Research Proposal

What is a Research Proposal?

A Research Proposal is a document spelling out what you intend to do, why you want to do it, how you intend to do it, what you expect to get out of the research exercise, its significance and possible use. A number of potential PhD students and beginning researchers do not fully understand what a research proposal means, nor do they understand its importance. To put it bluntly, one's research is only as good as one's proposal. An ill-conceived proposal dooms the research project even if it somehow gets through the relevant PhD Research Committee (PRC). A high quality proposal, on the other hand, not only promises success of the research exercise, but also impresses the PRC about your potential as a researcher and a PhD candidate. 

A research proposal is often developed by beginning with the following considerations: 

• What is the central question I wish to address? 

• What kinds of answers am I looking for? 

• What methods will help me find the answers? 

• What is the relationship between my central question and current work in the 

discipline/subject/area? 

• Am I sufficiently interested in this research topic or question to sustain my engagement with it over a prolonged period of study? 

• What kinds of benefits, personally, intellectually, or professionally, might derive from my 

research? 

• What specific contributions will my research make to the body of knowledge in my field or domain of study?

In the final analysis, you need to bear in mind that a research proposal is intended to convince others that you have a worthwhile research project and that you have the competence and the work-plan to complete it. Generally, a research proposal should contain all the key elements involved in the research process and include sufficient information for the readers to evaluate the proposed study. Regardless of your research area and the methodology you choose, all research proposals must in the end address the following questions: What you plan to accomplish, why you want to do it and how you are going to do it