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- 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
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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 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.
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Research Methodology Example
Detailed Walkthrough + Free Methodology Chapter Template
If you’re working on a dissertation or thesis and are looking for an example of a research methodology chapter , you’ve come to the right place.
In this video, we walk you through a research methodology from a dissertation that earned full distinction , step by step. We start off by discussing the core components of a research methodology by unpacking our free methodology chapter template . We then progress to the sample research methodology to show how these concepts are applied in an actual dissertation, thesis or research project.
If you’re currently working on your research methodology chapter, you may also find the following resources useful:
- Research methodology 101 : an introductory video discussing what a methodology is and the role it plays within a dissertation
- Research design 101 : an overview of the most common research designs for both qualitative and quantitative studies
- Variables 101 : an introductory video covering the different types of variables that exist within research.
- Sampling 101 : an overview of the main sampling methods
- Methodology tips : a video discussion covering various tips to help you write a high-quality methodology chapter
- Private coaching : Get hands-on help with your research methodology
FAQ: Research Methodology Example
Research methodology example: frequently asked questions, is the sample research methodology real.
Yes. The chapter example is an extract from a Master’s-level dissertation for an MBA program. A few minor edits have been made to protect the privacy of the sponsoring organisation, but these have no material impact on the research methodology.
Can I replicate this methodology for my dissertation?
As we discuss in the video, every research methodology will be different, depending on the research aims, objectives and research questions. Therefore, you’ll need to tailor your literature review to suit your specific context.
You can learn more about the basics of writing a research methodology chapter here .
Where can I find more examples of research methodologies?
The best place to find more examples of methodology chapters would be within dissertation/thesis databases. These databases include dissertations, theses and research projects that have successfully passed the assessment criteria for the respective university, meaning that you have at least some sort of quality assurance.
The Open Access Thesis Database (OATD) is a good starting point.
How do I get the research methodology chapter template?
You can access our free methodology chapter template here .
Is the methodology template really free?
Yes. There is no cost for the template and you are free to use it as you wish.
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A RESEARCH PROPOSAL SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF BACHELORS DEGREE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AT CAVENDISH UNIVERSITY UGANDA
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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 ...
A Research Proposal Submitted to the Collage of business and economics of Addis Ababa University To Undertake a Research Proposal in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the course Business research methods in the program of Master of Business Administration (MBA) Advisor/course instructor: Asres A. (PhD) Prepared by Dagmawi Tilahun ...
Download Free PDF. View PDF. MBA THESIS PROPOSAL GUIDELINES 1. INTRODUCTION The aim of this document is to give MBA students practical guidance about their thesis proposal. In addition to some general comments, the actual structure that should be followed in presenting the proposal is also outlined.
III. Research Methodology 3.1 Research design 3.2 Population 3.3 Sample design 3.4 Data collection 3.5 Data Analysis • References • Appendices Note: For a case study, population and sample do not apply. B. FORMAT Length: Maximum 20 pages, 1½ spacing, A4 paper Margins: Left margin: 1½ inches Right margin: 1 inch
Research proposal examples. Writing a research proposal can be quite challenging, but a good starting point could be to look at some examples. We've included a few for you below. Example research proposal #1: "A Conceptual Framework for Scheduling Constraint Management" Example research proposal #2: "Medical Students as Mediators of ...
Make sure you can ask the critical what, who, and how questions of your research before you put pen to paper. Your research proposal should include (at least) 5 essential components : Title - provides the first taste of your research, in broad terms. Introduction - explains what you'll be researching in more detail.
institution you are applying to. However, if you are not given any guidelines on how to format your research proposal, you could adopt the suggested structure below. This is also relevant if you are applying for external funding or asking your employer to sponsor you to undertake a research degree. Suggested structure for a research proposal:
Most good research proposals are usually between 2000 and 4000 words in length. A strong research proposal can and should make a positive first impression about your potential to become a good researcher. It should show those reading it that your ideas are focused, interesting and realistic. Although you should write the proposal yourself, it ...
What's Included: Research Proposal Template. Our free dissertation/thesis proposal template covers the core essential ingredients for a strong research proposal. It includes clear explanations of what you need to address in each section, as well as straightforward examples and links to further resources. The research proposal template covers ...
1. The final manuscript is a "Capstone" research project in fulfillment of the MBA. graduation requirements. 2. It is a government requirement in fulfillment of the Equivalence certificate. 7 ...
A Sample Research Proposal with Comments A research project or thesis will take at least two semesters to complete. Prior to starting a research, i.e. enrolling in the first semester research course, students must go through the proposal stage, during which students will develop their proposal and have it reviewed by his/her research advisor. ...
43. = 38.8 ~ 39. 1 + 43 (0.05*0.05) Simple random sampling technique will be used to draw the sample from the population. This technique is preferred because it ensures that each and every unit in the population has an equal and independent chance of being included in the sample. 3.5. Data Collection.
literature review, designing relevant research questions, data collection, collation and analysis often all take more time than planned for. Equally, writing a dissertation can be an onerous task. There is then a general need to think through the proposal plan, build in some slack for when things go wrong but, most of all, be determined about
Abstract. The purpose of this research is to study the relationship between customer satisfaction. and consumer loyalty and apply its relationship into all the market industries including. products and services, particularly in financial institutions. Preliminary sample data.
Thus, vital components of a survey strategy are as follows: 27 Components of survey Research sample Research instruments Ethical issues Limitations Research sample - although, two sampling methods, systematic sampling and stratified sampling methods are possible for this study, the method chosen will be systematic sampling.
A Research Proposal Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies of St. Mary's University to Undertake a Research in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Business Administration (MBA) BY FANTAHUN TESHOME St. MARY'S UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES MBA PROGRAM JUNE 2016 ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
The research proposal is a summary of the plan you are contemplating for carr ying out in the form. of a dissertation - by making you put it down into a standard format and r equiring you to ...
Research Proposal Sample mba - Free download as PDF File (.pdf), Text File (.txt) or read online for free. Research Proposal Sample
In this video, we walk you through a research methodology from a dissertation that earned full distinction, step by step. We start off by discussing the core components of a research methodology by unpacking our free methodology chapter template. We then progress to the sample research methodology to show how these concepts are applied in an ...
Abstract and Figures. The present document provides guidelines for writing an excellent and relevant research proposal at MSc as well as at PhD level. Writing a meticulous proposal will help ...
Sample Research Proposal - Free download as PDF File (.pdf), Text File (.txt) or read online for free. research proposal
constructing your proposal. What you write in your proposal is provisional and in outline form, presented with the aim of giving the reader a view of the potential of the proposed research. The Purpose of the Research Proposal . Your research proposal for the DBA has a number of important jobs to do, and these are summarised here.
Population and sample size table. 14 3.4 Sampling procedures 14 3.5 Research Instruments 15 3.5.1 Questionnaires 15 3.6 Validity and Reliability of the instruments 15 3.6.1 Validity 15 3.6.2 Reliability 16 3.7 Data Analysis 16 3.8 Ethical considerations 16 3.9 Limitations of the study. 16 References 17 APPENDIX I: QUESTIONAIRE 20 DEMOGRAPHIC ...