steps in research proposal development

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11.2 Steps in Developing a Research Proposal

Learning objectives.

• Identify the steps in developing a research proposal.
• Choose a topic and formulate a research question and working thesis.
• Develop a research proposal.

Writing a good research paper takes time, thought, and effort. Although this assignment is challenging, it is manageable. Focusing on one step at a time will help you develop a thoughtful, informative, well-supported research paper.

Your first step is to choose a topic and then to develop research questions, a working thesis, and a written research proposal. Set aside adequate time for this part of the process. Fully exploring ideas will help you build a solid foundation for your paper.

Choosing a Topic

When you choose a topic for a research paper, you are making a major commitment. Your choice will help determine whether you enjoy the lengthy process of research and writing—and whether your final paper fulfills the assignment requirements. If you choose your topic hastily, you may later find it difficult to work with your topic. By taking your time and choosing carefully, you can ensure that this assignment is not only challenging but also rewarding.

Writers understand the importance of choosing a topic that fulfills the assignment requirements and fits the assignment’s purpose and audience. (For more information about purpose and audience, see Chapter 6 “Writing Paragraphs: Separating Ideas and Shaping Content” .) Choosing a topic that interests you is also crucial. You instructor may provide a list of suggested topics or ask that you develop a topic on your own. In either case, try to identify topics that genuinely interest you.

After identifying potential topic ideas, you will need to evaluate your ideas and choose one topic to pursue. Will you be able to find enough information about the topic? Can you develop a paper about this topic that presents and supports your original ideas? Is the topic too broad or too narrow for the scope of the assignment? If so, can you modify it so it is more manageable? You will ask these questions during this preliminary phase of the research process.

Identifying Potential Topics

Sometimes, your instructor may provide a list of suggested topics. If so, you may benefit from identifying several possibilities before committing to one idea. It is important to know how to narrow down your ideas into a concise, manageable thesis. You may also use the list as a starting point to help you identify additional, related topics. Discussing your ideas with your instructor will help ensure that you choose a manageable topic that fits the requirements of the assignment.

In this chapter, you will follow a writer named Jorge, who is studying health care administration, as he prepares a research paper. You will also plan, research, and draft your own research paper.

Jorge was assigned to write a research paper on health and the media for an introductory course in health care. Although a general topic was selected for the students, Jorge had to decide which specific issues interested him. He brainstormed a list of possibilities.

If you are writing a research paper for a specialized course, look back through your notes and course activities. Identify reading assignments and class discussions that especially engaged you. Doing so can help you identify topics to pursue.

• Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) in the news
• Sexual education programs
• Hollywood and eating disorders
• Americans’ access to public health information
• Media portrayal of health care reform bill
• Depictions of drugs on television
• The effect of the Internet on mental health
• Popularized diets (such as low-carbohydrate diets)
• Fear of pandemics (bird flu, HINI, SARS)
• Electronic entertainment and obesity
• Advertisements for prescription drugs
• Public education and disease prevention

Set a timer for five minutes. Use brainstorming or idea mapping to create a list of topics you would be interested in researching for a paper about the influence of the Internet on social networking. Do you closely follow the media coverage of a particular website, such as Twitter? Would you like to learn more about a certain industry, such as online dating? Which social networking sites do you and your friends use? List as many ideas related to this topic as you can.

Narrowing Your Topic

Once you have a list of potential topics, you will need to choose one as the focus of your essay. You will also need to narrow your topic. Most writers find that the topics they listed during brainstorming or idea mapping are broad—too broad for the scope of the assignment. Working with an overly broad topic, such as sexual education programs or popularized diets, can be frustrating and overwhelming. Each topic has so many facets that it would be impossible to cover them all in a college research paper. However, more specific choices, such as the pros and cons of sexual education in kids’ television programs or the physical effects of the South Beach diet, are specific enough to write about without being too narrow to sustain an entire research paper.

A good research paper provides focused, in-depth information and analysis. If your topic is too broad, you will find it difficult to do more than skim the surface when you research it and write about it. Narrowing your focus is essential to making your topic manageable. To narrow your focus, explore your topic in writing, conduct preliminary research, and discuss both the topic and the research with others.

Exploring Your Topic in Writing

“How am I supposed to narrow my topic when I haven’t even begun researching yet?” In fact, you may already know more than you realize. Review your list and identify your top two or three topics. Set aside some time to explore each one through freewriting. (For more information about freewriting, see Chapter 8 “The Writing Process: How Do I Begin?” .) Simply taking the time to focus on your topic may yield fresh angles.

Jorge knew that he was especially interested in the topic of diet fads, but he also knew that it was much too broad for his assignment. He used freewriting to explore his thoughts so he could narrow his topic. Read Jorge’s ideas.

Conducting Preliminary Research

Another way writers may focus a topic is to conduct preliminary research . Like freewriting, exploratory reading can help you identify interesting angles. Surfing the web and browsing through newspaper and magazine articles are good ways to start. Find out what people are saying about your topic on blogs and online discussion groups. Discussing your topic with others can also inspire you. Talk about your ideas with your classmates, your friends, or your instructor.

Jorge’s freewriting exercise helped him realize that the assigned topic of health and the media intersected with a few of his interests—diet, nutrition, and obesity. Preliminary online research and discussions with his classmates strengthened his impression that many people are confused or misled by media coverage of these subjects.

Jorge decided to focus his paper on a topic that had garnered a great deal of media attention—low-carbohydrate diets. He wanted to find out whether low-carbohydrate diets were as effective as their proponents claimed.

Writing at Work

At work, you may need to research a topic quickly to find general information. This information can be useful in understanding trends in a given industry or generating competition. For example, a company may research a competitor’s prices and use the information when pricing their own product. You may find it useful to skim a variety of reliable sources and take notes on your findings.

The reliability of online sources varies greatly. In this exploratory phase of your research, you do not need to evaluate sources as closely as you will later. However, use common sense as you refine your paper topic. If you read a fascinating blog comment that gives you a new idea for your paper, be sure to check out other, more reliable sources as well to make sure the idea is worth pursuing.

Review the list of topics you created in Note 11.18 “Exercise 1” and identify two or three topics you would like to explore further. For each of these topics, spend five to ten minutes writing about the topic without stopping. Then review your writing to identify possible areas of focus.

Set aside time to conduct preliminary research about your potential topics. Then choose a topic to pursue for your research paper.

Collaboration

Please share your topic list with a classmate. Select one or two topics on his or her list that you would like to learn more about and return it to him or her. Discuss why you found the topics interesting, and learn which of your topics your classmate selected and why.

A Plan for Research

Your freewriting and preliminary research have helped you choose a focused, manageable topic for your research paper. To work with your topic successfully, you will need to determine what exactly you want to learn about it—and later, what you want to say about it. Before you begin conducting in-depth research, you will further define your focus by developing a research question , a working thesis, and a research proposal.

Formulating a Research Question

In forming a research question, you are setting a goal for your research. Your main research question should be substantial enough to form the guiding principle of your paper—but focused enough to guide your research. A strong research question requires you not only to find information but also to put together different pieces of information, interpret and analyze them, and figure out what you think. As you consider potential research questions, ask yourself whether they would be too hard or too easy to answer.

To determine your research question, review the freewriting you completed earlier. Skim through books, articles, and websites and list the questions you have. (You may wish to use the 5WH strategy to help you formulate questions. See Chapter 8 “The Writing Process: How Do I Begin?” for more information about 5WH questions.) Include simple, factual questions and more complex questions that would require analysis and interpretation. Determine your main question—the primary focus of your paper—and several subquestions that you will need to research to answer your main question.

Here are the research questions Jorge will use to focus his research. Notice that his main research question has no obvious, straightforward answer. Jorge will need to research his subquestions, which address narrower topics, to answer his main question.

Using the topic you selected in Note 11.24 “Exercise 2” , write your main research question and at least four to five subquestions. Check that your main research question is appropriately complex for your assignment.

Constructing a Working ThesIs

A working thesis concisely states a writer’s initial answer to the main research question. It does not merely state a fact or present a subjective opinion. Instead, it expresses a debatable idea or claim that you hope to prove through additional research. Your working thesis is called a working thesis for a reason—it is subject to change. As you learn more about your topic, you may change your thinking in light of your research findings. Let your working thesis serve as a guide to your research, but do not be afraid to modify it based on what you learn.

Jorge began his research with a strong point of view based on his preliminary writing and research. Read his working thesis statement, which presents the point he will argue. Notice how it states Jorge’s tentative answer to his research question.

One way to determine your working thesis is to consider how you would complete sentences such as I believe or My opinion is . However, keep in mind that academic writing generally does not use first-person pronouns. These statements are useful starting points, but formal research papers use an objective voice.

Write a working thesis statement that presents your preliminary answer to the research question you wrote in Note 11.27 “Exercise 3” . Check that your working thesis statement presents an idea or claim that could be supported or refuted by evidence from research.

Creating a Research Proposal

A research proposal is a brief document—no more than one typed page—that summarizes the preliminary work you have completed. Your purpose in writing it is to formalize your plan for research and present it to your instructor for feedback. In your research proposal, you will present your main research question, related subquestions, and working thesis. You will also briefly discuss the value of researching this topic and indicate how you plan to gather information.

When Jorge began drafting his research proposal, he realized that he had already created most of the pieces he needed. However, he knew he also had to explain how his research would be relevant to other future health care professionals. In addition, he wanted to form a general plan for doing the research and identifying potentially useful sources. Read Jorge’s research proposal.

Before you begin a new project at work, you may have to develop a project summary document that states the purpose of the project, explains why it would be a wise use of company resources, and briefly outlines the steps involved in completing the project. This type of document is similar to a research proposal. Both documents define and limit a project, explain its value, discuss how to proceed, and identify what resources you will use.

Writing Your Own Research Proposal

Now you may write your own research proposal, if you have not done so already. Follow the guidelines provided in this lesson.

Key Takeaways

• Developing a research proposal involves the following preliminary steps: identifying potential ideas, choosing ideas to explore further, choosing and narrowing a topic, formulating a research question, and developing a working thesis.
• A good topic for a research paper interests the writer and fulfills the requirements of the assignment.
• Defining and narrowing a topic helps writers conduct focused, in-depth research.
• Writers conduct preliminary research to identify possible topics and research questions and to develop a working thesis.
• A good research question interests readers, is neither too broad nor too narrow, and has no obvious answer.
• A good working thesis expresses a debatable idea or claim that can be supported with evidence from research.
• Writers create a research proposal to present their topic, main research question, subquestions, and working thesis to an instructor for approval or feedback.

Writing for Success Copyright © 2015 by University of Minnesota is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

Research Proposal: A step-by-step guide with template

Making sure your proposal is perfect will drastically improve your chances of landing a successful research position. Follow these steps.

There’s no doubt you have the most cutting-edge research idea to date, backed up by a solid methodology and a credible explanation proving its relevance! There are thousands of research ideas that could change the world with many new ideologies.

The truth is, none of this would matter without support. It can be daunting, challenging, and uncertain to secure funding for a research project. Even more so when it isn’t well-thought-out, outlined, and includes every detail.

An effective solution for presenting your project, or requesting funding, is to provide a research proposal to potential investors or financiers on your behalf.

It’s crucial to understand that making sure your proposal is perfect will drastically improve your chances of landing a successful research position. Your research proposal could result in the failure to study the research problem entirely if it is inadequately constructed or incomplete.

It is for this reason that we have created an excellent guide that covers everything you need to know about writing a research proposal, and includes helpful tips for presenting your proposal professionally and improving its likelihood of acceptance!

What Is a Research Proposal?

Generally, a research proposal is a well-crafted, formal document that provides a thorough explanation of what you plan to investigate. This includes a rationale for why it is worth investigating, as well as a method for investigating it.

Research proposal writing in the contemporary academic environment is a challenging undertaking given the constant shift in research methodology and a commitment to incorporating scientific breakthroughs.

An outline of the plan or roadmap for the study is the proposal, and once the proposal is complete, everything should be smooth sailing. It is still common for post-graduate evaluation panels and funding applications to submit substandard proposals.

By its very nature , the research proposal serves as a tool for convincing the supervisor, committee, or university that the proposed research fits within the scope of the program and is feasible when considering the time and resources available.

A research proposal should convince the person who is going to sanction your research, or put another way, you need to persuade them that your research idea is the best.

Obviously, if it does not convince them that it is reasonable and adequate, you will need to revise and submit it again. As a result, you will lose significant time, causing your research to be delayed or cut short, which is not good.

A good research proposal should have the following structure

A dissertation or thesis research proposal may take on a variety of forms depending on the university, but  most generally a research proposal will include the following elements:

• Titles or title pages that give a description of the research
• Detailed explanation of the proposed research and its background
• Outline of the research project
• An overview of key research studies in the field
• Description the proposed research design (approach)

So, if you include all these elements, you will have a general outline. Let’s take a closer look at how to write them and what to include in each element so that the research proposal is as robust as the idea itself.

A step-by-step guide to writing a research proposal

#1 introduction.

Researchers who wish to obtain grant funding for a project often write a proposal when seeking funding for a research-based postgraduate degree program, or in order to obtain approval for completing a thesis or PhD. Even though this is only a brief introduction , we should be considering it the beginning of an insightful discussion about the significance of a topic that deserves attention.

Your readers should understand what you are trying to accomplish after they read your introduction. Additionally, they should be able to perceive your zeal for the subject matter and a genuine interest in the possible outcome of the research.

As your introduction, consider answering these questions in three to four paragraphs:

• In what way does the study address its primary issue?
• Does that subject matter fall under the domain of that field of study?
• In order to investigate that problem, what method should be used?
• What is the importance of this study?
• How does it impact academia and society overall?
• What are the potential implications of the proposed research for someone reviewing the proposal?

It is not necessary to include an abstract or summary for the introduction to most academic departments and funding sources. Nevertheless, you should confirm your institution’s requirements.

#2 Background and importance

An explanation of the rationale for a research proposal and its significance is provided in this section. It is preferable to separate this part from the introduction so that the narrative flows seamlessly.

This section should be approached by presuming readers are time-pressed but want a general overview of the whole study and the research question.

Please keep in mind that this isn’t an exhaustive essay that contains every detail of your proposed research, rather a concise document that will spark interest in your proposal.

While you should try to take into account the following factors when framing the significance of your proposed study, there are no rigid rules.

• Provide a detailed explanation of the purpose and problem of the study. Multidimensional or interdisciplinary research problems often require this.
• Outline the purpose of your proposed research and describe the advantages of carrying out the study.
• Outline the major issues or problems to be discussed. These might come in the form of questions or comments.
• Be sure to highlight how your research contributes to existing theories that relate to the problem of the study.
• Describe how your study will be conducted, including the source of data and the method of analysis.
• To provide a sense of direction for your study, define the scope of your proposal.
• Defining key concepts or terms, if necessary, is recommended.

The steps to a perfect research proposal all get more specific as we move forward to enhance the concept of the research. In this case, it will become important to make sure that your supervisor or your funder has a clear understanding of every aspect of your research study.

#3 Reviewing prior literature and studies

The aim of this paragraph is to establish the context and significance of your study, including a review of the current literature pertinent to it.

This part aims to properly situate your proposed study within the bigger scheme of things of what is being investigated, while, at the same time, showing the innovation and originality of your proposed work.

When writing a literature review, it is imperative that your format is effective because it often contains extensive information that allows you to demonstrate your main research claims compared to other scholars.

Separating the literature according to major categories or conceptual frameworks is an excellent way to do this. This is a more effective method than listing each study one by one in chronological order.

In order to arrange the review of existing relevant studies in an efficient manner, a literature review is often written using the following five criteria:

• Be sure to cite your previous studies to ensure the focus remains on the research question. For more information, please refer to our guide on how to write a research paper .
• Study the literature’s methods, results, hypotheses, and conclusions. Recognize the authors’ differing perspectives.
• Compare and contrast the various themes, arguments, methodologies, and perspectives discussed in the literature. Explain the most prominent points of disagreement.
• Evaluate the literature. Identify persuasive arguments offered by scholars. Choose the most reliable, valid, and suitable methodologies.
• Consider how the literature relates to your area of research and your topic. Examine whether your proposal for investigation reflects existing literature, deviates from existing literature, synthesizes or adds to it in some way.

#4 Research questions and objectives

The next step is to develop your research objectives once you have determined your research focus.

When your readers read your proposal, what do you want them to learn? Try to write your objectives in one sentence, if you can. Put time and thought into framing them properly.

By setting an objective for your research, you’ll stay on track and avoid getting sidetracked.

Any study proposal should address the following questions irrespective of the topic or problem:

• What are you hoping to accomplish from the study? When describing the study topic and your research question, be concise and to the point.
• What is the purpose of the research? A compelling argument must also be offered to support your choice of topic.
• What research methods will you use? It is essential to outline a clear, logical strategy for completing your study and make sure that it is doable.

Some authors include this section in the introduction, where it is generally placed at the end of the section.

#5 Research Design and Methods

It is important to write this part correctly and organize logically even though you are not starting the research yet.  This must leave readers with a sense of assurance that the topic is worthwhile.

To achieve this, you must convince your reader that your research design and procedures will adequately address the study’s problems. Additionally, it seeks to ensure that the employed methods are capable of interpreting the likely study results efficiently.

You should design your research in a way that is directly related to your objectives.

Exemplifying your study design using examples from your literature review, you are setting up your study design effectively. You should follow other researchers’ good practices.

Pay attention to the methods you will use to collect data, the analyses you will perform, as well as your methods of measuring the validity of your results.

If you describe the methods you will use, make sure you include the following points:

• Develop a plan for conducting your research, as well as how you intend to interpret the findings based on the study’s objectives.
• When describing your objectives with the selected techniques, it is important to also elaborate on your plans.
• This section does not only present a list of events. Once you have chosen the strategy, make sure to explain why it is a good way to analyse your study question. Provide clear explanations.
• Last but not least, plan ahead to overcome any challenges you might encounter during the implementation of your research design.

In the event that you closely follow the best practices outlined in relevant studies as well as justify your selection, you will be prepared to address any questions or concerns you may encounter.

We have an amazing article that will give you everything you need to know about research design .

#6 Knowledge Contribution and Relevance

In this section, you describe your theory about how your study will contribute to, expand, or alter knowledge about the topic of your study.

You should discuss the implications of your research on future studies, applications, concepts, decisions, and procedures. It is common to address the study findings from a conceptual, analytical, or scientific perspective.

If you are framing your proposal of research, these guide questions may help you:

• How could the results be interpreted in the context of contesting the premises of the study?
• Could the expected study results lead to proposals for further research?
• Is your proposed research going to benefit people in any way?
• Is the outcome going to affect individuals in their work setting?
• In what ways will the suggested study impact or enhance the quality of life?
• Are the study’s results going to have an impact on intervention forms, techniques, or policies?
• What potential commercial, societal, or other benefits could be derived from the outcomes?
• Policy decisions will be influenced by the outcomes?
• Upon implementation, could they bring about new insights or breakthroughs?

Throughout this section, you will identify unsolved questions or research gaps in the existing literature. If the study is conducted as proposed, it is important to indicate how the research will be instrumental in understanding the nature of the research problem.

#7 Adherence to the Ethical Principles

In terms of scientific writing style, no particular style is generally acknowledged as more or less effective. The purpose is simply to provide relevant content that is formatted in a standardized way to enhance communication .

There are a variety of publication styles among different scholarly disciplines. It is therefore essential to follow the protocol according to the institution or organization that you are targeting.

All scholarly research and writing is, however, guided by codes of ethical conduct. The purpose of ethical guidelines, if they are followed, is to accomplish three things:

1) Preserve intellectual property right;

2) Ensure the rights and welfare of research participants;

3) Maintain the accuracy of scientific knowledge.

Scholars and writers who follow these ideals adhere to long-standing standards within their professional groups.

An additional ethical principle of the APA stresses the importance of maintaining scientific validity. An observation is at the heart of the standard scientific method, and it is verifiable and repeatable by others.

It is expected that scholars will not falsify or fabricate data in research writing. Researchers must also refrain from altering their studies’ outcomes to support a particular theory or to exclude inconclusive data from their report in an effort to create a convincing one.

#8 The budget

The need for detailed budgetary planning is not required by all universities when studying historical material or academic literature, though some do require it. In the case of a research grant application, you will likely have to include a comprehensive budget that breaks down the costs of each major component.

Ensure that the funding program or organization will cover the required costs, and include only the necessary items. For each of the items, you should include the following.

• To complete the study in its entirety, how much money would you require?
• Discuss the rationale for such a budget item for the purpose of completing research.
• The source of the amount – describe how it was determined.

When doing a study, you cannot buy ingredients the way you normally would. With so many items not having a price tag, how can you make a budget? Take the following into consideration:

• Does your project require access to any software programs or solutions? Do you need to install or train a technology tool?
• How much time will you be spending on your research study? Are you required to take time off from work to do your research?
• Are you going to need to travel to certain locations to meet with respondents or to collect data? At what cost?
• Will you be seeking research assistants for the study you propose? In what capacity and for what compensation? What other aspects are you planning to outsource?

It is possible to calculate a budget while also being able to estimate how much more money you will need in the event of an emergency.

#9 Timeline

A realistic and concise research schedule is also important to keep in mind. You should be able to finish your plan of study within the allotted time period, such as your degree program or the academic calendar.

You should include a timeline that includes a series of objectives you must complete to meet all the requirements for your scholarly research. The process starts with preliminary research and ends with final editing. A completion date for every step is required.

In addition, one should state the development that has been made. It is also recommended to include other relevant research events, for instance paper or poster presentations . In addition, a researcher must update the timeline regularly, as necessary, since this is not a static document.

#10 A Concluding Statement

Presenting a few of the anticipated results of your research proposal is an effective way to conclude your proposal.

The final stage of the process requires you to reveal the conclusion and rationale you anticipate reaching. Considering the research you have done so far, your reader knows that these are anticipated results, which are likely to evolve once the whole study is completed.

In any case, you must let the supervisors or sponsors know what implications may be drawn. It will be easier for them to assess the reliability and relevance of your research.

It will also demonstrate your meticulousness since you will have anticipated and taken into consideration the potential consequences of your research.

The Appendix section is required by some funding sources and academic institutions. This is extra information that is not in the main argument of the proposal, but appears to enhance the points made.

For example, data in the form of tables, consent forms, clinical/research guidelines, and procedures for data collection may be included in this document.

Research Proposal Template

Now that you know all about each element that composes an ideal research proposal, here is an extra help: a ready to use research proposal example. Just hit the button below, make a copy of the document and start working!

Avoid these common mistakes

In an era when rejection rates for prestigious journals can reach as high as 90 percent, you must avoid the following common mistakes when submitting a proposal:

• Proposals that are too long. Stay to the point when you write research proposals. Make your document concise and specific. Be sure not to diverge into off-topic discussions.
• Taking up too much research time. Many students struggle to delineate the context of their studies, regardless of the topic, time, or location. In order to explain the methodology of the study clearly to the reader, the proposal must clearly state what the study will focus on.
• Leaving out significant works from a literature review. Though everything in the proposal should be kept at a minimum, key research studies must need to be included. To understand the scope and growth of the issue, proposals should be based on significant studies.
• Major topics are too rarely discussed, and too much attention is paid to minor details. To persuasively argue for a study, a proposal should focus on just a few key research questions. Minor details should be noted, but should not overshadow the thesis.
• The proposal does not have a compelling and well-supported argument. To prove that a study should be approved or funded, the research proposal must outline its purpose.
• A typographical error, bad grammar or sloppy writing style. Even though a research proposal outlines a part of a larger project, it must conform to academic writing standards and guidelines.

A final note

We have come to the end of our research proposal guide. We really hope that you have found all the information you need. Wishing you success with the research study.

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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 November 21, 2023.

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

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Professional editors proofread and edit your paper by focusing on:

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See an example

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.

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Blog Business How to Write a Research Proposal: A Step-by-Step

How to Write a Research Proposal: A Step-by-Step

Written by: Danesh Ramuthi Nov 29, 2023

A research proposal is a structured outline for a planned study on a specific topic. It serves as a roadmap, guiding researchers through the process of converting their research idea into a feasible project. 

The aim of a research proposal is multifold: it articulates the research problem, establishes a theoretical framework, outlines the research methodology and highlights the potential significance of the study. Importantly, it’s a critical tool for scholars seeking grant funding or approval for their research projects.

Crafting a good research proposal requires not only understanding your research topic and methodological approaches but also the ability to present your ideas clearly and persuasively. Explore Venngage’s Proposal Maker and Research Proposals Templates to begin your journey in writing a compelling research proposal.

What to include in a research proposal?

In a research proposal, include a clear statement of your research question or problem, along with an explanation of its significance. This should be followed by a literature review that situates your proposed study within the context of existing research. 

Your proposal should also outline the research methodology, detailing how you plan to conduct your study, including data collection and analysis methods.

Additionally, include a theoretical framework that guides your research approach, a timeline or research schedule, and a budget if applicable. It’s important to also address the anticipated outcomes and potential implications of your study. A well-structured research proposal will clearly communicate your research objectives, methods and significance to the readers.

How to format a research proposal?

Formatting a research proposal involves adhering to a structured outline to ensure clarity and coherence. While specific requirements may vary, a standard research proposal typically includes the following elements:

• Title Page: Must include the title of your research proposal, your name and affiliations. The title should be concise and descriptive of your proposed research.
• Abstract: A brief summary of your proposal, usually not exceeding 250 words. It should highlight the research question, methodology and the potential impact of the study.
• Introduction: Introduces your research question or problem, explains its significance, and states the objectives of your study.
• Literature review: Here, you contextualize your research within existing scholarship, demonstrating your knowledge of the field and how your research will contribute to it.
• Methodology: Outline your research methods, including how you will collect and analyze data. This section should be detailed enough to show the feasibility and thoughtfulness of your approach.
• Timeline: Provide an estimated schedule for your research, breaking down the process into stages with a realistic timeline for each.
• Budget (if applicable): If your research requires funding, include a detailed budget outlining expected cost.
• References/Bibliography: List all sources referenced in your proposal in a consistent citation style.

How to write a research proposal in 11 steps?

Writing a research proposal template in structured steps ensures a comprehensive and coherent presentation of your research project. Let’s look at the explanation for each of the steps here:  

Step 1: Title and Abstract Step 2: Introduction Step 3: Research objectives Step 4: Literature review Step 5: Methodology Step 6: Timeline Step 7: Resources Step 8: Ethical considerations Step 9: Expected outcomes and significance Step 10: References Step 11: Appendices

Step 1: title and abstract.

Select a concise, descriptive title and write an abstract summarizing your research question, objectives, methodology and expected outcomes​​. The abstract should include your research question, the objectives you aim to achieve, the methodology you plan to employ and the anticipated outcomes. 

Step 2: Introduction

In this section, introduce the topic of your research, emphasizing its significance and relevance to the field. Articulate the research problem or question in clear terms and provide background context, which should include an overview of previous research in the field.

Step 3: Research objectives

Here, you’ll need to outline specific, clear and achievable objectives that align with your research problem. These objectives should be well-defined, focused and measurable, serving as the guiding pillars for your study. They help in establishing what you intend to accomplish through your research and provide a clear direction for your investigation.

Step 4: Literature review

In this part, conduct a thorough review of existing literature related to your research topic. This involves a detailed summary of key findings and major contributions from previous research. Identify existing gaps in the literature and articulate how your research aims to fill these gaps. The literature review not only shows your grasp of the subject matter but also how your research will contribute new insights or perspectives to the field.

Step 5: Methodology

Describe the design of your research and the methodologies you will employ. This should include detailed information on data collection methods, instruments to be used and analysis techniques. Justify the appropriateness of these methods for your research​​.

Step 6: Timeline

Construct a detailed timeline that maps out the major milestones and activities of your research project. Break the entire research process into smaller, manageable tasks and assign realistic time frames to each. This timeline should cover everything from the initial research phase to the final submission, including periods for data collection, analysis and report writing. 

It helps in ensuring your project stays on track and demonstrates to reviewers that you have a well-thought-out plan for completing your research efficiently.

Step 7: Resources

Identify all the resources that will be required for your research, such as specific databases, laboratory equipment, software or funding. Provide details on how these resources will be accessed or acquired. 

If your research requires funding, explain how it will be utilized effectively to support various aspects of the project. 

Step 8: Ethical considerations

Address any ethical issues that may arise during your research. This is particularly important for research involving human subjects. Describe the measures you will take to ensure ethical standards are maintained, such as obtaining informed consent, ensuring participant privacy, and adhering to data protection regulations. 

Here, in this section you should reassure reviewers that you are committed to conducting your research responsibly and ethically.

Step 9: Expected outcomes and significance

Articulate the expected outcomes or results of your research. Explain the potential impact and significance of these outcomes, whether in advancing academic knowledge, influencing policy or addressing specific societal or practical issues. 

Step 10: References

Compile a comprehensive list of all the references cited in your proposal. Adhere to a consistent citation style (like APA or MLA) throughout your document. The reference section not only gives credit to the original authors of your sourced information but also strengthens the credibility of your proposal.

Step 11: Appendices

Include additional supporting materials that are pertinent to your research proposal. This can be survey questionnaires, interview guides, detailed data analysis plans or any supplementary information that supports the main text. 

Appendices provide further depth to your proposal, showcasing the thoroughness of your preparation.

Research proposal FAQs

1. how long should a research proposal be.

The length of a research proposal can vary depending on the requirements of the academic institution, funding body or specific guidelines provided. Generally, research proposals range from 500 to 1500 words or about one to a few pages long. It’s important to provide enough detail to clearly convey your research idea, objectives and methodology, while being concise. Always check

2. Why is the research plan pivotal to a research project?

The research plan is pivotal to a research project because it acts as a blueprint, guiding every phase of the study. It outlines the objectives, methodology, timeline and expected outcomes, providing a structured approach and ensuring that the research is systematically conducted. 

A well-crafted plan helps in identifying potential challenges, allocating resources efficiently and maintaining focus on the research goals. It is also essential for communicating the project’s feasibility and importance to stakeholders, such as funding bodies or academic supervisors.

Mastering how to write a research proposal is an essential skill for any scholar, whether in social and behavioral sciences, academic writing or any field requiring scholarly research. From this article, you have learned key components, from the literature review to the research design, helping you develop a persuasive and well-structured proposal.

Remember, a good research proposal not only highlights your proposed research and methodology but also demonstrates its relevance and potential impact.

For additional support, consider utilizing Venngage’s Proposal Maker and Research Proposals Templates , valuable tools in crafting a compelling proposal that stands out.

Whether it’s for grant funding, a research paper or a dissertation proposal, these resources can assist in transforming your research idea into a successful submission.

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Developing a Research Proposal for Qualitative Research: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating a research proposal for qualitative studies can seem like a huge task. This guide will help you step by step. From understanding the basics to writing the final proposal, we will cover everything you need to know. By the end, you will have a clear plan to follow.

Key Takeaways

• Understanding the basics of qualitative research is important for a strong proposal.
• A clear research question guides your study and ensures it stays on track.
• Choosing the right methods and being ethical are key parts of your research design.
• Recruiting the right participants and using proper sampling methods are crucial.
• Analyzing data carefully and presenting your findings clearly is essential.

Understanding the Foundations of Qualitative Research

Qualitative research is essential for exploring complex social phenomena. It provides an in-depth understanding and rich data analysis, complementing quantitative research. Choosing the right research methodology for your Ph.D. thesis is crucial for obtaining meaningful results.

Formulating a Research Question

Identifying the research problem.

The first step in formulating qualitative research questions is to have a clear understanding of what you aim to discover or understand through your research. How much do we know about the problem? What are the gaps in our knowledge? How would new insights contribute to society or clinical practice? Why is this research worth doing? And who might have an interest in this topic?

Using the SPIDER Tool

The SPIDER tool is a useful framework for defining the research question. SPIDER stands for Sample, Phenomenon of Interest, Design, Evaluation, and Research type. This tool helps in highlighting the gap in knowledge that your research aims to address. It ensures that your research question is focused and researchable, whether through primary or secondary sources.

Ensuring Feasibility and Relevance

After formulating the question(s), you must consider how you will answer it. Answering the question(s) will depend on the question, the design, and the research type. Your research question should be feasible to answer within a given timeframe and specific enough for you to answer thoroughly.

Designing the Research Methodology

After formulating your research question, you must consider how to answer it. Answering the question will depend on the question itself, the design, and the research type.

Selecting Appropriate Methods

Choosing the right methods is crucial. Each design method has pros and cons, and the selection depends on the question, the participants, and the time scale. For example, if you're looking at the experiences of someone who's had severe trauma or exploring a sensitive topic, a one-to-one interview is probably the most appropriate method to respect privacy.

Data Collection Techniques

Data collection is a vital part of your research design . You need to clearly explain your data collection methods so readers understand how you will conduct your study. This section should provide enough detail for readers to evaluate its validity and reliability. Poorly articulated research design can lead to misunderstandings and questions about your study's credibility.

Ethical Considerations

Ethical considerations are paramount in qualitative research. You must ensure that your study respects the rights and dignity of participants. This includes obtaining informed consent, ensuring confidentiality, and being sensitive to the needs and vulnerabilities of your participants. Addressing these ethical issues is not just a formality but a fundamental part of your research design.

Recruiting and Sampling Participants

Defining the target population.

When defining your target population, it's crucial to set clear criteria that align with your research objectives . Quality over quantity is essential; recruiting the right participants ensures the integrity of your study. Sometimes, you might not reach your planned sample size, but it's better to have fewer participants who meet your criteria than to compromise your results.

Sampling Strategies

There is no magic number for how many people you should recruit for qualitative research. The sample sizes are usually smaller than in quantitative research and will depend on many variables. When writing a research proposal, provide justification and rationale for your chosen number of participants. Considerations include the scope of your study and the depth of data you aim to collect.

Recruitment Procedures

Recruitment can be done online via social media or through advertising posters in outpatient clinics. Choose the most convenient method that will link you to the most suitable people. For example, a social media advert might be ideal for a study on e-health, as your cohort should be comfortable using computers. Researchers should avoid directly approaching potential participants to prevent any feeling of obligation to take part. Instead, use a gatekeeper who can act as a go-between to advertise the study to potential participants who meet the criteria.

Data Analysis and Interpretation

Coding and thematic analysis.

When we analyze qualitative data , we need systematic, rigorous, and transparent ways of manipulating our data in order to begin developing answers to our research questions. Coding is a crucial first step in this process. It involves labeling segments of data with codes that represent themes or patterns. Using software tools can make this task more efficient and help maintain consistency.

Ensuring Rigor and Trustworthiness

To ensure the rigor and trustworthiness of your analysis, you should employ strategies such as member checking, triangulation, and maintaining an audit trail. Member checking involves sharing your findings with participants to verify accuracy. Triangulation uses multiple data sources or methods to confirm findings. An audit trail documents the research process in detail, providing transparency.

Presenting Findings

Presenting your findings in a clear and organized manner is essential. Use direct quotes from participants to illustrate key themes and provide evidence for your interpretations. Tables can be helpful for summarizing data and highlighting important points. Remember to discuss the implications of your findings and how they contribute to the existing body of knowledge.

Writing the Research Proposal

When preparing a research proposal, it is essential to follow the specific guidelines provided by your institution or program. Some institutions may have additional requirements, such as excluding references, figures, or timelines from the page limit.

Structuring the Proposal

A research proposal is a document that describes the idea, importance, and method of the research. The format can vary widely among different higher education settings, different funders, and different organizations. When thinking of the research proposal, it's your tool to sell the research to probably an ethics committee or a research funder, so you want to show them why your research is important to be done. Here are some prompting questions to help with writing the background:

• What is the main problem or question your research aims to address?
• Why is this research important?
• What are the key objectives of your study?

Writing the Literature Review

The title of your research proposal can be different from the publishing title. It can be considered a working title that you can revisit after finishing the research proposal and amend if needed. "The title" should contain keywords of what your research encompasses, such as:

• The main topic of your research
• The specific aspect you are focusing on
• Any key terms or concepts

Developing a Timeline

When thinking about how to start thesis , setting clear goals, utilizing online databases, conducting interviews, and collecting relevant data are key steps. The length of your research proposal can vary. Make sure to include a timeline that outlines the major milestones of your research project. This can help you stay on track and ensure that you meet all deadlines.

By following these tips for researching and organizing your thesis , you can create a strong and compelling research proposal.

Addressing Ethical and Practical Issues

Informed consent.

When conducting qualitative research, obtaining informed consent is crucial. Participants must be fully aware of the study's purpose, procedures, and any potential risks. Mastering the interview process includes ensuring that participants understand their rights and can withdraw at any time without penalty.

Confidentiality and Anonymity

Protecting the privacy of participants is a key aspect of ethical research. Researchers must take steps to ensure that data is stored securely and that identifying information is kept confidential. This includes using pseudonyms and removing any details that could reveal a participant's identity.

Dealing with Practical Challenges

Qualitative research often involves addressing sensitive topics, which can present practical challenges. Researchers need to be prepared to handle emotional responses and provide support if needed. Additionally, defining the research scope clearly can help in managing time and resources effectively.

When tackling ethical and practical issues, it's important to have the right tools and guidance. Our step-by-step Thesis Action Plan is designed to help you navigate these challenges with ease. Whether you're struggling with sleepless nights or feeling overwhelmed, our resources are here to support you. Don't let stress hold you back any longer. Visit our website to learn more and take the first step towards a smoother thesis journey.

In conclusion, developing a qualitative research proposal is a detailed and thoughtful process that requires careful planning and consideration. By following the steps outlined in this guide, researchers can ensure that their proposals are comprehensive and well-structured. This not only helps in gaining approval from review boards but also sets a strong foundation for conducting meaningful and impactful research. Remember, the key to a successful research proposal lies in clarity, coherence, and a thorough understanding of the research topic. With dedication and attention to detail, anyone can master the art of crafting a qualitative research proposal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a qualitative research proposal.

A qualitative research proposal is a document that outlines the idea, importance, and methods of your research. It helps to plan out how you will collect and analyze non-numerical data.

Why is it important to have a research question?

Having a research question is important because it guides your study. It helps you focus on what you want to find out and keeps your research on track.

What is the SPIDER tool?

The SPIDER tool is a method used to define a research question in qualitative research. It stands for Sample, Phenomenon of Interest, Design, Evaluation, and Research type.

How do you ensure the ethical considerations in qualitative research?

To ensure ethical considerations, you need to get informed consent from participants, protect their confidentiality, and make sure your study does no harm.

What are some common data collection techniques in qualitative research?

Common data collection techniques include interviews, focus groups, and observations. These methods help gather detailed and in-depth information.

How do you present your findings in a qualitative research proposal?

You present your findings by coding the data and identifying themes. Then, you explain these themes and what they mean in relation to your research question.

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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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Home » How To Write A Proposal – Step By Step Guide [With Template]

How To Write A Proposal – Step By Step Guide [With Template]

Table of Contents

How To Write A Proposal

Writing a Proposal involves several key steps to effectively communicate your ideas and intentions to a target audience. Here’s a detailed breakdown of each step:

Identify the Purpose and Audience

• Clearly define the purpose of your proposal: What problem are you addressing, what solution are you proposing, or what goal are you aiming to achieve?
• Identify your target audience: Who will be reading your proposal? Consider their background, interests, and any specific requirements they may have.

Conduct Research

• Gather relevant information: Conduct thorough research to support your proposal. This may involve studying existing literature, analyzing data, or conducting surveys/interviews to gather necessary facts and evidence.
• Understand the context: Familiarize yourself with the current situation or problem you’re addressing. Identify any relevant trends, challenges, or opportunities that may impact your proposal.

Develop an Outline

• Create a clear and logical structure: Divide your proposal into sections or headings that will guide your readers through the content.
• Introduction: Provide a concise overview of the problem, its significance, and the proposed solution.
• Background/Context: Offer relevant background information and context to help the readers understand the situation.
• Objectives/Goals: Clearly state the objectives or goals of your proposal.
• Methodology/Approach: Describe the approach or methodology you will use to address the problem.
• Timeline/Schedule: Present a detailed timeline or schedule outlining the key milestones or activities.
• Budget/Resources: Specify the financial and other resources required to implement your proposal.
• Evaluation/Success Metrics: Explain how you will measure the success or effectiveness of your proposal.
• Conclusion: Summarize the main points and restate the benefits of your proposal.

Write the Proposal

• Grab attention: Start with a compelling opening statement or a brief story that hooks the reader.
• Clearly state the problem: Clearly define the problem or issue you are addressing and explain its significance.
• Present your proposal: Introduce your proposed solution, project, or idea and explain why it is the best approach.
• State the objectives/goals: Clearly articulate the specific objectives or goals your proposal aims to achieve.
• Provide supporting information: Present evidence, data, or examples to support your claims and justify your proposal.
• Explain the methodology: Describe in detail the approach, methods, or strategies you will use to implement your proposal.
• Address potential concerns: Anticipate and address any potential objections or challenges the readers may have and provide counterarguments or mitigation strategies.
• Recap the main points: Summarize the key points you’ve discussed in the proposal.
• Reinforce the benefits: Emphasize the positive outcomes, benefits, or impact your proposal will have.
• Call to action: Clearly state what action you want the readers to take, such as approving the proposal, providing funding, or collaborating with you.

Review and Revise

• Proofread for clarity and coherence: Check for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.
• Ensure a logical flow: Read through your proposal to ensure the ideas are presented in a logical order and are easy to follow.
• Revise and refine: Fine-tune your proposal to make it concise, persuasive, and compelling.

Add Supplementary Materials

• Attach relevant documents: Include any supporting materials that strengthen your proposal, such as research findings, charts, graphs, or testimonials.
• Appendices: Add any additional information that might be useful but not essential to the main body of the proposal.

Formatting and Presentation

• Follow the guidelines: Adhere to any specific formatting guidelines provided by the organization or institution to which you are submitting the proposal.
• Use a professional tone and language: Ensure that your proposal is written in a clear, concise, and professional manner.
• Use headings and subheadings: Organize your proposal with clear headings and subheadings to improve readability.
• Pay attention to design: Use appropriate fonts, font sizes, and formatting styles to make your proposal visually appealing.
• Include a cover page: Create a cover page that includes the title of your proposal, your name or organization, the date, and any other required information.

Seek Feedback

• Share your proposal with trusted colleagues or mentors and ask for their feedback. Consider their suggestions for improvement and incorporate them into your proposal if necessary.

Finalize and Submit

• Make any final revisions based on the feedback received.
• Ensure that all required sections, attachments, and documentation are included.
• Double-check for any formatting, grammar, or spelling errors.
• Submit your proposal within the designated deadline and according to the submission guidelines provided.

Proposal Format

The format of a proposal can vary depending on the specific requirements of the organization or institution you are submitting it to. However, here is a general proposal format that you can follow:

1. Title Page:

• Include the title of your proposal, your name or organization’s name, the date, and any other relevant information specified by the guidelines.

2. Executive Summary:

•  Provide a concise overview of your proposal, highlighting the key points and objectives.
• Summarize the problem, proposed solution, and anticipated benefits.
• Keep it brief and engaging, as this section is often read first and should capture the reader’s attention.

3. Introduction:

• State the problem or issue you are addressing and its significance.
• Provide background information to help the reader understand the context and importance of the problem.
• Clearly state the purpose and objectives of your proposal.

4. Problem Statement:

• Describe the problem in detail, highlighting its impact and consequences.
• Use data, statistics, or examples to support your claims and demonstrate the need for a solution.

5. Proposed Solution or Project Description:

• Explain your proposed solution or project in a clear and detailed manner.
• Describe how your solution addresses the problem and why it is the most effective approach.
• Include information on the methods, strategies, or activities you will undertake to implement your solution.
• Highlight any unique features, innovations, or advantages of your proposal.

6. Methodology:

• Provide a step-by-step explanation of the methodology or approach you will use to implement your proposal.
• Include a timeline or schedule that outlines the key milestones, tasks, and deliverables.
• Clearly describe the resources, personnel, or expertise required for each phase of the project.

7. Evaluation and Success Metrics:

• Explain how you will measure the success or effectiveness of your proposal.
• Identify specific metrics, indicators, or evaluation methods that will be used.
• Describe how you will track progress, gather feedback, and make adjustments as needed.
• Present a detailed budget that outlines the financial resources required for your proposal.
• Include all relevant costs, such as personnel, materials, equipment, and any other expenses.
• Provide a justification for each item in the budget.

9. Conclusion:

•  Summarize the main points of your proposal.
•  Reiterate the benefits and positive outcomes of implementing your proposal.
• Emphasize the value and impact it will have on the organization or community.

10. Appendices:

• Include any additional supporting materials, such as research findings, charts, graphs, or testimonials.
•  Attach any relevant documents that provide further information but are not essential to the main body of the proposal.

Proposal Template

Here’s a basic proposal template that you can use as a starting point for creating your own proposal:

Dear [Recipient’s Name],

I am writing to submit a proposal for [briefly state the purpose of the proposal and its significance]. This proposal outlines a comprehensive solution to address [describe the problem or issue] and presents an actionable plan to achieve the desired objectives.

Thank you for considering this proposal. I believe that implementing this solution will significantly contribute to [organization’s or community’s goals]. I am available to discuss the proposal in more detail at your convenience. Please feel free to contact me at [your email address or phone number].

Yours sincerely,

Note: This template is a starting point and should be customized to meet the specific requirements and guidelines provided by the organization or institution to which you are submitting the proposal.

Proposal Sample

Here’s a sample proposal to give you an idea of how it could be structured and written:

Subject : Proposal for Implementation of Environmental Education Program

I am pleased to submit this proposal for your consideration, outlining a comprehensive plan for the implementation of an Environmental Education Program. This program aims to address the critical need for environmental awareness and education among the community, with the objective of fostering a sense of responsibility and sustainability.

Executive Summary: Our proposed Environmental Education Program is designed to provide engaging and interactive educational opportunities for individuals of all ages. By combining classroom learning, hands-on activities, and community engagement, we aim to create a long-lasting impact on environmental conservation practices and attitudes.

Introduction: The state of our environment is facing significant challenges, including climate change, habitat loss, and pollution. It is essential to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills to understand these issues and take action. This proposal seeks to bridge the gap in environmental education and inspire a sense of environmental stewardship among the community.

Problem Statement: The lack of environmental education programs has resulted in limited awareness and understanding of environmental issues. As a result, individuals are less likely to adopt sustainable practices or actively contribute to conservation efforts. Our program aims to address this gap and empower individuals to become environmentally conscious and responsible citizens.

Proposed Solution or Project Description: Our Environmental Education Program will comprise a range of activities, including workshops, field trips, and community initiatives. We will collaborate with local schools, community centers, and environmental organizations to ensure broad participation and maximum impact. By incorporating interactive learning experiences, such as nature walks, recycling drives, and eco-craft sessions, we aim to make environmental education engaging and enjoyable.

Methodology: Our program will be structured into modules that cover key environmental themes, such as biodiversity, climate change, waste management, and sustainable living. Each module will include a mix of classroom sessions, hands-on activities, and practical field experiences. We will also leverage technology, such as educational apps and online resources, to enhance learning outcomes.

Evaluation and Success Metrics: We will employ a combination of quantitative and qualitative measures to evaluate the effectiveness of the program. Pre- and post-assessments will gauge knowledge gain, while surveys and feedback forms will assess participant satisfaction and behavior change. We will also track the number of community engagement activities and the adoption of sustainable practices as indicators of success.

Budget: Please find attached a detailed budget breakdown for the implementation of the Environmental Education Program. The budget covers personnel costs, materials and supplies, transportation, and outreach expenses. We have ensured cost-effectiveness while maintaining the quality and impact of the program.

Conclusion: By implementing this Environmental Education Program, we have the opportunity to make a significant difference in our community’s environmental consciousness and practices. We are confident that this program will foster a generation of individuals who are passionate about protecting our environment and taking sustainable actions. We look forward to discussing the proposal further and working together to make a positive impact.

Thank you for your time and consideration. Should you have any questions or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me at [your email address or phone number].

About the author

Muhammad Hassan

Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

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• Indian J Anaesth
• v.60(9); 2016 Sep

How to write a research proposal?

Department of Anaesthesiology, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

Devika Rani Duggappa

Writing the proposal of a research work in the present era is a challenging task due to the constantly evolving trends in the qualitative research design and the need to incorporate medical advances into the methodology. The proposal is a detailed plan or ‘blueprint’ for the intended study, and once it is completed, the research project should flow smoothly. Even today, many of the proposals at post-graduate evaluation committees and application proposals for funding are substandard. A search was conducted with keywords such as research proposal, writing proposal and qualitative using search engines, namely, PubMed and Google Scholar, and an attempt has been made to provide broad guidelines for writing a scientifically appropriate research proposal.

INTRODUCTION

A clean, well-thought-out proposal forms the backbone for the research itself and hence becomes the most important step in the process of conduct of research.[ 1 ] The objective of preparing a research proposal would be to obtain approvals from various committees including ethics committee [details under ‘Research methodology II’ section [ Table 1 ] in this issue of IJA) and to request for grants. However, there are very few universally accepted guidelines for preparation of a good quality research proposal. A search was performed with keywords such as research proposal, funding, qualitative and writing proposals using search engines, namely, PubMed, Google Scholar and Scopus.

Five ‘C’s while writing a literature review

BASIC REQUIREMENTS OF A RESEARCH PROPOSAL

A proposal needs to show how your work fits into what is already known about the topic and what new paradigm will it add to the literature, while specifying the question that the research will answer, establishing its significance, and the implications of the answer.[ 2 ] The proposal must be capable of convincing the evaluation committee about the credibility, achievability, practicality and reproducibility (repeatability) of the research design.[ 3 ] Four categories of audience with different expectations may be present in the evaluation committees, namely academic colleagues, policy-makers, practitioners and lay audiences who evaluate the research proposal. Tips for preparation of a good research proposal include; ‘be practical, be persuasive, make broader links, aim for crystal clarity and plan before you write’. A researcher must be balanced, with a realistic understanding of what can be achieved. Being persuasive implies that researcher must be able to convince other researchers, research funding agencies, educational institutions and supervisors that the research is worth getting approval. The aim of the researcher should be clearly stated in simple language that describes the research in a way that non-specialists can comprehend, without use of jargons. The proposal must not only demonstrate that it is based on an intelligent understanding of the existing literature but also show that the writer has thought about the time needed to conduct each stage of the research.[ 4 , 5 ]

CONTENTS OF A RESEARCH PROPOSAL

The contents or formats of a research proposal vary depending on the requirements of evaluation committee and are generally provided by the evaluation committee or the institution.

In general, a cover page should contain the (i) title of the proposal, (ii) name and affiliation of the researcher (principal investigator) and co-investigators, (iii) institutional affiliation (degree of the investigator and the name of institution where the study will be performed), details of contact such as phone numbers, E-mail id's and lines for signatures of investigators.

The main contents of the proposal may be presented under the following headings: (i) introduction, (ii) review of literature, (iii) aims and objectives, (iv) research design and methods, (v) ethical considerations, (vi) budget, (vii) appendices and (viii) citations.[ 4 ]

Introduction

It is also sometimes termed as ‘need for study’ or ‘abstract’. Introduction is an initial pitch of an idea; it sets the scene and puts the research in context.[ 6 ] The introduction should be designed to create interest in the reader about the topic and proposal. It should convey to the reader, what you want to do, what necessitates the study and your passion for the topic.[ 7 ] Some questions that can be used to assess the significance of the study are: (i) Who has an interest in the domain of inquiry? (ii) What do we already know about the topic? (iii) What has not been answered adequately in previous research and practice? (iv) How will this research add to knowledge, practice and policy in this area? Some of the evaluation committees, expect the last two questions, elaborated under a separate heading of ‘background and significance’.[ 8 ] Introduction should also contain the hypothesis behind the research design. If hypothesis cannot be constructed, the line of inquiry to be used in the research must be indicated.

Review of literature

It refers to all sources of scientific evidence pertaining to the topic in interest. In the present era of digitalisation and easy accessibility, there is an enormous amount of relevant data available, making it a challenge for the researcher to include all of it in his/her review.[ 9 ] It is crucial to structure this section intelligently so that the reader can grasp the argument related to your study in relation to that of other researchers, while still demonstrating to your readers that your work is original and innovative. It is preferable to summarise each article in a paragraph, highlighting the details pertinent to the topic of interest. The progression of review can move from the more general to the more focused studies, or a historical progression can be used to develop the story, without making it exhaustive.[ 1 ] Literature should include supporting data, disagreements and controversies. Five ‘C's may be kept in mind while writing a literature review[ 10 ] [ Table 1 ].

Aims and objectives

The research purpose (or goal or aim) gives a broad indication of what the researcher wishes to achieve in the research. The hypothesis to be tested can be the aim of the study. The objectives related to parameters or tools used to achieve the aim are generally categorised as primary and secondary objectives.

Research design and method

The objective here is to convince the reader that the overall research design and methods of analysis will correctly address the research problem and to impress upon the reader that the methodology/sources chosen are appropriate for the specific topic. It should be unmistakably tied to the specific aims of your study.

In this section, the methods and sources used to conduct the research must be discussed, including specific references to sites, databases, key texts or authors that will be indispensable to the project. There should be specific mention about the methodological approaches to be undertaken to gather information, about the techniques to be used to analyse it and about the tests of external validity to which researcher is committed.[ 10 , 11 ]

The components of this section include the following:[ 4 ]

Population and sample

Population refers to all the elements (individuals, objects or substances) that meet certain criteria for inclusion in a given universe,[ 12 ] and sample refers to subset of population which meets the inclusion criteria for enrolment into the study. The inclusion and exclusion criteria should be clearly defined. The details pertaining to sample size are discussed in the article “Sample size calculation: Basic priniciples” published in this issue of IJA.

Data collection

The researcher is expected to give a detailed account of the methodology adopted for collection of data, which include the time frame required for the research. The methodology should be tested for its validity and ensure that, in pursuit of achieving the results, the participant's life is not jeopardised. The author should anticipate and acknowledge any potential barrier and pitfall in carrying out the research design and explain plans to address them, thereby avoiding lacunae due to incomplete data collection. If the researcher is planning to acquire data through interviews or questionnaires, copy of the questions used for the same should be attached as an annexure with the proposal.

Rigor (soundness of the research)

This addresses the strength of the research with respect to its neutrality, consistency and applicability. Rigor must be reflected throughout the proposal.

It refers to the robustness of a research method against bias. The author should convey the measures taken to avoid bias, viz. blinding and randomisation, in an elaborate way, thus ensuring that the result obtained from the adopted method is purely as chance and not influenced by other confounding variables.

Consistency

Consistency considers whether the findings will be consistent if the inquiry was replicated with the same participants and in a similar context. This can be achieved by adopting standard and universally accepted methods and scales.

Applicability

Applicability refers to the degree to which the findings can be applied to different contexts and groups.[ 13 ]

Data analysis

This section deals with the reduction and reconstruction of data and its analysis including sample size calculation. The researcher is expected to explain the steps adopted for coding and sorting the data obtained. Various tests to be used to analyse the data for its robustness, significance should be clearly stated. Author should also mention the names of statistician and suitable software which will be used in due course of data analysis and their contribution to data analysis and sample calculation.[ 9 ]

Ethical considerations

Medical research introduces special moral and ethical problems that are not usually encountered by other researchers during data collection, and hence, the researcher should take special care in ensuring that ethical standards are met. Ethical considerations refer to the protection of the participants' rights (right to self-determination, right to privacy, right to autonomy and confidentiality, right to fair treatment and right to protection from discomfort and harm), obtaining informed consent and the institutional review process (ethical approval). The researcher needs to provide adequate information on each of these aspects.

Informed consent needs to be obtained from the participants (details discussed in further chapters), as well as the research site and the relevant authorities.

When the researcher prepares a research budget, he/she should predict and cost all aspects of the research and then add an additional allowance for unpredictable disasters, delays and rising costs. All items in the budget should be justified.

Appendices are documents that support the proposal and application. The appendices will be specific for each proposal but documents that are usually required include informed consent form, supporting documents, questionnaires, measurement tools and patient information of the study in layman's language.

As with any scholarly research paper, you must cite the sources you used in composing your proposal. Although the words ‘references and bibliography’ are different, they are used interchangeably. It refers to all references cited in the research proposal.

Successful, qualitative research proposals should communicate the researcher's knowledge of the field and method and convey the emergent nature of the qualitative design. The proposal should follow a discernible logic from the introduction to presentation of the appendices.

Financial support and sponsorship

Conflicts of interest.

There are no conflicts of interest.

Indepth Research Institute

Transforming people and organizations in Africa since 2003

5 Essential Steps for Effective Proposal Development

• 0.1 Introduction
• 1.1.1 Identifying Your Audience
• 1.1.2 Conducting Comprehensive Research
• 1.2.1 Setting SMART Goals
• 1.2.2 Aligning Objectives with Audience Needs
• 1.3.1 Executive Summary
• 1.3.2 Problem Statement
• 1.3.3 Proposed Solution
• 1.3.4 Implementation Plan
• 1.3.5 Budget and Resources
• 1.4.1 Use Storytelling Techniques
• 1.4.2 Highlight Unique Selling Points
• 1.4.3 Address Potential Concerns
• 1.4.4 Use Visuals and Infographics
• 1.5 Step 5: Review and Finalize
• 2.0.1 How long should a proposal be?
• 2.0.2 Should I include a table of contents in my proposal?
• 2.0.3 How should I handle pricing and financial details in my proposal?
• 2.0.4 How can I make my proposal stand out from the competition?
• 2.0.5 Is it necessary to follow up after submitting a proposal?
• 2.1 Conclusion
• 3 Newsletter Signup Form

Introduction

When it comes to proposal development, having a systematic approach is crucial for success. Whether you’re working on a business proposal, project proposal, or grant proposal, following a structured process ensures that you cover all the necessary aspects and present your ideas in a clear and compelling manner. In this article, we will explore the 5 essential steps for effective proposal development, guiding you through each stage to help you create winning proposals that stand out from the competition.

The Importance of Effective Proposal Development

Before we dive into the steps, let’s understand why effective proposal development is essential. A well-crafted proposal not only showcases your ideas but also demonstrates your professionalism and expertise. It conveys your ability to understand the needs of your audience and provide tailored solutions. By following a systematic approach, you can increase your chances of securing the desired outcome, whether it’s winning a contract, obtaining funding, or gaining approval for a project.

Step 1: Research and Planning

The first step in effective proposal development is thorough research and planning. This involves gathering information about your audience, their requirements, and any specific guidelines or criteria provided. Take the time to understand their needs, challenges, and expectations. Conduct market research if necessary to gather relevant data and insights. This information will form the foundation of your proposal and enable you to tailor your approach to meet their specific needs.

Identifying Your Audience

To create a proposal that resonates with your audience, you must first identify who they are. Consider their demographics, interests, and pain points. By understanding their background and motivations, you can craft a proposal that addresses their unique needs and convinces them that you are the right choice.

Conducting Comprehensive Research

Once you have identified your audience, it’s time to gather as much information as possible. Utilize various resources such as market reports, case studies, industry publications, and online sources. Look for trends, statistics, and success stories that support your proposal. This research will not only strengthen your argument but also demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in the field.

Step 2: Defining Your Proposal Objectives

After conducting thorough research, it’s important to define clear objectives for your proposal. What do you want to achieve with your proposal? Are you aiming to secure a contract, funding, or approval for a project? Defining your objectives will help you stay focused throughout the proposal development process and ensure that every section of your proposal aligns with your goals.

Setting SMART Goals

To make your objectives more effective, use the SMART framework. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. By setting SMART goals, you provide clarity and structure to your proposal, making it easier for your audience to understand and evaluate your proposal’s success.

Aligning Objectives with Audience Needs

When defining your objectives, ensure they are aligned with your audience’s needs and expectations. Show how your proposal addresses their pain points and offers a solution that is relevant and beneficial to them. This alignment will help you establish credibility and increase the chances of your proposal being accepted.

Step 3: Developing a Compelling Proposal Structure

The structure of your proposal plays a crucial role in effectively communicating your ideas. A well-organized and logical structure enhances readability and ensures that your audience can easily navigate through your proposal. Consider the following components when developing your proposal structure:

Executive Summary

The executive summary is a concise overview of your proposal, highlighting the key points and benefits. It should be persuasive, engaging, and compelling enough to grab the attention of your audience and encourage them to read further. Keep it concise, focusing on the most important aspects of your proposal.

Problem Statement

Clearly articulate the problem or challenge that your proposal aims to address. Describe the current situation, its impact, and the consequences of not taking action. This section helps create a sense of urgency and highlights the importance of your proposal in solving the identified problem.

Proposed Solution

Present your proposed solution in detail, explaining how it addresses the problem stated earlier. Clearly outline the benefits and advantages of your solution and provide evidence or examples to support your claims.

Use visuals such as charts, graphs, or diagrams to make your proposal more engaging and visually appealing.

Implementation Plan

Outline a step-by-step plan for implementing your proposed solution. Break it down into manageable phases or milestones, highlighting key activities, timelines, and resource requirements. This section demonstrates your ability to execute the proposed solution effectively.

Budget and Resources

Provide a comprehensive budget for your proposal, including all necessary resources and expenses. Be transparent and realistic in your estimations. This section gives your audience an understanding of the financial implications of your proposal and its feasibility.

Step 4: Crafting Convincing and Persuasive Content

In order to effectively persuade your audience, your proposal’s content needs to be compelling, concise and well-crafted. Use the following strategies to make your content more persuasive:

Use Storytelling Techniques

Incorporate storytelling techniques to captivate your audience and create an emotional connection. Use real-life examples, anecdotes, or case studies to illustrate the impact and success of your proposed solution. By weaving a narrative, you make your proposal more relatable and memorable.

Highlight Unique Selling Points

Identify and highlight the unique selling points of your proposal. What sets it apart from other alternatives? Emphasize the key features, benefits, or advantages that make your proposal the best choice. Use persuasive language and compelling arguments to convince your audience of its value.

Address Potential Concerns

Anticipate and address any potential concerns or objections your audience might have. By proactively providing solutions to potential challenges, you demonstrate your preparedness and commitment to ensuring a successful outcome. This builds trust and confidence in your proposal.

Use Visuals and Infographics

Utilize visuals, infographics, and other visual aids to enhance the readability and understanding of your proposal. Visual representations can simplify complex information, make data more digestible, and engage your audience on a visual level. Remember to provide clear captions and references for all visuals used.

Step 5: Review and Finalize

The final step in effective proposal development is reviewing and finalizing your proposal. Take the time to proofread your proposal for grammar, spelling, and formatting errors. Ensure that it adheres to any specific guidelines or requirements provided. Seek feedback from trusted colleagues or mentors to gain different perspectives and make necessary improvements. A well-polished proposal demonstrates your attention to detail and professionalism.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should a proposal be.

The length of a proposal can vary depending on the specific requirements and guidelines provided. In general, it is advisable to keep your proposal concise and focused, typically ranging from a few pages to a maximum of 20 pages. However, always prioritize quality over quantity and ensure that all the necessary information is included.

Should I include a table of contents in my proposal?

Including a table of contents can be beneficial, especially for longer proposals. It allows your audience to quickly navigate through the document and find specific sections or information they are interested in. However, if your proposal is relatively short, a table of contents may not be necessary.

How should I handle pricing and financial details in my proposal?

When including pricing and financial details in your proposal, be transparent, accurate, and realistic. Clearly outline the costs involved, including any applicable taxes, fees, or additional expenses. If appropriate, provide a breakdown of the costs for better clarity. Ensure that your pricing aligns with the value and benefits offered by your proposal.

How can I make my proposal stand out from the competition?

To make your proposal stand out from the competition, focus on highlighting your unique strengths, differentiators, and innovative solutions. Tailor your proposal to meet the specific needs and requirements of your audience. Use visuals, testimonials, or case studies to demonstrate your track record of success. Craft a compelling narrative and communicate your passion and commitment to delivering exceptional results.

Is it necessary to follow up after submitting a proposal?

Following up after submitting a proposal is highly recommended. It allows you to express your continued interest, answer any additional questions, and address any concerns or clarifications that may arise. Following up demonstrates your dedication and proactive approach, increasing the chances of your proposal receiving the attention it deserves.

Budgeting and Budgetary Control

Effective proposal development is a structured process that requires thorough research, clear objectives, compelling content, and attention to detail. By following the 5 essential steps outlined in this article, you can create winning proposals that showcase your expertise, address your audience’s needs, and increase your chances of success. Remember to tailor each proposal to the specific requirements and guidelines provided, and always review and finalize your proposal before submission. With a well-crafted proposal, you can impress your audience and achieve your desired outcomes.

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10 Research Proposal Writing Steps

At the onset of any thesis, you must be very clear with the Research Proposal writing steps. These steps must be synchronised in a very systematic manner. Always keep in mind that Research Proposal writing steps must be comprehensively organised to make the Supervisor understand the what , why , and how of your future thesis. It is therefore important that before the phase of the Research Proposal writing steps, you must have a clear draft of what exactly you are going to write in the Research Proposal. The draft must have well elaborated –

As the draft for the Research proposal is finalised with a properly structured Introduction, Literature Review, Research Methodology, Possible Outcomes, and Reference list, it is time for following the Research Proposal writing steps. 10 steps that must be well arranged in the Research Proposal are noted below:

Step 1: Cover Page

At the beginning of the writing process of the research proposal, you need to have 3 pages for the Cover page, Title page, and Abstract. The step to prepare the cover page must be followed by -

=> Revise and Proofread

However, this can be considered even after the completion of the rest of the steps. This is a personal choice. 

Step 2: Introduction

The writing of the Introduction is very important for a Research Proposal. In this step, you need to make clear statements about the purpose or the relevance of the research. You must make an appropriate declaration of the Research Question, along with its Aim and Objectives.

Research Purpose/Relevance

Research Question

Research Aim and Objectives

The Research Question, Aim and Objectives, are the three things that remain the same in the future thesis. Thus, you need to be very assured of these declarations.    

Step 3: Literature Review

Research Proposal writing steps must consider Literature Review as the spine of the research process. It is the Literature review that makes the researcher attains exclusive knowledge about the research question and related queries. The notable subheadings to be included in this step are:

Empirical Analyses

Theoretical Analyses

Research Gaps

This step of writing the Literature review must make some declarations on empirical derivations and theoretical analyses initiated by former researchers in the respective field of research. In this step, it becomes very necessary to offer a Theoretical Framework as the map for understanding the research field. Critical evaluation of all the relevant former content is mandatory at this step. As the evaluation process gets accomplished, there is a need for making clear declarations about the attained Research Gaps. These researcher gaps will lead the Research Proposal writing steps to the next level- Research Methodology.

Step 4: Research Methodology

The decision regarding the Research Methodology depends on the identification of the right research philosophy. The research philosophy can be of either Pragmatism, Positivism, Realism, or Interpretivism. The appropriate selection of research philosophy will decide for research approach and design, and eventually the need for data collection sources. The necessary subheadings for this heading are:

Research Philosophy

Research Approach

Research Design

Data Collection

Kindly note that the inclusion of Research Design must remain about the Theoretical Framework as declared under the heading of the Literature Review.

Step 5: Knowledgeable Contributions

This is a step that remains focussed on the inclusion of -

Critical Evaluations of Possibilities

Research Contributions

=>  Revise and Proofread

As the researcher follows the Research Proposal writing steps, this step might appear difficult to present as it becomes somewhat early to declare the contributions of the research at this initial phase of the proposal. However, the researcher must offer some idea about the kind of possibilities that can be achieved through this research.

Step 6: Ethical Approval

The step for Ethical Approval must be well supported by the declarations of-

Consent Letter

Code of Ethics

The consent latter is mandatory for primary data collection, and the maintenance of the code of ethics must be adhered to as per the University norms. Remember, that you need to read all the ethical norms as stated on the official site of the University and structure the research process accordingly. 

Step 7: Research Timeline

Research Proposal writing steps must make a clear declaration about the total timeline need for the completion of a thesis. It is therefore very important to include-

Schedules Date Sheet

Chapters with Months

There can be possible variations in meeting the declared timelines, yet the basic framework needs to be followed appropriately.

Step 8: Research Expenditure

Many research works need travelling and other expenditure. Even many get funded. The researcher needs to make clear elaboration about the expenditure or funding of the research work. This elaboration must comprise- 

Research Cost

Justification on Cost

Source of Expenditure

It is necessary that you offer documents in support of your justification and the same can be added in the Appendices.

Step 9: Reference List

The researcher must follow this step as the crucial step among all the other steps of Research Proposal writing steps. A detailed and well-formatted list of the sources used in the research must be declared at this step.

University Recommended

Alphabetical Arrangement

Thus, this officially remains the last step on the entire list of Research Proposal writing steps.

Step 10: Appendices (if any)

The need for Appendices can be a step in the list of Research Proposal writing steps. However, it stands as optional, yet is recommended as it includes some major information related to the research. These major information can be-

Additional Data

Questionnaire

Interview Questions

This step can consider including official documents or tables & charts, which have great relevance to the Introduction and the Literature Review sections.

On a conclusive note, revise and proofread the entire Research Proposal at every step. Always keep in mind that the aforementioned Research Proposal writing steps are very important in meeting the core need for systematic explanation on what , why , and how of your future thesis.

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Speaker 1: Hi everyone, today we are going to talk about how to write research proposals. Now you might need a research proposal at different stages of your academic career. You might need it when applying to a PhD program, or when you are applying for a funding grant with an organization, or when you are finalizing your research topic for your master's or PhD, then sometimes the committee also asks you to submit a research proposal first. So how are you supposed to write a research proposal? Well, let's find out. I am Neha Griwal and in this video, we're going to first learn what is a research proposal. Then we're going to understand what are the prerequisites to research proposal writing. Then we will learn what is the structure of a research proposal, and what are the key elements that go in a research proposal. Now I've also put the timestamps in this video, so you can directly jump into the section you want to learn about. First let's understand what is a research proposal. So a research proposal is an article that you share with the academic committee to justify why that research problem is important, and what are the practical ways through which you will investigate that research problem. So in simple words, it means you have to convince the academic committee that you've identified a research problem, it's a good problem to solve, and you have an action plan as to how you're going to solve it. Okay, moving on to the prerequisites to writing a research proposal. Now even before you start writing your research proposal, you need to choose a research topic. And how do you do that? Well, you can either approach a professor to help you, or you can visit the websites of different universities to see what is the ongoing research in the field of your interest. Or you can start from scratch and read a lot of review papers and research articles to identify the research gap. Now if you want to learn in detail how to choose a research topic, you can check out my previous video, the link is given in the description. Now to be honest, if you're submitting a research proposal for a master's or a PhD application, and if you don't have a lot of time to carefully choose a research topic, then I would say no need to panic. More than the research topic, what the admissions committee is interested in is to see how well you are able to structure a problem and give a clear path as to how are you going to conduct your research studies. So let's look into that. Now I'm going to share with you the structure of a research proposal. So the structuring of a research proposal is very similar to that of a research paper, except that it does not have the results and discussion section because obviously, your research proposal is still in the proposal stage and you haven't conducted the research yet. Apart from that, a research proposal also consists of some additional sections like the work plan, budget, something that you will not find in a research paper. So here are the key components or the key elements that go in a research proposal. Starting with the title, followed by the literature review and research gap. Then comes the research objective and the research questions, followed by the research methodology. After that comes ethical considerations, which is an optional section. Then comes your timeline, the budget, the significance of the research, and finally the references section. Now usually the word limit for a research proposal is somewhere between 2000 to 3500 words, but sometimes the committee also shares the word limit with you. So do prepare your research proposal accordingly. And now let's deep dive into each of these elements. The first is the proposed title. Now the title that you choose for your research proposal should be informative. Just by reading the title, people should get a broad understanding of what your research area is about. The title also needs to be concise, which means it can't be too long or too short. And at the same time, the title should also capture the reader's attention. So let's look at some examples. The effect of heat on three grades of olive oil, or modeling Wi-Fi propagation in an urban flat in India, or reason for dropout in competitive sports among young athletes in India. All these statements clearly indicate the research topic, along with being informative and to the point. The next is the literature review and the research gap. And the purpose of this section is to share with the readers what is the existing research that has been carried out in this area, and what are some of the issues that the researchers have not been able to overcome so far. So we start this section just like an introduction section of a research paper, where we explain the background of our study. So basically, what was the rationale behind taking up the study and why the study is important for the scientific community today. Then you move on to the literature review, where you explain what is the existing research that has already been conducted in this field, and you critically evaluate their work. You can also use the 5C framework for your evaluation. So the first C is to cite, which means that whatever work you are evaluating, you need to cite them in your research proposal. Then comes compare, where you compare the work of different authors, different researchers in terms of their research methodologies, theories, arguments, and you also establish a contrast between them. Then comes critique, where you critically evaluate their work in terms of how successful or unsuccessful they have been in terms of their theories, methodologies, or arguments. You can also evaluate which work is reliable, while which work fails to convince the reader. And lastly comes connect, where you connect everything together with the research work that you are planning to do. And this brings us to the research gap. So after your literature review, you need to share what are some of the issues in the existing research that other researchers have not been able to overcome so far. So essentially, the shortcomings or the drawbacks in the existing research forms your research gap. Moving on to the next element, which is the research objective and the research questions. So what is the research objective? It is basically what you are proposing to do in order to overcome or fulfill the research gap which you shared in the previous section. That is your research objective. Now there could be many issues that you would have identified, right, which fall under the big umbrella of the research gap. So all these separate issues form a research question of their own. And if you answer these research questions, you will achieve your objective. Now to answer these research questions, you would have some idea right, that if I do this, I will get the result. Now these ideas can come from anywhere. It could come from literature survey, your personal experience or anywhere else. But you know that the assumptions that you are making, if you do them, you might get the result. So these assumptions are actually called as the hypothesis. So in this section, you're going to include three things. One is the research objective. Next is the research questions. And third is the hypothesis. Now I've tried to simplify these terms as much as possible for you to understand them. So if the definitions don't come out properly, please consider my apologies. The next element is the research methodology. And it's one of the most important sections because here you share with the academic committee, how are you planning to tackle the problem? So you can start by sharing the theories on which your research studies are based. And then based on those theories, you could share a framework as to how will you tackle the problem. You can also share the different approaches to solving that problem. And based on your understanding or what according to you would be the best approach to address the research questions. Now you should also share information about how you're going to collect data, whether it's going to be through experiments, through surveys or through simulations. Say for example, you're going to collect data through experiments, then you should explain what are the materials that you're going to need? What is the step by step procedure that you're going to follow? Or if you're going to collect data through survey, you need to tell the readers who are going to be the participants in your study. And after that, you should talk about how are you going to collect this data? How will you be analyzing this data? And finally, the scope of the study. So basically, what are you going to investigate or not investigate in the study to lay out the boundary of your research that is called as the scope of your study. Now before I tell you how to write the remaining elements, if you wish to learn in detail how to write a research paper, you can register for a free demo to my research paper writing workshop. The link is given in the description. And now let's talk about the other elements. Now the next element which is optional is the ethical considerations element. So sometimes if you're conducting some biological studies in which animals are involved, or if you're taking a survey where you're collecting some sensitive data, you need to ensure that ethical standards are maintained, and the participants have right to data privacy, confidentiality, etc. So you need to include these things in this section. Next comes the tentative timeline. And here you need to share a reasonable work schedule and explain to the academic committee how you're going to manage your own progress and complete the project effectively. Now one thing to remember here is to not underestimate the demands of the project. Prepare a timeline, either a table or a bar chart and show how will you complete your project in the given timeframe. Say for example, if you're going for a PhD, then you should show how in the span of four to five years you will achieve all the research objectives which you're mentioning in the proposal. Now some research proposals might also ask for a budget, especially if you're writing one for a funding grant. So here you need to predict the costs that would be involved in all aspects of the research, be it procurement of materials, equipment, traveling, along with some scope for unpredictability, say experiment failures or increase in cost of the raw materials, etc. But whatever costs you mention, make sure you're able to justify all of them. Now coming to one of the last sections of your research proposal, which is sharing the significance of your research. Here you need to remind the academic committee, reiterate why your research is important and worth taking up. Share with them what is the impact that your research is going to make and what are the broader applications or implications of your study. And finally, coming to the last section, which is the references. Here you need to list down all the sources that you refer to or cited in your research proposal. And with this, we come to an end of your research proposal writing. So guys, that's all I wanted to share with you today. If you wish to learn in detail how to write a research paper, you can register for a free demo to my research paper writing workshop. The link is given in the description. And now thank you so much for watching this video and I wish you all the very best for your research proposals.

LIVE Learning Innovation Incubator

Ignite tech development grants.

LIVE Ignite Tech Development Grants offer an intense burst of development support from the LIVE technical team (Research Engineer + CS Postdoc) to bring powerful ideas for innovative learning technologies to life or help existing tools take bold new steps forward. Proposals should outline both the conceptual value of the project (how will the technology support needed kinds of learning in innovative ways) and pragmatic goals (what is the current state of the technology now and what is the desired state to be achieved) plus demonstrate the feasibility of completion within the planned 2.5 month period. Preference will be given to applicants with a documented history of active involvement in the LIVE community.

LIVE Technical Team Capabilities

LIVE’s Research Engineer and Computer Science Postdoctoral Fellow have industry and academic experience in backend web applications and cloud infrastructures, are proficient in various programming languages and are available to assist with building a range of applications and services, including graphical applications that integrate technologies such as cloud computing, AR/VR, eye tracking, and generative AI. Their specific skill set includes:

• Software design/development (using C#, Rust, Python, JavaScript) 
• Cross-platform graphical applications made with the Unity game engine
• Augmented/Virtual Reality
• Backend systems and web applications, including API design/implementation
• Server hosting/management with cloud providers
• Educational robotics and educational robotics simulations
• Generative AI applications

Additional Resources

LIVE Ignite Tech Develop Grant awardees will have access to additional in-kind resources as applicable to increase project success, including: 

• Specialty hardware and software (Tobii Pro 3 Eye tracking glasses and analysis software, VR/AR equipment).
• Newly renovated facilities in the 17th & Horton building (including team workspaces, Human Interaction Viewpoint and Embodiment (HIVE) Lab , EngageAI Classroom of the Future, IDEA Lab, and Meta VR Cave)
• LIVE’s network of diverse learning technology, product development and social entrepreneurship expertise

Evaluation Criteria

• Significance & Originality : How important is the learning challenge being addressed? How promising and novel is the approach to addressing it?
• Advancement & Feasibility : Does the project propose a significant but achievable advance in the state of the learning technology? Do the project needs align with the available considering capabilities of the technical team?
• Impact & Inclusivity : How likely is the technology to significantly advance learning practices and/or outcomes? Does the project demonstrate a commitment to ensuring that the solution is accessible and beneficial to a broad spectrum of learners?
• Scalability & Sustainability : What is the potential for widespread use and impact? Does the project outline a clear path for continuation or expansion beyond the grant period?

Eligibility & Terms

• Vanderbilt faculty, research scientists, postdocs, and doctoral students are eligible to apply
• Projects must be complete by December 15th, 2024 
• Applicants can submit multiple proposals; however, it is strongly recommended that they focus their efforts on a single proposal. By concentrating on one proposal, applicants can dedicate more time and resources to ensure it is of the highest possible quality, well-developed and competitive.
• By accepting a LIVE Ignite Tech Development Grant, awardees agree to participate in bi-weekly meetings, and commit to timely communications with LIVE development team on feature requests and feedback via a set of mutually agreed project management practices, where both parties respond to inquiries within 2 workdays. 
• Grants can not be extended past the award deadline.

Any external funding or industry partnerships arising based on work from Ignite Grants must be coordinated in collaboration with LIVE

2024  Ignite Tech Development Grant Cycle

Important dates.

• August 28 – Grant announced
• September 18 – Proposals due
• September 27 – Awards announced
• October 1  – Grant work begins
• December 15 – Grant work complete

Proposal Submission Process

Submit your application materials here

• Abstract (max 100 words)
• Learning Challenge and Approach: Describe the learning challenge of interest, why it is important and make a compelling case for the promise of your innovative approach to addressing it. 
• Development Vision and Goals : Outline your overall vision for the technology, its current status, and specific development goals for this grant. Highlight existing capabilities and limitations, and explain how this project will advance the technology to the next stage.
• Next Steps : Describe your plans to continue your efforts post grant. What will the development advance allow you to do that was not possible before (e.g. pilot testing, grant applications or other)? 
• Eventual Impact : Explain how the technology will transform learning practices and demonstrate its potential for widespread use. Discuss any commitments to providing benefits to a diverse learner population.
•  I dentify tasks to be completed and required skills to complete them, provide a 2.5-month timeline, including # of hours expected per week, with development phases and key deliverables for each phase. The maximum possible support provided is 1 person-month (160 hours).

For any questions regarding  LIVE Ignite Tech Develop Grants  please email [email protected]

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Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Planning Degree Information

The doctoral curriculum integrates analytical methods, research design, a rigorous understanding of urbanization dynamics, and an examination of broader social theories, processes and policies.

Students address complex systems that typically encompass an array of spatial, environmental, social, political, technical, and economic factors. The emphasis is on theory, analysis, and action.

Each student is also expected to demonstrate an understanding of the literature, theory, and research in a specialization area within the larger discipline of urban and regional planning.

Required Courses

Four courses are required of all Ph.D. students: two doctoral-level planning theory courses and a two-course research seminar sequence.

• Advanced Urban Theory (URP 700)
• Epistemology and Reasoning for Planning Research (URP 701)
• Research Design (URP 801)
• Ph.D. Research Seminar (URP 802)

Recent students have engaged in subjects as diverse as:

• The political economy of public transit, inner-city revitalization
• Global city urbanization
• Information technology and cyberspace
• The crisis of modernist urbanism
• Suburbanization in developing countries
• Regional planning institutions
• The effects of environmental contamination on patterns of urban and regional development
• The culture of suburban commuting
• The impact of tourism on historical Mediterranean cities
• The application of complex systems analysis to sustainable development

Pre-Candidacy Requirements

Doctoral students specialize in a wide range of possible topics.

• Planning theory
• Analytic methods
• Research design
• Primary area of specialization

Students meet these requirements through coursework and exams over a two-year period. During this time, a student’s cumulative grade point average may not fall below a B without academic discipline or probation.

Analytic Methods Courses

Students are expected to be skilled in statistics, in at least two analytic research techniques, and reasonably knowledgeable about several others. Students qualify in analytic techniques by completing the following:

Satisfactory performance (B or higher) in two cumulative graduate-level statistics courses.

Students entering with previous statistics experience may wish to enter directly into a second semester statistics course. In the past, students have typically selected one of the following sequences:

• Statistics 402 (Introduction to Statistics & Data Analysis), Statistics 403 (Statistics & Data Analysis II)
• Sociology 510 (Statistics); Sociology 610 (Statistical Methods)
• Natural Resources 438 (Natural Resources Biometrics), Natural Resources 538 (Natural Resources Data Analysis)
• Biostatistics 503 (Introductory Biostatistics), Biostatistics 523 (Biostatistical Analysis for Health-Related Fields)
• The sequence in political science

NOTE:  Students wishing to study statistics during the spring or summer terms may want to investigate the Summer Program in Quantitative Methods of Social Research sponsored by the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR) and/or the Summer Institute in Survey Research Techniques conducted by the research staff of the Survey Research Center, Institute for Social Research. Choice of courses to meet requirements should be discussed with your advisor.

Competence in at least two analytic/research methods satisfied through six credit hours of total coursework.

These are methods used in planning research and should prepare the student for their likely area of dissertation work. The requirement is met through completion of nine credits of course work in two analytic/research methods (in addition to statistics), to be defined by the student in conjunction with his or her advisor. (The two methods may be interrelated.) Depending on the research method and the student’s background, more courses may be needed. Courses in these two areas must be completed with a grade of B or higher in order to fulfill this requirement. Graduate level courses that are audited can count for this requirement, as long as the student completes all the work of the course and the instructor provides a letter indicating the grade the student would have received had he or she been enrolled. All plans for satisfying this requirement are the joint responsibility of the student and his or her advisor.

The methods a student selects should relate to their dissertation area. Below are several analytic/research methods in which students have been examined in recent years. Numerous analytic/research methods are appropriate, and students need not be restricted to choices on the list:

• Anthropological methods
• Case study methods
• Complex systems analysis
• Cost benefit & cost effectiveness analysis
• Decision theory & general risk analysis
• Demographic analysis
• Discrete choice analysis
• Differential equations
• Diffusion models
• Economic & other forecasting models
• Evaluation research
• Graph theory
• Historical analysis
• Institutional analysis
• Interview techniques
• Linear programming and general analysis using linear models
• Network & flow methods
• Population growth models
• Probability, both theoretical & heuristic
• Simulation/gaming & game theory
• Spatial analysis
• Survey research
• Time series

Annual Review of Progress

At the end of each year of study, students are required to complete an Annual Review.  The advisor and the Director of Doctoral Studies may make recommendations for any modifications deemed necessary prior to the start of the following academic year. Note: financial support for the subsequent year, if applicable, depends on timely completion of a satisfactory annual review.

Annual Review Steps

By April 15, the student submits:

• A draft annual review form to their advisor, including a concise narrative of and goals for the upcoming summer and academic year.
• An up-to-date CV

The student and advisor meet; the advisor provides comments to the student and, where necessary, recommends changes in the academic plan in the annual review form.

Once the advisor has approved the plan of study for the coming year, they send the Director of Doctoral Studies a short narrative of student progress.

The URP Ph.D. Advisory Committee reviews the materials, and sends a letter to the student, either confirming their good standing in the program or specifying additional requirements to be in good standing.

Comprehensive Exam

The comprehensive exam tests a student’s knowledge of both their primary and secondary areas of specialization. The exam consists of a take-home, written examination followed by an oral exam. The examination normally occurs at the end of the student’s second year, after completion of all relevant coursework.

The Committee

The student convenes an examination committee of three faculty members, choosing faculty who have expertise in the areas of specialization. At least one member of the committee should be a member of the urban and regional planning faculty. The chair or co-chair of the committee must be a regular member of the planning faculty and cannot be an affiliate faculty member. At least one committee member should represent the student’s secondary area of specialization. (If the student has identified a secondary area of specialization that is traditionally housed in another department on campus, then the student is encouraged to select a faculty member from that outside department as their third committee member.) On occasion, examiners from outside the university have served on students’ examining committees. While this practice is generally not encouraged, written requests for an outside examiner by students are treated on an individual basis by the director of doctoral studies.

The Field Statement

The student meets with the committee chair to plan for the exam and agree on expectations prior to the construction of the exam. In consultation with the chair and committee members, the student identifies appropriate readings and prepares a detailed “field statement” that defines the primary and secondary fields, contains a detailed bibliography of readings, organizes the readings into subfields, and outlines a set of major questions for the fields. The field statement is normally designed principally with the chair and is sometimes analogous to a detailed syllabus that one would prepare for a year-long graduate-level course on the selected specializations. The student often writes possible exam questions that he/she feels are appropriate for the area the exam will cover. The questions are not the questions the committee asks the student; their major function is to help the committee and the student to agree on the scope of the exam.

Scheduling the Exam

The exam must be completed by the end of May, at the end of a student’s second year in the program, and is scheduled on the student’s initiative. Prior to the exam, the student should have completed all coursework (including all incompletes). A student may delay the exam for exceptional circumstances with approval of the faculty adviser and the Director of Doctoral Studies. Students must notify the Director of Doctoral Studies of their intent to take the exam, with a date and time, location, and names of committee members at least one month prior to the exam.

The written part of the exam is in the form of a take-home essay. The committee chair typically solicits exam questions from the committee, selects questions to be used, and composes the final examination. The allotted time period to write the exam is determined by the chair, and typically is over three days. The student must submit the exam in the form as directed by the chair (usually as a Word document submitted by email), plus one copy to the program administrator to be placed in the student’s records. The written exam is followed by a two-hour oral exam, generally scheduled to take place within about one week after the written exam. The exam is evaluated on a “Pass/Fail” or “Conditional Pass” basis. If the student does not achieve a passing evaluation, he/she may take the exam one additional time to achieve a “Pass” or “Conditional Pass” status. A “Conditional Pass” indicates that additional requirements must be met, but the exam need not be retaken. Upon completion of the oral portion of the exam, please refer to the Applying for Candidacy section for next steps.

Applying for Candidacy

A student advances to candidacy when all program requirements except the dissertation proposal and dissertation have been satisfied. The normal and expected time to achieve candidacy is two years from the date of first enrollment in the doctoral program. In addition to urban and regional planning program requirements, a student must also meet  Rackham Candidacy Requirements . Any incomplete courses that are critical to satisfying requirements must be completed before applying for candidacy.

Once all required coursework and the comprehensive exam are successfully completed, a student applies for Candidacy by sending a request by email to the URP Director of Doctoral Studies, along with a signed Comprehensive Exam Certification Form.

The Director of Doctoral Studies will recommend a doctoral student for candidacy by submitting a recommendation to the Rackham Graduate School. When candidacy is approved, a student is ready to begin work on the dissertation and is eligible for URP 995 candidacy registration.

Sample Schedule

Sample First Year

Sample Second Year

Spring – Summer
(scheduled by student; typically taken by the end of May)
(by the start of the third year of study) Sample Years Three – Four Dissertation Proposal Presentation (reviewed and approved by the student’s dissertation committee and the URP Doctoral Committee) Dissertation research and writing Informal “Full Draft Review” (at least 6-8 weeks before the formal defense) Dissertation Defense Submittal of the final version of the dissertation Dissertation Forming dissertation committee. After completing the comprehensive exam and advancing to candidacy, the student must form a dissertation committee, in accordance with the Rackham Graduate School’s  “Guidelines for Dissertation Committee Service.” The Dissertation Committee should be formed prior to defending the dissertation proposal, which should be formed several months before the student expects to defend their proposal URP. When prepared to do so, the student should send the Director of Doctoral Studies and Lisa Hauser the completed “Dissertation Committee Worksheet for Students to submit to Program”, which can be obtained from the link above. The Director of Doctoral Studies and Lisa Hauser will then submit the formal request to the Rackham Graduate School. Dissertation Proposal Dissertation proposals can be defended anytime after taking the Comprehensive Exam, but no later than the end of the fifth semester (i.e. December). It is the student’s responsibility to schedule the proposal defense attended by the dissertation committee. The student must notify Lisa Hauser by email of the proposal defense date at least three weeks prior to the meeting, including the location of the defense meeting, a title, and an abstract. After gaining approval from the dissertation committee, the dissertation chair must send an email to the Director of Doctoral Studies that includes (a) the date of the proposal defense, (b) a list of all committee members present at the defense, (c) a title of the proposal, (d) an abstract of the proposal (250 – 350 words), and (e) a copy of the final dissertation proposal to be filed with URP records. Receipt of the email from the dissertation chair will constitute formal approval of the proposal by the committee and readiness to proceed with dissertation work. Dissertation Process The dissertation is prepared in accordance with the  Rackham Graduate School’s Doctoral Dissertation Requirements , and as outlined in the URP Ph.D. Program Overview Schedule and Policies document. The student is responsible for several steps: (a) scheduling and reserving rooms (and/or a Zoom link if virtual or hybrid) for the URP pre-defense hearing (which ordinarily should occur at least six weeks and no less than three weeks prior to the dissertation defense) and the defense meeting, both in a timely manner; (b) notifying Lisa Hauser by email of the defense date at least three weeks prior to the meeting, including the location of the defense meeting, (and Zoom link, if relevant), a title, and an abstract; (c) providing a complete dissertation draft, including an abstract and bibliography, to committee members at least two weeks (longer is advised) before the defense date; and (d) registering for an eight-hour candidacy enrollment (995 Dissertation Research) for the term in which the defense is held. A dissertation defense typically consists of two parts: the first is a formal, public presentation of the dissertation research, followed by questions and answers from both the dissertation committee and the audience. Defenses are advertised and open to the public, and other students and faculty are frequently in attendance. The second part is a closed session for the candidate and the dissertation committee. During the defense, the student may be asked to reconsider certain aspects of the work and to make changes or corrections in the dissertation. At the end of the session, the chair will discuss the oral defense with other members of the committee and inform the student of the outcome. The duration of a defense can vary, but the candidate should reserve the room for a three-hour period. Formal approval of the dissertation (e.g., formatting of the final document) and applying for graduation are governed by the Rackham Graduate School. Watch these Dates for Key Market Research Reports Florida Realtors Online Education Portal - LearnUpon Click here to launch LearnUpon, Florida Realtors' online education portal for GRI and more. Florida Realtors' CEO Symposium — Become a Better Board Leader September 25-27,  Guidewell Innovation Center,  Orlando. Tackle today's challenges and learn about new opportunities in this gathering of board presidents, association executives and district vice presidents. Make Your Voice Count in the Capital News & Media Florida Realtors News State Parks Development Plan Faces Setback Plans to develop Florida state parks with golf courses and pickleball courts are facing backlash, leading a key supporter to withdraw its proposal. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Facing widespread opposition across the political spectrum, Gov. Ron DeSantis ' plan to develop state parks with business ventures – such as golf courses, pickleball courts and large hotels – has hit a snag after a key supporter pulled the plug. The Department of Environmental Protection confirmed in an email that one group is no longer pursuing golf courses at pristine Jonathan Dickinson State Park in southeast Florida. The agency statement came after the backer, a nonprofit called Tuskegee Dunes Foundation, withdrew its proposal over the weekend. “This project will be removed from agency review,” DEP spokesperson Alexandra Kuchta said in the email. It wasn’t clear Monday what impact the Dickinson decision might have on DEP’s overall “Great Outdoors Initiative,” which envisions a variety of projects at nine state parks for people to enjoy popular sites, according to officials. “It’s high time we made public lands more accessible to the public,” said Jeremy Redfern, DeSantis’ press secretary, in a post on the social platform X. Yet the outcry was so intense when the plan became public last week that DEP scrapped hearings that had been planned for Tuesday – one hour in each location, in midafternoon when many people are working. They opted instead to reschedule the hearings for after Labor Day. Officials did not immediately respond Monday to questions about new hearing details, including whether they will go forward at all. The opposition came from all corners. Republican Sens. Rick Scott and Marco Rubio joined GOP Rep. Brian Mast in a letter contending the compressed time frame was far too fast to fully air the plans. Democratic Rep. Kathy Castor said in a social media post the ideas were “outrageous” and rooted in policies that “prioritize profits over our planet.” Hundreds of people showed up at weekend protests near the nine parks, many of them carrying signs decorated with wildlife art produced by Tampa-based artist Veronica Steiner. She said in an interview that protection of Florida’s parks transcends political and philosophical differences. “I don’t think this is like a red or blue issue,” Steiner said. “I think anybody that lives and has been raised in Florida should care about the land, and that should be politics aside. Everyone should try to protect their natural resources, period.” It is not the first time a Republican administration has raised the idea of leveraging more revenue from state parks by providing golf, lodging and other attractions where public lands are used for private interest. But past ideas were quickly dropped, including one promoted by Scott when he was governor, after public opposition. Adding another question to the DeSantis proposals is the involvement of the Tuskegee Dunes Foundation, which said in an earlier statement the Dickinson park golf courses would “tell the story” of the Tuskegee Airmen, a pioneering Black unit in World War II. Proceeds would go to another organization called Folds of Honor that provides scholarships for the military and to first responders. The Tuskegee Dunes’ initial statement said the golf course project would steer clear of environmentally sensitive parts of the Dickinson park, known as home to the threatened scrub jay and other imperiled species. But then the opposition got increasingly loud. “We have received clear feedback that Jonathan Dickinson State Park is not the right location,” their recent statement said. “We will not pursue building in the beloved Jonathan Dickinson State Park.” Environmental groups say they will continue to oppose development at the parks. “Florida has no shortage of places to swing a golf club, sample the continental breakfast, or try your hand at pickleball,” Audubon Florida said in a statement on its website, “but increasingly rare are the opportunities to spot the deep blue feathers of a Florida scrub jay, witness the miracle of neotropical bird migration, or experience Florida in all its natural beauty.” Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. You May Also Like DeSantis Says Park Plans Need Another Look Debby Insured Losses Near $120M Florida Homes More Affordable as Rates Drop Module 1: Research and the Writing Process Steps in developing a research proposal, learning objectives. Identify the steps in developing a research proposal. Choose a topic and formulate a research question and working thesis. Develop a research proposal. Writing a good research paper takes time, thought, and effort. Although this assignment is challenging, it is manageable. Focusing on one step at a time will help you develop a thoughtful, informative, well-supported research paper. Your first step is to choose a topic and then to develop research questions, a working thesis, and a written research proposal. Set aside adequate time for this part of the process. Fully exploring ideas will help you build a solid foundation for your paper. Choosing a Topic When you choose a topic for a research paper, you are making a major commitment. Your choice will help determine whether you enjoy the lengthy process of research and writing—and whether your final paper fulfills the assignment requirements. If you choose your topic hastily, you may later find it difficult to work with your topic. By taking your time and choosing carefully, you can ensure that this assignment is not only challenging but also rewarding. Writers understand the importance of choosing a topic that fulfills the assignment requirements and fits the assignment’s purpose and audience. (For more information about purpose and audience, see Chapter 6 “Writing Paragraphs: Separating Ideas and Shaping Content”.) Choosing a topic that interests you is also crucial. You instructor may provide a list of suggested topics or ask that you develop a topic on your own. In either case, try to identify topics that genuinely interest you. After identifying potential topic ideas, you will need to evaluate your ideas and choose one topic to pursue. Will you be able to find enough information about the topic? Can you develop a paper about this topic that presents and supports your original ideas? Is the topic too broad or too narrow for the scope of the assignment? If so, can you modify it so it is more manageable? You will ask these questions during this preliminary phase of the research process. Identifying Potential Topics Sometimes, your instructor may provide a list of suggested topics. If so, you may benefit from identifying several possibilities before committing to one idea. It is important to know how to narrow down your ideas into a concise, manageable thesis. You may also use the list as a starting point to help you identify additional, related topics. Discussing your ideas with your instructor will help ensure that you choose a manageable topic that fits the requirements of the assignment. In this chapter, you will follow a writer named Jorge, who is studying health care administration, as he prepares a research paper. You will also plan, research, and draft your own research paper. Jorge was assigned to write a research paper on health and the media for an introductory course in health care. Although a general topic was selected for the students, Jorge had to decide which specific issues interested him. He brainstormed a list of possibilities. If you are writing a research paper for a specialized course, look back through your notes and course activities. Identify reading assignments and class discussions that especially engaged you. Doing so can help you identify topics to pursue. Set a timer for five minutes. Use brainstorming or idea mapping to create a list of topics you would be interested in researching for a paper about the influence of the Internet on social networking. Do you closely follow the media coverage of a particular website, such as Twitter? Would you like to learn more about a certain industry, such as online dating? Which social networking sites do you and your friends use? List as many ideas related to this topic as you can. Narrowing Your Topic Once you have a list of potential topics, you will need to choose one as the focus of your essay. You will also need to narrow your topic. Most writers find that the topics they listed during brainstorming or idea mapping are broad—too broad for the scope of the assignment. Working with an overly broad topic, such as sexual education programs or popularized diets, can be frustrating and overwhelming. Each topic has so many facets that it would be impossible to cover them all in a college research paper. However, more specific choices, such as the pros and cons of sexual education in kids’ television programs or the physical effects of the South Beach diet, are specific enough to write about without being too narrow to sustain an entire research paper. A good research paper provides focused, in-depth information and analysis. If your topic is too broad, you will find it difficult to do more than skim the surface when you research it and write about it. Narrowing your focus is essential to making your topic manageable. To narrow your focus, explore your topic in writing, conduct preliminary research, and discuss both the topic and the research with others. Exploring Your Topic in Writing “How am I supposed to narrow my topic when I haven’t even begun researching yet?” In fact, you may already know more than you realize. Review your list and identify your top two or three topics. Set aside some time to explore each one through freewriting. (For more information about freewriting, see Chapter 8 “The Writing Process: How Do I Begin?”.) Simply taking the time to focus on your topic may yield fresh angles. Jorge knew that he was especially interested in the topic of diet fads, but he also knew that it was much too broad for his assignment. He used freewriting to explore his thoughts so he could narrow his topic. Read Jorge’s ideas. Conducting Preliminary Research Another way writers may focus a topic is to conduct preliminary research . Like freewriting, exploratory reading can help you identify interesting angles. Surfing the web and browsing through newspaper and magazine articles are good ways to start. Find out what people are saying about your topic on blogs and online discussion groups. Discussing your topic with others can also inspire you. Talk about your ideas with your classmates, your friends, or your instructor. Jorge’s freewriting exercise helped him realize that the assigned topic of health and the media intersected with a few of his interests—diet, nutrition, and obesity. Preliminary online research and discussions with his classmates strengthened his impression that many people are confused or misled by media coverage of these subjects. Jorge decided to focus his paper on a topic that had garnered a great deal of media attention—low-carbohydrate diets. He wanted to find out whether low-carbohydrate diets were as effective as their proponents claimed. Writing at Work At work, you may need to research a topic quickly to find general information. This information can be useful in understanding trends in a given industry or generating competition. For example, a company may research a competitor’s prices and use the information when pricing their own product. You may find it useful to skim a variety of reliable sources and take notes on your findings. The reliability of online sources varies greatly. In this exploratory phase of your research, you do not need to evaluate sources as closely as you will later. However, use common sense as you refine your paper topic. If you read a fascinating blog comment that gives you a new idea for your paper, be sure to check out other, more reliable sources as well to make sure the idea is worth pursuing. Review the list of topics you created in Note 11.18 “Exercise 1” and identify two or three topics you would like to explore further. For each of these topics, spend five to ten minutes writing about the topic without stopping. Then review your writing to identify possible areas of focus. Set aside time to conduct preliminary research about your potential topics. Then choose a topic to pursue for your research paper. Collaboration Please share your topic list with a classmate. Select one or two topics on his or her list that you would like to learn more about and return it to him or her. Discuss why you found the topics interesting, and learn which of your topics your classmate selected and why. A Plan for Research Your freewriting and preliminary research have helped you choose a focused, manageable topic for your research paper. To work with your topic successfully, you will need to determine what exactly you want to learn about it—and later, what you want to say about it. Before you begin conducting in-depth research, you will further define your focus by developing a research question , a working thesis, and a research proposal. Formulating a Research Question In forming a research question, you are setting a goal for your research. Your main research question should be substantial enough to form the guiding principle of your paper—but focused enough to guide your research. A strong research question requires you not only to find information but also to put together different pieces of information, interpret and analyze them, and figure out what you think. As you consider potential research questions, ask yourself whether they would be too hard or too easy to answer. To determine your research question, review the freewriting you completed earlier. Skim through books, articles, and websites and list the questions you have. (You may wish to use the 5WH strategy to help you formulate questions. See Chapter 8 “The Writing Process: How Do I Begin?” for more information about 5WH questions.) Include simple, factual questions and more complex questions that would require analysis and interpretation. Determine your main question—the primary focus of your paper—and several subquestions that you will need to research to answer your main question. Here are the research questions Jorge will use to focus his research. Notice that his main research question has no obvious, straightforward answer. Jorge will need to research his subquestions, which address narrower topics, to answer his main question. Using the topic you selected in Note 11.24 “Exercise 2”, write your main research question and at least four to five subquestions. Check that your main research question is appropriately complex for your assignment. Constructing a Working ThesIs A working thesis concisely states a writer’s initial answer to the main research question. It does not merely state a fact or present a subjective opinion. Instead, it expresses a debatable idea or claim that you hope to prove through additional research. Your working thesis is called a working thesis for a reason—it is subject to change. As you learn more about your topic, you may change your thinking in light of your research findings. Let your working thesis serve as a guide to your research, but do not be afraid to modify it based on what you learn. Jorge began his research with a strong point of view based on his preliminary writing and research. Read his working thesis statement, which presents the point he will argue. Notice how it states Jorge’s tentative answer to his research question. One way to determine your working thesis is to consider how you would complete sentences such as I believe or My opinion is . However, keep in mind that academic writing generally does not use first-person pronouns. These statements are useful starting points, but formal research papers use an objective voice. Write a working thesis statement that presents your preliminary answer to the research question you wrote in Note 11.27 “Exercise 3”. Check that your working thesis statement presents an idea or claim that could be supported or refuted by evidence from research. Creating a Research Proposal A research proposal is a brief document—no more than one typed page—that summarizes the preliminary work you have completed. Your purpose in writing it is to formalize your plan for research and present it to your instructor for feedback. In your research proposal, you will present your main research question, related subquestions, and working thesis. You will also briefly discuss the value of researching this topic and indicate how you plan to gather information. When Jorge began drafting his research proposal, he realized that he had already created most of the pieces he needed. However, he knew he also had to explain how his research would be relevant to other future health care professionals. In addition, he wanted to form a general plan for doing the research and identifying potentially useful sources. Read Jorge’s research proposal. Before you begin a new project at work, you may have to develop a project summary document that states the purpose of the project, explains why it would be a wise use of company resources, and briefly outlines the steps involved in completing the project. This type of document is similar to a research proposal. Both documents define and limit a project, explain its value, discuss how to proceed, and identify what resources you will use. Writing Your Own Research Proposal Now you may write your own research proposal, if you have not done so already. Follow the guidelines provided in this lesson. Key Takeaways Developing a research proposal involves the following preliminary steps: identifying potential ideas, choosing ideas to explore further, choosing and narrowing a topic, formulating a research question, and developing a working thesis. A good topic for a research paper interests the writer and fulfills the requirements of the assignment. Defining and narrowing a topic helps writers conduct focused, in-depth research. Writers conduct preliminary research to identify possible topics and research questions and to develop a working thesis. A good research question interests readers, is neither too broad nor too narrow, and has no obvious answer. A good working thesis expresses a debatable idea or claim that can be supported with evidence from research. Writers create a research proposal to present their topic, main research question, subquestions, and working thesis to an instructor for approval or feedback. Successful Writing Section 11.2, Steps in Developing a Research Proposal. Authored by : Anonymous. Located at : http://2012books.lardbucket.org/books/successful-writing/s15-02-steps-in-developing-a-research.html . License : CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike Information Author Services Initiatives You are accessing a machine-readable page. In order to be human-readable, please install an RSS reader. All articles published by MDPI are made immediately available worldwide under an open access license. No special permission is required to reuse all or part of the article published by MDPI, including figures and tables. For articles published under an open access Creative Common CC BY license, any part of the article may be reused without permission provided that the original article is clearly cited. For more information, please refer to https://www.mdpi.com/openaccess . Feature papers represent the most advanced research with significant potential for high impact in the field. A Feature Paper should be a substantial original Article that involves several techniques or approaches, provides an outlook for future research directions and describes possible research applications. Feature papers are submitted upon individual invitation or recommendation by the scientific editors and must receive positive feedback from the reviewers. Editor’s Choice articles are based on recommendations by the scientific editors of MDPI journals from around the world. Editors select a small number of articles recently published in the journal that they believe will be particularly interesting to readers, or important in the respective research area. The aim is to provide a snapshot of some of the most exciting work published in the various research areas of the journal. 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Introduction Keeping assets in a serviceable and adequate condition; Preventing breakdowns; Operational troubleshooting; Reducing the environmental impact of the operation of the equipment; Ensuring operational safety; Incurring optimum maintenance costs; The objectives should be hierarchical, quantified, realistic, and mutually aligned. If a company chooses a strategy, it must implement it consistently if it is to be successful. Seeking opportunities that make the most of strengths; Overcoming weaknesses to exploit opportunities; Using strengths to eliminate risks; Preventing weaknesses from being attacked, etc., [ 18 , 19 ]. “world-class” best practice maintenance experience, but for specific organizations, it must be tailored to their internal and external conditions [ 20 , 21 ]; From a methodological point of view, it is more efficient and practical to determine the levels of excellence directly by individual audit criteria and for individual management audit questions; This process is extremely difficult and objective information is often lacking, so it is necessary to take an expert to intuitive approach to determining the level of excellence; Benchmarking can be a great help if the required data can be obtained. 2. Methodology 2.1. maintenance strategies for long-term asset (lta). The structure and numbers of production facilities; Data on their reliability, durability, sustainability, maintenance, and availability, in particular, the requirements for preventive maintenance and maintenance volume in standard hours, post-failure maintenance, in standard hours, and, where appropriate, in financial terms; Mechanical, electrical, and other maintenance requirements; The expected structure of internal and external maintenance service provision; Criticality of equipment to production lines and machines; The impact of downtime on production. Maintenance management encompasses all management activities that determine the objectives, strategies, and responsibilities of maintenance and that management applies by such means as planning, directing, and controlling maintenance and improving methods in the organization, including economic considerations. Maintenance objectives represent the goals assigned and adopted for maintenance activities; these objectives may include, for example, availability, cost reduction, product quality, environmental protection, and safety. The maintenance plan is a structured set of tasks that includes the activities, procedures, resources, and scheduling required to carry out maintenance. The development of a specific LTA maintenance strategy could be based on the proposed corporate strategy development model. The basis for the design of the maintenance strategy is the acquisition of correct and objective input data and information and their transformation into the required maintenance strategy and subsequent maintenance improvement projects based on them. 2.2. Algorithm Design for Development of Maintenance Strategy and Concept 2.3. maintenance management audit. Compliance or non-compliance (with the audit criteria); Compliance or non-compliance (with regulatory requirements or with regulatory requirements); An opportunity for improvement; A record of good practice [ 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 ]. Conditions for lining up and setting up for the first time; Conditions for preventive maintenance to achieve a state of zero defects; Determine the causes and consequences that affect the magnitude of deviation from the nominal value; Determine the control and measurement of defined operating and technical conditions of the equipment at time intervals; Based on the magnitude of the deviations, a maintenance plan for the machinery and equipment. [ 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 ] Lack of planning of maintenance activities, weaker planning (lack of planning). Informal communication of the work to be performed with maintenance (flow of requirements). Lack of leadership of maintenance staff on afternoon and night shifts. Most work performed ad-hoc, without work orders. Working independently, without collaboration. Lack of a plan for work to be performed outside of breakdowns. Insufficient, weak reporting. Lack of autonomous maintenance. Duplicated work, many things are controlled by the supervisor and by the maintenance person. No defined standards for specific work. Lack of motivation of shift maintenance for performing the work. It could perform it faster. Lack of criteria for evaluating the productivity of the maintenance worker. (What he wrote down did not correspond with what he performed.) Work by individuals or small groups without collaboration. Multi-level hierarchical structure of maintenance. Inappropriate ratio of maintenance worker’s activities, inappropriate organization of work ( Figure 5 and Figure 6 ). Lack of planning worker. Failure to carry out preventive maintenance and planned repairs due to the following: planned preventive maintenance and planned repairs—production does not make equipment available. production puts equipment on standby—no maintenance capacity. planned repairs—maintenance capacity is available; production makes the equipment available—spare part (SP) according to EN13306 is not in stock. 3.1. Proposed Change to the Maintenance Strategy Analysis of the current situation, maintenance audit. Benchmarking. Criticality assessment of machinery and equipment. Evaluation of current maintenance processes. Selection of a new maintenance strategy. Comparison of the existing maintenance system and the proposed maintenance system. Implementation of a new maintenance strategy. Management strategy, goals, and indicators FFM: Failure-Finding Maintenance, i.e., a functional test or inspection of a hidden failure of the equipment. Depending on the results, repairs are carried out. CBM: Condition-Based Maintenance, i.e., the maintenance activities consist of periodical inspections or online measurement of the technical condition of the equipment. Depending on the measured condition, repairs are planned or carried out. TBM: Time-Based Maintenance, i.e., this means regular periodic maintenance. SM: Scheduled Maintenance, i.e., the maintenance activities are carried out based on the use of the equipment (i.e., time, hours, operations etc.). It is independent of the condition of the equipment. MOD: Modification, i.e., it must be changed. This does not mean it has to be technical—it can be a change of spare parts or instruction. RTF: Run to Failure, i.e., the failure will be solved when it occurs. No preventive maintenance. Develop a maintenance concept and add maintenance and maintenance assurance requirements to the system requirements; To determine the effect of system maintainability design in the form of maintenance requirements and to optimize the maintenance concept; Define the maintenance provisioning requirements and the maintenance plan; Specify the resources required. 3.2. Evaluation of Maintenance System Selection Alternatives and Optimization Procedure Analysis Steps Identify criteria that are related to maintenance provisioning requirements, cost, and availability; Select or develop models or analytical relationships between the maintenance provisioning design and the operational or any other identified evaluation criteria; Perform an optimization procedure or evaluation that uses the developed relationships or models, and select the best alternative(s) based on the developed criteria; Perform sensitivity analyses of those variables that have a high degree of risk or a significant impact on the maintenance provision, cost, or availability of the new system; Document the results of the optimization procedure and evaluation, including any risks and assumptions involved. 4. 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Click here to enlarge figure Indicator Nordic Benchmarking Analysis World Class Overall equipment efficiency (OEE) 76.4 >90% Actual running time as % of planned running time (emergency) 88.1 >90–95% Maintenance costs as % of company turnover 4.1 <3 Maintenance costs as % of the replacement value of fixed assets 3.0 <1.8% Inventory of spare parts and materials as % of man-hours for maintenance 0.8 <0.25% Man-hours for preventive maintenance as % of man-hours for maintenance 38.4 40% Maintenance man-hours after failure as % of maintenance man-hours 29.8 5% Man-hours planned and scheduled as % of man-hours for maintenance 63.0 >90–95% Maintenance Balance Score Card Plant Operation Review Engineering Tires Plant Engineering Manager Maintenance Manager Maintenance Area Leader Effectiveness Compressed air consumption Machine Group average (Nm /ton) per month Plant total (Nm /ton) per month Area total (Nm /ton) per month Machine Group average (Nm /ton) per day Overtime maintenance staff (var+fix) Plant status (%) each month Area status (%) each month Shift status (%) each day Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) Plant average (h) per month for all machineries Machine Group Average (h) per month Plant average (h) per month for all machineries Machine Group Average (h) per month Machine Group Average (h) per month Mean Time To Repair (MTTR) Plant average (h) per month for all machineries Machine Group Average (h) per month Plant average (h) per month for all machineries Machine Group Average (h) per month Machine Group Average (h) per month Long Time Breakdown (LTB) “A machine” total (LTB) per month “A machine” total (LTB) per month “A machine” total (LTB) per day Average Waiting Time for Craftsman Area Total (h) per month Area Total (h) per month Maintenance Maturity Ratio Plant average (%) per month for all machineries Machine Group average (%) per month Plant average (%) per month for all machineries Machine Group average (%) per month Machine Gropu average (%) per mount Manhour cost Plant Total (Local currency & €) per month Machine Group average (€ per StdT) per year Plant Total (Local currency & €) per month Area Total (Local currency) per month Machine Gropu average (Hours) per day Spare parts cost Plant Total (Local currency & €) per month Machine Group average (€ per StdT) per year Plant Total (Local currency & €) per month Area Total (Local currency) per month Machine Group Average (Local currency) per day Externam services cost Plant Total (Local currency & €) per month Machine Group average (€ per StdT) per year Plant Total (Local currency & €) per month Area Total (Local currency) per month Machine Group Average (Local currency) per day Major Repair Machine Group average (€ per StdT) per year Plant Total (Localcurrency & €) per month Area Total (Local currency) per month Machine Group Average (Local currency) per month Non Productive Material stock value Machine Group Status (€) each year Plant status (Localcurrency & €) each month Area status (Local currency) per month Machine Gropu Status (€) each month Process Machine Tolerance Check (MTC) Fulfillment Machine Group Status (€) each month Area Status (%) each month Area Status (%) each month Machine Gropu Status (€) each month Planned Maintenance Fulfillment (excluding MTC) Machine Group Status (€) each month Area Status (%) each month Area Status (%) each month Machine Gropu Status (€) each month Training & development measures fulfillment Plant Status (%) each month Area Status (%) each month Shift Status (%) each month Indirect Influence TEEP/OEE Machine Group Status TEEP (%) each month “A machine” TEEP average (%) per month “A machine” OEE average (%) per month “A machine” OEE average (%) per day Accident Rate (Plant) Plant Status (Accident/1mio. Hours) per month Area Status (Accident/1mio. Hours) per month Shift Status (Accident/1mio. Hours) per month Internal Suppliers Machine availability rate for Planned Maintenance Area Status (%) each month Area Status (%) each month Machine Gropu Status (%) each month Critical Spare parts availability rate Plant Status (%) each mount Plant Status (%) each mount Area Status (%) each month Discarded Material before Failure Original state (%) Status (%) Improvement (%) 29.84 22.75 23.76 The Number of Rejected Semi-Finished Products A Type of Elimination Original State (%) Status (%) Improvement (%) As a result of machinery and equipment 804 619 23.01% All the reasons 5821 4887 16.05% Economic Evaluation of Design Solutions Indicator Expected Improvement (%) Expected Savings (€) Average (€) Min. Max. Scrap I 4–7% 14,566.39 € 25,491.19 € 20,028.79 € WOT 13–17% 14,244.82 € 18,627.84 € 16,436.33 € Downtime/disruptions 10–15% 921.32 € 1381.99 € 1151.66 € Cost 1100.00 € 1100.00 € 1100.00 € Monthly saving 28,632.53 € 44,401.01 € 36,516.77 € Annual saving 343,590.40 € 532,812.14 € 438,201.27 € Category Description A A spare part without which a machine cannot function, with a high failure rate, with a long procurement time, without replacement, used in critical machines. B A spare part without which the machine can run (at least suboptimal), which has high reliability, which can be manufactured/purchased/repaired in a short time, and which has a replacement. C Consumables, wear parts (filters, bits, belts). X Obsolete or never used spare parts. Original Values New Values Total value of stock items in € 62,258.70 € 38,684.78 € Total number of stock items 31,401 6998 Profession Current Status M1 (PW 1–8) M2 (PW 9–16) M3 (PW 17–24) M4 (PW 25–32) M5 (PW 33–40) Pre-Post Period Planner 3 3 3 2 2 2 1 MaRT daily 15 18 14 14 14 13 2 MaRT shift 12 8 8 8 8 8 4 Daily locksmith 27 24 23 23 18 19 8 Shift locksmith 12 12 12 8 8 4 8 Electrician 7 7 6 6 6 6 1 Cleaner 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 Total 77 73 67 62 57 53 24 Description Approves Frequency Document 1. Risk factors influencing the emergency maintenance strategy are defined for lines, machines and equipment, maintenance processes. MC/MM 1 × a year List of risk factors, processes. 2. Elaboration of a matrix of responsibility and authority in the event of a maintenance emergency. MM 1 × a year Matrix of responsibilities for handling a maintenance emergency. 3. Elaboration of the categorization of critical lines of machines and equipment in lines (A, B, C). MT/MM 1 × a year List of machines by priority. 4. Declaring the maintenance system for individual categories of machines. MC/MM 1 × a year Maintenance concept for machines and equipment. 5. For critical machines of category A, development of a flow chart of duties and responsibilities for emergency removal. MC/MM 1 × a year Continuous process diagram of the realization of the created emergency state. 6. On category A machinery and equipment, development of a list of critical structural units. MT/MM 1 × a year List of critical structural units. 7. Develop a list of risky spare parts for category A machines and critical structural units. MT/MM 1 × a year List of critical spare parts. The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s). MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content. Share and Cite Rakyta, M.; Bubenik, P.; Binasova, V.; Gabajova, G.; Staffenova, K. The Change in Maintenance Strategy on the Efficiency and Quality of the Production System. Electronics 2024 , 13 , 3449. https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13173449 Rakyta M, Bubenik P, Binasova V, Gabajova G, Staffenova K. The Change in Maintenance Strategy on the Efficiency and Quality of the Production System. Electronics . 2024; 13(17):3449. https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13173449 Rakyta, Miroslav, Peter Bubenik, Vladimira Binasova, Gabriela Gabajova, and Katarina Staffenova. 2024. "The Change in Maintenance Strategy on the Efficiency and Quality of the Production System" Electronics 13, no. 17: 3449. https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13173449 Article Metrics Article access statistics, further information, mdpi initiatives, follow mdpi. Subscribe to receive issue release notifications and newsletters from MDPI journals Faculty and Staff News Media Resources Purdue News Weekly Research Excellence Purdue Computes Daniels School of Business Purdue University in Indianapolis The Persistent Pursuit Purdue News on Youtube Purdue in the News Purdue University Events Purdue researchers take inspiration from viruses to improve delivery of nucleic acid-based therapies to cancer cells Research published in Biomacromolecules focuses on using LENN system to deliver therapies to bladder cancer cells Purdue University researcher David Thompson has developed LENN, a system to deliver nucleic acid-based therapies to targeted cancer cells. His and his team’s research into using LENN to deliver therapies to bladder cancer cells has been published in the peer-reviewed journal Biomacromolecules. (Purdue Agricultural Communications photo/Tom Campbell) WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — A researcher in Purdue University’s College of Science is developing a patent-pending platform technology that mimics the dual-layer structure of viruses to deliver nucleic acid (NA)-based therapies to targeted cancer cells. David Thompson leads a team developing the carrier system called LENN. He is a professor in the James Tarpo Jr. and Margaret Tarpo Department of Chemistry and on the faculty of the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research and the Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery . “LENN comprises two protective layers. The inner shell condenses the nucleic acid; the outer shell protects it from the immune system so it can circulate freely and target cancer cells,” he said. “We’re mimicking the strategies of viral particles that have been doing this effectively for millions of years.” Thompson and his team, including postdoctoral researcher Aayush Aayush, used LENN to deliver NA-based therapies to bladder cancer cells. Their research has been published in the peer-reviewed journal Biomacromolecules . Purdue researchers receive additional $95K to develop arthritis treatments, drought-resistant soybeans August 20, 2024 U.S. Department of Commerce announces $450M grant and $500M loan to SK hynix’s AI memory chip facility at Purdue Research Park August 6, 2024 Purdue researchers receive $175K from Purdue Innovates to strengthen market readiness of their work July 25, 2024 Insignum AgTech and Purdue researchers collaborate for early monitoring of tar spot disease in corn July 24, 2024 Language selection Français fr Canada-Germany 2024-25 collaborative industrial research and development call for proposals (NRC IRAP-ZIM Call 14) 1. call description, 2. application deadlines, 3. sectors of focus, 4. eligibility requirements, 6. application process, 7. contacts, 8. register. Working together, the Government of Canada and the Government of Germany aim to foster and support collaborative industrial research and development (R&D) projects with high potential for commercialization. This call for proposals is open to companies from Canada and Germany who wish to perform joint R&D leading to technology commercialization focused on developing innovative products, processes, or technology-based services in all technological and application areas which have strong market potential. The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) will provide access to public funding for joint projects through the BMWK's ZIM program (Central Innovation Program for SMEs) in Germany, and through the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) in Canada. Canadian registration deadline: September 25, 2024 Canadian expression of interest deadline: October 2, 2024 German optional project sketch deadline: October 18, 2024 International consortium project proposal deadline: December 4, 2024 This call for proposals is open to projects in all sectors that are civilian in nature. To be considered for funding, applicants must form a project consortium and develop a collaborative R&D project that meets the following criteria: 4.1 Canadian eligbility requirements be an incorporated, profit-oriented small or medium-sized entreprise (SME) in Canada have 500 or fewer full-time equivalent employees pursue growth and profit by developing and commercializing innovative, technology-driven new or improved products, services or processes in Canada have a differentiated and protectable technology with commercial potential in global markets have sufficient working capital (e.g. revenue, investment) and resources to undertake a multi-year R&D collaboration and commercialize the results be committed to significant growth through international market expansion have a minimum of 15 full-time equivalent employees have commercialized one or more products domestically or internationally have greater than $500,000 CAD in annual revenue 4.2 Consortium 1 eligible Canadian SME, and German research and technology organizations (RTOs) may participate as a collaborative partner with an eligible German SME. The parties listed above must be unrelated parties (i.e. no direct, indirect, beneficial or constructive ownership interest between these parties) The project partners that form the consortium must agree on a plan addressing intellectual property rights and intent to commercialize 4.3 Project substantial commercial potential and outcomes that can be realized within 2-3 years of completion of the project a civilian (non-military) purpose a complementary technological contribution from each partner an obvious advantage and added value resulting from the cooperation between the participants an adequate balance and significance for all project partners, defined as no more than 70% of the project work effort may be contributed by any one organization in a two-partner project, and no more than 50% of the project work effort may be contributed by one organization in any project with more than two partners 4.4 German eligibility requirements Please consult the German call for proposals announcement (only available in German) for German eligibility requirements. Eligible project participants in collaborative projects selected through this call for proposals may receive funding from their respective national funding body. Funds will be provided in accordance with the applicable laws, regulations, rules, and procedures established by the relevant national funding body, country, jurisdiction and/or program. Non-eligible project participants (e.g. universities, research institutes, etc., and other companies) are welcome to participate on a self-funded basis or as sub-contractors to funded participants, according to each country's funding regulations. Additional country-specific funding parameters are outlined below: 5.1 Canadian funding In Canada, this call for proposals is offered through the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP). NRC IRAP is responsible for delivering this call for proposals and for managing any resulting funding agreements. Eligible Canadian SMEs may receive up to 50% reimbursement of eligible project costs up to a maximum total funding amount of $500,000 CAD over 12 to 24 months (an extension of 12 months may be considered if sufficiently justified and accepted by both countries). NOTE: Canadian SME applicants must be eligible for funding as NRC IRAP clients before they can be considered for funding through this call for proposals. For more information on NRC IRAP eligibility and becoming a client, please contact NRC IRAP at 1-877-994-4727 . NOTE: Canadian SME applicants may apply to more than one NRC IRAP call for proposals simultaneously.  However, NRC IRAP may limit the number of funded projects per applicant. Canadian SME applicants who are applying to more than one opportunity or who have ongoing NRC IRAP projects should speak to their NRC IRAP representative for more information. 5.2 German funding In Germany, this call for proposals is administered by AiF Projekt GmbH and offered through Zentrales Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand (ZIM). AiF Projekt GmbH is responsible for the delivery of this call for proposals and the management of any resulting funding agreements. Please consult the German call for proposals announcement (only available in German) for funding parameters. Application processes and evaluations will be performed independently by each national funding body in accordance with their national and institutional laws and regulations. Once each national funding body has evaluated the submitted applications, a final joint project selection will be performed. Each applicant must submit all required documents to, and meet the due diligence process of, their respective national funding body. Failure at any point or for any reason to do so may cause the entire collaborative project application to be considered incomplete or ineligible and render the entire project consortium ineligible for funding through this call for proposals. Information on respective application processes follows below: 6.1 Canadian application process The Canadian application process has four phases: Registration Expression of interest International consortium project proposal National funding body proposal and funding agreement Step 1: Registration phase Each Canadian applicant must register using the REGISTER button at the end of this page. Basic information about the applicant and the organization will be required upon registration. NRC IRAP will review registrations for this call for proposals and contact applicants if more information is required. Qualifying applicants will proceed to the next phase and be invited to submit an expression of interest form. Step 2: Expression of interest phase During this phase, each Canadian applicant seeking funding must submit an expression of interest (EOI) form outlining basic information on the applicant and the collaborative project. While completing the EOI form, each Canadian applicant is encouraged to contact their NRC IRAP representative to discuss their project idea and receive guidance on preparing their submission. It is recommended that applicants submit the EOI as early as possible. EOIs will be evaluated by the applicant's NRC IRAP representative and the NRC IRAP International Office. Qualifying applicants will be invited to submit the more detailed international consortium project proposal in collaboration with their project partners. Step 3: International consortium project proposal phase During the international consortium project proposal (ICPP) phase, all project partners work together to complete and submit an application package to each implicated national funding body. The contents of the ICPP package are unique to each national funding body. In this call for proposals, the Canadian ICPP application package consists of: project consortium collaborative project expected outcomes funding request information about the Canadian SME information about make up of the project consortium information related to the structure of the project; and roles and responsibilities of each consortium member project management framework financial plan division of intellectual property rights, and confidentiality and publication agreements, and liability clauses. Canadian ICPP applications will be evaluated by an NRC IRAP evaluation team including the applicant's NRC IRAP representative and the NRC IRAP International Office. Then, the amalgamated evaluation results will be shared between all implicated national funding bodies to jointly select the collaborative projects that will be invited to proceed to the final national funding body proposal and funding agreement stage. Step 4: National funding body proposal and funding agreement phase During the national funding body proposal and funding agreement phase, all eligible project partners work independently to complete funding proposals and sign legally binding funding agreements with their respective national funding body. Canadian applicants will work with their NRC IRAP representative to prepare an NRC IRAP funding proposal and contribution agreement. 6.2 German application process The German application process has two phases: the optional German Project Sketch phase and the project proposal phase. Each German project partner must file an individual ZIM application to AiF Projekt GmbH . Please consult the German call for proposals announcement (only available in German) for full official instructions related to the German application process, requirements, and national funding body proposals and funding agreements. For questions, concerns, or for more information, please contact the appropriate call for proposals representative listed below: Canadian Contact Andrew Bauder NRC IRAP Germany National Program Coordinator National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program [email protected] German Contact Georg Nagel Director International Cooperation AiF Projekt GmbH [email protected] Canadian SME participants must be registered NRC IRAP clients. If not already an NRC IRAP client, Canadian SMEs must contact 1-877-994-4727 to determine if they might be eligible for support through the NRC IRAP. To begin the application process, interested Canadian participants must first register online to receive an Expression of Interest form by clicking the register button. If there is no Register button visible below this line, it means the call for proposals has closed. Please contact the Contact listed or the NRC IRAP International Office by email at [email protected] for more information. Page details From: National Research Council Canada Reforms Spur Faster Housing Approvals in California A state law removed hurdles, creating a more predictable process for homebuilding. Navigate to: Table of Contents Procedural hurdles can slow housing development and add costs because builders must pay for more staff, attorney, and consultant time, as well as interest on borrowed money, while they wait for local governments to approve proposals. These additional costs ultimately are passed on to buyers and renters, contributing to higher housing prices in markets with restrictive zoning and lengthy permitting processes, compared with places that have more flexible regulations. 1 One study from California found that more than 80% of proposed multifamily housing developments required “entitlement,” the process for securing all necessary government approvals for a construction proposal. 2  The research also showed that the entitlement process for similar housing developments can vary widely across jurisdictions. For example, a multifamily development in Oakland takes a median of six months, compared with more than 25 months in San Francisco. To address these disparities in entitlement timelines, spur housing production in more communities, and make affordable housing development a faster, less costly, and more predictable process, California lawmakers in 2017 passed S.B. 35. 3 A 2023 study published by New York University’s Furman Center and sponsored by The Pew Charitable Trusts, suggests that S.B. 35 is helping to speed up affordable housing approvals. 4  The findings indicate that well-designed efforts to speed up permitting processes can be effective, offering lessons for policymakers throughout the country who are interested in addressing the slow pace and high costs of housing development. And although the 2023 study focused only on the California law, other states are also increasingly passing legislation to remove barriers to housing development, such as eliminating unnecessary environmental studies; allowing builders to have their permit applications reviewed and approved by third parties when jurisdictions fail to complete reviews promptly; limiting the reasons for denial of permit requests; and requiring clear, predictable processes for reviewing permit applications. Research also shows that Americans overwhelmingly support such policies. In a nationally representative 2023 Pew survey of more than 5,000 American adults about various law changes designed to improve the availability and affordability of housing, 86% of respondents favored requiring “local governments to use a quick and clear process for making decisions about building permits.” 5  In California, which because of S.B. 35 arguably has the most experience with such a law, 87% were in favor. 6 S.B. 35 requires faster permitting in targeted areas California enacted its Housing Element Law, also referred to as the state’s “fair-share” housing law, in 1969 to ensure that each locality plans and zones for a sufficient amount of housing for people at all income levels, as determined through the state’s Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA). 7  Under RHNA, cities and counties are required to update the housing elements of their general plans every five or eight years. And the Housing Element Law gives the California Department of Housing and Community Development enforcement authority to bring communities into compliance with their obligations under the Housing Element Law. Despite this legal framework, California communities have routinely failed to produce sufficient housing. 8  One contributing factor is that some cities have imposed significant procedural obstacles that block or slow the construction of new housing even in places where zoning rules provide plenty of land for high-density housing. 9  Common barriers include locally imposed conditions for approval of proposed developments, such as discretionary architecture, site development, and historic preservation reviews, as well as lawsuits brought to obstruct construction of new housing. 10  Researchers have even demonstrated that litigators successfully invoked California’s Environmental Quality Act to impede housing projects in vacant or underutilized areas near transit that expressly aligned with the state’s environmental and climate policy goals. S.B. 35 aims to promote affordable housing development, prevent displacement, and protect environmentally sensitive areas. It streamlines local discretionary and state-mandated environmental review processes in cities and counties that have not met their production targets under the Housing Element Law for housing projects that: 11 Are urban, multifamily developments that meet specific affordability thresholds. Do not involve the demolition of affordable or tenant-occupied housing. Do not require subdivision (unless certain criteria are met). Are not proposed for environmentally sensitive or significant areas. Pay union-level wages for contractors and subcontractors. S.B. 35 is speeding up housing approvals in some cities The researchers examined S.B. 35’s impact on five jurisdictions: Berkeley, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, Oakland, and San Francisco. The Furman Center analysis also reviewed how officials in these localities explain the law to developers and how existing local laws affected S.B. 35’s implementation in each community. In total, the researchers identified 49 proposed developments that could benefit from S.B. 35 and compared them with similar developments entitled from 2014 to 2017 in those same jurisdictions that probably would have met key S.B. 35 requirements had the law been in place at the time. The findings showed that housing developments moved more quickly under S.B. 35 than they had previously in three of the jurisdictions—Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Berkeley. For example, in Los Angeles, the median approval time for 18 S.B. 35-qualified developments, including 16 that were 100% affordable housing, was 2.7 months, compared with approximately seven months for 11 earlier developments that probably would have qualified for the law had it existed. San Francisco approved 10 developments—nine that were 100% affordable and one group housing property with approximately half of the units below market rate—after S.B. 35 implementation. For nine of these developments, the median time to approval was about four months; no data was available for the 10th property. From 2014 to 2017, the city approved only one similar project, and that approval took more than a year. The results for Los Angeles County and Oakland were unclear because of limited information for certain proposals. Recent evidence indicates that procedural rules continue to pose challenges. An audit published in 2023 by California’s Department of Housing and Community Development found that, even with the advent of S.B. 35, San Francisco still takes more than three years on average to approve new housing, the longest timeline of any jurisdiction in California. Other states are crafting bipartisan policies to allow more homebuilding Although the Furman Center study focused on California’s S.B. 35, other states, including Montana, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, and Washington, have passed laws in recent years to speed up the development process and address the shortage and high costs of housing. (See Table 1.) In 2023, Montana policymakers enacted four laws to streamline and accelerate the development review process. S.B. 407 prohibits municipalities from requiring review by external boards as part of local design review, except for structures and places designated as historic. S.B. 131 requires municipalities to review land division applications within 20 working days of receipt, and S.B. 240 and S.B. 170 establish new exemptions for certain subdivisions. Policymakers in Texas took a different approach, enacting a law in 2023 that allows permit applicants to use certain third-party reviewers and inspectors if local governments do not respond to applications promptly. Tennessee went a step further in 2024 by allowing builders to choose whether to have the locality or an accredited third-party professional conduct certain reviews and inspections. These examples show the range of strategies that state policymakers are using to help create more homes and address housing shortages and high costs. Over the Past 7 Years, at Least 10 States Have Passed Laws to Simplify Permitting Summary of relevant streamlining legislation, by state, 2017-24 State Arizona S.B. 1162 (2024) Requires jurisdictions to determine within 30 days whether builders’ zoning applications are complete and to approve or deny applications within 180 days California S.B. 35 (2017) Preempts local power and limits local discretionary review processes and state-mandated environmental review for certain housing developments California S.B. 423 (2023) Extends the provisions of S.B. 35 by 10 years and expands them to encourage mixed-income developments Florida S.B. 102 (2023) Requires jurisdictions to approve permit applications for multifamily housing up to a certain height on commercially zoned land Hawaii H.B. 2090 (2024) Requires jurisdictions to permit residential uses on commercially zoned land Montana S.B. 407 (2023) Eliminates most local design review by volunteer boards to streamline permitting Montana S.B. 240 (2023) Exempts certain subdivisions from environmental review Montana S.B. 131 (2023) Requires localities to review applications for land division within 20 days Montana S.B. 170 (2023) Streamlines the review process and limits reviews for certain types of subdivisions Rhode Island S. 1032, 1033, and 1034 (2023) Requires jurisdictions to use only specific and objective criteria as the basis for denying certain applications and to update their zoning within 18 months to match their comprehensive plans Tennessee S.B. 2100 (2024) Allows builders to use certified third parties instead of local governments to conduct many of the required reviews and inspections Texas H.B. 14 (2023) Allows third-party inspections and review of development documents if localities do not act promptly Vermont S. 100 (Act 47) (2023) Allows developers to build specified types and amounts of new housing in certain areas without state land use review Washington S.B. 5290 (2023) Exempts certain projects from review requirements and supports localities in reviewing permits quickly Source: State legislatures' websites Lessons learned The early evidence from California’s experience implementing S.B. 35 highlights several lessons: The reduction of procedural hurdles appears to be speeding up approvals for qualifying developments in several jurisdictions, but the effects are limited to areas that are already zoned for multifamily, affordable housing development. In 2023, California lawmakers passed S.B. 423 to extend the provisions of S.B. 35 for 10 years, through Jan. 1, 2036, and to more types of housing. Researchers should continue to track the impact of S.B. 35 and S.B. 423 on the speed and cost of development over time, and any subsequent effects on buyers and renters. S.B. 35 offers a clear review and approval process for affordable housing in jurisdictions where complex local rules and frequent opposition have impeded new development. This predictability can help to boost housing supply by removing obstacles for builders who are committed to creating homes for lower-income households. Procedural reforms can be crafted to guard and promote other statewide priorities. For example, policymakers can carefully select the criteria by which proposed developments can be eligible for a streamlined process to ensure that concerns such as environmental protection and fair wages are not sacrificed when new housing is built. State laws are unlikely to fully standardize the housing approval process across jurisdictions because other local rules already in place affect how each locality implements the law. The researchers found that each of the five jurisdictions studied implemented S.B. 35 differently, resulting in divergent experiences for builders in terms of the ease and efficiency of the process. Faster approval times increase the supply of housing and reduce the cost of development, both of which help boost affordability. For example, Minneapolis enacted a range of zoning reforms from 2009 through 2021 and restricts application reviews to 60 days to help expedite permitting. As a result, the city has added so much new housing that rents have risen less than 1% per year dating back to 2017, even as residents’ incomes have risen far faster. The combination of higher incomes and very low rent growth has markedly improved housing affordability in the city. Normally, flat rents might discourage new construction because they lower landlords’ future revenue expectations, but because permitting has become easier and faster, builders have continued adding housing. 12 New research shows promising evidence that California’s S.B. 35 is having the intended effect of speeding up the pace of affordable housing approvals. Since the law’s passage, several other states have implemented laws to reduce procedural hurdles to development through a range of approaches and in a diversity of geographic and political contexts. Together, the findings from California and the demonstrated momentum to enact similar approaches in other states show that streamlining housing development is an issue with bipartisan appeal that has the potential to ensure a greater supply of housing at lower costs. Acknowledgments This brief was written by Pew staff members Ruth Lindberg and Alex Horowitz and was based on original research by Moira O’Neill, associate research scientist and affiliated scholar, the University of California, Berkeley, and associate professor of urban and environmental planning and associate professor of law, the University of Virginia, and Ivy Wang, graduate student researcher, Institute of Urban and Regional Development, University of California, Berkeley. The project thanks Esther Berg, Jennifer V. Doctors, Carol Hutchinson, and Chelsie Pennello for providing important communications, creative, editorial, and research support for this work. Edward Glaeser and Joseph Gyourko, “The Economic Implications of Housing Supply,” Journal of Economic Perspectives 32, no. 1 (2018): 3-30, https://pubs.aeaweb.org/doi/pdfplus/10.1257/jep.32.1.3. Moira O’Neill et al., “Examining Entitlement in California to Inform Policy and Process: Advancing Social Equity in Housing Development Patterns,” California Air Resources Board and California Environmental Protection Agency, 2022, https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3956250. Moira O’Neill and Ivy Wang, “How Can Procedural Reform Support Fair Share Housing Production? Assessing the Effects of California's Senate Bill 35,” New York University Furman Center, https://furmancenter.org/files/How_Can_Procedural_Reform_Support_Fair_Share_Housing_Production_508.pdf. Office of Senator Scott Wiener, “Senate Bill 35—Housing for a Growing California: Housing Accountability & Affordability Act,” https://sd11.senate.ca.gov/sites/sd11.senate.ca.gov/files/SB%2035%20Fact%20Sheet_1.pdf. Moira O’Neill and Ivy Wang, “How Can Procedural Reform Support Fair Share Housing Production?” “Survey Finds Large Majorities Favor Policies to Enable More Housing,” Alex Horowitz and Tushar Kansal, The Pew Charitable Trusts, Nov. 30, 2023, https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2023/11/30/survey-finds-large-majorities-favor-policies-to-enable-more-housing. “Support for Policies That Promote More Housing Crosses Geographic Lines,” Alex Horowitz and Tushar Kansal, The Pew Charitable Trusts, Jan. 31, 2024, https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2024/01/31/support-for-policies-that-promote-more-housing-crosses-geographic-lines. Paul G. Lewis, “California’s Housing Element Law: The Issue of Local Noncompliance,” Public Policy Institute of California, 2003, https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/content/pubs/report/R_203PLR.pdf. Paul G. Lewis, “Can State Review of Local Planning Increase Housing Production?,” Housing Policy Debate 16, no. 2 (2010): 173-200, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10511482.2005.9521539. Moira O’Neill and Ivy Wang, “How Can Procedural Reform Support Fair Share Housing Production?” Paavo Monkkonen, Michael Manville, and Spike Friedman, “A Flawed Law: Reforming California’s Housing Element,” UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies, 2019, https://www.lewis.ucla.edu/research/flawed-law-reforming-california-housing-element/ . Moira O’Neill, Giulia Gualco-Nelson, and Eric Biber, “Examining the Local Land Use Entitlement Process in California to Inform Policy and Process: Working Paper #2,” Berkeley Law Center for Law, Energy, and the Environment; Berkeley Institute of Urban and Regional Development; and Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation, Columbia University, 2019, https://www.law.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Examining-the-Local-Land-Use-Entitlement-Process-in-California.pdf. Jennifer Hernandez, “California Environmental Quality Act Lawsuits and California’s Housing Crisis,” Hastings Environmental Law Journal 24, no. 1 (2018): https://repository.uclawsf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1032&context=hastings_environmental_law_journal. California Government Code, Section 65913.4(a), https://casetext.com/statute/california-codes/california-government-code/title-7-planning-and-land-use/division-1-planning-and-zoning/chapter-42-housing-development-approvals/section-659134-effective-until-112036-streamlined-approval-process. Office of Senator Scott Wiener, “Senate Bill 35—Housing for a Growing California.” “Minneapolis Land Use Reforms Offer a Blueprint for Housing Affordability,” Alex Horowitz, Linlin Liang, and Adam Staveski, The Pew Charitable Trusts, Jan. 4 , 2024, https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2024/01/04/minneapolis-land-use-reforms-offer-a-blueprint-for-housing-affordability. Land Contracts Pose 5 Major Risks for Homebuyers As of 2022, about 1.4 million Americans were using a form of alternative financing known as land contracts for their home purchases. In a land contract—also called a contract for deed or a land installment contract—the home seller extends financing directly to the buyer without the involvement of a third-party lender. A Swing Constituency Could Help Allow More Homes A housing shortage estimated at 4 million to 7 million homes is driving up rents, prices, and homelessness nationwide, spurring cities, towns, and increasingly states to consider passing laws to allow more housing. Many of these efforts are gaining broad acceptance, but others face more resistance. Why? A survey conducted for The Pew Charitable Trusts provides some insights. Don’t miss our latest facts, findings, and survey results in The Rundown ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Issue Brief MORE FROM PEW 180 IMAGES What should the research proposal process look like? Research Proposal Research Proposal How to Write: Detail Guide and Template Proposal Development Process How to Write a Successful Research Proposal Proposal Development Process VIDEO 11R គម្រោងសំណើស្រាវជ្រាវ Day 02 Research proposal development workshop 26 Research Proposal Development Research Proposal steps Webinar: Proposal Writing for Small Businesses [FSH RESEARCH UNIVERSITY] [PART 8] Research Planning & Management & Intellectual Property COMMENTS 11.2 Steps in Developing a Research Proposal Key Takeaways. Developing a research proposal involves the following preliminary steps: identifying potential ideas, choosing ideas to explore further, choosing and narrowing a topic, formulating a research question, and developing a working thesis. A good topic for a research paper interests the writer and fulfills the requirements of the ... How To Write A Research Proposal 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. Research Proposal: A step-by-step guide with template A step-by-step guide to writing a research proposal #1 Introduction. ... In addition, one should state the development that has been made. It is also recommended to include other relevant research events, for instance paper or poster presentations. In addition, a researcher must update the timeline regularly, as necessary, since this is not a ... How to Write a Research Proposal Research proposal examples. Writing a research proposal can be quite challenging, but a good starting point could be to look at some examples. We've included a few for you below. Example research proposal #1: "A Conceptual Framework for Scheduling Constraint Management". PDF A GUIDE TO RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT As a research institution, this investment is most often in man-hours spent. developing the initial research proposal. In 2018, the United States government spent $142.9 billion funding research and. development activities.1 This funding makes up only a portion of the overall research. How to Write a Research Proposal: A Step-by-Step Writing a research proposal template in structured steps ensures a comprehensive and coherent presentation of your research project. Let's look at the explanation for each of the steps here: Step 1: Title and Abstract. Step 2: Introduction. Step 3: Research objectives. Step 4: Literature review. Developing a Research Proposal for Qualitative Research: A Step-by-Step In conclusion, developing a qualitative research proposal is a detailed and thoughtful process that requires careful planning and consideration. By following the steps outlined in this guide, researchers can ensure that their proposals are comprehensive and well-structured. This not only helps in gaining approval from review boards but also ... How To Write A Research Proposal (With Examples) Make sure you can ask the critical what, who, and how questions of your research before you put pen to paper. Your research proposal should include (at least) 5 essential components : Title - provides the first taste of your research, in broad terms. Introduction - explains what you'll be researching in more detail. How To Write A Proposal Develop an Outline. Create a clear and logical structure: Divide your proposal into sections or headings that will guide your readers through the content. Introduction: Provide a concise overview of the problem, its significance, and the proposed solution. Background/Context: Offer relevant background information and context to help the readers ... How to write a research proposal? INTRODUCTION. A clean, well-thought-out proposal forms the backbone for the research itself and hence becomes the most important step in the process of conduct of research.[] The objective of preparing a research proposal would be to obtain approvals from various committees including ethics committee [details under 'Research methodology II' section [Table 1] in this issue of IJA) and to ... 9.2: Steps in Developing a Research Proposal Developing a research proposal involves the following preliminary steps: identifying potential ideas, choosing ideas to explore further, choosing and narrowing a topic, formulating a research question, and developing a working thesis. A good topic for a research paper interests the writer and fulfills the requirements of the assignment. What Is a Research Proposal? (Plus How To Write One) A research proposal is a vital tool that can help scholars and university students complete a dissertation, receive funding for projects or fulfill course requirements. It outlines the importance of your inquiry and summarizes how you plan to investigate your research problem. Before developing a project, it's often valuable to learn some ... 5 Essential Steps for Effective Proposal Development Effective proposal development is a structured process that requires thorough research, clear objectives, compelling content, and attention to detail. By following the 5 essential steps outlined in this article, you can create winning proposals that showcase your expertise, address your audience's needs, and increase your chances of success. (Pdf) How to Write a Research Proposal 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 ... Development of Research Proposal for Academic Research 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 ... Beginner's Guide to the Research Process: From Topic Selection to Discover the essential steps of the research process in this beginner's guide. Learn how to choose a research topic, identify gaps in literature, formulate research questions, design your study, and write a compelling research proposal. Perfect for students and researchers at any stage. 10 Research Proposal Writing Steps On a conclusive note, revise and proofread the entire Research Proposal at every step. Always keep in mind that the aforementioned Research Proposal writing steps are very important in meeting the core need for systematic explanation on. Research Proposal Writing Steps 1 to 10: Cover Page, Introduction, Literature Review, Research Methodology ... PDF WRITING AN EFFECTIVE RESEARCH PROPOSAL The investigator specifies the maximum discrepancy between the sample and population proportion of ± 5%. To determine the sample size, the investigator would use the formula. n = (z/p)2π(1-π), n = the required sample size. p = the desired maximum discrepancy (i.e. ± 5%) π = the population proportion. English 112: Exposition and Persuasion There are a number of basic steps a researcher will take to develop a research plan. Each of these steps constitute information that is included in the research proposal: Developing and defining a topic. Exploring your purpose and audience for your research. Conducting preliminary research. Formulating a research question (and additional ... How to Write a Strong Research Proposal: A Step-by-Step Guide The structure of a research proposal includes eight different sections and is approximately 2000 to about 2500 words maximum. Remember that number. It should never be too short, but also shouldn't be too long. So it includes the following sections, a title, an abstract research background, research questions, the research methods. Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Strong Research Proposal Speaker 1: Hi everyone, today we are going to talk about how to write research proposals. Now you might need a research proposal at different stages of your academic career. You might need it when applying to a PhD program, or when you are applying for a funding grant with an organization, or when you are finalizing your research topic for your master's or PhD, then sometimes the committee ... Ignite Tech Development Grants Ignite Tech Development Grants. LIVE Ignite Tech Development Grants offer an intense burst of development support from the LIVE technical team (Research Engineer + CS Postdoc) to bring powerful ideas for innovative learning technologies to life or help existing tools take bold new steps forward.Proposals should outline both the conceptual value of the project (how will the technology support ... Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Planning Degree Information After gaining approval from the dissertation committee, the dissertation chair must send an email to the Director of Doctoral Studies that includes (a) the date of the proposal defense, (b) a list of all committee members present at the defense, (c) a title of the proposal, (d) an abstract of the proposal (250 - 350 words), and (e) a copy of ... State Parks Development Plan Faces Setback Plans to develop Florida state parks with golf courses and pickleball courts are facing backlash, leading a key supporter to withdraw its proposal. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Facing widespread opposition across the political spectrum, Gov. Ron DeSantis ' plan to develop state parks with business ... Steps in Developing a Research Proposal Key Takeaways. Developing a research proposal involves the following preliminary steps: identifying potential ideas, choosing ideas to explore further, choosing and narrowing a topic, formulating a research question, and developing a working thesis. A good topic for a research paper interests the writer and fulfills the requirements of the ... Electronics The presented contribution deals with the research of the maintenance strategy and procedures for improving maintenance processes in order to increase the efficiency and quality of the production system. It is based on a thorough analysis of the research of the available literary sources published in foreign and domestic scientific journals. The subsequent proposal includes defining new goals ... Proposal of STEM education in National STI Policy of Pakistan A policy proposal for STEM education in Pakistan under the Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) policy framework would focus on enhancing the quality, access, and equity of STEM education to ... Purdue researchers take inspiration from viruses to improve delivery of The Purdue Innovates Office of Technology Commercialization operates one of the most comprehensive technology transfer programs among leading research universities in the U.S. Services provided by this office support the economic development initiatives of Purdue University and benefit the university's academic activities through ... Canada-Germany 2024-25 collaborative industrial research and Working together, the Government of Canada and the Government of Germany aim to foster and support collaborative industrial research and development (R&D) projects with high potential for commercialization. This call for proposals is open to companies from Canada and Germany who wish to perform ... Reforms Spur Faster Housing Approvals in California Procedural hurdles can slow housing development and add costs because builders must pay for more staff, attorney, and consultant time, as well as interest on borrowed money, while they wait for local governments to approve proposals. These additional costs ultimately are passed on to buyers and renters, contributing to higher housing prices in markets with restrictive zoning and lengthy ... assignment essay homework paper phd report resume review speech thesis