english 102 research proposal example

How to skillfully ace an English 102 Research Paper

Many students find writing their first English 102 papers challenging, stressful, and scary. Among the five or six essays, you will write in English 102 is a research paper that must be turned in on time. The main aim of the course is to introduce you to and test you on the conventions of academic writing. This means that you will be taught and tested on how to write convincing, researched, organized, and developed essays. These essays predominantly synthesize, document, and respond to the various sources on a topic in question.

Without understanding how to write an English paper, you will not understand its structure, nor will you be able to write fast. Therefore, you are probably here because you want to know how to write an English 102 research paper or the essays assigned during the course.

It could be your first time doing this. But, not to worry because we will cover all relevant aspects, techniques, methods, and tools you need to employ as you finally write your English 102 research papers.

Following the tips and tricks we have outlined in this guide, you will realize that our English writing experts have insights on how best it can be done.

Our research paper help service is also available if all you want is to English 102 research paper help. Otherwise, read through this guide, do it yourself, and excel at it. These concepts apply to those taking English 101 and 107 classes as well.

What is an English 102 Research Paper?

An English 102 Research paper is a literary research paper assignment assigned to students to test their competence and grasp of academic writing conventions. It is meant to evaluate students' analytical, research, synthesis, creativity, and critical thinking skills. When writing the paper, a student must choose an appropriate topic, research and brainstorm ideas, develop coherent paragraphs that support the thesis, and write a befitting conclusion. While doing so, the student has to read widely to draw ideas from scholarly resources such as books, case studies, news articles, magazines, memos, periodicals, and scholarly journals. You are being tested on your ability to integrate multiple sources, conduct independent research, and then write a masterpiece.

It is a literary paper in the context that, unlike other English research papers focusing on poverty, euthanasia, school uniforms, or Climate change, it entails the interpretation, synthesis, or analysis of the meaning of literature. Moreover, it incorporates research from reputable secondary sources to support the main idea.

The ideal length of an English 102 literary research paper is at least eight pages with a minimum of 6-7 sources.

Qualities of a Good Research paper in English 102

Your research paper or essay will score an A if:

• It is insightful, persuasive, and focuses on the thesis statement developed after considering the topic
• It is coherent, logical, and organized in a manner that points flow from the start to the end
• It has well-developed paragraphs, an effective introduction , and a wholesome concluding paragraph
• Uses concrete and appropriate diction that demonstrates maturity
• Shows that you have skillfully applied formal academic writing discourse through the use of citations where you have quoted, summarized, or paraphrased ideas
• Demonstrates your excellent understanding of texts, critically analyzes the issues, and supports your main point of view through integrating examples and evidence from other sources
• Has little to no grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and punctuation errors.
• Has appropriate title that attracts the attention of the reader off the bat
• Has connected ideas from texts that support claims and generalizations
• Demonstrates your rhetorical skills.
• It is devoid of plagiarism.
• Submitted early before the deadline.

Tips to Write an English 102 Research Paper like a Pro

Any literary research paper, such as an English 102 research paper, has its main scope and focuses on your synthesis, interpretation, and literature presentation. You are being tested on your research skills, creativity and critical thinking, analytical and organization skills, which form the core of academic and professional writing.

Suppose you want to write a good English 102 research paper. In that case, you must come up with a relatable, interesting, and relevant topic, a refined thesis statement or controlling idea, a perfect introduction, organized body paragraphs supporting the thesis, and a strong conclusion that wraps up everything. In the research paper, you must have relevant topic sentences, supporting facts to your thesis, and concluding sentences that make strong paragraphs. Besides, your paper needs to have a good transition from a paragraph to the next. Finally, the conclusion should not just be a repetition of facts; it has to be your personal reflection of the topic, refined thesis, and call to action, if necessary.

When writing your English 102 research paper, you will utilize credible scholarly material. These should mostly be books, journals, periodicals, magazine and newspaper articles, website content, and governmental website content. In addition, you should read, internalize, analyze, and present the ideas in support of your thesis. This means that you will have to cite every idea you paraphrase, summarize, or quote from a source.

In most cases, a good English 102 paper has an ideal length of 6-8 pages. Therefore, utmost a minimum of 1500 words for an English 102 paper is not so bad. However, your instructions, research paper prompt, and/or email from your instructor or professor will specify the definite word count.

When writing the paper, you need to use academic citation formats such as APA, Chicago, or MLA. This is because the main aim of writing the research paper is to expound on ideas. You can only do so using credible sources, which must be cited.

In terms of sources, you can use a minimum of 5 to 6 sources. These sources should be scholarly, with peer-reviewed academic journals being top in the list. The sources are written on a separate last page titled " References " for APA and Harvard formatting and "Works Cited" for MLA formatting. You can see how to write such a paper by ordering an English 102 Research Paper example through our homepage. We will assign your paper to our top writers, who will research, write, and advise you on the way forward.

Writing Steps of an English 102 Research Paper

For ease of understanding, we will divide the research paper writing process into three stages: prewriting, writing, and post-writing.

Prewriting Stage

The prewriting stage comprises all the initial activities that a student does before writing the first draft.

Read the Assignment Prompt

During the prewriting stage, you begin by reading the assignment prompt. Your English 102 professor, teacher, or instructor will send you paper instructions via canvas, blackboard, or email. They can equally give the assignment during their lectures. It would help if you had to keenly look at the instructions to determine the scope of the paper, the topics provided, the possibility of selecting a topic by yourself, and the word count of the paper.

Determine/Define your Audience

Once you have read the instructions, it is prudent to understand the expectations, characteristics, attitudes, and knowledge of your audience as you anticipate the writing process. It helps you organize your thoughts well, provide enough evidence, and trim your scope. As you write an academic paper, you need to meet all the academic writing conventions because your professor, teacher, or lecturer is your major audience. The level of knowledge of your audience also matters as it defines the choice of words, delivery, clarity, and readability aspects of your paper.

Decide the authors to write about

You will know the author (s) of focus by reading the assignment prompt. In most cases, you will be allowed to choose from any of the authors that you have discussed in the course of the semester. However, you are also allowed to pick authors whom you have interacted with outside of the class or syllabus. This applies if you are writing a literary analysis research paper. By now, you should have already chosen the text of focus.

Choose and define a topic

Like a typical research paper, topic selection is critical in the prewriting stage of an English 102 research paper. Your instructions or the assignment prompt play a crucial role in selecting the topic. Your professor might be inclined to a given set of articles or reading materials. To choose a great topic, select one after preliminary research so that you can have a feel of the topic and connect with the ideas. Initial research also helps you develop an angle for your English research paper. The choice of the topic, although a challenging task, is guided by reading and getting knowledgeable about the text. As you read the text, the chances are that you will select an angle of analysis and thus a topic.

Read the text as you take notes

After choosing a topic, you have to research for insights from other scholars. You also need to read and reread your main text several times. Make sense of what the texts are and what scholars are saying about the topic. Check how the authors express ideas, organize thoughts, create particular effects, and assess your personal response. When you are comfortable with the topic and your research, you need to develop an angle of analysis . The angle of analysis is your preferred approach to organizing your research paper. You can decide to organize it by critical approach, themes, or literary elements.

Writing Stage: Writing the Research Paper

So now that you have everything in place, you need to get down to work. Real work begins when you begin to organize and write your first draft. Our advice is that you focus on writing first then editing later. Follow these steps:

Choose a thesis statement

With the angle of analysis already determined, it is easier to select a thesis statement for your English 102 research paper. The thesis is the main idea or the controlling idea of your research paper, usually relating to your title and topic. It is the idea that the body paragraphs of your research paper will support. A good thesis statement should be argumentative and must be supported by a detailed interpretation of texts. It must not be factual or speculative or one that states an opinion only.

Weigh the evidence at hand

With your tentative or preliminary thesis, you need to evaluate the importance of the pieces of evidence you had collected earlier. Then, you can further gather scholarly articles that support the central idea. Next, distinguish between general and specific ideas so that you can confirm the logical sequence of presentation that your audience can relate to and grasp. Finally, ensure that you select resources that fill the gap in research.

Develop an Outline

A research paper outline is a final product you should have after weighing the evidence you have gathered. A formal outline will outline the research paper structure, making it easier to scoop the top grades in English 102. When developing your formal outline, systematically draft what you want in the introduction, body, and conclusion. You must label the parts of an outline structure for ease of filling them when writing your first draft.

Draft your English 102 Paper

In the drafting step, you will be converting the one-sentence ideas in your outline to complete paragraphs and, eventually, your research paper. There is no single preferred or best method to do so; you can do it anyhow. However, from our experience, writing the body paragraphs first and the conclusion and introduction last ensures that your paper flows from top to the end. Start by writing straightforward paragraphs, sentences, or ideas. This means that you should free write and open your mind to new ideas. As you draft, convey meaning more than correct. You can leave perfection for the post-writing stage. As you write the draft, read your sources, reread them, refine ideas, and cite as you write. You can use online citation management tools for the same.

Post-writing Stage

Now that you have something concrete, it is time to ensure that everything is correct. It is best to take a break after the writing stage to develop an objective mind.

Revise the paper

You can revise the paper in two ways: individual and collaborative revision. As for the individual revision process, rethink, reorganize, and rewrite your English 102 research paper as you read it out loud to yourself. You will be reviewing the paper yourself from the perspective of an independent reader. Ensure that the diction is right and that the organization of paragraphs, supporting facts, examples, and general paper is right. Check for coherence, completeness, conciseness, and clarity of your paper.

As it pertains to collaborative revision, you will be seeking the insights of others. Instead of self-criticism during individual revision, you rely mostly on external criticism in joint revision. You can approach a professional editing and proofreading company, your friends, or a family member. This approach limits bias and ensures that your paper is fully polished. Peer review allows you to turn in a paper that meets the instructions from the perspective of an independent and unbiased reader.

Edit and proofread

In the editing stage, examine the styling, correctness, and clarity of your English research paper. You should review your paper and ascertain that it ticks the parts of the guidelines of formal research paper writing and the English language.

Check sentence fragments, spelling, subject-verb agreement, pronouns and nouns, punctuation, parallelism, run-on sentences, vague sentences, misplaced examples and ideas, and common grammatical errors. As well, check your referencing style, including titling, in-text citation, indentation, and alignment. Finally, ensure that the bibliographic information is well arranged alphabetically or otherwise.

Submit before the deadline

The final stage of the post-writing stage is hitting the submit button. In most cases, you can submit your complete English 102 paper through Canvas or Blackboard. Whatever channel it is, ensure that you have the right document named as preferred by your markers. Also, ensure that you have the right format: PDF, Word document, or Google Doc.

English Research Paper Outline or Template

If you have been assigned an English research paper and want to break down the components, here is a basic structure of what your 102 papers should look like. Check out examples of other detailed research paper outlines as well, which you can adapt and make work easier.

Introduction

• Background information
• Thesis statement
• Research paper outline: This paper discusses, then�

Body Paragraph 1

• Topic sentence
• Supporting facts
• Conclusion sentence

Body Paragraph 2

Body Paragraph 3

Body Paragraph 4

• Refined thesis statement
• Summary of the entire research paper
• Call to action, if applicable

Parting Shot!

Professors assessing 102 are as strict as those of English 101 or 107/8. Therefore, you need to make no mistake as you write a research paper because any omission will definitely lead to a poor grade. With that in mind, if you divide your work into the three stages of writing an English 102 research paper as we have outlined, everything flows and becomes easier.

The steps above have been employed by top students and further tested by our English Literature writers. As a result, you can write a perfect essay or research paper for English 102 and overcome the fear that comes with the process.

If writing a great paper is not your cup of tea, you can choose to hire a versatile paper writer from our website. We guarantee you a learning opportunity because you will get a well-researched sample, written and polished. In addition, we can help solve all your writing woes in college. Our writers can handle complex tasks, which 102 is all about.

Gradecrest is a professional writing service that provides original model papers. We offer personalized services along with research materials for assistance purposes only. All the materials from our website should be used with proper references. See our Terms of Use Page for proper details.

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Presentation and final research paper for eng 102 [english].

Anita Baksh , CUNY La Guardia Community College Follow

Document Type

Publication date.

English 102 is a required course for almost all LaGuardia students. While most students enroll in the course in their second semester, there are some advanced students who take the course later. It is recommended that Composition I and II be taken in sequence since the latter builds upon skills acquired in the first composition course. Composition II is a process-based writing course. Students further develop the critical thinking, writing, and research skills they acquired in ENG 101. They learn close-reading techniques and study diverse texts in at least three genres (poetry, drama, and fiction). Students are required to write three out-of-class essays and one in class final exam.

The paper assignment allows students to practice all the dimensions of the IPS rubric and the writing and research skills they have been learning over the course of the semester. It prepares them for writing and researching essays for all future college courses that require low-stakes and high-stakes writing assignments. It also prepares them for writing and problem solving tasks in professional contexts. Allowing them to recognize how the dimensions of the IPS rubric that we have practiced in ENG 102 can transfer to other non-writing tasks can also be useful and is something I need to think about implementing into my lesson. One way to do this might be to review the IPS rubric with students and discuss how each dimension relates to our course work.

I have taught ENG 102 for several semesters and each semester I revise assignments and lessons to meet the requirements of the course and to better engage student learning. In this last semester, I revised these assignments in two significant ways: 1) by linking the two assignments and having them focus on the same text; and 2) by using key words from the rubric in the paper assignment guidelines.

The presentation and research paper assignments on Sherman Alexie’s short story collection, The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven , require that students use close reading skills to identify and analyze major themes and literary devices used in Alexie’s writing. The collection presents stories set in the 1990s on a Spokane reservation in Washington State. The paper requires that students compose an argument based essay using evidence from the story and from outside sources (one scholarly article and one other credible source). The outside sources allow students to frame the historical context of the stories and to read the issues presented in the text in their cultural context. They also enrich students’ analysis of the story’s characters, themes, language, and structure. Through literature students further understand and draw conclusions about U.S. history, reservation experiences, stereotypes of Native Americans, and historical and contemporary struggles of Native Americans as a marginalized group.

Challenges students have with the presentation include working in teams and navigating group dynamics outside of the classroom. This includes time-management, coordinating schedules of groups members, and ensuring all group members do their portion of the assignment prior to the in-class presentation. In general, most groups work well and group leaders naturally emerge. To address some of the above challenges, I ask students to use google.doc and google.slide so that students can keep track of each other’s progress and work. I have also implemented evaluation sheets that students complete after the presentation. These encourage accountability by allowing students to evaluate themselves and each group member, and give me a sense of each student’s contribution to the presentation.

In regards to the research paper, students experience few challenges with the assignment because the presentation helps to prepare them for the paper. Since students complete this assignment at the end of the semester, time-management does seem to be an issue. Students sometimes get overwhelmed and are unable to spend as much time as they need to produce a polished, revised version of the paper.

Through the research they conduct as a group (using the secondary sources given to them and some they find on their own), students are able to meet most of the dimensions of the IPS rubric, mostly on a novice or developing level. The last dimension of the rubric seems to be the most challenging. While they are able to “[draw] conclusions supported by evidence,” some students have difficulty “[identifying] implications and limitations.” I believe this challenge is in part linked to the difficulty some students have with writing the conclusions of their papers. In future courses, I will spend more time discussing conclusions and review several model conclusion paragraphs throughout the semester. In addition, I believe this may also be a challenge of using literary texts (fiction) rather than nonfiction and data-driven resources as sources of evidence. This dimension will also develop as students continue to engage critically in advanced courses that require analytic thinking and writing.

LaGuardia’s Core Competencies and Communication Abilities

• Further develop the critical thinking, writing, and research skills they acquired in ENG 101
• Learn close-reading techniques and study diverse texts in at least three genres (poetry, drama, and fiction)

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ENGL 102 - Composition II - Dr. Shehi Herr: Common ENGL 102 Assignments

• Ask a Librarian This link opens in a new window
• Rhetorical Analysis Essay Assignment
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General Information on Common Assignments for ENGL U102 - Composition II

While every professor is free to modify assignments to fit their particular section of  ENGL  102, there are some common assignments that may be assigned in your section.  This top-level page provides resources that may be helpful for a common final assignment.  On sub-pages, you will find additional information and resources for other assignments commonly used in ENGL 102. 

PLEASE REFER TO YOUR SPECIFIC COURSE SYLLABUS AND YOUR PROFESSOR FOR DETAILS REGARDING YOUR PARTICULAR ASSIGNMENT.  

**POSSIBLE Final Assignment** - Research-based Argument of Proposal

Below is an overview of the suggested final assignment; PLEASE REFER TO YOUR COURSE SYLLABUS AND YOUR PROFESSOR FOR THE SPECIFICS OF YOUR ASSIGNMENT.   

---------------

For the final research paper, you need to identify a contemporary, real, local problem and its causes, and then propose feasible solutions that address those causes.  Here is an abbreviated description of the assignment:  

• You will need to provide a clear and descriptive summary of the problem, including evidence for its existence. 
• Then, you will need to identify for whom, specifically, this is a problem. 
• Then, you will need to sort among the various causes of the problem, tracing the relationship among those causes.

You can find local resources to use for research listed in other boxes on this page.    

Who are the local experts?

When researching topics more focused on your local community, sometimes it can be harder to know where to begin. Clearly agencies and organizations are getting information from somewhere, but who has it and how can you go about accessing it?

Some of the richest sources of local community information can be found in county and city government websites. Often, they will have links to many different departments throughout the city or county, and can provide you with insight into current issues the city or county is dealing with.

Additionally, local non-profit agencies are frequently on the front lines addressing local issues.  However, obtaining data from non-profit organizations may not be as straightforward as looking on their websites; in many cases, you may need to call the agency directly to gather information.    

Local Newspapers

Several upstate-area newspapers are accessible to a greater or lesser degree online, either through their current website, or via online archives.  See the links below for access.  

• GoUpstate.com Not a library database but a free website providing fulltext of articles from the current issue of the local Spartanburg Herald Journal, along with some indexing to and fulltext of older articles.
• Greenville News This link opens in a new window Full text to The Greenville (SC) News from 1999 to present.
• Spartanburg Herald Journal Sep 26, 2007 - Sep 26, 2016

Web Resources that support local research

• ACLU of South Carolina The ACLU protects your freedom through a nationwide network of staffed offices in every state, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
• American Red Cross of the Palmetto SC Region The Palmetto SC Region of the American Red Cross provides vital services to the residents of South Carolina including disaster relief, health and safety classes, blood collection for hospitals and services to the armed forces.
• Boys and Girls Club of America Boys & Girls Clubs are a safe place to learn and grow – all while having fun. It is the place where great futures are started each and every day.
• City-Data By collecting and analyzing data from numerous sources, we're able to create detailed, informative profiles of all cities in the United States. From crime rates to weather patterns, you can find the data you're looking for on City-Data.com.
• NAACP of South Carolina The South Carolina State Conference is the leading civil rights organization in the state of South Carolina. The organization was chartered in 1939 and now operates through a network of branches, youth councils and college chapters located across the forty-six counties of the state. The NAACP is driven by volunteers committed to the mission of the oldest civil rights organization in America.
• SC.gov - Agency List (A-Z) The official listing of all state Agencies for the state of South Carolina.
• SC Lieutenant Governor's Office on Aging The Lieutenant Governor's Office on Aging is South Carolina's "State Unit on Aging" and administers federal funds received through the Older Americans Act. The Lieutenant Governor's Office on Aging works with a network of regional and local organizations to develop and manage programs and services to improve the quality of life of South Carolina's older citizens, and to help them remain independent in their homes and communities.
• South Carolina Association of Counties The South Carolina Association of Counties (SCAC) is the only organization dedicated to the statewide representation of county government in South Carolina. Access to Chambers of Commerce can be found on this website.
• Spartanburg County Public Library Upstate students can get a public library card by bringing their Upstate ID to the library.
• United Housing Connections UHC is an organization that works together with other agencies in our area to provide affordable housing. We are dedicated to ending homelessness through programming, advocacy, and building safe, decent, and affordable housing for homeless or at-risk families and individuals. Our goal is to help fill the gaps in services for homeless and at-risk persons. UHC coordinates the Continuum of Care throughout a 13 county area in Upstate South Carolina.
• Urban League of the Upstate The National Urban League is a historic civil rights organization dedicated to economic empowerment in order to elevate the standard of living in historically underserved urban communities. The Urban League is the oldest and largest community-based organization of its kind in the nation. more... less... In 1970, a small group of citizens from Greenville met in the basement of Springfield Baptist Church with one goal in mind. To create a community-based organization committed to the principle of equal opportunity for all citizens in housing, education, employment and economic development without regard to race or socioeconomic status. From these meetings, the Greenville Urban League was established in 1972 with Theo Mitchell as its first President. In 1997, understanding the needs of the Upstate Region, the name was changed to reflect the population served to Urban League of the Upstate.

Other Databases that support local research

• Census.gov This link opens in a new window Population statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau.
• Newspaper Source Plus This link opens in a new window Newspaper articles and television and radio news transcripts.
• Statistical Abstract of the U.S. This link opens in a new window Comprehensive collection of statistics on the social, political, and economic conditions of the United States, dating back to 1878.
• U.S. Southeast Newsstream This link opens in a new window Also includes limited runs of Spartanburg Herald-Journal (2007-2016), Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and Asheville Citizen-Times. For title list, please click "more." more... less... Title list: https://search.proquest.com/southeastnews/publicationbrowse?accountid=28698
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ENGL 102 - Research Papers

• Planning Your Research
• Library Database Search
• Primo Search
• Credible Web Sources
• Cite Your Sources

Chat with a Librarian

Have deeper questions book a research appointment, class handouts.

• ENGL 102 Class Handout
• Download/print a blank keyword table here.
• Diverse Perspectives Checklist (Example 1)
• Diverse Perspectives Checklist (Example 2)
• Diverse Perspectives Checklist (Fillable)

Research Tip: Know your requirements!

Read your instructor's assignment. Make a mental note of certain requirements, such as:

• Number of required sources
• Variety of sources (peer-reviewed, scholarly, popular, personal interview, etc.)
• Number of written pages
• Citation style

Research Tip: What should I research?

Choosing a research topic is often challenging!  Here are some ideas for picking a topic.

• Explore a topic from a personal experience.
• Watch a TED Talk video for cutting edge research ideas.
• Browse through the library's e-magazines on Flipster  for a story and topic that interest you.

Picking your topic is research!

Choosing a topic is the first and most important step of any research paper. This video from North Carolina State University helps outline this process.

Concept Mapping: What are the Advantages?

• Allows flexibility and creativity
• Free flowing, visual representation of your ideas
• Can help narrow down your topic by focusing and developing a single branch from the broad topic
• Can be adapted and revised as you do more research

Concept Mapping: What Does It Look Like?

The video below was created by Penn State University Libraries to explain the process of concept mapping for a research paper.

Research Tip: Start with simple sources.

At times, it may be challenging to come up with keywords or avoid our own biases. Reading an overview article about the topic can help guide your research. Below are some Molstead Library subscription databases to help you find background information on your subject.

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• Last Updated: Jul 9, 2024 3:46 PM
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What (Exactly) Is A Research Proposal?

A simple explainer with examples + free template.

By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Reviewed By: Dr Eunice Rautenbach | June 2020 (Updated April 2023)

Whether you’re nearing the end of your degree and your dissertation is on the horizon, or you’re planning to apply for a PhD program, chances are you’ll need to craft a convincing research proposal . If you’re on this page, you’re probably unsure exactly what the research proposal is all about. Well, you’ve come to the right place.

Overview: Research Proposal Basics

• What a research proposal is
• What a research proposal needs to cover
• How to structure your research proposal
• Example /sample proposals
• Proposal writing FAQs
• Key takeaways & additional resources

What is a research proposal?

Simply put, a research proposal is a structured, formal document that explains what you plan to research (your research topic), why it’s worth researching (your justification), and how  you plan to investigate it (your methodology). 

The purpose of the research proposal (its job, so to speak) is to convince  your research supervisor, committee or university that your research is  suitable  (for the requirements of the degree program) and  manageable  (given the time and resource constraints you will face). 

The most important word here is “ convince ” – in other words, your research proposal needs to  sell  your research idea (to whoever is going to approve it). If it doesn’t convince them (of its suitability and manageability), you’ll need to revise and resubmit . This will cost you valuable time, which will either delay the start of your research or eat into its time allowance (which is bad news). 

What goes into a research proposal?

A good dissertation or thesis proposal needs to cover the “ what “, “ why ” and” how ” of the proposed study. Let’s look at each of these attributes in a little more detail:

Your proposal needs to clearly articulate your research topic . This needs to be specific and unambiguous . Your research topic should make it clear exactly what you plan to research and in what context. Here’s an example of a well-articulated research topic:

An investigation into the factors which impact female Generation Y consumer’s likelihood to promote a specific makeup brand to their peers: a British context

As you can see, this topic is extremely clear. From this one line we can see exactly:

• What’s being investigated – factors that make people promote or advocate for a brand of a specific makeup brand
• Who it involves – female Gen-Y consumers
• In what context – the United Kingdom

So, make sure that your research proposal provides a detailed explanation of your research topic . If possible, also briefly outline your research aims and objectives , and perhaps even your research questions (although in some cases you’ll only develop these at a later stage). Needless to say, don’t start writing your proposal until you have a clear topic in mind , or you’ll end up waffling and your research proposal will suffer as a result of this.

Need a helping hand?

As we touched on earlier, it’s not good enough to simply propose a research topic – you need to justify why your topic is original . In other words, what makes it  unique ? What gap in the current literature does it fill? If it’s simply a rehash of the existing research, it’s probably not going to get approval – it needs to be fresh.

But,  originality  alone is not enough. Once you’ve ticked that box, you also need to justify why your proposed topic is  important . In other words, what value will it add to the world if you achieve your research aims?

As an example, let’s look at the sample research topic we mentioned earlier (factors impacting brand advocacy). In this case, if the research could uncover relevant factors, these findings would be very useful to marketers in the cosmetics industry, and would, therefore, have commercial value . That is a clear justification for the research.

So, when you’re crafting your research proposal, remember that it’s not enough for a topic to simply be unique. It needs to be useful and value-creating – and you need to convey that value in your proposal. If you’re struggling to find a research topic that makes the cut, watch  our video covering how to find a research topic .

It’s all good and well to have a great topic that’s original and valuable, but you’re not going to convince anyone to approve it without discussing the practicalities – in other words:

• How will you actually undertake your research (i.e., your methodology)?
• Is your research methodology appropriate given your research aims?
• Is your approach manageable given your constraints (time, money, etc.)?

While it’s generally not expected that you’ll have a fully fleshed-out methodology at the proposal stage, you’ll likely still need to provide a high-level overview of your research methodology . Here are some important questions you’ll need to address in your research proposal:

• Will you take a qualitative , quantitative or mixed -method approach?
• What sampling strategy will you adopt?
• How will you collect your data (e.g., interviews , surveys, etc)?
• How will you analyse your data (e.g., descriptive and inferential statistics , content analysis, discourse analysis, etc, .)?
• What potential limitations will your methodology carry?

So, be sure to give some thought to the practicalities of your research and have at least a basic methodological plan before you start writing up your proposal. If this all sounds rather intimidating, the video below provides a good introduction to research methodology and the key choices you’ll need to make.

How To Structure A Research Proposal

Now that we’ve covered the key points that need to be addressed in a proposal, you may be wondering, “ But how is a research proposal structured? “.

While the exact structure and format required for a research proposal differs from university to university, there are four “essential ingredients” that commonly make up the structure of a research proposal:

• A rich introduction and background to the proposed research
• An initial literature review covering the existing research
• An overview of the proposed research methodology
• A discussion regarding the practicalities (project plans, timelines, etc.)

In the video below, we unpack each of these four sections, step by step.

Research Proposal Examples/Samples

In the video below, we provide a detailed walkthrough of two successful research proposals (Master’s and PhD-level), as well as our popular free proposal template.

Proposal Writing FAQs

How long should a research proposal be.

This varies tremendously, depending on the university, the field of study (e.g., social sciences vs natural sciences), and the level of the degree (e.g. undergraduate, Masters or PhD) – so it’s always best to check with your university what their specific requirements are before you start planning your proposal.

As a rough guide, a formal research proposal at Masters-level often ranges between 2000-3000 words, while a PhD-level proposal can be far more detailed, ranging from 5000-8000 words. In some cases, a rough outline of the topic is all that’s needed, while in other cases, universities expect a very detailed proposal that essentially forms the first three chapters of the dissertation or thesis.

The takeaway – be sure to check with your institution before you start writing.

How do I choose a topic for my research proposal?

Finding a good research topic is a process that involves multiple steps. We cover the topic ideation process in this video post.

How do I write a literature review for my proposal?

While you typically won’t need a comprehensive literature review at the proposal stage, you still need to demonstrate that you’re familiar with the key literature and are able to synthesise it. We explain the literature review process here.

How do I create a timeline and budget for my proposal?

We explain how to craft a project plan/timeline and budget in Research Proposal Bootcamp .

Which referencing format should I use in my research proposal?

The expectations and requirements regarding formatting and referencing vary from institution to institution. Therefore, you’ll need to check this information with your university.

What common proposal writing mistakes do I need to look out for?

We’ve create a video post about some of the most common mistakes students make when writing a proposal – you can access that here . If you’re short on time, here’s a quick summary:

• The research topic is too broad (or just poorly articulated).
• The research aims, objectives and questions don’t align.
• The research topic is not well justified.
• The study has a weak theoretical foundation.
• The research design is not well articulated well enough.
• Poor writing and sloppy presentation.
• Poor project planning and risk management.
• Not following the university’s specific criteria.

Key Takeaways & Additional Resources

As you write up your research proposal, remember the all-important core purpose:  to convince . Your research proposal needs to sell your study in terms of suitability and viability. So, focus on crafting a convincing narrative to ensure a strong proposal.

At the same time, pay close attention to your university’s requirements. While we’ve covered the essentials here, every institution has its own set of expectations and it’s essential that you follow these to maximise your chances of approval.

By the way, we’ve got plenty more resources to help you fast-track your research proposal. Here are some of our most popular resources to get you started:

• Proposal Writing 101 : A Introductory Webinar
• Research Proposal Bootcamp : The Ultimate Online Course
• Template : A basic template to help you craft your proposal

If you’re looking for 1-on-1 support with your research proposal, be sure to check out our private coaching service , where we hold your hand through the proposal development process (and the entire research journey), step by step.

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 .

51 Comments

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Bundle of thanks to you for the research proposal guide it was really good and useful if it is possible please send me the sample of research proposal

You’re most welcome. We don’t have any research proposals that we can share (the students own the intellectual property), but you might find our research proposal template useful: https://gradcoach.com/research-proposal-template/

Cheruiyot Moses Kipyegon

Thanks alot. It was an eye opener that came timely enough before my imminent proposal defense. Thanks, again

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Thank you. This is a great insight. I am a student preparing for a PhD program. I am requested to write my Research Proposal as part of what I am required to submit before my unconditional admission. I am grateful having listened to this video which will go a long way in helping me to actually choose a topic of interest and not just any topic as well as to narrow down the topic and be specific about it. I indeed need more of this especially as am trying to choose a topic suitable for a DBA am about embarking on. Thank you once more. The video is indeed helpful.

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Basic Essay Structure

Essays written for an academic audience follow a structure with which you are likely familiar: Intro, Body, Conclusion.

Here is a general overview of what each of those sections “does” in the larger essay. Be aware, however, that certain assignments and certain professors may ask for additional content or require unusual formatting, so always be sure to read the assignment sheet as carefully as possible.

Introductory Section

• Compelling quote about your topic (signal phrase and citation are needed!)
• Interesting fact about your topic
• Brief story about your topic
• Context:  Provides basic information about your topic that leads into the thesis
• Thesis:  Ends with the statement that provides a focus for the entire essay: the thesis

Body of the Essay

• Paragraph order should follow the order of ideas that you laid out in the thesis
• All paragraphs should remain focused on the thesis
• Each paragraph discusses ONE idea; a topic sentence at the beginning of the paragraph will indicate that one idea
• A strong conclusion leaves the reader with a sense of why this paper – and its topic – matter, and to whom, and in what way.
• A strong conclusion could issue a call to further action, or a call for further research
• A strong conclusion could revisit the “Hook” from the intro and elaborate on it as a way to close the essay

English 102: Reading, Research, and Writing by Emilie Zickel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

English 102 Composition II / Research: Topic Selection

• English 102
• Topic Selection
• Library Catalog
• Library Databases
• Website Evaluation
• Is My Source Credible?
• Primary or Secondary ?
• Scholarly or Popular ?
• Peer-Reviewed?
• Refining Your Ideas
• APA Citations
• MLA Citations

Getting Started

• Your instructor may provide a "prompt", give you a list of suggestions, or some other guidelines to get you started on a topic. 
• Selection of a topic might start with a question such as "Does race make a difference in getting into college?" or "What are the impacts of daily use of TikTok on young adults?".
•  At this point, it's a good idea to try doing some "pre-research" to see if there is information on the topic.  If there is too much information, you may need to narrow your topic.  If there is too little, you may need to broaden your topic.  You may also discover you might take a different direction with your topic or change it altogether.

Explore Topics with SVC Databases

Login with your MYSVC/Canvas username and password

• Facts On File: Issues and Controversies Topic List List of Topics for Research
• ProCon: List of Topics ProCon is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, public charity that researches and publishes pro and con perspectives on critical issues of the day.
• Credo Reference Database This link opens in a new window Online encyclopedia source, including Encyclopedia of the United States in the 19th Century. Good source for images and graphics. Log in from home using MYSVC login & password.
• Encyclopedia Britannica This link opens in a new window Academic Wikipedia. Log in with full SVC email address and password.

Where to find Topics on the Internet

Allsides : Topics & Issues in the news

Pew Research Center : Topics

Tutorial Videos About Topics

1 minute tutorials from Credo Database:

• How to Select a Topic
• Using Pre-Research to Understand Your Topic
• What to do When Your Topic is Too Broad
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English Composition II - ENGL 1213

• Choosing An Issue
• Find eBooks
• Find Articles
• Search Tips
• Write It, Cite It
• Ask a Librarian

Requirements

Methods of organization.

• The Annotated Bibliography
• Essay 1 - The Classical Argument
• Essay 2 - The Rogerian Argument
• Essay 3 - The Toulmin Essay Argument

Throughout English composition II, you will explore, research, and create arguments about an issue of your choosing.  The primary goal is to highlight a problem that is observable and definable.

The essay should include the following:

• 1 1/2 to 2 pages (double spaced), not including the Works Cited page
• Works Cited page
• A minimum of 1 source, other than your personal observations, cited in the paper.  This source may be one you plan to use in the rest of the essays.

For this assignment, write a research proposal on a topic found to be a problem in society.  The research proposal aims to give a good overview of the problem, propose what you expect to accomplish with your research, and explain how you plan to conduct your research.

The topic you choose for this paper will be researched and used throughout the entire semester.   To complete this assignment, you should:

• Use Invention techniques to identify possible research problems.
• Plan and organize your proposal.
• Establish a thesis and academic level paragraphs.
• Write a rough draft and complete revision exercises.
• Submit a polished academic level essay using MLA format.

Introduction of the issue or problem that your research will address and attempt to resolve. 

• What is the significance of the issue?
• Provide insight into the relevance of the issue and a thesis that states the proposal's main point(s).

Summary of what you already know about the issue. 

• Explain and describe what you already know about the issue. 
• How does the issue impact society?
• What factor (s) contribute to the issue's ongoing presence?

Summary of your research approach. 

• Explain what more you need to learn about the issue. 
• What do you plan to research regarding the issue? 
• Will you have to clarify terms and concepts? 
• What research is needed for the opposing viewpoint? 
• What kinds of sources will you use for your research? 
• What strengths will they lend to the paper? 
• How will they help clarify the points you want to make?
• How will you gather your sources?

Summary of your intended audience.  

• Describe the intended audience for your research; who needs to know about this issue? 
• Is the audience general, specialized, or both? 
• Discuss what people or groups of people might benefit from reading your paper; how will you audience benefit from your research?

Conclusion that addresses what is at stake if the problem is not solved, and why it is worthy of a solution.

This assignment helps you practice the following skills that are essential to your success in school and your professional life beyond school.  In this assignment you will:

• Develop skills in thinking about and designing a comprehensive research paper
• Identify logical steps that must be taken to accomplish one's research goals
• Improve general research and writing skills
• Compose a well-organized, paper that includes an introduction, body, and conclusion
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English 102 (Roth)

• Finding Articles
• Outline & Thesis Statement
• Avoiding Plagiarism

What's the Point?

This unit is intended to refresh your memory of how to work through the research process and begin work on your paper.

• Start by clicking through the Prezi about how the research process works.
• Watch the video on how to use brainstorming to bring focus to your topic .
• An outline can be a useful tool in keeping your paper focused, and many instructors ask to see one before you begin writing. The tab explains how to set one up.
• Finally, thesis statements can be a struggle for many students. The overview presented provides pointers on how to structure a thesis for your paper (It looks like a lot of text! But we promise it only takes a few minutes to read through).

Research and Writing

• The Research and Writing Process
• Focusing Your Topic
• How to Create an Outline
• Thesis Statements

Creating an Outline

An outline helps you plan out how the main body paragraphs of your paper will be used to support your thesis.

Microsoft Office Word has easy to use tools to create outlines. I like to start my outline with an introduction section. I can add lines ot my outline by hitting enter for additional numbered lines and hitting tab to create supporting points.

I'll use the numbered lines to outline my body paragraphs. Each body paragraph focuses on one main point which is presented and then supported. There are many ways to arrange the body paragraphs of your paper to best support your argument and it's worth checking out guides for ideas on how to best construct yours.

Once the main body paragraphs have been outlined, I'm going to start adding supporting evidence points. I like adding the direct quotes I've discovered during my research because they remind me of the exact point I was hoping to emphasize and speed up my writing process.

By keeping everything aligned this way, I can clearly see what parts of my outline are main body paragraphs and what points, or evidence, I will use to support them. If I mess something up, I can either hit the backspace button or I can use the decrease/increase indent buttons.

Outlines are only a guide -- they should be flexible . If you see holes in your research or argument, you should do additional work to address those issues. If the flow of your paper isn't right, feel free to move around paragraphs or sections until it sounds right and your argument is fully supported. Finally, if something simply doesn't fit, you shouldn't be afraid to delete it from your outline/paper entirely.

Thesis Statments

You need a good thesis statement for your essay but are having trouble getting started. You may have heard that your thesis needs to be specific and arguable, but still wonder what this really means.

Let's look at some examples. Imagine you're writing about John Hughes's film Sixteen Candles (1984).

You take a first pass at writing a thesis:

       Sixteen Candles is a romantic comedy about high school cliques.

Is this a strong thesis statement? Not yet, but it's a good start. You've focused on a topic - high school cliques - which is a smart move because you've settled on one of many possible angles. But the claim is weak because it's not yet arguable. Intelligent people would generally agree with this statement - so there's no real "news" for your reader. You want your thesis to say something surprising and debatable. If your thesis doesn't go beyond summarizing your source, it's descriptive and not yet argumentative.

The key words in the thesis statement are "romantic comedy" and "high school cliques." One way to sharpen the claim is to start asking questions .

For example, how does the film represent high school cliques in a surprising or complex way? how does the film reinforce stereotypes about high school groups and how does it undermine them? Or why does teh flim challenge our expectations about romantic comedies by focusing on high school cliques? If you can answer one of those questions (or others of your own), you'll have a strong thesis.

Tip: Asking "how" or "why" questions will help you refine your thesis, making it more arguable and interesting to your readers.

Take 2. You revise the thesis. Is it strong now?

       Sixteen Candles is a romantic comedy criticizing the divisiveness created by high school cliques.

You're getting closer. You're starting to take a stance by arguing that the film identifies "divisiveness" as a problem and criticizes it, but your readers will want to know how this plays out and why it's important. Right now, the thesis still sounds bland - not risky enough to be genuinely contentious.

Tip:  Keep raising questions that test your ideas. And ask yourself the "so what" question. Why is your thesis interesting or important?

Take 3. Let's try again. How about this version? 

       Although the film  Sixteen Candles  appears to reinforce stereotypes about high school cliques, it undermines them in important          ways, questioning its viewers' assumptions about what's normal. 

Bingo! This thesis statement is pretty strong. It challenges an obvious interpretation of the movie (that it just reinforces stereotypes), offering a new and more complex reading in its place. We also have a sense of why this argument is important. The film's larger goal, we learn, is to question what we think we understand about normalcy. 

What's a Strong Thesis?

As we've just seen, a strong thesis statement crystallizes your paper's argument and, most importantly, it's  arguable . 

This means two things. It goes beyond merely summarizing or describing to stake out an interpretation or position that's not obvious, and others could challenge for good reasons. It's also arguable in the literal sense that it can be argued , or supported through a thoughtful analysis of your sources. If your argument lacks evidence, readers will think your thesis statement is an opinion or belief as opposed to an argument. 

Exercises for Drafting an Arguable Thesis  

A good thesis will be  focused  on your object of study (as opposed to making a big claim about the world) and will introduce the key words  guiding your analysis. To get started, you might experiment with some of these "mad libs." They're thinking exercises that will help propel you toward an arguable thesis. 

By examining ___________________[topic/approach], we can see ____________________[thesis- the claim that's surprising, which is important because _____________________.[1]

" By examining   Sixteen Candles  through the lens of Georg Simmel's writing on fashion, we can see that the protagonist's interest in fashion as an expression of her conflicted desire to be seen as both unique and accepted by the group. This is important because  the film offers its viewers a glimpse into the ambivalent yearnings of middle class youth in the 1980s. 

Although readers might assume __________ [the commonplace idea you're challenging], I argue that _____________[your surprising claim]. 

Example: 

Although viewers might assume the romantic comedy  Sixteen Candles  is merely entertaining, I believe its message is political. The film uses the romance between Samantha, a middle class sophomore and Jake, an affluent senior, to reinforce the fantasy that anyone can become wealthy and successful with enough cunning and persistence. 

Still Having Trouble? Let's Back Up... 

It helps to understand why readers value the arguable thesis. What larger purpose does it serve? Your readers will bring a set of expectations to your essay. The better you can anticipate the expectations of your readers, the better you'll be able to persuade them to entertain seeing things your way. 

Academic readers (and readers more generally) read to learn something new. They want to see the writer challenge commonplaces - either everyday assumptions about your object of study or truisms in the scholarly literature. In other words, academic readers want to be surprised so that their thinking shifts or at least becomes more complex by the time they finish reading your essay. Good essays problematize what we think we know and offer an alternative explanation in its place. They leave their reader with a fresh perspective on a problem. 

We all bring important past experiences and beliefs to our interpretations of texts, objects, and problems. You can harness these observational powers to engage critically with what you are studying. The key is to be alert to what strikes you as strange, problematic, paradoxical, or puzzling about your object of study. If you can articulate this and a claim in response, you're well on your way to formulating an arguable thesis in your introduction. 

How do I set up a "problem" and an arguable thesis in response? 

All good writing has a purpose or motive for existing. Your thesis is your surprising response to this problem or motive. This is why it seldom makes sense to start a writing project by articulating the thesis. The first step is to articulate the question or problem your paper addresses. 

Here are some possible ways to introduce a conceptual problem in your paper's introduction. 

1. Challenge a commonplace interpretation (or your own first impressions). 

How are readers likely to interpret this source or issue? What might intelligent readers think at first glance? (Or, if you've been given secondary sources or have been asked to conduct research to locate secondary sources, what do other writers or scholars assume is true or important about your primary source or issue?). 

What does this commonplace interpretation leave out, overlook, or under-emphasize? 

2. Help your reader see the complexity of your topic.

 Identify and describe for your reader a paradox, puzzle, or contradiction in your primary source(s). 

What larger questions does this paradox or contradiction raise for you and your readers? 

3. If your assignment asks you to do research, piggyback off another scholar's research. 

Summarize for your reader another scholar's argument about your topic, primary source, or case study and tell your reader why this claim is interesting. 

Now, explain how you will extend this scholar's argument to explore an issue or case study that the scholar doesn't address fully. 

4. If your assignment asks you to do research, identify a gap in another scholar's or a group of scholars' research. 

Summarize for your reader another scholar's argument about your topic, primary source, or case study and tell your reader why this claim is interesting. Or, summarize how scholars in the field tend to approach your topic. 

Next, explain what important aspect this scholarly representation misses or distorts. Introduce your particular approach to your topic and its value. 

5. If your assignment asks you to do research, bring in a new lens for investigating your case study or problem. 

Summarize for your reader how a scholar or group of scholars has approached your topic. 

Introduce a theoretical source (possibly from another discipline) and explain how it helps you address this issue from a new and productive angle. 

Testing Your Thesis 

You can test your thesis statement's arguability by asking the following questions:

          Does my thesis only or mostly summarize my source? 

                 If so, try some of the exercises above to articulate your paper's conceptual problem or question. 

          Is my thesis arguable - can it be supported by evidence in my source, and is it surprising and contentious? 

                If not, return to your sources and practice the exercises above. 

           Is my thesis about my primary source or case study, or is it about the world? 

                If it's about the world, revise it so that it focuses on your primary source or case study. Remember you need solid evidence to support your thesis. 

"Formulating a Thesis" was written by Andrea Scott, Princeton University . CC BY-NC-ND 3.0

[1] Adapted from Erik Simpson’s “Five Ways of Looking at a Thesis” at http://www.math.grinnell.edu/~simpsone/Teaching/fiveways.html

Attribution

Information Literacy Tutorial  by  Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System  is licensed under a   Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License . Based on a work at  guides.library.uwm.edu

• Last Updated: Jul 23, 2024 11:54 AM
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How to Write a Research Proposal: (with Examples & Templates)

Table of Contents

Before conducting a study, a research proposal should be created that outlines researchers’ plans and methodology and is submitted to the concerned evaluating organization or person. Creating a research proposal is an important step to ensure that researchers are on track and are moving forward as intended. A research proposal can be defined as a detailed plan or blueprint for the proposed research that you intend to undertake. It provides readers with a snapshot of your project by describing what you will investigate, why it is needed, and how you will conduct the research.  

Your research proposal should aim to explain to the readers why your research is relevant and original, that you understand the context and current scenario in the field, have the appropriate resources to conduct the research, and that the research is feasible given the usual constraints.  

This article will describe in detail the purpose and typical structure of a research proposal , along with examples and templates to help you ace this step in your research journey.  

What is a Research Proposal ?  

A research proposal¹ ,²  can be defined as a formal report that describes your proposed research, its objectives, methodology, implications, and other important details. Research proposals are the framework of your research and are used to obtain approvals or grants to conduct the study from various committees or organizations. Consequently, research proposals should convince readers of your study’s credibility, accuracy, achievability, practicality, and reproducibility.   

With research proposals , researchers usually aim to persuade the readers, funding agencies, educational institutions, and supervisors to approve the proposal. To achieve this, the report should be well structured with the objectives written in clear, understandable language devoid of jargon. A well-organized research proposal conveys to the readers or evaluators that the writer has thought out the research plan meticulously and has the resources to ensure timely completion.  

Purpose of Research Proposals  

A research proposal is a sales pitch and therefore should be detailed enough to convince your readers, who could be supervisors, ethics committees, universities, etc., that what you’re proposing has merit and is feasible . Research proposals can help students discuss their dissertation with their faculty or fulfill course requirements and also help researchers obtain funding. A well-structured proposal instills confidence among readers about your ability to conduct and complete the study as proposed.  

Research proposals can be written for several reasons:³  

• To describe the importance of research in the specific topic  
• Address any potential challenges you may encounter  
• Showcase knowledge in the field and your ability to conduct a study  
• Apply for a role at a research institute  
• Convince a research supervisor or university that your research can satisfy the requirements of a degree program  
• Highlight the importance of your research to organizations that may sponsor your project  
• Identify implications of your project and how it can benefit the audience  

What Goes in a Research Proposal?    

Research proposals should aim to answer the three basic questions—what, why, and how.  

The What question should be answered by describing the specific subject being researched. It should typically include the objectives, the cohort details, and the location or setting.  

The Why question should be answered by describing the existing scenario of the subject, listing unanswered questions, identifying gaps in the existing research, and describing how your study can address these gaps, along with the implications and significance.  

The How question should be answered by describing the proposed research methodology, data analysis tools expected to be used, and other details to describe your proposed methodology.   

Research Proposal Example  

Here is a research proposal sample template (with examples) from the University of Rochester Medical Center. 4 The sections in all research proposals are essentially the same although different terminology and other specific sections may be used depending on the subject.  

Structure of a Research Proposal  

If you want to know how to make a research proposal impactful, include the following components:¹  

1. Introduction  

This section provides a background of the study, including the research topic, what is already known about it and the gaps, and the significance of the proposed research.  

2. Literature review  

This section contains descriptions of all the previous relevant studies pertaining to the research topic. Every study cited should be described in a few sentences, starting with the general studies to the more specific ones. This section builds on the understanding gained by readers in the Introduction section and supports it by citing relevant prior literature, indicating to readers that you have thoroughly researched your subject.  

3. Objectives  

Once the background and gaps in the research topic have been established, authors must now state the aims of the research clearly. Hypotheses should be mentioned here. This section further helps readers understand what your study’s specific goals are.  

4. Research design and methodology  

Here, authors should clearly describe the methods they intend to use to achieve their proposed objectives. Important components of this section include the population and sample size, data collection and analysis methods and duration, statistical analysis software, measures to avoid bias (randomization, blinding), etc.  

5. Ethical considerations  

This refers to the protection of participants’ rights, such as the right to privacy, right to confidentiality, etc. Researchers need to obtain informed consent and institutional review approval by the required authorities and mention this clearly for transparency.  

6. Budget/funding  

Researchers should prepare their budget and include all expected expenditures. An additional allowance for contingencies such as delays should also be factored in.  

7. Appendices  

This section typically includes information that supports the research proposal and may include informed consent forms, questionnaires, participant information, measurement tools, etc.  

8. Citations  

Important Tips for Writing a Research Proposal  

Writing a research proposal begins much before the actual task of writing. Planning the research proposal structure and content is an important stage, which if done efficiently, can help you seamlessly transition into the writing stage. 3,5  

The Planning Stage  

• Manage your time efficiently. Plan to have the draft version ready at least two weeks before your deadline and the final version at least two to three days before the deadline.
• What is the primary objective of your research?  
• Will your research address any existing gap?  
• What is the impact of your proposed research?  
• Do people outside your field find your research applicable in other areas?  
• If your research is unsuccessful, would there still be other useful research outcomes?  

  The Writing Stage  

• Create an outline with main section headings that are typically used.  
• Focus only on writing and getting your points across without worrying about the format of the research proposal , grammar, punctuation, etc. These can be fixed during the subsequent passes. Add details to each section heading you created in the beginning.   
• Ensure your sentences are concise and use plain language. A research proposal usually contains about 2,000 to 4,000 words or four to seven pages.  
• Don’t use too many technical terms and abbreviations assuming that the readers would know them. Define the abbreviations and technical terms.  
• Ensure that the entire content is readable. Avoid using long paragraphs because they affect the continuity in reading. Break them into shorter paragraphs and introduce some white space for readability.  
• Focus on only the major research issues and cite sources accordingly. Don’t include generic information or their sources in the literature review.  
• Proofread your final document to ensure there are no grammatical errors so readers can enjoy a seamless, uninterrupted read.  
• Use academic, scholarly language because it brings formality into a document.  
• Ensure that your title is created using the keywords in the document and is neither too long and specific nor too short and general.  
• Cite all sources appropriately to avoid plagiarism.  
• Make sure that you follow guidelines, if provided. This includes rules as simple as using a specific font or a hyphen or en dash between numerical ranges.  
• Ensure that you’ve answered all questions requested by the evaluating authority.  

Key Takeaways   

Here’s a summary of the main points about research proposals discussed in the previous sections:  

• A research proposal is a document that outlines the details of a proposed study and is created by researchers to submit to evaluators who could be research institutions, universities, faculty, etc.  
• Research proposals are usually about 2,000-4,000 words long, but this depends on the evaluating authority’s guidelines.  
• A good research proposal ensures that you’ve done your background research and assessed the feasibility of the research.  
• Research proposals have the following main sections—introduction, literature review, objectives, methodology, ethical considerations, and budget.  

Frequently Asked Questions  

Q1. How is a research proposal evaluated?  

A1. In general, most evaluators, including universities, broadly use the following criteria to evaluate research proposals . 6  

• Significance —Does the research address any important subject or issue, which may or may not be specific to the evaluator or university?  
• Content and design —Is the proposed methodology appropriate to answer the research question? Are the objectives clear and well aligned with the proposed methodology?  
• Sample size and selection —Is the target population or cohort size clearly mentioned? Is the sampling process used to select participants randomized, appropriate, and free of bias?  
• Timing —Are the proposed data collection dates mentioned clearly? Is the project feasible given the specified resources and timeline?  
• Data management and dissemination —Who will have access to the data? What is the plan for data analysis?  

Q2. What is the difference between the Introduction and Literature Review sections in a research proposal ?  

A2. The Introduction or Background section in a research proposal sets the context of the study by describing the current scenario of the subject and identifying the gaps and need for the research. A Literature Review, on the other hand, provides references to all prior relevant literature to help corroborate the gaps identified and the research need.  

Q3. How long should a research proposal be?  

A3. Research proposal lengths vary with the evaluating authority like universities or committees and also the subject. Here’s a table that lists the typical research proposal lengths for a few universities.  

Q4. What are the common mistakes to avoid in a research proposal ?  

A4. Here are a few common mistakes that you must avoid while writing a research proposal . 7  

• No clear objectives: Objectives should be clear, specific, and measurable for the easy understanding among readers.  
• Incomplete or unconvincing background research: Background research usually includes a review of the current scenario of the particular industry and also a review of the previous literature on the subject. This helps readers understand your reasons for undertaking this research because you identified gaps in the existing research.  
• Overlooking project feasibility: The project scope and estimates should be realistic considering the resources and time available.   
• Neglecting the impact and significance of the study: In a research proposal , readers and evaluators look for the implications or significance of your research and how it contributes to the existing research. This information should always be included.  
• Unstructured format of a research proposal : A well-structured document gives confidence to evaluators that you have read the guidelines carefully and are well organized in your approach, consequently affirming that you will be able to undertake the research as mentioned in your proposal.  
• Ineffective writing style: The language used should be formal and grammatically correct. If required, editors could be consulted, including AI-based tools such as Paperpal , to refine the research proposal structure and language.  

Thus, a research proposal is an essential document that can help you promote your research and secure funds and grants for conducting your research. Consequently, it should be well written in clear language and include all essential details to convince the evaluators of your ability to conduct the research as proposed.  

This article has described all the important components of a research proposal and has also provided tips to improve your writing style. We hope all these tips will help you write a well-structured research proposal to ensure receipt of grants or any other purpose.  

References  

• Sudheesh K, Duggappa DR, Nethra SS. How to write a research proposal? Indian J Anaesth. 2016;60(9):631-634. Accessed July 15, 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5037942/  
• Writing research proposals. Harvard College Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships. Harvard University. Accessed July 14, 2024. https://uraf.harvard.edu/apply-opportunities/app-components/essays/research-proposals  
• What is a research proposal? Plus how to write one. Indeed website. Accessed July 17, 2024. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/research-proposal  
• Research proposal template. University of Rochester Medical Center. Accessed July 16, 2024. https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/MediaLibraries/URMCMedia/pediatrics/research/documents/Research-proposal-Template.pdf  
• Tips for successful proposal writing. Johns Hopkins University. Accessed July 17, 2024. https://research.jhu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Tips-for-Successful-Proposal-Writing.pdf  
• Formal review of research proposals. Cornell University. Accessed July 18, 2024. https://irp.dpb.cornell.edu/surveys/survey-assessment-review-group/research-proposals  
• 7 Mistakes you must avoid in your research proposal. Aveksana (via LinkedIn). Accessed July 17, 2024. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/7-mistakes-you-must-avoid-your-research-proposal-aveksana-cmtwf/  

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Get accurate academic translations, rewriting support, grammar checks, vocabulary suggestions, and generative AI assistance that delivers human precision at machine speed. Try for free or upgrade to Paperpal Prime starting at US$19 a month to access premium features, including consistency, plagiarism, and 30+ submission readiness checks to help you succeed.  

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Project 2025: A wish list for a Trump presidency, explained

A proposed Republican party platform has been approved at the party’s national convention, but a much more detailed proposal from a conservative think tank has also been drawing attention.

Project 2025 was created by the Heritage Foundation and runs for more than 900 pages.

Trump has disavowed Project 2025, though critics have pointed out it was led by former officials in his administration.

The document calls for the sacking of thousands of civil servants, expanding the power of the president, dismantling the Department of Education, sweeping tax cuts, a ban on pornography, halting sales of the abortion pill, and more.

There is agreement between many parts of the official Republican platform and Project 2025, although the think-tank document is much more detailed and in some policy areas goes much further than the party line.

There is a sharper contrast between the two when it comes to the issue of abortion, with Heritage urging much more aggressive anti-abortion policies.

Who wrote Project 2025?

It is common for Washington think tanks of all political stripes to propose policy wish lists for potential governments-in-waiting.

The conservative Heritage Foundation first produced policy plans for future Republican administrations in 1981, when Ronald Reagan was about to take office.

It has produced similar documents in connection with subsequent presidential elections, including in 2016, when Trump won the presidency.

A year into his term, the think tank boasted that the Trump White House had adopted nearly two-thirds of its proposals.

The Project 2025 report was unveiled in April 2023, but liberal opposition to the document has ramped up now that Trump has extended his polling lead.

The Republican nominee himself has distanced himself from the proposal.

"I know nothing about Project 2025," he posted on his social media website, Truth Social. "I have no idea who is behind it.

"I disagree with some of the things they're saying and some of the things they’re saying are absolutely ridiculous and abysmal."

But the team that created the project is chock-full of former Trump advisers, including director Paul Dans, who was chief of staff at the Office of Personnel Management while Trump was president.

Mr Dans left the project in late July, clearing the way for Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts to take over. He said he was leaving during the presidential election season in order to "direct all my efforts to winning, bigly".

Russell Vought, another former Trump administration official, wrote a key chapter in the document and also serves as the Republican National Committee’s 2024 platform policy director.

More than 100 conservative organisations contributed to the document, Heritage says, including many that would be hugely influential in Washington if Republicans took back the White House.

The Project 2025 document sets out four main policy aims: restore the family as the centrepiece of American life; dismantle the administrative state; defend the nation's sovereignty and borders; and secure God-given individual rights to live freely.

Here's an outline of several of its key proposals.

Project 2025 proposes that the entire federal bureaucracy, including independent agencies such as the Department of Justice, be placed under direct presidential control - a controversial idea known as "unitary executive theory".

In practice, that would streamline decision-making, allowing the president to directly implement policies in a number of areas.

The proposals also call for eliminating job protections for thousands of government employees, who could then be replaced by political appointees.

The document labels the FBI a "bloated, arrogant, increasingly lawless organization". It calls for drastic overhauls of this and several other federal agencies, as well as the complete elimination of the Department of Education.

What does the Republican party platform say?

The party platform includes a proposal to "declassify government records, root out wrongdoers, and fire corrupt employees", pledges to slash regulation and government spending. But it stops short of proposing a sweeping overhaul of federal agencies as outlined in Project 2025.

Immigration

Increased funding for a wall on the US-Mexico border - one of Trump's signature proposals in 2016 - is proposed in the document.

Project 2025 also proposes dismantling the Department of Homeland Security and combining it with other immigration enforcement units in other agencies, creating a much larger and more powerful border policing operation.

Other proposals include eliminating visa categories for crime and human trafficking victims, increasing fees on immigrants and allowing fast-tracked applications for migrants who pay a premium.

Not all of those details are repeated in the party platform, but the overall headlines are similar - the party is promising to implement the "largest deportation programme in American history".

What a Trump second term would look like

Climate and economy.

The document proposes slashing federal money for research and investment in renewable energy, and calls for the next president to "stop the war on oil and natural gas".

Carbon-reduction goals would be replaced by efforts to increase energy production and energy security.

The paper sets out two competing visions on tariffs, and is divided on whether the next president should try to boost free trade or raise barriers to imports.

But the economic advisers suggest that a second Trump administration should slash corporate and income taxes, abolish the Federal Reserve and even consider a return to gold-backed currency.

The party platform does not go as far as Project 2025 in these policy areas. The platform instead talks of bringing down inflation and drilling for oil to reduce energy costs, but is thin on specific policy proposals.

Abortion and family

Project 2025 does not call outright for a nationwide abortion ban.

However, it proposes withdrawing the abortion pill mifepristone from the market, and using existing but little-enforced laws to stop the drug being sent through the post.

The document suggests that the department of Health and Human Services should "maintain a biblically based, social science-reinforced definition of marriage and family".

On this issue at least, the document differs fairly substantially from the Republican platform, which only mentions the word "abortion" once. The platform says abortion laws should be left to individual states and that late-term abortions (which it does not define) should be banned.

It adds that that access to prenatal care, birth control and in-vitro fertilisation should be protected. The party platform makes no mention of cracking down on the distribution of mifepristone.

Tech and education

Under the proposals, pornography would be banned, and tech and telecoms companies that allow access would be shut down.

The document calls for school choice and parental control over schools, and takes aim at what it calls "woke propaganda".

It proposes to eliminate a long list of terms from all laws and federal regulations, including "sexual orientation", "gender equality", "abortion" and "reproductive rights".

Project 2025 aims to end diversity, equity and inclusion programs in schools and government departments as part of what it describes as a wider crackdown on "woke" ideology.

Project 2025's proposals in this policy area are broadly reflected in the Republican platform, which in addition to calling for the abolishing the Department of Education, aims to boost school choice and parental control over education and criticises what the party calls the "inappropriate political indoctrination of our children".

Social Security

Although Heritage has long supported reforming the country's public pension plan, Project 2025 barely touches this third rail of American politics.

The platform says Social Security is a "lifeline" for millions of retired Americans and Republicans will "restore Economic Stability to ensure the long-term sustainability" of the programme.

The plan's future

Project 2025 is backed by a $22m (£17m) budget and includes strategies for implementing policies immediately after the presidential inauguration in January 2025.

Heritage is also creating a database of conservative loyalists to fill government positions, and a programme to train those new workers.

Democrats led by Jared Huffman, a congressman from California, have launched a Stop Project 2025 Task Force.

And many of the proposals would likely face immediate legal challenges from Trump's opponents if implemented.

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