How to Write a Research Proposal Outline

26 May 2021

How to Write a Research Proposal Outline

A Research Proposal is a comprehensive presentation of the future research that you are inclined to take. It is a declaration of valid reasons to support your research aim and objectives. You also need to explain why and how your research holds its relevance in the respective field. Always remember that a good Research Proposal is the key to your career in research. An inappropriately formatted Research Proposal can end up with a straight rejection. To avoid rejection and achieve the objectives for selection, your research proposal must remain inclusive of some core components.

Following the aforementioned Research Proposal outline, you need to add further components to the determined headings.

Title Page

The title page of a Research Proposal must comprise the Working Title, which is subject to change after it isscrutinised by the Supervisors.

The titlepage must include a separate page declaring:

Name & Surname of the Researcher
Date of Submitting the Research Proposal
Course Applied for the Research

Introduction

The next page of the Research Proposal starts with the Introduction. On this page, you must add relevant information under the following outline:

Background Overview
Identified Problem
Research Relevance
Aim and Objectives
Research Question/s or Hypotheses
Research Structure

Literature Review

In the literature review, it is necessary to offer a critical reflection on the former literature related to your selected subject. In this section of your Research Proposal, offer information as per the outline mentioned below:

Current Empirical Derivations
Theoretical Speculations
Theoretical Framework
Research Gaps

Research Methodology

The research methodology in your Research Proposal needs to remain well-structured and explained elaborately. For a systematically arranged research methodology, consider the outline of:

Research Philosophy
Research Approach
Methods for Data Collection
Secondary Data
Primary Data
Tools for Data Collection
Sampling
Assure
Research Design
Research Timescale

Ethical Considerations

Offer clear statements about the maintenance of ethical regulations for this research. Your Research Proposal must be convincing enough to assure that you are not going to violate any of the Code of Conducts determined by the University. The outline of these declarations must comprise of:

Enlist Code of Conducts
Assure your Follow-ups
Inclusion of Consent Form

Research Analysis

The declarations that you need to make in this section of your Research Proposal is an assumed announcement for the possible outcomes that you are planning to attain from your research. Make sure that you justify this section with the aim & objectives, and relevance of your research. The outline to be considered for this section must include:

Justify Type of Analysis
Describe Analysis Process
Evaluate Prospective of Analysis
Possible Research Contributions

Conclusion

In this section, offer a summing up of the entire Research Proposal. Make sure you include:

Summing up
Research significance

Reference List

Offer a list of all those sources that you have considered in support of your Research Proposal. Consider the following:

APA Referencing Style, or
Harvard Referencing Style, or
Referencing Style suggested by the University

Appendices

This is an optional section. You can choose to have this section if you have the following declarations to make:

Important Figures
Important Tables
Survey Questions
Interview Questions
Letter of Consent

Offer the best possible reason to pursue your research. Give a convincing statement. Above all, follow the aforementioned Research Proposal outline so that you will miss nothing.