Proposals: Research Proposals

As noted earlier, research proposals occur most often in academic settings. As part of a longer research-based report unit, for example, a professor in Evolutionary Biology or in Chemical Engineering might request a research proposal that identifies the subject of final projects and maybe even includes an annotated bibliography of research to date. 

Students enrolled in master’s and doctoral programs are very familiar with research proposals, as they usually are the first step in the thesis or dissertation process. No committee with which you are working would want you to embark on an extended research project without having it cleared first through such a proposal. 

Most colleges and universities, even departments, will have their own criteria for thesis and dissertation proposals that identify the specific parts you should include. Much is also determined by your field, as well, as a student pursuing a PhD in 19th Century British Literature might not need to include in her proposal all of the technical sections that her friend -- a PhD candidate in Mechanical Engineering -- might need to include in his.

In general, theses and dissertations include the following sections:

  • Abstract
  • Introduction (including research question)
  • Methodology
  • Background
  • Literature Review
  • Discussion (including justification of focus)
  • Notes
  • Bibliography

When you create a research proposal, you must meet a very different set of criteria than you could expect if you were producing a “real world” proposal.  In this case, unless otherwise instructed by your committee or university standards governing thesis or dissertation proposals, you might follow the sort of organizational plan outlined here.

 

Basic Research Proposal Plan

Elsewhere, research proposals will vary in length and requirements, but for the sake of this course and learning the basics, please use this plan. 

Introduction

In this section, in paragraph form, you should draw the reader into your topic by stating an important or surprising fact about it, telling a story involving it, etc.  Give a bit of info about the topic, then in the last paragraph, clearly state: For my article in this course, I would like to focus on this topic for X reasons. 

Project Overview and Rationale

This section provides an overview of your intended subject. Use it to develop a definition of your topic that segues into a discussion of it. Explain such things as what it is, when it was invented, who invented it, where and how it is used, why it is used, why it is important, and anything else you can think of to provide your reader with insight into your subject. Remember: you are the expert, so you will want to consider and answer any questions you can come up with. 

You will vary these questions depending upon your subject. The goal is to cover the reporter’s questions – what, why, where, when, who (and how!) – in order to provide your reader ­— in the case of this course, me — with a clear understanding of your intended subject.

This section explains why you believe the subject is worth pursuing, and it must convince me that you have an understanding of the subject and that it’s a valid subject. It should contain major and minor headings, as needed, and should be the longest section of your proposal.

Project Methodologies and Resources

This section should discuss the methods by which you plan to conduct research into the project, such as interviews, on-site research, questionnaires, and surveys, as well as traditional research methods. It can also include a bibliography.

Start by writing a paragraph or two about what strategy you will take in your research. Explain as much as you can at this point. Think about answering such questions as: 

  • What kinds of material have you already reviewed? Have you read or gathered useful materials from taking a course in the subject?
  • What kinds of material do you have left to study?
  • Will you do most of your research in the laboratory, or will some be done in the library and some elsewhere?
  • What resources will you need to complete the assignment?
  • Who might you interview and why?
  • Will you conduct a survey? Who will be your audience for this survey? What sorts of questions might you ask? How will you distribute it?
  • What sorts of sites might prove helpful to you?
  • Will you also take photographs? If so, where?

Project Audience

This section identifies the specific audience(s) to whom your article for non-expert readers will be addressed. It should also explain clearly why you selected this audience as your primary readership, as well as the approach you think you will need to take in order to speak to these readers on their level. For example, if you intend to write an article explaining green engineering to fourth graders, what will you need to ensure they can understand it?

Project Personnel

This section provides a brief bio of you, as the expert on this subject, or of you and your fellow group members. This bio should include reference to major, date of graduation, experience with subject, etc. What makes you qualified to undertake this research assignment? What skills do you bring to the table that will help you deal with this topic effectively?

Project Timetable

This section sets a rough deadline for each major stage of the project’s production, presented in a Gantt Chart, as shown below. Include an introductory sentence to inform readers of the purpose of the section. Also, ensure that the sides of the chart are within the margins of the proposal.

Request for Approval

In this concluding section, ask your reader to approve your topic, and then think about requesting guidance. End with contact information: where you can be reached (phone + email), when you can best be contacted, etc. 

 

It is likely you have already prepared a research proposal; however, you probably don’t have experience with real-world proposals. They are far more difficult to produce, because they might be vying for funding against hundreds of other proposals.