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Research Proposal Examples & Samples To Help You Get Started

A research proposal or a dissertation proposal is a document that provides an overview and background to your research topic. It presents the key research objectives or research questions and proposes the methods of investigation. A proposal also includes the methods of research, a summary of the theoretical and conceptual frameworks, and ends with a timeline of the project.

On this page, you will find free dissertation examples for a range of academic subjects including sustainability, environment, business, project management, engineering, human resources, entrepreneurship, education, finance, law, marketing and more. Use these samples to see how a dissertation proposal should be structured before you start conducting research.

Interested in hiring a writer to complete a similar research proposal on any topic of your choice?

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Business & Management Dissertation Proposal Examples

Challenges of strategic human resource management (shrm) in project based public organisations in trade and industry sectors of uk.

The proposed research will be based on an exploratory and interpretive paradigm to understand the challenges faced in strategic human resource management (SHRM), with a particular focus on public organisations of the UK in trade and industry divisions of the UK government.

Academic Level: PHD

Quality: 1st / 58%

Faculty: Business and Management

Strategic Human Resource Management of Ethnic & Cultural Diversity in Airline Industry

The proposed research’s primary aim is to evaluate the strategic human resource management of ethnic and culturally diverse workforce in Dubai’s airline industry, a well-known diverse region.

Academic Level: Undergraduate

Quality: 1st / 64%

The Role of Strategic Management in Altering Organizational Culture Without Affecting Employee’s Performance – A Case of Large Multinational Organizations in Malta

This research aims to analyze the role of strategic management in altering the organizational culture without affecting employees’ performance in large multinational organizations in Malta.

Quality: 1st / 67%

Entrepreneur’s Attitudes and Understanding towards Human Resources Applications in Saudi Arabia

This research will assess how the entrepreneur views and understands human resources applications and how the entrepreneur attributes human resources applications as the catalyst for the success of their business organisation. This research will also assess the most appropriate way for start-up companies and S.M.E.s to implement human resources applications effectively.

Quality: 1st / 61%

Assess the Impact of the Influence of Social Media on Consumer Purchasing Decisions in Industrial Countries: A Detailed Study

the present research focuses on investigating the role of social media and other factors on the consumer purchasing decisions within the cosmetics and fashion industry in dual countries. It examines how social media can influence the consumer’s intention to buy and identify the impact of social media celebrities on buying cosmetics and fashion products. The study will benefit marketers and organisations in industrial countries as it would enable them to know which factors are more important in influencing consumers’ purchasing decisions.

Quality: 1st / 60%

To Examine the Strategies of Achieving Best Value in Private Finance Initiative Project Procurement

The research proposal is focused on examining strategies for achieving the best value in project finance initiative procurement. The public-private partnership (PPP) mainly includes private finance initiatives (PFI), which are preferred as alternatives for obtaining additional resources and procurement for the big projects that mostly belong to the private sector (Akbiyikli and Eaton, 2006).

Academic Level: Master

Quality: 1st / 63%

Examining Project Selection Frameworks and Methods for Reducing Risks for new Product Development

By studying the current models and frameworks for project selection, newer and improved models can minimise risk. This is especially important in engineering companies looking to market their products for both private and corporate consumers. With the constant evolution of technology, engineering companies need to ensure that they can deliver products to clients to aid them with current needs. Hence, selecting projects that provide new products becomes extremely important to survive in an ever-increasing competitive market.

Quality: 1st / 74%

Impacts of Globalisation and Cultural Diversity on Business Performance

Tons of articles have been published on the difficulties, threats, and prospects that the globalisation of organisations offers. Furthermore, substantial research has been carried out on the diverse implications of globalisation on cultural variegation. However, to the best of the research’s knowledge, there is minimal work done on the combined effect of globalisation and cultural diversity on the organisational outcome. Given this, the research will fill this lacuna by evaluating whether or not the two elements have a synergistic effect on international business outcomes. This dissertation proposal analyses the impact of globalization and a culturally variegated workforce on the performance of MNCs.

The role of Influencer Marketing in increasing sales in the UK

This research aims to the role of influencer marketing in increasing sales. In this way, the researcher will investigate how Influencer Marketers impact the customer’s perception in the UK.

Quality: 1st / 76%

Impact of E-Business Adoption and Factors of Globalisation on the Development of SMEs in Developing Countries

The research proposal studies the impact of e-commerce or e-business adoption and globalisation on small and medium enterprises’ development, predominantly in developing countries. For this purpose, the research is particularly focused on understanding several external or macro-economic factors that influence SMEs to adopt e-business for their development and expansion in the future. In addition to this, the present research study is also aimed at studying all the potential benefits of e-commerce adoption by SMEs for their future growth and development within developing countries’ economies. For the mentioned purpose, the case of small and medium enterprises in developing countries has been selected to examine the impact of e-business adoption on SMEs’ development.

Quality: 1st / 71%

Research Proposal Examples In Engineering

Material selection for innovative design of automotive component interim report.

This research study investigates three innovative materials for the design of an automobile chassis.

1. Analyze the three materials for impact on cost and environment using the lifecycle analysis model. 2. Analyze the chassis’ quality and its impact on the entire automobile product using an innovative material in the design. 3. Analyze the impact of safety and the reduction of safety defects through innovative material in the design of chassis.

Faculty: Engineering

Mobile Intelligent Remote Health Care Monitoring System

This project aims to develop an automated healthcare system based on NTC technology. The system will use smartphone technologies such as mobile phones, PDAs, tablets, and the Internet. The security and safety of patients are also considered in developing the project. The system will enable patients and doctors to access data remotely, with the data being maintained within a centralized cloud server. The intelligent system will also enable doctors to monitor healthcare facilities and operations remotely to access the data remotely.

Quality: 1st / 62%

Performance Measurement of Green Automation Assembly in Aviation Industry

To see how well the aviation industry can sustain the balance in our environment, the study on their automation assembly will be carried in this research. The processes and supply chain involved in its operation will be investigated further. The process of automation assembly systems will be examined to obtain a clear vision of how they balance the effectiveness in aviation product’s functionality while minimizing the effect on the environment.

Quality: 1st / 72%

Assessing Implications and Effectiveness of Drones- A Qualitative Assessment of Drones Developed for Lethal Surveillance and Biodiversity Conservation

The current research aims to assess the implications and effectiveness of drones for lethal surveillance and biodiversity conservation. The objectives of the study are:

1. To shed light on the historical evolution of drones and their intended purposes. 2. To determine the significance of drones in biodiversity conservation. 3. To evaluate the effectiveness and increasing use of drones for lethal observations. 3. To recommend how effectively drones can be used for other diverse industries.

Quality: 1st / 75%

An Experimental Study On The Effectiveness Of Using Admixtures In Concrete Compared To Traditional Mix Materials; Ultimately Impacting Workability And Compressive Strength

This research proposal aims to:

(1) Study the damages associated with concrete on structures without admixtures due to its slow setting nature. (2) Study of admixtures and their uses in the construction industry. O hydration process and chemical reaction between admixtures and cement. O improving the rate of hardening without compromising the concrete strength. (3) Experimental investigation and analysis of mix designs with and without admixtures testing compressive strength and workability. (4) Evaluate the feasibility of admixtures in the modern-day construction industry

Quality: 1st / 79%

Building Information Modeling (BIM); Is this the Key to a Sustainable Future?

Much research has been performed on BIM utilization as it is a powerful tool for modelling and analysis, which provides integrative and collaborative processes. However, the aspect on which this research will focus will be the critical factors of the utilization of BIM for enhanced project management, saving cost, and construction time. Therefore this research will examine the use of technology in project management related to cost estimation of sustainable construction projects, particularly in Australia.

Quality: 1st / 69%

Exploring the Impact of BIM on Sustainable Construction Processes and its Opportunities in China’s Construction Sector from Project Management Point of View

The primary aim of this research project will be to investigate the extent to which the BIM has been able to support project management, and if it has the potential to influence the Chinese construction market and the implications for project managers (It will also review eh extend to which this system is being utilized in this region – if any). Hence, this research study intends to establish whether the use of BIM in the Chinese construction industry can help shape up the country’s sustainable future and explore the opportunities it will present to the stakeholders, as it has presumably done in developed countries?

Sustainable Architectural Designs

Sustainable Architecture has established a contemporary methodology in the engineering of material selection planning and sustainable designs. This section of the paper presents an exclusive summary of the material’s productivity for sustainable architecture (Ekins, 2007). Economic developments, social effects, ecological impacts and environmental issues will also be presented in this section. The main contents of the paper include;

(1) The concept of research (2) The adopted methodology of research, and (3) The influential parameters covered in the report.

Thesis Proposal Samples For Education & Teaching Students

Using sustainable ict in education: a phenomenological case study of professional development experiences of elt faculty at tertiary level in the united arab emirates (uae).

Professional Development Experiences of ELT Faculty at Tertiary Level in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) The proposed study’s primary aim is to examine how ICT deployments in educational institutions can be made sustainable to aid ELT instructors in English language instruction in the UAE. To achieve this aim, the proposed study has developed the following primary research question; how can ICT efforts in tertiary level education be made sustainable for English language training?

Faculty: Education & Teaching

Transnational Crime and Security – Background and Possible Structures of Transnational Cyber Attacks

The research’s main purpose revolves around the transnational cybercrimes that are taking place around the world today. This research intends to understand the various concepts related to cybercrimes and investigate the presence of cybercrimes across the countries.

A Phenomenological Case Study of Professional Development Experience of ELT Faculty at Tertiary Level in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

The proposed study’s primary aim is to examine how ICT deployments in educational institutions can be made sustainable to aid ELT instructors in English language instruction in the UAE.

Finance Proposal Samples

An analysis of the impact of financial volatility estimates and option pricing methods on the returns and risk assessment in the saudi stock market.

This study research aims to evaluate the influence of financial validity extremists and option pricing methods on the returns and risk assessment in the Saudi Stock Market. The research objectives include analysis of the significance of financial volatility modelling and estimates in the Saudi stock market.

Faculty: Finance

Impact Of the Global Financial Crisis 2008-2009 on the Uk Construction Industry and Quantity Surveyors

The study’s primary aim is to analyse the impact of the financial crisis on the construction industry in the UK and quantity surveyors to understand the challenges and issues they faced to survive.

Quality: 1st / 65%

Investment and Decision Making, examining the role of personal characteristics and cultural expectations

This dissertation proposal aims to address the key questions, including, what is the paramount importance of investment and decision-making, how important is the role of personal characteristics of the decision-makers and how important do cultural expectations of the people play a role?

Brexit and How it Will Affect the UK Financial Services Sector

Brexit had created uncertainty in the UK financial environment. The likely impact of it on the UK’s financial services industry has been a focus of researchers since then. Researchers have given special attention to finding the likely impacts of Brexit on the UK financial services and banking sector. The complexities which can occur in response to Brexit are discussed and debated by different researchers. Various researches have been performed to determine the effect of the decision on the UK’s financial services sector; the disadvantages and negative impact of Brexit are highlighted. However, future outcomes and negative impacts may not be obvious at the moment and may appear later. Therefore, research is still required to thoroughly analyze the future impacts of Brexit on the UK financial services sector once the withdrawal from the EU is completed, and new policies will be enforced to regulate the financial and banking transactions between the UK and the EU. Given this, the proposed research is useful as it is likely to light on the likely future outcomes of Brexit on the UK’s financial services sector.

Role of E-commerce in flourishing the business: A case study of Wal-Mart

In a research study put forward by Lissitsa and Kol (2016), it has been stated that there has been an increase in the use of the internet among the young generation, resulting in an increased preference for online shopping. It has been specified in the research study of Lee et al. (2017) that consumers provide preference to convenience over traditional methods of shopping via the use of e-commerce. However, there is a lack of literature on the role of e-commerce in flourishing the business in terms of financial growth and market share. In this regard, the study will be able to identify the role of e-commerce in flourishing the business in the context of Wal-Mart.

Quality: 1st / 68%

Law Dissertation Proposal Examples

Constructing legal discourse at the un security council related to refugee crisis and countries’ refusal to enter migrants.

The migrant crisis in Europe is ongoing and will continue to grow until and unless policy measures are taken by the EU and the United Nations General Council. The UN Security Council plays a more active role in the crisis and its root cause. Therefore, the major research question is, Is the International community, specifically the EU and UK, collectively violate human rights against refugees?.

Quality: 1st / 77%

Faculty: Law

Quality: 1st / 73%

Examples Of Research Proposals In Marketing

Suggesting marketing communication strategies to retain and improve the number of alumni associated with télécom paris alumni.

The research problem of this study is related to identifying the digital marketing strategy which the TPA and Télécom Paris can implement to retain the alumni of TPA and increasing their number and involvement with TPA and Télécom Paris. In view of this, ingthis study’s research question is focused on finding out the effectiveness of social media marketing strategy in retaining and increasing the involvement of the former students of TPA and Télécom Paris.

Quality: 1st / 66%

Faculty: Marketing

The Impact of Airport Terminal Expansion on Customer Services at the Incheon Airport

This proposal studies how the expansion of Incheon Airport will impact customer services where customers travel through this airport. Also, previous studies have mostly focused on the expansion effect of Heathrow airport (Redondi and Gudmundsson, 2016, p.287; Smith, 2017, p.4). Hence, this study focuses on airport expansion impact at Incheon’s airport customer services.

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Nursing & Medicine Proposal Samples

Association between toxoplasma gondii and mental disorders in taif region.

This study aims to investigate the association between latent Toxoplasma gondii infection and various mental illnesses in Taif, KSA.

Quality: 1st / 70%

Faculty: Nursing and Medicine

Investigating the Impact of Tube Feeding

This study’s primary aim is to explore the impact of tube feeding on the quality of life of individuals with dementia and eating problems from their caregivers’ views.

Critical Analysis of Factors Affecting Public Health Promotion: A Case Study of Saudi Arabia

This research proposal’s main aim is to analyse the influence of public health on the health promotion intervention within the case of Saudi Arabia as a developing country.

Dissertation Proposal Samples In Sociology

Assessing gender roles in family- have they changed over the past ten years.

Faculty: Sociology

Technology Thesis Proposal Samples

The impact of digital transformation (technology) in improving asset integrity and reliability in oil and gas industry.

This dissertation proposal aims:

(1). To identify, highlight and reflect the trends in technological innovation in Angola. (2). To identify the asset integrity of products and services provided by organisations. (3). To evaluate the motivating forces for the development of new technologies and solutions. (4). To highlight technology processes from the oil and gas service providers ‘ point of view. (5). To measure considerations and obstacles to progress in producing innovative technological solutions in the organisation in Angola.

Faculty: Technology

Cyber Security

This research compares computational models such as ML and DL, making NIDS more efficient against cyber-attacks.

This study will address the following questions:

(1). What is the role of Cryptocurrecny in financial inclusion? (2). What are the advantages and disadvantages of using Cryptocurrecny for financial transactions? (3). What do financial and technical experts around the world think about the role of Cryptocurrecny in financial inclusion? (4). What changes does, according to the experts’ cryptocurrency require for a place in the modern financial world?

Tourism & Hospitality Dissertation Proposals

Importance of sustainable tourism in the developing countries: analysis of practices and challenges in the case study of thailand.

(1). This thesis proposal analyses the importance of sustainable tourism in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Following research objectives have been highlighted that will support the researcher to achieve the main aim of the study:

(2). Tananalyse the factors or challenges that are affecting the management of sustainable tourism in Chiang Mai. (3). To examine the importance of sustainable tourism in Chiang Mai and how the director of the Chiang Mai branch of the Tourism Authority of Thailand manages the tourism industry’s sustainability. (4). To provide recommendations to the director of the Chiang Mai branch of the Tourism Authority of Thailand on how they can address the issues and promote sustainable tourism management.

Faculty: Tourism & Hospitality

Managing Tourism Attractiveness of India

The purpose of the dissertation was to examine and explore the impact of the tourism industry on India’s overall economy.

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Their examples of research proposal were extremely helpful for me to start working on my own proposal.

How These Research Proposal Samples Can Help You

A research proposal is the first step towards completing your dissertation project. It can have a substantial effect on your overall grade, and therefore it is crucial that you take the necessary steps to set the stage for a successful thesis project.

You can structure your dissertation proposal in many ways. However, the format or template you choose for your proposal should be the one provided by your university in the thesis handbook. Undergraduate dissertation proposals are shorter in length as compared to Masters and PHD programmes.

The word count of an undergraduate dissertation proposal is 500-1000 words whereas Masters and PHD level thesis proposals can be anywhere between 1500-3000 words in length. The dissertation proposals examples we have provided on this page follow the standard structure which include the introduction, problem statement, aim and objectives, literature review, methodology, expected results, gantt chart and a list of references.

Use these proposal examples for free to master the art of writing a first class dissertation proposal. These subject specific samples will enable you to write your own research proposal according to the best practices.

Free Dissertation Proposal Samples For All Academic Levels

The academic level these dissertation proposal examples have been written to, include undergraduate, Masters and PHD. So regardless of your study level, you will find samples on this page that are in line with your needs.

PHD dissertation proposal examples

The PHD level samples will be a minimum of 2000 words long. They will follow the standard PHD dissertation proposal template which involves a detailed literature review and methodology.

Masters research proposal samples

Masters level thesis proposal examples provided on this page are unique and created by our experts from scratch to reflect the quality of the work we are capable of providing when you place an order for our research proposal writing service.

Undergraduate proposal examples

Our undergraduate dissertation proposal examples are also crafted by subject specialists. They were written to the unique specifications provided by our clients. They are 500 words to 1500 words long.

Frequently Ask Questions?

How our proposal samples can help you.

We have published numerous samples here to showcase our abilities, but also to help you become familiar with the construction, requirements, and layout of a dissertation proposal.

The proposal outlines what you plan to research and what you’re looking to achieve through the exploration. Thus, it is also called a research proposal. It’s a small version of what the full dissertation might eventually become.

It is a relatively short but comprehensive paper that describes the specifics of the research you intend to conduct. The ideal proposal will contain certain research elements and will adhere to a specific structure.

This structure requires the proposal to contain certain sections: research aims and objectives, the significance of the research, and the methodology you plan to use. As such, the proposal should include abstracts from the initial three chapters of a dissertation: the introduction, literature review, and methodology.

This is where our samples will really help you. You will be able to learn more about the essential elements of this kind of document and understand how the three sections are incorporated into it. As well as helping you learn about the proposal structure, you can use them as writing guides. Writing a dissertation is very different to writing an essay or coursework.

One main difference is the language and writing style, another is the depth of research required. Examining our proposal samples should demonstrate to you how to make effective transitions between sections, it can also ensure your statements are supported by appropriate references.

Reviewing our proposal examples, you will observe that all research aims and objectives are clearly and concisely stated, also, the importance and rationale of the research are explained at length.

The introduction section helps readers understand the importance of your topic and your perspective on conducting the research. Then the methodology chapter lays out the method of research you plan to use.

This section may include a timeline, known as the Gantt chart, which indicates the time you require for research. Finally, you should include a reference list where you cite any theory or other quoted works. You should also use in-text citations as with any academic work.

If you are still unsure how to write a first-class proposal, it would really be beneficial for you to make use of our proposal writing service. Our writers will adhere to your specifications for the proposal.

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Do you provide dissertation and thesis proposal writing service?

Our dissertation proposal writing services are created to help undergraduate, Masters, and Ph.D. students with all aspects of their dissertation papers. The service includes the following;

• The writer we will assign to your proposal order will have the matching qualifications and expertise.
• Your completed proposal paper will be checked against our strict quality control procedures and academic standards.
• The service includes unlimited free amendments until you are fully satisfied with the work delivered. Our writers are always happy to resolve any issues that you identify in their work.
• The completed paper will be delivered along with a free anti-plagiarism report which is generated with our in-house plagiarism software. We guarantee 100% unique writing or your money back. It’s that simple!

What happens after you have received your Dissertation Proposal?

On receiving your dissertation proposal, read it and become familiar with it. Then you can present it to your supervisor or the graduate committee to apply for its approval. Once your proposal has been approved, the writer can start work on your dissertation immediately if that’s what you want.

Do you provide Ph.D. Proposal Help?

Yes, we can help you write your proposal. For a proposal at this level, it is a job for only the most experienced and qualified. With our Ph.D. proposal writing service, the work will be completed by an expert writer who holds a Ph.D. You would be paired with this writer so that you can explain all the specifics you want your proposal to contain. We’ve published some example proposals here on the site for you to inspect.

Can I use these dissertation proposal examples for free?

Yes, you can use these proposal examples for free for inspiration and to get started with your dissertation project. We provide free proposal samples to students of all academic levels and countries.

Can you write me a dissertation proposal on any topic?

We can write a new dissertation proposal paper on any topic of your choice. As a matter of fact, our services include free topic suggestions. The proposal we will create will be 100% unique and customised to your university's requirements.

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How To Write A Research Proposal

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

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 .

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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.

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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 .

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32 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.

Thank you very much, Sir. The way you pointed out the key domains to keep in mind while writing a research proposal is concrete and appropriate. A lot of things were buzzing in my mind, and I was not being able to jot down them sequentially. Your guidance helped me to write down a well structured research proposal.

I really enjoy and appreciate how simple and easy to understand your article is, i can’t wait to apply it. Thank you so much, it’s of great help to me.

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