A clear and succinct description of your research.
A brief explanation of what you propose to research, why the research is of value and how you propose to go about it. Your introduction should summarise your problem statement, motivation and original approach in a way that can readily communicate why it is worth pursuing. You can think of the introduction as the equivalent of abstracts in research articles.
A thorough examination of key pieces of research relating to your topic. You should use the literature review to identify gaps in, or problems with, existing research to justify why further or new research is required.
A detailed presentation of your proposed project and study. Building upon the previous section, in this part you develop your thoughts and arguments on the research problem or question you identified. You should explain why your proposed work is novel and significant and you should provide details on how you propose to go about developing it. You may want to provide a chapter summary or a roadmap of your investigation.
A clear description of your choice of methodology, including details of research questions, methods of data collection, sampling and analytical strategy. A time schedule showing key activities would be useful.
Any literature cited in the proposal should be listed at the end of the document. Use of Harvard or OSCOLA referencing is recommended.
*Word count excludes footnotes.
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Published on October 12, 2022 by Shona McCombes and Tegan George. Revised on November 21, 2023.
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:
Literature review.
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.
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.
Show your reader why your project is interesting, original, and important. | |
Demonstrate your comfort and familiarity with your field. Show that you understand the current state of research on your topic. | |
Make a case for your . Demonstrate that you have carefully thought about the data, tools, and procedures necessary to conduct your research. | |
Confirm that your project is feasible within the timeline of your program or funding deadline. |
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.
Like your dissertation or thesis, the proposal will usually have a title page that includes:
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:
To guide your introduction , include information about:
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:
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.
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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:
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
Research phase | Objectives | Deadline |
---|---|---|
1. Background research and literature review | 20th January | |
2. Research design planning | and data analysis methods | 13th February |
3. Data collection and preparation | with selected participants and code interviews | 24th March |
4. Data analysis | of interview transcripts | 22nd April |
5. Writing | 17th June | |
6. Revision | final work | 28th July |
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:
To determine your budget, think about:
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
Statistics
Research 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 September 4, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/research-process/research-proposal/
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legal research student to understand what are supposed to have in their head(s) before staring writing research legal proposal. The second category of this article covers the main theme of the article. At this category, an author articulate parts of legal research proposal including research title, statement of the
Developing a Paper Proposal and Preparing to Write. Keep this list next to you as you develop your paper idea to help guide your research and writing process. LL.M. students should be sure to use this in combination with other guidance and resources on paper writing provided by the Graduate Program. Pick a topic and approach.
The idea, here, is to also assist you in choosing and refining your own. research area/question(s), as well as place your investigation within the general research already carried out. It is essential that the proposal should set out the central aims and the key research question(s) that will guide your research in a justified and logical manner.
This is an excellent guide to writing a student note for publication - but also to legal writing generally. It includes an outline of the types of notes commonly found in US law reviews, general guides to undertaking research and doing the dreaded 'preemption check,' tips on selecting a topic and on note taking while doing the research ...
PART FIVE CONCLUSION 5.0 CONCLUSION This guidance is only complementary to Mzumbe University guidelines on research proposal and report writing which apply to candidates in the faculty of law. It provides some basic ideas in preparing a research proposal and in writing a research report. It is therefore a means to an end and not an end in itself.
acceptable.C. DISSERTATION WRITING 1. Logical and coherent writingCentral to any successful dissertation is the manner in which the argument is presented, namely in the logical and cohe. ent construction of the argument, substantiated by relev. nt material. The one chapter must lead logically to the next chapter.
through preparing a relatively generic research proposal. Specific programs or funding applications may ask for answers to specific questions, specific formats, or other things. Be sure to read these carefully. There are many ways to go about developing and writing up a research proposal, and we offer our suggestions in the hope that they help you.
research proposal. The research proposal is a required element for the following reasons: 1. The proposal helps to readily indicate the subject-matter of the proposed research. Your proposal will be passed to members of staff with research interests in the area who will indicate whether in principle they may be in a position to supervise it. This
This is particularly relevant for socio-legal orientated studies where law reform is being suggested. Avoid being vague in your research proposal with phrases such as 'try to', 'see if' and 'have a look act'. Instead, make positive statements such as 'examine', 'evaluate', 'analyse' and 'assess'.
The Legal Research Plan and the Research Log: An Examination of the Role of the Research Plan and Research Log in the Research Process Author Caroline L. Osborne
to Legal Research and Writing". The fundamental aim of this guide is to provide a brief understanding of the basics of l. gal research, analysis and writing. The guide is divided into 5 parts; Part I covers the basics of legal research, Part II intends to cover the basics of legal writing, Part III briefly highlights and explains the ...
The research proposal: Centre for Applied Human Rights1. Your research proposal will be carefully considered by the Centre's faculty. The main purposes of the proposal are (a) to allow the admissions team to check the feasibility and potential originality of the research; (b) to ensure that we are able to allocate each successful applicant to ...
About This Guide. This guide will walk a beginning researcher though the legal research process step-by-step. These materials are created with the 1L Legal Research & Writing course in mind. However, these resources will also assist upper-level students engaged in any legal research project.
thesis or research project, provi ding an overview of the research. article, or abstract, as it helps a researcher clarify a researcher r. subject expert is crucial. By using clear and unambiguous ...
Introduction Writing a legal research is not a new phenomenal, it has been written since then.2 Various authors have written different articles to present legal skills among other things for legal writing proposal.3 Cordon4 state that Not only does the 1992 Mac Crate Report, issued by the American Bar Association Task Force on Law Schools and ...
s to become realistically achievable. The NALT's Uniform Format & Citation Guide is an all-encompassing Manual that can cater to law students' referencing and research writing n. eds in project writing at all levels. The Manual is also helpful to academics in the preparation of book chapters a.
preliminary research and proposal phase") Introduction . All LLM and PhD candidates must submit a detailed research proposal, which will initially be scrutinised and approved by their supervisors. Supervisors may require candidates to redraft their proposals until the requisite detail and depth have been achieved.
thoughts but it also aids in planning the strategy of the research plan. A high quality research proposal always, without exception, leads to a high quality research project. The academic merit, layout and format must be considered extremely important when preparing a research proposal. 1. ACADEMIC MERIT
An organized, well-written, concise, complete proposal = an easier to conduct experiment. A good proposal is like a good sales pitch. In the world of graduate studies and scientific research a proposal is the means by which funding is secured. Good writing when paired with a thorough understanding of the subject matter is a valuable skill to ...
A proposal for an LLM by research or a PhD should not exceed 15 pages in length and is unlikely to be less than 8 pages in length. Check the limit specified by the funding body to which you are applying. This is the background against which your research will be carried out. It should be a brief introduction outlining the general area of study ...
Writing a research proposal. As part of the process of applying for a research degree, you will need to prepare an outline of your proposed research. Please see our guidance on what to include below, including word count: Your research topic A clear and succinct description of your research. Your research questions and focus A brief explanation ...
o Briefly describe the major issues and sub-problems to. be addressed by the research. o Identify the key independent and dependent variables. of the study. o State the hypothesis of the study, if ...
How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & ...