list and explain components of research proposal

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Components of a research proposal.

In general, the proposal components include:

Introduction: Provides reader with a broad overview of problem in context.

Statement of problem: Answers the question, “What research problem are you going to investigate?”

Literature review: Shows how your approach builds on existing research; helps you identify methodological and design issues in studies similar to your own; introduces you to measurement tools others have used effectively; helps you interpret findings; and ties results of your work to those who’ve preceded you.

Research design and methods: Describes how you’ll go about answering your research questions and confirming your hypothesis(es). Lists the hypothesis(es) to be tested, or states research question you’ll ask to seek a solution to your research problem. Include as much detail as possible: measurement instruments and procedures, subjects and sample size.

The research design is what you’ll also need to submit for approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) or the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) if your research involves human or animal subjects, respectively.

Timeline: Breaks your project into small, easily doable steps via backwards calendar.

Write a Research Proposal

Structure and content, introduction (to topic and problem), research question (or hypothesis, thesis statement, aim), proposed methodology, anticipated findings, contributions - impact and significance, tables and figures (if applicable).

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The structure and content of a research proposal can vary depending upon the discipline, purpose, and target audience. For example, a graduate thesis proposal and a Tri-Council grant proposal will have different guidelines for length and required sections.

Before you begin writing, be sure to talk with your supervisor to gain a clear understanding of their specific expectations, and continually check in with them throughout the writing process.

• Organizing your Research Proposal - Template This 6-page fillable pdf handout provides writers with a template to begin outlining sections of their own research proposal.

This template can be used in conjunction with the sections below.

What are some keywords for your research?

• Should give a clear indication of your proposed research approach or key question
• Should be concise and descriptive

Writing Tip: When constructing your title, think about the search terms you would use to find this research online.

Important: Write this section last, after you have completed drafting the proposal. Or if you are required to draft a preliminary abstract, then remember to rewrite the abstract after you have completed drafting the entire proposal because some information may need to be revised.

The abstract should provide a brief overview of the entire proposal. Briefly state the research question (or hypothesis, thesis statement, aim), the problem and rationale, the proposed methods, and the proposed analyses or expected results.

The purpose of the introduction is to communicate the information that is essential for the reader to understand the overall area of concern. Be explicit. Outline why this research must be conducted and try to do so without unnecessary jargon or overwhelming detail.

Start with a short statement that establishes the overall area of concern. Avoid too much detail. Get to the point. Communicate only information essential for the reader’s comprehension. Avoid unnecessary technical language and jargon. Answer the question, "What is this study about?"

Questions to consider:

• What is your topic area, and what is the problem within that topic?
• What does the relevant literature say about the problem? – Be selective and focused.
• What are the critical, theoretical, or methodological issues directly related to the problem to be investigated?
• What are the reasons for undertaking the research? – This is the answer to the "so what?" question.

The following sections - listed as part of the introduction - are intended as a guide for drafting a research proposal. Most introductions include these following components. However, be sure to clarify with your advisor or carefully review the grant guidelines to be sure to comply with the proposal genre expectations of your specific discipline.

Broad topic and focus of study

• Briefly describe the broad topic of your research area, and then clearly explain the narrowed focus of your specific study.

Importance of topic/field of study

• Position your project in a current important research area.
• Address the “So what?” question directly, and as soon as possible.
• Provide context for the reader to understand the problem you are about to pose or research question you are asking.

Problem within field of study

• Identify the problem that you are investigating in your study.

Gap(s) in knowledge

• Identify something missing from the literature.
• What is unknown in this specific research area? This is what your study will explore and where you will attempt to provide new insights.
• Is there a reason this gap exists? Where does the current literature agree and where does it disagree? How you fill this gap (at least partially) with your research?
• Convince your reader that the problem has been appropriately defined and that the study is worth doing. Be explicit and detailed.
• Develop your argument logically and provide evidence.
• Explain why you are the person to do this project. Summarize any previous work or studies you may have undertaken in this field or research area.

Research question or hypothesis

• Foreshadow outcomes of your research. What is the question you are hoping to answer? What are the specific hypotheses to be tested and/or issues to be explored?
• Use questions when research is exploratory.
• Use declarative statements when existing knowledge enables predictions.
• List any secondary or subsidiary questions if applicable.

Purpose statement

• State the purpose of your research. Be succinct and simple.
• Why do you want to do this study?
• What is your research trying to find out?

Goals for proposed research

• Write a brief, broad statement of what you hope to accomplish and why (e.g., Improve something… Understand something… ). Are there specific measurable outcomes that you will accomplish in your study? 
• You will have a chance to go into greater detail in the research question and methodology sections.

Background or context (or literature review)

• What does the existing research on this topic say?
• Briefly state what you already know and introduce literature most relevant to your research.
• Indicate main research findings, methodologies, and interpretations from previous related studies.
• Discuss how your question or hypothesis relates to what is already known.
• Position your research within the field’s developing body of knowledge.
• Explain and support your choice of methodology or theoretical framework.

The research question is the question you are hoping to answer in your research project. It is important to know how you should write your research question into your proposal. Some proposals include

• a research question, written as a question
• or, a hypothesis as a potential response to the research question
• or, a thesis statement as an argument that answers the research question
• or, aims and objects as accomplishment or operational statements

Foreshadow the outcomes of your research. Are you trying to improve something? Understand something? Advocate for a social responsibility?

Research question

What is the question you are hoping to answer?

Subsidiary questions (if applicable)

• Does your major research question hinge on a few smaller questions? Which will you address first?

Your hypothesis should provide one (of many) possible answers to your research question.

• What are the specific hypotheses to be tested and/or issues to be explored?
• What results do you anticipate for this experiment?

Usually a hypothesis is written to show the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. Your hypothesis must be

• An expected relationship between variables
• Falsifiable
• Consistent with the existing body of knowledge

Thesis statement

Your thesis statement is a clear, concise statement of what you are arguing and why it is important. For more support on writing thesis statements, check out these following resources:

• 5 Types of Thesis Statements - Learn about five different types of thesis statements to help you choose the best type for your research.
• Templates for Writing Thesis Statements - This template provides a two-step guide for writing thesis statements.
• 5 Questions to Strengthen Your Thesis Statement - Follow these five steps to strengthen your thesis statements.

Aims and objectives

Aims are typically broader statements of what you are trying to accomplish and may or may not be measurable. Objectives are operational statements indicating specifically how you will accomplish the aims of your project.

• What are you trying to accomplish?
• How are you going to address the research question?

Be specific and make sure your aims or objectives are realistic. You want to convey that it is feasible to answer this question with the objectives you have proposed.

Make it clear that you know what you are going to do, how you are going to do it, and why it will work by relating your methodology to previous research. If there isn’t much literature on the topic, you can relate your methodology to your own preliminary research or point out how your methodology tackles something that may have been overlooked in previous studies.

Explain how you will conduct this research. Specify scope and parameters (e.g., geographic locations, demographics). Limit your inclusion of literature to only essential articles and studies.

• How will these methods produce an answer to your research question?
• How do the methods relate to the introduction and literature review?
• Have you done any previous work (or read any literature) that would inform your choices about methodology?
• Are your methods feasible and adequate? How do you know?
• What obstacles might you encounter in conducting the research, and how will you overcome them?

This section should include the following components that are relevant to your study and research methodologies:

Object(s) of study / participants / population

Provide detail about your objects of study (e.g., literary texts, swine, government policies, children, health care systems).

• Who/what are they?
• How will you find, select, or collect them?
• How feasible is it to find/select them?
• Are there any limitations to sample/data collection?
• Do you need to travel to collect samples or visit archives, etc.?
• Do you need to obtain Research Ethics Board (REB) approval to include human participants?

Theoretical frame or critical methodology

• Explain the theories or disciplinary methodologies that your research draws from or builds upon.

Materials and apparatus

• What are your survey or interview methods? (You may include a copy of questionnaires, etc.)
• Do you require any special equipment?
• How do you plan to purchase or construct or obtain this equipment?

Procedure and design

What exactly will you do? Include variables selected or manipulated, randomization, controls, the definition of coding categories, etc.

• Is it a questionnaire? Laboratory experiment? Series of interviews? Systematic review? Interpretative analysis?
• How will subjects be assigned to experimental conditions?
• What precautions will be used to control possible confounding variables?
• How long do you expect to spend on each step, and do you have a backup plan?

Data analysis and statistical procedures

• How do you plan to statistically analyze your data?
• What analyses will you conduct?
• How will the analyses contribute to the objectives?

What are the expected outcomes from your methods? Describe your expected results in relation to your hypothesis. Support these results using existing literature.

• What results would prove or disprove your hypotheses and validate your methodology, and why?
• What obstacles might you encounter in obtaining your results, and how will you deal with those obstacles?
• How will you analyze and interpret your results?

This section may be the most important part of your proposal. Make sure to emphasize how this research is significant to the related field, and how it will impact the broader community, now and in the future.

Convince your reader why this project should be funded above the other potential projects. Why is this research useful and relevant? Why is it useful to others? Answer the question “so what?”

Specific contributions

• How will your anticipated results specifically contribute to fulfilling the aims, objectives, or goals of your research?
• Will these be direct or indirect contributions? – theoretical or applied?
• How will your research contribute to the larger topic area or research discipline?

Impact and significance

• How will your research contribute to the research field of study?
• How will your research contribute to the larger topic addressed in your introduction?
• How will this research extend other work that you have done?
• How will this contribution/significance convince the reader that this research will be useful and relevant?
• Who else might find your research useful and relevant? (e.g., other research streams, policy makers, professional fields, etc.)

Provide a list of some of the most important sources that you will need to use for the introduction and background sections, plus your literature review and theoretical framework. 

What are some of the most important sources that you will need to use for the intro/background/lit review/theoretical framework? 

• Find out what style guide you are required to follow (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago).
• Follow the guidelines in our Cite Your Sources  Libguide to format citations and create a reference list or bibliography.

Attach this list to your proposal as a separate page unless otherwise specified.

This section should include only visuals that help illustrate the preliminary results, methods, or expected results.

• What visuals will you use to help illustrate the methods or expected results?
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9 Components of a Research Proposal

A research proposal can be divided into many different steps but all of these configurations serve to demonstrate two qualities to your reader: that (1) there is an important question which needs answering; and (2) you have the capacity to answer that question. All the steps of a proposal must serve either or both of these goals (Wong, n.d.).

Before we delve into the substantive details of the research proposal, we want to briefly discuss two often overlooked components: title page and abstract. The first component of presenting a topic is developing a title page that accurately reflects your topic. Make sure that your title highlights the focus of your study and the expected outcomes (e.g., do you expect to discover lessons, insights, implementation strategies, improved understandings etc.). It is best to keep your title short (usually no more than two lines) and specific to your research concerns. For more tips on writing effective titles, see Hartley (2017). Apart from the actual words in your title, you should ensure that your title page aligns with the referencing style used in the rest of the proposal (e.g., check out APA convention on title pages). Regardless of the referencing style used, a good title page usually has the following information: title of the proposal, author’s name, institution and/department, program/course and the date. Including a running header and page number are optional.

Hartley, J. (2007). There‘s more to the title than meets the eye: Exploring the possibilities. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication , 37(1), 95-101. https://doi.org/10.2190/BJ16-8385-7Q73-1162

Wong, Paul T. P. (n.d.). How to Write a Research Proposal . Meaning.ca. http://www.meaning.ca/archives/archive/art_how_to_write_P_Wong.htm

Practicing and Presenting Social Research Copyright © 2022 by Oral Robinson and Alexander Wilson is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Home » How To Write A Research Proposal – Step-by-Step [Template]

How To Write A Research Proposal – Step-by-Step [Template]

Table of Contents

How To Write a Research Proposal

Writing a Research proposal involves several steps to ensure a well-structured and comprehensive document. Here is an explanation of each step:

1. Title and Abstract

• Choose a concise and descriptive title that reflects the essence of your research.
• Write an abstract summarizing your research question, objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes. It should provide a brief overview of your proposal.

2. Introduction:

• Provide an introduction to your research topic, highlighting its significance and relevance.
• Clearly state the research problem or question you aim to address.
• Discuss the background and context of the study, including previous research in the field.

3. Research Objectives

• Outline the specific objectives or aims of your research. These objectives should be clear, achievable, and aligned with the research problem.

4. Literature Review:

• Conduct a comprehensive review of relevant literature and studies related to your research topic.
• Summarize key findings, identify gaps, and highlight how your research will contribute to the existing knowledge.

5. Methodology:

• Describe the research design and methodology you plan to employ to address your research objectives.
• Explain the data collection methods, instruments, and analysis techniques you will use.
• Justify why the chosen methods are appropriate and suitable for your research.

6. Timeline:

• Create a timeline or schedule that outlines the major milestones and activities of your research project.
• Break down the research process into smaller tasks and estimate the time required for each task.

7. Resources:

• Identify the resources needed for your research, such as access to specific databases, equipment, or funding.
• Explain how you will acquire or utilize these resources to carry out your research effectively.

8. Ethical Considerations:

• Discuss any ethical issues that may arise during your research and explain how you plan to address them.
• If your research involves human subjects, explain how you will ensure their informed consent and privacy.

9. Expected Outcomes and Significance:

• Clearly state the expected outcomes or results of your research.
• Highlight the potential impact and significance of your research in advancing knowledge or addressing practical issues.

10. References:

• Provide a list of all the references cited in your proposal, following a consistent citation style (e.g., APA, MLA).

11. Appendices:

• Include any additional supporting materials, such as survey questionnaires, interview guides, or data analysis plans.

Research Proposal Format

The format of a research proposal may vary depending on the specific requirements of the institution or funding agency. However, the following is a commonly used format for a research proposal:

1. Title Page:

• Include the title of your research proposal, your name, your affiliation or institution, and the date.

2. Abstract:

• Provide a brief summary of your research proposal, highlighting the research problem, objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes.

3. Introduction:

• Introduce the research topic and provide background information.
• State the research problem or question you aim to address.
• Explain the significance and relevance of the research.
• Review relevant literature and studies related to your research topic.
• Summarize key findings and identify gaps in the existing knowledge.
• Explain how your research will contribute to filling those gaps.

5. Research Objectives:

• Clearly state the specific objectives or aims of your research.
• Ensure that the objectives are clear, focused, and aligned with the research problem.

6. Methodology:

• Describe the research design and methodology you plan to use.
• Explain the data collection methods, instruments, and analysis techniques.
• Justify why the chosen methods are appropriate for your research.

7. Timeline:

8. Resources:

• Explain how you will acquire or utilize these resources effectively.

9. Ethical Considerations:

• If applicable, explain how you will ensure informed consent and protect the privacy of research participants.

10. Expected Outcomes and Significance:

11. References:

12. Appendices:

Research Proposal Template

Here’s a template for a research proposal:

1. Introduction:

2. Literature Review:

3. Research Objectives:

4. Methodology:

5. Timeline:

6. Resources:

7. Ethical Considerations:

8. Expected Outcomes and Significance:

9. References:

10. Appendices:

Research Proposal Sample

Title: The Impact of Online Education on Student Learning Outcomes: A Comparative Study

1. Introduction

Online education has gained significant prominence in recent years, especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This research proposal aims to investigate the impact of online education on student learning outcomes by comparing them with traditional face-to-face instruction. The study will explore various aspects of online education, such as instructional methods, student engagement, and academic performance, to provide insights into the effectiveness of online learning.

2. Objectives

The main objectives of this research are as follows:

• To compare student learning outcomes between online and traditional face-to-face education.
• To examine the factors influencing student engagement in online learning environments.
• To assess the effectiveness of different instructional methods employed in online education.
• To identify challenges and opportunities associated with online education and suggest recommendations for improvement.

3. Methodology

3.1 Study Design

This research will utilize a mixed-methods approach to gather both quantitative and qualitative data. The study will include the following components:

3.2 Participants

The research will involve undergraduate students from two universities, one offering online education and the other providing face-to-face instruction. A total of 500 students (250 from each university) will be selected randomly to participate in the study.

3.3 Data Collection

The research will employ the following data collection methods:

• Quantitative: Pre- and post-assessments will be conducted to measure students’ learning outcomes. Data on student demographics and academic performance will also be collected from university records.
• Qualitative: Focus group discussions and individual interviews will be conducted with students to gather their perceptions and experiences regarding online education.

3.4 Data Analysis

Quantitative data will be analyzed using statistical software, employing descriptive statistics, t-tests, and regression analysis. Qualitative data will be transcribed, coded, and analyzed thematically to identify recurring patterns and themes.

4. Ethical Considerations

The study will adhere to ethical guidelines, ensuring the privacy and confidentiality of participants. Informed consent will be obtained, and participants will have the right to withdraw from the study at any time.

5. Significance and Expected Outcomes

This research will contribute to the existing literature by providing empirical evidence on the impact of online education on student learning outcomes. The findings will help educational institutions and policymakers make informed decisions about incorporating online learning methods and improving the quality of online education. Moreover, the study will identify potential challenges and opportunities related to online education and offer recommendations for enhancing student engagement and overall learning outcomes.

6. Timeline

The proposed research will be conducted over a period of 12 months, including data collection, analysis, and report writing.

The estimated budget for this research includes expenses related to data collection, software licenses, participant compensation, and research assistance. A detailed budget breakdown will be provided in the final research plan.

8. Conclusion

This research proposal aims to investigate the impact of online education on student learning outcomes through a comparative study with traditional face-to-face instruction. By exploring various dimensions of online education, this research will provide valuable insights into the effectiveness and challenges associated with online learning. The findings will contribute to the ongoing discourse on educational practices and help shape future strategies for maximizing student learning outcomes in online education settings.

About the author

Muhammad Hassan

Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

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What (Exactly) Is A Research Proposal?

A simple explainer with examples + free template.

By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Reviewed By: Dr Eunice Rautenbach | June 2020 (Updated April 2023)

Whether you’re nearing the end of your degree and your dissertation is on the horizon, or you’re planning to apply for a PhD program, chances are you’ll need to craft a convincing research proposal . If you’re on this page, you’re probably unsure exactly what the research proposal is all about. Well, you’ve come to the right place.

Overview: Research Proposal Basics

• What a research proposal is
• What a research proposal needs to cover
• How to structure your research proposal
• Example /sample proposals
• Proposal writing FAQs
• Key takeaways & additional resources

What is a research proposal?

Simply put, a research proposal is a structured, formal document that explains what you plan to research (your research topic), why it’s worth researching (your justification), and how  you plan to investigate it (your methodology). 

The purpose of the research proposal (its job, so to speak) is to convince  your research supervisor, committee or university that your research is  suitable  (for the requirements of the degree program) and  manageable  (given the time and resource constraints you will face). 

The most important word here is “ convince ” – in other words, your research proposal needs to  sell  your research idea (to whoever is going to approve it). If it doesn’t convince them (of its suitability and manageability), you’ll need to revise and resubmit . This will cost you valuable time, which will either delay the start of your research or eat into its time allowance (which is bad news). 

What goes into a research proposal?

A good dissertation or thesis proposal needs to cover the “ what “, “ why ” and” how ” of the proposed study. Let’s look at each of these attributes in a little more detail:

Your proposal needs to clearly articulate your research topic . This needs to be specific and unambiguous . Your research topic should make it clear exactly what you plan to research and in what context. Here’s an example of a well-articulated research topic:

An investigation into the factors which impact female Generation Y consumer’s likelihood to promote a specific makeup brand to their peers: a British context

As you can see, this topic is extremely clear. From this one line we can see exactly:

• What’s being investigated – factors that make people promote or advocate for a brand of a specific makeup brand
• Who it involves – female Gen-Y consumers
• In what context – the United Kingdom

So, make sure that your research proposal provides a detailed explanation of your research topic . If possible, also briefly outline your research aims and objectives , and perhaps even your research questions (although in some cases you’ll only develop these at a later stage). Needless to say, don’t start writing your proposal until you have a clear topic in mind , or you’ll end up waffling and your research proposal will suffer as a result of this.

Need a helping hand?

As we touched on earlier, it’s not good enough to simply propose a research topic – you need to justify why your topic is original . In other words, what makes it  unique ? What gap in the current literature does it fill? If it’s simply a rehash of the existing research, it’s probably not going to get approval – it needs to be fresh.

But,  originality  alone is not enough. Once you’ve ticked that box, you also need to justify why your proposed topic is  important . In other words, what value will it add to the world if you achieve your research aims?

As an example, let’s look at the sample research topic we mentioned earlier (factors impacting brand advocacy). In this case, if the research could uncover relevant factors, these findings would be very useful to marketers in the cosmetics industry, and would, therefore, have commercial value . That is a clear justification for the research.

So, when you’re crafting your research proposal, remember that it’s not enough for a topic to simply be unique. It needs to be useful and value-creating – and you need to convey that value in your proposal. If you’re struggling to find a research topic that makes the cut, watch  our video covering how to find a research topic .

It’s all good and well to have a great topic that’s original and valuable, but you’re not going to convince anyone to approve it without discussing the practicalities – in other words:

• How will you actually undertake your research (i.e., your methodology)?
• Is your research methodology appropriate given your research aims?
• Is your approach manageable given your constraints (time, money, etc.)?

While it’s generally not expected that you’ll have a fully fleshed-out methodology at the proposal stage, you’ll likely still need to provide a high-level overview of your research methodology . Here are some important questions you’ll need to address in your research proposal:

• Will you take a qualitative , quantitative or mixed -method approach?
• What sampling strategy will you adopt?
• How will you collect your data (e.g., interviews, surveys, etc)?
• How will you analyse your data (e.g., descriptive and inferential statistics , content analysis, discourse analysis, etc, .)?
• What potential limitations will your methodology carry?

So, be sure to give some thought to the practicalities of your research and have at least a basic methodological plan before you start writing up your proposal. If this all sounds rather intimidating, the video below provides a good introduction to research methodology and the key choices you’ll need to make.

How To Structure A Research Proposal

Now that we’ve covered the key points that need to be addressed in a proposal, you may be wondering, “ But how is a research proposal structured? “.

While the exact structure and format required for a research proposal differs from university to university, there are four “essential ingredients” that commonly make up the structure of a research proposal:

• A rich introduction and background to the proposed research
• An initial literature review covering the existing research
• An overview of the proposed research methodology
• A discussion regarding the practicalities (project plans, timelines, etc.)

In the video below, we unpack each of these four sections, step by step.

Research Proposal Examples/Samples

In the video below, we provide a detailed walkthrough of two successful research proposals (Master’s and PhD-level), as well as our popular free proposal template.

Proposal Writing FAQs

How long should a research proposal be.

This varies tremendously, depending on the university, the field of study (e.g., social sciences vs natural sciences), and the level of the degree (e.g. undergraduate, Masters or PhD) – so it’s always best to check with your university what their specific requirements are before you start planning your proposal.

As a rough guide, a formal research proposal at Masters-level often ranges between 2000-3000 words, while a PhD-level proposal can be far more detailed, ranging from 5000-8000 words. In some cases, a rough outline of the topic is all that’s needed, while in other cases, universities expect a very detailed proposal that essentially forms the first three chapters of the dissertation or thesis.

The takeaway – be sure to check with your institution before you start writing.

How do I choose a topic for my research proposal?

Finding a good research topic is a process that involves multiple steps. We cover the topic ideation process in this video post.

How do I write a literature review for my proposal?

While you typically won’t need a comprehensive literature review at the proposal stage, you still need to demonstrate that you’re familiar with the key literature and are able to synthesise it. We explain the literature review process here.

How do I create a timeline and budget for my proposal?

We explain how to craft a project plan/timeline and budget in Research Proposal Bootcamp .

Which referencing format should I use in my research proposal?

The expectations and requirements regarding formatting and referencing vary from institution to institution. Therefore, you’ll need to check this information with your university.

What common proposal writing mistakes do I need to look out for?

We’ve create a video post about some of the most common mistakes students make when writing a proposal – you can access that here . If you’re short on time, here’s a quick summary:

• The research topic is too broad (or just poorly articulated).
• The research aims, objectives and questions don’t align.
• The research topic is not well justified.
• The study has a weak theoretical foundation.
• The research design is not well articulated well enough.
• Poor writing and sloppy presentation.
• Poor project planning and risk management.
• Not following the university’s specific criteria.

Key Takeaways & Additional Resources

As you write up your research proposal, remember the all-important core purpose:  to convince . Your research proposal needs to sell your study in terms of suitability and viability. So, focus on crafting a convincing narrative to ensure a strong proposal.

At the same time, pay close attention to your university’s requirements. While we’ve covered the essentials here, every institution has its own set of expectations and it’s essential that you follow these to maximise your chances of approval.

By the way, we’ve got plenty more resources to help you fast-track your research proposal. Here are some of our most popular resources to get you started:

• Proposal Writing 101 : A Introductory Webinar
• Research Proposal Bootcamp : The Ultimate Online Course
• Template : A basic template to help you craft your proposal

If you’re looking for 1-on-1 support with your research proposal, be sure to check out our private coaching service , where we hold your hand through the proposal development process (and the entire research journey), step by step.

Psst… there’s more!

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

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51 Comments

I truly enjoyed this video, as it was eye-opening to what I have to do in the preparation of preparing a Research proposal.

I would be interested in getting some coaching.

I real appreciate on your elaboration on how to develop research proposal,the video explains each steps clearly.

Thank you for the video. It really assisted me and my niece. I am a PhD candidate and she is an undergraduate student. It is at times, very difficult to guide a family member but with this video, my job is done.

In view of the above, I welcome more coaching.

Wonderful guidelines, thanks

This is very helpful. Would love to continue even as I prepare for starting my masters next year.

Thanks for the work done, the text was helpful to me

Bundle of thanks to you for the research proposal guide it was really good and useful if it is possible please send me the sample of research proposal

You’re most welcome. We don’t have any research proposals that we can share (the students own the intellectual property), but you might find our research proposal template useful: https://gradcoach.com/research-proposal-template/

Cheruiyot Moses Kipyegon

Thanks alot. It was an eye opener that came timely enough before my imminent proposal defense. Thanks, again

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Thank you. This is a great insight. I am a student preparing for a PhD program. I am requested to write my Research Proposal as part of what I am required to submit before my unconditional admission. I am grateful having listened to this video which will go a long way in helping me to actually choose a topic of interest and not just any topic as well as to narrow down the topic and be specific about it. I indeed need more of this especially as am trying to choose a topic suitable for a DBA am about embarking on. Thank you once more. The video is indeed helpful.

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Hi. For my MSc medical education research, please evaluate this topic for me: Training Needs Assessment of Faculty in Medical Training Institutions in Kericho and Bomet Counties

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I need any research proposal

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How to write a Research Proposal: Components of a research proposal

Components of a research proposal.

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Research proposals differ in terms of their presentation depending on what each University department requires. In other words, there is no set template  for a research proposal. Please contact your lecturer regarding the format you are expected to use for your research proposal.Thus, the components of a research proposal include, but are not limited to those mentioned in this guide.

1. The title

Try to come up with a title that is unique and at the same time easy to remember. It should also make a lasting impression to the reader and make them want to come back and read your proposal.  The title must also capture the main concepts of the study . As the research process is lengthy, it is   important that you choose a topic that you are   so curious about  that you remain motivated for the duration of the research process.  Select a topic that you will be able to complete within the time frame that you have for your research. 

3. The background

The background to the topic of your intended research must be clear and precise. It must not only include an in-depth explanation of the key points of your subject but also all the developments in the field as well as their timelines . The researcher must also explain the compelling interest in the research issue as well as the personal interest (if any) in the topic. This section must also indicate the specific area within which the topic falls in your particular field of study or subject . Aslo, how will the proposed study contribute to a particular field? In other words, the impact and the significance in a subject area must be clearly outlined. The target audience must also be clearly described.

5. Objectives of the research

It is important that the objectives are in alignment with the research questions. The objectives must indicate what the aim of the research study is.  In fact, objectives give you a clear indication of the steps that you will take to achieve the aim of the research. The objectives must be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound.

7. Literature review

Collect and present relevant literature on your topic of choice. It is important to include all the main authors or experts in a particular field.  Depending on your field of study or topic, ensure that you include recent literature as well as literature that presents counterarguments to the topic. The justification for the study needs to based on existing literature. Click here for more information on how to write a literature review.

8. Limitations and delimitations of the study

The researcher must indicate the limitations of the study which are what the researcher cannot do or factors that are beyond the researcher's control, as well as delimitations that the researcher chooses not to address for the purposes of the study. Delimitations are boundaries that the researcher has set for the study. The r easons  both for limitations and delimitations must be discussed in this section.

10. Work plan

Your schedule for the research must be stated clearly including the projected timelines for the various stages of your study.

11. Bibliography

All the sources that you have used for your proposal must be listed in alphabetical order using a referencing style that your lecturer has prescribed for your subject field.

Click here for more information on the various reference styles.

2. Introduction to the research

This section of the proposal must provide a broad overview of the topic. The jargon and key terms used in the particular topic must also be thoroughly explained in order to avoid confusion. The interest of the researcher in the particular topic must also be clearly outlined while at the same time mentioning, albeit briefly at this point, a critical review of the main literature that covers the topic.  The researcher must also provide the aim of the research by clearly and concisely stating the problem,  as well as the research questions to be dealt with.  This section must also indicate what the research study will not be covering .

4. The research questions

The research questions must state clearly what your proposed study is meant to address or answer. Ensure that you use simple language that is easy to understand, while being cognisant of the level of  your intended audience . 

6. Research methodology / research methods

This section outlines the approach which the researcher will follow in order to address the research problem and to answer all the research questions from the researcher. The research design must be clearly defined, e.g., is the research  Descriptive, Correlational, Causal-Comparative/Quasi-Experimental, Experimental, Diagnostic or Explanatory.

State clearly

• how the research will be conducted in terms of the theoretical resources that will be used
• the theoretical framework for conducting the research, which is the theoretical approach drawn from your literature review to support your research study
• proposed research method(s)
• a comparison of the advantages, limitations and suitability of the available approaches and methods for conducting your research
• participants, instruments, procedure, analysis, etc.

Research design

Selecting the approach to use

Research approach

Research design and methodology

Importance of research

Attributes of a good research scholar

Summary of different research methodologies

9. Significance of the research

The researcher must provide justification for the need to conduct the study. What is the gap that the study will fill, and what is its contribution to the  existing body of knowledge? The originality and importance of the research which will be  level appropriate, must be clearly described, for instance, the required level of originality for a fourth year research project is different to that of a doctoral candidate. 

The impact of the study for the subject field must be indicated. In other words, how will the research improve the field, who will it impact, how will it make changes in your industy or field etc.? Lastly, the proposed resaerch must be relatable , interesting and engaging .

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What Are The Elements Of A Good Research Proposal?

by  Antony W

March 10, 2023

The key to writing a great research proposal for your upcoming research project is to make sure the document has the right structure.

Your paper must include all the components that your professor expects to see. So in this guide, we’ll outline all the elements of a good research proposal and explain why they’re important.

The elements of a good research proposal are the title, the introduction, literature review, aims and objectives, methodology, scope of the research, outline and timetable, and bibliography.

It’s important to include these elements in your research proposal exactly in the order in which they appear in the list above.

Why The Key Elements Of A Research Proposal Matter

The basic elements of a research proposal are important because they communicate your thought process, present the originality of your ideas, and demonstrate that you’re passionate about the subject in question.

If you structure and write your research proposal well, your paper can convince your professor that your project is feasible and you have what it takes to take   your research project to the next level.

Have no time to read this guide and would rather get quick writing help? Let us write your research proposal for you! 

7 Key Elements of a Research Proposal 

While developing a detailed and comprehensive research proposal requires a lot of planning, attention to details, and academic writing skills , understanding the core elements of the paper is the first step to getting your proposal accepted.

So here are the elements that you should include in your research proposal.

It sounds somewhat obvious when we say that your research proposal with a title. To say the least, you already know you should.

But perhaps the most common mistake that many students make is to write general titles that lack focus.

Instead of writing a long title that’s hard to read or a short title that fails to highlight the theme of your research, write a clear and concise headline that tells your reader what your research proposal is about at a first glance.

2. Introduction

The starting paragraph to a research project is one of the elements of a good research proposal because it introduces the subject you wish to address or a research problem you wish to analyze.

Because the introduction of a research proposal is what sets the tone for the rest of the paper, it’s important to start with a hook and then organize your thoughts in a logical and organized manner.

The introduction to your research proposal should give background information and explain why you believe a research question is worth exploring. While not mandatory, you can briefly describe your methodologies in the introduction and then expand them later on.

Your introduction should be clear and concise. Make sure you include only the most relevant information in this section so you don’t make it unnecessarily too long.

3. Literature Review

Although a research proposal doesn’t include a full literature review , it’s important to include an overview of the most significant studies in your field.

The section should feature evidence and statistical data to demonstrate the significance of your research.

Through the literature review, you can easily draw your reader’s attention to existing research, identify gaps in existing studies, and make your reader understand how your proposal will contribute to the already existing research.

4. Aims and Objectives

Aims and objectives are what you wish your research proposal to accomplish. Your aims will be your overall outcome or what you want the research to achieve.

Objectives tend to be narrower and more focused. More often than not, you need to provide an explanation for each of your objectives to show how they will help to meet the aims of your study.

Unless required, you don’t really have to include a hypothesis that your research proposal looks forward to test.

5. Research Methodology

Methodologies are simply the research methods you will use to conduct your study and they must appear in your research proposal whether or not you’re conducting an experimental research.

The methodologies include analysis and sampling techniques equipment, research approaches, and ethical concerns.

Make sure your explanation for each methodology is clear and precise. It helps to justify why you’ve chosen to use a certain methodology over an alternative. This will go a long way to show that you took your time to think about your methodologies before picking them.

It’s important to explain how you will collect data, the sample size you plan to consider for your research investigation, and the techniques you consider the most appropriate to analyze the data.

6. Scope of the Research

Because you’ll be working with limited time and resource, it’s reasonable to include a section on the scope of the research in your proposal. In other words, you have to show your reader that you can start and complete your research within the constraints of these two resources.

Remember, your research will more than likely have limits, and addressing them in this section not only shows that you have given them a thought but also makes your research proposal strong and authentic.

Don’t just focus on the challenges that you’re likely to come across during your studies. You should also propose alternative solutions that you can use and why they might help.

7. Outline and Timetable

Your professor expects to see an outline and a timetable in your research proposal so it’s important that you include them in your research proposal.

The purpose of the outline is to show how you plan to structure your dissertation . Briefly note what each section will cover and explain how it all fits into the argument of your research project.

The purpose of the timetable is to show how much time you’ll need to complete your research. In particular, you need to make sure you mention exactly how long you expect each stage of your study to take.

Don’t just mention how long the research process will take. Make sure you also indicate how long you’ll take to compile your research.

Get Help with Research Proposal Writing

Knowing the elements of a good research proposal is one thing. Writing the proposal is where there’s a lot of work. If you don’t have the time to complete the work yourself, feel free to take advantage of our research proposal writing and get the paper done on time.

About the author 

Antony W is a professional writer and coach at Help for Assessment. He spends countless hours every day researching and writing great content filled with expert advice on how to write engaging essays, research papers, and assignments.

Writing a Research Proposal

Parts of a research proposal, prosana model, introduction, research question, methodology.

• Structure of a Research Proposal
• Common Proposal Writing Mistakes
• Proposal Writing Resources

A research proposal's purpose is to capture the evaluator's attention, demonstrate the study's potential benefits, and prove that it is a logical and consistent approach (Van Ekelenburg, 2010).  To ensure that your research proposal contains these elements, there are several aspects to include in your proposal (Al-Riyami, 2008):

• Objective(s)
• Variables (independent and dependent)
• Research Question and/or hypothesis

Details about what to include in each element are included in the boxes below.  Depending on the topic of your study, some parts may not apply to your proposal.  You can also watch the video below for a brief overview about writing a successful research proposal.

Van Ekelenburg (2010) uses the PROSANA Model to guide researchers in developing rationale and justification for their research projects.  It is an acronym that connects the problem, solution, and benefits of a particular research project.  It is an easy way to remember the critical parts of a research proposal and how they relate to one another.  It includes the following letters (Van Ekelenburg, 2010):

• Problem: Describing the main problem that the researcher is trying to solve.
• Root causes: Describing what is causing the problem.  Why is the topic an issue?
• fOcus: Narrowing down one of the underlying causes on which the researcher will focus for their research project.
• Solutions: Listing potential solutions or approaches to fix to the problem.  There could be more than one.
• Approach: Selecting the solution that the researcher will want to focus on.
• Novelty: Describing how the solution will address or solve the problem.
• Arguments: Explaining how the proposed solution will benefit the problem.

Research proposal titles should be concise and to the point, but informative.  The title of your proposal may be different from the title of your final research project, but that is completely normal!  Your findings may help you come up with a title that is more fitting for the final project.  Characteristics of good proposal titles are (Al-Riyami, 2008):

• Catchy: It catches the reader's attention by peaking their interest.
• Positive: It spins your project in a positive way towards the reader.
• Transparent: It identifies the independent and dependent variables.

It is also common for proposal titles to be very similar to your research question, hypothesis, or thesis statement (Locke et al., 2007).

An abstract is a brief summary (about 300 words) of the study you are proposing.  It includes the following elements (Al-Riyami, 2008):

• Your primary research question(s).
• Hypothesis or main argument.
• Method you will use to complete the study.  This may include the design, sample population, or measuring instruments that you plan to use.

Our guide on writing summaries may help you with this step.

• Writing a Summary by Luann Edwards Last Updated May 22, 2023 1119 views this year

The purpose of the introduction is to give readers background information about your topic.  it gives the readers a basic understanding of your topic so that they can further understand the significance of your proposal.  A good introduction will explain (Al-Riyami, 2008):

• How it relates to other research done on the topic
• Why your research is significant to the field
• The relevance of your study

Your research objectives are the desired outcomes that you will achieve from the research project.  Depending on your research design, these may be generic or very specific.  You may also have more than one objective (Al-Riyami, 2008).

• General objectives are what the research project will accomplish
• Specific objectives relate to the research questions that the researcher aims to answer through the study.

Be careful not to have too many objectives in your proposal, as having too many can make your project lose focus.  Plus, it may not be possible to achieve several objectives in one study.

This section describes the different types of variables that you plan to have in your study and how you will measure them.  According to Al-Riyami (2008), there are four types of research variables:

• Independent:  The person, object, or idea that is manipulated by the researcher.
• Dependent:  The person, object, or idea whose changes are dependent upon the independent variable.  Typically, it is the item that the researcher is measuring for the study.
• Confounding/Intervening:  Factors that may influence the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable.  These include physical and mental barriers.  Not every study will have intervening variables, but they should be studied if applicable.
• Background:   Factors that are relevant to the study's data and how it can be generalized.  Examples include demographic information such as age, sex, and ethnicity.

Your research proposal should describe each of your variables and how they relate to one another.  Depending on your study, you may not have all four types of variables present.  However, there will always be an independent and dependent variable.

A research question is the main piece of your research project because it explains what your study will discover to the reader.  It is the question that fuels the study, so it is important for it to be precise and unique.  You do not want it to be too broad, and it should identify a relationship between two variables (an independent and a dependent) (Al-Riyami, 2008).  There are six types of research questions (Academic Writer, n.d.):

• Example: "Do people get nervous before speaking in front of an audience?"
• Example: "What are the study habits of college freshmen at Tiffin University?"
• Example: "What primary traits create a successful romantic relationship?"
• Example: "Is there a relationship between a child's performance in school and their parents' socioeconomic status?"
• Example: "Are high school seniors more motivated than high school freshmen?"
• Example: "Do news media outlets impact a person's political opinions?"

For more information on the different types of research questions, you can view the "Research Questions and Hypotheses" tutorial on Academic Writer, located below.  If you are unfamiliar with Academic Writer, we also have a tutorial on using the database located below.

Compose papers in pre-formatted APA templates. Manage references in forms that help craft APA citations. Learn the rules of APA style through tutorials and practice quizzes.

Academic Writer will continue to use the 6th edition guidelines until August 2020. A preview of the 7th edition is available in the footer of the resource's site. Previously known as APA Style Central.

• Academic Writer Tutorial by Pfeiffer Library Last Updated May 22, 2023 15600 views this year

If you know enough about your research topic that you believe a particular outcome may occur as a result of the study, you can include a hypothesis (thesis statement) in your proposal.  A hypothesis is a prediction that you believe will be the outcome of your study.  It explains what you think the relationship will be between the independent and dependent variable (Al-Riyami, 2008).  It is ok if the hypothesis in your proposal turns out to be incorrect, because it is only a prediction!  If you are writing a proposal in the humanities, you may be writing a thesis statement instead of a hypothesis.  A thesis presents the main argument of your research project and leads to corresponding evidence to support your argument.

Hypotheses vs. Theories

Hypotheses are different from theories in that theories represent general principles and sets of rules that explain different phenomena.  They typically represent large areas of study because they are applicable to anything in a particular field.  Hypotheses focus on specific areas within a field and are educated guesses, meaning that they have the potential to be proven wrong (Academic Writer, n.d.).  Because of this, hypotheses can also be formed from theories.

For more information on writing effective thesis statements, you can view our guide on writing thesis statements below.

• Writing Effective Thesis Statements by Luann Edwards Last Updated May 23, 2023 226 views this year

In a research proposal, you must thoroughly explain how you will conduct your study.  This includes things such as (Al-Riyami, 2008):

• Research design:  What research approach will your study take?  Will it be quantitative or qualitative?
• Research subjects/participants:  Who will be participating in your study?  Does your study require human participants?  How will you determine who to study?
• Sample size:  How many participants will your study require?  If you are not using human participants, how much of the sample will you be studying?
• Timeline:  A proposed list of the general tasks and events that you plan to complete the study.  This will include a time frame for each task/event and the order in which they will be completed.
• Interventions:  If you plan on using anything on human participants for the study, you must include information it here.  This is especially important if you plan on using any substances on human subjects.
• Ethical issues:  Are there any potential ethical issues surrounding this study?
• Potential limitations:  Are there any limitations that could skew the data and findings from your study?
• Appendixes:  If you need to present any consent forms, interview questions, surveys, questionnaires, or other items that will be used in your study, you should include samples of each item with an appendix to reference them.  If you are using a copyrighted document, you may need written permission from the original creator to use it in your study.  A copy of the written permission should be included in your proposal.
• Setting:  Where will you be conducting the study?
• Study instruments:  What measuring tools or computer software will you be using to collect data?  How will you collect the data?
• How you will analyze the data:  What strategies or tools will you use to analyze the data you collect?
• Quality control:  Will you have precautions in place to ensure that the study is conducted consistently and that outside factors will not skew the data?
• Budget:  What type of funding will you need for your study?  This will include the funds needed to afford measuring tools, software, etc.
• How you will share the study's findings:  What will you plan to do with the findings?
• Significance of the study: How will your study expand on existing knowledge of the subject area?

For more information on research methodologies, you can view our guide on research methods and methodologies below.

• Research Methodologies by Pfeiffer Library Last Updated Aug 2, 2022 15725 views this year
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Research Proposal: Components, Structure, Sample, Example

A research proposal is prepared to present the conception of a topic and the research design to the authority for acceptance.

Research works are funded by organizations, development agencies, government organizations, or non-government organizations that generally provide funds for the research. Therefore, the topic of the research should serve their purposes.

A research proposal is a communication prepared to convey and convince the fund-giving authority with detailed elements required to conduct research successfully.

Business students are required to submit a research proposal to the MBA Program Director to obtain approval and conduct research based on it.

This is a special type of communication that contains both theory and methodology. All proposals are typed in double space. The following specimen would be followed systematically to make the proposal meaningful.

Research Proposal

What is a research proposal.

Writing a good research proposal is important for undertaking a higher degree by research, applying for a research grant or fund, and getting a scholarship to pursue higher study. Potential supervisors use a thesis or research proposal for a Ph.D. degree to assess the quality and originality of ideas, the researcher’s critical thinking, and the research project’s feasibility.

Research proposals are also used to assess the researcher’s expertise in the area where he/she wants to conduct research. Having decided to pursue a research study, the researcher must develop a written plan or protocol to guide the study. Such a plan is called a research proposal (RP).

A research proposal is an individual’s or research firm’s formal offer to produce a product or render a service to a client in response to a request from the client. A research proposal is a work plan, prospectus, outline, and statement of intent. It is an agreement between a client and a researcher.

When writing a research proposal, keep in mind that it will enter a competition, being read in line with quite a few other proposals. You have to come up with a document that has an impact on the reader.

Therefore, you must write your proposal clearly and well-structured so your message gets across quickly. Your proposal must explain the study’s purpose and the problem’s definition.

It will systematically outline the particular research methodology and detail the procedures followed at each stage of the research process .

Note that a good proposal must communicate to us:

• Why is it important to know what you are proposing to research?
• What information will be obtained to meet your objectives?
• Where will it be obtained?
• How will it be obtained?
• Why will it be obtained?
• What contribution is it going to make?

Because a research proposal is an outlined plan submitted to a client for consideration, it allows the client to assess your seriousness, sincerity, adequacy of your proposed design, the extent of your background information, competence, and commitment to undertaking the study.

The proposal should have sufficient information to convince your readers that you have an important research idea, a good grasp of the relevant literature and the major issues, and that your methodology is sound.

A poorly written or poorly organized proposal damages the researcher’s reputation. Generally, a research proposal should contain all the critical elements involved in the research process and include sufficient information for the readers to evaluate the proposed study.

In writing a good proposal, one needs to follow a step-by-step process. Even after writing a good proposal, procuring funds could take as long as a year. And even a perfectly written proposal might be rejected for several reasons.

A research proposal is of two types: internal and external.

A company’s experienced staff or research department generates an internal proposal to suit their needs. An external proposal is either solicited or unsolicited. A solicited proposal is often made in response to a ‘request for proposal (RFP).’

Such a proposal will likely compete against several others for a contract or grant. An unsolicited proposal is a suggestion by a contract researcher for research that might be done. Such a proposal has the advantage of not competing against others.

For most outside contracts, proposals are usually submitted in response to a request for bid, or an RFP.

An RFP is a formal document issued by a corporate research department, a decision-maker, or some other sponsor to solicit services from researchers.

Proposals are prepared by the terms of reference (TOR) provided by the client or sponsor and included in the RFP. It becomes almost an obligation on the part of the bidder to follow this TOR in preparing the proposal.

Non- compliance with the specification outlined in the TOR may automatically disqualify the proposal.

If, however, the researcher can demonstrate a superior understanding of the problem and convince the sponsor that their knowledge will benefit the study, the conditions laid down in the TOR may be revised accordingly.

If the sponsor finally agrees with the proposal after reviewing it, it is accepted and approved for execution.

Expression of Interest (EOI)

In most instances, clients request the researchers or research firms to express if they are interested in submitting a formal proposal on pre-selected topics or packages.

This is what we call an Expression of Interest or, in short, EOI.

This EOI aims to identify a researcher or research firm capable of doing the job through an evaluation process following the government procurement rule.

The qualified researchers or research firms are then asked to submit their formal proposals in response to a call for RFP adhering to the TOR. An example of an EOI, adapted from NIPORT, is provided here as an illustration.

Evaluation of the EOIs

The following guidelines were followed to evaluate the EOIs and the firm or consultant. In preparing the guidelines, the World Bank’s Employment of Consultants by World Bank Borrowers, May 2004 was used.

As you see, the EOI is a type of pre-proposal designed to make a self-­evaluation of the respective consultant or firm.

If the consultants or firms are confident in their assessment that they can undertake the job, they might submit the EOI for evaluation by the sponsor.

We are now providing below a sample RFP and the corresponding TOR, as prepared by the National Institute of Population Research and Training (NIPORT) in their recent advertisement for contracting out a few research studies.

How to Write a Research Proposal

Generally, a research proposal outlines the proposed area of research. A completed proposal is “the product of a sustained process of planning and designing the research.” The topic of research should match the interests and capabilities of the researcher.

The research proposal also communicates the researcher’s intentions and research plans to those who approve or allocate funds. A research proposal should contain the context and background of the research, develop a research question, and approach it.

In the case of the doctoral research proposal, it must demonstrate originality and significance and explain how it adds to the existing knowledge.

A research proposal should be persuasive to persuade potential supervisors and funders of the importance of the research work.

The length of research proposals may vary. But ideally, a good research proposal should not be more than two thousand words.

A research proposal should contain research questions and address the following: What? How? Why?

• ‘What’ means the area of research that a researcher is investigating. It points to research questions.
• ‘How’ means how the research proposes to answer the research questions.
• ‘Why’ means why the research is important. It indicates the justification, significance, or expected outcome of the research.

A good research proposal should also contain a clear and concise title, problem statement, why the proposed research is significant, and the limitations of the proposed research.

In addition, key terminologies should be well-defined in the research proposal, and hypotheses and assumptions should be clearly stated.

Structure of a Research Proposal

Introduction or background of the research, aims and objectives, justification or rationale or significance of the research, statement of the problem, research questions, scope of the research, methodological approach, expected outcomes, limitations of the research.

The title of a research proposal should be attractive, interesting, and relevant. On the other hand, long and obscure titles should be avoided.

In an introduction, the researcher should create reader interest in the topic, highlight the research problem, place the study within the larger context of the scholarly literature, and reach a specific audience.

The introduction is considered a starting point to persuade, inform, or indicate the reader’s need for the research.

This attempts to convince the reader that the research will be useful, interesting, or significant for the academic community. A well-written introduction is an important way to attract readers and set the context of the proposed research.

A research proposal should state the aims and objectives of the research. The research aims should be clear, succinct, and realistic because these can be achieved in a reasonable time frame.

This part of the research proposal should demonstrate how the proposed research will refine, revise, or extend existing knowledge in the area under investigation.

• What will be improved or changed as a result of the proposed research?
• Is there a gap in knowledge that the proposed research can help fill or a controversy that might help resolve? In what ways will the research fill the knowledge gap?
• How is the proposed research beneficial, and for whom?
• How will it build on the existing body of knowledge? Is the research timely, innovative, or responding to a new trend?
• Is the research project worth doing?
• Is it significant, and will it make an original contribution to knowledge in the chosen field?
• What ethical issues are raised by the proposed approaches, and how will these be addressed?
• Identification of a gap or deficiency in the existing literature is needed for a good research proposal.

To summarize, the research proposal should demonstrate that a researcher is engaged in genuine and worthwhile inquiry. There is a need for significant research that contributes something original to the field.

The research problem statement should demonstrate a problem or unresolved issues that are yet to be resolved or explored. The problem statement should be described clearly to present a context for the study and identify the area to be investigated.

In addition, the statement of the problem should clearly indicate that the researcher has a comprehensive grasp of the field and are aware of important recent substantive and methodological developments.

There is a difference between the research problem and the question.

A research proposal is largely seen as building or constructing the research problem, and the research question is one of the central components of the problem. The central research question is more general in nature, while related or subsidiary questions are more specific.

A research proposal shall carefully delineate the scope of research to be completed within the relevant timeframe.

However, the research proposal is not final as the research work progresses.

The original proposal may be refined and further developed in light of detailed literature reviews; research approaches consideration, and feedback from the supervisors and other academic staff.

Similarly, the initial title can be modified but should be related to the research proposal. A research proposal should demonstrate the researcher’s understanding of the research issues and identify gaps in the research literature.

A research proposal should be persuasive and address a demonstrable gap in the existing literature.

• How will the research aim achieve?
• What methodology will be applied?
• What methodological issues needed to be addressed by this research?

If the proposed research is quantitative, it should mention which data collection method is appropriate and explain the validity and reliability of data gathering. It will also describe how the data will be used to answer the questions.

In empirical research, data should be linked to concepts and concepts to data, and the links between concepts and data should be tight, logical, and consistent.

The research proposal should indicate the time frame of the completion of research, and it should demonstrate that the research can be completed within the expected or reasonable time frame.

For example, providing a timetable or research action plan explains that each chapter or task is completed within a time frame.

A research proposal should provide the anticipated or tentative outcomes of the research. Expected outcomes are general assumptions about the conclusion to be reached in research work.

Limitations refer to limiting conditions or ‘restrictive weaknesses.’ A limitation identifies potential weaknesses of the study. Every research work has some limitations, and they should be mentioned in the proposal.9

The research proposal should be clear regarding the major approach of the research, including conceptual, theoretical, and empirical approaches, and the rationale and significance of the research.

A good proposal should be forward-looking. It should also state how the research will be communicated to the wider community.

However, a research proposal is an evolving document as it can change over time, and the final research proposal is often radically different from the one originally prepared.

11 Components of the Research Proposal

There is no single format for research proposals. This is because every research project is different. Different disciplines, donor agencies, and academic institutions have various forms and requirements.

There are, however, several key components that must be included in every research proposal. The specific research problem will dictate what other sections are required.

Although this delineation is not necessarily final, a project proposal may be structured under the following headings:

• Executive Summary
• Purpose of the Study
• Significance of the Study
• Problem Statement
• Literature Review
• Benefits of the Study
• Research Objectives
• Methodology
• Project Management

Steps in the Development of the Research Proposal

A brief description of each of the steps listed above is provided in the following sub-sections;

1. Executive Summary

This part of the proposal is the most important section of the entire document. Although it usually appears as the first section of the proposal, it is not written until all other sections are completed.

Here you will provide the reader with a snapshot of what is to follow.

Specifically, it summarizes all of the key information and is a sales document designed to convince the reader that the proposed study should be considered for support.

The executive summary should include all the steps to be followed in executing the study in a very brief manner.

This summary should not be overloaded with unnecessary information. There is a wide general agreement on the structure of a “typical” executive summary. Typically, an executive summary will

• possibly be 5-10% or so of the length of the main report
• be written in language appropriate for the target audience
• consist of short and concise paragraphs
• be written in the same order as the main report
• only include materials present in the main report
• have a brief statement of the problem
• be a statement of objectives
• contain expected implications
• consist of methods followed
• have a conclusion
• make recommendations
• provide a justification
• be able to be read separately from the main report
• sometimes summarize more than one document

2. Purpose of the Study

The purpose is a single statement or paragraph that explains what the study intends to accomplish. A few typical statements are:

The goal of this study is to

• Overcome the difficulty with _.
• Discover what _.
• Understand the causes or effects of _.
• Refine our current understanding of _.
• Provide a new interpretation of _.
• Redesign the existing instruments _.
• Suggest a new method of data collection _.

3. Significance of the Study

The significance section should create a perspective for looking at the problem. It should point out how your study relates to the larger issues and uses a persuasive rationale to justify the reasons for your study.

It makes the purpose worth pursuing. The significance of the study answers such questions:

• Why is your study important?
• To whom is it important?
• What benefits will occur if your study is done?

4. Problem Statement

A clear and well-defined statement of the problem is considered the foundation for the development of the research proposal.

It enables the researcher to systematically point out why the proposed research on the problem should be undertaken and what he hopes to achieve with the findings of the study.

The adage ‘a problem well-defined is a problem half-solved is worth remembering. This emphasizes that a well-defined statement of the problem will lead the researcher.

• To formulate the research objectives ;
• To understand the background of the problem;
• To isolate a research problem from a non-research problem;
• To state the research questions and hypotheses ;
• To identify and define the key variables;
• To construct a conceptual framework of analysis; and
• To select a proper research methodology .

What is the problem you aim to solve, and why is it important enough to be investigated? The problem statement summarizes the topic of your planned research and reviews how your research will affect others in your field.

It deals with such elements as problem identification, prioritizing the problem, analysis, and justifying the problem in response to such questions as “What is the problem, and why should it be studied.”

The problem statement, if narrated logically, will enable the reader to learn more about the issue you are addressing.

It presents the facts and evidence, background, and consequences that justify the need for the study and enhances the chances for final approval of the proposal. This section should be concise yet persuasive.

Assemble all the arguments, and present them logically to convince the reader of their importance. In presenting your arguments, take into consideration the following points:

• Decide which facts or statistics best support the study.
• Be sure that the data you present is updated and accurate.
• Avoid overstatements and overly emotional appeals.
• Determine whether it is reasonable to present the need as acute.

Here you are asking the funder to pay more attention to your proposal because the problem you address is worse than others or the proposed solution makes more sense than others.

Here is an example of a balanced but weighty statement.

While writing this section, take care that the statement does not become too long. Short and concise information captures the reader’s attention.

Contents of Problem Statement

We now turn to enumerate the types of information that should be included in the problem statement. These, among others, should include

• A brief description of the socio-economic and cultural characteristics and an overview of the issue at the macro-level relevant to the problem to be researched;
• A concise description of the nature of the problem (the discrepancy between what is and what should be), and of its size, distribution, and severity (who is affected, where, since when);
• An analysis of the major factors that may influence the problem and a convincing argument that available knowledge is insufficient to solve it;
• A brief description of any attempt in the past to solve the problem, the outcome thereof, and why further research is needed;
• A description of the type of information expected to result from the study and how this information will be used to help solve the problem.

Let us examine the following cases to illustrate the problem statement:

Justifying the Problem

Once the problem situation has been identified and clearly stated, it is important to justify the importance of the problem. Research often is expensive and time-consuming. Most funding agencies are reluctant to support studies unless the results have direct program intervention. Justification of the research topic thus is an important part of any proposal.

It is, therefore, important to know:

• Why is the problem of study important?
• Is the problem of current interest and timely one?
• Will more information about the problem have practical applications?
• How large and widespread is the problem?
• How large is the population affected by the problem?
• How important, influential, or popular is this problem?
• Would this study substantially revise or extend existing knowledge?
• Would this study create or improve an instrument of some utility?
• Would research findings lead to some useful change in best practices?
• Can others be convinced about the importance of the problem?
• Does the problem relate to broad social, economic, business, and health issues?
• Can this be implemented, given the resources and other logistic facilities?

Answers to the above questions should be reviewed and presented in one or two paragraphs that justify the importance of the problem.

Analyzing the Problem

In many instances, a researcher is not very familiar with the problem he is dealing with. This might also be true for those who are directly or indirectly involved in the study.

This calls for a systematic analysis of the various aspects of the problem by the researcher, user, and program manager.

As a first step in analyzing the problem, critical attention should be given to

• Accommodate the viewpoints of the managers, users, and researchers about the problem through threadbare discussions.
• Clarify the issues by listing all the problems in the area of research as they perceive them. The perceived problems should be worded in such a way as to illustrate the discrepancy between the ‘existing {what is)’ and ‘expected {what should be)’ conditions.
• Facilitate decisions concerning the focus and scope of the research.

Once the core problem has been identified, we should attempt to describe it more elaborately.

• The nature of the problem; the discrepancy between ‘what is’ and what you prefer the situation to be, in terms of unsafe abortions and/or complications;
• The distribution of the problem – who is affected, when, and where;
• The size and intensity of the problem – is it widespread, how severer is it, and what are its consequences (such as disability, death, waste of resources)?

While analyzing the problem, it is important to review the focus and scope of the research with particular emphasis on the

• The usefulness of the information to be gathered on the perceived problem;
• Feasibility of the study in terms of the time constraint; and
• Need for the study in the context of currently available information on the issue under investigation.

Soon after we have identified the core problem, we need to

• Identify factors associated with the problem;
• Clarify the relationship between the problem and the contributing factors.

It is helpful to understand these interrelationships in the form of a diagram that will indicate the inter-relationship between the perceived problem and contributing factors.

A diagram called a conceptual or theoretical framework, may help visualize these relationships and hence analyze the problem. It may be pertinent to give a brief outline of a conceptual framework and how to develop it here.

The conceptual framework of a research study is a key part of one’s research design.

Miles and Huberman (1994) defined a conceptual framework as a visual or written product that “explains, either graphically or in narrative form, the main things to be studied—the key factors, concepts, or variables—and the presumed relationships among them.

The most important thing to understand about the conceptual framework is that it is primarily a conception or model of what you plan to study, what is going on with these things, and why—a tentative theory of the phenomena that you are investigating.

The function of this theory is to inform the rest of your design, to help you to assess and refine your goals, develop realistic and relevant research questions, formulate research hypotheses and select an appropriate research design.

A conceptual framework represents the researcher’s synthesis of the literature on how to explain a phenomenon.

It maps out the actions required in the course of the study, given his previous knowledge of other researchers’ points of view and his observations on the subject of research.

In other words, the conceptual framework is the researcher’s understanding of how the particular variables in his study connect with each other.

Thus, it identifies the variables required in the research investigation. It is the researcher’s “map” in pursuing the investigation.

As McGaghieer al. (2001) put it: The conceptual framework “sets the stage” for presenting the particular research question that drives the investigation being reported based on the problem statement. The problem statement of a thesis presents the context and the issues that caused the researcher to conduct the study.

The conceptual framework lies within a much broader framework called a theoretical framework . The latter draws support from time-tested theories that embody the findings of many researchers on why and how a particular phenomenon occurs.

Before you prepare your conceptual framework, you need to do the following things:

• Choose your topic. Decide on what will be your research topic. The topic should be within your field of specialization.
• Do a literature review. Review relevant and updated research on the theme that you decide to work on after scrutiny of the issue at hand. Preferably use peer-reviewed and well-known scientific journals as these are reliable sources of information.
• Isolate the important variables. Identify the specific variables described in the literature and figure out how these are related. Some abstracts contain the variables, and the salient findings thus may serve the purpose. If these are not available, find the research paper’s summary. If the variables are not explicit in summary, get back to the methodology or the results and discussion section and quickly identify the study variables and the significant findings.
• Generate the conceptual framework. Build your conceptual framework using your mix of the variables from the scientific articles you have read. Your problem statement serves as a reference for constructing the conceptual framework. In effect, your study will attempt to answer a question that other researchers have not explained yet. Your research should address a knowledge gap.

The underlying principles of constructing such a diagram are illustrated below:

A real-life example may help understand the concept of a conceptual framework (a framework of analysis) more clearly. Such an example, along with the framework in question, is provided below.

5. Literature Review

A review of relevant literature prompts and strengthens the researcher to assess approaches to the problem and revise the plan accordingly.

A literature review educates a researcher, enhances his knowledge, and increases his confidence, which ultimately contributes to preparing an appealing proposal.

His earned knowledge on the subject of investigation through the reviewing process gives him a fair chance of proving his credibility.

Such a review not only provides him exposure to a larger body of knowledge but also equips him with efficiently setting his objectives, formulating testable hypotheses, identifying the variables to be included, and conceptualizing the theoretical framework for analyzing data.

To summarize, the literature review focuses on the following points:

• It explains the needs of the proposed study.
• It avoids duplication of work.
• It shares with the reader the results of other studies closely related to the study being undertaken.
• It appraises the shortcomings of others’ works
• It documents the accuracy of the secondary data
• It provides a framework for establishing the importance of the study, as well as a benchmark for comparing the results of a study with other findings.
• It examines the weakness (if any) of the methodology used in other studies.

To ensure a good review of the literature.

• Make your review brief.
• Refer to sources only.
• Emphasize the important results of other studies
• Indicate how your study relates to other studies
• Identify the weakness of the methodology adopted by others.
• Say how your study is different from others.

6. Benefits of the Study

This section of the proposal should focus on the importance and urgency of the data needed. It must, therefore, explicitly describe in two to three paragraphs what benefit will be accrued from the proposed study.

In describing this section, you must take care that you can convince the sponsor that your plan can meet its needs.

7. Research Objectives

This module represents an important section of the research proposal focusing on what is being planned in the proposed investigation.

Specifically, research objectives describe what will be demonstrated, tested, evaluated, confirmed, or compared. They communicate:

• Why do we carry out the research?
• What do we hope to achieve from such research?

The research objective section is the basis for judging the remainder of the proposal and, ultimately, the final report.

Because of this reason, objectives should be closely related to the statement of the research problem, giving the sponsor-specific, concrete, and achievable goals.

The research questions must be clearly stated, specifically, and with appropriate inclusiveness.

In addition to research objectives, all proposals should contain a formal and explicit statement of the research questions or hypotheses wherever applicable.

Whether to use research questions or hypotheses will depend on the type of research.

Exploratory or descriptive research does not involve hypothesis testing; it is based on underlying research questions. All proposals for analytical research must explicitly state the hypothesis.

8. Methodology

The methodology section describes your basic research plan. It usually begins with a few introductory paragraphs that restate the purpose and research questions. The phraseology should be identical to that used in Chapter 1.

This section should aim at addressing four broad questions:

• Where do we want to collect the data, how will we select our sample, and how many subjects will be included in the study? (This refers to the coverage, target population, sample design)
• What information do we need to collect to answer the research questions implied in our research objectives? (This refers to the variables we are interested in)
• What approach will we follow to collect this information? (This refers to the research design we want to employ)
• What techniques and tools will we use to collect them? (This refers to the data collection techniques and tools, such as questionnaires, observation check-list)

When more than one way exists to approach the design, discuss the methods you discarded, and justify why your selected approach is superior.

While proposing your methodology, you should explore other methodologies and highlight the comparability of those with the one you propose in terms of interpreting the available data, carrying out investigation and analysis, and suggesting alternative approaches if needed.

Data Collection

Data collection methods should be specified in the proposal. These methods may vary from simple observation to a large-scale field survey.

The specific method or methods to collect data largely depends on the objectives of the survey, the research design, and the availability of time, money, and personnel.

With the variation in the type of data) qualitative or quantitative) to be collected, the method of data collection also varies.

Plan for Data Analysis

The proposal should contain this section to assure the sponsor that you are familiar with the correct and theoretically sound techniques of data analysis procedures.

Keeping this in mind, you need to provide a brief overview of these procedures’ treatment and theoretical basis.

In doing so, you may lay out a sketch of sample graphs, charts, and dummy tables and an overview of the statistical techniques ranging from simple regression to multivariate techniques.

You may also indicate the possible statistical tests that you may employ depending on the nature of the data to verify the research hypothesis that you have formulated.

You are also required to specify the type of data you are anticipating and the tentative interpretation you will make in the analysis process.

Note that the data analysis plan that you are proposing is not a commitment, rather, it is an honest desire to fulfill the commitment as outlined in the proposal.

9. Work Plan

This section elaborates on the work schedule of the proposed study, answering such questions as, who will do what and when it will be done.

A work plan has two major components: personnel and schedule. The major issues that a work plan includes are;

• Preparatory works/questionnaire development
• Recruitment and training of project personnel
• Questionnaire revision
• Field interviews/data collection
• Data editing and data coding
• Data entry and data analysis
• Report writing

Each of these phases should have an estimated time and personnel needed. A chart known as the Gantt chart may be used for this purpose. A Gantt chart is a type of bar chart that illustrates a project schedule.

Gantt charts illustrate the start and completion dates of the terminal elements and summary elements of a project. Terminal elements and summary elements comprise the work breakdown structure of the project.

Some Gantt charts also show the dependency (i.e., precedence network) relationships between activities. As an example, a sample nine-month work plan of a hypothetical study is shown in the following Gantt chart:

The Gantt chart below shows that the planning and preparatory activities will begin at the start of the first month and continue for one month. The second month is devoted to the recruitment and training of the project personnel.

The questionnaire will also be pre-tested and finalized in the second month.

Soon after the finalization of the questionnaire, field teams will be sent for data collection, and the team will remain engaged until the end of the fifth month. During data collection, the editing of data will be started.

Data analysis will be over at the end of the seventh month, and the final report will be available any time during the last month of the project life.

It may be emphasized that the proposed work plan must be consistent with the technical approach and proposed methodology, showing an understanding of the TOR and the ability to translate them into a work plan.

Analysis Plan

The analysis plan should be described at length. Each research objective and hence the research question will require its analysis.

Thus, the research questions should be addressed one at a time, followed by a description of the type of statistical treatment (tables, statistical tests) that will be performed to answer that research question.

State what variables will be included in the analysis and identify the dependent and independent variables if such a relationship exists.

Indicate in advance what analytical techniques (univariate, bivariate, or multivariate) will be employed if data permit.

Reporting Findings

The proposal should indicate what reports and other means of disseminating research findings are planned. The types of reports that are usually included for reporting purposes are

• Progress report (weekly/monthly etc.)
• Final report
• Publications
• Seminar, workshop, conference
• Discussions with policymakers or program managers
• Qualification of the Key Persons

Qualifications of the key persons involved in the study play a vital role in evaluating the proposal.

A proposal with experienced researchers enhances its credibility and assures the program managers and policymakers of a set of policy-oriented recommendations that can ultimately be implemented.

This section should begin with the key qualifications and experiences of the investigators. Particular emphasis should be given to including previous experience doing related work.

Relevant societies to which the researcher belongs can be included in the curriculum vitae. Include the curriculum vitae of other personnel if the RFP desires so.

The budget details should be submitted in the format of the sponsor requests. In some cases, the budget is submitted as a separate proposal for sear reasons for the quality proposal, where the budget is somewhat of secondary importance. In all cases, the budget should be realistic.

Claims for any large and unusual items in the budget should be explained and justified. Arrange the major cost categories under the following major headings:

• Salaries and benefits,
• Materials, equipment, and supplies,
• Dissemination seminar, and
• Miscellaneous expenses.

11. Project Management

All administrative activities should be outlined in a master plan. This plan shows how the study team is organized to complete the work efficiently.

This plan is intended to demonstrate the following;

• the relationship between the researchers and the assistants, and
• who is to keep liaison with the sponsor.

The plan should also focus on the process of record control, fund handling, the mode of preparing and forwarding progress reports, progress monitoring, and project supervision.

Also, the mode of payment frequency and several installments in payment should also be included in the plan.

Legal responsibilities, liabilities, and involvement of the sponsors during the entire period of the project should also be delineated in this master plan.

Bibliography

A bibliography is necessary for many of the projects once you have done a literature review.

Following is a frequently used format for bibliographic citation:

Scope and Limitations

All research studies have limitations of one kind or another and a finite scope. If you anticipate any problem during your study, do not try to conceal it.

It may start with designing a questionnaire to data analysis with intermediate problems in sample size determination, selection of the sample, and data collection. Limitations are often imposed by time and budget constraints.

Fairly list the limitations of the study. Describe the extent to which you believe the limitations might degrade the data quality and your findings.

It is best to recognize these limitations rather than to pretend that they do not exist. Be frank and fair to mention any unprecedented or situational factors that you might encounter during the execution of your study. Study the following example:

A study is designed to assess the attitude of school-going children towards TV programs provided by satellite channels. The study is proposed to be conducted during March-May.

It is apprehended that for such a study, the proposed months are not suitable, because SSC examination is scheduled during these months. The key respondents are busy with their examination and are highly likely to be reluctant to participate despite their interest. This will certainly influence the study findings.

In a study on dowry and discrimination towards women, statistical representation cannot be ensured in determining the size of the sample. It is because such events are rare and localized.

This may be indicated as a limitation, and an alternative suggestion may be made for data collection. One may propose to conduct an in-depth interview, case studies, and FGD.

Any additional information that reinforces the body of the proposal can be included in the appendix.

This includes, for example, a CV of the project personnel, a detailed budget, a draft questionnaire, technical notes, an informed consent form, a list of references, and any other information you think might be helpful to the proposal reviewer.

A simple section consisting of the glossary of the terms should also be included whenever there are many words unique to the research topic. A list of abbreviations should also be provided in the appendix so that nobody faces any difficulty in understanding these acronyms.

Here are some examples of glossaries and abbreviations:

If you use technical terms in writing your proposal, you require clarifying them in non-technical terms to make them understandable to the readers with brief explanations of their meanings. Here are a few examples:

Abbreviations

Proposal Presentation

In many instances, the sponsor/donor wants you to present the proposal for more clarity and an understanding of the research process you have planned to follow in your proposed study.

This gives them an understanding if you have understood the problem they want to investigate and whether the proposal has been written by the guidelines as delineated in terms of Reference (TOR).

The researcher or the research firm also gets an opportunity to identify his proposal’s strengths and weaknesses and get a chance to modify his proposal accordingly.

Evaluation of a Research Proposal

All proposals submitted for funding are subjected to formal review. The criteria for reviewing the proposal are established in advance. Each criterion is given weights or points.

These points are recorded for each category, reflecting the client’s assessment of how well the proposal meets the category’s established criteria.

Usually, more than one reviewer does this job. After the review, the category scores are added to provide a cumulative total. The proposal with the highest score wins the bid.

Here we show how much scoring is done against some pre­fixed criteria.

A research proposal is an individual’s or research firm’s formal offer to produce a product or render a service to a client in response to a request from the client. It serves as a work plan, prospectus, outline, and statement of intent, acting as an agreement between a client and a researcher.

Why is writing a good research proposal important?

A well-written research proposal is crucial for undertaking higher degrees by research, applying for research grants or funds, and securing scholarships for higher studies. It helps assess the quality and originality of ideas, the researcher’s critical thinking, and the feasibility of the research project.

What should a research proposal communicate?

A research proposal should convey the importance of the research, the information that will be obtained to meet objectives, where and how it will be obtained, and the contribution it aims to make. It should be clear, well-structured, and persuasive to convey its message effectively.

What are the two types of research proposals?

Research proposals can be of two types: internal and external. An internal proposal is generated by a company’s experienced staff or research department to meet their needs. An external proposal can be either solicited, often in response to a ‘request for proposal (RFP)’, or unsolicited.

What is an Expression of Interest (EOI) in the context of research proposals?

An Expression of Interest (EOI) is a request made by clients to researchers or research firms to express if they are interested in submitting a formal proposal on pre-selected topics or packages. It aims to identify capable researchers or firms through an evaluation process.

What should be the structure of a research proposal?

A research proposal should have a clear and concise title, an introduction or background of the research, stated aims and objectives, justification or rationale of the research, a problem statement, research questions, scope of the research, methodological approach, time frame, expected outcomes, limitations, and a conclusion.

How does the problem statement differ from the research questions in a proposal?

The problem statement summarizes the topic and reviews how the research will impact others in the field. It presents the issue to be addressed. On the other hand, research questions are central components of the problem, being more specific in nature and guiding the research direction.

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• Components of a Proposal

Proposal preparation checklists  can help you put together a proposal. Most proposals contain the following:

• Cover or Title Page : Contains specific information about the proposal and the Institute and requires specific authorizations/signatures. See  MIT Facts and Profile Information   
• Abstract or Project Summary : Outlines the proposed research, including the objectives, methodology, and significance of the research. 
• Statement of Work (SOW) : Provides a full and detailed explanation of the proposed research, and typically includes a project timetable. The SOW describes  how  the work will be done,  where  the work will be done, and  who  will do the work. 
• Budget : Must include an estimate of the resources necessary to conduct the project. Most sponsors require a detailed breakdown of the budget into defined categories and a detailed  budget justification , explaining what costs will be paid for and how the expense was calculated.
• Curriculum Vitae or Biographical Sketch : Include for all key project personnel. 
• Bibliography : Lists all references cited in proposal. 

Always check  Sponsor Specific Guidelines  as well as the proposal solicitation. Additional elements can include: 

• Financial conflict of interest (COI) disclosures from PIs and senior/key personnel
• Current and pending support: Lists the PI’s (and sometimes key personnel’s) current awards and pending proposals. 
• Letters of support from non-Institute investigators 
• Subaward documentation: If the proposal involves collaboration with investigators at other entities, detailed information about the subrecipient should be included in the proposal.  See MIT  Subawards Process  
• Compliance certifications and representations  
• Description of available equipment and facilities 
• Uniform Guidance Fixed Rate Requirements
• F&A Methodology
• F&A Components
• MIT Use of a de minimis Rate
• Fund Account Overhead Rates
• Allocation Rates
• Determination of On-Campus and Off-Campus Rates
• Employee Benefits (EB) Rates
• Vacation Accrual Rates
• Graduate Research Assistant Tuition Subsidy
• Historical RA Salary Levels
• MIT Facts and Profile Information
• Classification of Sponsored Projects
• Types of Sponsored Awards
• How Are Sponsored Projects Generated?
• Cost Principles and Unallowable Costs
• Direct and Indirect Costs
• Pre-Proposals / Letters of Intent
• MIT Investigator Status
• Special Reviews
• Applying Through Workspace
• Proposal Preparation Checklist
• Proposals and Confidential Information
• Personnel Costs
• Subcontracts and Consultants
• Annotated Budget Justification - Federal Research
• Annotated Budget Justification - Non-Federal Research
• Annotated Budget Justification - Federal Non-Research
• Annotated Budget Justification - Non-Federal Non-Research
• Kuali Coeus Approval Mapping
• Roles and Responsibilities
• Submission of Revised Budgets
• Standard Contract Terms and Conditions
• Contractual Obligations and Problematic Terms and Conditions
• Review and Negotiation of Federal Contract and Grant Terms and Conditions
• Industrial Collaboration
• International Activities
• MIT Export Control - Export Policies
• Nondisclosure and Confidentiality Agreements
• Negative Confirmation On Award Notices
• Routing and Acceptance of the Award Notice
• COI and Special Review Hold Notice Definitions
• Limiting Long-Term WBS Account Structures
• SAP Project WBS Element Conditions
• Kuali Coeus Electronic Document Storage (EDS)
• Billing Agreements
• PI Absence from Project
• Cost Transfers
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Proposal Components

Categories:

Introduction

A proposal can have various components depending on the sponsor and solicitation requirements. A solicitation is also known as a call for proposals, request for proposals, or funding opportunity. Each agency and even specific programs within an agency may require components that are specific to a funding opportunity.

Basic Components

What follows is a brief description of the typical components a sponsor may require.

Cover Sheet/Face page

Many application packages contain a face page or cover sheet. 

• Summarizes key information for the sponsor such as: the name of the PI, the period of performance, the title of the proposal, the title of the funding agency, the funds requested and key contacts
• Indicates Stanford endorsement of the proposal, typically through a signature block 

Table of Contents

Not all proposals require a table of contents (or their system generates one so you don’t have to) but for those that do, you should list each section of the proposal and associated page numbers.

Abstract or Project Summary

It frames the proposal, and in many instances determines where it will to be sent for review. Since it is a summary of major points it must be able to stand-alone. Although the abstract appears at the beginning of the proposal it is usually written last.

• Usually limited to 200-400 words
• Concisely describes the aims and procedures of the proposed project
• Written in lay terms
• May be used for press releases
• Often placed in a database to indicate to taxpayers how tax dollars were used

Project Description/Research Plan/Statement of Work

The research plan describes:

• the proposed research
• the impact of the project as proposed
• the research methodology 
• the project’s relationship to the sponsor’s purpose and goals

Keep the reviewers in mind. Most proposals go through a preliminary review to ensure that your proposal is complete and that it adheres to all format requirements (many sponsors demand strict adherence to page limits for the narrative). Write and organize your application so the reviewer can readily grasp and explain what you are proposing and advocate for your application.

Biographical Sketch

This section is required for key personnel.  Each agency has its own guidelines, which are updated at least once a year, with very specific instructions of what information should be provided and explicit page limitations. The most frequently used bio sketches are for the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). NSF has a dedicated page to provide guidance for creating a bio sketch (including step-by-step videos and FAQs). For NIH proposals, review their specific guidance, check the FAQs and look at their sample bio sketches.

Bibliography and References Cited

Provide a bibliography of all references cited in the research plan. Different sponsors have different formats. Citations for literature should be complete. Read the application instructions for this section carefully.

Budget and Budget Justification

The budget contains estimated costs for the entire proposal period. Project costs must be allowable, allocable, reasonable, and consistent. Budget Basics provides an in-depth overview of creating a budget. The budget is generally divided into the following categories: Total Direct Costs, Modified Total Direct Costs, and Indirect Costs.

The National Institute of Health uses 2 different formats for budget submission depending on the total direct costs requested and the activity code used. See NIH A Guided Tour for more information.

Pay special attention to the justification for clerical and administrative expenses, or for general-purpose (non-scientific) equipment. Stanford policy requires a budget justification for all administrative expenses See RPH: 15.4 Charging for Administrative and Technical Expenses.

All expenses should be justified. If your budget includes a subaward to another institution, make sure to include their budget and budget justification as well.

The best strategy is to request a reasonable amount of money to do the work.

• Reviewers look for reasonable costs and will judge whether your request is justified by your aims and methods.
• Reviewers will consider the “person months” you've listed for each of the senior/key personnel and will judge whether the figures are in sync with reviewer’s expectations, based on the research proposed.
• Significant over- or under-estimating suggests you may not understand the scope of the work.
• Despite popular myth, proposing a cost-sharing (matching) arrangement where you only request that the sponsor support some of the funding while your organization funds the remainder does not normally impact the evaluation of your proposal. Only a few select programs require cost-sharing, and these programs will address cost-sharing in the FOA.
• NSF prohibits cost sharing unless explicitly stated in the FOA.

Facilities, Equipment and Other Resources 

The sponsor may require a separate description that addresses the attributes of the facilities and available equipment that will be used to support the project. It is an opportunity to promote the research environment laboratories, other facilities, equipment, and office space at Stanford. Make sure that the space proposed for your project is approved for that use by the facilities manager in your department/school. 

Key Personnel

List all senior or key personnel and their roles.  These individuals are vital to the technical execution of the project. Depending on the sponsor, consultants and subrecipients must be included. Attach Curriculum Vitae or Biographical Sketches for each to establish competency. Some sponsors, e.g.., NSF, limit CVs to two pages.

Current and Pending Support

Most sponsors ask for a list of all other sources of support for ongoing projects, as well as pending support from proposals submitted elsewhere. This information is available from SeRA system. List the other projects requiring a portion of PI or senior personnel time. Include:

• Project title, sponsor
• Period of performance
• Percentage of effort, amount of award (or amount requested). 

Some agencies require the Current and Pending Support to be submitted not at proposal submission time but prior to making an award. This is called Just In Time Information (JIT).  The National Institutes of Health uses JIT for the submission of Current and Pending Support.

Some sponsors prohibit or require prior approval to submit appendices. The appendix may not be used to circumvent the page limitations of the Research Plan. Essential information should be included within the body of the application. The appendices should contain supportive or supplemental information such as the following.

• Photographs

Federal Assurance and Certifications (Institutional Rep completes)

Federal assurances and certifications must be signed by the Stanford Institutional Official when proposals are submitted. Standard federal assurances include:

• Certification regarding lobbying
• Drug-Free workplace
• Delinquency on federal debt
• Civil rights
• Debarment and suspension

Sponsor Checklist

Many sponsors provide proposal checklists. Be sure to complete it and include it in the proposal, if required. The National Institutes of Health requires the checklist to be a component of the proposal.

Minimum Proposal Components

In cases where the sponsor does not require specific proposal components, Stanford requires a SOW (Statement of Work) and an internal budget and a budget justification to be attached to a PDRF.

SOW (Statement of Work)

The statement of work describes the what, why, how, and when of the research project. It shows how the project relates to the sponsor’s purpose and goals. For the proposal to succeed in peer review, it must win over the assigned reviewers. The application has two audiences: a small number who are familiar with the field, and the majority of reviewers who are probably not familiar with the proposed research techniques or field. All reviewers are important because each reviewer gets one vote. The proposal should be written and organized so all the reviewers can readily grasp and explain what is proposed and advocate for the proposal. 

The statement of work should provide a clear description of the work to be undertaken and must include:

• objectives for the period of the proposed work
• expected significance of the proposed work
• relation to longer-term goals of the PI's project
• relation to the present state of knowledge in the field
• relation to work in progress by the PI under other support
• relation to work in progress elsewhere.

The statement of work should outline the general plan of work, including the broad design of activities to be undertaken, and, where appropriate, provide a clear description of experimental methods and procedures.

Proposers should address

• What they want to do
• Why they want to do it
• How they plan to do it
• How they will know if they succeed
• What benefits could accrue if the project is successful

The project activities may be based on previously established and/or innovative methods and approaches, but in either case must be well justified. These issues apply to both the technical aspects of the proposal and the way in which the project may make broader contribution.

Brevity will assist reviewers in dealing effectively with proposals. Therefore, many agencies have page limitations on the Project Description.

The Budget and Budget Justification

Develop a detailed internal budget and attach it to the PDRF. An internal budget requires that all the cost components be broken into detail. You will use it to complete the sponsor's budget in the sponsor's format. 

All proposals must contain a budget for each year of support requested, unless a particular program solicitation stipulates otherwise. The amounts for each budget line item requested should be documented and justified in the budget justification. If you are submitting a modular NIH proposal you must follow very specific instructions.

The proposal may request funds so long as the item and amount are considered necessary, reasonable, allocable, and allowable under the applicable cost principles, agency policy, and/or the program solicitation. Amounts and expenses budgeted also must be consistent with Stanford's policies and procedures.

The budget must include the following:

• Estimated costs for the entire project period broken into Direct and F&A costs
• Separate budgets for any portion of the work  that is to be done under a subaward
• Separate budgets for any cost sharing proposed

The best strategy is to request a reasonable amount of money to do the work, not more and not less.

• Reviewers look for reasonable costs and will judge whether your request is justified by your aims and methods
• Reviewers will consider the person months you've listed for each of the senior/key personnel and will judge whether the figures are in sync with reviewer expectations, based on the research proposed
• Significant over or under estimating suggests you may not understand the scope of the work

About the Budget Justification

The budget justification is a brief description of each of the cost categories included in the budget. It helps the potential sponsor understand the thought process behind the costs proposed. It also helps the institutional representative determine the allowability of the expenses proposed.

Stanford policy requires a budget justification for all administrative salaries. Pay special attention to the justification for general purpose (non-scientific) equipment. 

Sponsor Proposal Preparation Guidelines

Before you prepare an application, obtain and thoroughly read the current sponsor guidelines specific to the funding opportunity.

Key Sponsor Proposal Preparation Guidelines

Before you prepare a proposal, study and follow the current specific agency/sponsor guidelines to understand your responsibilities. Proposal Preparation Guidelines for key agencies include:

National Institutes of Health Application Guide

National Science Foundation PAPPG 

Created: 04.01.2021

Updated: 05.01.2024

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Foundation Relations

Basic components of a proposal.

Private foundation proposals differ greatly from most federal proposals. While foundations often outline the general format that they prefer, there is more latitude regarding the structure of the narrative. Always frame your proposal to align as closely as possible to the funders programs' stated mission, without going so far that you are compromising your research interests.

Further, if there is a published  list of judges/reviewers available, as is usually the case for scientific applications, try to compose your proposal so that it piques the interest of one or more of the judges' expertise.

1.  Abstract/Summary

• The abstract is the most important component of the proposal. Spend time developing the best possible title. If the length is not mandated, it should be no longer than one half to one page maximum. 
• Use bolded subheadings. Include highlights in the topic sentence in each section of the proposal. 
• What will be done, by whom, how, over what period of time? What is the problem/need? Who will the outcomes benefit? 

2. Statement of Need

• What is the issue that you are addressing and why does it matter?
• Why is what you propose necessary? What is the void in Knowledge? 
• Who benefits? Indicate the public good, not just the effect on campus. 
• Why hasn't this issue been addressed sufficiently in the past? Who else is working in this field, what have they done, and why isn't that enough? Demonstrate your knowledge of the field.
• Provide convincing evidence that what you are proposing does not duplicate other work. Replication of someone else's work in a new environment or larger scale may be fundable.

3. Project Activity, Methodology and Outcomes

• Why did you choose to address the issue in the manner that you have? Are there other approaches? If so, why aren't they appropriate to the situation?
• What are the specific activities involved? Who will do them? 
• Present a timeline of activities. Tables and charts work best here. They crystallize data, break up pages of narrative, and convey extensive information well in a limited space.
• What specific outcomes will be achieved? What will change? 
• Why are you/your organization the best one to do what you propose to do? Is it an extension of successful, innovative work or a pilot project you already completed?

4. Evaluation

• Essential piece that should be both quantitative and qualitative, if feasible. 
• Outline clearly the methodology that you will use to assess the projects success.

5. Dissemination

• Dissemination should be linked to your project goals and objectives. If you are trying to affect policy, your dissemination plan should target policy-makers, media, and affected populations.
• Describe your communication strategy.
• Be creative. Sending an article to a professional journal is only one of many options. Consider submitting op-ed pieces to newspapers and articles to more popular periodicals; work with University Relations to obtain newspaper coverage and interviews on local radio stations; engage in conference presentations, community outreach activities, presentations to policy-makers and community groups, such as the Chamber of Commerce; launch a web site or blog; convene work groups of your peers; create briefing papers, press releases, videos; and, list yourself on speakers bureaus.

6. Budget and Continuation Funding

• Show your budget in table form and use a budget narrative to explain each item.
• Only Include other sources of funding if the funder mandates it's inclusion. UMass policy does not allow including in-kind or outside contributions unless it is required, as it adds administrative burden and costs.
• Indicate how the project will be funded or be sustainable after the grant funds have run out.
• The Office of Grants and Contract Administration (OGCA) makes available all university policies covering all legal, fiscal, human resources and intellectual property issues. 

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