Research Proposal; Saint Mary's University Writing Center

Research Proposal

A research proposal is similar in a number of ways to a project proposal; however, a research proposal lays the foundation for a project that addresses an academic or scientific need. The forms and procedures for academic or scientific research are well defined by the field of study, so guidelines for research proposals are generally more exacting than less formal project proposals.

Research proposals include extensive literature reviews and must offer convincing support for the need to undertake the research being proposed. Doctoral dissertations begin with a research proposal that must be approved by a panel of experts (usually professors) before the actual research can begin. In addition to providing a rationale for the proposed research, the proposal must describe a detailed methodology for conducting the research--a methodology consistent with requirements of the professional or academic field.

The links below offer explanations and examples of research proposals.

Writing Guides

The Elements of a Proposal	Frank Pajares, Emory University
Beginners Guide to the Research Proposal	University of Calgary, Manitoba, Canada, The Centre for Advancement of Health (via University of Colorado--Boulder)
Dissertation Proposal Workshop	Professor Chris M. Gold, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Writing and Presenting Your Thesis or Dissertation	S. Joseph Levine, Ph.D., Michigan State University
The Proposal in Qualitative Research	Anthony W. Heath, PhD, Division of Behavioral Sciences, McNeal Family Practice Residency
How To Write A Dissertation: or Bedtime Reading For People Who Do Not Have Time To Sleep	Douglas E. Comer, Purdue University
Writing Theses and Dissertations	Claremont Graduate University Writing Center
Dissertation Proposal Writing Tutorial	Elys Ben Salem, University of Kansas
How to Write a Research Proposal	Eastchance.com
Resources for Proposal Writers	The Writing Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Examples

APA-Style Proposal #1: Intercessory Prayer and Task Performance (PDF)	Douglas Degelman, Ph.D., and Martin Lorenzo Harris, Ph.D. Vanguard University of Southern California
APA-Style Proposal #2: Infants' Perceived Gender and Adolescents' Ratings (PDF)	Douglas Degelman, Ph.D., and Martin Lorenzo Harris, Ph.D. Vanguard University of Southern California
Dissertation Proposals	University of Maryland, Department of Computer Science
Electronic Theses and Dissertations	Indiana University-Purdue University. Access to full text dissertations. Select "Psychology Department" for APA style.