How to Write a Research Proposal: Examples, Resources, & Tips

A research proposal is a text that suggests a topic or research problem, justifies the need to study it, and describes the ways and methods of conducting the study.

Scholars usually write proposals to get funding for their research. In their turn, students might have to do that to get the approval of their master’s or PhD dissertation plan. In general, a research proposal aims to convince a dissertation committee or a fund that a specific project makes sense.

Whatever field you choose – psychology, history, or something else – making a proposal for the first time will be challenging even for an experienced writer. You have to know what resources are needed for a research proposal, how to formulate a catchy title, outline the text, and write a good abstract.

This article aims to provide you with research proposal writing help and assistance. Сustom-writing.org experts have collected the most useful information, tools, resources, and research proposal examples that will make your writing much more manageable.

While there can be some variation in the structure and format of a research proposal, its goals are always the same.

A research proposal aims to:

📜 Research Proposal Writing: Help & Essential

A typical research proposal outline contains the following elements:

1. Title page. This page has to be concise and descriptive because it’s the first section of your research proposal that anyone will see.

2. Abstract. Here you’ll briefly sum up your proposed research study. Talk about the main questions raised in it. Narrow it all down to 300 words max.
3. Introduction. The introduction is one of the core elements of any research proposal. In this part of your work, you’ll talk about the research background, research questions, and the planned approach to these questions.
4. Literature review. Some types of research proposals have a literature review as a part of the introduction. Here, you’ll highlight the most valuable sources that you’ve used. The task is to show your work’s connections and relationships to the previous research in your field.
5. Methodology. Here you’ll need to describe what you’re going to do to achieve your goals. Be sure to prove that these particular methods are the most appropriate ones to examine your research questions.
6. Discussion. You have to convince your readers that your research will make a positive impact. Discuss all possible challenges and opportunities with your committee. Don’t make any exaggerations; just realistically present what you’re capable of doing with your proposed study.
7. References. In this section, you’ll cite the sources you used to create your research proposal. You can write this section in the form of a bibliography that includes citations to all the sources relevant to your topic, not only those you used in your proposal.
8. Research schedule & budget. To get your research plan approved, you’ll need to describe the estimated cost of time and finance. In some cases, a brief description is enough. In others, you’ll need to make a detailed timeline and budget. It usually depends on the program’s requirements.

Look at any example of academic paper and you’ll see how all these parts are bound together. Below you’ll find more information on the research proposal components.

📑 Research Proposal Outline

Understanding how to write a research proposal can save you a lot of money! Basically, you would need to do it if you decide to request your project to get funded. There are several types of proposals for different needs. However, the general aim is to describe your project, its importance, and your plan of action. Check out this easy step-by-step mini-guide to find out what a research proposal should include the elements below.

Research Proposal Title Page

Just like any other academic paper that you submit at college, the research proposal needs to have a title page. If there are no specific requirements, it should consist of the project’s title, your full name, your supervisor’s name, and the institution.

You should introduce the topic of your research proposal with an informative, relevant, and catchy title on this page. There are many more research proposal topic ideas in case you’re struggling to choose one.

Research Proposal Abstract

The purpose of the research proposal abstract is to help the audience understand what your paper is about. An abstract should contain a short summary of the proposed research and a thesis statement. You might also mention some sources connected to the research you’re planning to conduct.

There are two main abstract types: descriptive & informative. For a research proposal, it probably makes sense to consider writing a descriptive abstract. If you need to learn more about how to do that, check out our article on the topic. You might also include a table of contents which serves for better navigation.

Research Proposal Introduction

The research proposal’s introduction is ultimately the presentation of your future project. Therefore you need to describe it clearly by introducing the topic, background, and issue. You should also add some information regarding the relevance of the topic and why your project can bring valuable insight into a particular research field. Long story short, it’s a summary of why your work is worth investing in.

Research Proposal Literature Review

In this section, you show off your current level of knowledge in the issue. A trustworthy list of sources highlights the solid foundation of your work. After comparing and contrasting the main theories and conversations on the topic, you should criticize them. Think about the pros and cons of each of them. Lastly, describe what place your research can take in the field.

Research Proposal Methodology

Now, it’s time to come back to your project itself. While preparing the methodology, you should pay attention to the clear description of your action plan and approach.

• First of all, indicate the research type. Is it quantitative or qualitative? What is the research design?
• Describe the sources and how you select the subjects for the analysis.
• Identify research methods. How do you collect the data, and why?
• Write about any other small details you think should be included. For instance, indicate how much time it will take and the potential obstacles.

Research Proposal Discussion

To make your proposal even more effective, you should definitely include this section. It is all about the contribution your project can make to the field. Where can your theory or practice be used? Will it help to improve some processes in the chosen field? Or is it creating a foundation for the more significant research?

Research Proposal Bibliography

Remember that every time you cite someone else’s work, you need to include the full information about this publication into the list of references! Also, don’t forget to check with your supervisor whether they want you to add a bibliography as well. It would consist of every source you refer to while working on the proposal, even if you don’t cite it. You should aim to present all the literature that is used to support your project.

The exact way you format your bibliography depends on the citation style that you’re working with. Tons of information on the topic can be found on the Internet. Check out an extensive collection of easy-to-use citation style guides published on this website. A great article on how to write a bibliography is another source you could use.

Research Proposal Timeline & Budget

Sometimes, you might also be asked to write a detailed schedule, explaining how long each particular stage will take. There, you need to name the project’s phase, its main objectives, and the deadline.

In case you request some budgeting as well, there should be a breakdown of the required costs. The budget shows how much the stages of your project will approximately cost.

Don’t forget to check what costs can be covered! Also, try to include only the relevant stuff in the plan because you will have to explain why a particular expense is necessary for the project. Moreover, you will be asked to provide the source, so be ready to explain how you calculated the budget.

If you need some help determining what costs you might need to cover, below is a short check-list.

🛠️ Resources needed for Research Proposal

We’ve divided this list of resources and tools into categories, so it’ll be easier for you to navigate. If you came here looking for help with a research proposal—this is where you’ll find it.

You might notice that some of the guides and articles talk about writing grant proposals. But here’s the thing. Grant proposals still involve suggesting a topic of research. And the process of writing one is entirely identical to the process of writing a research proposal!

Research Proposal Writing Guides

The main goal of these guides is to lead you through the process of writing a research proposal. They have everything described in great detail so that you won’t miss anything crucial.

Research Proposal Resources

The purpose of the sites listed below is to help you with writing a research proposal.

Research Proposal Samples

It’s always good to have theoretical knowledge about how to write a research proposal. But having a research proposal sample is even better! If you’re wondering, “What does a research proposal look like?” you can skip all the trial and error and look at a sample to find out right away.

• A Sample Research Proposal with Comments (University of Houston)
• Annotated Sample Research Proposal (University of Queensland)
• Research Proposal Template (Stanford University)

Research Proposal Tools

Now, let’s talk a bit about applications you can use to make writing a research proposal easier.

Research Proposal Examples

Below you’ll find a collection of research proposal examples published on the websites of well-reputed universities. We hope that they will help you to make your own text that will impress the committee!

1. Two research proposal examples, the first one on psychology and the second one on governance, from the Open University. 
2. A large collection of thesis proposals on almost any topic from the University of Central Florida. 

Research Proposal Topics

1. A research proposal on staff attitudes to physician orders for life-sustaining treatment.  
2. Write a research proposal on the importance of corporate social responsibility and sustainability strategy.  
3. Create a research proposal on the controversies connected with capital punishment. 
4. Research proposal on the online buying site ViaBela.  
5. Create a research proposal on the role of harm reduction initiatives in nursing practice.  
6. Explore whether keeping domestic animals impacts people’s physical and psychological health.  
7. Formulate a research proposal on the peculiarities of Nigeria’s healthcare system.  
8. Make a research proposal on cyber terrorism.  
9. Research proposal: the connection between hypertension and chronic kidney disease. 
10. Examination of the efficacy of humanistic theory application in childhood obesity treatment: a research proposal.  
11. Research proposal on the controversial interpretation of the Second Amendment.  
12. Write a research proposal on the aspects of training disadvantageous youths. 
13. Analyze the efficacy of the grapefruit diet for weight loss.  
14. Speaker recognition: a research proposal. 
15. Specify a research proposal on the peculiarities of the VEGA medical center strategy.  
16. Research proposal on the benefits of watching movies for mastering a new language.  
17. Write a research proposal on the rates of consumer awareness of corporate social responsibility.  
18. Formulate a research proposal on the specifics of narcoterrorism in Mexico.  
19. Explore the importance and future development of virtual reality technology.  
20. Anasarca and acute renal failure: a research proposal.  
21. Make a research proposal on the necessity of telephone follow-ups to improve the quality of life for diabetic patients.  
22. Research proposal on the examination of the connection between low nurse staffing and patients’ health risks.  
23. Create a research proposal on the analysis of the efficacy of fad diets.  
24. Write a research proposal on quality improvement in nursing practice.  
25. Research the causes of compulsive buying in women.  
26. Formulate a research proposal on Nokia’s marketing strategy and its impact on Nokia Company price.  
27. Unique aspects of Dubai Port World’s sustainable innovation strategy and peculiarities of its implementation: a research proposal.  
28. Research proposal on homeland security in the United States.  
29. Research proposal on possible causes of juvenile delinquency and effectiveness of prevention programs.  
30. Explore the specifics and importance of the cybersecurity field.  
31. Write a research proposal on employment law.  
32. Examine the factors that lead to suicide among adolescents.  
33. Research proposal on the complications of justice in health care. 
34. Study the access to medical insurance among the citizens of the United States: a research proposal. 
35. Research proposal on the factors that determine consumer purchases.  
36. Formulate a research proposal on the role of criminal mythology in society.   
37. Determine the impact of a pandemic on people’s mental health.  
38. Research proposal: problems of McDonald’s company. 
39. Write a research proposal on the rates and reasons for suicidal behavior and how to intercept it.  
40. Research proposal on the nature and causes of human trafficking.   
41. Explore the concept of laytime and its application in maritime transportation.  
42. Create a research proposal on the advantages and drawbacks of contract law.  
43. Research proposal on peer review of the business. 
44. Research the macroeconomic environment of Netflix.  
45. Formulate a research proposal on the connection between alcohol abuse during pregnancy and mental health issues in children.  
46. Examine the origin and nature of Pop Art: a research proposal. 
47. Write a research proposal on the nature and complications of medical tourism.  
48. Research proposal on the symptoms, transmission methods, and current treatment options of Ebola and Marburg viruses.  
49. Research proposal on green supply chain management.   
50. Analyze the issues of gender perception of e-commerce.