Show that you understand the current state of research on your topic.
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
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. Emphasise 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:
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.
If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the ‘Cite this Scribbr article’ button to automatically add the citation to our free Reference Generator.
McCombes, S. & George, T. (2023, June 13). How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates. Scribbr. Retrieved 2 September 2024, from https://www.scribbr.co.uk/the-research-process/research-proposal-explained/
Other students also liked, what is a research methodology | steps & tips, what is a literature review | guide, template, & examples, how to write a results section | tips & examples.
Thesis proposals.
Examples of thesis proposals are included here in PDF format. Copies of theses completed in the M.A. in English & Writing Studies program can be accessed through the Pfau Library's CSUSB ScholarWorks database.
Concentration | Thesis Type |
---|---|
Applied Linguistics/TESL | |
Applied Linguistics/TESL | |
Applied Linguistics/TESL | |
Composition & Rhetoric | |
Composition & Rhetoric | |
Literature | |
Literature | |
Pedagogy |
Because the Public & Professional Writing concentration is so new, we do not have a sample proposal for it at this time. Please work closely with your readers who can guide you in its construction.
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Research Proposal for a PhD thesis in English Literature. perception that spans from Ezra Pound to John Ashbery. More recent criticism has similarly. undervalued women poets' contribution to the scope of the visual in contemporary poetry. Ian. between 'eye' and 'I', and the gendered implications of observing and being observed.
Take your time in composing your research proposal, carefully considering the requirements outlined below. Your proposal should not be more than 2,000 words. PhD degrees are awarded on the basis of a thesis of up to 100,000 words. The 'Summary of roles and responsibilities' in the University's Code of Practice for Supervisors and Research ...
Sample Research Proposal. Last semester, I took an English class with Professor Bethany Schneider entitled "American. Girl," where our syllabus included Louisa May Alcott's Little Women and Laura Ingalls Wilder's. Little House on the Prairie. My experience with both books was fascinating because I was reading.
Research proposal examples. 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. Example research proposal #1: "A Conceptual Framework for Scheduling Constraint Management" Example research proposal #2: "Medical Students as Mediators of ...
Advice on Preparing a Research Proposal for a PhD Thesis in English. To be taken on as a PhD student, it is usually assumed that you will already have completed an MA in a relevant subject. This means that you will already have experience of writing a dissertation of between 10,000 and 20,000 words. The possession of an MA indicates (a) that ...
Sample dissertation proposal. Below is an example of a successful MA dissertation proposal. Note particularly the robust referencing, and the way in which the author has already done preparatory work in the field so that clear areas of critical enquiry have already been formulated. Modernist Poetics and the Acquisition of the Other Tongue.
writing a research proposal in English literature requires a systematic approach and careful consideration of the various elements involved. By choosing an interesting topic, conducting a thorough literature review, defining your research questions, developing a methodology, creating a research timeline, and considering ethical considerations ...
er, the proposal deadline is December 1. During the proposal stage, students should discuss their research interests with CM faculty members, identify a research topic, conduct preliminary literatu. e review and develop a project proposal. The proposal should discuss problem statement, objectives, research methodology, research activities.
for the PhD or MPhil degrees are the sample of written work and the research proposal. You will probably choose your sample of written work from an already-completed undergraduate or masters-level dissertation or term-paper. Your research proposal will be something new. It will describe the project that you want to complete for the award of the
Research proposals, like all other kinds of academic writing, are written in a formal, objective tone. Keep in mind that being concise is a key component of academic writing; formal does not mean flowery. Adhere to the structure outlined above. Your reader knows how a research proposal is supposed to read and expects it to fit this template.
An MPhil research proposal should be 500 words long, while a PhD proposal should be 800 words long. It needs to give those assessing your application an impression of the strength and originality of your proposed research, and its potential to make a contribution to knowledge. It should be written in clear, jargon-free prose.
Ensure your sentences are concise and use plain language. A research proposal usually contains about 2,000 to 4,000 words or four to seven pages. Don't use too many technical terms and abbreviations assuming that the readers would know them. Define the abbreviations and technical terms.
Writing in Literature; Writing in the Social Sciences; Writing in Engineering; Creative Writing; ... Research and Citation. Overview; Conducting Research; Using Research; APA Style (7th Edition) MLA Style; ... Select the Sample Academic Proposals PDF in the Media box above to download this file and read examples of proposals for conferences ...
The following has been adapted for the English Department from the Graduate School's "Statement on Thesis/Dissertation Proposals." Guidelines adapted for the Creative Dissertation Proposal Guidelines can be found here. I. Introduction A thesis proposal states a problem to be investigated and describes how the research will be performed and reported. Approval signifies that it meets the […]
The proposal should outline the project's major research goals and the corpus of texts or objects to be considered. ... Sample proposals. Expand All Collapse All. MRP proposals. LIT MRP Proposal Example (PDF) ... English Language and Literature HH building Tel 519 888-4567 x46803 Fax 519 746-5788. Contact Arts Support Arts
Examples of literature reviews. Step 1 - Search for relevant literature. Step 2 - Evaluate and select sources. Step 3 - Identify themes, debates, and gaps. Step 4 - Outline your literature review's structure. Step 5 - Write your literature review.
Show why you are the right person to do this research; Examples of research proposals. Research Proposal Example 1 (DOC, 49kB) Research Proposal Example 2 (DOC, 0.9MB) Research Proposal Example 3 (DOC, 55.5kB) Research Proposal Example 4 (DOC, 49.5kB) Subject specific guidance. Writing a Humanities PhD Proposal (PDF, 0.1MB)
To cancel an appointment, call 814.865.8021. Writing Thesis/Dissertation Proposals. Your thesis/dissertation proposal provides an overview of your proposed plan of work, including the general scope of your project, your basic research questions, research methodology, and the overall significance of your study.
3. Theoretical approach. Spend about a page sketching out your theoretical approach. Pay special attention to this if the theoretical approach is part of your research question. 4. Chapter outline. An outline of chapters, with a paragraph on each one - the main ideas, and how you'll go about discussing them. Try to give the sense of an ...
Research proposal examples. 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. Example research proposal #1: 'A Conceptual Framework for Scheduling Constraint Management'.
Guidance on how to write a Research Degree proposal (Masters By Research/PhD) 1 The essentials of writing a proposal As part of the application process, candidates are required to submit a research proposal with a maximum of 1000 words (Masters by Research) or 1000-2000 words (PhD). Assessors of research degree proposals pay a particular ...
Thesis Proposals. Examples of thesis proposals are included here in PDF format. Copies of theses completed in the M.A. in English & Writing Studies program can be accessed through the Pfau Library's CSUSB ScholarWorks database. Because the Public & Professional Writing concentration is so new, we do not have a sample proposal for it at this time.
This presentation is to help students address problems of presentation of their literature review sections in their proposals and thesis. Content may be subject to copyright. 1. Introduction ...