Definition: a research proposal is a document written by a researcher that provides a detailed description of his proposed activities. It is an outline of the entire research process that gives a reader a summary of the information discussed in a project.
Types of research proposals
Research proposals can serve a wide range of purposes. Just a couple of examples:
+ PhD application proposal – if you apply for a PhD, you usually have to outline what you are up to and what your research would be about.
+ PhD research proposal – once you are accepted to a doctoral program, you have to make a detailed plan of your proposed research activities, at least for the first year, if not for the entire length of your scholarship.
+ Science project proposal – In most scientific fields, a projects can be started only if there is a proper project proposal which all participants agreed upon.
+ Project funding proposals and grant proposals – Projects need funding, because the resources (including the people working in them) cost money. Funding doesn’t come easy, let alone without a properly written proposal.
+ Dissertation proposal – once you get to the point of writing a dissertation (also called “thesis” in some countries), you will already have written a couple of research proposals, so it won’t be the problem to write one more, even though it might be for a much bigger research project than all previous ones. This is probably true if you do a PhD by coursework.
If you do a “PhD by research” (meaning little coursework), the dissertation proposal is most probably originating from the research proposal you initially had to submit along with your application (unless you changed direction completely over the years). In that case, you most probably have your supervisor guiding your progress in some way, and this article is not for you in the first place.
As for PhD applicants starting out fresh: Each research project is different, and every university may have its own set of rules and requirements, hence there is no single “best” research proposal format or research proposal example that would work the same way for everyone. However, you can always recognize similarities and patterns among successful research proposals.
Check out our research proposal writing section for a couple of research proposal writing tips.