What’s Included: Research Proposal Template
Our free dissertation/thesis proposal template covers the core essential ingredients for a strong research proposal. It includes clear explanations of what you need to address in each section, as well as straightforward examples and links to further resources.
The research proposal template covers the following core elements:
- Introduction & background (including the research problem)
- Literature review
- Research design / methodology
- Project plan , resource requirements and risk management
The cleanly-formatted Google Doc can be downloaded as a fully editable MS Word Document (DOCX format), so you can use it as-is or convert it to LaTeX.
PS – if you’d like a high-level template for the entire thesis, you can we’ve got that too .
Research Proposal Template FAQS
What types of research proposals can this template be used for.
The proposal template follows the standard format for academic research projects, which means it will be suitable for the vast majority of dissertations and theses (especially those within the sciences), whether they are qualitative or quantitative in terms of design.
Keep in mind that the exact requirements for the introduction chapter/section will vary between universities and degree programs. These are typically minor, but it’s always a good idea to double-check your university’s requirements before you finalise your structure.
Is this template for an undergrad, Master or PhD-level proposal?
This template can be used for a research project at any level of study. Doctoral-level projects typically require the research proposal to be more extensive/comprehensive, but the structure will typically remain the same.
How long should my research proposal be?
The length of a research proposal varies by institution and subject, but as a ballpark, it’s usually between 1,500 and 3,000 words.
To be safe, it’s best to check with your university if they have any preferences or requirements in terms of minimum and maximum word count for the research propsal.
How detailed should the methodology of the proposal be?
You don’t need to go into the fine details of your methodology, but this section should be detailed enough to demonstrate that your research approach is feasible and will address your research questions effectively. Be sure to include your intended methods for data collection and analysis.
Can I include preliminary data or pilot study results in my proposal?
Generally, yes. This can strengthen your proposal by demonstrating the feasibility of your research. However, make sure that your pilot study is approved by your university before collecting any data.
Can I share this template with my friends/colleagues?
Yes, you’re welcome to share this template in its original format (no editing allowed). If you want to post about it on your blog or social media, we kindly request that you reference this page as your source.
What format is the template (DOC, PDF, PPT, etc.)?
The research proposal template is provided as a Google Doc. You can download it in MS Word format or make a copy to your Google Drive. You’re also welcome to convert it to whatever format works best for you, such as LaTeX or PDF.
Do you have templates for the other chapters?
Yes, we do. We are constantly developing our collection of free resources to help students complete their dissertations and theses. You can view all of our template resources here .
Can Grad Coach help me with my dissertation/thesis?
Yes, you’re welcome to get in touch with us to discuss our private coaching services .
Further Resources: Proposal Writing
The template provides step-by-step guidance for each section of your research proposal, but if you’d like to learn more about how to write up a high-quality research proposal, check out the rest of our free proposal-related resources:
- Research Proposal 101
- Examples of research proposals
- How To Find A Research Topic
- How To Find A Research Gap
- Developing Your Golden Thread
- How To Write A Research Proposal
- 8 Common Proposal Writing Mistakes
You can also visit the Grad Coach blog for more proposal-related resources.
If you’d prefer 1-on-1 support with your research proposal, have a look at our private coaching service , where we hold your hand through the research process, step by step.
The Palgrave Handbook of Applied Linguistics Research Methodology pp 183–197 Cite as
Writing a Research Proposal
- Sue Starfield 5
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One of the earliest documents that doctoral scholars have to write is a research proposal in which they provide a rationale and motivation for the research study they plan to undertake. This chapter discusses the form and function of a typical research proposal and provides a range of tools and techniques that can assist doctoral or graduate students in conceptualising and writing this high-stakes document.
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In the North American context, PhD submissions are known as dissertations , while in countries with British higher education traditions, they are referred to as theses. In this chapter, I use them interchangeably to refer to the written submission of a doctoral candidate for examination.
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Aek Phakiti
Department of Linguistics, Germanic, Slavic, Asian and African Languages, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
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Applied Linguistics, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
Luke Plonsky
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Starfield, S. (2018). Writing a Research Proposal. In: Phakiti, A., De Costa, P., Plonsky, L., Starfield, S. (eds) The Palgrave Handbook of Applied Linguistics Research Methodology. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-59900-1_9
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A Sample Research Proposal with Comments A research project or thesis will take at least two semesters to complete. Prior to starting a research, i.e. enrolling in the first semester research course, students must go through the proposal stage, during which students will develop their proposal and have it reviewed by his/her research advisor. ...
Research proposal example/sample - Master's-level (PDF/Word) Research proposal example/sample - PhD-level (PDF/Word) Proposal template (Fully editable) If you're working on a research proposal for a dissertation or thesis, you may also find the following useful: Research Proposal Bootcamp: Learn how to write a research proposal as ...
2.3 Requirements of a Proposal. In order to achieve its purpose, a thesis proposal must fulfil the following general requirements: • Establish a context for your research and demonstrate the need for it. • Show that your study will meet this need, and how it will meet this need, i.e. the method you will use.
Example research proposal #1: "A Conceptual Framework for Scheduling Constraint Management" Example research proposal #2: "Medical Students as Mediators of Change in Tobacco Use" Title page. Like your dissertation or thesis, the proposal will usually have a title page that includes: The proposed title of your project; Your name; Your ...
A Thesis Proposal is a document that sets forth what is to be studied as a thesis project, why and in what way. It contains a number of important sections. The purpose of the proposal is to communicate the plan for the work to the faculty of the Division of Emerging Media Studies via the First Reader (principal thesis advisor) and a Second Reader.
NOTE: This proposal is included in the ancillary materials of Research Design with permission of the author. Hayes, M. M. (2007). Design and analysis of the student strengths index (SSI) for nontraditional graduate students. Unpublished master's thesis. University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE. with the task of deciding who to admit into graduate ...
Microsoft Word - Proposal-QUAL-Morales.doc. A Sample Qualitative Dissertation Proposal. Prepared by. Alejandro Morales. NOTE: This proposal is included in the ancillary materials of Research Design with permission of the author. LANGUAGE BROKERING IN MEXICAN IMMIGRANT FAMILIES LIVING IN.
RESEARCH PROPOSALS. The basic purposes of all research proposals are to. convince. the reader that: (a) the research project has clear objectives; (b) the research project is worth doing (it is significant. / important in some sense and will make an original. contribution to knowledge / understanding in the.
What's Included: Research Proposal Template. Our free dissertation/thesis proposal template covers the core essential ingredients for a strong research proposal. It includes clear explanations of what you need to address in each section, as well as straightforward examples and links to further resources. The research proposal template covers ...
Time Schedule. <Give a brief time schedule, broken down to the different research steps you are going to undertake. Present a realistic, though motivating, time span. This will help the readers and yourself (!) to decide on the viability of your proposal in the given timescale. By considering this thoroughly, you will save yourself a great deal ...
1. Research Proposal Format Example. Following is a general outline of the material that should be included in your project proposal. I. Title Page II. Introduction and Literature Review (Chapters 2 and 3) A. Identification of specific problem area (e.g., what is it, why it is important). B. Prevalence, scope of problem.
institution you are applying to. However, if you are not given any guidelines on how to format your research proposal, you could adopt the suggested structure below. This is also relevant if you are applying for external funding or asking your employer to sponsor you to undertake a research degree. Suggested structure for a research proposal:
The following sample research proposal has been annotated to highlight some of the elements that a research proposal needs to adequately give an overview of the proposed thesis topic. The requirements for research proposals will vary for different disciplines, but the elements in this example are fairly typical. Excerpts are from Paul Ikutegbe ...
The thesis proposal should include: a background theory a working hypothesis a methodology which should be organized under chapter headings a body of work for analysis a bibliography If your thesis will be presented in an alternate format (such as performance), be sure to include this in your proposal. Some graduate programs require students to ...
Dissertation proposal is a blueprint of the proposed dissertation study, which. provides the background information for the study topic, states the study aim and. research questions, and discusses the methodological procedures. Distance education is a formal instruction in which a majority of the teaching.
Writing a proposal or prospectus can be a challenge, but we've compiled some examples for you to get your started. Example #1: "Geographic Representations of the Planet Mars, 1867-1907" by Maria Lane. Example #2: "Individuals and the State in Late Bronze Age Greece: Messenian Perspectives on Mycenaean Society" by Dimitri Nakassis.
The proposal should have a title page, with the following eight sections - a table of contents is not needed for the proposal. 1. Tentative Title (succinct working title; may be modified in the course of the thesis research) 2. Research Problem (address the six questions below; should read like an executive summary) 3.
gain access to examples of successful research proposals. Punch (2012) con-tains examples of research proposals from several disciplines that use qualita-tive, quantitative and mixed methods approaches. He also provides a useful list of other manuals that contain examples of research proposals (pp. 138-140).
discipline. The proposal is often the first three to four chapters of the student's thesis or dissertation. The proposal is discussed in terms of what "will be" done in conducting the research. Table 1 (page 7) presents an example outline of contents generally found in a proposal for quantitative research organized in chapter format.
The Thesis Proposal Your thesis proposal should be developed in consultation with your supervisor and committee. The thesis proposal should include: a background theory a working hypothesis a methodology which should be organized under chapter headings a body of work for analysis a bibliography If your thesis will be presented in an alternate ...
Sample Research Proposals. You will find here two examples of proposals for postgraduate research from the Department of Social Policy and Criminology. They both give good indication of the sorts of things that need to be included. The first, on fathering after divorce or separation, represents first thoughts on the proposed topic, but sets out ...
Proposal Format: The proposal should include a title page, a table of contents, and a bibliography. If there are any diagrams or figures they must be produced electronically (not hand-drawn) or copied unless referenced. The proposal should be double spaced in 12 point font with 1" margins on all sides.
Thesis Proposal Guidelines 1 Thesis Proposal Guidelines Due: Wednesday, July 12 2017 at 3pm (Firm deadline - no extensions!) Prepare a succinct proposal (typically 6-8 double-spaced pages, 1" margins, 12 pt font) concisely describing your proposed project, why it is important, and what you hope to learn from it. Avoid