Research Proposal

How to Write a Research Proposal

Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.

Research Director, Graduate Program in Counselling Psychology

Trinity Western University

Langley, BC, Canada

Most 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 a good as one's proposal. An ill-conceived proposal dooms the project even if it somehow gets through the Thesis Supervisory Committee. A high quality proposal, on the other hand, not only promises success for the project, but also impresses your Thesis Committee about your potential as a researcher.

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 address the following questions: What you plan to accomplish, why you want to do it and how you are going to do it.

The proposal should have sufficient information to convince your readers that you have an important research idea, that you have a good grasp of the relevant literature and the major issues, and that your methodology is sound.

The quality of your research proposal depends not only on the quality of your proposed project, but also on the quality of your proposal writing. A good research project may run the risk of rejection simply because the proposal is poorly written. Therefore, it pays if your writing is coherent, clear and compelling.

This paper focuses on proposal writing rather than on the development of research ideas.

RESEARCH PROPOSAL 研究生计划书

When you are applying for a research degree, like the PhD, you will very probably have to write a research proposal as a part of your application file. 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. The quality of your research proposal depends not only on the quality of your proposed project, but also on the quality of your proposal writing. A good research project may run the risk of rejection simply because the proposal is poorly written. Therefore, it pays if your writing is coherent, clear and compelling.

This paper focuses on proposal writing rather than on the development of research ideas. It normally included following parts: Title; Abstract; Introduction; Literature; Review; Methods; Conclusion; Discussion etc.

Elements of the Research Proposal

Title
Abstract
Study Problem
Relevance of the Project
Literature Review
Specific Study Objectives
Research Methods

Study design
Subjects
Inclusion/exclusion criteria
Sampling
Recruitment plans
Method of assignment to study groups
Data collection
variables: outcomes, predictors, confounders
measures/instruments
procedures
Intervention
Statistical considerations
sample size
data analysis
Ethical Considerations
Work Plan

Budget

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Keys To Success To Writing A Good Proposal


Overall Quality of the Study
Good research question
Appropriate research design
Rigorous and feasible methods
Qualified research team

Quality of the Proposal
Informative title
Self-sufficient and convincing abstract
Clear research questions
Scholarly and pertinent background and rationale
Relevant previous work
Appropriate population and sample
Appropriate measurement and intervention methods
Quality control
Adequate sample size
Sound analysis plan
Ethical issues well addressed
Tight budget
Realistic timetable

Quality of the Presentation
Clear, concise, well-organized
Helpful table of contents and subheadings
Good schematic diagrams and tables
Neat and free of errors

Adapted from Hulley & Cummings

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Literature Review
A critical summary of research on a topic of interest, generally prepared
to put a research problem in context or to identify gaps and weaknesses in
prior studies so as to justify a new investigation.
Keys to Success

Thorough and complete
Logical
Recent
Original research
Primary sources
Critical appraisal
Building case for new study


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Study Rationale
Has the study been done before?
Will the study benefit patients advance understanding or influence policy?


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Study Problem (Study Purpose)

Broad statement indicating the goals of the project.

Examples:
What are problems related to unplanned cesarean deliveries?


Is colonoscopy accessible to all Canadian health care consumers?

Keys to Success

Clear
Relevant
Logical
Documented



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Objectives/Research Questions/Hypotheses

Identifying the research problem and developing a question to be answered
are the first steps in the research process. The research question will
guide the remainder of the design process.

Research Objectives
A clear statement of the specific purposes of the study, which identifies
the key study variables and their possible interrelationships and the
nature of the population of interest.

Research Question
The specific purpose stated in the form of a question.

Hypotheses
A tentative prediction or explanation of the relationship between two or
more variables. A prediction of the answer to the research question.

Examples:

The purpose of this study is to determine the major physiologic
psychosocial and lifestyle concerns of women two weeks and eight weeks
after an unplanned cesarean delivery.

Does the administration of analgesic by nurses vs. by patients themselves
affect pain intensity during the first postoperative recovery day in older
adults?

Patients residing in rural areas of Alberta are less likely than urban
patients to undergo a colonoscopy within 18 months of a curative resection
for colorectal cancer.


Functions

Provide reviewers with a clear picture of what you plan to accomplish.

Show the reviewers that you have a clear picture of what you want to
accomplish.

Form the foundation for the rest of the proposal.

Will be used to assess the adequacy/appropriateness of the study\'s proposed
methods.

Keys to Success

Clear and consistent.
Key concepts/constructs identified.
Includes the independent and dependent variables (if applicable).
Measurable.
Hypotheses clearly predict a relationship between variables.
Relevant or novel