Research Proposal

A project proposal seeks to explain 

• what you plan to research, why and how
• you show that the research is valid
• argue that the research is valuable
• communicate your enthusiasm for the project
• demonstrate that your plan is workable within the constraints of the assignment
• and gain you instructor's approval 

The goal of a proposal are

• To clarify your own thinking about a research topic
• To convince your instructor (audience) that it is indeed a fruitful line of investigation
• To get helpful feedback about how to proceed

Elements of research proposal 

• Introduction (Background, personal perspective, research question, specify/indicate your audience)
• A review of literature 
• Research methods and sources
• Timeline 
• Significance 
• Annotated bibliography(working bibliography)

Title 

Working title, come up with an intriguing title for your research proposal 

Introduction

Outline the subject and purpose of your research project

provide any background or context that the audience needs to understand your line of thought 

• Background: overview of the topic, position of issue, identify your readers, interests 
• Project description and expected results: provide brief discussion of what you propose to study 
• Working thesis or Research question

Research Methods and sources

explain your primary research (the firsthand investigation) as well as research tools you plan to use 

• Methods: how am I going to research the topic? Delineate the methods you will use to conduct your research: library investigation of primary and secondary sources, interview, survey, and observation process
• Sources: what specific text am I going to analyze? what additional sources I can find? 

Review of literature 

Overview of key information of your sources

Explain why you found them useful, focus on general approach of your sources

Timeline

Set up the time for you research 

Timetable or schedule: list deadlines that are part of the assignment 

Significance

What do I hope to accomplish in my research?

What are the broader issues or implications of my research?

Why do these matters to me and to my readers?