Research Proposal Template

1. Step 1: Preparation
   Percent time spent on this step: 10%

   Instructions:

   • Find several topics you want to research
     

     Within the field that you want to investigate, choose several topics that intrigue you and will intrigue your instructor.

     • Make sure that the topic is not too narrow or too vague.
     • The topic you choose must have enough scholarly sources that showcase information about it.

   • Meet your instructor
     

     Show your instructor the topics that you chose. Discuss them together and find the most suitable topic for your proposal.

     • Write notes beforehand about each topic so that you know what to talk about with your instructor.
     • Be open to your instructor’s criticisms and suggestions. Pleasing your instructor is more important than wanting to go beyond the capacity of your assignment.

   • Create a particular theoretical direction
     

     There are many facets to your chosen research topic. Choose one facet that you want to concentrate the most on.

     • Determine if there is enough research material for the chosen aspect of your topic.
     • Determine if the aspect would be intriguing to both you and your instructor.

   • Write down a list of questions you want to answer about your topic aspect
     

     Jot down questions that show your inquiry into the aspect of the topic. Create deep questions that will charge your future proposal with richness of content, rather than a cursory look at the topic.

     • Write as many as 10 questions. Each question should be specific in its focus.
     • You will answer these questions later when you have completed further research.
2. Step 2: Collect Materials and Create a Methodology
   Percent time spent on this step: 10%

   Instructions:

   • Decide on at materials to use
     

     Choose what books, journals, periodicals, articles, and so on to present in your research proposal.

     • Make sure that the materials are scholarly enough, and not popular magazines or popular newspapers.
     • Determine if the authors are reputable people and are not false scholars.

   • Create a folder for notes, cuttings, photocopies, and other information
     

     You can use a physical folder and an online folder as well. This way your information will be backed up and organized.

     • Arranging materials in alphabetical order is usually preferred.
     • Arrange your materials in categories.
     • If possible, categorize your materials into sub-topics as well.

   • Make a point list of all areas to cover in the proposal
     

     Now that you have organized your sources, you can make an outline for your research proposal.

     • List the topics and subtopics you will cover.
     • Make your research angle clear.

   • Establish a methodology
     

     Write down how you are going to study the materials you found, how you are going to record your findings, and how you are going to report your findings.

     • Write down how you are going analyze your topic and subtopics.
     • Make clear what you will consider relevant and irrelevant in the source material.
     • Write down how you will consider the possible ethical issues associated with your topic.
3. Step 3: Writing the Research Proposal
   Percent time spent on this step: 65%

   Instructions:

   • Draft brief paragraphs to accompany each item of source material
     

     Write 2-3 sentences for each source material you plan to present in your research proposal.

     • Write about the importance of each source material you are going to use in your future research.
     • Write about the relevance of each source material you are going to use in your future research.

   • Write the introduction
     

     In the introduction, show you fully understand what is required of you, and how you intend to direct your research.

     • Be assertive in your writing and not subjective.
     • Be specific and not vague in your writing.

   • Include what your instructor asked you to include
     

     There are several items that instructors usually want their students to provide in a research proposal:

     • Description of the main idea
     • The purpose or rationale
     • Background information relating to the ethical, philosophical, scientific, cultural or other themes of the study
     • Basics of the research plan
     • A timeline
     • The main meaning or outcome sketch for the study
     • A glossary of terms used in the written material
     • Key objectives to go with the meaning and outcomes
     • A table of contents or chapter outline for the resulting thesis or dissertation

   • Include a reference list
     

     Make sure it is in the correct style and that it displays each source item you will use.

     • Check if each listing follows either APA, MLA, or Chicago style exactly to the point.
     • Put the references in alphabetical order.
4. Step 4: Edit Your Research Proposal
   Percent time spent on this step: 10%

   Instructions:

   • Double check if you have included everything
     

     Look at your instructor’s criteria and see if you have included what is required of you.

     • Do not try to just meet the minimum requirements. Try to make the best effort you can.
     • Do not exclude anything because of time pressure. Plan your work accordingly and make sure to include everything needed.

   • Edit for style
     

     Does your writing sound like it is a research proposal? Make sure your content is formal and there are no informal elements in it.

     • Does your writing communicate? Check if your writing makes sense.
     • See if your word order is correct in each sentence.

   • Proofread for grammatical and punctuation mistakes
     

     Be attentive to mistakes, errors, inaccuracies, and inconsistencies. This is your last chance to check over everything.

     • Look for the most common grammatical mistakes and correct them.
     • Make sure all your punctuation is in order.
     • Look for typographic errors.
     • Check if your formatting is correct.
     • Read the research proposal twice to make sure you caught every technical mistake and corrected it.
5. Step 5: Feedback
   Percent time spent on this step: 5%

   Instructions:

   • Ask a colleague or tutor to look over your final draft
     

     Visiting your school writing center is the best option. If you are not in school, hire a private tutor to look over your writing.

     • Set an appointment at your local writing center. Be sure to be on time, to bring in a printed copy of your writing, and to be open to suggestions/critique.
     • When hiring a private tutor, it is better to hire an experienced tutor that charges a bit more than expected. They can completely change your outlook on writing and dramatically improve your writing.

   • Make corrections as necessary
     

     Listen carefully to what your colleague and/or tutor has said, and make notes about what needs to change. Use your best discretion and change your proposal according to your teacher’s criteria.

     • When receiving criticism, be open-minded. Do not fall into the trap of being defensive.
     • Do not be overly-receptive as well. Do not change your entire proposal based on others’ comments if the changes do not work better than the original.