How to Write a Research Proposal Checklist

A research proposal is a document proposing a research project, usually in the sciences or academic fields, which requests funding/sponsorship for that research project.

“They are used to persuade potential supervisors and funders that your work is worthy of their support” – Prospects 

The main aim of the how to write a research proposal process should be to convince others that you have a worthwhile research project and that you have the competence and the work-plan to complete it.

A research proposal should contain a brief on the literature study, research objectives, experimentation methodology and schedule, funding requirement, and possible research outcomes.

It’s important to avoid unsupported subjective arguments and don’t assume that the reader will be intimately familiar with the subject.

Use this ‘How to write a research proposal’ checklist to make sure your research proposal contains all the right information, is structured and coherent, and displays the facts in an interesting and engaging way. 

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Enter the checklist details in the form fields below. 

Enter details of the research proposal in the fields below. 

Although it is crucial to follow and strictly adhere to the RFP guidelines before you start your proposal, make sure you think about, gather information and address the following questions before starting the proposal:

Using the information gathered in task 5 and the RFP/proposal guidelines, list what you plan to include in the following sections:

Your proposal title needs to be catchy, descriptive, informative and pre-dispose the reader favorably towards the proposal.

Brainstorm potential ideas and record them below

Run each title option through the below criteria and choose the final title by selecting the title which best meets the criteria. 

Add this to the cover page in your proposal document. 

The introduction typically begins with a general statement of the problem area, with a focus on a specific research problem, to be followed by the rationale or justification for the proposed study

Provide brief answers to the following questions, and use what you planned to include in your introduction, to help you write a concise, interesting and informative introduction.

This is what you planned to include in your introduction: {{form.Introduction}}

Your introduction is a key part of your proposal as it introduces the reader to your proposal.

Make sure your introduction meets the following criteria.

Your first draft introduction:

{{form.Write_your_introduction_here:}}

When you are satisfied, add this to ‘Introduction’ section in your proposal document.  

Think about what you hope to achieve with the research project and determine the specific steps that need to be taken to achieve the desired outcomes.

Add this to the ‘Aims& objectives’ section in your proposal document. 

You should include an outline of the various stages and corresponding timelines for developing and implementing the research. 

Add this to the ‘Aims & objectives’ section in your proposal document. 

This section requires you to provide an overview of the current knowledge that exists in your research topic area. You must identify relevant theories, methods, and gaps in the existing research to state the case for your research. 

Using mainly primary sources, state the significance of these resources and perform critical analysis of these resources in your proposal document.

This is what you planned to include in your literature review: {{form.Literature_review}}

Record your information sources below, so you can add these to your references section. 

Once you have written your literature review, check it meets the following criteria: 

This section will demonstrate how you plan to tackle your research problem.

To help you write a clear and structured methodology use your plan and answer the below questions to give you an outline to follow and keep you on track when writing this section of your proposal document.  

This is what you planned to include in the methodology: {{form.Methodology}}

Obviously you do not yet have the results at this stage. However, you need to have an idea about the results you plan to get.

Use your plan and answer the following questions before you write your expected results section

This is what you planned to include in the expected results section: {{form.Expected_results}}

Use this section to convince your reader of the potential impact of your proposed research.

Use your plan and answer these questions before you write your discussion section, so you can convince the reader of the impact of your research.

This is what you planned to include in the discussion/conclusion section: {{form.Discussion/conclusion}}

While the summary or abstract should be the first element of your finished proposal, it’s often best to write it last – as its simply an abbreviated version of your project

Write your abstract and then check it includes the following: 

Make sure you have a reference section, in your proposal document, that includes the various sources of information you have used to put this research proposal together. 

These are the sources you recorded earlier: 

{{form.Record_your_primary_sources_here:}}

{{form.Record_your_secondary_sources_here:}}

{{form.Record_your_influential_papers_here:}}

Check that the proposal you have written meets the guidelines/requirements that have been given to you for this research proposal. 

{{form.List_the_key_requirements_here:}}

In addition to this, review your proposal and make sure it answers the below questions: 

Give your proposal to a “cold reader” to review. Give them a copy of the proposal guidelines/requirements, but little other information.

Ask them to read the proposal quickly as this is how the sponsor is likely to view your proposal and ask them to answer the following two questions: 

• Do they understand it?
• Does it make sense?

Record the feedback you have received for future proposals. Then, update your current proposal document accordingly and re-upload it.  

Read your updated proposal through one final time and answer the following questions to make sure you have everything covered before submission. 

Submit your proposal in-line with any requirements. 

{{form.Upload_the_final_proposal_document_here}}

Sources

• The University of Westminster – How to write your research proposal
• Meaning – How to Write a Research Proposal
• The Writing Center – Planning and Writing a Grant Proposal: The Basics 
• eCivis – 4 Types of Grant Funding 
• Learn Sphere – Proposal Writing: The Six-Step Process
• National Council of University Research Administrators – Proposal writing: Stages and Strategies with Examples 

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