Show that you understand the current state of research on your topic.
The length of a research proposal can vary quite a bit. A bachelor’s or master’s thesis proposal can be just a few pages, while proposals for PhD dissertations or research funding are usually much longer and more detailed. Your supervisor can help you determine the best length for your work.
One trick to get started is to think of your proposal’s structure as a shorter version of your thesis or dissertation , only without the results , conclusion and discussion sections.
Download our research proposal template
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Writing a research proposal can be quite challenging, but a good starting point could be to look at some examples. We’ve included a few for you below.
Like your dissertation or thesis, the proposal will usually have a title page that includes:
The first part of your proposal is the initial pitch for your project. Make sure it succinctly explains what you want to do and why.
Your introduction should:
To guide your introduction , include information about:
As you get started, it’s important to demonstrate that you’re familiar with the most important research on your topic. A strong literature review shows your reader that your project has a solid foundation in existing knowledge or theory. It also shows that you’re not simply repeating what other people have already done or said, but rather using existing research as a jumping-off point for your own.
In this section, share exactly how your project will contribute to ongoing conversations in the field by:
Following the literature review, restate your main objectives . This brings the focus back to your own project. Next, your research design or methodology section will describe your overall approach, and the practical steps you will take to answer your research questions.
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To finish your proposal on a strong note, explore the potential implications of your research for your field. Emphasize again what you aim to contribute and why it matters.
For example, your results might have implications for:
Last but not least, your research proposal must include correct citations for every source you have used, compiled in a reference list . To create citations quickly and easily, you can use our free APA citation generator .
Some institutions or funders require a detailed timeline of the project, asking you to forecast what you will do at each stage and how long it may take. While not always required, be sure to check the requirements of your project.
Here’s an example schedule to help you get started. You can also download a template at the button below.
Download our research schedule template
Research phase | Objectives | Deadline |
---|---|---|
1. Background research and literature review | 20th January | |
2. Research design planning | and data analysis methods | 13th February |
3. Data collection and preparation | with selected participants and code interviews | 24th March |
4. Data analysis | of interview transcripts | 22nd April |
5. Writing | 17th June | |
6. Revision | final work | 28th July |
If you are applying for research funding, chances are you will have to include a detailed budget. This shows your estimates of how much each part of your project will cost.
Make sure to check what type of costs the funding body will agree to cover. For each item, include:
To determine your budget, think about:
If you want to know more about the research process , methodology , research bias , or statistics , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.
Methodology
Statistics
Research bias
Once you’ve decided on your research objectives , you need to explain them in your paper, at the end of your problem statement .
Keep your research objectives clear and concise, and use appropriate verbs to accurately convey the work that you will carry out for each one.
I will compare …
A research aim is a broad statement indicating the general purpose of your research project. It should appear in your introduction at the end of your problem statement , before your research objectives.
Research objectives are more specific than your research aim. They indicate the specific ways you’ll address the overarching aim.
A PhD, which is short for philosophiae doctor (doctor of philosophy in Latin), is the highest university degree that can be obtained. In a PhD, students spend 3–5 years writing a dissertation , which aims to make a significant, original contribution to current knowledge.
A PhD is intended to prepare students for a career as a researcher, whether that be in academia, the public sector, or the private sector.
A master’s is a 1- or 2-year graduate degree that can prepare you for a variety of careers.
All master’s involve graduate-level coursework. Some are research-intensive and intend to prepare students for further study in a PhD; these usually require their students to write a master’s thesis . Others focus on professional training for a specific career.
Critical thinking refers to the ability to evaluate information and to be aware of biases or assumptions, including your own.
Like information literacy , it involves evaluating arguments, identifying and solving problems in an objective and systematic way, and clearly communicating your ideas.
The best way to remember the difference between a research plan and a research proposal is that they have fundamentally different audiences. A research plan helps you, the researcher, organize your thoughts. On the other hand, a dissertation proposal or research proposal aims to convince others (e.g., a supervisor, a funding body, or a dissertation committee) that your research topic is relevant and worthy of being conducted.
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. (2023, November 21). How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates. Scribbr. Retrieved July 22, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/research-process/research-proposal/
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Smart tips for a tip-top economics research proposal.
Economics is a subject that most students shy away from attributing a wide array of factors. Some would argue that the statistics and calculations behind it are tedious and boring, unlike other disciplines. That is why a business student would prefer looking for a sample research proposal in economics on the internet to get his/her assignment done.
However, you’d be surprised to know that you do not need a research proposal in economics example to complete your homework. What do you need then? Scroll down to unveil the secret you’ve been missing all this while.
It is a gateway to the real research paper that performs the following functions:
Unlike other papers written in college, this one is relatively short and won’t take up much of your writing time. A sample research proposal in economics gives you a chance to analyze the subject matter and its intended research before committing to work on it.
Knowing how to write such a paper does not need a brilliant mind. All you need is to understand its structure, including all the sections and what each of them entails. So, before you settle down to start writing your economics research proposal, pause to think about the following:
What is your research going to be about? What is the relevance of the topic to you and society at large? How are you going to perform the research?
Once these three are in order, the next stage is to carry on with the writing. To excel in this second stage, you need to know the structure of this kind of paper. Despite the variations among different institutions on the economics research proposal structure, here is a standard guide:
It is the first chapter after the title page that contains the section below:
The introduction is also referred to as the ‘why’ part of the proposal. It should also develop interest on the part of the reader through its currency and relevance.
Review the existing literature on the economics topic you are handling while showing the link between the two. It would help if you did this chronologically – from the earliest to the latest material. The literature review also involves identifying the gaps left by other researchers.
This chapter indicates the type of research design you intend to use in your study. It would be best to analyze your research problem economics’ theoretical tools such as production and cost, demand and supply, and customer behavior, among others.
Depending on the type of research data method you choose to use (primary or secondary), this section may vary in length and structure.
It provides a summary of the deliberations above. The conclusion refers back to the original question and restating your proposed solution.
Your proposal might be rejected if: It presents an irrelevant or outdated topic The stated objectives don’t coincide with the methods You are not well knowledgeable in the field of study you have chosen
Look at the following sample writing ideas for an economics research proposal:
By now, you should be confident when your instructor presents with you an economics research paper. These guidelines should give you the mileage you need to write a research paper proposal example for your peers.
For professional writing assistance, our economics writers are on standby to help you. Contact us today!
Detailed Walkthrough + Free Proposal Template
If you’re getting started crafting your research proposal and are looking for a few examples of research proposals , you’ve come to the right place.
In this video, we walk you through two successful (approved) research proposals , one for a Master’s-level project, and one for a PhD-level dissertation. We also start off by unpacking our free research proposal template and discussing the four core sections of a research proposal, so that you have a clear understanding of the basics before diving into the actual proposals.
If you’re working on a research proposal for a dissertation or thesis, you may also find the following useful:
PS – If you’re working on a dissertation, be sure to also check out our collection of dissertation and thesis examples here .
Research proposal example: frequently asked questions, are the sample proposals real.
Yes. The proposals are real and were approved by the respective universities.
As we discuss in the video, every research proposal will be slightly different, depending on the university’s unique requirements, as well as the nature of the research itself. Therefore, you’ll need to tailor your research proposal to suit your specific context.
You can learn more about the basics of writing a research proposal here .
You can access our free proposal template here .
Yes. There is no cost for the proposal template and you are free to use it as a foundation for your research proposal.
For self-directed learners, our Research Proposal Bootcamp is a great starting point.
For students that want hands-on guidance, our private coaching service is recommended.
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 .
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Research Proposal. The maximum length of the write-up should be 3 pages single-spaced (but less is fine). The goal of this research proposal is to give you a “jump start” on working on a topic that you could (ideally) work on for your second-year paper (or a future paper for your dissertation).
Literature Review. In recent economic growth literature, issue of ‘convergence’ of countries is keenly debated (Baumol, 1986; Barro and Sala-i-Martin, 1991, 1992; Mankiw et al., 1992; Loayza, 1994; Sala-i-Martin, 1996, 1994; Pritchett, 1997).
How to write a research proposal. Organise your proposal should around a small set of ideas or hypotheses that you would like to investigate. Provide some evidence of relevant background reading if possible.
What Is An Economics Research Paper? How Does One Write An Economics Research Paper? Summary Reminders for Next Week Why Research Papers? To convince others that the answer we have found is convincing, we can’t just tell them our results; we need to describe the process that lead us to those results, so that they
With constructive criticism from my bright students at Harvard College, Harvard Kennedy School, and The State University of New York, it's evolved into a trusty sidekick for those knee-deep in economics - students, researchers, or professionals. Here's the deal: tangled sentences and dizzying ideas don't do anyone any good.
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: Title page. Introduction. Literature review. Research design. Reference list.
A sample research proposal in economics gives you a chance to analyze the subject matter and its intended research before committing to work on it. Economics Research Proposal Outline. Knowing how to write such a paper does not need a brilliant mind.
The format of research proposals in economics varies widely depending on the entity to whom they are submitted. In this class, we generally expect your. 2-page research proposal to follow the following structure: 1 Motivation. You will want to begin your proposal by motivating your research question. In particular, were there any particular ...
We walk you through two successful research proposals (Master's PhD-level), as well as our free research proposal. Download PDF or Word.
Purpose of the research proposal. Provide evidence of your ability to undertake independent research and state your research topic as accurately as possibly. Research report length: 1500 words.