There are two basic factors involved in writing a research proposal. First, to show and justify why the problem is worthy of research. And second, to provide some practical methods through which the study can be conducted. This guide is designed to assist in writing a research proposal that is well-formed and precise. We will start by identifying the purpose and the requirements of a proposal along with its basic components.

Purpose of a research proposal

To make it more comprehensive we will summarize it into a few points:

• A research proposal brings attention to a project that will significantly contribute to literary knowledge.
• It helps form a complete plan of the proposed project with a methodology and theoretical structure.
• The proposal ensures that the research can be accomplished within the required time period and with the available resources.
• It also displays that you have the experience and expertise needed to handle the project itself.

Even if your instructor has not asked to submit a research proposal, it is still best to write one. It allows a clearer view of the objectives you have and the main ideas you plan to work upon. A proposal will bring forward each stage of the entire research process, enabling you to develop a detailed and practical plan. It will also clarify any problems that might arise so you can think about how to solve them beforehand.

Skills that are needed to write a research proposal

There are quite a few skills that come into play while writing a research proposal:

• Research and Knowledge
• The proposal provides the opportunity of exhibiting your command of a particular subject. It also shows your familiarity with the research trends currently in practice.
• Critical Thinking
• You need to have skills in advanced analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. Creativity and the potential to combine lateral and vertical thinking are also essential.
• Communication
• Communication skills are necessary so ideas can be expressed in a concise and precise language. Lengthy and irrelevant sentences might cause the audience to lose interest.

While working on your proposal, all these skills should be put to use. Your readers will be informed enough to identify these elements in how you structure the content.

Content and Framework

This step varies according to the different fields when writing a research proposal. Have a consultation session with your supervisor so you know about every requirement. In general, though, there are a few basic elements that make up a proposal:

• The research problem, background, and significance of the research topic
• Aims and questions
• Literature review
• Project or study design
• A timeline
• Expected impacts or outcomes

The Target of a Research Proposal

Think of the proposal as an exercise about zooming in from a bigger picture. It starts from the academic field at its base and reaches the particular target which is the focus of your project.

Firstly, the proposal should identify the particular research areas in the broader context of the academic field. It should also explain why it is important and deserves to be explored. Further on, it must make evident a newly spotted gap in research that is previously conducted. That gap can effectively serve as a significant issue for study.

In the proposal, you should present arguments, that convince the reader to think that your research work will be a viable method to address the problem. This is often the most creative and exciting part of the research proposal. You can also display the uniqueness of your project design through it. Another important element of a proposal should be demonstrating, that the project is achievable within the assigned time frame.

At an early stage, your research proposal should be concluded by stating the outcomes you expect. These outcomes are based upon the level of research that has been reached at the time of writing. For an experienced reader, it should be easy to comprehend that it is almost certain to change in the future. But it is vital to give the reader a sense of the conclusions you are expecting to achieve from the research.

Writing a research proposal becomes relatively easy when you are thoroughly able to understand the process. Once you perceive the direction it is supposed to take, the flow will go smoothly. Having the corrected structure matters the most so follow the guideline given above. Remembering these tips will help you attain your writing goals and get your proposal accepted by the instructor.