how write research proposal pdf

Research Proposal Example/Sample

Detailed Walkthrough + Free Proposal Template

If you’re getting started crafting your research proposal and are looking for a few examples of research proposals , you’ve come to the right place.

In this video, we walk you through two successful (approved) research proposals , one for a Master’s-level project, and one for a PhD-level dissertation. We also start off by unpacking our free research proposal template and discussing the four core sections of a research proposal, so that you have a clear understanding of the basics before diving into the actual proposals.

• 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 efficiently and effectively as possible
• 1:1 Proposal Coaching : Get hands-on help with your research proposal

PS – If you’re working on a dissertation, be sure to also check out our collection of dissertation and thesis examples here .

FAQ: Research Proposal Example

Research proposal example: frequently asked questions, are the sample proposals real.

Yes. The proposals are real and were approved by the respective universities.

Can I copy one of these proposals for my own research?

As we discuss in the video, every research proposal will be slightly different, depending on the university’s unique requirements, as well as the nature of the research itself. Therefore, you’ll need to tailor your research proposal to suit your specific context.

You can learn more about the basics of writing a research proposal here .

How do I get the research proposal template?

You can access our free proposal template here .

Is the proposal template really free?

Yes. There is no cost for the proposal template and you are free to use it as a foundation for your research proposal.

Where can I learn more about proposal writing?

For self-directed learners, our Research Proposal Bootcamp is a great starting point.

For students that want hands-on guidance, our private coaching service is recommended.

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 .

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Home » How To Write A Research Proposal – Step-by-Step [Template]

How To Write A Research Proposal – Step-by-Step [Template]

Table of Contents

How To Write a Research Proposal

Writing a Research proposal involves several steps to ensure a well-structured and comprehensive document. Here is an explanation of each step:

1. Title and Abstract

• Choose a concise and descriptive title that reflects the essence of your research.
• Write an abstract summarizing your research question, objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes. It should provide a brief overview of your proposal.

2. Introduction:

• Provide an introduction to your research topic, highlighting its significance and relevance.
• Clearly state the research problem or question you aim to address.
• Discuss the background and context of the study, including previous research in the field.

3. Research Objectives

• Outline the specific objectives or aims of your research. These objectives should be clear, achievable, and aligned with the research problem.

4. Literature Review:

• Conduct a comprehensive review of relevant literature and studies related to your research topic.
• Summarize key findings, identify gaps, and highlight how your research will contribute to the existing knowledge.

5. Methodology:

• Describe the research design and methodology you plan to employ to address your research objectives.
• Explain the data collection methods, instruments, and analysis techniques you will use.
• Justify why the chosen methods are appropriate and suitable for your research.

6. Timeline:

• Create a timeline or schedule that outlines the major milestones and activities of your research project.
• Break down the research process into smaller tasks and estimate the time required for each task.

7. Resources:

• Identify the resources needed for your research, such as access to specific databases, equipment, or funding.
• Explain how you will acquire or utilize these resources to carry out your research effectively.

8. Ethical Considerations:

• Discuss any ethical issues that may arise during your research and explain how you plan to address them.
• If your research involves human subjects, explain how you will ensure their informed consent and privacy.

9. Expected Outcomes and Significance:

• Clearly state the expected outcomes or results of your research.
• Highlight the potential impact and significance of your research in advancing knowledge or addressing practical issues.

10. References:

• Provide a list of all the references cited in your proposal, following a consistent citation style (e.g., APA, MLA).

11. Appendices:

• Include any additional supporting materials, such as survey questionnaires, interview guides, or data analysis plans.

Research Proposal Format

The format of a research proposal may vary depending on the specific requirements of the institution or funding agency. However, the following is a commonly used format for a research proposal:

1. Title Page:

• Include the title of your research proposal, your name, your affiliation or institution, and the date.

2. Abstract:

• Provide a brief summary of your research proposal, highlighting the research problem, objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes.

3. Introduction:

• Introduce the research topic and provide background information.
• State the research problem or question you aim to address.
• Explain the significance and relevance of the research.
• Review relevant literature and studies related to your research topic.
• Summarize key findings and identify gaps in the existing knowledge.
• Explain how your research will contribute to filling those gaps.

5. Research Objectives:

• Clearly state the specific objectives or aims of your research.
• Ensure that the objectives are clear, focused, and aligned with the research problem.

6. Methodology:

• Describe the research design and methodology you plan to use.
• Explain the data collection methods, instruments, and analysis techniques.
• Justify why the chosen methods are appropriate for your research.

7. Timeline:

8. Resources:

• Explain how you will acquire or utilize these resources effectively.

9. Ethical Considerations:

• If applicable, explain how you will ensure informed consent and protect the privacy of research participants.

10. Expected Outcomes and Significance:

11. References:

12. Appendices:

Research Proposal Template

Here’s a template for a research proposal:

1. Introduction:

2. Literature Review:

3. Research Objectives:

4. Methodology:

5. Timeline:

6. Resources:

7. Ethical Considerations:

8. Expected Outcomes and Significance:

9. References:

10. Appendices:

Research Proposal Sample

Title: The Impact of Online Education on Student Learning Outcomes: A Comparative Study

1. Introduction

Online education has gained significant prominence in recent years, especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This research proposal aims to investigate the impact of online education on student learning outcomes by comparing them with traditional face-to-face instruction. The study will explore various aspects of online education, such as instructional methods, student engagement, and academic performance, to provide insights into the effectiveness of online learning.

2. Objectives

The main objectives of this research are as follows:

• To compare student learning outcomes between online and traditional face-to-face education.
• To examine the factors influencing student engagement in online learning environments.
• To assess the effectiveness of different instructional methods employed in online education.
• To identify challenges and opportunities associated with online education and suggest recommendations for improvement.

3. Methodology

3.1 Study Design

This research will utilize a mixed-methods approach to gather both quantitative and qualitative data. The study will include the following components:

3.2 Participants

The research will involve undergraduate students from two universities, one offering online education and the other providing face-to-face instruction. A total of 500 students (250 from each university) will be selected randomly to participate in the study.

3.3 Data Collection

The research will employ the following data collection methods:

• Quantitative: Pre- and post-assessments will be conducted to measure students’ learning outcomes. Data on student demographics and academic performance will also be collected from university records.
• Qualitative: Focus group discussions and individual interviews will be conducted with students to gather their perceptions and experiences regarding online education.

3.4 Data Analysis

Quantitative data will be analyzed using statistical software, employing descriptive statistics, t-tests, and regression analysis. Qualitative data will be transcribed, coded, and analyzed thematically to identify recurring patterns and themes.

4. Ethical Considerations

The study will adhere to ethical guidelines, ensuring the privacy and confidentiality of participants. Informed consent will be obtained, and participants will have the right to withdraw from the study at any time.

5. Significance and Expected Outcomes

This research will contribute to the existing literature by providing empirical evidence on the impact of online education on student learning outcomes. The findings will help educational institutions and policymakers make informed decisions about incorporating online learning methods and improving the quality of online education. Moreover, the study will identify potential challenges and opportunities related to online education and offer recommendations for enhancing student engagement and overall learning outcomes.

6. Timeline

The proposed research will be conducted over a period of 12 months, including data collection, analysis, and report writing.

The estimated budget for this research includes expenses related to data collection, software licenses, participant compensation, and research assistance. A detailed budget breakdown will be provided in the final research plan.

8. Conclusion

This research proposal aims to investigate the impact of online education on student learning outcomes through a comparative study with traditional face-to-face instruction. By exploring various dimensions of online education, this research will provide valuable insights into the effectiveness and challenges associated with online learning. The findings will contribute to the ongoing discourse on educational practices and help shape future strategies for maximizing student learning outcomes in online education settings.

About the author

Muhammad Hassan

Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing how we write in academia. Students and researchers are increasingly using AI tools to help with their work. These tools can check grammar, suggest better words, and help organize thoughts. Because of this, writing research proposals has become easier and faster.

Can research proposal AI create a whole research proposal with just one click? The short answer is no. While AI can help a lot, it still needs a person's ideas and decisions to make a complete proposal. You must guide the AI, choose what to use, and make it fit your needs.

In this article

Drawbacks of one-click ai research proposals.

• How to Write a Professional Research Proposal with AI

Part 1. One-Click AI Tools for Research Proposal Generation

Research proposals are key for academics, scientists, and professionals to share their ideas and gain support. A well-prepared proposal outlines your research, helps overcome challenges, and enhances credibility. But crafting one can be demanding.

Fortunately, AI tools like Taskade, FlowGPT Research Proposal Generator, Poe Proposal-Writer-AI, Paperpal AI Academic Writing Assistant, and Textify help. These tools simplify creating research proposals with one click.

Using Taskade can simplify your research proposal process. Here’s how to use it step-by-step, with an example:

Start by creating an account on Taskade or log in if you already have one.

Once logged in, find the “ Create New Project ” button and click on it.

Taskade offers various templates. Select the one specifically for research proposals.

Fill in the template with your research details. You can edit the objectives, methodology, expected outcomes, and timeline.

If you’re working with a team, you can invite others to view or edit the proposal by entering their email addresses.

Review your proposal, make adjustments, and ensure everything is clear and accurate.

Once satisfied, save your document. You can also share it directly with your supervisors or colleagues from Taskade.

you can add points about expected challenges and how you plan to address them.

Imagine you’re researching renewable energy solutions. You would open the Taskade research proposal template and start by outlining your main question, like “What are the most cost-effective renewable energy solutions for urban areas?” Next, detail your research methods, potential expert interviews, and timeline for completing each phase. As you fill out the sections,

Using Taskade and other AI research proposal tools can significantly simplify the research process. This allows you to focus more on the quality of your research rather than just the document formatting and basic structure. These tools ensure that your proposal is thorough and presented professionally.

One-click AI tools for research proposals can be very handy but have drawbacks. One big issue is that they might not offer enough customization. This means you can't always change the proposal to meet your project's specific needs or match your style. Every research project differs, so a one-size-fits-all approach doesn't work well for everyone.

Another problem is the depth of the content these one-click AI research proposal tools generate. Sometimes, the details in the proposals are too basic and don't cover everything needed for a strong research plan. They might miss key points important for your specific area of study.

Also, academic writing has very specific rules. Each school or journal has its guidelines about how a proposal should be structured and what it should include. One-click research proposal AI writers may not always follow these rules closely, which can be problematic. You might end up with a proposal that looks nice but doesn't fit the academic standards required for your field. Given these drawbacks, it's crucial to explore better options. Next, we will discuss how to use multiple AI tools to draft proposals effectively. This approach will ensure a well-organized and professional academic research proposal.

Part 2. How to Write a Professional Research Proposal with AI

Using AI to write a research proposal can make the process faster and easier. AI helps organize your thoughts and ensures your proposal is clear and well-structured. This approach can greatly improve the quality of your final document.

Step1 Generate Ideas Using AI

To start your research proposal, use AI to generate ideas. AI tools can help you brainstorm topics and form hypotheses. First, choose an AI brainstorming tool online. Then, enter a general area of interest, like " environmental science " or " healthcare technology ." The AI will suggest several specific research topics related to your interest.

Next, pick one of the topics that excite you. You can then use AI to help develop a hypothesis by asking questions about the topic. For example, " What are the key issues in reducing plastic waste? " The AI can offer insights and possible angles for your research, giving you a solid foundation to build upon.

Step2 Find and Analyze Literature

Elicit is an AI tool designed to help you find and analyze research papers quickly. It's especially useful when you're starting your literature review. Here's how you can use Elicit to your advantage:

• First, create a free account on Elicit's website.
• Type a clear research question into Elicit. The AI will suggest related questions and find initial articles that could be helpful.

• Elicit shows articles one by one. It finds these articles by keywords and deeply understands your question, even without exact word matches.
• For each suggested article, Elicit summarizes how it relates to your question. It pulls out key information like the study type, number of participants, and main conclusions.
• To organize your references easily, you can start important articles and export them to citation managers like Zotero.

Elicit simplifies the literature review process by automating the search and analysis steps. It saves time and helps you focus on the most relevant research for your proposal.

Step3 Read Literature Using AI

Using Wondershare PDFelement , you can quickly summarize and digest academic papers, making integrating literature insights into your research proposal easier. Here’s how to use PDFelement effectively:

• Launch PDFelement and click the " Open PDF " button. Browse your computer, find the PDF you want to read and open it.

• Click on " AI Tools " in PDFelement. Choose an option from the dropdown menu or use the AI Sidebar. Type in what you want the AI to do with the text (like summarizing the PDF), and then click to start the analysis.

• After Lumi AI processes your document, you’ll see a summary of the extracted information. You can save these insights directly in the app, replacing the original text or as a new document.

Using PDFelement with its Lumi AI feature speeds up how you read and understand research papers. It pulls out key points and important information so you can focus on integrating these insights into your proposal.

Step4 Draft Your Research Proposal Outline

FlowGPT can help you create a clear outline for your research proposal with AI. Here’s how to use it effectively:

• Open FlowGPT and start a new document for your research proposal.

• Type in the main points of your research, like your hypothesis, objectives, and methods.

• Ask FlowGPT to create an outline based on your input. It will organize your ideas into a structured format, showing sections for introduction, methodology, expected results, and more.
• Review the suggested outline and adjust it to better match your project’s needs.

Using AI like FlowGPT makes it easier to structure your research proposal clearly and logically. This helps you ensure that all important parts are included and well-organized.

Step5 Expand Sections in the Research Proposal

To fully develop each section of your research proposal, FlowGPT can be a great assistant. Here’s how to enhance the content of your proposal:

• Choose a section from your outline, like the methodology or literature review.
• Provide FlowGPT with more details about what you want to cover in this section. This could include specific methods, theories, or sources you plan to discuss.

• Ask FlowGPT to enhance the section based on your details. It will generate more in-depth content, adding substance to your points.
• Check the AI-generated content. Edit it to ensure it matches your style and meets academic standards.

FlowGPT helps you add substance to each part of your proposal, ensuring your document is thorough and informative. This AI research proposal tool simplifies creating detailed content that supports your research goals.

Step6 Review Your Research Proposal Using AI

After writing your AI research proposal, use PDFelement to refine your text for clarity, grammar, and style. Here’s a simple guide on how to do it:

• Launch PDFelement and open the research proposal document you want to review.
• Click on the “ AI Tools ” button. From the options that appear, select “ Proofread PDF .”

• Enter the sections of your proposal into the tool or upload the entire document. Click “ Proofread .” Lumi will analyze your text for grammatical, spelling, or stylistic errors.

• Lumi will display corrections in a response box. Review these suggestions carefully. You can then copy this corrected content into your proposal document or replace the text directly.
• Save the updated document Once all corrections are made and you’re satisfied with the text.

Using PDFelement as a research proposal AI writer ensures your research proposal is error-free and polished in its presentation. This makes it more professional and easier to understand. This step is crucial for making a good impression with your proposal.

Using AI to write a research proposal can make the process easier and more efficient. However, combining AI tools with your insights and checks is important to ensure quality and originality. Doing so can create a well-structured, clear, and impactful research proposal that stands out.

People Also Ask

1. what are the main advantages of using ai to write a research proposal, 2. can ai tools fully replace human input in writing research proposals, 3. how do i ensure that my ai-generated research proposal remains original and avoids plagiarism, you may also like.

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