Research Proposal

A research proposal is a formal document that a learner will write with the intent of getting permission, sponsorship, or funding to perform research.  It is a basic statement that a student makes to express desire to perform specific research.  Research proposals are often used in higher-level educational programs, such as a graduate school or PhD.  program in which intense research is not only expected, but is also required.  

Research proposals vary a great deal depending on the type of research that the student wishes to perform, the level of academic study, the educational institution that will sponsor the research, and the depth of the research.  Many funding and sponsorships programs also have their own specific criteria for what information should be included in a research proposal.

No matter what kind of research a student wishes to perform, the document should at least include the following: a statement about the purpose of the research, why the student is equipped to perform the research, background information about the topic of the research, information about why the research is relevant, an overview of methods that the learner will take in order to perform the research, research goals, and the research budget.  

Depending on the purpose of the report, the learner will need to include additional information in the report.  If the student is requesting funding for the research, the student should provide a detailed budget or financial estimate for the research and include a statement about how the money will benefit the research project.  

If a student is requiring sponsorship from a professor or university, the student should state why the professor or university is the appropriate sponsor for the research project.  Research proposals should also indicate what is required of the sponsor, such as regular research reviews, access to research facilities, or even simply credibility through association.

When a pupil writes a research proposal in order to get permission to perform research, the report will generally be directed to a professor or academic institution.  Research proposals requesting permission will include similar information to research proposals requesting sponsorship.  However, a research proposal requesting permission is often required simply to provide a record that the research will be performed.

A research proposal is similar to a grant proposal in many ways.  In fact, many grant proposals are also research proposals when the grant requires research to be performed.  However, a report and a grant proposal are often quite distinct.  A grant proposal always asks for funding.  However, only some research proposals ask for funding.  Instead, a research proposal is a basic statement of intent or desire to perform research.  The research proposal only asks for permission, sponsorship, or funding in some cases.

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