How to Write a Research Proposal

Writing a research proposal

Writing a research proposal is essential for the students especially those who are going to apply for PhD or Postdoctoral fellowship. Even for getting a research funding also it is necessary to ready a research proposal with the applications. Here I will discuss about a general format of writing a research proposal step by step. That format can help you to write a research proposal when you are applying for PhD or Postdoctoral fellowship or to get any research grand. However, some funding agencies or institutes have their specific format of the research proposal which you have to follow during writing the proposal.

            Before going to write a research proposal first you have to select a research topic. Regarding research topic selection I have already discussed in the previous post “How to Select a Research Topic”. Once the research topic is selected then you can go for writing the research proposal.

Title of the Research Proposal

Here you write the title of the research topic that you have selected.

 

Introduction

Introduction of any research proposal itself carry the first impression on your proposal. So, the introduction should be specific related to the topic. First write a general overview on your research topic. Then you can write about how the progress happening in this research area. Write a small description of past and present scenario of the research area.

 

Origin of the Proposal

Here basically you have to write about the reason behind selection of this research topic. Write the problem that you have found in this research area based on the present status. Mentioned any unexplored part of the area which you are going to work on. From the origin of the proposal the reader will understand the novelty of your work.

 

Objective of the proposal

The objective of the proposal indicates the aim of the researchers. So, you have to be more specific during writing the objective. It will be better if you write the objective in bullet or numbering format.

 

Background literature

Write a literature review based on the research work published related to your research topic. In the literature review you have to focus on both national status and international status. You can mention about any specific research group that are working on this area. Review on current literature is very important here. Review of literature should be presented in such a way that reader can easily understand the present status of the research area.

 

Importance of the Research Proposal

Here you have to define the importance of your research proposal. You can mention the expected output of the research and its benefits. Mention if this output can solve any specific problem.

 

Work Plan

Work plan of the research work is necessary to fulfill the objective of the research proposal in better way. From the work plan reader can get clarity of your research proposal. Over all research work can be subdivided in small part and accordingly have to be mentioned.

 

Methodology

Here you have to mention the specific method you will use in your research work. Any experimental setup required for conducting the project that also has to be mentioned. Also mention about the raw materials required for the experiments, instruments required for characterization, any specific software required for the research work, etc.

 

Time Schedule of the Research Work

It is necessary to mention the time required for completing the work that you have proposed as per the work plan. A sample is given here below. You can present the time schedule of your research work in the following way.

Activity	Time period
	1st year		2nd year		3rd year
	1st 6 months	Last 6 months	1st 6 months	Last 6 months	1st 6 months	Last 6 months
The experimental setup
A critical literature review
Experiments on the synthesis of the metal

 

Budget (For Research Grant)

This is especially needed for getting the research grant. The applicant has to give estimated budget. The budget includes recurring cost and the cost of equipments. Recurring cost includes salaries/wages, consumable, travel, contingencies and overheads.

 

Bibliography

Here you have to list out the references you have used in writing the research proposal. The references may be research article, review article, book, or any other scientific publications.

Related article:

How to Read a Research Paper