Show that you understand the current state of research on your topic.
The length of a research proposal can vary quite a bit. A bachelor’s or master’s thesis proposal can be just a few pages, while proposals for PhD dissertations or research funding are usually much longer and more detailed. Your supervisor can help you determine the best length for your work.
One trick to get started is to think of your proposal’s structure as a shorter version of your thesis or dissertation , only without the results , conclusion and discussion sections.
Download our research proposal template
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Writing a research proposal can be quite challenging, but a good starting point could be to look at some examples. We’ve included a few for you below.
Like your dissertation or thesis, the proposal will usually have a title page that includes:
The first part of your proposal is the initial pitch for your project. Make sure it succinctly explains what you want to do and why.
Your introduction should:
To guide your introduction , include information about:
As you get started, it’s important to demonstrate that you’re familiar with the most important research on your topic. A strong literature review shows your reader that your project has a solid foundation in existing knowledge or theory. It also shows that you’re not simply repeating what other people have already done or said, but rather using existing research as a jumping-off point for your own.
In this section, share exactly how your project will contribute to ongoing conversations in the field by:
Following the literature review, restate your main objectives . This brings the focus back to your own project. Next, your research design or methodology section will describe your overall approach, and the practical steps you will take to answer your research questions.
? or ? , , or research design? | |
, )? ? | |
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To finish your proposal on a strong note, explore the potential implications of your research for your field. Emphasize again what you aim to contribute and why it matters.
For example, your results might have implications for:
Last but not least, your research proposal must include correct citations for every source you have used, compiled in a reference list . To create citations quickly and easily, you can use our free APA citation generator .
Some institutions or funders require a detailed timeline of the project, asking you to forecast what you will do at each stage and how long it may take. While not always required, be sure to check the requirements of your project.
Here’s an example schedule to help you get started. You can also download a template at the button below.
Download our research schedule template
Research phase | Objectives | Deadline |
---|---|---|
1. Background research and literature review | 20th January | |
2. Research design planning | and data analysis methods | 13th February |
3. Data collection and preparation | with selected participants and code interviews | 24th March |
4. Data analysis | of interview transcripts | 22nd April |
5. Writing | 17th June | |
6. Revision | final work | 28th July |
If you are applying for research funding, chances are you will have to include a detailed budget. This shows your estimates of how much each part of your project will cost.
Make sure to check what type of costs the funding body will agree to cover. For each item, include:
To determine your budget, think about:
If you want to know more about the research process , methodology , research bias , or statistics , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.
Methodology
Statistics
Research bias
Once you’ve decided on your research objectives , you need to explain them in your paper, at the end of your problem statement .
Keep your research objectives clear and concise, and use appropriate verbs to accurately convey the work that you will carry out for each one.
I will compare …
A research aim is a broad statement indicating the general purpose of your research project. It should appear in your introduction at the end of your problem statement , before your research objectives.
Research objectives are more specific than your research aim. They indicate the specific ways you’ll address the overarching aim.
A PhD, which is short for philosophiae doctor (doctor of philosophy in Latin), is the highest university degree that can be obtained. In a PhD, students spend 3–5 years writing a dissertation , which aims to make a significant, original contribution to current knowledge.
A PhD is intended to prepare students for a career as a researcher, whether that be in academia, the public sector, or the private sector.
A master’s is a 1- or 2-year graduate degree that can prepare you for a variety of careers.
All master’s involve graduate-level coursework. Some are research-intensive and intend to prepare students for further study in a PhD; these usually require their students to write a master’s thesis . Others focus on professional training for a specific career.
Critical thinking refers to the ability to evaluate information and to be aware of biases or assumptions, including your own.
Like information literacy , it involves evaluating arguments, identifying and solving problems in an objective and systematic way, and clearly communicating your ideas.
The best way to remember the difference between a research plan and a research proposal is that they have fundamentally different audiences. A research plan helps you, the researcher, organize your thoughts. On the other hand, a dissertation proposal or research proposal aims to convince others (e.g., a supervisor, a funding body, or a dissertation committee) that your research topic is relevant and worthy of being conducted.
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Table of Contents
Before conducting a study, a research proposal should be created that outlines researchers’ plans and methodology and is submitted to the concerned evaluating organization or person. Creating a research proposal is an important step to ensure that researchers are on track and are moving forward as intended. A research proposal can be defined as a detailed plan or blueprint for the proposed research that you intend to undertake. It provides readers with a snapshot of your project by describing what you will investigate, why it is needed, and how you will conduct the research.
Your research proposal should aim to explain to the readers why your research is relevant and original, that you understand the context and current scenario in the field, have the appropriate resources to conduct the research, and that the research is feasible given the usual constraints.
This article will describe in detail the purpose and typical structure of a research proposal , along with examples and templates to help you ace this step in your research journey.
A research proposal¹ ,² can be defined as a formal report that describes your proposed research, its objectives, methodology, implications, and other important details. Research proposals are the framework of your research and are used to obtain approvals or grants to conduct the study from various committees or organizations. Consequently, research proposals should convince readers of your study’s credibility, accuracy, achievability, practicality, and reproducibility.
With research proposals , researchers usually aim to persuade the readers, funding agencies, educational institutions, and supervisors to approve the proposal. To achieve this, the report should be well structured with the objectives written in clear, understandable language devoid of jargon. A well-organized research proposal conveys to the readers or evaluators that the writer has thought out the research plan meticulously and has the resources to ensure timely completion.
A research proposal is a sales pitch and therefore should be detailed enough to convince your readers, who could be supervisors, ethics committees, universities, etc., that what you’re proposing has merit and is feasible . Research proposals can help students discuss their dissertation with their faculty or fulfill course requirements and also help researchers obtain funding. A well-structured proposal instills confidence among readers about your ability to conduct and complete the study as proposed.
Research proposals can be written for several reasons:³
Research proposals should aim to answer the three basic questions—what, why, and how.
The What question should be answered by describing the specific subject being researched. It should typically include the objectives, the cohort details, and the location or setting.
The Why question should be answered by describing the existing scenario of the subject, listing unanswered questions, identifying gaps in the existing research, and describing how your study can address these gaps, along with the implications and significance.
The How question should be answered by describing the proposed research methodology, data analysis tools expected to be used, and other details to describe your proposed methodology.
Here is a research proposal sample template (with examples) from the University of Rochester Medical Center. 4 The sections in all research proposals are essentially the same although different terminology and other specific sections may be used depending on the subject.
If you want to know how to make a research proposal impactful, include the following components:¹
1. Introduction
This section provides a background of the study, including the research topic, what is already known about it and the gaps, and the significance of the proposed research.
2. Literature review
This section contains descriptions of all the previous relevant studies pertaining to the research topic. Every study cited should be described in a few sentences, starting with the general studies to the more specific ones. This section builds on the understanding gained by readers in the Introduction section and supports it by citing relevant prior literature, indicating to readers that you have thoroughly researched your subject.
3. Objectives
Once the background and gaps in the research topic have been established, authors must now state the aims of the research clearly. Hypotheses should be mentioned here. This section further helps readers understand what your study’s specific goals are.
4. Research design and methodology
Here, authors should clearly describe the methods they intend to use to achieve their proposed objectives. Important components of this section include the population and sample size, data collection and analysis methods and duration, statistical analysis software, measures to avoid bias (randomization, blinding), etc.
5. Ethical considerations
This refers to the protection of participants’ rights, such as the right to privacy, right to confidentiality, etc. Researchers need to obtain informed consent and institutional review approval by the required authorities and mention this clearly for transparency.
6. Budget/funding
Researchers should prepare their budget and include all expected expenditures. An additional allowance for contingencies such as delays should also be factored in.
7. Appendices
This section typically includes information that supports the research proposal and may include informed consent forms, questionnaires, participant information, measurement tools, etc.
8. Citations
Writing a research proposal begins much before the actual task of writing. Planning the research proposal structure and content is an important stage, which if done efficiently, can help you seamlessly transition into the writing stage. 3,5
Key Takeaways
Here’s a summary of the main points about research proposals discussed in the previous sections:
Q1. How is a research proposal evaluated?
A1. In general, most evaluators, including universities, broadly use the following criteria to evaluate research proposals . 6
Q2. What is the difference between the Introduction and Literature Review sections in a research proposal ?
A2. The Introduction or Background section in a research proposal sets the context of the study by describing the current scenario of the subject and identifying the gaps and need for the research. A Literature Review, on the other hand, provides references to all prior relevant literature to help corroborate the gaps identified and the research need.
Q3. How long should a research proposal be?
A3. Research proposal lengths vary with the evaluating authority like universities or committees and also the subject. Here’s a table that lists the typical research proposal lengths for a few universities.
Arts programs | 1,000-1,500 | |
University of Birmingham | Law School programs | 2,500 |
PhD | 2,500 | |
2,000 | ||
Research degrees | 2,000-3,500 |
Q4. What are the common mistakes to avoid in a research proposal ?
A4. Here are a few common mistakes that you must avoid while writing a research proposal . 7
Thus, a research proposal is an essential document that can help you promote your research and secure funds and grants for conducting your research. Consequently, it should be well written in clear language and include all essential details to convince the evaluators of your ability to conduct the research as proposed.
This article has described all the important components of a research proposal and has also provided tips to improve your writing style. We hope all these tips will help you write a well-structured research proposal to ensure receipt of grants or any other purpose.
References
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How to write a phd research proposal.
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Home » How To Write A Research Proposal – Step-by-Step [Template]
Table of Contents
Writing a Research proposal involves several steps to ensure a well-structured and comprehensive document. Here is an explanation of each step:
4. Literature Review:
The format of a research proposal may vary depending on the specific requirements of the institution or funding agency. However, the following is a commonly used format for a research proposal:
1. Title Page:
2. Abstract:
3. Introduction:
5. Research Objectives:
6. Methodology:
7. Timeline:
8. Resources:
9. Ethical Considerations:
10. Expected Outcomes and Significance:
11. References:
12. Appendices:
Here’s a template for a research proposal:
1. Introduction:
2. Literature Review:
3. Research Objectives:
4. Methodology:
5. Timeline:
6. Resources:
7. Ethical Considerations:
8. Expected Outcomes and Significance:
9. References:
10. Appendices:
Title: The Impact of Online Education on Student Learning Outcomes: A Comparative Study
1. Introduction
Online education has gained significant prominence in recent years, especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This research proposal aims to investigate the impact of online education on student learning outcomes by comparing them with traditional face-to-face instruction. The study will explore various aspects of online education, such as instructional methods, student engagement, and academic performance, to provide insights into the effectiveness of online learning.
2. Objectives
The main objectives of this research are as follows:
3. Methodology
3.1 Study Design
This research will utilize a mixed-methods approach to gather both quantitative and qualitative data. The study will include the following components:
3.2 Participants
The research will involve undergraduate students from two universities, one offering online education and the other providing face-to-face instruction. A total of 500 students (250 from each university) will be selected randomly to participate in the study.
3.3 Data Collection
The research will employ the following data collection methods:
3.4 Data Analysis
Quantitative data will be analyzed using statistical software, employing descriptive statistics, t-tests, and regression analysis. Qualitative data will be transcribed, coded, and analyzed thematically to identify recurring patterns and themes.
4. Ethical Considerations
The study will adhere to ethical guidelines, ensuring the privacy and confidentiality of participants. Informed consent will be obtained, and participants will have the right to withdraw from the study at any time.
5. Significance and Expected Outcomes
This research will contribute to the existing literature by providing empirical evidence on the impact of online education on student learning outcomes. The findings will help educational institutions and policymakers make informed decisions about incorporating online learning methods and improving the quality of online education. Moreover, the study will identify potential challenges and opportunities related to online education and offer recommendations for enhancing student engagement and overall learning outcomes.
6. Timeline
The proposed research will be conducted over a period of 12 months, including data collection, analysis, and report writing.
The estimated budget for this research includes expenses related to data collection, software licenses, participant compensation, and research assistance. A detailed budget breakdown will be provided in the final research plan.
8. Conclusion
This research proposal aims to investigate the impact of online education on student learning outcomes through a comparative study with traditional face-to-face instruction. By exploring various dimensions of online education, this research will provide valuable insights into the effectiveness and challenges associated with online learning. The findings will contribute to the ongoing discourse on educational practices and help shape future strategies for maximizing student learning outcomes in online education settings.
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What is the purpose of a research proposal , how long should a research proposal be, what should be included in a research proposal, 1. the title page, 2. introduction, 3. literature review, 4. research design, 5. implications, 6. reference list, frequently asked questions about writing a research proposal, related articles.
If you’re in higher education, the term “research proposal” is something you’re likely to be familiar with. But what is it, exactly? You’ll normally come across the need to prepare a research proposal when you’re looking to secure Ph.D. funding.
When you’re trying to find someone to fund your Ph.D. research, a research proposal is essentially your “pitch.”
A research proposal is a concise and coherent summary of your proposed research.
You’ll need to set out the issues that are central to the topic area and how you intend to address them with your research. To do this, you’ll need to give the following:
➡️ What is a literature review? Learn more in our guide.
Essentially, you are trying to persuade your institution that you and your project are worth investing their time and money into.
It is the opportunity for you to demonstrate that you have the aptitude for this level of research by showing that you can articulate complex ideas:
It also helps you to find the right supervisor to oversee your research. When you’re writing your research proposal, you should always have this in the back of your mind.
This is the document that potential supervisors will use in determining the legitimacy of your research and, consequently, whether they will invest in you or not. It is therefore incredibly important that you spend some time on getting it right.
Tip: While there may not always be length requirements for research proposals, you should strive to cover everything you need to in a concise way.
If your research proposal is for a bachelor’s or master’s degree, it may only be a few pages long. For a Ph.D., a proposal could be a pretty long document that spans a few dozen pages.
➡️ Research proposals are similar to grant proposals. Learn how to write a grant proposal in our guide.
When you’re writing your proposal, keep in mind its purpose and why you’re writing it. It, therefore, needs to clearly explain the relevance of your research and its context with other discussions on the topic. You need to then explain what approach you will take and why it is feasible.
Generally, your structure should look something like this:
If you follow this structure, you’ll have a comprehensive and coherent proposal that looks and feels professional, without missing out on anything important. We’ll take a deep dive into each of these areas one by one next.
The title page might vary slightly per your area of study but, as a general point, your title page should contain the following:
Tip: Keep in mind any departmental or institutional guidelines for a research proposal title page. Also, your supervisor may ask for specific details to be added to the page.
The introduction is crucial to your research proposal as it is your first opportunity to hook the reader in. A good introduction section will introduce your project and its relevance to the field of study.
You’ll want to use this space to demonstrate that you have carefully thought about how to present your project as interesting, original, and important research. A good place to start is by introducing the context of your research problem.
Think about answering these questions:
Your introduction aims to set yourself off on a great footing and illustrate to the reader that you are an expert in your field and that your project has a solid foundation in existing knowledge and theory.
The literature review section answers the question who else is talking about your proposed research topic.
You want to demonstrate that your research will contribute to conversations around the topic and that it will sit happily amongst experts in the field.
➡️ Read more about how to write a literature review .
There are lots of ways you can find relevant information for your literature review, including:
This is where you get down to the real meat of your research proposal. It should be a discussion about the overall approach you plan on taking, and the practical steps you’ll follow in answering the research questions you’ve posed.
So what should you discuss here? Some of the key things you will need to discuss at this point are:
Your research design should also discuss the potential implications of your research. For example, are you looking to confirm an existing theory or develop a new one?
If you intend to create a basis for further research, you should describe this here.
It is important to explain fully what you want the outcome of your research to look like and what you want to achieve by it. This will help those reading your research proposal to decide if it’s something the field needs and wants, and ultimately whether they will support you with it.
When you reach the end of your research proposal, you’ll have to compile a list of references for everything you’ve cited above. Ideally, you should keep track of everything from the beginning. Otherwise, this could be a mammoth and pretty laborious task to do.
Consider using a reference manager like Paperpile to format and organize your citations. Paperpile allows you to organize and save your citations for later use and cite them in thousands of citation styles directly in Google Docs, Microsoft Word, or LaTeX.
Your project may also require you to have a timeline, depending on the budget you are requesting. If you need one, you should include it here and explain both the timeline and the budget you need, documenting what should be done at each stage of the research and how much of the budget this will use.
This is the final step, but not one to be missed. You should make sure that you edit and proofread your document so that you can be sure there are no mistakes.
A good idea is to have another person proofread the document for you so that you get a fresh pair of eyes on it. You can even have a professional proofreader do this for you.
This is an important document and you don’t want spelling or grammatical mistakes to get in the way of you and your reader.
➡️ Working on a research proposal for a thesis? Take a look at our guide on how to come up with a topic for your thesis .
A research proposal is a concise and coherent summary of your proposed research. Generally, your research proposal will have a title page, introduction, literature review section, a section about research design and explaining the implications of your research, and a reference list.
A good research proposal is concise and coherent. It has a clear purpose, clearly explains the relevance of your research and its context with other discussions on the topic. A good research proposal explains what approach you will take and why it is feasible.
You need a research proposal to persuade your institution that you and your project are worth investing their time and money into. It is your opportunity to demonstrate your aptitude for this level or research by showing that you can articulate complex ideas clearly, concisely, and critically.
A research proposal is essentially your "pitch" when you're trying to find someone to fund your PhD. It is a clear and concise summary of your proposed research. It gives an outline of the general area of study within which your research falls, it elaborates how much is currently known about the topic, and it highlights any recent debate or conversation around the topic by other academics.
The general answer is: as long as it needs to be to cover everything. The length of your research proposal depends on the requirements from the institution that you are applying to. Make sure to carefully read all the instructions given, and if this specific information is not provided, you can always ask.
A simple explainer with examples + free template.
By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Reviewed By: Dr Eunice Rautenbach | June 2020 (Updated April 2023)
Whether you’re nearing the end of your degree and your dissertation is on the horizon, or you’re planning to apply for a PhD program, chances are you’ll need to craft a convincing research proposal . If you’re on this page, you’re probably unsure exactly what the research proposal is all about. Well, you’ve come to the right place.
Simply put, a research proposal is a structured, formal document that explains what you plan to research (your research topic), why it’s worth researching (your justification), and how you plan to investigate it (your methodology).
The purpose of the research proposal (its job, so to speak) is to convince your research supervisor, committee or university that your research is suitable (for the requirements of the degree program) and manageable (given the time and resource constraints you will face).
The most important word here is “ convince ” – in other words, your research proposal needs to sell your research idea (to whoever is going to approve it). If it doesn’t convince them (of its suitability and manageability), you’ll need to revise and resubmit . This will cost you valuable time, which will either delay the start of your research or eat into its time allowance (which is bad news).
A good dissertation or thesis proposal needs to cover the “ what “, “ why ” and” how ” of the proposed study. Let’s look at each of these attributes in a little more detail:
Your proposal needs to clearly articulate your research topic . This needs to be specific and unambiguous . Your research topic should make it clear exactly what you plan to research and in what context. Here’s an example of a well-articulated research topic:
An investigation into the factors which impact female Generation Y consumer’s likelihood to promote a specific makeup brand to their peers: a British context
As you can see, this topic is extremely clear. From this one line we can see exactly:
So, make sure that your research proposal provides a detailed explanation of your research topic . If possible, also briefly outline your research aims and objectives , and perhaps even your research questions (although in some cases you’ll only develop these at a later stage). Needless to say, don’t start writing your proposal until you have a clear topic in mind , or you’ll end up waffling and your research proposal will suffer as a result of this.
As we touched on earlier, it’s not good enough to simply propose a research topic – you need to justify why your topic is original . In other words, what makes it unique ? What gap in the current literature does it fill? If it’s simply a rehash of the existing research, it’s probably not going to get approval – it needs to be fresh.
But, originality alone is not enough. Once you’ve ticked that box, you also need to justify why your proposed topic is important . In other words, what value will it add to the world if you achieve your research aims?
As an example, let’s look at the sample research topic we mentioned earlier (factors impacting brand advocacy). In this case, if the research could uncover relevant factors, these findings would be very useful to marketers in the cosmetics industry, and would, therefore, have commercial value . That is a clear justification for the research.
So, when you’re crafting your research proposal, remember that it’s not enough for a topic to simply be unique. It needs to be useful and value-creating – and you need to convey that value in your proposal. If you’re struggling to find a research topic that makes the cut, watch our video covering how to find a research topic .
It’s all good and well to have a great topic that’s original and valuable, but you’re not going to convince anyone to approve it without discussing the practicalities – in other words:
While it’s generally not expected that you’ll have a fully fleshed-out methodology at the proposal stage, you’ll likely still need to provide a high-level overview of your research methodology . Here are some important questions you’ll need to address in your research proposal:
So, be sure to give some thought to the practicalities of your research and have at least a basic methodological plan before you start writing up your proposal. If this all sounds rather intimidating, the video below provides a good introduction to research methodology and the key choices you’ll need to make.
Now that we’ve covered the key points that need to be addressed in a proposal, you may be wondering, “ But how is a research proposal structured? “.
While the exact structure and format required for a research proposal differs from university to university, there are four “essential ingredients” that commonly make up the structure of a research proposal:
In the video below, we unpack each of these four sections, step by step.
In the video below, we provide a detailed walkthrough of two successful research proposals (Master’s and PhD-level), as well as our popular free proposal template.
How long should a research proposal be.
This varies tremendously, depending on the university, the field of study (e.g., social sciences vs natural sciences), and the level of the degree (e.g. undergraduate, Masters or PhD) – so it’s always best to check with your university what their specific requirements are before you start planning your proposal.
As a rough guide, a formal research proposal at Masters-level often ranges between 2000-3000 words, while a PhD-level proposal can be far more detailed, ranging from 5000-8000 words. In some cases, a rough outline of the topic is all that’s needed, while in other cases, universities expect a very detailed proposal that essentially forms the first three chapters of the dissertation or thesis.
The takeaway – be sure to check with your institution before you start writing.
Finding a good research topic is a process that involves multiple steps. We cover the topic ideation process in this video post.
While you typically won’t need a comprehensive literature review at the proposal stage, you still need to demonstrate that you’re familiar with the key literature and are able to synthesise it. We explain the literature review process here.
We explain how to craft a project plan/timeline and budget in Research Proposal Bootcamp .
The expectations and requirements regarding formatting and referencing vary from institution to institution. Therefore, you’ll need to check this information with your university.
We’ve create a video post about some of the most common mistakes students make when writing a proposal – you can access that here . If you’re short on time, here’s a quick summary:
As you write up your research proposal, remember the all-important core purpose: to convince . Your research proposal needs to sell your study in terms of suitability and viability. So, focus on crafting a convincing narrative to ensure a strong proposal.
At the same time, pay close attention to your university’s requirements. While we’ve covered the essentials here, every institution has its own set of expectations and it’s essential that you follow these to maximise your chances of approval.
By the way, we’ve got plenty more resources to help you fast-track your research proposal. Here are some of our most popular resources to get you started:
If you’re looking for 1-on-1 support with your research proposal, be sure to check out our private coaching service , where we hold your hand through the proposal development process (and the entire research journey), step by step.
This post is an extract from our bestselling short course, Research Proposal Bootcamp . If you want to work smart, you don't want to miss this .
I truly enjoyed this video, as it was eye-opening to what I have to do in the preparation of preparing a Research proposal.
I would be interested in getting some coaching.
I real appreciate on your elaboration on how to develop research proposal,the video explains each steps clearly.
Thank you for the video. It really assisted me and my niece. I am a PhD candidate and she is an undergraduate student. It is at times, very difficult to guide a family member but with this video, my job is done.
In view of the above, I welcome more coaching.
Wonderful guidelines, thanks
This is very helpful. Would love to continue even as I prepare for starting my masters next year.
Thanks for the work done, the text was helpful to me
Bundle of thanks to you for the research proposal guide it was really good and useful if it is possible please send me the sample of research proposal
You’re most welcome. We don’t have any research proposals that we can share (the students own the intellectual property), but you might find our research proposal template useful: https://gradcoach.com/research-proposal-template/
Cheruiyot Moses Kipyegon
Thanks alot. It was an eye opener that came timely enough before my imminent proposal defense. Thanks, again
thank you very much your lesson is very interested may God be with you
I am an undergraduate student (First Degree) preparing to write my project,this video and explanation had shed more light to me thanks for your efforts keep it up.
Very useful. I am grateful.
this is a very a good guidance on research proposal, for sure i have learnt something
Wonderful guidelines for writing a research proposal, I am a student of m.phil( education), this guideline is suitable for me. Thanks
You’re welcome 🙂
Thank you, this was so helpful.
A really great and insightful video. It opened my eyes as to how to write a research paper. I would like to receive more guidance for writing my research paper from your esteemed faculty.
Thank you, great insights
Thank you, great insights, thank you so much, feeling edified
Wow thank you, great insights, thanks a lot
Thank you. This is a great insight. I am a student preparing for a PhD program. I am requested to write my Research Proposal as part of what I am required to submit before my unconditional admission. I am grateful having listened to this video which will go a long way in helping me to actually choose a topic of interest and not just any topic as well as to narrow down the topic and be specific about it. I indeed need more of this especially as am trying to choose a topic suitable for a DBA am about embarking on. Thank you once more. The video is indeed helpful.
Have learnt a lot just at the right time. Thank you so much.
thank you very much ,because have learn a lot things concerning research proposal and be blessed u for your time that you providing to help us
Hi. For my MSc medical education research, please evaluate this topic for me: Training Needs Assessment of Faculty in Medical Training Institutions in Kericho and Bomet Counties
I have really learnt a lot based on research proposal and it’s formulation
Thank you. I learn much from the proposal since it is applied
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Research degrees
How to write your research proposal, with examples of good proposals.
Your research proposal is a key part of your application. It tells us about the question you want to answer through your research. It is a chance for you to show your knowledge of the subject area and tell us about the methods you want to use.
We use your research proposal to match you with a supervisor or team of supervisors.
In your proposal, please tell us if you have an interest in the work of a specific academic at York St John. You can get in touch with this academic to discuss your proposal. You can also speak to one of our Research Leads. There is a list of our Research Leads on the Apply page.
When you write your proposal you need to:
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Hanna Stechenko Manager, SEO Management
No doubt about it, even under the best of circumstances, crafting the perfect one page proposal can be a major challenge for any company.
You need to include everything necessary to ensure that your potential client understands the offer you intend to make.
That will often come down to proposing exact details in a project that address pain points and provide a solution with an adequate project timeline.
Is a really possible to do that in a one-page document?
Here are some steps (and some alternatives) to creating a one-page proposal.
→DOWNLOAD NOW: FREE ONE-PAGE PROPOSAL TEMPLATE
Aside from being shorter, a one-page proposal isn’t all that different from most other proposals out there. Even as a one-pager, your proposal needs to:
And this is true for any proposal, whether you’re replying to a request for proposal (RFP) or you’re trying to formalize a back-of-the-napkin deal that you’ve been chatting about for months.
But the difference comes down to length. One-page proposals are exactly that: one page. They make have a place as a soft quote, or they may lead to more precise proposals later on.
Our own data backs that up.
Based on our own internal analysis from nearly 570k proposals on the PandaDoc platform, the average page range for a formal business proposal is usually around nine pages.
Note that you can find information and one page proposal examples from the small business administration saying that proposals should be 30 to 50 pages.
That’s true if you’re trying to create a formal business plan, but it’s not what we’re talking about here.
Instead, we’re talking about the types of proposals that you might use to win money or close deals, typically sales proposals and project proposals.
Also, due to submission guidelines, one-pagers aren’t usually a good fit for grant proposals and research proposals. It depends on the competitive process and the requirements for the grant.
But, as you’ll see below, one-pagers can still have their place in your sales operation.
Despite its shorter length, your one-page proposal (and any other proposal you write) should always answer the following questions:
The elements of a proposal range from a cover letter to testimonials, but a good one-page proposal eliminates many details.
So, why should you send one?
The case for a one-page business pitch is almost always the same: Life is short and nobody wants to wade through 50 pages of text to figure out what you’re trying to say.
Quincy Berg, Enterprise Account Executive with PandaDoc , puts it this way:
Much as they do for documents on the web , potential customers usually won’t read proposals on a word-by-word basis.
Instead, they’ll skim the contents and try to best determine whether your content fits their needs.
One-pagers drastically reduce the clutter and help your clients cut directly to the heart of the matter, which helps to ensure that the most critical information is front and center.
As a result, one-page proposals can lead to faster decision times and help you achieve greater clarity when offering solutions.
This increases the likelihood of approval and demonstrates your knowledge and expertise without any unnecessary fluff.
When done correctly, everyone wins!
Before you open your proposal writing software of choice or start measuring out the margins on a single page in Microsoft Word, take a moment to consider that creating a one-page proposal won’t be as easy as it sounds.
In general, shorter proposals give you less room to customize your content or supplement your content with social proof like case studies and testimonials.
You probably won’t be able to incorporate images or video, either — something utilized by over 80% of the proposals we analyzed.
So you’ll need to pay close attention to formatting to make the document appealing and easy to read.
Most of the time, there just isn’t room for that when you only have one page to work with (although there are some ways around this and we’ll cover them a little later).
While there is something to be said about keeping things short and sweet, it’s entirely possible to find yourself in a position where a one-page business case won’t be enough to make your proposed solution shine.
When dealing with brand new clients (who don’t know how you work), or when your proposal needs more than a single page to push it over the finish line — which is often the case — a one-page proposal may not make sense.
While the idea of a one-pager sounds nice — especially if you’re trying to optimize your document workflow when sending proposals — a single-sheet document might simply be out of reach in some industries.
You may need to send attachments like Excel spreadsheets or PDF documents to provide additional details about your proposed solution. Even something as simple as a document verifying your non-profit status (if you’re a non-profit) would be enough to double the length of your proposal!
If that’s the case, don’t fear! We’ve got you covered.
A one-page approach can still work for you so long as you’re able to standardize the other documentation that you need to send .
In a scenario like this, you would create a one-page proposal and then attach all relevant or supporting documentation to it.
For example, if you felt that your one-pager needed additional social proof, create a small packet of case studies and testimonials that you can send along with your one-page proposal.
Naturally, your potential clients will review all associated documents, so they’ll be able to parse the information that’s most relevant to them quickly (plans, designs, company info, etc.) after they review your proposal.
This approach is something of a split between a one-page proposal and a standard proposal because it allows you to push all the important information to the front and send the rest in a secondary format rather than burying it inside the pages of a single, long-form document.
Now that you’re familiar with everything your one-pager should contain and why you might write one, let’s take a closer look at the structure that it might follow.
Here’s a quick look at a one-page proposal outline:
As with any document, a strong title is a must-have.
In a one-page proposal, your title doesn’t need to be cute or catchy, but it should convey accurate information about your proposal and your recommended solution.
Strong titles can be difficult to come by, so many companies use simple titles like:
“Proposal for ABC Company from XYZ Company”
Unfortunately, the downside to that approach is that your title doesn’t disclose anything about the details of your proposal.
Instead, try for more innovative titles that sum up your unique offering.
“Improving Conversion with Social Media Marketing”
“Lowering Overhead with Efficient Lighting Installations”
“Empowering Your Team with Modular Workstations”
Your proposal titles don’t have to be very long, but they should sum up your proposed solution and how it can help your potential customer achieve their goals.
For your one-pager, your executive summary or description should sum up your proposal in two or three sentences.
This paragraph can be concise and to the point while encouraging readers to read the rest of the page for additional details surrounding your solution.
Traditional, long-form executive summaries that take up half a page will be far too long for this section.
However, if you’ve written proposals in the past and you’re more comfortable using a standard-length summary as a starting point, write that paragraph first and then trim it to fit.
Here’s a great example of an executive summary designed to fit a one-page proposal:
Based on our previous conversations and discovery calls, we believe that [Product 1] will be very useful to your situation and can help you reach your business goals.
This product was specifically developed to help companies in your market overcome [customer pain points].
Our onboarding process will allow you to implement this solution with ease. Our team will also work closely with you throughout this process.
Below, you’ll find a detailed project timeline, including estimated milestones, pricing, and next steps.
Ideally, the executive summary for your one-pager summarizes and provides context for everything else on the page.
This is especially important if you’re relying on pricing/product tables to keep information condensed and easy to read.
If your project involves deliverables, you’ll need to define them in precise terms so that potential customers understand what you’re offering and what they will receive when everything is said and done.
Whether you’re rendering services or products, it’s important to be absolutely clear about what you’re providing and what your customer can expect before, during, and after the deal is signed.
This section can be used to communicate a timeline of service or the major milestones or benchmarks of your project.
How you choose to use it will depend on what you need to convey and what information is most relevant to the customer.
For example, if you’re delivering a physical product, this section might best be utilized for estimated shipping and delivery information.
On the other hand, if you’re building a website, you might outline milestones for different stages of project completion, including wireframing, feedback , and implementation.
However, you choose to use this section, do your best to make timeline objectives clear for the reader.
You may also find an opportunity to combine this information in your Deliverables or Pricing section, which can help you save space on the page.
One important detail that every client will want to know is how much your solution will cost them.
Pricing is one of the most prominent sections of any proposal, and it’s no different whether your document is a one-pager or a standard-length proposal document.
Display pricing prominently so that businesses can understand the costs upfront.
If your organization typically withholds pricing on its website, it’s even more important here since this may be the first contact that potential customers have had with your ticket price.
Many contracts need to mention critical terms or final details that are essential for customers to understand prior to agreeing to a proposal.
This could include everything from flexible delivery dates to contingency clauses that only allow contract fulfillment under specific circumstances.
The COVID-19 pandemic is a great example of where additional clauses might come into play.
With many supply lines experiencing delays, an additional term stating that deliveries are estimates and subject to parts availability would make complete sense in this section.
Of course, you won’t have space to include an entire contract’s worth of terms and conditions.
In your one-pager, this section should only be used for terms that are most critical to the discussions at hand.
Perhaps more complicated than it sounds due to its marketing background, your call to action doesn’t have to be fancy or fluffy.
Instead, this is a single line that encourages someone to take the next step with you and gives them instructions on how to do so.
Your call to action can be as simple as inviting someone to sign your one-pager.
You could also add phrasing about calling or setting a meeting to work out additional details or answer questions if you’d rather the client get in touch with you prior to signing off.
While it’s entirely up to you, this section should always provide readers with instructions on the next steps required to move the deal forward.
At the bottom of your one-pager, be sure to include contact information for your organization along with a signature field where potential customers can acknowledge and accept your proposal.
In a one-pager, both of these items are essential. The contact information listed should connect the client with their point of contact inside your organization — usually the sales representative who initially sent the proposal.
The signature field is important because it allows the reader to accept the terms of the proposal in a way that is transparent and legally binding.
With PandaDoc and other signing platforms , documents sent for signature are locked so that neither side can make changes.
While it’s possible for both sides to negotiate terms , sending proposals in this way ensures that potential customers are signing the proposal you sent without making unacknowledged changes.
It also provides some level of protection for the customer so that they know the proposal they agreed to can’t be changed later without their acknowledgment.
At the end of the proposal, provide a place to sign.
This ensures both parties understand the details of your agreement.
As you build your proposal, keep in mind that a one-pager is essentially a scaled-down version of a full proposal.
Every detail you include must support your recommended solution and drive the reader to a decision point.
But, due to brevity, anything that can be reduced or that doesn’t move the reader along needs to be cut. A title page is a great example.
While it’s nice to have in a standard proposal, doubling the length of your proposal just for a title won’t make sense.
Likewise, you won’t need a table of contents (because your document is one page long), and you may need to drastically reduce other secondary elements, like testimonials, case studies, and other social proof.
Staring at a blank page and not sure where to start? Grab a template from our template library and import it to PandaDoc to make it yours.
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Reviewed by Dmitry Ivanouski
For one-pagers, we offer two basic templates:
Always remember, when using one page proposal samples and templates, there’s no shame in modifying the template to suit your taste.
Free one-page business proposals templates and examples are just there to give you a starting point and some idea of how to proceed, so take out what isn’t necessary for your situation and add sections that make sense for your readers.
If responding to an RFP , make sure you answer all of the points or questions included in the request.
And that’s everything you need to know about writing a one-page proposal in a nutshell.
It’s a fact that it sounds much easier than it is, but a well-placed one-pager can catch the eye and get the job done without wasting time on long-form formats and layouts or unnecessary information.
As with most short documents, the key to writing the one-page proposal is to say as much as you can while using the smallest number of words possible.
Clear and concise; that’s the goal.
Tools like our content library and built-in editor can go a long way toward making your one-page proposal a success.
Learn how you can optimize your document workflow by scheduling a free 15-minute demo to learn more about PandaDoc — including our one-page proposal templates.
Should i write an outline for my one-page proposal.
Outlines can be helpful to ensure you have all the necessary information for your one-page proposal.
If you’re outlining, be sure to include each of the following:
Alternatively, get started with a template and customize it to taste.
Use a one-page proposal when information can be easily simplified, when you want to stand out from the competition, and, of course, when requested.
If you feel you need a full proposal, you can always send a one-pager with a note that the full project proposal is on the way or you can standardize most of your proposal information and send it as supplemental attachments.
Identify the essential elements and remove the rest.
Remember, your proposal must answer these six questions succinctly:
Also, look for ways to shorten sentences or communicate effectively with fewer words. If you need help, ask a colleague to look it over and make suggestions.
No. You don’t need a template.
However, a template can provide a basic framework for your one-page proposal so that you don’t start from a blank slate.
The beautiful thing about templates is that you can modify them for your own situation. PandaDoc has a library of 170+ business proposal templates — including proposal examples!
Pick one that you like, load it into the PandaDoc editor, and customize it to your heart’s content.
PandDoc is not a law firm, or a substitute for an attorney or law firm. This page is not intended to and does not provide legal advice. Should you have legal questions on the validity of e-signatures or digital signatures and the enforceability thereof, please consult with an attorney or law firm. Use of PandaDocs services are governed by our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Originally published November 15, 2021, updated December 1, 2023
Proposals 16 min
Document templates 7 min
Proposals 6 min
Whether you're a student seeking funding for a research project or an entrepreneur looking to secure investment, a concise and well-crafted one-page proposal is a powerful tool to help you get your message across. In this article, we'll provide you with a step-by-step guide to writing a one-page proposal that hits all the right notes, from understanding the purpose of a one-page proposal to developing an effective project summary and more.
A one-page proposal is an essential document that condenses your project's key details into a single page. It's designed to grab the attention of potential funders, investors, or clients and give them a quick overview of your project. In today's fast-paced world, people are busy, and attention spans are short. Thus, a one-page proposal is a concise and impactful way to convey your message quickly and effectively.
One of the primary advantages of a one-page proposal is that it forces you to focus on the most critical elements of your project. You have to be strategic in selecting the information that you want to include. This process can help you clarify your ideas and make sure that you're presenting the most compelling case possible.
A concise proposal is critical because it helps you avoid overwhelming your reader with too much information. One of the biggest mistakes that writers make when creating proposals is to provide too much detail, which can make the proposal long and tedious. A one-page proposal offers you the chance to distill that information down to its essential elements, making it more manageable for your reader and more effective in conveying your message.
When you're creating a one-page proposal, it's essential to be mindful of your audience. Think about who will be reading your proposal and what their priorities and concerns might be. You want to make sure that you're addressing their needs and interests and presenting your project in a way that resonates with them.
You can use a one-page proposal in a variety of contexts. It's often used to present ideas to potential funders, investors, or clients. Students may also use a one-page proposal when seeking grants for their research projects. In general, any situation that requires you to convey a message quickly and effectively while still providing essential details is the perfect opportunity to use a one-page proposal.
One of the benefits of a one-page proposal is that it's a versatile tool that can be adapted to different situations. You can customize your proposal to meet the needs of your audience and the specific requirements of the project or grant that you're applying for.
In conclusion, a one-page proposal is a powerful tool for communicating your ideas and securing funding or support for your project. By distilling your message down to its essential elements and presenting it in a concise and impactful way, you can grab your reader's attention and make a compelling case for your project.
When creating a one-page proposal, it's essential to keep the following elements in mind:
Your one-page proposal should start with a clear and concise project title followed by a brief summary of the project. The summary should capture the project's key ideas and create a sense of urgency that compels the reader to continue reading.
Describe your project's objectives and goals clearly and concisely. It's important to keep them measurable and realistic, highlighting why your project is unique and its potential impact.
Your proposed methodology should describe the approach you plan to take to achieve your project's objectives. Highlight your project's unique selling point and propose a unique and innovative approach that sets it apart from other projects.
Your project timeline should break down the project into clear and achievable milestones. Ensure that you provide a timeline that addresses your project's technical and logistical requirements as well as accommodating the project's potential setbacks and any unexpected obstacles
Provide a detailed budget that incorporates all possible project expenses and resources needed. Ensure you are specific and realistic in your budgeting, demonstrating how you plan to achieve your project without overstretching your funding sources.
Provide clear and measurable success criteria to your project. What are the metrics and outcomes that will demonstrate that your project was a success? It is essential to keep them realistic, objective, and measurable to ensure that your funder can see the impact of your project.
Step 1: research and gather information.
Before you start writing your proposal, research and gather information about the funding source or funder, industry trends, and other essential data that can help you to create a convincing proposal. Remember that your proposal should aim to demonstrate how your project aligns with the goals and needs of your funding source or client.
The first step in creating a one-page proposal is to define the scope of your project and its objectives clearly. What is the problem your project is trying to solve? What are the goals that your project aims to achieve?
Your project summary should be brief and to the point. It should capture your project's essential details and pique the funder's interest. Be sure to include a compelling opening statement in your summary that will make your proposal stand out.
Describe the approach you plan to use to achieve your project's objectives clearly. Be sure to outline the steps you will take to meet your project's goals, providing clear evidence to support your proposed methodology.
Breakdown your project into clear and achievable milestones, setting up a realistic timeline that integrates all the technical and logistical requirements. Outline the critical path and any possible setbacks that could result.
Create a detailed budget that covers all expenses required to fund your project. Ensure that your budget aligns with your project's scope and objectives and is realistic, keeping into account any inflation, currency fluctuations, and expected market trends.
Provide clear and measurable success criteria while ensuring that they are objective, attainable, and relevant to your project's scope and objectives. Your evaluation criteria should be directly linked to showing the project's impact and its effectiveness.
Once you have completed your one-page proposal, review and edit it extensively, paying attention to language, formatting, and the overall structure. Ensure that you have used clear and concise language and that your proposal packs a punch while adhering to all the critical elements of a one-page proposal.
Chatgpt prompt.
Please compose a comprehensive and detailed proposal that spans one full page in length. Your proposal should be thorough and well-crafted, addressing all relevant aspects of the topic at hand.
[ADD ADDITIONAL CONTEXT. CAN USE BULLET POINTS.]
Creating a one-page proposal is a powerful way to present your project's essential details in a simple and direct format. By following the steps outlined in this article, you will be better equipped to create a proposal that is concise, effective, and persuasive. Remember, less is more, so choose your words carefully and aim to deliver maximum impact with minimum content.
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Select the Sample Academic Proposals PDF in the Media box above to download this file and read examples of proposals for conferences, journals, and book chapters.
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Published on 30 October 2022 by Shona McCombes and Tegan George. Revised on 13 June 2023.
A research proposal describes what you will investigate, why it’s important, and how you will conduct your research.
The format of a research proposal varies between fields, but most proposals will contain at least these elements:
Literature review.
While the sections may vary, the overall objective is always the same. A research proposal serves as a blueprint and guide for your research plan, helping you get organised and feel confident in the path forward you choose to take.
Research proposal purpose, research proposal examples, research design and methods, contribution to knowledge, research schedule, frequently asked questions.
Academics often have to write research proposals to get funding for their projects. As a student, you might have to write a research proposal as part of a grad school application , or prior to starting your thesis or dissertation .
In addition to helping you figure out what your research can look like, a proposal can also serve to demonstrate why your project is worth pursuing to a funder, educational institution, or supervisor.
Show your reader why your project is interesting, original, and important. | |
Demonstrate your comfort and familiarity with your field. Show that you understand the current state of research on your topic. | |
Make a case for your . Demonstrate that you have carefully thought about the data, tools, and procedures necessary to conduct your research. | |
Confirm that your project is feasible within the timeline of your program or funding deadline. |
The length of a research proposal can vary quite a bit. A bachelor’s or master’s thesis proposal can be just a few pages, while proposals for PhD dissertations or research funding are usually much longer and more detailed. Your supervisor can help you determine the best length for your work.
One trick to get started is to think of your proposal’s structure as a shorter version of your thesis or dissertation , only without the results , conclusion and discussion sections.
Download our research proposal template
Writing a research proposal can be quite challenging, but a good starting point could be to look at some examples. We’ve included a few for you below.
Like your dissertation or thesis, the proposal will usually have a title page that includes:
The first part of your proposal is the initial pitch for your project. Make sure it succinctly explains what you want to do and why.
Your introduction should:
To guide your introduction , include information about:
As you get started, it’s important to demonstrate that you’re familiar with the most important research on your topic. A strong literature review shows your reader that your project has a solid foundation in existing knowledge or theory. It also shows that you’re not simply repeating what other people have already done or said, but rather using existing research as a jumping-off point for your own.
In this section, share exactly how your project will contribute to ongoing conversations in the field by:
Following the literature review, restate your main objectives . This brings the focus back to your own project. Next, your research design or methodology section will describe your overall approach, and the practical steps you will take to answer your research questions.
? or ? , , or research design? | |
, )? ? | |
, , , )? | |
? |
To finish your proposal on a strong note, explore the potential implications of your research for your field. Emphasise again what you aim to contribute and why it matters.
For example, your results might have implications for:
Last but not least, your research proposal must include correct citations for every source you have used, compiled in a reference list . To create citations quickly and easily, you can use our free APA citation generator .
Some institutions or funders require a detailed timeline of the project, asking you to forecast what you will do at each stage and how long it may take. While not always required, be sure to check the requirements of your project.
Here’s an example schedule to help you get started. You can also download a template at the button below.
Download our research schedule template
Research phase | Objectives | Deadline |
---|---|---|
1. Background research and literature review | 20th January | |
2. Research design planning | and data analysis methods | 13th February |
3. Data collection and preparation | with selected participants and code interviews | 24th March |
4. Data analysis | of interview transcripts | 22nd April |
5. Writing | 17th June | |
6. Revision | final work | 28th July |
If you are applying for research funding, chances are you will have to include a detailed budget. This shows your estimates of how much each part of your project will cost.
Make sure to check what type of costs the funding body will agree to cover. For each item, include:
To determine your budget, think about:
Once you’ve decided on your research objectives , you need to explain them in your paper, at the end of your problem statement.
Keep your research objectives clear and concise, and use appropriate verbs to accurately convey the work that you will carry out for each one.
I will compare …
A research aim is a broad statement indicating the general purpose of your research project. It should appear in your introduction at the end of your problem statement , before your research objectives.
Research objectives are more specific than your research aim. They indicate the specific ways you’ll address the overarching aim.
A PhD, which is short for philosophiae doctor (doctor of philosophy in Latin), is the highest university degree that can be obtained. In a PhD, students spend 3–5 years writing a dissertation , which aims to make a significant, original contribution to current knowledge.
A PhD is intended to prepare students for a career as a researcher, whether that be in academia, the public sector, or the private sector.
A master’s is a 1- or 2-year graduate degree that can prepare you for a variety of careers.
All master’s involve graduate-level coursework. Some are research-intensive and intend to prepare students for further study in a PhD; these usually require their students to write a master’s thesis . Others focus on professional training for a specific career.
Critical thinking refers to the ability to evaluate information and to be aware of biases or assumptions, including your own.
Like information literacy , it involves evaluating arguments, identifying and solving problems in an objective and systematic way, and clearly communicating your ideas.
If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the ‘Cite this Scribbr article’ button to automatically add the citation to our free Reference Generator.
McCombes, S. & George, T. (2023, June 13). How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates. Scribbr. Retrieved 3 September 2024, from https://www.scribbr.co.uk/the-research-process/research-proposal-explained/
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Written by: Raja Mandal
So you have a groundbreaking research idea you've spent months or even years developing, and now you're ready to take the next step.
How do you get funding for your research, and how should you approach potential funders? The answer is to create a convincing research proposal.
Unfortunately, most research proposals often get rejected. According to the European Research Council, the success rate for repeat proposal applications was only 14.8% in 2023 .
Pitching a novel research concept isn’t enough. To increase your chances of securing funding, your research proposal must check the right boxes in terms of clarity, feasibility, aesthetic appeal and other factors.
If you’re looking for inspiration to create a persuasive and feasible proposal, you’re in the right place. In this article, we have compiled a list of research proposal examples to help you create yours.
These examples will help you understand how to organize your proposal, what information to include and how to present it in a way that encourages others to support your project.
Let's dive in!
What is a research proposal, what to include in a research proposal, 8 research proposal examples & templates, research proposal faqs.
A research proposal is a structured document that outlines the core idea of your research, the methods you intend to use, the required resources and the expected results.
Think of it as a sales pitch for your research. It answers some big questions: What are you planning to explore? Why is it important to conduct the research? What are your research objectives and the methods you’ll use to achieve them? What are the potential outcomes or contributions of this research to the field?
A research proposal serves two primary purposes. First, it convinces funding bodies or academic committees to support your research project expected to bring new ideas and insights. Second, it provides a roadmap for your research journey, helping you stay focused, organized and on track.
Now, we'll discuss what to include in a research proposal. You'll learn about the important parts of a research proposal template and how they help present your research idea clearly.
Here’s an infographic that you can use to understand the elements of a research proposal quickly.
Start your research proposal with a title page that clearly states your research. The title page is like a book cover, giving the first impression of your project. Therefore, you must ensure the design is engaging enough to attract your audience at first glance.
Include the following details on your title page:
After the title page comes the abstract and the table of contents.
The abstract is a concise summary of your project that briefly outlines your research question, the reasons behind the study and the methods you intend to use. It is a quick way for readers to understand your proposal without reading the entire document.
The table of contents is a detailed list of the sections and subsections in your proposal, with page numbers. It helps readers navigate through your document and quickly locate different parts they're interested in.
The introduction of your research proposal sets the tone for the rest of the document. It should grab the reader's attention and make them want to learn more. It's your chance to make a strong case for why your research is worth investigating and how it can fill a gap in current knowledge or solve a specific problem.
Make sure that your introduction covers the following:
A literature review is a list of the scholarly works you used to conduct your research. It helps you demonstrate your current knowledge about the topic.
Here's how this part works:
This section outlines your plan for answering your research question. It explains how you intend to gather and analyze information, providing a clear roadmap of the investigation process.
Here are the key components:
Describe the entire group you're interested in (the population). This could be all teachers in a specific state or all social media platform users. After that, you will need to explain how you will choose a smaller group, known as a sample, to study directly. This sample should be selected to accurately represent the larger population you are interested in studying.
To choose the right sampling method, you need to assess your population properly. For instance, to obtain general insights, you can use random sampling to select individuals without bias. If the population consists of different categories, such as professionals and students, you can use stratified sampling to ensure that each category is represented in the sample.
Other popular sampling methods include systematic, convenience, purposive, cluster, and probability sampling techniques.
There are three main approaches for the research: qualitative (focusing on experiences and themes), quantitative (using numbers and statistics), or mixed methods (combining both). Your choice will depend on your research question and the kind of data you need.
This section details the specific methods you'll use to gather information. Will you distribute surveys online or in person? Conduct interviews? Perhaps you'll use existing data sets. Here, you'll also explain how you'll ensure the data collection process is reliable and ethical.
Once you have collected your data, the next step is to analyze it to obtain meaningful insights. The method you choose depends on the available data type.
If you have quantitative data, you can employ statistical tests to analyze it. And if you're dealing with qualitative data, coding techniques can help you spot patterns and themes in your collected data.
In this section, you need to explain how your research will contribute to the existing knowledge in your field. You should describe whether your study will fill a knowledge gap, challenge conventional ideas or beliefs or offer a fresh perspective on a topic.
Clearly outline how your work will advance your field of study and why this new knowledge is essential.
Create a timeline with important milestones, such as finishing your literature review, completing data collection and finalizing your analysis.
This shows that you've carefully considered the scope of your project and can manage your time effectively. Furthermore, account for possible delays and be prepared to adapt your schedule accordingly.
To create this timeline, consider using a visual tool like a Gantt chart or a simple spreadsheet. These tools will help you organize individual tasks, assign deadlines, and visualize the project's overall progress.
Choose a Gantt chart template from Visme's library and customize it to create your timeline quickly. Here's an example template:
The budget section is your opportunity to show them that you've carefully considered all necessary expenses and that your funding request is justified.
Here's how you can approach this part:
Using these research proposal examples and templates, you can create a winning proposal in no time. You will find templates for various topics and customize every aspect of them to make them your own.
Visme’s drag-and-drop editor, advanced features and a vast library of templates help organizations and individuals worldwide create engaging documents.
Here’s what a research student who uses Visme to create award-winning presentations has to say about the tool:
Research Student
Now, let’s dive into the research proposal examples.
This research proposal presentation template is a powerful tool for presenting your research plan to stakeholders. The slides include specific sections to help you outline your research, including the research background, questions, objectives, methodology and expected results.
The slides create a coherent narrative, highlighting the importance and significance of your research. Overall, the template has a calming and professional blue color scheme with text that enables your audience to grasp the key points.
If you need help creating your presentation slides in a fraction of the time, check out Visme's AI presentation maker . Enter your requirements using text prompts, and the AI tool will generate a complete presentation with engaging visuals, text and clear structure. You can further customize the template completely to your needs.
Sales research gives you a deeper understanding of their target audience. It also helps you identify gaps in the market and develop effective sales strategies that drive revenue growth. With this research proposal template, you can secure funding for your next research project.
It features a sleek and professional grayscale color palette with a classic and modern vibe. The high-quality images in the template are strategically placed to reinforce the message without overwhelming the reader. Furthermore, the template includes a vertical bar graph that effectively represents budget allocations, enabling the reader to quickly grasp the information.
Use Visme's interactive elements and animations to add a dynamic layer to your research proposals. You can animate any object and add pop-ups or link pages for a more immersive experience. Use these functionalities to highlight key findings, demonstrate trends or guide readers through your proposal, making the content engaging and interactive.
This proposal template is a great tool for securing funding for any type of research project. It begins with a captivating title page that grabs attention. The beautiful design elements and vector icons enhance the aesthetic and aid visual communication.
This template revolves around how a specific user group adopts cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. The goal is to assess awareness, gauge interest and understand key factors affecting cryptocurrency adoption.
The project methodology includes survey design, data collection, and market research. The expected impact is to enhance customer engagement and position the company as a customer-centric brand.
Do you need additional help crafting the perfect text for your proposal? Visme's AI writer can quickly generate content outlines, summaries and even entire sections. Just explain your requirements to the tool using a text prompt, and the tool will generate it for you.
Creating a product that delights users begins with detailed product research. With this modern proposal template, you can secure buy-in and funding for your next research.
It starts with a background that explains why the research is important. Next, it highlights what the research is set to achieve, how the research will be conducted, how much it will cost, the timeline and the expected outcomes. With a striking color scheme combining black, yellow, and gray, the template grabs attention and maintains it until the last page.
What we love about this template is the smart use of visuals. You'll find a flowchart explaining the methodology, a bar graph for the budget, and a timeline for the project. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg regarding the visual elements you’ll find in Visme.
Visme offers data visualization tools with 30+ data widgets, such as radial gauges, population arrays, progress bars and more. These tools can help you turn complex data into engaging visuals for your research proposal or any other document.
For larger data sets, you can choose from 20+ types of charts and graphs , including bar graphs , bubble charts , Venn diagrams and more.
If you’re a tech researcher, we’ve got the perfect template for you. This research proposal example is about predictive analytics in e-commerce. However, you can customize it for any other type of research proposal.
It highlights the project's objectives, including the effectiveness of predictive analysis, the impact of product recommendations and supply chain optimization. The methods proposed for achieving these objectives involve A/B testing and data analysis, a comprehensive budget and a 12-month timeline for clear project planning.
The title page has a unique triptych-style layout that immediately catches the reader's attention. It has plenty of white space that enhances readability, allowing your audience to focus on the critical points.
Submitting to different funding agencies? You don’t have to manually make changes to your document. Visme's dynamic fields can help save time and eliminate repetitive data entry.
Create custom fields like project names, addresses, contact information and more. Any changes made to these fields will automatically populate throughout the document.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is taking the world by storm and the marketing niche isn’t left out. With this eye-catching template, you can attract attention to your proposed marketing research project for an AI-driven platform.
The main goal of the research is to evaluate the platform's feasibility and marketing potential. To achieve this goal, the scope of work includes a comprehensive analysis of the market and competitors and pilot testing. The proposal also contains a budget overview that clearly outlines the allocation of funds, ensuring a well-planned and transparent approach.
Using Visme's Brand Design Tool , you can easily customize this template to suit your branding with just one click. Simply enter your URL into the brand wizard, and the tool will automatically extract your company logo, brand colors, and brand fonts . Once saved, you or your team members can apply the branding elements to any document. It's that simple!
The environmental research proposal example focuses on carbon emissions, identifies their contributing factors, and suggests sustainable practices to address them. It uses an appropriate sample size and data collection techniques to gather and evaluate data and provide sustainable recommendations to reduce industrial carbon footprints and waste.
From a design standpoint, the green and white color combination matches the theme of nature and environmental friendliness. In addition to its aesthetic appeal, the proposal includes relevant images that support ecological advocacy, making it informative and visually aligned with its purpose.
A key feature of this template is its detailed breakdown of the project's timeline. It uses a Gantt chart to clearly present stages, milestones and deadlines.
Collaborate with your team members to customize these research proposal templates using Visme’s collaborative design features . These features allow you to leave feedback, draw annotations and even make live edits. Invite your teammates via email or a shareable link and allow them to work together on projects.
This research proposal template is a total game-changer - you can use it for any research proposal and customize it however you want. It features a modern and refreshing color scheme that immediately makes it stand out, providing a contemporary look that can adapt to any project's needs.
The template's layout is thoughtfully designed with primary fields that users can easily personalize by changing text, adjusting colors, or swapping images. No matter the research topic, you can tailor the template to fit your specific needs.
Once you're done customizing your research proposal template on Visme, you can download, share and publish it in different ways. For offline usage, you may download the proposal in PDF, PNG, or JPG format. To share it online, you can use a private or public link or generate a code snippet that you can embed anywhere on the web.
Want to create other types of proposals? Here are 29 proposal templates that you can easily customize in Visme.
Follow these steps to write a solid research proposal:
If you want to learn more about creating an expert research proposal , we highly recommend checking out our in-depth guide.
Research proposals can range from 1,000 to 5,000 words. For smaller projects or when specific requirements aren't provided, aim for a concise and informative proposal that effectively outlines your research plan.
However, the ideal length depends on these factors:
The time it takes to write a research proposal depends on a few factors:
Set aside several weeks to a couple of months for researching, writing, and revising your proposal. Start early to avoid stress and produce your best work.
There are several factors that can make a research proposal weak. Here are some of the most common errors that you should avoid while preparing your research proposal:
Writing a compelling research proposal takes effort, but with the right tools, the process becomes a breeze. Use the research proposal examples and templates in this article as a launching point to write your own proposal.
The best part? Visme provides easy-to-use tools with a vast collection of customizable templates, design elements and powerful features.
Whether you're a seasoned researcher or a student, Visme has the resources to help you create visually appealing and well-structured research proposals. In addition to research proposals, Visme helps you create many other document types, such as presentations , infographics , reports and more.
Ready to create your own research proposal? Check out Visme's proposal maker and start crafting professional and engaging proposals in minutes!
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How to write a research proposal.
For many subjects, writing a research proposal is a key part of your postgraduate research degree application. This is your opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge and how you want to contribute to the subject.
We use the proposal to match your interest with an appropriate supervisor to make sure you have the best support during your degree. We are looking for originality and relevance when assessing the overall quality of your application, including your suitability for this level of study.
We highly recommend that you explore which academic researchers are working in your subject area and contact them first with any questions, this is a good opportunity to firm up your ideas, further explore the topic and talk with others in your field.
A research proposal is a concise and coherent document, usually between 1500 – 2000 words, maximum 4 x A4 pages. You should outline your proposed research project, why it is of relevance (rationale), what research questions are you going to ask, what you hope to achieve (aims and objectives) and how you plan to carry out your research (methodology).
This page is your comprehensive guide to writing a research proposal and will cover seven key elements of a proposal:
You should include a title for your thesis in the proposal.
Your title may change as you further your research, but at this stage it's important to state succinctly what your research will cover.
Briefly identify your idea, what is your ‘research question’?
It could be the theory you want to test, or a more open question. It would be useful to give examples, 3-5 research questions from recently completed PhDs in a relevant field. You should discuss the context around your research topic, such as current debates and issues. The important thing here is that you introduce your research project with clarity and in a way that stimulates your reader’s interest.
Demonstrate the significance of your research project.
To do this, explain why your research is important, what makes it original and how it will contribute to existing knowledge within its field.
What are you hoping to achieve with your research?
Try and produce four or five bullet points of objectives for each aim, which demonstrate your understanding of how to meet your research aims. You can use the SMART acronym to support you in creating objectives, which involves making your objectives: specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time specific.
Demonstrate your knowledge and awareness of relevant literature
A literature review is a discussion and evaluation of academic literature or a relevant body of knowledge (for practice-based research). You should use this section of your proposal to show that you are familiar with work in your chosen topic area and that your research will contribute something new and/or meaningful to it.
Explain how you plan to carry out your research
The methodology section of your research proposal is where you explain how you plan to carry out your research. This should include the research techniques and methods you will use, why these are most appropriate and how you will implement them. You should also include a discussion of the research strategy (general approach) you will adopt, with appropriate justification, including the analytical approach. The section should also contain the range of research findings that will be gathered from the research and how you will analyse or evaluate this. For practice based research, include how will your portfolio of artefacts, code, software, compositions, computer games etc. articulate the originality of your research?
Reference all the materials you used in the preparation your proposal
You may also list references that you didn't directly draw upon, to demonstrate awareness of literature relating to your proposed material.
Your research proposal will be read by academics with an interest in your field of research. You are therefore encouraged to contact members of academic staff informally prior to submitting your application to discuss to your research proposal. This can often speed up the applications process, as you can identify the member(s) of staff you have spoken to on your research degree application form.
Use the Huddersfield Research Portal to browse academic staff profiles and search using key words to find staff members who share your research interests.
Your research proposal is your starting point, and we understand that as your idea develop s , your proposed research is likely to change. As such, you will not be obliged to adhere to the specifics of your proposal if you are offered a place as a research degree candidate at Huddersfield. However, as the proposal is the foundation of your working relationship with your supervisor(s), you will need to discuss any changes with them first.
Once you have written your research proposal you will need to complete an application form. Look at our how to apply webpage for more information.
Our step-by-step guide will help you to make the most out of your application for a research degree
Explore our funding options, including scholarships and Doctoral Loans.
Proposal Templates > One Page Proposal Template
When you need to get a proposal out quick, or just need a bare-bones template to work with, our one page proposal template will get you kickstarted in minutes. Customize, deliver, and track your proposal, then get it signed with built-in eSignatures.
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Whether you are planning to release the next issue of your journal, or you are organizing an academic conference , you are going to need the scholars in the field of concern to submit their original research papers. Instead of emailing all of the academics you know, you can put up a call for research papers on your website, social media pages, and inside universities.
A call for research papers is an invitation for researchers and academics to participate in a gathering of brilliant minds in the field. Interested researchers can express their intent to participate by sending you abstracts of original scholarly articles. If it is for a journal, the articles will be up for peer review. For conferences and workshops, a committee will screen the submissions and send out confirmation emails to the people whose research papers and articles are accepted for presentation. The call can also be an invitation for esteemed academics to speak at the conference.
It wasn’t always that scientific findings were made known outside the academic circle. Communication about scientists’ findings and discoveries were like whispers within the scientific community, available to only the very few. Private entities funded scientific studies and received the results in return. It wasn’t until science-born innovations in the 19th century began to positively impact how people lived that public institutions began sponsoring research studies. With that, research was gaining a wider audience.
Diffusion Of Knowledge
With the realized potential scientific pursuit for future developments, research grants and funding have been made available to studies that align with an entity’s principles and goals. Another catalyst for the exposition of research to the public also occurred in the 19th century. Knowledge was no longer confined within elite circles as industrialization allowed for more inclusive learning, uplifting the literacy of the common man. The interest in science and research increased. By the end of the century, scientific communication exists in publicly accessible mediums for public consumption.
Stewards Of Science
Today, access to research articles and scientific buzz is a lot easier, thanks to a variety of communication media that people can subscribe to. It is our responsibility as an academic institution and scientific organization to keep the lines open between scientific knowledge and society. Media like online and printed journals allow the public to learn about the recent advances in different scientific fields. They also serve as official chatboxes for scientists to discuss with fellow academics the current research projects and happenings in the community. Meanwhile, conferences are a more personal platform for this conversation. These events also allow students to interact with and learn from mentors and veteran scientists.
A call for research, therefore, is more than a formal invitation for scholarly work and participation. It allows for the growth and dissemination of scientific knowledge. After all, it was the availability of knowledge that ignited the masses’ interest in science and research. That raging fire brought us to where we are today. It is beneficial that we keep these learning channels open through the calling for submission of research papers and articles.
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Anyone can announce research paper submissions, but not all of these notices will be well-received. How do you make your bulletin informative and noticeable to your desired audience?
Get creative. No metric imposes a standard paper-and-plain-text format for your announcement. Instead of following the black and white crowd, add color or photos in your poster and online post. A well-made, professional poster will make your announcement appear official and legitimate. This will also give you good quality submissions.
Don’t skimp on the important details. State in your notice the scope and focus of your journal issue or the motive for the call in your conference poster . Elaborate why the research on a topic is timely and relevant, how your institution is related to the issue, and how it will impact society. However, this doesn’t mean that you slap a novel in your notice. Keep the details informative and concise.
Include the contact details, such as phone numbers, email addresses, and websites in your creative poster for a call for research papers. Should there be any questions, people can contact your organization for clarification. Print the submission instructions clearly. This section includes where and when to send the abstracts of the research papers.
You can contact universities and ask if you can post notices inside the campuses. This approach will encourage students to join your event. You should also take advantage of the virality of social media posts. Create a page for your institution and establish a following. Posting in platforms like Facebook costs less money and effort than printing high-resolution posters. One of the determinants of a trustworthy organization is a well-maintained website . Aside from legitimacy, posting notices is also easier and faster.
You can make use of all these tips in your next call for research papers. With the threat of predatory journals that rob from and take advantage of vulnerable researchers, it is worth noting that the quality of your bulletin will significantly influence the quality of research article submissions.
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Template 4:- One-Page Research Proposal Development Framework Presentation Infographic. With this PPT Template, you can access a valuable resource for creating a top-notch research proposal. This essential document provides a streamlined approach to crafting a compelling research proposal.
Research proposal examples. Writing a research proposal can be quite challenging, but a good starting point could be to look at some examples. We've included a few for you below. Example research proposal #1: "A Conceptual Framework for Scheduling Constraint Management".
Add details to each section heading you created in the beginning. Ensure your sentences are concise and use plain language. A research proposal usually contains about 2,000 to 4,000 words or four to seven pages. Don't use too many technical terms and abbreviations assuming that the readers would know them.
Research proposals, like all other kinds of academic writing, are written in a formal, objective tone. Keep in mind that being concise is a key component of academic writing; formal does not mean flowery. Adhere to the structure outlined above. Your reader knows how a research proposal is supposed to read and expects it to fit this template.
1. Research Proposal Format Example. Following is a general outline of the material that should be included in your project proposal. I. Title Page II. Introduction and Literature Review (Chapters 2 and 3) A. Identification of specific problem area (e.g., what is it, why it is important). B. Prevalence, scope of problem.
Research Proposal Example/Sample. Detailed Walkthrough + Free Proposal Template. If you're getting started crafting your research proposal and are looking for a few examples of research proposals, you've come to the right place. In this video, we walk you through two successful (approved) research proposals, one for a Master's-level ...
Writing your proposal Whether you are limited to one page (as part of a university application form or an enquiry form) or are required to produce something more substantial for an external funder, the rules about writing a good research proposal are the same. You want to stand out from the crowd and have the best chance of being selected.
Make sure you can ask the critical what, who, and how questions of your research before you put pen to paper. Your research proposal should include (at least) 5 essential components: Title - provides the first taste of your research, in broad terms. Introduction - explains what you'll be researching in more detail.
Here is an explanation of each step: 1. Title and Abstract. Choose a concise and descriptive title that reflects the essence of your research. Write an abstract summarizing your research question, objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes. It should provide a brief overview of your proposal. 2.
2. Introduction. The introduction is crucial to your research proposal as it is your first opportunity to hook the reader in.A good introduction section will introduce your project and its relevance to the field of study. You'll want to use this space to demonstrate that you have carefully thought about how to present your project as interesting, original, and important research.
Research Proposal Bootcamp: The Ultimate Online Course; Template: A basic template to help you craft your proposal; If you're looking for 1-on-1 support with your research proposal, be sure to check out our private coaching service, where we hold your hand through the proposal development process (and the entire research journey), step by step.
In your proposal, please tell us if you have an interest in the work of a specific academic at York St John. You can get in touch with this academic to discuss your proposal. You can also speak to one of our Research Leads. There is a list of our Research Leads on the Apply page. When you write your proposal you need to: Highlight how it is ...
1. Title. As with any document, a strong title is a must-have. In a one-page proposal, your title doesn't need to be cute or catchy, but it should convey accurate information about your proposal and your recommended solution. Strong titles can be difficult to come by, so many companies use simple titles like:
Step 1: Research and Gather Information. Before you start writing your proposal, research and gather information about the funding source or funder, industry trends, and other essential data that can help you to create a convincing proposal. Remember that your proposal should aim to demonstrate how your project aligns with the goals and needs ...
Research Proposals in a Nutshell: The basic purposes of all research proposals are to convince the reader that: the research project has clear objectives; the research project is worth doing (it is significant / important in some sense and will make an original contribution to knowledge / understanding in the field)
If you absolutely have to quote an author ad verbatim, then make sure that you use quotation marks and italics to indicate it. Abstract. An abstract is a brief summary written in the same style as the rest of your application. It will provide the reader with the main points and conclusion of your proposal. 6.
Research and Citation. Overview; Conducting Research; Using Research; APA Style (7th Edition) MLA Style; Chicago Style; IEEE Style ... Select the Sample Academic Proposals PDF in the Media box above to download this file and read examples of proposals for conferences, journals, and book chapters. Resources. Communication. OneCampus Portal ...
Research proposal examples. Writing a research proposal can be quite challenging, but a good starting point could be to look at some examples. We've included a few for you below. Example research proposal #1: 'A Conceptual Framework for Scheduling Constraint Management'.
A quality example of a research proposal shows one's above-average analytical skills, including the ability to coherently synthesize ideas and integrate lateral and vertical thinking. Communication skills. The proposal also demonstrates your proficiency to communicate your thoughts in concise and precise language.
A well-structured research proposal includes a title page, abstract and table of contents, introduction, literature review, research design and methodology, contribution to knowledge, research schedule, timeline and budget. Visme's research proposal examples and templates offer a great starting point for creating engaging and well-structured ...
Research proposal - an example The following is a suggested format for a research proposal. Cover Page. The cover page should show: ... Abstract. The abstract should be self contained, concise, readable, and one page or less. It should outline what you intend to do, why you believe it needs to be done and what the results will mean in theory ...
Writing one page research proposal. • This brief notes is for potential candidates who wish to do PhD level research with me at the University of Melbourne. • I always request one page proposal to potential research candidates and current students who are in probationary candidature before writing the confirmation or conversion report ...
Useful tips for writing a research proposal. Maintain a focus in your proposal: Your research proposal should be clear and concise, outlining your research idea and its benefits to your chosen field of study, in a way that the reader can clearly understand. Remember, your proposal is just the starting point and an outline and does not need to ...
At Proposable, we have done the heavy lifting for you by creating a research proposal example that you can use to create a multi-page or one-page research proposal. Within the document, we incorporate the following one-page research proposal outline that you can make your own: A well-design cover page. Abstract. Project Background.
Contact Us. [email protected]. Professor Martine Smith Dean of Graduate Studies West Theatre Trinity College Dublin Dublin 2 Ireland View the contact page for more contact and location information
10+ Call for Research Examples. A call for research, therefore, is more than a formal invitation for scholarly work and participation. It allows for the growth and dissemination of scientific knowledge. After all, it was the availability of knowledge that ignited the masses' interest in science and research.