The Research Proposal
What is a Research Proposal?
A research proposal is a structured plan that outlines the purpose, significance, and intended process of a research study. Before conducting research, the researcher must present a clear and persuasive case explaining why the study is needed and how it will be carried out. In essence, the proposal becomes the blueprint for the entire research project.
A strong proposal describes the methods the researcher plans to use, the context in which the research will occur, and the outcomes that are anticipated. It demonstrates that the researcher has a solid grasp of the topic, understands existing literature, and is both capable of and motivated to complete the project. A well-crafted research proposal communicates expertise, enthusiasm, and a compelling vision for the study.
Activity
Watch this video, How to Write a Successful Research Proposal [4:25] on YouTube, by Scribbr (2020).
Note: If you are using a printed copy of this resource, watch the video by scanning the QR code with your mobile device.
What are the Goals of a Research Proposal?
A research proposal serves several key purposes. It establishes and justifies the need to investigate a research problem, outlines how the study will be conducted, and shows that the design aligns with the standards of the field in which the research sits. Ultimately, the proposal convinces readers that the researcher’s plan is both meaningful and feasible.
Regardless of the topic or methodology, all research proposals must answer three essential questions:
1. What does the researcher plan to accomplish?
- This involves clearly defining the research problem and articulating what the study intends to explore.
2. Why should the study be conducted?
- This requires a thorough review of relevant literature and a compelling explanation of the significance of the research, including its contribution and the “so what?” factor.
3. How will the research be carried out?
- This includes ensuring that the design is realistic, that necessary time and resources are available, and that the researcher is prepared to engage fully with the work required.
As with most academic writing, research proposals follow a similar structure across many disciplines, including nursing and the health sciences. The length of a research proposal varies by purpose and audience. Proposals developed for graduate or doctoral-level work typically require greater depth and may be approximately twenty-five pages long, excluding appendices and references. In contrast, undergraduate proposals are often shorter and may be closer to ten pages, excluding appendices and references.
Before beginning to write, it is helpful to reflect on several core questions that clarify your intentions and strengthen your proposal. Consider what you want to study, why the topic matters, and how it fits within the broader nursing or health-care context. Think about the significance of the issue and whether it addresses clinical, social, cultural, safety, ethical, or system-level concerns. Reflect on how your proposed study builds on existing evidence and what unique contribution it might offer. You should also determine what you plan to do, whether your approach is feasible, and whether you can complete the study given the time, resources, and available supports.
Before conducting a study, researchers must develop a proposal that presents a clear overview of the project. This proposal helps ethics committees, potential participants, funding agencies, supervisors, and other reviewers understand the purpose of the research, its relevance, the proposed methodology, and the specific methods that will be used. A well-designed proposal acts as the foundation or blueprint for the entire project and is a critical step in the research process.
Writing a research proposal can be challenging for novice nursing researchers. It is important to seek guidance early from methodologists, experienced researchers, ethics advisors, Indigenous research specialists when relevant, and statisticians. These individuals can help you refine your topic, strengthen the feasibility of your methods, and anticipate potential challenges. You should also ensure that the study is practical, that you have access to an appropriate sample, and that you have sufficient time, resources, and expertise to complete the work.
A Fifteen-Step Approach to Writing a Research Proposal
Caroline Martin and Valerie Fleming (2010) outline a fifteen-step model that guides researchers through the proposal-writing process.
→ Step 1 involves giving the research proposal an appropriate and informative title.
→ Step 2 includes adding relevant personal and professional details immediately below the title.
→ Step 3 requires a concise abstract or summary of approximately 300 words, depending on institutional expectations.
→ Step 4 asks for five keywords that capture the core elements of the proposed study.
→ Step 5 focuses on writing an introduction that presents the rationale for the research and an overview of the relevant literature.
→ Step 6 asks the researcher to clearly state the aim, research question, sub-questions, and hypotheses or null hypotheses when appropriate.
→ Step 7 requires outlining the research methods.
→ Step 8 involves selecting the research setting, identifying participants, determining the sampling method, establishing inclusion and exclusion criteria, and explaining the recruitment procedures.
→ Step 9 consists of describing the data collection instruments.
→ Step 10 requires detailing how the data will be processed and analyzed.
→ Step 11 focuses on declaring ethical considerations and outlining procedures for data protection.
→ Step 12 asks the researcher to create a timetable and to acknowledge potential challenges or limitations of the study.
→ Step 13 involves estimating the resources required.
→ Step 14 requires the creation of a reference list or bibliography.
→ Step 15 concludes with the inclusion of any relevant supporting material in the appendix
See 10.1 in the appendix of this text for a real-life example of a research proposal by Dr. Fehr.
Remixed from:
- An Introduction to Research Methods in Sociology by Valerie A. Sheppard (2019), published by BCcampus under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license.
References
Martin, C. J. H., & Fleming, V. (2010). A 15-step model for writing a research proposal. British Journal of Midwifery, 18(12), 791–798. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjom.2010.18.12.791
Scribbr. (2020). How to write a successful research proposal | Scribbr [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=166FXhGd9T4
Sheppard, V. A. (2019). Chapter 14: “The Research Proposal”. An introduction to research methods in sociology. Justice Institute of British Columbia/ BCcampus. https://pressbooks.bccampus.ca/researchmethods/part/the-research-proposal/