Research proposal
{{Short description|Description of planned research for which funding is requested}}
{{Research}}
A research proposal is a document proposing a research project, generally in the sciences or academia, and generally constitutes a request for sponsorship of that research.{{cite web|title=Research proposal|url=http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/research-proposal.html|website=BusinessDictionary.com|access-date=21 June 2016|archive-date=5 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190205232731/http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/research-proposal.html|url-status=dead}} Proposals are evaluated on the cost and potential impact of the proposed research, and on the soundness of the proposed plan for carrying it out.{{cite web|last1=Wong|first1=Paul T. P.|title=How to Write a Research Proposal|url=http://www.meaning.ca/archives/archive/art_how_to_write_P_Wong.htm|publisher=International Network on Personal Meaning|access-date=21 June 2016|archive-date=4 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104005117/http://www.meaning.ca/archives/archive/art_how_to_write_P_Wong.htm|url-status=live}} Research proposals generally address several key points:{{cite web|last1=Yousaf|first1=Saeed T. P.|title=Keypoints of a Research Proposal|url=https://scholarshipfellow.com/research-proposal|website=Scholarshipfellow.com|access-date=7 January 2018|archive-date=30 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330150758/https://scholarshipfellow.com/research-proposal/|url-status=live}}
- What research question(s) will be addressed, and how they will be addressed
- How much time and expense will be required for the research
- What prior research has been done on the topic
- How the results of the research will be evaluated
- How the research will benefit the sponsoring organization and other parties
Types
Research proposals may be solicited, meaning that they are submitted in response to a request with specified requirements, such as a request for proposal, or they may be unsolicited, meaning they are submitted without prior request. Other types of proposals include "preproposals", where a letter of intent or brief abstract is submitted for review prior to submission of a full proposal; continuation proposals, which re-iterate an original proposal and its funding requirements in order to ensure continued funding; and renewal proposals, which seek continued sponsorship of a project which would otherwise be terminated.{{cite web|title=Writing a Research Proposal|url=http://www.library.illinois.edu/learn/research/proposal.html|publisher=University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign|access-date=21 June 2016|archive-date=22 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160622041535/http://www.library.illinois.edu/learn/research/proposal.html|url-status=live}}
Academic research proposals are generally written as part of the initial requirements of writing a thesis, research paper, or dissertation.{{cite web|title=How to Write Academic Research Proposal|url=https://penmypaper.com/blog/how-to-write-a-good-research-proposal/|publisher=A Jonson Hillviews Magazine Editor|access-date=20 December 2018|archive-date=20 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220231042/https://penmypaper.com/blog/how-to-write-a-good-research-proposal/|url-status=live}} They generally follow the same format as a research paper, with an introduction, a literature review, a discussion of research methodology and goals, and a conclusion. This basic structure may vary between projects and between fields, each of which may have its own requirements.