Research proposal definition

According to wikipedia, a research proposal is “a document written by a researcher that provides a detailed description of the proposed program. It is like an outline of the entire research process that gives a reader a summary of the information discussed in a project.”

Types of research proposals

Research proposals can serve a wide range of purposes. Just a couple of examples:

- PhD application proposal – if you apply for a PhD, you usually have to outline what you are up to and what your research would be about.

- PhD research proposal – once you are accepted to a doctoral program, you have to make a detailed plan of your proposed research activities, at least for the first year, if not for the entire length of your scholarship.

- Science project proposal – In most scientific fields, a projects can be started only if there is a proper project proposal which all participants agreed upon.

- Project funding proposals and grant proposals – Projects need funding, because the humans who do them, need funding; and funding doesn’t come without a proper proposal.

- Dissertation proposal – once you get to the point of writing a dissertation (also called ‘thesis’ in some countries), you will already have written a couple of research proposals, so it won’t be the problem to write one more, even though it might be for a much bigger research project than all previous ones. This is probably true if you do a PhD by coursework.

If you do a PhD by research, the dissertation proposal is most probably the same as the research proposal you initially had to submit along with your application.

There is no single best research proposal format, or research proposal example that would work for everyone, because each research project is different. However, you can always recognize similarities among successful research proposals.

Check out the research proposal writing section for a couple of research proposal writing tips.

Every PhD student or young researcher faces the challenge of writing a research proposal at least once in his/her life.

Keep a couple of things in mind before you submit your research proposal.

1. Define the goal of your research proposal first. What exactly do you write it for? Will you apply for a PhD? Do you want to get some funding for your next science project? Is it for your dissertation research project?
2. Check out a couple of research proposal examples written by other students and make notes of them.
3. Try to list the top 3 mistakes that other authors made (and avoid them when writing your own research proposal).
4. List the top 3 things that you like in other research proposals and try to apply them in your own document.
5. After analyzing other people’s research proposals, decide which research proposal format you would like to use. Just choose the one that looks like it would fit your needs, and adapt it. Don’t be shy.
6. Write a first version of your research proposal.
7. Send it to 3 people (fellow students, friends, family, colleagues, co-workers) whose opinion you trust because they can judge your work objectively, and get their feedback. If they are the right people to judge your work, they will be able to spot a couple of things that you could improve. (so if one of them says that your proposal is perfect, ask someone else for his feedback.)
8. Make the necessary changes based on your friends’ feedback.
9. Send the final version to your future advisor / committee / whoever will read it and hope for the best!
10. If your research proposal gets rejected, rewrite it, and submit it again. If you can’t submit it at the same university, submit it somewhere else. Life at academia is a rollercoaster. Enjoy the ride!

Good luck, and don’t give up!