How to Write a Research Proposal (Step-by-Step)

• Oct 06, 2025
• 8 min read

• Tags: Academic Research, Academic Writing, Research, Writing Tips

Writing a research proposal is a fundamental part of the journey of any student who is serious about pursuing research in an area of their interest. While some begin their research journey with their master’s thesis, others take the first step into the world of research when applying for a PhD.

Whether you are writing a research proposal for a conference or seminar or to submit to a prospective supervisor, it is essential to lay out a clear road map of your envisioned research objectives.

Here is a step-by-step guide to writing and structuring a research proposal that is bound to impress!

What is a research proposal

To put it very simply, a research proposal is a preview of your proposed area of research. It is important to highlight an existing research gap in your area of interest and elaborate on how you intend to bridge it with your research. It must present your work as new and path-breaking—the more unique it is, the greater the chance of acceptance.

Research proposals are usually written by students and academics applying for research degrees or submitting papers to journals or conferences, and grant applicants who hope to receive financial aid for their research.

Either way, there is a panel of experts to impress, and so it is important that your research proposal is clear, well thought-out, and coherently structured.

How to choose and refine a research topic

Choosing a suitable research topic depends on a variety of factors. Firstly, if you already have a few colleges/universities narrowed down, it would be a good idea to check out the resources and priorities of the department that most closely aligns with your area of interest.

Most university websites also provide a list of their faculty with a record of their areas of interest and publications—if you find one who seems aligned to your area of interest, it would be a good idea to get in touch via email and inquire if they are open to accepting candidates as potential research scholars. 

Once you have selected your general area of interest, here are some steps you can follow to refine your research topic:

1. Read existing literature and research and identify a research gap.
2. Identify broad themes within your topic and shape them into answerable questions—what is it that you seek to find/solve/prove through your research?
3. Given your/the university’s location, amount of time available, accessibility and availability of data, and current skillset, would this topic be a feasible one?

Suppose you are able to find satisfactory answers to all these questions, well done! You are ready to begin writing your research proposal.

Writing tips for a strong proposal

When writing a research proposal, it is important to follow certain writing guidelines to ensure the best possible impact.

1. Check out the website/brochure of the funder or department you are applying to—usually, a certain format or style guide is mentioned. Following their guidelines would increase the chances of their viewing your application.
2. Be specific, measurable, and feasible. It is important to communicate clearly and succinctly what your research goals are, the time and logistics involved, and their feasibility.
3. Use active voice and clear signposting. Provide a route map to your research and the ways in which you intend to achieve your goals.
4. Elucidate the aims of your research and identify corresponding methods and expected outcomes in a clear and accessible manner.

How to write a research proposal

1. How to write an introduction for a research proposal

•  Your introduction must provide a brief insight into your research topic.
• Mention the identified research gap and why this particular area of study is important.
• Briefly outline your research objectives and how you intend to achieve them.

2. How to write an abstract for a research proposal

• The abstract functions as a preview of the research paper.
• It must contain the research question you have identified and examine why you have chosen it, citing the research gap in this field.
• You must briefly highlight the methodologies you intend to use.
• Finally, cite the keywords that appear in the abstract that will provide a quick understanding of its major themes.

3. How to write a literature review for a research proposal

• The literature review involves a detailed survey of existing research in the area you have chosen. 
• This literature could serve as a potential reference in your research.
• It could also help you identify a research gap that you can fill.
• You can arrange it either thematically or chronologically. 
• You must explain how this existing literature ties in with your own research and will help you.

4. How to write a methodology section for a research proposal

• Clearly identify and outline the methods you intend to use that align with your study and how they will help you to achieve your goals in an attainable manner.
• Elaborate on existing methodologies (eg, ethnographic study) and explain how you intend to use them in your study.
• Identify existing theories that can be applied to your study and how you can analyse your research through this theoretical framework.

5. How to write a conclusion for a research proposal

• Sum up by reinforcing the purpose of your study and how your research will be a valuable contribution to this field.
• Reinforce your research gap and explain how your research has adequately filled it.
• Consider mentioning some areas with scope for future researchers could work on.

Common mistakes to avoid

Here are some common mistakes that could take away from the credibility of your proposal:

1. Lack of clarity: A vague research question, weak methodology, and overambitious scope will make your proposal seem flimsy and impractical.

2. Outdated or thin literature review: Having an outdated or inadequate literature review would present you in a negative light, as it would seem as if you have not done your research adequately.

3. Ignoring ethics or feasibility: This could be a major concern when it comes to the practical aspects of your research, especially when a lack of resources and plagiarism are major issues in the academic domain.

Formatting and submission checklist

Before you submit your research proposal, here are some final points to keep in mind:

1. Ensure you have an adequate word count. On average, research proposals are a minimum of 3000–4000 words long.

2. Whether MLA, Chicago, APA, etc., ensure you have followed the style guide specified by the institution.

3. Ensure that your table/figures, if any, are all properly numbered, captioned, and accounted for.

4. Ensure your file is saved under a clear and professional-sounding name. ‘Title_Author Name’ is the recommended format. 

5. Get your work proofread to ensure you catch any errors before you hit ‘submit’.

6. Run your proposal through a plagiarism checking software such as Grammarly, GPTzero, or Copyscape to ensure your document comes within the required frame of originality. 

7. If possible, ask your supervisor for feedback before submitting your work—an expert opinion always helps.

Examples and mini-templates

Sample Research Question

Your research question should clearly state what you intend to examine and prove over the course of your study. It should be clear, to the point, and not unnecessarily wordy.

Example: How does remote work affect team creativity in SMEs?

Sample Abstract (Short)

An abstract should ideally state your title, outline your aim, analysis, and goals in not more than 200 words, and should also include appropriate keywords.

Title: The Role of Social Media in Shaping Political Opinions Among Young Adults

Abstract:

This research investigates the influence of social media platforms on the political opinions of young adults aged 18–30. Using a mixed-methods approach, we conducted surveys (n = 500) and in-depth interviews (n = 20) to explore participants’ exposure to political content online. Findings revealed that 62% of respondents reported significant shifts in their political views due to social media interactions. Qualitative analysis highlighted the role of algorithm-driven content in reinforcing political biases. The study underscores the importance of critical digital literacy in mitigating the impact of social media on political polarization.

Keywords: social media, political opinions, young adults, politics, and social media

Credits: ResearchMethod.net https://researchmethod.net/research-paper-abstract/#google_vignette

One-Page Proposal Outline Template

Now that you know how to write a research question and abstract, here is a one-page proposal outline that will help you get started on your research proposal:

1. Title page: This should have your topic title, name, roll number, name of the university and department, and name of the supervisor.

2. Introduction: Ideally, not more than one page long, your introduction should provide a bird’s-eye view of your research paper, elaborating on the research question, briefly touching upon existing studies in this area, and how yours can fill in an existing gap, what methods you intend to use, and the expected outcome.

3. Research gap and objectives: This section should elaborate on the existing gap in your field, how your research will be a valuable contribution towards filling this gap, and what your objectives are in conducting this research.

4. Literature review: This should provide a list of existing research pertinent to your topic, arranged either chronologically or thematically, along with an explanation of how each paper/book ties in with your own research and will help you.

5. Methodology: This section should elaborate on the research methods you will use, for example, an ethnographic study of a particular community, and the existing theories through which you will analyse your findings.

6. Theoretical framework: Here, you will outline important concepts and variables and propose a defined structure to study and analyse them. This section serves as a blueprint for your research.

7. Hypothesis: This section contains your suppositions regarding your research based on the results of existing findings in the area.

8. Expected Outcome: As the name suggests, this section elaborates on what you expect will be the result of your research. You can support these claims by citing findings from similar/parallel research and stating how present conditions lean towards supporting a particular outcome.

9. Ethical Considerations: The ethics statement provides a detailed account of the ethical considerations and principles that will guide your study. When engaging in research methods, such as interviewing a group of people, it is always important to follow a code of conduct, including maintaining their privacy by changing their names. Identify the principles that will guide your work based on the nature of your research and clearly elucidate the code of conduct you intend to follow.

10. Conclusion: This section is to sum up everything that you have stated in your proposal and reinforce how your research will be an important contribution to this field.

Once you have got all the necessary data in place, it is time to begin writing a research proposal that will come across as clear and organised, and will impress your supervisor. We wish you the best with your academic journey!

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Tanvi

With a foundation in Life Sciences, Tanvi enjoys curating technical writing tips tailored for ESL students. When she's not translating complex concepts into bite-sized nuggets, she can be found playing with dogs or painting landscapes.