research proposal for masters in information technology

The format of a research proposal varies between fields, but most proposals will contain at least these elements:

• Introduction

Literature review

• Research design

Reference list

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.

Proposal Format

The proposal will usually have a  title page  that includes:

• The proposed title of your project
• Your supervisor’s name
• Your institution and department

Introduction 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:

• Introduce your  topic
• Give necessary background and context
• Outline your  problem statement  and  research questions To guide your  introduction , include information about:  
• Who could have an interest in the topic (e.g., scientists, policymakers)
• How much is already known about the topic
• What is missing from this current knowledge
• What new insights will your research contribute
• Why you believe this research is worth doing

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 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:

• Comparing and contrasting the main theories, methods, and debates
• Examining the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches
• Explaining how will you build on, challenge, or  synthesize  prior scholarship

Research design and methods

Following the literature review, restate your main  objectives . This brings the focus back to your 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. Write up your projected, if not actual, results.

Contribution to knowledge

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:

• Improving best practices
• Informing policymaking decisions
• Strengthening a theory or model
• Challenging popular or scientific beliefs
• Creating a basis for future research

Lastly, 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 free APA citation generators like BibGuru. Databases have a citation button you can click on to see your citation. Sometimes you have to re-format it as the citations may have mistakes. 

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How To Write A Research Proposal

A Straightforward How-To Guide (With Examples)

By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Reviewed By: Dr. Eunice Rautenbach | August 2019 (Updated April 2023)

Writing up a strong research proposal for a dissertation or thesis is much like a marriage proposal. It’s a task that calls on you to win somebody over and persuade them that what you’re planning is a great idea. An idea they’re happy to say ‘yes’ to. This means that your dissertation proposal needs to be   persuasive ,   attractive   and well-planned. In this post, I’ll show you how to write a winning dissertation proposal, from scratch.

Before you start:

– Understand exactly what a research proposal is – Ask yourself these 4 questions

The 5 essential ingredients:

• The title/topic
• The introduction chapter
• The scope/delimitations
• Preliminary literature review
• Design/ methodology
• Practical considerations and risks 

What Is A Research Proposal?

The research proposal is literally that: a written document that communicates what you propose to research, in a concise format. It’s where you put all that stuff that’s spinning around in your head down on to paper, in a logical, convincing fashion.

Convincing   is the keyword here, as your research proposal needs to convince the assessor that your research is   clearly articulated   (i.e., a clear research question) ,   worth doing   (i.e., is unique and valuable enough to justify the effort), and   doable   within the restrictions you’ll face (time limits, budget, skill limits, etc.). If your proposal does not address these three criteria, your research won’t be approved, no matter how “exciting” the research idea might be.

PS – if you’re completely new to proposal writing, we’ve got a detailed walkthrough video covering two successful research proposals here . 

How do I know I’m ready?

Before starting the writing process, you need to   ask yourself 4 important questions .  If you can’t answer them succinctly and confidently, you’re not ready – you need to go back and think more deeply about your dissertation topic .

You should be able to answer the following 4 questions before starting your dissertation or thesis research proposal:

• WHAT is my main research question? (the topic)
• WHO cares and why is this important? (the justification)
• WHAT data would I need to answer this question, and how will I analyse it? (the research design)
• HOW will I manage the completion of this research, within the given timelines? (project and risk management)

If you can’t answer these questions clearly and concisely,   you’re not yet ready   to write your research proposal – revisit our   post on choosing a topic .

If you can, that’s great – it’s time to start writing up your dissertation proposal. Next, I’ll discuss what needs to go into your research proposal, and how to structure it all into an intuitive, convincing document with a linear narrative.

The 5 Essential Ingredients

Research proposals can vary in style between institutions and disciplines, but here I’ll share with you a   handy 5-section structure   you can use. These 5 sections directly address the core questions we spoke about earlier, ensuring that you present a convincing proposal. If your institution already provides a proposal template, there will likely be substantial overlap with this, so you’ll still get value from reading on.

For each section discussed below, make sure you use headers and sub-headers (ideally, numbered headers) to help the reader navigate through your document, and to support them when they need to revisit a previous section. Don’t just present an endless wall of text, paragraph after paragraph after paragraph…

Top Tip:   Use MS Word Styles to format headings. This will allow you to be clear about whether a sub-heading is level 2, 3, or 4. Additionally, you can view your document in ‘outline view’ which will show you only your headings. This makes it much easier to check your structure, shift things around and make decisions about where a section needs to sit. You can also generate a 100% accurate table of contents using Word’s automatic functionality.

Ingredient #1 – Topic/Title Header

Your research proposal’s title should be your main research question in its simplest form, possibly with a sub-heading providing basic details on the specifics of the study. For example:

“Compliance with equality legislation in the charity sector: a study of the ‘reasonable adjustments’ made in three London care homes”

As you can see, this title provides a clear indication of what the research is about, in broad terms. It paints a high-level picture for the first-time reader, which gives them a taste of what to expect.   Always aim for a clear, concise title . Don’t feel the need to capture every detail of your research in your title – your proposal will fill in the gaps.

Need a helping hand?

Ingredient #2 – Introduction

In this section of your research proposal, you’ll expand on what you’ve communicated in the title, by providing a few paragraphs which offer more detail about your research topic. Importantly, the focus here is the   topic   – what will you research and why is that worth researching? This is not the place to discuss methodology, practicalities, etc. – you’ll do that later.

You should cover the following:

• An overview of the   broad area   you’ll be researching – introduce the reader to key concepts and language
• An explanation of the   specific (narrower) area   you’ll be focusing, and why you’ll be focusing there
• Your research   aims   and   objectives
• Your   research question (s) and sub-questions (if applicable)

Importantly, you should aim to use short sentences and plain language – don’t babble on with extensive jargon, acronyms and complex language. Assume that the reader is an intelligent layman – not a subject area specialist (even if they are). Remember that the   best writing is writing that can be easily understood   and digested. Keep it simple.

Note that some universities may want some extra bits and pieces in your introduction section. For example, personal development objectives, a structural outline, etc. Check your brief to see if there are any other details they expect in your proposal, and make sure you find a place for these.

Ingredient #3 – Scope

Next, you’ll need to specify what the scope of your research will be – this is also known as the delimitations . In other words, you need to make it clear what you will be covering and, more importantly, what you won’t be covering in your research. Simply put, this is about ring fencing your research topic so that you have a laser-sharp focus.

All too often, students feel the need to go broad and try to address as many issues as possible, in the interest of producing comprehensive research. Whilst this is admirable, it’s a mistake. By tightly refining your scope, you’ll enable yourself to   go deep   with your research, which is what you need to earn good marks. If your scope is too broad, you’re likely going to land up with superficial research (which won’t earn marks), so don’t be afraid to narrow things down.

Ingredient #4 – Literature Review

In this section of your research proposal, you need to provide a (relatively) brief discussion of the existing literature. Naturally, this will not be as comprehensive as the literature review in your actual dissertation, but it will lay the foundation for that. In fact, if you put in the effort at this stage, you’ll make your life a lot easier when it’s time to write your actual literature review chapter.

There are a few things you need to achieve in this section:

• Demonstrate that you’ve done your reading and are   familiar with the current state of the research   in your topic area.
• Show that   there’s a clear gap   for your specific research – i.e., show that your topic is sufficiently unique and will add value to the existing research.
• Show how the existing research has shaped your thinking regarding   research design . For example, you might use scales or questionnaires from previous studies.

When you write up your literature review, keep these three objectives front of mind, especially number two (revealing the gap in the literature), so that your literature review has a   clear purpose and direction . Everything you write should be contributing towards one (or more) of these objectives in some way. If it doesn’t, you need to ask yourself whether it’s truly needed.

Top Tip:  Don’t fall into the trap of just describing the main pieces of literature, for example, “A says this, B says that, C also says that…” and so on. Merely describing the literature provides no value. Instead, you need to   synthesise   it, and use it to address the three objectives above.

Ingredient #5 – Research Methodology

Now that you’ve clearly explained both your intended research topic (in the introduction) and the existing research it will draw on (in the literature review section), it’s time to get practical and explain exactly how you’ll be carrying out your own research. In other words, your research methodology.

In this section, you’ll need to   answer two critical questions :

• How   will you design your research? I.e., what research methodology will you adopt, what will your sample be, how will you collect data, etc.
• Why   have you chosen this design? I.e., why does this approach suit your specific research aims, objectives and questions?

In other words, this is not just about explaining WHAT you’ll be doing, it’s also about explaining WHY. In fact, the   justification is the most important part , because that justification is how you demonstrate a good understanding of research design (which is what assessors want to see).

Some essential design choices you need to cover in your research proposal include:

• Your intended research philosophy (e.g., positivism, interpretivism or pragmatism )
• What methodological approach you’ll be taking (e.g., qualitative , quantitative or mixed )
• The details of your sample (e.g., sample size, who they are, who they represent, etc.)
• What data you plan to collect (i.e. data about what, in what form?)
• How you plan to collect it (e.g., surveys , interviews , focus groups, etc.)
• How you plan to analyse it (e.g., regression analysis, thematic analysis , etc.)
• Ethical adherence (i.e., does this research satisfy all ethical requirements of your institution, or does it need further approval?)

This list is not exhaustive – these are just some core attributes of research design. Check with your institution what level of detail they expect. The “ research onion ” by Saunders et al (2009) provides a good summary of the various design choices you ultimately need to make – you can   read more about that here .

Don’t forget the practicalities…

In addition to the technical aspects, you will need to address the   practical   side of the project. In other words, you need to explain   what resources you’ll need   (e.g., time, money, access to equipment or software, etc.) and how you intend to secure these resources. You need to show that your project is feasible, so any “make or break” type resources need to already be secured. The success or failure of your project cannot depend on some resource which you’re not yet sure you have access to.

Another part of the practicalities discussion is   project and risk management . In other words, you need to show that you have a clear project plan to tackle your research with. Some key questions to address:

• What are the timelines for each phase of your project?
• Are the time allocations reasonable?
• What happens if something takes longer than anticipated (risk management)?
• What happens if you don’t get the response rate you expect?

A good way to demonstrate that you’ve thought this through is to include a Gantt chart and a risk register (in the appendix if word count is a problem). With these two tools, you can show that you’ve got a clear, feasible plan, and you’ve thought about and accounted for the potential risks.

Tip – Be honest about the potential difficulties – but show that you are anticipating solutions and workarounds. This is much more impressive to an assessor than an unrealistically optimistic proposal which does not anticipate any challenges whatsoever.

Final Touches: Read And Simplify

The final step is to edit and proofread your proposal – very carefully. It sounds obvious, but all too often poor editing and proofreading ruin a good proposal. Nothing is more off-putting for an assessor than a poorly edited, typo-strewn document. It sends the message that you either do not pay attention to detail, or just don’t care. Neither of these are good messages. Put the effort into editing and proofreading your proposal (or pay someone to do it for you) – it will pay dividends.

When you’re editing, watch out for ‘academese’. Many students can speak simply, passionately and clearly about their dissertation topic – but become incomprehensible the moment they turn the laptop on. You are not required to write in any kind of special, formal, complex language when you write academic work. Sure, there may be technical terms, jargon specific to your discipline, shorthand terms and so on. But, apart from those,   keep your written language very close to natural spoken language   – just as you would speak in the classroom. Imagine that you are explaining your project plans to your classmates or a family member. Remember, write for the intelligent layman, not the subject matter experts. Plain-language, concise writing is what wins hearts and minds – and marks!

Let’s Recap: Research Proposal 101

And there you have it – how to write your dissertation or thesis research proposal, from the title page to the final proof. Here’s a quick recap of the key takeaways:

• The purpose of the research proposal is to   convince   – therefore, you need to make a clear, concise argument of why your research is both worth doing and doable.
• Make sure you can ask the critical what, who, and how questions of your research   before   you put pen to paper.
• Title – provides the first taste of your research, in broad terms
• Introduction – explains what you’ll be researching in more detail
• Scope – explains the boundaries of your research
• Literature review – explains how your research fits into the existing research and why it’s unique and valuable
• Research methodology – explains and justifies how you will carry out your own research

Hopefully, this post has helped you better understand how to write up a winning research proposal. If you enjoyed it, be sure to check out the rest of the Grad Coach Blog . If your university doesn’t provide any template for your proposal, you might want to try out our free research proposal template .

Psst… there’s more!

This post is an extract from our bestselling short course, Research Proposal Bootcamp . If you want to work smart, you don't want to miss this .

30 Comments

Thank you so much for the valuable insight that you have given, especially on the research proposal. That is what I have managed to cover. I still need to go back to the other parts as I got disturbed while still listening to Derek’s audio on you-tube. I am inspired. I will definitely continue with Grad-coach guidance on You-tube.

Thanks for the kind words :). All the best with your proposal.

First of all, thanks a lot for making such a wonderful presentation. The video was really useful and gave me a very clear insight of how a research proposal has to be written. I shall try implementing these ideas in my RP.

Once again, I thank you for this content.

I found reading your outline on writing research proposal very beneficial. I wish there was a way of submitting my draft proposal to you guys for critiquing before I submit to the institution.

Hi Bonginkosi

Thank you for the kind words. Yes, we do provide a review service. The best starting point is to have a chat with one of our coaches here: https://gradcoach.com/book/new/ .

Hello team GRADCOACH, may God bless you so much. I was totally green in research. Am so happy for your free superb tutorials and resources. Once again thank you so much Derek and his team.

You’re welcome, Erick. Good luck with your research proposal 🙂

thank you for the information. its precise and on point.

Really a remarkable piece of writing and great source of guidance for the researchers. GOD BLESS YOU for your guidance. Regards

Thanks so much for your guidance. It is easy and comprehensive the way you explain the steps for a winning research proposal.

Thank you guys so much for the rich post. I enjoyed and learn from every word in it. My problem now is how to get into your platform wherein I can always seek help on things related to my research work ? Secondly, I wish to find out if there is a way I can send my tentative proposal to you guys for examination before I take to my supervisor Once again thanks very much for the insights

Thanks for your kind words, Desire.

If you are based in a country where Grad Coach’s paid services are available, you can book a consultation by clicking the “Book” button in the top right.

Best of luck with your studies.

May God bless you team for the wonderful work you are doing,

If I have a topic, Can I submit it to you so that you can draft a proposal for me?? As I am expecting to go for masters degree in the near future.

Thanks for your comment. We definitely cannot draft a proposal for you, as that would constitute academic misconduct. The proposal needs to be your own work. We can coach you through the process, but it needs to be your own work and your own writing.

Best of luck with your research!

I found a lot of many essential concepts from your material. it is real a road map to write a research proposal. so thanks a lot. If there is any update material on your hand on MBA please forward to me.

GradCoach is a professional website that presents support and helps for MBA student like me through the useful online information on the page and with my 1-on-1 online coaching with the amazing and professional PhD Kerryen.

Thank you Kerryen so much for the support and help 🙂

I really recommend dealing with such a reliable services provider like Gradcoah and a coach like Kerryen.

Hi, Am happy for your service and effort to help students and researchers, Please, i have been given an assignment on research for strategic development, the task one is to formulate a research proposal to support the strategic development of a business area, my issue here is how to go about it, especially the topic or title and introduction. Please, i would like to know if you could help me and how much is the charge.

This content is practical, valuable, and just great!

Thank you very much!

Hi Derek, Thank you for the valuable presentation. It is very helpful especially for beginners like me. I am just starting my PhD.

This is quite instructive and research proposal made simple. Can I have a research proposal template?

Great! Thanks for rescuing me, because I had no former knowledge in this topic. But with this piece of information, I am now secured. Thank you once more.

I enjoyed listening to your video on how to write a proposal. I think I will be able to write a winning proposal with your advice. I wish you were to be my supervisor.

Dear Derek Jansen,

Thank you for your great content. I couldn’t learn these topics in MBA, but now I learned from GradCoach. Really appreciate your efforts….

From Afghanistan!

I have got very essential inputs for startup of my dissertation proposal. Well organized properly communicated with video presentation. Thank you for the presentation.

Wow, this is absolutely amazing guys. Thank you so much for the fruitful presentation, you’ve made my research much easier.

this helps me a lot. thank you all so much for impacting in us. may god richly bless you all

How I wish I’d learn about Grad Coach earlier. I’ve been stumbling around writing and rewriting! Now I have concise clear directions on how to put this thing together. Thank you!

Fantastic!! Thank You for this very concise yet comprehensive guidance.

Even if I am poor in English I would like to thank you very much.

Thank you very much, this is very insightful.

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• How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates

How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates

Published on October 12, 2022 by Shona McCombes and Tegan George. Revised on September 5, 2024.

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:

Introduction

Literature review.

• Research design

Reference list

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.

Table of contents

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.

Research proposal length

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

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

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 Change in Tobacco Use”

Like your dissertation or thesis, the proposal will usually have a title page that includes:

• The proposed title of your project
• Your supervisor’s name
• Your institution and department

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:

• Introduce your topic
• Give necessary background and context
• Outline your  problem statement  and research questions

To guide your introduction , include information about:

• Who could have an interest in the topic (e.g., scientists, policymakers)
• How much is already known about the topic
• What is missing from this current knowledge
• What new insights your research will contribute
• Why you believe this research is worth doing

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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:

• Comparing and contrasting the main theories, methods, and debates
• Examining the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches
• Explaining how will you build on, challenge, or synthesize prior scholarship

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.

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:

• Improving best practices
• Informing policymaking decisions
• Strengthening a theory or model
• Challenging popular or scientific beliefs
• Creating a basis for future research

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

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:

• Cost : exactly how much money do you need?
• Justification : why is this cost necessary to complete the research?
• Source : how did you calculate the amount?

To determine your budget, think about:

• Travel costs : do you need to go somewhere to collect your data? How will you get there, and how much time will you need? What will you do there (e.g., interviews, archival research)?
• Materials : do you need access to any tools or technologies?
• Help : do you need to hire any research assistants for the project? What will they do, and how much will you pay them?

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

• Sampling methods
• Simple random sampling
• Stratified sampling
• Cluster sampling
• Likert scales
• Reproducibility

 Statistics

• Null hypothesis
• Statistical power
• Probability distribution
• Effect size
• Poisson distribution

Research bias

• Optimism bias
• Cognitive bias
• Implicit bias
• Hawthorne effect
• Anchoring bias
• Explicit 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.

Cite this Scribbr article

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 Citation Generator.

McCombes, S. & George, T. (2024, September 05). How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates. Scribbr. Retrieved September 25, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/research-process/research-proposal/

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Sample Research Proposal On ICT

Students who study informational technologies have a chance to prepare a research paper on ICT and demonstrate their knowledge of the discipline. In order to do it they have to impress their professor that the topic is worth investigation with help of high­quality logical research proposal. The topic is quite complicated and needs profound research, so students often need good help with the composition of a good proposal and join a great number of websites which contain free examples of research proposals on ICT prepared by professional writers. Unfortunately, it is extremely problematic to find a well­organized sample, as a great number of such papers is of poor quality and prepared by amateurs, who are not the experts in the topics they describe. Still, if you manage to find a good model for writing, you will manage to complete the best proposal on your own. Information and communication technology (ICT) is one of the most perspective spheres nowadays, because information is even more valuable than money. In order to enable people create, exchange all kind of information (from pictures, and presentations to audio and video data) much has been done. Scientists, programmers have worked out various kinds of software, which makes the process of data exchange easier, faster and cheaper. Today people have understood the value and importance of ICT and a range of schools and universities based on training the professionals in this sphere are opened all over the world (mostly in the highly developed countries). IT Professionals are highly praised, because information rules the world and everybody understands it. Without the high level of IT, proper development of business and any kind of organization is impossible, because advertising, trade, data exchange – everything is regulated by IT. A successful research proposal on ICT should be logical, informative and convincing. If you manage to convince the professor that the topic is worth investigation, you will receive the right to investigate it deeply. So, prepare a strict structure and logically present all points you are going to research; present questions which can be treated like problematic ones and prove you can solve them effectively. Writing a research proposal of ICT projects read as much as possible about the question to know the topic better. Start from the history of IT, its development, describe the modern situation and present your own vision of the problem. Introduce whether something should be improved and offer how to do it effectively. In order to organize a well­composed proposal read free samples of research proposals on ICT in the Internet and borrow wise ideas of the professional writers for the creation of your own successful paper.

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Writing a research proposal for an early career researcher is one of the toughest part of research work. A research proposal is a blueprint to conduct research work and a well-structured proposal provides smooth functioning for the proposed research. Generally, young researchers face various types of problem in structuring a good research proposal in absence of proper guidelines, steps and strategies. This paper aims to provide a general guideline to the students and researchers to develop a wellstructured research proposal for the purpose of PhD/dissertation/research projects, etc. The concept and significance of a research proposal, how to start research work, the process of producing and appropriate sections for a good research proposal has been discussed in great detail.

GLOBAL JOURNAL FOR RESEARCH ANALYSIS, 2021

A research proposal is a document written by a researcher which is a concise and coherent summary that provides a detailed description of the proposed program. Researcher has to follow a few basic steps in Research process where development of a research proposal is an important step and rst step. The goal of research proposal development persuades reader to believe the solution are appropriate, reasonable logic, practicable. Purpose of proposal is to to educate and convince the reader. Characteristics include length between ten and forty pages , following specic instructions and criteria for structuring, written in future tense and phrases similar with scientic articles .Research proposal has components that include Front matter comprising title Page, project Summary , Components of Proposal includes introduction , body, project proposal with statement of the Problem, proposed solution , program of Implementation, conclusions / recommendations , Back matter with bibliography , w...

A research proposal is a document written by a researcher which is a concise and coherent summary that provides a detailed description of the proposed program. Researcher has to follow a few basic steps in Research process where development of a research proposal is an important step and rst step. The goal of research proposal development persuades reader to believe the solution are appropriate, reasonable logic, practicable. Purpose of proposal is to to educate and convince the reader. Characteristics include length between ten and forty pages , following specic instructions and criteria for structuring, written in future tense and phrases similar with scientic articles .Research proposal has components that include Front matter comprising title Page, project Summary , Components of Proposal includes introduction , body, project proposal with statement of the Problem, proposed solution , program of Implementation, conclusions / recommendations , Back matter with bibliography , works Cited , qualications of writer and project implementers. budget , Appendices comprising format, cover page, title page, Lastly Summary brieng entire proposal. Academic research proposals need to convince the reader for its acceptance , if it is able to convince the reader about the ability of the Researcher and team in an organization to do the proposed work and how well it has been planned.

abasynuniv.edu.pk, 2000

my it benefit for your preparation

IJRAS, 2019

A research proposal is a pre-written document which gives an overview of the research tactics. It gives a general idea of the objectives to be achieved and the ways and means to achieve it. Writing research proposal is however a challenging feat. Due to lack of clear guidance from any source, there are many substandard research proposals which are placed before evaluation committee. The researcher came across various people who had no clear understanding of the process and structure of research proposal or research design. This problem has led the researcher to develop a framework to guide the prospective researchers in framing their research design based on the following research questions.1) what is the procedure of writing the research proposal 2) what are the components of the research proposal.So, to give a clear picture about the problem the paper is divided into two parts I) Procedure of writing the research proposal II) Components of the research proposal. The procedure for writing the research proposal is discussed with regards to: 1) Identifying the problem 2) Deciding on the topic 3) Deciding the locale of study 4) Deciding on the data needs 5) Planning the source of data collection 6) Plotting down ways to collect data 7) Identifying methods for analyzing data collection 8) Establishing a basis for designing the Proposal. While the components of research proposal are discussed with regards to : 1) Cover page 2) Abstract 3) Keywords 4) Introduction 5) Review of literature 6) Statement of problem 7) Objectives of the study 8) Hypothesis of the study 9) Period of study 10) Methodology 11) Data analysis 12) Limitation of the study 13) Chapter framework 14) References 15) Appendices.

Journal Academica, Volume 1, July 2010, p. 1-5. [ISSN 2026 559X], 2010

What is the purpose of a Research proposal, its components and how should it be presented? In the following we briefly consider all these issues which have been a challenge to students who are to submit no research proposal before embarking on a Research Project for a partial fulfillment of conditions for the award of a degree by their respective institutions.

A research proposal is a written document specifying what a researcher intends to study and written before beginning the research which communicate research problem and proposed methods of solving it. A research proposal should be built on a concrete plan to conduct academic or scientific research. Types of proposals include internal, external, solicited, unsolicited, preproposals, continuation or non-competing and renewal or competing. Purpose of a Research Proposal is to convince the organization and readers .Characteristics need to be based on attention, interest, desire and action. Qualities of good proposal include specific scope, realistic nature, appropriate credentials, fulfill needs, beneficial, short and simple. Need for good preparation of proposal is vital in formulating proposal, assisting researcher and improving the research quality. Functions of Proposal consists to synthesize critical thinking, clarifies own thinking, refine proposed research, communicate ideas, open thinking and negotiation between researcher and involved parties. Basic composition of Proposal needs a beginning, middle and an end. Typical proposal format includes title, abstract, introduction, background, preliminary studies, research methodology, budget, curriculum vitae for principal investigators, appendix and human subjects. Proposal development strategies and writing tips includes use of outline , listings, visuals, forecasting , internal summaries , significant issues , sequencing components , review , edit , proof read , avoiding overkill point and errors. Proposals are turned down when problems are trivial, complex, nebulous, diffuse without clear aim, lack of sufficient evidence, imagination and originality.

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How to write a research proposal for a Master's dissertation

Unsure how to start your research proposal as part of your dissertation read below our top tips from banking and finance student, nelly, on how to structure your proposal and make sure it's a strong, formative foundation to build your dissertation..

It's understandable if the proposal part of your dissertation feels like a waste of time. Why not just get started on the dissertation itself? Isn't 'proposal' a just fancy word for a plan?

It's important to see your Master's research proposal not only as a requirement but as a way of formalising your ideas and mapping out the direction and purpose of your dissertation. A strong, carefully prepared proposal is instrumental in writing a good dissertation.

How to structure a research proposal for a Master's dissertation

First things first: what do you need to include in a research proposal? The recommended structure of your proposal is:

• Motivation: introduce your research question and give an overview of the topic, explain the importance of your research
• Theory:  draw on existing pieces of research that are relevant to your topic of choice, leading up to your question and identifying how your dissertation will explore new territory
• Data and methodology: how do you plan to answer the research question? Explain your data sources and methodology
• Expected results: finally, what will the outcome be? What do you think your data and methodology will find?

Top Tips for Writing a Dissertation Research Proposal

Choose a dissertation topic well in advance of starting to write it

Allow existing research to guide you

Make your research questions as specific as possible

When you choose a topic, it will naturally be very broad and general. For example, Market Efficiency . Under this umbrella term, there are so many questions you could explore and challenge. But, it's so important that you hone in on one very specific question, such as ' How do presidential elections affect market efficiency?'  When it comes to your Master's, the more specific and clear-cut the better.

Collate your bibliography as you go

Everyone knows it's best practice to update your bibliography as you go, but that doesn't just apply to the main bibliography document you submit with your dissertation. Get in the habit of writing down the title, author and date of the relevant article next to every note you make - you'll be grateful you did it later down the line!

Colour code your notes based on which part of the proposal they apply to

Use highlighters and sticky notes to keep track of why you thought a certain research piece was useful, and what you intended to use it for. For example, if you've underlined lots of sections of a research article when it comes to pulling your research proposal together it will take you longer to remember what piece of research applies to where.

Instead, you may want to highlight anything that could inform your methodology in blue, any quotations that will form your theory in yellow etc. This will save you time and stress later down the line.

Write your Motivation after your Theory

Your Motivation section will be that much more coherent and specific if you write it after you've done all your research. All the reading you have done for your Theory will better cement the importance of your research, as well as provide plenty of context for you to write in detail your motivation. Think about the difference between ' I'm doing this because I'm interested in it ' vs. ' I'm doing this because I'm passionate, and I've noticed a clear gap in this area of study which is detailed below in example A, B and C .'

Make sure your Data and Methodology section is to the point and succinct

Link your Expectations to existing research

Your expectations should be based on research and data, not conjecture and assumptions. It doesn't matter if the end results match up to what you expected, as long as both of these sections are informed by research and data. 

Published By Nelly on 01/09/2020 | Last Updated 23/01/2024

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Home » How To Write A Research Proposal – Step-by-Step [Template]

How To Write A Research Proposal – Step-by-Step [Template]

Table of Contents

How To Write a Research Proposal

Writing a Research proposal involves several steps to ensure a well-structured and comprehensive document. Here is an explanation of each step:

1. Title and Abstract

• Choose a concise and descriptive title that reflects the essence of your research.
• Write an abstract summarizing your research question, objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes. It should provide a brief overview of your proposal.

2. Introduction:

• Provide an introduction to your research topic, highlighting its significance and relevance.
• Clearly state the research problem or question you aim to address.
• Discuss the background and context of the study, including previous research in the field.

3. Research Objectives

• Outline the specific objectives or aims of your research. These objectives should be clear, achievable, and aligned with the research problem.

4. Literature Review:

• Conduct a comprehensive review of relevant literature and studies related to your research topic.
• Summarize key findings, identify gaps, and highlight how your research will contribute to the existing knowledge.

5. Methodology:

• Describe the research design and methodology you plan to employ to address your research objectives.
• Explain the data collection methods, instruments, and analysis techniques you will use.
• Justify why the chosen methods are appropriate and suitable for your research.

6. Timeline:

• Create a timeline or schedule that outlines the major milestones and activities of your research project.
• Break down the research process into smaller tasks and estimate the time required for each task.

7. Resources:

• Identify the resources needed for your research, such as access to specific databases, equipment, or funding.
• Explain how you will acquire or utilize these resources to carry out your research effectively.

8. Ethical Considerations:

• Discuss any ethical issues that may arise during your research and explain how you plan to address them.
• If your research involves human subjects, explain how you will ensure their informed consent and privacy.

9. Expected Outcomes and Significance:

• Clearly state the expected outcomes or results of your research.
• Highlight the potential impact and significance of your research in advancing knowledge or addressing practical issues.

10. References:

• Provide a list of all the references cited in your proposal, following a consistent citation style (e.g., APA, MLA).

11. Appendices:

• Include any additional supporting materials, such as survey questionnaires, interview guides, or data analysis plans.

Research Proposal Format

The format of a research proposal may vary depending on the specific requirements of the institution or funding agency. However, the following is a commonly used format for a research proposal:

1. Title Page:

• Include the title of your research proposal, your name, your affiliation or institution, and the date.

2. Abstract:

• Provide a brief summary of your research proposal, highlighting the research problem, objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes.

3. Introduction:

• Introduce the research topic and provide background information.
• State the research problem or question you aim to address.
• Explain the significance and relevance of the research.
• Review relevant literature and studies related to your research topic.
• Summarize key findings and identify gaps in the existing knowledge.
• Explain how your research will contribute to filling those gaps.

5. Research Objectives:

• Clearly state the specific objectives or aims of your research.
• Ensure that the objectives are clear, focused, and aligned with the research problem.

6. Methodology:

• Describe the research design and methodology you plan to use.
• Explain the data collection methods, instruments, and analysis techniques.
• Justify why the chosen methods are appropriate for your research.

7. Timeline:

8. Resources:

• Explain how you will acquire or utilize these resources effectively.

9. Ethical Considerations:

• If applicable, explain how you will ensure informed consent and protect the privacy of research participants.

10. Expected Outcomes and Significance:

11. References:

12. Appendices:

Research Proposal Template

Here’s a template for a research proposal:

1. Introduction:

2. Literature Review:

3. Research Objectives:

4. Methodology:

5. Timeline:

6. Resources:

7. Ethical Considerations:

8. Expected Outcomes and Significance:

9. References:

10. Appendices:

Research Proposal Sample

Title: The Impact of Online Education on Student Learning Outcomes: A Comparative Study

1. Introduction

Online education has gained significant prominence in recent years, especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This research proposal aims to investigate the impact of online education on student learning outcomes by comparing them with traditional face-to-face instruction. The study will explore various aspects of online education, such as instructional methods, student engagement, and academic performance, to provide insights into the effectiveness of online learning.

2. Objectives

The main objectives of this research are as follows:

• To compare student learning outcomes between online and traditional face-to-face education.
• To examine the factors influencing student engagement in online learning environments.
• To assess the effectiveness of different instructional methods employed in online education.
• To identify challenges and opportunities associated with online education and suggest recommendations for improvement.

3. Methodology

3.1 Study Design

This research will utilize a mixed-methods approach to gather both quantitative and qualitative data. The study will include the following components:

3.2 Participants

The research will involve undergraduate students from two universities, one offering online education and the other providing face-to-face instruction. A total of 500 students (250 from each university) will be selected randomly to participate in the study.

3.3 Data Collection

The research will employ the following data collection methods:

• Quantitative: Pre- and post-assessments will be conducted to measure students’ learning outcomes. Data on student demographics and academic performance will also be collected from university records.
• Qualitative: Focus group discussions and individual interviews will be conducted with students to gather their perceptions and experiences regarding online education.

3.4 Data Analysis

Quantitative data will be analyzed using statistical software, employing descriptive statistics, t-tests, and regression analysis. Qualitative data will be transcribed, coded, and analyzed thematically to identify recurring patterns and themes.

4. Ethical Considerations

The study will adhere to ethical guidelines, ensuring the privacy and confidentiality of participants. Informed consent will be obtained, and participants will have the right to withdraw from the study at any time.

5. Significance and Expected Outcomes

This research will contribute to the existing literature by providing empirical evidence on the impact of online education on student learning outcomes. The findings will help educational institutions and policymakers make informed decisions about incorporating online learning methods and improving the quality of online education. Moreover, the study will identify potential challenges and opportunities related to online education and offer recommendations for enhancing student engagement and overall learning outcomes.

6. Timeline

The proposed research will be conducted over a period of 12 months, including data collection, analysis, and report writing.

The estimated budget for this research includes expenses related to data collection, software licenses, participant compensation, and research assistance. A detailed budget breakdown will be provided in the final research plan.

8. Conclusion

This research proposal aims to investigate the impact of online education on student learning outcomes through a comparative study with traditional face-to-face instruction. By exploring various dimensions of online education, this research will provide valuable insights into the effectiveness and challenges associated with online learning. The findings will contribute to the ongoing discourse on educational practices and help shape future strategies for maximizing student learning outcomes in online education settings.

About the author

Muhammad Hassan

Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

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• Master of ICT Research

Become a knowledge creator

Researchers create original knowledge, which drives the digital economy.

The Master of ICT Research is an advanced coursework and research program. Coursework will consist of one year of study in three broad fields in ICT, including Research proposals, followed by a year of Research thesis to complete. The research degree teaches you the fundamentals of knowledge creation. The skills you gain will support you throughout your career.

This course will give you a broad grounding in networking, data analytics, telecommunication engineering and the Internet of Things. Then you'll choose one area to focus on in your research and dissertation. You'll learn to solve complex problems with innovative ideas.

Your research will contribute to the fourth industrial revolution. You'll become a subject matter expert with the chance of being published or speaking at conferences presenting your research.

CRICOS CODE

LEAD THROUGH KNOWLEDGE CREATION

The Master of ICT Research teaches you the fundamentals of knowledge creation. The skills you gain will support you throughout your career.

This course will give you a broad grounding in networking, data analytics, telecommunication engineering and the Internet of Things. Then you'll choose one area to focus on in your research and dissertation. You’ll learn to solve complex problems with innovative ideas.

THIS COURSE INCLUDES:

Problem solving.

Use the latest tools to learn how to design, test the performance of systems and strengthen online networks.

RESEARCH THAT MATTERS

Identify a real-world business problem and investigate possible solutions.

FRESH THINKING

Learn to apply research skills in uncharted business domains to create original knowledge.

RESEARCH SKILLS

Graduate with strategic industry research skills and knowledge ready to find rewarding roles in this growing field.

1:1 SUPERVISION

Get all the support you need from our research mentors and supervisors. 

APPLIED RESEARCH

Learn to extract meaning from raw data and apply machine learning techniques.

CAREER PATHS

Graduates of this course will work in ICT and related industries, including:

• Data Analyst
• Data Management
• Network Analyst
• Cyber Security Analyst
• Information Security Analyst
• Forensic Computer Analyst
• Mobile Communication Engineers
• Cloud Engineers
• Artificial Intelligence
• Machine Learning

You can find work in software engineering companies like Google, AWS, KPMG, Defence, CISCO, Huawei, Ericsson, Telstra, and Optus. Or find research roles within the public sector or higher education.

COURSE DETAILS

Accreditation, course structure, course units, research areas, learning outcomes, entry requirements, tools we use, fee information, how to apply.

Create and share knowledge

When you conduct research, you learn through action. The Master of ICT Research blends ICT and research skills. This combination will allow you to enrich business strategy and project management, improving decision-making.

You can look at research as uniting several core elements. There's critical thinking, identifying and solving problems, data collection and analysis and communication. Each one of these elements is vital for your future success.

Career outcomes

MIT has designed this course to address current industry demand. Graduates become professionals with sharpened business skills and leadership potential.

The average entry level salary for non-doctorate researcher jobs in Australia ranges from $70k to $100k. Researchers enjoy working in both higher education and business sectors.

PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION AND ACCREDITATION

The Master of ICT Research is accredited by

• TEQSA (Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency)
• Australian Quality Framework (AQF) Level 9

MIT has a proud history of providing quality assured and accredited qualifications in Information Technology and has been a leader in creating flexible courses that adapt to new technologies as they emerge.

The economy of the future relies on original knowledge creation and skills to support Industry 4 and beyond. Research is an important tool to assess what's working and what's not.

This course produces graduates with a blend of in-demand IT skills. With these skills, you'll be able to improve decision-making in business.

Graduate with the professional skills to pursue a rewarding career in leadership.

The Master of ICT Research course builds strong research skills, including

• analytical thinking and innovation
• problem identification and problem solving
• data collection and analysis
• information dissemination and communication
• active learning skills
• development and application of algorithms

These skills are key if you want to excel in your career. The World Economic Forum includes these skills within the top 10 skills in most demand in the workplace.

Students develop applied technical skills, including

• developing computer networks
• defending computer networks and infrastructure
• designing and deploying communication networks
• deriving intelligence from data with advanced analytics algorithms and software
• gaining mastery of the tools and techniques used for data management and analysis

Students get hands-on experience

• applying machine learning and optimisation techniques
• learning to find critical patterns in datasets
• extracting meaning from raw data
• developing analytic dashboards
• creating visual presentations for non-technical audiences
• design and implementation of modern networks
• deploying IOT systems
• planning of mobile communication networks
• market potentials of new technologies

By the time you graduate, you'll be able to create communication circuits. You'll also have the skills to apply system design software to the Internet of things and other networks.

Your thesis will rely on

* statistics and probabilistic reasoning

* research design

* innovation and leadership in research

Each unit consists of 20 credit points. However, Master thesis unit consists of 60 credit points. A full-time study load is 60 credit points per trimester.

MN404 and MN405 are available for students who need to supplement their undergraduate degree program. Students who have gaps in their undergraduate program will need to undertake these units to ensure they meet prerequisite requirements for core units.

A typical course outline:

Two electives + one advanced elective from the same specialisation

AIM100 Academic Integrity Module*

MRS0l Research Skills

MR502 Quant & Qua I Research Techniques

• MR601 Research Proposal & Literature Review

MR603 Research Thesis 1 (pre-requisite MR601)

MR604 Research Thesis 2 (pre-requisite MR603)

• MR501 Research Skills
• MR502 Quant & Qual Research Techniques
• MR603 Research Thesis 1  (prerequisite MR601 )
• MR604 Research Thesis 2  (prerequisite MR603 )

Elective Units

• MDA511 Statistical Methods
• MDA512 Data Science
• MDA522 Artificial Intelligence
• MN502 Overview of Network Security
• MN622 Software Defined Networks
• MN604 IT Security Management
• ME502 Digital Communications
• ME503 Telecommunication System Engineering
• ME601 Communication Modelling and Simulations

Advanced Electives

• MDA522 Artificial Intelligence ( MDA512 )
• MDA611 Predictive Analytics ( MDA511 )
• MDA621 Big Data Analytics and Visualization ( MDA512 )
• MN623 Cyber Security and Analytics ( MN502 )
• MN621 Advanced Network Design
• MN612 Enterprise Architecture
• ME602 Mobile and Satellite Communication Systems ( ME601 )
• ME693 Software Defined Radio Communication ( ME502 )
• ME606 Digital Signal Processing ( ME502 )
• Cloud Computing
• Cybersecurity
• Data Analytics/ Data Science
• Software Engineering
• Telecommunications Engineering
• Computational Intelligence
• Micro Robotics
• Mechatronics
• Remote Sensing
• Analyse and evaluate complex problems to devise ethical technical solutions within the Information Technology knowledge domain;
• Skillfully demonstrate initiative, resilience, expert judgement and autonomy as a learner;
• Demonstrate in-depth specialist understanding of a complex suite of knowledge by contributing to a body of knowledge using research methods and principles;
• Apply highly developed communication skills to disseminate research outcomes for a variety of mediums and audiences;

The requirements for admission to this course are:

• A completed Australian Bachelor degree or equivalent in any ICT discipline.
• IELTS Academic, Overall 6.5 with no band less than 6.0 or equivalent.
• Other qualifications and experience may, upon application by the student, be deemed equivalent to the coursework units by the Academic Board of the Institute.

English Language Requirements

IELTS Academic

Overall score 6.5 (no band less than 6.0)

Overall score 79-93 with minimum scores: Reading 13, Listening 12,  Speaking 18, Writing 21

PTE Academic

Overall score 58 with no score less than 50

Cambridge CAE

CAE score of 176 (no band less than 169)

For further information:

• Institute Entry Requirement
• MIT Admissions Policy and Procedures
• HDR Candidature Management and Support Policy

Applicants must meet the academic entry requirements, including prerequisites for their chosen course.

Credit Transfer

Students can gain credit for learning already achieved. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Learn more about credit transfer. Read more about the process .

Applications for credit transfer must be made before or during orientation and enrollment week.

GAIN REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE USING TOOLS

Students studying at MIT may be eligible for FEE-HELP. FEE-HELP is a loan scheme that assists eligible fee-paying students to pay their tuition fees. An eligible person may borrow up to the FEE-HELP limit to pay tuition fees over their lifetime.

Read more about FEE-HELP or visit Study Assist .

For fee information visit the tuition fee page.

Financial Assistance

Youth and student allowances

For details on Youth Allowance, Austudy and ABSTUDY, visit Human Services .

• Admissions policy and procedure
• Appeals and grievances procedures

For further information please visit

• Tertiary Education Quality Standards Agency
• Quality Indicators for Teaching and Learning
• Australian Qualifications Framework

For 2023-2024 fee information visit the tuition fee page.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are the entry requirements.

• Successful completion of Australian equivalent relevant bachelor's or master's degree
• IELTS score 6.5 or equivalent, with no band score below 6.0.

Students who completed a degree in Australia may be eligible for an English language waiver.

Do students need to know what topic they want to look at for their research thesis?

No, they don't need to know their topic before they start the degree. We've designed the course to introduce students to a range of topics so they can pick one that interests them.

How much support is available during the research process?

We will support students with both primary and secondary supervision from early in the course when they select their chosen subject area.

How many words is the research thesis?

The research thesis will be 20,000 - 30,000 words.

How long will it take to write the research thesis?

We expect students to begin their research thesis research towards the end of their first year of study and over that holiday period. They'll then be working intensively on their thesis until the end of the second year of study.

Where can students expect to publish their thesis?

A simplified excerpt of your thesis could appear in a publication like The Conversation.

Can I work while doing my research degree in Australia?

You must check your visa conditions so you understand all the restrictions on your student visa. You can do this on the Department of Home Affairs Visa Entitlement Verification Online system (VEVO) . If you are a postgraduate research student on a student visa, you can work without any limitations during your studies. However, you'll need to maintain full-time enrollment and finish your course within the duration specified in your eCoE.

Student work hour restrictions

Work hour restrictions for dependants

Please visit the Department of Home Affairs website for a complete list of work and other visa conditions.

Can students study this course online?

This course is available on campus, face-to-face, in Melbourne and Sydney.

PREPARING YOUR APPLICATION

Before applying, make sure you:

• Meet the course entry requirements for the course you want to apply for.
• Have all your details ready—for example, your educational history, personal details, academic transcripts and award certificates.

What to include with your application?

• Evidence of completion of your previous studies that is award certificates or transcript with completion confirmed.
• Proof of identity, for example, your passport or birth certificate or citizenship.
• Evidence of English language skills (if you completed studies from a non-English speaking country).
• Proof of your permanent residency or citizenship if you were born overseas.

Certifying your academic documents

You should provide  certified copies  of your academic and other essential documents at the time of application.

Uploading your documents

You must upload all requested documents at the time of the application.

Learn more about the whole of the institution set here .

Phone our friendly student recruitment team on 1800 648 669. [email protected]

• Certified copies of your academic documents such as your results and award certificates;
• Certified copy of your passport and visa copy if you have a visa;
• Evidence of English language skills test-for example, IELTS, PTE and TOEFL;
• Employment-related documents such as employment letter and resume (where applicable).

If you are looking to apply for a credit transfer, you must submit the following supporting documents with your credit application:

• Certified copy of relevant award certificates and results for any studies that you have completed;
• Unit descriptions;
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Examples of research proposals

How to write your research proposal, with examples of good proposals.

Research proposals

Your research proposal is a key part of your application. It tells us about the question you want to answer through your research. It is a chance for you to show your knowledge of the subject area and tell us about the methods you want to use.

We use your research proposal to match you with a supervisor or team of supervisors.

In your proposal, please tell us if you have an interest in the work of a specific academic at York St John. You can get in touch with this academic to discuss your proposal. You can also speak to one of our Research Leads. There is a list of our Research Leads on the Apply page.

When you write your proposal you need to:

• Highlight how it is original or significant
• Explain how it will develop or challenge current knowledge of your subject
• Identify the importance of your research
• Show why you are the right person to do this research
• 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)
• Writing a Creative Writing PhD Proposal (PDF, 0.1MB)
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An research proposal examples on information technology is a prosaic composition of a small volume and free composition, expressing individual impressions and thoughts on a specific occasion or issue and obviously not claiming a definitive or exhaustive interpretation of the subject.

Some signs of information technology research proposal:

• the presence of a specific topic or question. A work devoted to the analysis of a wide range of problems in biology, by definition, cannot be performed in the genre of information technology research proposal topic.
• The research proposal expresses individual impressions and thoughts on a specific occasion or issue, in this case, on information technology and does not knowingly pretend to a definitive or exhaustive interpretation of the subject.
• As a rule, an essay suggests a new, subjectively colored word about something, such a work may have a philosophical, historical, biographical, journalistic, literary, critical, popular scientific or purely fiction character.
• in the content of an research proposal samples on information technology , first of all, the author’s personality is assessed - his worldview, thoughts and feelings.

The goal of an research proposal in information technology is to develop such skills as independent creative thinking and writing out your own thoughts.

Writing an research proposal is extremely useful, because it allows the author to learn to clearly and correctly formulate thoughts, structure information, use basic concepts, highlight causal relationships, illustrate experience with relevant examples, and substantiate his conclusions.

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Information Technology Project Proposal

Proposal maker.

In a society run by mobile phones, smart TVs, and other Internet-capable devices, mankind has become dependent on the revolutionary ideas generated by those in the field of information technology. You may also see  student project proposal examples .

• 9+ Engineering Project Proposal Examples
• 9+ Software Project Proposal Examples

While we can all agree that these developments have drastically changed our modern world for the better, getting these projects off the ground is a whole other story that has left many programmers, software engineers, and project managers scratching their heads. You may also like how to write a proposal for a project .

Software Project Proposal Example

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Technology Proposal Template

Blank Information Technology Project Proposal Template

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Every innovative product goes through an intense process of planning, developing, testing, and implementing. But before a project can even make it past the first step, the project team must first make a simple proposal .

Information Technology Project Proposal Form Example

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Information Technology Project Proposal Review Example

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Project proposals are essential in persuading clients or investors to provide the necessary funds for a project to be developed. They exist because investors want to make sure their resources are utilized wisely, and that the project team does not waste any more time and effort on a good-for-nothing idea. For this reason, crafting a well-written project proposal should be of top priority.

What Is an IT Project Proposal?

Projects in the field of information technology cover a vast variety of topics including computer software, electronics, database management, the Internet, and other telecommunications equipment. But because these projects can be risky and costly to develop, the project team is typically tasked to make a proposal for their ideas.

Information technology project proposals are often used in both an academic and business setting. Students taking programs or courses under information technology or its related fields are required to submit their project ideas in the form of a thesis proposal .

Here, panel members, which consist of professors and professionals in the field, are asked to evaluate whether the student’s proposed project is feasible enough to carry through. This allows students to apply what they have learned throughout the program period, and to assess if they are ready to take on the real world. You may also see project proposal outline examples .

IT project proposals are fairly common in the business world as well. Like most businesses these days, your IT business may be looking for more clients to partner with, or has been tasked to complete a series of internal projects. But in order to strike a deal with a client or get a project accepted, a business proposal is most likely needed.

Information Technology Project Proposal Template

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Information Technology Services Project Proposal Example

IT Project Proposal for ERP System Example

IT Project Proposal Template

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6 Types of Project Proposals

Before you begin planning, you need to know what kind of proposal you’re making. This will help you determine how the proposal should be written, the elements to focus on, and the tone to use.

Listed below are the common types of proposals you’re likely to encounter:

1. Formally solicited

A formally solicited proposal is made in response to an official request for a proposal , also known as a Request for Proposal (RFP). Proponents can refer to the document to know exactly what the client wants, sometimes containing instructions on how the proposal should be prepared. These proposals often require a more structured approach, where proponents must respond directly to whatever has been relayed to them.

2. Informally solicited

Informally solicited project proposals are quite similar to formally solicited ones, except that the information that they are based on isn’t provided in a specific document.

This makes it a lot harder to create as the content of the general proposal could be based on a conversation rather than a set of specified details, goals, deliverables, and potentially even methods. It requires a lot more work to complete, which requires the utmost cooperation of each project team member. You might also be interested in market research proposal examples .

3. Unsolicited

With unsolicited project proposals, though they may not have been asked for, they can still offer a ton of value for the proponents and the prospects alike. They are a lot more persuasive than normal, which is why it is necessary to gather more evidence to prove that the project is worth investing on. You may also see service proposal examples .

4. Continuation

These aren’t exactly your typical kind of proposals. Instead, they are used to remind clients of a project that was previously approved by reporting on its progress, any potential changes, and a permission for the project team to continue as is. Continuation proposals are usually reserved for requesting additional funds as the team enters a new phase in the project’s development. Take a look at student project proposals too.

Much like a continuation proposal, renewal proposals are made to show an audience why a project is valuable to a given cause, along with why it should be continued. This will help determine whether a project should be terminated or pursued. In this document, the proponents must weigh up the return of benefits with the resources essential to the practice for clients to consider. You may also like  research proposal examples .

6. Supplemental

The primary aim of a supplemental project proposal is to be able to justify the extra resources for a project (beyond what was originally proposed), and provide an update on the estimated costs (and sometimes time) for the project to be completed. This could either act as an extension to the original document to widen its scope, or a solution to a certain problem that has affected the project’s development. You can also check out capital project proposals .

Management System IT Project Proposal Example

Masters in IT Project Proposal Template

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Web Portal Information Technology Project Proposal Example

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Simple Tips for a Successful Project Proposal Defense

After you have written your proposal, you’re faced with the overwhelming task that many proponents fear the most: defending it.

The outcome of a project proposal defense will determine whether the project team can push through with their ideas or not. This may be the foremost step in the process, but it’s also the most critical. That being said, here are five useful tips to help you through this time:

1. Determine expectations.

Most panelists (also known as the review board) set out a criteria of what they expect proponents to present during the defense. These specific expectations serve as your guide to determining what to present and how they should be presented. You may also see

Say for example, your panelists might want you to prepare a slide show presentation that outlines your proposal. They would also want you to present your proposal within a specified time frame, before they begin raising questions and concerns in regards to your project. You might be interested in action research proposals as well.

2. Prepare for panel questions and formulate answers.

The Q&A portion is the most critical part of the defense. This is where any questions or misunderstandings must be settled before the review board can finalize their decision. Questions usually cover the what, why, when, where, and how of the actual project, but it is possible for the panel to go beyond the basics. Some panel members even look for possible loopholes in your professional proposal , especially for areas that weren’t explained properly.

3. Study your RRL.

The review of related literature contains a series of publications that are similar to yours. Here, studies and researches conducted by other authors are used as inspiration to craft your project proposal. You need to consider how you can apply what you have learned from those to the current proposal, and how they may affect the development of your own. You can check out final year project proposals also.

4. Maintain eye contact.

Body language says a lot about what runs through your mind. You need to be confident with your basic proposal , and proper posture and good eye contact is sure to send the right message.

Maintaining eye contact is a great way to keep your audience engaged. It shows that you believe in the proposed project and that you’re confident that the desired goals would be achieved as planned.

5. Make an outline of your project.

When presenting the proposed project, it’s proper etiquette to provide a summary of the entire document in a clear and concise manner. This means that you are not expected to explain the whole proposal, just the statement of what you want to do and how you plan to do it. Make sure to keep your project proposal outline brief and to the point for better comprehension. A timetable in the form of a Gantt chart , as well as an estimated budget to accomplish each deliverable, should be provided as well.

Writing a project proposal is a grueling task that requires careful research and analysis to complete. Because of this, proponents must adhere to the ideal format and language for the type of standard proposal they are making. So if you find yourself in need of a proposal for an information technology project, you can refer to these tips and examples to guide you.

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Research proposal

Writing a research proposal.

In a research proposal you pitch your research idea. You pitch a research problem, your approach to developing a solution and why it matters. This pitch needs to be credible and convincing. You need to sell your research idea.

A research proposal describes your planned research. It presents your research topic and describes why this topic is significant, it reviews some of the key thinking related to the topic that can be found in published literature and it signals the approach you will take to gather data so that you can investigate the topic you propose.

Research proposals are used whether the research you propose will be qualitative (i.e. research which is based on textual data), quantitative (i.e. research based more on numerical data) or mixed (i.e. based both on texts and numbers).

You may be asked to develop a research proposal as part of an assignment task in a unit or you may wish to write your own research proposal to express interest to enrol in a research degree. You may need to compile a research proposal when you apply for a grant or scholarship.

The purposes of a research project may include one or more of these:

• To propose a research project that will contribute to new knowledge
• To demonstrate that you understand the research field
• To demonstrate that you know how to conduct discipline-specific research
• To formulate a detailed plan of the research, including methodological approaches and theoretical frameworks
• To create a road map and timeline for your research – to ensure that you have adequate resources and time to complete the project
• To gain feedback from supervisors or a review panel regarding the feasibility of the project.

Quick tips for writing a research proposal View

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How to Write a Research Proposal

What is the aim of a research proposal.

When you apply for a PhD or a master’s research degree, you will be required to write a research proposal. You will propose a topic area for research, explain the main elements of this research, and communicate a feasible plan for completing the stages of the research. A research proposal will achieve two main aims:

• Identify a research area that will make a significant contribution to knowledge
• Demonstrate that the expected outcomes can be achieved in a timely manner

What are the elements of a research proposal?

When you write a research proposal, you are communicating the value of your research to your discipline, as well as articulating your plan for achieving the requirements of the degree.

The main elements of a research proposal are:

A valuable research topic

A clear methodology, a feasible timeline, subject knowledge and research, awareness of all expectations related to the degree.

click on each arrow to find out more.

This is the ‘what’ of your research proposal. A valuable research topic is one that will make a significant contribution to knowledge. Often this topic will stem from your own interest – the questions you have in a particular discipline that are, as yet, unanswered. However, sometimes your research around a topic will reveal an aspect of this discipline which requires further research, and you will come to your research question this way. Regardless of how you arrive at your research question, you need to make a case for your topic being one which is worthy of research – that is, you need to make a case that your research into this topic will make a significant contribution to knowledge.

This is the ‘how’ of your research proposal. You will need to articulate the methodology or techniques you will use to conduct your research. These techniques may be based on techniques that are frequently used during research processes in your discipline. You will need to articulate any theoretical frameworks you will use, and any resources or tools you will need to conduct your research or collect data.

This is the ‘when’ of your research proposal. You will only have a set amount of time in which to undertake research, and you need to prove that the outcomes of the project are achievable.

The research proposal is an opportunity to demonstrate you have significant knowledge in the research area. You are not meant to prove you already know the answer to your question – otherwise, what would be the point of your research? Instead, you need to show that you understand the research area and discipline.

Depending on the nature of what you are researching, there will be a range of expectations you will be required to meet, to achieve your degree. These may include, but are not limited to: fieldwork, travel, conference participation, completion of training or additional study units, and ethics considerations. Your research proposal will be strengthened if you can articulate your awareness of all aspects of the research process, and if you can identify any potential challenges you might face throughout the process.

How do I write a strong research proposal?

An effective research proposal will be clear and focused. The precise structural requirements of a proposal in your area will be specific to your discipline, and you need to be clear on these before setting out.

The following can be used as a guide to structuring and writing a compelling research proposal.

Project title

Supervisor details, proposed mode of research, research question, aims and objectives, anticipated research contribution, methodology, ethical considerations, bibliography.

This should indicate the breadth and scope of your project. The project title is often refined throughout the research process.

Include the full names, departments and faculties of both your primary and auxiliary supervisor.

Describe the mode of your research and the form your research will take. This may include, but is not limited to, data, written work, field research, creative work, social performance and mixed media.

Questions to ask yourself:

• What will my research look like?
• What form will my research take?
• How many parts will there be to my research?
• How is my proposed research different/similar to existing works?

For many research proposals, you will be required to formulate the objectives of the research into a clear research question. Make sure you have a thorough understanding of the components of a strong research question in your field. Your research supervisor should be able to help you with this. It is also a good idea to look at the research questions of students who have successfully completed a similar project.

These should be focused statements articulating the output of your research – what you want to achieve. The aims and objectives should be written in a logical way. You should also indicate the scope of your research and include its limitations.

• What am I trying to achieve with this research?
• What do I want the end result of the research to be?
• What will be excluded from my research?
• What are the gaps that my research is addressing?

This is a brief summary of what your research is about. While it is similar to your aims and objectives, it also incorporates how you will achieve your aims and gives an overall idea of what your project will involve.

This is the ‘why’ of your research proposal. Once you’re clear on what you want to research, you’ll need to give a clear idea of the area you’ll be researching. This will involve writing a literature review, which is an overview of the relevant literature in this area. The review doesn’t need to cover everything around your topic – but needs to give a clear and accurate picture of the field you are researching so that you can show how your research fits in.

• What is the context around this research topic?
• What has led to the development of this research?
• What is the current discourse around this topic?
• What questions are scholars asking?
• What are the major problems in this area of study?
• What are the most recent developments in this area of study?

This should give your reader a strong sense of the conclusions you expect to reach, as well as an idea of how they will add to the body of knowledge in your field. While these will likely change over time, it is important that you have a firm idea at the beginning of the project about the ways in which (you hope) your research will contribute to current thinking. This also indicates to your reader that you are thinking about the implications of your research beyond the scope of your project.

• What is the significance of my project in the field?
• What impact will my findings have in the problem area?
• How will my research contribute to current debates?
• What impact might my research have on how research is conducted in future?

This is the part of your project where you explain how you will achieve the results. It is important when describing the methodology that you make a case to show that carrying out your research in this way is the best approach. It is a good idea to consider the theories and methods which were used for similar research projects, so you have an idea about how scholars have approached similar problems. You need to be specific about how you are going to approach the research and show how these steps will move you towards achieving the research outcomes.

• What tasks am I going to carry out?
• Will your methodology be qualitative, quantitative or mixed-method?
• How am I going to collect my data?
• What theories have other researchers used?
• What methods have other researchers used?
• Why is the method I am proposing the best approach?
• Are there any limitations of this methodology I need to be aware of?
• Are there any ethical considerations I need to be aware of?

This is a specific plan which communicates your strategy to complete the research over a specified period. It is important to be as clear as possible, and to allocate clear outcomes or performance indicators at each stage. It is a good idea to include key meetings and performance reviews in this plan, so check with your faculty about what is expected. Completing this will also give you a clear idea of the overall process and can help you manage your time effectively.

This is a complete list of the tools you will need to carry out your research. This will differ depending on the type of research proposes, but may include laboratory equipment, computer software, or any other equipment required to conduct the research effectively.

It is important to be aware of all ethical considerations related to your research. If you are unsure whether aspects of your project require ethics approval, check with your supervisor or faculty. The ethics approval process is often lengthy and time-consuming, and you will need to be aware of all the stages involved in this.

This is a complete list of sources you have referred to in your proposal, referenced according to the style of referencing you are required to use.

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