever lies ahead. They help us to define our priorities and clarify our needs so that we can better manage our resources. The result: we are better prepared to handle uncertainties and more formidable and more productive in whatever we choose to do.

For businesses, good plans are based on good research. More than good products and services, good information sets profitable companies apart from their competition, allowing them to prepare for — and plan for — success. This is why market research proposals are so important. A market research proposal is a document a company uses to map out its future. It unites company stakeholders in joint discovery of information so that everyone knows who and what really matters. In short, a market research proposal outlines the specifics of an information-gathering project. This is how to write a winning one:

Keep It Brief

A market research proposal is sometimes called a “market research brief” because it's just that: brief. It should also be clearly written with no unusual acronyms or industry jargon and only the necessary points to underscore the overall research objective (as well as how it will be addressed) highlighted.

Include a Company Overview

The beginning of the proposal should include a short overview of the company, including such details as its mission and vision statements; market performance history; industry facts, figures, and trends; competitor data points and any other past research findings that shed light on the issue(s) at hand and why further research is needed.

Clearly Define the Objective

The research objective is the most important part of the proposal, as it clearly outlines the information a company needs, and, thus, defines the overall goal of the project. It’s basically the question a company wants to be answered and needs to be specific and measurable (but not necessarily quantitative) with the desired outcome.

Explain the Research Methodology

Of course, a market research proposal should also include a section explaining how the information to address the research objective will be obtained. Details about data collection (including the definition of the target audience, sample selection criteria, and proposed methodology) need to be clarified (since specific demographic, technological, economic, political, and even environmental concerns inevitably impact research outcomes) and should be evident with reasons for their use thoroughly transparent.

List Expected Outcomes

Finally, a good market research proposal needs to include a list of expected outcomes. An estimation of budget concerns, as well as a timeline for specific research milestones and project completion, should be listed here, along with an overview of projected deliverables to be anticipated. This helps both company executives and researchers to remain focused and on point.

Ready to Learn More?

A winning market research proposal isn’t just the one that seals the deal on a research project. It’s the one that provides actionable insights for companies and researchers alike. Following a determined set of standards, a winning market research proposal has the potential to garner data that can be used to inform better business decisions. Our team at Research America has the expertise needed to craft winning market research proposals that yield meaningful results for all involved. Please contact us to learn more.

CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

CONSUMER INSIGHTS

• Marketing Research |
• Market Research Surveys |
• Market Research Company |
• Market Research Interviews |
• Market Research Calls |
• Market Research News |
• Market Research Initiative |
• Privacy Policy |

Covid 19 - Lockdown, let out your PhD indagation with our Expert

• Live Support
• Quick Query
• [email protected]

Buy Research Proposal

Buy research proposal - purchasing a ready-made research proposal..

Buy Research Proposal and Simplify Your Task

Writing a research proposal is not easy but there are several things and considerations that you need to handle. You have to understand the importance of research, as your whole project and your course depend on it and it plays a significant step in the process.

A research proposal helps you gain insight into your future work based on how you decide to work to get on the right track.

Thus, it is important to make your research perfect and buy a research proposal from a reputed company. Also, you will be assured of quality work which will only fetch you good marks.

How To Make Your Work Look Good When You Buy Research Proposal?

The research process is long and consists of several steps such as choosing the topic, in-depth research, source analysis, a listing of ideas, and making everything perfect. And if you are doing it for the first time or lack experience then you have to look for a good research proposal writing sample to be confident that you are on the right track. Therefore, you can buy a research proposal from a professional to get rid of all these problems.

Benefits You Will Get When You Buy Research Proposal

Words Doctorate is one ideal place where thousands of students get help and achieve great marks on their academic research papers. Our team has experienced and professional people who offer a list of convenient features and some great bonuses that students can get in one place!

We offer some efficient solutions for all doctorate and PhD students and allow them to buy research proposals from us.

Our team is responsive and is available on chat 24/7 around the clock.

We maintain the confidentiality and security of every user's information.

We guarantee on-time delivery of orders and the possibility to buy research proposals even on an urgent basis.

Our pricing is Affordable, keeping in mind what a student can pay.

Our team has experienced and professional writers who also possess PhD degrees.

We also assure Unique work with zero plagiarism.

Send Us Message

Running projects.

Computer Science Dissertation Writing Services

Social Science

Biotechnology - Biology

Civil Engineering

Medical-Pharmaceutical

Management Dissertation Writing Services

Electrical – Electronics

Agriculture

• Center for Research and Creative Activity

Step 3: Prepare Proposal

The Research Development team provides proposal development and strategic and tactical support, where we tailor the below support, services, and resources based on project complexity, scale, and scope.

• Timelines, Checklists, and Folder Structures —These organizational tools are designed to help proposing teams stay organized and on track to  meet proposal submission deadlines. We recommend utilizing these tools for complex, multidisciplinary, and large in-scope proposals.
• Templates —Our office develops templates for key components of proposals, such as narratives, facilities documents, and letters. These templates are tailored to meet specific solicitation requirements. Additionally, we standardize text for supplementary documents such as Facilities and Resources. Utilize these templates to help you streamline the writing process and position your proposal for success.
• Proposal Review —We offer proposal reviews at any stage. For preliminary drafts, we provide comments on focus, organization, and the development of ideas to position your proposal for success. For near-final drafts, we focus on effectiveness, impact, and clarity while ensuring consistency across sections and multiple authors, and helping to condense text and/or eliminate redundancies. Our goal in reviewing is to help align your proposal to the solicitation and ensure you are meeting the funder’s intentions.
• Logic Models —Logic models demonstrate your theory of change in a succinct and clear fashion and provide the opportunity to articulate your intended impact. They are often a required component of proposals. We can help guide your team through the development of a logic model and think through your resources, activities, outputs, outcomes, and impacts.
• Broader Impacts, Broadening Participation, Education Plans and Inclusion Plans —We can consult, review, and provide feedback on writing these documents and including these components in your proposals.
• Graphic Support —We can provide strategic feedback on figure content, placement, and usage in grant proposals. We can also connect you with a graphic designer to develop figures.
• Team Science Support —We can provide Team Science resources, training, and facilitation for large, campus-wide initiatives.

The Center for Research and Creative Activity

Peer Recognized

Make a name in academia

Research Proposal Examples for Every Science Field

Looking for research funding can be a daunting task, especially when you are starting out. A great way to improve grant-writing skills is to get inspired by winning research proposal examples.

To assist you in writing a competitive proposal, I have curated a collection of real-life research proposal examples from various scientific disciplines. These examples will allow you to gain inspiration about the way research proposals are structured and written.

Structure of a Research Proposal

A research proposal serves as a road-map for a project, outlining the objectives, methodology, resources, and expected outcomes. The main goal of writing a research proposal is to convince funding agency of the value and feasibility of a research project. But a proposal also helps scientists themselves to clarify their planned approach.

While the exact structure may vary depending on the science field and institutional guidelines, a research proposal typically includes the following sections: Problem, Objectives, Methodology, Resources, Participants, Results&Impact, Dissemination, Timeline, and Budget. I will use this structure for the example research proposals in this article.

Here is a brief description of what each of the nine proposal sections should hold.

A concise and informative title that captures the essence of the research proposal. Sometimes an abstract is required that briefly summarizes the proposed project.

Clearly define the research problem or gap in knowledge that the study aims to address. Present relevant background information and cite existing literature to support the need for further investigation.

State the specific objectives and research questions that the study seeks to answer. These objectives should be clear, measurable, and aligned with the problem statement.

Methodology

Describe the research design, methodology, and techniques that will be employed to collect and analyze data. Justify your chosen approach and discuss its strengths and limitations.

Outline the resources required for the successful execution of the research project, such as equipment, facilities, software, and access to specific datasets or archives.

Participants

Describe the research team’s qualification for implementing the research methodology and their complementary value

Results and Impact

Describe the expected results, outcomes, and potential impact of the research. Discuss how the findings will contribute to the field and address the research gap identified earlier.

Dissemination

Explain how the research results will be disseminated to the academic community and wider audiences. This may include publications, conference presentations, workshops, data sharing or collaborations with industry partners.

Develop a realistic timeline that outlines the major milestones and activities of the research project. Consider potential challenges or delays and incorporate contingency plans.

Provide a detailed budget estimate, including anticipated expenses for research materials, equipment, participant compensation, travel, and other relevant costs. Justify the budget based on the project’s scope and requirements.

Consider that the above-mentioned proposal headings can be called differently depending on the funder’s requirements. However, you can be sure in one proposal’s section or another each of the mentioned sections will be included. Whenever provided, always use the proposal structure as required by the funding agency.

Research Proposal template download

This research proposal template includes the nine headings that we just discussed. For each heading, a key sentence skeleton is provided to help you to kick-start the proposal writing process.

Real-Life Research Proposal Examples

Proposals can vary from field to field so I will provide you with research proposal examples proposals in four main branches of science: social sciences, life sciences, physical sciences, and engineering and technology. For each science field, you will be able to download real-life winning research proposal examples.

To illustrate the principle of writing a scientific proposal while adhering to the nine sections I outlined earlier, for each discipline I will also provide you with a sample hypothetical research proposal. These examples are formulated using the key sentence structure that is included in the download template .

In case the research proposal examples I provide do not hold exactly what you are looking for, use the Open Grants database. It holds approved research proposals from various funding agencies in many countries. When looking for research proposals examples in the database, use the filer to search for specific keywords and organize the results to view proposals that have been funded.

Research Proposals Examples in Social Sciences

Here are real-life research proposal examples of funded projects in social sciences.

Here is an outline of a hypothetical Social Sciences research proposal that is structured using the nine proposal sections we discussed earlier. This proposal example is produced using the key sentence skeleton that you will access in the proposal template .

The Influence of Social Media on Political Participation among Young Adults

Social media platforms have become prominent spaces for political discussions and information sharing. However, the impact of social media on political participation among young adults remains a topic of debate.

With the project, we aim to establish the relationship between social media usage and political engagement among young adults. To achieve this aim, we have three specific objectives:

• Examine the association between social media usage patterns and various forms of political participation, such as voting, attending political rallies, and engaging in political discussions.
• Investigate the role of social media in shaping political attitudes, opinions, and behaviors among young adults.
• Provide evidence-based recommendations for utilizing social media platforms to enhance youth political participation.

During the project, a mixed methods approach, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews will be used to determine the impact of social media use on youth political engagement. In particular, surveys will collect data on social media usage, political participation, and attitudes. Interviews will provide in-depth insights into participants’ experiences and perceptions.

The project will use survey software, transcription tools, and statistical analysis software to statistically evaluate the gathered results. The project will also use project funding for participant compensation.

Principal investigator, Jane Goodrich will lead a multidisciplinary research team comprising social scientists, political scientists, and communication experts with expertise in political science and social media research.

The project will contribute to a better understanding of the influence of social media on political participation among young adults, including:

• inform about the association between social media usage and political participation among youth.
• determine the relationship between social media content and political preferences among youth.
• provide guidelines for enhancing youth engagement in democratic processes through social media use.

We will disseminate the research results within policymakers and NGOs through academic publications in peer-reviewed journals, presentations at relevant conferences, and policy briefs.

The project will start will be completed within two years and for the first two objectives a periodic report will be submitted in months 12 and 18.

The total eligible project costs are 58,800 USD, where 15% covers participant recruitment and compensation, 5% covers survey software licenses, 55% are dedicated for salaries, and 25% are intended for dissemination activities.

Research Proposal Examples in Life Sciences

Here are real-life research project examples in life sciences.

Here is a hypothetical research proposal example in Life Sciences. Just like the previous example, it consists of the nine discussed proposal sections and it is structured using the key sentence skeleton that you will access in the proposal template .

Investigating the Role of Gut Microbiota in Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome (GUT-MET)

Obesity and metabolic syndrome pose significant health challenges worldwide, leading to numerous chronic diseases and increasing healthcare costs. Despite extensive research, the precise mechanisms underlying these conditions remain incompletely understood. A critical knowledge gap exists regarding the role of gut microbiota in the development and progression of obesity and metabolic syndrome.

With the GUT-MET project, we aim to unravel the complex interactions between gut microbiota and obesity/metabolic syndrome. To achieve this aim, we have the following specific objectives:

• Investigate the composition and diversity of gut microbiota in individuals with obesity and metabolic syndrome.
• Determine the functional role of specific gut microbial species and their metabolites in the pathogenesis of obesity and metabolic syndrome.

During the project, we will employ the following key methodologies:

• Perform comprehensive metagenomic and metabolomic analyses to characterize the gut microbiota and associated metabolic pathways.
• Conduct animal studies to investigate the causal relationship between gut microbiota alterations and the development of obesity and metabolic syndrome.

The project will benefit from state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, including advanced sequencing and analytical equipment, as well as access to a well-established cohort of participants with obesity and metabolic syndrome.

Dr. Emma Johnson, a renowned expert in gut microbiota research and Professor of Molecular Biology at the University of PeerRecognized, will lead the project. Dr. Johnson has published extensively in high-impact journals and has received multiple research grants focused on the gut microbiota and metabolic health.

The project will deliver crucial insights into the role of gut microbiota in obesity and metabolic syndrome. Specifically, it will:

• Identify microbial signatures associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome for potential diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
• Uncover key microbial metabolites and pathways implicated in disease development, enabling the development of targeted interventions.

We will actively disseminate the project results within the scientific community, healthcare professionals, and relevant stakeholders through publications in peer-reviewed journals, presentations at international conferences, and engagement with patient advocacy groups.

The project will be executed over a period of 36 months. Key milestones include data collection and analysis, animal studies, manuscript preparation, and knowledge transfer activities.

The total eligible project costs are $1,500,000, with the budget allocated for 55% personnel, 25% laboratory supplies, 5% data analysis, and 15% knowledge dissemination activities as specified in the research call guidelines.

Research Proposals Examples in Natural Sciences

Here are real-life research proposal examples of funded projects in natural sciences.

Here is a Natural Sciences research proposal example that is structured using the same nine sections. I created this proposal example using the key sentence skeleton that you will access in the proposal template .

Assessing the Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity Dynamics in Fragile Ecosystems (CLIM-BIODIV)

Climate change poses a significant threat to global biodiversity, particularly in fragile ecosystems such as tropical rainforests and coral reefs. Understanding the specific impacts of climate change on biodiversity dynamics within these ecosystems is crucial for effective conservation and management strategies. However, there is a knowledge gap regarding the precise mechanisms through which climate change influences species composition, population dynamics, and ecosystem functioning in these vulnerable habitats.

With the CLIM-BIODIV project, we aim to assess the impact of climate change on biodiversity dynamics in fragile ecosystems. To achieve this aim, we have the following specific objectives:

• Investigate how changes in temperature and precipitation patterns influence species distributions and community composition in tropical rainforests.
• Assess the effects of ocean warming and acidification on coral reef ecosystems, including changes in coral bleaching events, species diversity, and ecosystem resilience.
• Conduct field surveys and employ remote sensing techniques to assess changes in species distributions and community composition in tropical rainforests.
• Utilize experimental approaches and long-term monitoring data to evaluate the response of coral reefs to varying temperature and pH conditions.

The project will benefit from access to field sites in ecologically sensitive regions, advanced remote sensing technology, and collaboration with local conservation organizations to facilitate data collection and knowledge sharing.

Dr. Alexander Chen, an established researcher in climate change and biodiversity conservation, will lead the project. Dr. Chen is a Professor of Ecology at the University of Peer Recognized, with a track record of three Nature publications and successful grant applications exceeding 25 million dollars.

The project will provide valuable insights into the impacts of climate change on biodiversity dynamics in fragile ecosystems. It will:

• Enhance our understanding of how tropical rainforest communities respond to climate change, informing targeted conservation strategies.
• Contribute to the identification of vulnerable coral reef ecosystems and guide management practices for their protection and resilience.

We will disseminate the project results to the scientific community, conservation practitioners, and policymakers through publications in reputable journals, participation in international conferences, and engagement with local communities and relevant stakeholders.

The project will commence on March 1, 2024, and will be implemented over a period of 48 months. Key milestones include data collection and analysis, modeling exercises, stakeholder engagement, and knowledge transfer activities. These are summarized in the Gantt chart.

The total eligible project costs are $2,000,000, with budget allocation for research personnel, fieldwork expenses, laboratory analyses, modeling software, data management, and dissemination activities.

Research Proposal Examples in Engineering and Technology

Here are real-life research proposal examples of funded research projects in the field of science and technology.

Here is a hypothetical Engineering and Technology research proposal example that is structured using the same nine proposal sections we discussed earlier. I used the key sentence skeleton available in the proposal template to produce this example.

Developing Sustainable Materials for Energy-Efficient Buildings (SUST-BUILD)

The construction industry is a major contributor to global energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Addressing this issue requires the development of sustainable materials that promote energy efficiency in buildings. However, there is a need for innovative engineering solutions to overcome existing challenges related to the performance, cost-effectiveness, and scalability of such materials.

With the SUST-BUILD project, we aim to develop sustainable materials for energy-efficient buildings. Our specific objectives are as follows:

• Design and optimize novel insulating materials with enhanced thermal properties and reduced environmental impact.
• Develop advanced coatings and surface treatments to improve the energy efficiency and durability of building envelopes.
• Conduct extensive material characterization and simulation studies to guide the design and optimization of insulating materials.
• Utilize advanced coating techniques and perform full-scale testing to evaluate the performance and durability of building envelope treatments.

The project will benefit from access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, including material testing equipment, thermal analysis tools, and coating application setups. Collaboration with industry partners will facilitate the translation of research findings into practical applications.

Dr. Maria Rodriguez, an experienced researcher in sustainable materials and building technologies, will lead the project. Dr. Rodriguez holds a position as Associate Professor in the Department of Engineering at Peer Recognized University and has a strong publication record and expertise in the field.

The project will deliver tangible outcomes for energy-efficient buildings. It will:

• Develop sustainable insulating materials with superior thermal performance, contributing to reduced energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in buildings.
• Introduce advanced coatings and surface treatments developed from sustainable materials that enhance the durability and energy efficiency of building envelopes, thereby improving long-term building performance.

We will disseminate project results to relevant stakeholders, including industry professionals, architects, and policymakers. This will be accomplished through publications in scientific journals, presentations at conferences and seminars, and engagement with industry associations.

The project will commence on September 1, 2024, and will be implemented over a period of 36 months. Key milestones include material development and optimization, performance testing, prototype fabrication, and knowledge transfer activities. The milestones are summarized in the Gantt chart.

The total eligible project costs are $1,800,000. The budget will cover personnel salaries (60%), materials and equipment (10%), laboratory testing (5%), prototyping (15%), data analysis (5%), and dissemination activities (5%) as specified in the research call guidelines.

Final Tips for Writing an Winning Research Proposal

Come up with a good research idea.

Ideas are the currency of research world. I have prepared a 3 step approach that will help you to come up with a research idea that is worth turning into a proposal. You can download the Research Idea Generation Toolkit in this article.

Start with a strong research outline

Before even writing one sentence of the research proposal, I suggest you use the Research Project Canvas . It will help you to first come up with different research ideas and then choose the best one for writing a full research proposal.

Tailor to the requirements of the project funder

Treat the submission guide like a Monk treats the Bible and follow its strict requirements to the last detail. The funder might set requirements for the topic, your experience, employment conditions, host institution, the research team, funding amount, and so forth. 

What you would like to do in the research is irrelevant unless it falls within the boundaries defined by the funder.

Make the reviewer’s job of finding flaws in your proposal difficult by ensuring that you have addressed each requirement clearly. If applicable, you can even use a table with requirements versus your approach. This will make your proposed approach absolutely evident for the reviewers.

Before submitting, assess your proposal using the criteria reviewers have to follow.

Conduct thorough background research

Before writing your research proposal, conduct comprehensive background research to familiarize yourself with existing literature, theories, and methodologies related to your topic. This will help you identify research gaps and formulate research questions that address these gaps. You will also establish competence in the eyes of reviewers by citing relevant literature.

Be concise and clear

Define research questions that are specific, measurable, and aligned with the problem statement.

If you think the reviewers might be from a field outside your own, avoid unnecessary jargon or complex language to help them to understand the proposal better.

Be specific in describing the research methodology. For example, include a brief description of the experimental methods you will rely upon, add a summary of the materials that you are going to use, attach samples of questionnaires that you will use, and include any other proof that demonstrates the thoroughness you have put into developing the research plan. Adding a flowchart is a great way to present the methodology.

Create a realistic timeline and budget

Develop a realistic project timeline that includes key milestones and activities, allowing for potential challenges or delays. Similarly, create a detailed budget estimate that covers all anticipated expenses, ensuring that it aligns with the scope and requirements of your research project. Be transparent and justify your budget allocations.

Demonstrate the significance and potential impact of the research

Clearly articulate the significance of your research and its potential impact on the field. Discuss how your findings can contribute to theory development, practical applications, policy-making, or other relevant areas.

Pay attention to formatting and style guidelines

Follow the formatting and style guidelines provided by your institution or funding agency. Pay attention to details such as font size, margins, referencing style, and section headings. Adhering to these guidelines demonstrates professionalism and attention to detail.

Take a break before editing

After preparing the first draft, set it aside for at least a week. Then thoroughly check it for logic and revise, revise, revise. Use the proposal submission guide to review your proposal against the requirements. Remember to use grammar checking tools to check for errors.

Finally, read the proposal out loud. This will help to ensure good readability.

Seek feedback

Share your proposal with mentors, colleagues, or members of your research community to receive constructive feedback and suggestions for improvement. Take these seriously since they provide a third party view of what is written (instead of what you think you have written).

Reviewing good examples is one of the best ways to learn a new skill. I hope that the research proposal examples in this article will be useful for you to get going with writing your own research proposal.

Have fun with the writing process and I hope your project gets approved!

Learning from research proposal examples alone is not enough

The research proposal examples I provided will help you to improve your grant writing skills. But learning from example proposals alone will take you a rather long time to master writing winning proposals.

To write a winning research proposal, you have to know how to add that elusive X-Factor that convinces the reviewers to move your proposal from the category “good” to the category “support”. This includes creating self-explanatory figures, creating a budget, collaborating with co-authors, and presenting a convincing story.

To write a research proposal that maximizes your chances of receiving research funding, read my book “ Write a Winning Research Proposal “.

This isn’t just a book. It’s a complete research proposal writing toolkit that includes a  project ideation canvas, budget spreadsheet, project rating scorecard, virtual collaboration whiteboard, proposal pitch formula, graphics creation cheat sheet, review checklist and other valuable resources that will help you succeed.

Hey! My name is Martins Zaumanis and I am a materials scientist in Switzerland ( Google Scholar ). As the first person in my family with a PhD, I have first-hand experience of the challenges starting scientists face in academia. With this blog, I want to help young researchers succeed in academia. I call the blog “Peer Recognized”, because peer recognition is what lifts academic careers and pushes science forward.

Besides this blog, I have written the Peer Recognized book series and created the Peer Recognized Academy offering interactive online courses.

Related articles:

One comment

Hi Martins, I’ve recently discovered your content and it is great. I will be implementing much of it into my workflow, as well as using it to teach some graduate courses! I noticed that a materials science-focused proposal could be a very helpful addition.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I want to join the Peer Recognized newsletter!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Privacy Overview

Copyright © 2024 Martins Zaumanis

Contacts:  [email protected]  

Privacy Policy 

An official website of the United States government

The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

The site is secure. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

• Publications
• Account settings

Preview improvements coming to the PMC website in October 2024. Learn More or Try it out now .

• Advanced Search
• Journal List
• Indian J Anaesth
• v.60(9); 2016 Sep

How to write a research proposal?

Department of Anaesthesiology, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

Devika Rani Duggappa

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.

INTRODUCTION

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

BASIC REQUIREMENTS OF A RESEARCH PROPOSAL

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 ]

CONTENTS OF A RESEARCH PROPOSAL

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 ]

Introduction

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.

Review of literature

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 ].

Aims and objectives

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.

Research design and method

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 and sample

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.

Data collection

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.

Rigor (soundness of the research)

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

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

Applicability refers to the degree to which the findings can be applied to different contexts and groups.[ 13 ]

Data analysis

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 ]

Ethical considerations

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.

Financial support and sponsorship

Conflicts of interest.

There are no conflicts of interest.

17 Research Proposal Examples

A research proposal systematically and transparently outlines a proposed research project.

The purpose of a research proposal is to demonstrate a project’s viability and the researcher’s preparedness to conduct an academic study. It serves as a roadmap for the researcher.

The process holds value both externally (for accountability purposes and often as a requirement for a grant application) and intrinsic value (for helping the researcher to clarify the mechanics, purpose, and potential signficance of the study).

Key sections of a research proposal include: the title, abstract, introduction, literature review, research design and methods, timeline, budget, outcomes and implications, references, and appendix. Each is briefly explained below.

Watch my Guide: How to Write a Research Proposal

Get your Template for Writing your Research Proposal Here (With AI Prompts!)

Research Proposal Sample Structure

Title: The title should present a concise and descriptive statement that clearly conveys the core idea of the research projects. Make it as specific as possible. The reader should immediately be able to grasp the core idea of the intended research project. Often, the title is left too vague and does not help give an understanding of what exactly the study looks at.

Abstract: Abstracts are usually around 250-300 words and provide an overview of what is to follow – including the research problem , objectives, methods, expected outcomes, and significance of the study. Use it as a roadmap and ensure that, if the abstract is the only thing someone reads, they’ll get a good fly-by of what will be discussed in the peice.

Introduction: Introductions are all about contextualization. They often set the background information with a statement of the problem. At the end of the introduction, the reader should understand what the rationale for the study truly is. I like to see the research questions or hypotheses included in the introduction and I like to get a good understanding of what the significance of the research will be. It’s often easiest to write the introduction last

Literature Review: The literature review dives deep into the existing literature on the topic, demosntrating your thorough understanding of the existing literature including themes, strengths, weaknesses, and gaps in the literature. It serves both to demonstrate your knowledge of the field and, to demonstrate how the proposed study will fit alongside the literature on the topic. A good literature review concludes by clearly demonstrating how your research will contribute something new and innovative to the conversation in the literature.

Research Design and Methods: This section needs to clearly demonstrate how the data will be gathered and analyzed in a systematic and academically sound manner. Here, you need to demonstrate that the conclusions of your research will be both valid and reliable. Common points discussed in the research design and methods section include highlighting the research paradigm, methodologies, intended population or sample to be studied, data collection techniques, and data analysis procedures . Toward the end of this section, you are encouraged to also address ethical considerations and limitations of the research process , but also to explain why you chose your research design and how you are mitigating the identified risks and limitations.

Timeline: Provide an outline of the anticipated timeline for the study. Break it down into its various stages (including data collection, data analysis, and report writing). The goal of this section is firstly to establish a reasonable breakdown of steps for you to follow and secondly to demonstrate to the assessors that your project is practicable and feasible.

Budget: Estimate the costs associated with the research project and include evidence for your estimations. Typical costs include staffing costs, equipment, travel, and data collection tools. When applying for a scholarship, the budget should demonstrate that you are being responsible with your expensive and that your funding application is reasonable.

Expected Outcomes and Implications: A discussion of the anticipated findings or results of the research, as well as the potential contributions to the existing knowledge, theory, or practice in the field. This section should also address the potential impact of the research on relevant stakeholders and any broader implications for policy or practice.

References: A complete list of all the sources cited in the research proposal, formatted according to the required citation style. This demonstrates the researcher’s familiarity with the relevant literature and ensures proper attribution of ideas and information.

Appendices (if applicable): Any additional materials, such as questionnaires, interview guides, or consent forms, that provide further information or support for the research proposal. These materials should be included as appendices at the end of the document.

Research Proposal Examples

Research proposals often extend anywhere between 2,000 and 15,000 words in length. The following snippets are samples designed to briefly demonstrate what might be discussed in each section.

1. Education Studies Research Proposals

See some real sample pieces:

• Assessment of the perceptions of teachers towards a new grading system
• Does ICT use in secondary classrooms help or hinder student learning?
• Digital technologies in focus project
• Urban Middle School Teachers’ Experiences of the Implementation of
• Restorative Justice Practices
• Experiences of students of color in service learning

Consider this hypothetical education research proposal:

The Impact of Game-Based Learning on Student Engagement and Academic Performance in Middle School Mathematics

Abstract: The proposed study will explore multiplayer game-based learning techniques in middle school mathematics curricula and their effects on student engagement. The study aims to contribute to the current literature on game-based learning by examining the effects of multiplayer gaming in learning.

Introduction: Digital game-based learning has long been shunned within mathematics education for fears that it may distract students or lower the academic integrity of the classrooms. However, there is emerging evidence that digital games in math have emerging benefits not only for engagement but also academic skill development. Contributing to this discourse, this study seeks to explore the potential benefits of multiplayer digital game-based learning by examining its impact on middle school students’ engagement and academic performance in a mathematics class.

Literature Review: The literature review has identified gaps in the current knowledge, namely, while game-based learning has been extensively explored, the role of multiplayer games in supporting learning has not been studied.

Research Design and Methods: This study will employ a mixed-methods research design based upon action research in the classroom. A quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test control group design will first be used to compare the academic performance and engagement of middle school students exposed to game-based learning techniques with those in a control group receiving instruction without the aid of technology. Students will also be observed and interviewed in regard to the effect of communication and collaboration during gameplay on their learning.

Timeline: The study will take place across the second term of the school year with a pre-test taking place on the first day of the term and the post-test taking place on Wednesday in Week 10.

Budget: The key budgetary requirements will be the technologies required, including the subscription cost for the identified games and computers.

Expected Outcomes and Implications: It is expected that the findings will contribute to the current literature on game-based learning and inform educational practices, providing educators and policymakers with insights into how to better support student achievement in mathematics.

2. Psychology Research Proposals

See some real examples:

• A situational analysis of shared leadership in a self-managing team
• The effect of musical preference on running performance
• Relationship between self-esteem and disordered eating amongst adolescent females

Consider this hypothetical psychology research proposal:

The Effects of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Stress Reduction in College Students

Abstract: This research proposal examines the impact of mindfulness-based interventions on stress reduction among college students, using a pre-test/post-test experimental design with both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods .

Introduction: College students face heightened stress levels during exam weeks. This can affect both mental health and test performance. This study explores the potential benefits of mindfulness-based interventions such as meditation as a way to mediate stress levels in the weeks leading up to exam time.

Literature Review: Existing research on mindfulness-based meditation has shown the ability for mindfulness to increase metacognition, decrease anxiety levels, and decrease stress. Existing literature has looked at workplace, high school and general college-level applications. This study will contribute to the corpus of literature by exploring the effects of mindfulness directly in the context of exam weeks.

Research Design and Methods: Participants ( n= 234 ) will be randomly assigned to either an experimental group, receiving 5 days per week of 10-minute mindfulness-based interventions, or a control group, receiving no intervention. Data will be collected through self-report questionnaires, measuring stress levels, semi-structured interviews exploring participants’ experiences, and students’ test scores.

Timeline: The study will begin three weeks before the students’ exam week and conclude after each student’s final exam. Data collection will occur at the beginning (pre-test of self-reported stress levels) and end (post-test) of the three weeks.

Expected Outcomes and Implications: The study aims to provide evidence supporting the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions in reducing stress among college students in the lead up to exams, with potential implications for mental health support and stress management programs on college campuses.

3. Sociology Research Proposals

• Understanding emerging social movements: A case study of ‘Jersey in Transition’
• The interaction of health, education and employment in Western China
• Can we preserve lower-income affordable neighbourhoods in the face of rising costs?

Consider this hypothetical sociology research proposal:

The Impact of Social Media Usage on Interpersonal Relationships among Young Adults

Abstract: This research proposal investigates the effects of social media usage on interpersonal relationships among young adults, using a longitudinal mixed-methods approach with ongoing semi-structured interviews to collect qualitative data.

Introduction: Social media platforms have become a key medium for the development of interpersonal relationships, particularly for young adults. This study examines the potential positive and negative effects of social media usage on young adults’ relationships and development over time.

Literature Review: A preliminary review of relevant literature has demonstrated that social media usage is central to development of a personal identity and relationships with others with similar subcultural interests. However, it has also been accompanied by data on mental health deline and deteriorating off-screen relationships. The literature is to-date lacking important longitudinal data on these topics.

Research Design and Methods: Participants ( n = 454 ) will be young adults aged 18-24. Ongoing self-report surveys will assess participants’ social media usage, relationship satisfaction, and communication patterns. A subset of participants will be selected for longitudinal in-depth interviews starting at age 18 and continuing for 5 years.

Timeline: The study will be conducted over a period of five years, including recruitment, data collection, analysis, and report writing.

Expected Outcomes and Implications: This study aims to provide insights into the complex relationship between social media usage and interpersonal relationships among young adults, potentially informing social policies and mental health support related to social media use.

4. Nursing Research Proposals

• Does Orthopaedic Pre-assessment clinic prepare the patient for admission to hospital?
• Nurses’ perceptions and experiences of providing psychological care to burns patients
• Registered psychiatric nurse’s practice with mentally ill parents and their children

Consider this hypothetical nursing research proposal:

The Influence of Nurse-Patient Communication on Patient Satisfaction and Health Outcomes following Emergency Cesarians

Abstract: This research will examines the impact of effective nurse-patient communication on patient satisfaction and health outcomes for women following c-sections, utilizing a mixed-methods approach with patient surveys and semi-structured interviews.

Introduction: It has long been known that effective communication between nurses and patients is crucial for quality care. However, additional complications arise following emergency c-sections due to the interaction between new mother’s changing roles and recovery from surgery.

Literature Review: A review of the literature demonstrates the importance of nurse-patient communication, its impact on patient satisfaction, and potential links to health outcomes. However, communication between nurses and new mothers is less examined, and the specific experiences of those who have given birth via emergency c-section are to date unexamined.

Research Design and Methods: Participants will be patients in a hospital setting who have recently had an emergency c-section. A self-report survey will assess their satisfaction with nurse-patient communication and perceived health outcomes. A subset of participants will be selected for in-depth interviews to explore their experiences and perceptions of the communication with their nurses.

Timeline: The study will be conducted over a period of six months, including rolling recruitment, data collection, analysis, and report writing within the hospital.

Expected Outcomes and Implications: This study aims to provide evidence for the significance of nurse-patient communication in supporting new mothers who have had an emergency c-section. Recommendations will be presented for supporting nurses and midwives in improving outcomes for new mothers who had complications during birth.

5. Social Work Research Proposals

• Experiences of negotiating employment and caring responsibilities of fathers post-divorce
• Exploring kinship care in the north region of British Columbia

Consider this hypothetical social work research proposal:

The Role of a Family-Centered Intervention in Preventing Homelessness Among At-Risk Youthin a working-class town in Northern England

Abstract: This research proposal investigates the effectiveness of a family-centered intervention provided by a local council area in preventing homelessness among at-risk youth. This case study will use a mixed-methods approach with program evaluation data and semi-structured interviews to collect quantitative and qualitative data .

Introduction: Homelessness among youth remains a significant social issue. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of family-centered interventions in addressing this problem and identify factors that contribute to successful prevention strategies.

Literature Review: A review of the literature has demonstrated several key factors contributing to youth homelessness including lack of parental support, lack of social support, and low levels of family involvement. It also demonstrates the important role of family-centered interventions in addressing this issue. Drawing on current evidence, this study explores the effectiveness of one such intervention in preventing homelessness among at-risk youth in a working-class town in Northern England.

Research Design and Methods: The study will evaluate a new family-centered intervention program targeting at-risk youth and their families. Quantitative data on program outcomes, including housing stability and family functioning, will be collected through program records and evaluation reports. Semi-structured interviews with program staff, participants, and relevant stakeholders will provide qualitative insights into the factors contributing to program success or failure.

Timeline: The study will be conducted over a period of six months, including recruitment, data collection, analysis, and report writing.

Budget: Expenses include access to program evaluation data, interview materials, data analysis software, and any related travel costs for in-person interviews.

Expected Outcomes and Implications: This study aims to provide evidence for the effectiveness of family-centered interventions in preventing youth homelessness, potentially informing the expansion of or necessary changes to social work practices in Northern England.

Research Proposal Template

Get your Detailed Template for Writing your Research Proposal Here (With AI Prompts!)

This is a template for a 2500-word research proposal. You may find it difficult to squeeze everything into this wordcount, but it’s a common wordcount for Honors and MA-level dissertations.

Your research proposal is where you really get going with your study. I’d strongly recommend working closely with your teacher in developing a research proposal that’s consistent with the requirements and culture of your institution, as in my experience it varies considerably. The above template is from my own courses that walk students through research proposals in a British School of Education.

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 5 Top Tips for Succeeding at University
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 50 Durable Goods Examples
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 100 Consumer Goods Examples
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 30 Globalization Pros and Cons

8 thoughts on “17 Research Proposal Examples”

Very excellent research proposals

very helpful

Very helpful

Dear Sir, I need some help to write an educational research proposal. Thank you.

Hi Levi, use the site search bar to ask a question and I’ll likely have a guide already written for your specific question. Thanks for reading!

very good research proposal

Thank you so much sir! ❤️

Very helpful 👌

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

The College

Research at brown grants.

• Learn Beyond the Classroom
• Undergraduate Research Funding

Undergraduate Teaching and Research Awards (UTRA)

UTRAs support Brown students collaborating with Brown faculty on research and teaching projects during the summer or the academic year.

Research at Brown (RAB) grants support student-initiated research projects and travel to present their research at conferences. Students may submit proposals for up to $500 of funding at any time. Applications are considered on a rolling basis.

Funding Cycle

The Research at Brown (RAB) program encourages students to continue working on research in an on-going way. Therefore, proposals that build on work previously supported through the RAB grant or an UTRA award will be considered for additional funding provided the "new" proposal meets the RAB selection and post-award criteria.

The RAB budget is divided into spring and fall allocations. When each semester’s allocations are spent, new applications cannot be considered until the next funding cycle. Students are therefore encouraged to submit proposals as early as possible. RAB applications are considered ready for review when both the student’s application and the faculty mentor’s letter of recommendation have been submitted.

We recommend that students submit their applications at least 4-6 weeks prior to when the funding is needed. This will allow adequate time for the payment to be processed and disbursed through the pay periods set by the Controller’s Office if the application is recommended for funding. Dean Oludurotimi Adetunji oversees the RAB Grant. Queries about the application can be directed to [email protected] .

Apply for an RAB grant

The application for fall will open on August 30, 2023.

RAB Selection and Post-award Criteria

The quality and clarity of the project description and faculty endorsement letter are vital to a successful RAB application. Proposals requesting travel funds must clearly describe the anticipated value that presenting a student paper at a conference contributes to the advancement of a research project. The potential impact of a project to the applicant’s academic development, as well as the feasibility of the project, is also considered during the review process.

Incomplete RAB applications will not be considered. We also ask that the student write a brief post-award reflective summary that addresses how the support from the RAB grant has shaped their academic progress at Brown.

Please note: only letters of recommendation from Brown faculty members can be accepted.

• Materials needed for a research project that are not available to the student through laboratories or facilities at Brown. For example, students have needed supplies to conduct a specific experiment, but the laboratory in which they were working did not have the supplies and did not have a budget to purchase them.
• Travel to a laboratory, observatory, or other research centers when materials or data are not available at Brown or through interlibrary loan.
• Funding for materials related to a thesis, when the department does not have the materials or cannot pay for them.
• Travel to conferences to present papers and/or posters. Travel expenses, registration fees, and limited per diem expenses may be reimbursed.

RAB funding is not available for the following:

• Salary support for a student. (See UTRA  for salary support for research.) Note: Students at Brown (as at most schools) cannot earn both course credit and wages or stipends for the same research hours.
• Reimbursement for expenses already incurred. Support is only for research planned or in progress.
• Purchase of computers, hard-drives, or servers.
• Expensive travel and accommodations when less expensive options are available.
• Purchase of expensive equipment items such as DV cameras, editors, and video projectors. If demand for such items exists, we will purchase one of each for students to share.