The purpose of this brief guide is to outline the typical steps involved in writing a research proposal.
Identify the research topic: Clearly state the research topic or problem that you want to investigate. Explain why it is significant and relevant to your field of study or to the broader academic community. For assistance, see the following tutorials and videos
Provide background and context: Review the existing literature on your research topic and provide a brief overview of the current state of knowledge in the field. This will help establish the context for your research and demonstrate that you are familiar with the relevant literature. See the following for assistance.
Tutorial: How to Create a Literature Review
Justify the significance: Don't just review the existing literature. A research proposal means that you create your own literature review pertaining to your project. This can help you clearly explain the significance of your research and its potential contributions to the field. This may include identifying gaps in the existing literature, explaining how your research will address those gaps, and highlighting the potential implications or applications of your findings. You may also be validating other previous research or even trying to disprove a hypothesis. The purpose of your literature review is to position your work amongst that of others. Where does you work fit?
State research questions or objectives: Clearly state the research questions or objectives that you aim to address in your research. These should be specific, measurable, and achievable, and should reflect the purpose of your research. See the following video for assistance.
Video: Developing thesis statements
Outline the research methodology: Describe the research design and methodology you plan to use to answer your research questions or achieve your research objectives. This may include details on the research approach (e.g., quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods), data collection methods, data analysis techniques, and any ethical considerations
Provide a timeline: Outline a timeline for your research project, including milestones and deadlines. This will help demonstrate that you have a well-thought-out plan and can complete the research within the allotted time frame. See the following for assistance.
Outline resources and budget: Provide information on the resources you will need to conduct your research, including any funding or budget requirements. This may include personnel, equipment, materials, and other resources that are necessary for your research project.
Include a bibliography: Provide a list of the key references you have consulted in preparing your research proposal. This demonstrates that you have conducted a thorough review of the existing literature and are familiar with the relevant research in your field.
Proofread and revise: Make sure to carefully proofread your research proposal for grammar and spelling errors, and revise it as needed for clarity and coherence. It's also a good idea to have someone else review your proposal to get feedback and suggestions for improvement.
Follow formatting guidelines: Finally, ensure that your research proposal follows any specific formatting guidelines provided by your college or department. This may include requirements for font size, margins, citation style, and overall structure. Always use proper citation guides. See the following for assistance.
Information Integrity - This covers a wide overviews of a range of citation styles. For specific details, speak with your professor about the appropriate style guide for your assignment. The Library does have a limited number of style manuals for you to use in the Library.