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Pitchai balakumar.
Pharmacology Unit, Faculty of Pharmacy, AIMST University, Semeling, 08100 Bedong. Kedah Darul Aman, Malaysia
1 Department of Pharmacology, Al-Ameen College of Pharmacy, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
2 Division of Cardiovascular and Renal Products, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, USA
An interactive workshop on ‘The Critical Steps for Successful Research: The Research Proposal and Scientific Writing’ was conducted in conjunction with the 64 th Annual Conference of the Indian Pharmaceutical Congress-2012 at Chennai, India. In essence, research is performed to enlighten our understanding of a contemporary issue relevant to the needs of society. To accomplish this, a researcher begins search for a novel topic based on purpose, creativity, critical thinking, and logic. This leads to the fundamental pieces of the research endeavor: Question, objective, hypothesis, experimental tools to test the hypothesis, methodology, and data analysis. When correctly performed, research should produce new knowledge. The four cornerstones of good research are the well-formulated protocol or proposal that is well executed, analyzed, discussed and concluded. This recent workshop educated researchers in the critical steps involved in the development of a scientific idea to its successful execution and eventual publication.
Creativity and critical thinking are of particular importance in scientific research. Basically, research is original investigation undertaken to gain knowledge and understand concepts in major subject areas of specialization, and includes the generation of ideas and information leading to new or substantially improved scientific insights with relevance to the needs of society. Hence, the primary objective of research is to produce new knowledge. Research is both theoretical and empirical. It is theoretical because the starting point of scientific research is the conceptualization of a research topic and development of a research question and hypothesis. Research is empirical (practical) because all of the planned studies involve a series of observations, measurements, and analyses of data that are all based on proper experimental design.[ 1 – 9 ]
The subject of this report is to inform readers of the proceedings from a recent workshop organized by the 64 th Annual conference of the ‘ Indian Pharmaceutical Congress ’ at SRM University, Chennai, India, from 05 to 06 December 2012. The objectives of the workshop titled ‘The Critical Steps for Successful Research: The Research Proposal and Scientific Writing,’ were to assist participants in developing a strong fundamental understanding of how best to develop a research or study protocol, and communicate those research findings in a conference setting or scientific journal. Completing any research project requires meticulous planning, experimental design and execution, and compilation and publication of findings in the form of a research paper. All of these are often unfamiliar to naïve researchers; thus, the purpose of this workshop was to teach participants to master the critical steps involved in the development of an idea to its execution and eventual publication of the results (See the last section for a list of learning objectives).
The two-day workshop was formatted to include key lectures and interactive breakout sessions that focused on protocol development in six subject areas of the pharmaceutical sciences. This was followed by sessions on scientific writing. DAY 1 taught the basic concepts of scientific research, including: (1) how to formulate a topic for research and to describe the what, why , and how of the protocol, (2) biomedical literature search and review, (3) study designs, statistical concepts, and result analyses, and (4) publication ethics. DAY 2 educated the attendees on the basic elements and logistics of writing a scientific paper and thesis, and preparation of poster as well as oral presentations.
The final phase of the workshop was the ‘Panel Discussion,’ including ‘Feedback/Comments’ by participants. There were thirteen distinguished speakers from India and abroad. Approximately 120 post-graduate and pre-doctoral students, young faculty members, and scientists representing industries attended the workshop from different parts of the country. All participants received a printed copy of the workshop manual and supporting materials on statistical analyses of data.
A research project generally comprises four key components: (1) writing a protocol, (2) performing experiments, (3) tabulating and analyzing data, and (4) writing a thesis or manuscript for publication.
A protocol, whether experimental or clinical, serves as a navigator that evolves from a basic outline of the study plan to become a qualified research or grant proposal. It provides the structural support for the research. Dr. G. Jagadeesh (US FDA), the first speaker of the session, spoke on ‘ Fundamentals in research process and cornerstones of a research project .’ He discussed at length the developmental and structural processes in preparing a research protocol. A systematic and step-by-step approach is necessary in planning a study. Without a well-designed protocol, there would be a little chance for successful completion of a research project or an experiment.
The first and the foremost difficult task in research is to identify a topic for investigation. The research topic is the keystone of the entire scientific enterprise. It begins the project, drives the entire study, and is crucial for moving the project forward. It dictates the remaining elements of the study [ Table 1 ] and thus, it should not be too narrow or too broad or unfocused. Because of these potential pitfalls, it is essential that a good or novel scientific idea be based on a sound concept. Creativity, critical thinking, and logic are required to generate new concepts and ideas in solving a research problem. Creativity involves critical thinking and is associated with generating many ideas. Critical thinking is analytical, judgmental, and involves evaluating choices before making a decision.[ 4 ] Thus, critical thinking is convergent type thinking that narrows and refines those divergent ideas and finally settles to one idea for an in-depth study. The idea on which a research project is built should be novel, appropriate to achieve within the existing conditions, and useful to the society at large. Therefore, creativity and critical thinking assist biomedical scientists in research that results in funding support, novel discovery, and publication.[ 1 , 4 ]
Elements of a study protocol
The next most crucial aspect of a study protocol is identifying a research question. It should be a thought-provoking question. The question sets the framework. It emerges from the title, findings/results, and problems observed in previous studies. Thus, mastering the literature, attendance at conferences, and discussion in journal clubs/seminars are sources for developing research questions. Consider the following example in developing related research questions from the research topic.
Hepatoprotective activity of Terminalia arjuna and Apium graveolens on paracetamol-induced liver damage in albino rats.
How is paracetamol metabolized in the body? Does it involve P450 enzymes? How does paracetamol cause liver injury? What are the mechanisms by which drugs can alleviate liver damage? What biochemical parameters are indicative of liver injury? What major endogenous inflammatory molecules are involved in paracetamol-induced liver damage?
A research question is broken down into more precise objectives. The objectives lead to more precise methods and definition of key terms. The objectives should be SMART-Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-framed,[ 10 ] and should cover the entire breadth of the project. The objectives are sometimes organized into hierarchies: Primary, secondary, and exploratory; or simply general and specific. Study the following example:
To evaluate the safety and tolerability of single oral doses of compound X in normal volunteers.
To assess the pharmacokinetic profile of compound X following single oral doses.
To evaluate the incidence of peripheral edema reported as an adverse event.
The objectives and research questions are then formulated into a workable or testable hypothesis. The latter forces us to think carefully about what comparisons will be needed to answer the research question, and establishes the format for applying statistical tests to interpret the results. The hypothesis should link a process to an existing or postulated biologic pathway. A hypothesis is written in a form that can yield measurable results. Studies that utilize statistics to compare groups of data should have a hypothesis. Consider the following example:
All biological research, including discovery science, is hypothesis-driven. However, not all studies need be conducted with a hypothesis. For example, descriptive studies (e.g., describing characteristics of a plant, or a chemical compound) do not need a hypothesis.[ 1 ]
Another important section to be included in the protocol is ‘significance of the study.’ Its purpose is to justify the need for the research that is being proposed (e.g., development of a vaccine for a disease). In summary, the proposed study should demonstrate that it represents an advancement in understanding and that the eventual results will be meaningful, contribute to the field, and possibly even impact society.
A literature search may be defined as the process of examining published sources of information on a research or review topic, thesis, grant application, chemical, drug, disease, or clinical trial, etc. The quantity of information available in print or electronically (e.g., the internet) is immense and growing with time. A researcher should be familiar with the right kinds of databases and search engines to extract the needed information.[ 3 , 6 ]
Dr. P. Balakumar (Institute of Pharmacy, Rajendra Institute of Technology and Sciences, Sirsa, Haryana; currently, Faculty of Pharmacy, AIMST University, Malaysia) spoke on ‘ Biomedical literature: Searching, reviewing and referencing .’ He schematically explained the basis of scientific literature, designing a literature review, and searching literature. After an introduction to the genesis and diverse sources of scientific literature searches, the use of PubMed, one of the premier databases used for biomedical literature searches world-wide, was illustrated with examples and screenshots. Several companion databases and search engines are also used for finding information related to health sciences, and they include Embase, Web of Science, SciFinder, The Cochrane Library, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, Scopus, and Google Scholar.[ 3 ] Literature searches using alternative interfaces for PubMed such as GoPubMed, Quertle, PubFocus, Pubget, and BibliMed were discussed. The participants were additionally informed of databases on chemistry, drugs and drug targets, clinical trials, toxicology, and laboratory animals (reviewed in ref[ 3 ]).
Referencing and bibliography are essential in scientific writing and publication.[ 7 ] Referencing systems are broadly classified into two major types, such as Parenthetical and Notation systems. Parenthetical referencing is also known as Harvard style of referencing, while Vancouver referencing style and ‘Footnote’ or ‘Endnote’ are placed under Notation referencing systems. The participants were educated on each referencing system with examples.
Dr. Raj Rajasekaran (University of California at San Diego, CA, USA) enlightened the audience on ‘ bibliography management ’ using reference management software programs such as Reference Manager ® , Endnote ® , and Zotero ® for creating and formatting bibliographies while writing a manuscript for publication. The discussion focused on the use of bibliography management software in avoiding common mistakes such as incomplete references. Important steps in bibliography management, such as creating reference libraries/databases, searching for references using PubMed/Google scholar, selecting and transferring selected references into a library, inserting citations into a research article and formatting bibliographies, were presented. A demonstration of Zotero®, a freely available reference management program, included the salient features of the software, adding references from PubMed using PubMed ID, inserting citations and formatting using different styles.
The workshop systematically instructed the participants in writing ‘ experimental protocols ’ in six disciplines of Pharmaceutical Sciences.: (1) Pharmaceutical Chemistry (presented by Dr. P. V. Bharatam, NIPER, Mohali, Punjab); (2) Pharmacology (presented by Dr. G. Jagadeesh and Dr. P. Balakumar); (3) Pharmaceutics (presented by Dr. Jayant Khandare, Piramal Life Sciences, Mumbai); (4) Pharmacy Practice (presented by Dr. Shobha Hiremath, Al-Ameen College of Pharmacy, Bengaluru); (5) Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry (presented by Dr. Salma Khanam, Al-Ameen College of Pharmacy, Bengaluru); and (6) Pharmaceutical Analysis (presented by Dr. Saranjit Singh, NIPER, Mohali, Punjab). The purpose of the research plan is to describe the what (Specific Aims/Objectives), why (Background and Significance), and how (Design and Methods) of the proposal.
The research plan should answer the following questions: (a) what do you intend to do; (b) what has already been done in general, and what have other researchers done in the field; (c) why is this worth doing; (d) how is it innovative; (e) what will this new work add to existing knowledge; and (f) how will the research be accomplished?
In general, the format used by the faculty in all subjects is shown in Table 2 .
Elements of a research protocol
Biostatistics is a key component of biomedical research. Highly reputed journals like The Lancet, BMJ, Journal of the American Medical Association, and many other biomedical journals include biostatisticians on their editorial board or reviewers list. This indicates that a great importance is given for learning and correctly employing appropriate statistical methods in biomedical research. The post-lunch session on day 1 of the workshop was largely committed to discussion on ‘ Basic biostatistics .’ Dr. R. Raveendran (JIPMER, Puducherry) and Dr. Avijit Hazra (PGIMER, Kolkata) reviewed, in parallel sessions, descriptive statistics, probability concepts, sample size calculation, choosing a statistical test, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing and ‘ P ’ values, parametric and non-parametric statistical tests, including analysis of variance (ANOVA), t tests, Chi-square test, type I and type II errors, correlation and regression, and summary statistics. This was followed by a practice and demonstration session. Statistics CD, compiled by Dr. Raveendran, was distributed to the participants before the session began and was demonstrated live. Both speakers worked on a variety of problems that involved both clinical and experimental data. They discussed through examples the experimental designs encountered in a variety of studies and statistical analyses performed for different types of data. For the benefit of readers, we have summarized statistical tests applied frequently for different experimental designs and post-hoc tests [ Figure 1 ].
Conceptual framework for statistical analyses of data. Of the two kinds of variables, qualitative (categorical) and quantitative (numerical), qualitative variables (nominal or ordinal) are not normally distributed. Numerical data that come from normal distributions are analyzed using parametric tests, if not; the data are analyzed using non-parametric tests. The most popularly used Student's t -test compares the means of two populations, data for this test could be paired or unpaired. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) is used to compare the means of three or more independent populations that are normally distributed. Applying t test repeatedly in pair (multiple comparison), to compare the means of more than two populations, will increase the probability of type I error (false positive). In this case, for proper interpretation, we need to adjust the P values. Repeated measures ANOVA is used to compare the population means if more than two observations coming from same subject over time. The null hypothesis is rejected with a ‘ P ’ value of less than 0.05, and the difference in population means is considered to be statistically significant. Subsequently, appropriate post-hoc tests are used for pairwise comparisons of population means. Two-way or three-way ANOVA are considered if two (diet, dose) or three (diet, dose, strain) independent factors, respectively, are analyzed in an experiment (not described in the Figure). Categorical nominal unmatched variables (counts or frequencies) are analyzed by Chi-square test (not shown in the Figure)
The legitimate pursuit of scientific creativity is unfortunately being marred by a simultaneous increase in scientific misconduct. A disproportionate share of allegations involves scientists of many countries, and even from respected laboratories. Misconduct destroys faith in science and scientists and creates a hierarchy of fraudsters. Investigating misconduct also steals valuable time and resources. In spite of these facts, most researchers are not aware of publication ethics.
Day 1 of the workshop ended with a presentation on ‘ research and publication ethics ’ by Dr. M. K. Unnikrishnan (College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal). He spoke on the essentials of publication ethics that included plagiarism (attempting to take credit of the work of others), self-plagiarism (multiple publications by an author on the same content of work with slightly different wordings), falsification (manipulation of research data and processes and omitting critical data or results), gift authorship (guest authorship), ghostwriting (someone other than the named author (s) makes a major contribution), salami publishing (publishing many papers, with minor differences, from the same study), and sabotage (distracting the research works of others to halt their research completion). Additionally, Dr. Unnikrishnan pointed out the ‘ Ingelfinger rule ’ of stipulating that a scientist must not submit the same original research in two different journals. He also advised the audience that authorship is not just credit for the work but also responsibility for scientific contents of a paper. Although some Indian Universities are instituting preventive measures (e.g., use of plagiarism detecting software, Shodhganga digital archiving of doctoral theses), Dr. Unnikrishnan argued for a great need to sensitize young researchers on the nature and implications of scientific misconduct. Finally, he discussed methods on how editors and peer reviewers should ethically conduct themselves while managing a manuscript for publication.
Research outcomes are measured through quality publications. Scientists must not only ‘do’ science but must ‘write’ science. The story of the project must be told in a clear, simple language weaving in previous work done in the field, answering the research question, and addressing the hypothesis set forth at the beginning of the study. Scientific publication is an organic process of planning, researching, drafting, revising, and updating the current knowledge for future perspectives. Writing a research paper is no easier than the research itself. The lectures of Day 2 of the workshop dealt with the basic elements and logistics of writing a scientific paper.
Dr. Amitabh Prakash (Adis, Auckland, New Zealand) spoke on ‘ Learning how to write a good scientific paper .’ His presentation described the essential components of an original research paper and thesis (e.g., introduction, methods, results, and discussion [IMRaD]) and provided guidance on the correct order, in which data should appear within these sections. The characteristics of a good abstract and title and the creation of appropriate key words were discussed. Dr. Prakash suggested that the ‘title of a paper’ might perhaps have a chance to make a good impression, and the title might be either indicative (title that gives the purpose of the study) or declarative (title that gives the study conclusion). He also suggested that an abstract is a succinct summary of a research paper, and it should be specific, clear, and concise, and should have IMRaD structure in brief, followed by key words. Selection of appropriate papers to be cited in the reference list was also discussed. Various unethical authorships were enumerated, and ‘The International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) criteria for authorship’ was explained ( http://www.icmje.org/ethical_1author.html ; also see Table 1 in reference #9). The session highlighted the need for transparency in medical publication and provided a clear description of items that needed to be included in the ‘Disclosures’ section (e.g., sources of funding for the study and potential conflicts of interest of all authors, etc.) and ‘Acknowledgements’ section (e.g., writing assistance and input from all individuals who did not meet the authorship criteria). The final part of the presentation was devoted to thesis writing, and Dr. Prakash provided the audience with a list of common mistakes that are frequently encountered when writing a manuscript.
The backbone of a study is description of results through Text, Tables, and Figures. Dr. S. B. Deshpande (Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India) spoke on ‘ Effective Presentation of Results .’ The Results section deals with the observations made by the authors and thus, is not hypothetical. This section is subdivided into three segments, that is, descriptive form of the Text, providing numerical data in Tables, and visualizing the observations in Graphs or Figures. All these are arranged in a sequential order to address the question hypothesized in the Introduction. The description in Text provides clear content of the findings highlighting the observations. It should not be the repetition of facts in tables or graphs. Tables are used to summarize or emphasize descriptive content in the text or to present the numerical data that are unrelated. Illustrations should be used when the evidence bearing on the conclusions of a paper cannot be adequately presented in a written description or in a Table. Tables or Figures should relate to each other logically in sequence and should be clear by themselves. Furthermore, the discussion is based entirely on these observations. Additionally, how the results are applied to further research in the field to advance our understanding of research questions was discussed.
Dr. Peush Sahni (All-India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi) spoke on effectively ‘ structuring the Discussion ’ for a research paper. The Discussion section deals with a systematic interpretation of study results within the available knowledge. He said the section should begin with the most important point relating to the subject studied, focusing on key issues, providing link sentences between paragraphs, and ensuring the flow of text. Points were made to avoid history, not repeat all the results, and provide limitations of the study. The strengths and novel findings of the study should be provided in the discussion, and it should open avenues for future research and new questions. The Discussion section should end with a conclusion stating the summary of key findings. Dr. Sahni gave an example from a published paper for writing a Discussion. In another presentation titled ‘ Writing an effective title and the abstract ,’ Dr. Sahni described the important components of a good title, such as, it should be simple, concise, informative, interesting and eye-catching, accurate and specific about the paper's content, and should state the subject in full indicating study design and animal species. Dr. Sahni explained structured (IMRaD) and unstructured abstracts and discussed a few selected examples with the audience.
The next lecture of Dr. Amitabh Prakash on ‘ Language and style in scientific writing: Importance of terseness, shortness and clarity in writing ’ focused on the actual sentence construction, language, grammar and punctuation in scientific manuscripts. His presentation emphasized the importance of brevity and clarity in the writing of manuscripts describing biomedical research. Starting with a guide to the appropriate construction of sentences and paragraphs, attendees were given a brief overview of the correct use of punctuation with interactive examples. Dr. Prakash discussed common errors in grammar and proactively sought audience participation in correcting some examples. Additional discussion was centered on discouraging the use of redundant and expendable words, jargon, and the use of adjectives with incomparable words. The session ended with a discussion of words and phrases that are commonly misused (e.g., data vs . datum, affect vs . effect, among vs . between, dose vs . dosage, and efficacy/efficacious vs . effective/effectiveness) in biomedical research manuscripts.
The appropriateness in selecting the journal for submission and acceptance of the manuscript should be determined by the experience of an author. The corresponding author must have a rationale in choosing the appropriate journal, and this depends upon the scope of the study and the quality of work performed. Dr. Amitabh Prakash spoke on ‘ Working with journals: Selecting a journal, cover letter, peer review process and impact factor ’ by instructing the audience in assessing the true value of a journal, understanding principles involved in the peer review processes, providing tips on making an initial approach to the editorial office, and drafting an appropriate cover letter to accompany the submission. His presentation defined the metrics that are most commonly used to measure journal quality (e.g., impact factor™, Eigenfactor™ score, Article Influence™ score, SCOPUS 2-year citation data, SCImago Journal Rank, h-Index, etc.) and guided attendees on the relative advantages and disadvantages of using each metric. Factors to consider when assessing journal quality were discussed, and the audience was educated on the ‘green’ and ‘gold’ open access publication models. Various peer review models (e.g., double-blind, single-blind, non-blind) were described together with the role of the journal editor in assessing manuscripts and selecting suitable reviewers. A typical checklist sent to referees was shared with the attendees, and clear guidance was provided on the best way to address referee feedback. The session concluded with a discussion of the potential drawbacks of the current peer review system.
Posters have become an increasingly popular mode of presentation at conferences, as it can accommodate more papers per meeting, has no time constraint, provides a better presenter-audience interaction, and allows one to select and attend papers of interest. In Figure 2 , we provide instructions, design, and layout in preparing a scientific poster. In the final presentation, Dr. Sahni provided the audience with step-by-step instructions on how to write and format posters for layout, content, font size, color, and graphics. Attendees were given specific guidance on the format of text on slides, the use of color, font type and size, and the use of illustrations and multimedia effects. Moreover, the importance of practical tips while delivering oral or poster presentation was provided to the audience, such as speak slowly and clearly, be informative, maintain eye contact, and listen to the questions from judges/audience carefully before coming up with an answer.
Guidelines and design to scientific poster presentation. The objective of scientific posters is to present laboratory work in scientific meetings. A poster is an excellent means of communicating scientific work, because it is a graphic representation of data. Posters should have focus points, and the intended message should be clearly conveyed through simple sections: Text, Tables, and Graphs. Posters should be clear, succinct, striking, and eye-catching. Colors should be used only where necessary. Use one font (Arial or Times New Roman) throughout. Fancy fonts should be avoided. All headings should have font size of 44, and be in bold capital letters. Size of Title may be a bit larger; subheading: Font size of 36, bold and caps. References and Acknowledgments, if any, should have font size of 24. Text should have font size between 24 and 30, in order to be legible from a distance of 3 to 6 feet. Do not use lengthy notes
After all the presentations were made, Dr. Jagadeesh began a panel discussion that included all speakers. The discussion was aimed at what we do currently and could do in the future with respect to ‘developing a research question and then writing an effective thesis proposal/protocol followed by publication.’ Dr. Jagadeesh asked the following questions to the panelists, while receiving questions/suggestions from the participants and panelists.
The panelists and audience expressed a variety of views, but were unable to arrive at a decisive conclusion.
At the end of this fast-moving two-day workshop, the participants had opportunities in learning the following topics:
Overall, the workshop was deemed very helpful to participants. The participants rated the quality of workshop from “ satisfied ” to “ very satisfied .” A significant number of participants were of the opinion that the time allotted for each presentation was short and thus, be extended from the present two days to four days with adequate time to ask questions. In addition, a ‘hands-on’ session should be introduced for writing a proposal and manuscript. A large number of attendees expressed their desire to attend a similar workshop, if conducted, in the near future.
We gratefully express our gratitude to the Organizing Committee, especially Professors K. Chinnasamy, B. G. Shivananda, N. Udupa, Jerad Suresh, Padma Parekh, A. P. Basavarajappa, Mr. S. V. Veerramani, Mr. J. Jayaseelan, and all volunteers of the SRM University. We thank Dr. Thomas Papoian (US FDA) for helpful comments on the manuscript.
The opinions expressed herein are those of Gowraganahalli Jagadeesh and do not necessarily reflect those of the US Food and Drug Administration
Source of Support: Nil
Conflict of Interest: None declared.
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Online sources often use " research plan " and " research proposal " interchangeably.
Two months after getting accepted into a PhD program, I was asked to do a research plan. Is this the same as doing a research proposal?
Neither a research plan nor a research proposal is a "super specific thing you need to know about".
A proposal, on any subject, generally includes things like objectives, background, potential challenges, and a vague schedule.
A plan often includes all of the above, in greater detail, as well as necessary resources, a specific schedule with milestones, and perhaps additional project specific elements (e.g. which programming languages you might use).
Not the answer you're looking for browse other questions tagged phd research-proposal ..
Sitting down to write a research proposal can feel like staring at a blank page forever, right? You’ve got a brilliant idea in your head, but getting it out in a clear, compelling way? That’s tough.
And it’s not just about putting words on paper — it’s about convincing someone your project is worth funding, which is no small feat. You’re dealing with stiff competition, especially when you realize that almost 80% of NIH and NSF grant proposals get rejected . That’s a lot of pressure, but don’t let it stop you.
Writing a solid research proposal is more than just a task you need to check off. It’s your way of showing you’ve thought everything through, like why your research matters, how you’ll do it, and why it deserves attention (and funds).
The good news is that you don’t have to figure it all out on your own. We’ll go step-by-step through how to structure your proposal, what each section needs, and even look at a real research proposal sample to give you a clearer path.
Staring at the screen too long? We've all been there. If you need a hand, hit up research proposal writing help and let someone else help you get unstuck.
Your research proposal, perfectly written by experts who know how to make it shine.
When you’re writing a research proposal, having a clear structure is half the battle. Each section serves a purpose and builds a strong case for why your research should be taken seriously.
Here’s a breakdown of the key research proposal template sections, what they mean, and why they matter:
Section | Description |
---|---|
Title | Your title is the first thing people see, so make it count. It needs to be concise but clear... |
Abstract | The abstract is a quick snapshot of your entire proposal, usually about 200–300 words... |
Introduction | Here’s where you introduce the problem you want to solve... |
Literature Review | This section shows you know your stuff. You’re looking at what’s already been done... |
Research Design and Methods | Now we get to the “how” of your research... |
Timeline | No one wants to fund a project with no clear end in sight... |
Budget | You’ll need to show how much funding you’ll need and what it’ll be used for... |
Outcomes and Implications | What’s the point of your research? This section explains what you hope to achieve... |
References | This is where you back up your claims... |
Appendix | Anything extra — surveys, questionnaires, or detailed data — goes here... |
Sometimes, all you need is a peek at a research proposal paper example to see how it’s done. It’s like a cheat code for getting started!
Below is a simple, practical educational research proposal template you'll need, with tips on what to include.
Getting the structure right can be tricky, but looking at a real research proposal example helps.
Below, you'll find 5 research proposals that each tackle different topics and show how a solid, well-organized plan looks in action. These examples span various fields, showing the key sections in use — like the introduction, research design, and outcomes — so you can see how it all comes together. Each one highlights a clear research question and a practical method for exploring it, giving you a practical roadmap for your own proposal.
And if writing’s not your thing today, why not just pay for my essay and take a break while someone else does the heavy lifting?
Title : Advancing Electric Vehicle Adoption in Urban Areas: A Sustainable Transportation Model
Abstract : This research aims to explore the most effective strategies for increasing electric vehicle (EV) adoption in urban centers, focusing on reducing carbon emissions and improving infrastructure in the next decade. Using case studies from major cities such as Los Angeles, Berlin, and Tokyo, this study will assess the impact of government policies, charging infrastructure, and public awareness campaigns on EV adoption rates. The goal is to provide actionable recommendations for city planners and policymakers to foster a more sustainable urban transportation system.
Introduction : With global carbon emissions from transportation accounting for nearly 25% of total emissions, finding sustainable alternatives is critical. Electric vehicles (EVs) offer a promising solution, but adoption rates remain slow, especially in urban areas where pollution is most concentrated. This study addresses the barriers to widespread EV adoption in cities by analyzing key factors such as policy incentives, infrastructure, and public perception. The research is relevant for 2024, given the global push toward carbon neutrality and stricter environmental regulations.
Literature Review : Previous research has focused primarily on the technical capabilities of EVs, but fewer studies explore the role of urban infrastructure and public policy in shaping adoption rates. This study builds on existing literature, such as research on EV adoption in Scandinavian countries, by looking at urban-specific challenges. It also highlights gaps in current studies, particularly around public awareness and behavioral shifts needed to accelerate adoption.
Research Design and Methods : This study will use a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data from urban transportation authorities with qualitative interviews from city planners, EV manufacturers, and policy experts. Surveys will also be conducted among urban residents to gauge awareness and willingness to switch to EVs. Data will be analyzed using statistical software to identify patterns and correlations between infrastructure availability, government incentives, and EV adoption rates.
Timeline : The project will be conducted over 12 months. The first three months will focus on data collection, followed by three months of interviews. Data analysis will take four months, and the final two months will be dedicated to writing and presenting findings.
Budget : The project requires $50,000, allocated to data collection ($10,000), interviews and surveys ($15,000), travel costs for field research ($5,000), and software tools for analysis ($20,000).
Outcomes and Implications : The findings will provide practical recommendations for city planners and policymakers to improve EV adoption rates, reduce urban carbon emissions, and create more sustainable transportation networks. This research will be shared with local governments and international organizations working on climate initiatives.
Title : Social Media Use and Its Effects on Adolescent Mental Health: A Longitudinal Study
Abstract : This research seeks to investigate the long-term mental health effects of social media usage on adolescents, focusing on anxiety, depression, and self-esteem. By studying a cohort of adolescents over two years, the research will examine the relationship between social media consumption and mental health outcomes. The study will also explore how different platforms, content types, and time spent online affect psychological well-being, with the goal of providing evidence-based recommendations for educators, parents, and policymakers.
Introduction : The rise of social media has transformed how adolescents interact and form relationships. However, increasing screen time and exposure to online content have also raised concerns about the mental health effects of prolonged use. With studies indicating a correlation between social media and increased anxiety and depression rates, this research aims to explore these issues in a 2024 context, where adolescents spend an average of four hours daily on social platforms. Given the complexity of mental health, this study will look at multiple factors, including social comparison, cyberbullying, and content type, to understand the nuanced impacts of social media on young users.
Literature Review : Previous studies have shown mixed results regarding the effects of social media on adolescent well-being. While research like Twenge et al. (2020) highlights a sharp increase in depression rates linked to screen time, other studies, such as Orben et al. (2019) , suggest that the impact is more nuanced and depends on the type of social media engagement. This study aims to build on these findings by taking a longitudinal approach and focusing on specific platform usage patterns to reveal more in-depth relationships between social media and mental health.
Research Design and Methods : The study will follow 500 adolescents aged 13-17 from diverse backgrounds over two years, using regular mental health assessments, social media usage tracking, and in-depth interviews. Data will be collected on frequency, duration, and platform engagement. Psychological assessments will measure levels of anxiety, depression, and self-esteem at regular intervals to identify trends and correlations.
Timeline : This study will be conducted over 24 months, with data collection occurring every six months. Analysis will be performed during the final six months, followed by the publication of findings.
Budget : The total budget is estimated at $120,000, covering participant compensation, data collection tools, mental health assessments, and administrative costs.
Outcomes and Implications : This research will provide valuable insights into how social media impacts adolescent mental health, offering guidance for parents, educators, and policymakers on managing online behavior. The findings will contribute to ongoing discussions about the need for mental health interventions and responsible social media usage among young people.
Title : Leveraging AI for Early Detection of Chronic Diseases
Abstract : This study will explore how artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can improve early detection of chronic diseases, focusing on diabetes and cardiovascular conditions. By analyzing electronic health records (EHR) and real-time data from wearable devices, we aim to develop predictive models that can identify disease risks before symptoms arise. The research also includes ethical considerations, particularly around data privacy and AI bias.
Introduction : Chronic diseases account for a significant share of global healthcare costs and are the leading cause of death. Early intervention is critical but often comes too late. AI, when combined with real-time data from wearables like smartwatches and glucose monitors, can help shift healthcare toward prevention by predicting diseases earlier than traditional methods. This study will explore AI's potential to change how we manage chronic conditions in 2024 and beyond.
Literature Review : Recent studies, such as Smith et al. (2021) , have demonstrated AI's capacity for diagnosing diseases through retrospective data. However, there is limited research on combining real-time data from wearable devices with AI to predict chronic diseases. This study will expand on prior work by integrating real-time monitoring to provide more accurate, timely predictions.
Research Design and Methods : The study will use anonymized EHRs from 50,000 patients, combined with real-time data from wearable devices. Machine learning models will be trained to identify early warning signs of disease, and their accuracy will be tested through a control group. We will employ deep learning techniques and statistical analysis to refine predictions.
Timeline : The study will run for 18 months: six months for data collection, six for model training and testing, and six for analysis and reporting.
Budget : The project budget is $200,000, covering data acquisition ($50,000), AI infrastructure ($70,000), personnel costs ($60,000), and dissemination ($20,000).
Outcomes and Implications : This research will offer healthcare providers actionable insights for using AI in disease prevention. The results will help shape AI policy in healthcare while addressing ethical concerns like data security and algorithmic bias.
Title : Gamification in Virtual Classrooms: A 6-Month Study on Student Engagement
Abstract : This study will explore how using game-based features like points, badges, and challenges can make online learning more engaging for middle school students. By working with three online schools and tracking student performance in math and science courses, the research will assess which game elements keep students more active in their learning and motivated to complete tasks. The goal is to provide real, practical examples for educators looking to bring more life to online classes.
Introduction : Online learning has become a key part of education, but many students struggle with staying motivated in virtual classrooms. This research will test whether using game elements—such as earning points, unlocking badges, or competing in challenges—helps students feel more connected and focused in their classes. By focusing on core subjects like math and science, this study aims to show how small changes in course design can make a big difference in keeping students on track.
Literature Review : While earlier studies, such as Martinez et al. (2021) , demonstrated that rewards systems improved participation in physical classrooms, fewer have focused on fully online settings. Building on work by Jones and Patel (2020) , which found that competition between students increased motivation, this study will focus specifically on virtual learning environments, looking at how different game mechanics influence engagement and participation in real-time.
Research Design and Methods : The study will track 200 students from three online middle schools for six months. During this time, classes will introduce game features like leaderboards and progress badges. Engagement will be measured through class attendance, quiz results, and the number of completed assignments. In addition to collecting performance data, surveys will be used to gather feedback from students about their experiences with the game-based learning elements.
Timeline : This study will last six months, with the first two months focused on implementing game features in classes and the remaining four months on tracking results and gathering feedback from students and teachers.
Budget : The proposed budget is $50,000, with $20,000 allocated for the software integration of game features, $15,000 for data collection and analysis, and $15,000 for personnel costs and report preparation.
Outcomes and Implications : The findings will provide teachers and schools with real-world insights on how to keep students more involved in online courses using simple game mechanics. By identifying what works and what doesn’t, this study will offer clear recommendations for designing online lessons that are more engaging and interactive.
Title : Exploring How Remote Work Has Shifted Family Roles and Relationships: A 6-Month Study
Abstract : This study will investigate the effects of the rise in remote work on family relationships and daily interactions. Focusing on families with both parents working from home, the research will explore how work-life balance, parenting roles, and marital dynamics have evolved. The goal is to understand whether remote work has strengthened family bonds or introduced new challenges, such as blurred boundaries between personal and professional life.
Introduction : The shift to remote work has been one of the most significant changes in the modern workforce. While it has given employees greater flexibility, it has also brought new challenges for families navigating shared workspaces and daily routines. This study will focus on how remote work is reshaping family dynamics, especially in homes where both parents are working from home. With 2024 continuing to see high numbers of remote workers, understanding how this impacts family life is crucial for work-life balance discussions.
Literature Review : While previous studies like Roberts et al. (2021) have explored how remote work affects individual productivity, fewer have examined its impact on family structures. Studies like Clarkson and Zhang (2022) highlight how remote work has changed parenting roles, with many families reporting more shared responsibilities. This research will build on that by examining how couples and children are adjusting to long-term remote work environments.
Research Design and Methods : The study will follow 150 families, each with both parents working from home. Data will be gathered through family interviews, daily journals, and surveys focusing on household routines, parenting duties, communication patterns, and relationship satisfaction. Comparisons will be made between families with children under 12 and those with older teens to assess differences in dynamics.
Timeline : The research will be completed over six months, with two months dedicated to participant recruitment and setup, followed by four months of data collection and analysis.
Budget : The budget of $35,000 will cover participant compensation, survey tools, and data analysis software, as well as researcher fees.
Outcomes and Implications : This study will offer insight into how remote work is reshaping family life. Its findings will be useful for employers developing remote work policies, as well as for family therapists and educators looking to support families in this new work environment.
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Where can i learn more about proposal writing, what is the format of a research proposal.
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NIH Extramural Grant Investments in Research. (2023). Nexus https://nexus.od.nih.gov/all/2023/03/01/fy-2022-by-the-numbers-extramural-grant-investments-in-research/
National Science Foundation (NSF). (2020). NSF 20-031: Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) . https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2020/nsf20031/nsf20031.jsp
NIH Success Rates and Funding Data. (n.d.). NIH Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tools (RePORT) . https://report.nih.gov/funding/nih-budget-and-spending-data-past-fiscal-years/success-rates
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The difference between research proposal and research report is discussed as under: A research proposal signifies a theoretical framework within which the research is carried out. In finer terms, a research proposal is a sketch for the collection, measurement and analysis of data. A research report implies a scientific write-up on the research ...
A research proposal is a document that outlines the objectives, methodology, and significance of a research project. It is typically submitted to gain approval and funding for the research. On the other hand, a research report is a detailed account of the research findings, analysis, and conclusions. It presents the results of the research in a ...
A research report describes the whole research study and is submitted after the competition of the whole research project. Thus, the main difference between research proposal and research report is that a research proposal describes the proposed research and research design whereas a research report describes the completed research, including ...
A research proposal is a framework that guides the research. A research proposal can be described as a plan for collecting, measuring, and analysing data. A research report is a written description of the research findings. It follows a particular format. Preparing a research proposal is the first step in research work.
8. In a research proposal, the emphasis is on the potential of the research: what the researcher aims to discover or prove, and how they plan to do it. It's forward-looking and speculative in nature. In contrast, a research report focuses on what was discovered or proven, providing concrete evidence and data to support its conclusions.
Reports are reactive, while proposals are aggressive. The structure and format. It's essential to know the structure and framework. In your paper, you should include an introduction, a literature study, research goals, and a method in a research plan. The research report, on the other hand, has an introduction, methods, data, a talk, and a ...
The primary objective of a Research Proposal is to persuade stakeholders of the project's worthiness. It highlights the study's potential contributions to the field. On the other hand, a Research Report aims to communicate the actual outcomes of the research, providing evidence and data supporting the findings.
As you write up your research proposal, remember the all-important core purpose: to convince. Your research proposal needs to sell your study in terms of suitability and viability. So, focus on crafting a convincing narrative to ensure a strong proposal. At the same time, pay close attention to your university's requirements.
Research proposal examples. Writing a research proposal can be quite challenging, but a good starting point could be to look at some examples. We've included a few for you below. Example research proposal #1: "A Conceptual Framework for Scheduling Constraint Management".
The proposal step of research precedes the actual research itself. This is the stage where a student should outline in detail what questions they will explore and analyze. As a preparation stage, the research proposal is presented at the beginning of the research project with the aim of justifying the need for a deeper analysis and probing into ...
A research proposal is a concise and coherent summary of your proposed research. You'll need to set out the issues that are central to the topic area and how you intend to address them with your research. To do this, you'll need to give the following: an outline of the general area of study within which your research falls.
Both proposals and reports often require research and analysis, but the extent and focus of these activities can vary. Proposals typically involve conducting research to identify the problem, understand the target audience, and gather evidence to support the proposed solution. The analysis in proposals is often centered around the potential ...
As with writing most college-level academic papers, research proposals are generally organized the same way throughout most social science disciplines. The text of proposals generally vary in length between ten and thirty-five pages, followed by the list of references. ... As with any scholarly research paper, you must cite the sources you used ...
Thesis is a type of research report. A thesis is a long-form research document that presents the findings and conclusions of an original research study conducted by a student as part of a graduate or postgraduate program. It is typically written by a student pursuing a higher degree, such as a Master's or Doctoral degree, although it can also ...
The best way to remember the difference between a research plan and a research proposal is that they have fundamentally different audiences. A research plan helps you, the researcher, organize your thoughts. On the other hand, a dissertation proposal or research proposal aims to convince others (e.g., a supervisor, a funding body, or a ...
A research proposal is a great way to introduce you to research without making you write a long research paper (sounds nice, no?). It is preparing you for future classes where you might have to write a paper whether you research the same topic or not. If you do research the same topic, a research proposal gives you a huge head start because you ...
Research proposal aims. Relevance. Show your reader why your project is interesting, original, and important. Context. Demonstrate your comfort and familiarity with your field. Show that you understand the current state of research on your topic. Approach. Make a case for your methodology. Demonstrate that you have carefully thought about the ...
14.1 Research Proposal. Research is a systematic process and research proposal is the documentation of the process in a stepwise manner. Discussions have been made on the type of research from a qualitative point of view. For successful implementation of research program, funding is a major aspect; at the same time there are various established ...
The best way to remember the difference between a research plan and a research proposal is that they have fundamentally different audiences. A research plan helps you, the researcher, organize your thoughts. On the other hand, a dissertation proposal or research proposal aims to convince others (e.g., a supervisor, a funding body, or a ...
Scientific publication is an organic process of planning, researching, drafting, revising, and updating the current knowledge for future perspectives. Writing a research paper is no easier than the research itself. The lectures of Day 2 of the workshop dealt with the basic elements and logistics of writing a scientific paper.
The proposal's research strategy includes sections that differ by grant opportunity and funding. organization. An overview (elevator pitch of some sort). A set of goals or aims the proposal will ...
Academic proposals: are generally written as part of the initial requirements of writing a thesis, research paper, or dissertation Assumptions 1. Research proposal is not the same thing as essay ...
Two months after getting accepted into a PhD program, I was asked to do a research plan. Is this the same as doing a research proposal? phd; research-proposal; Share. Improve this question ... Neither a research plan nor a research proposal is a "super specific thing you need to know about". A proposal, on any subject, generally includes things ...
Research Proposal Sample Structure. When you're writing a research proposal, having a clear structure is half the battle. Each section serves a purpose and builds a strong case for why your research should be taken seriously. Here's a breakdown of the key research proposal template sections, what they mean, and why they matter: