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  • How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates

How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates

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

Structure of a research proposal

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

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

Introduction

Literature review.

  • Research design

Reference list

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

Table of contents

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

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

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

Research proposal length

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

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

Download our research proposal template

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

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

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

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

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

Your introduction should:

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

To guide your introduction , include information about:

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

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

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

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

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

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

For example, your results might have implications for:

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

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

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

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

Download our research schedule template

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

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

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

To determine your budget, think about:

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

If you want to know more about the research process , methodology , research bias , or statistics , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

Methodology

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

 Statistics

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

Research bias

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

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

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

I will compare …

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The best way to remember the difference between a research plan and a research proposal is that they have fundamentally different audiences. A research plan helps you, the researcher, organize your thoughts. On the other hand, a dissertation proposal or research proposal aims to convince others (e.g., a supervisor, a funding body, or a dissertation committee) that your research topic is relevant and worthy of being conducted.

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McCombes, S. & George, T. (2023, November 21). How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates. Scribbr. Retrieved February 24, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/research-process/research-proposal/

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unam research proposal guidelines

  • OER Grant Application Checklist Download this checklist to help you keep track of your application materials.

All proposals should be written in language understandable to a general academic audience because the selection committee is composed of faculty and staff from a broad range of disciplines. Please avoid undefined or disciplinary jargon. Additionally, proposals without a complete cover page and letter of support will be returned without review.  

1. Cover Page (1 – 2 pages) 

The first page of the proposal must include the following information: 

Name of applicant, rank, department, UNM email address, complete campus address, campus phone number, number of years at UNM, number and date of any previous OER grants 

Title and number of the course for which you intend to integrate OER 

Frequency in which the course is offered, including sections per term and terms per year. Please include the frequency in which you teach the course. 

What is the enrollment cap for the course? How many students have enrolled in the course in the past four semesters? 

100-word summary of the project  

Total amount requested for the OER grant 

Current cost of course materials for students in the course; anticipated cost of course materials if awarded the OER grant. 

Description of other funding sources or in-kind support for the project 

Name of Department Administrator or other contact person who will be responsible for overseeing and distributing funds. 

2. Letter of Support (1 page)  

Letter or email from the department chair or senior faculty member in support of the project. The letter should explain the importance of the proposed project to curriculum and instruction in the department.

Graduate students who apply for awards will need to have a faculty member who agrees to be the supervisor of their project. The faculty supervisor can be mentioned in the letter.

3. Project Overview (4 pages maximum) 

In four single-spaced pages or fewer, and avoiding technical terminology that may not be understood by a general academic audience, please include the following:  

For which category of OER grant are you applying? Explain how you will leverage the funds to create the greatest positive impact for UNM students. 

What preliminary research have you done investigating available OER materials? 

If creating or adapting texts, explain what gaps are present in the available OER materials, and assess your own ability to create OER that will fill those gaps. 

What steps will you take to ensure that each of your course’s outcomes are met through the use of open access materials? 

How will you measure and evaluate your project’s impact on your students? How will you assess the impact of your OER use? 

How will your project support collaboration with others teaching the course, or courses that follow/precede the course?  How do you plan to share the results of your project with your department and/or other stakeholders?

What are your technical needs? 

How will you ensure the accessibility of your OER for diverse learners? How will your OER create a more inclusive learning experience for your students? 

Will your project rely on students to have access to any particular technology or materials that may inadvertently increase the cost of their education? 

How do you plan to sustain your project after the OER Grant Project funding has ended? This may include regular updates insure the currency and relevance of examples or capture advances in the subject. 

4. Realistic, Detailed Budget and Timeline (two pages maximum) 

Any in-kind budget items or alternative budget sources should be included in the budget; they will strengthen a proposal. State whether you will accept partial funding. Include a realistic timeline for your project. Please include justifications for each budget item for which you are requesting funding. Budgets should reflect current rates of pay for faculty and/or graduate students. 

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  1. UNAM GUIDELINES ON THE WRITING OF RESEARCH PROPOSAL -2019 copy 2.pdf

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  1. PDF Annexure: Research Proposal Guidelines. CRS FORMAT OF THE TITLE PAGE

    The proposal should have the following HEADINGS (and subheadings): 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Orientation to the study General overview of your study, using key literature pieces, stating research concerns, disagreements, controversies, gaps in the literature and/or knowledge, unanswered questions and whatever makes your topic worth researching

  2. PDF Research Proposal Submitted in Partial Fufilment of The Requirements

    RESEARCH PROPOSAL SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FUFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS IN ENGLISH STUDIES OF UNIVERSITY OF NAMIBIA BY MASIYALETI MBEWE 201056925 APRIL 2021 Supervisor: Dr C. Sabao . ii ABSTRACT Afrofuturism, Magical Realism and African Mythology are genres in literary fiction that can

  3. How to write a research proposal

    1. Introduction-sets out background issues to your research. It provides. a descriptive title of the project. An introduction should have the following element s: A description of key terms. A scope of the study. A contextual outline of the study. A concise an summarized historical overview of the topic under.

  4. PDF Research Ethics Policy, Regulations and Guidelines

    2 RESEARCH ETHICS POLICY, REGULATIONS AND GUIDELINES Custodian Pro Vice Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Development Responsible D ivision Centre for Research and Publications Contact Officer Director: Centre for Research and Publications Status Approved Policy Recommended by PVC: RID Forum Approved by Senate Approval Date TBC ...

  5. PDF Ethics Application Guidelines and Checklist

    Ethics Application Guidelines and Checklist All researchers or postgraduates applying for ethics must read the following document carefully and ensure that they are thoroughly prepared for the online submission process. 1. General Ethics Application Information - Researchers' Responsibilities

  6. Research methodology and project proposal writing

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  7. PDF University of Namibia

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  9. PDF Research Proposal Development: "How to Write a good Research ...

    a step-to-step plan for writing a good proposal, from early preparation through to the submission stage. Target Audience: This online seminar will be beneficial to all new higher degree students (Masters & PhDs) who are at the stage of developing or refining their research proposals. The Centre for Research Services has scheduled the Research ...

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    a research proposal submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of doctor of information technology of the international university of management windhoek, namibia by nils clausen, m.sc. 12 / 2014 thesis supervisors: professor monish gunawardana, ph.d. professor earle taylor, ph.d.

  13. UNAM GUIDELINES ON THE WRITING OF RESEARCH PROPOSAL -2019 copy 2.pdf

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  15. How to Write a Research Proposal

    Introduction Literature review Research design Reference list While the sections may vary, the overall objective is always the same. A research proposal serves as a blueprint and guide for your research plan, helping you get organized and feel confident in the path forward you choose to take. Table of contents Research proposal purpose

  16. Research Proposal Guidelines

    4.6Scheduling. Include a time frame or schedule for the proposed study. 4.7List of sources. Supply a list of the sources used to compile the proposal. 4.8The length. The length of the research proposal should be about 15 - 20 typed pages. The typeface should be Arial and the line spacing should be 1.5.

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  18. Research Guides: OER Grant Program @ UNM: Proposal Guidelines

    All proposals should be written in language understandable to a general academic audience because the selection committee is composed of faculty and staff from a broad range of disciplines. Please avoid undefined or disciplinary jargon. Additionally, proposals without a complete cover page and letter of support will be returned without review. 1.

  19. GUIDELINES ON THE WRITING OF RESEARCH PROPOSALS-UNAM.docx

    1.2 Research proposals from students at the Doctoral Degree level shall not exceed 14 double-spaced typed pages in length. 1.3 In each case, research proposal summaries (between 2-4 double-spaced typed pages in length shall be submitted to the UNAM Postgraduate Studies Committee for noting. 1.4 The font size 12, Times New Roman format shall be ...

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  22. PDF Unam Press Policy

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