What Makes A Good Research Proposal? Here Is The Answer

The potential of good research is unprecedented, the world has progressed so far on the strength of human intelligence and research. Whether a multinational corporation or an academic institution, research plays a vital role in the betterment of society in one way or another.

However, there is good research and bad research – and nothing works with bad research because it is a pointless endeavor with no significant output. In fact, the main research comes later, it is the proposal that signifies how much potential the concerned research would have.

What is a research proposal? It is simply a blueprint of the proposed research work. You enumerate and elaborate significant detail on what you want to do and how you want to do it. A research proposal is a prerequisite to your thesis/dissertation and is elemental to your future endeavors. But, what should you write in a research proposal to make it a success? Below you shall find your answers.

1. Identify the research area
   Understandably, deciding a good research area is a time-consuming task only to be ably completed when adequate attention is given. To ensure that you are certain of the subject area, you will have to read and analyze. It should take a good amount of time, and for a reasonably good idea, you will need at least two to three months to be able to conduct a proper literature review.

   Of course, the time period is subject to individual skills but the point is you will have to dedicate time to research. If, for example, you want to propose research on Oscar Wilde’s literature, then you cannot simply read a few articles or books of his or about him. You will have to ascertain whether there is actually anything original or substantially different you are contributing.

2. Good Research Questions
   No research proposal is complete without research questions. What are they? Think about it for a moment: you have researched well and want to write a rocking thesis but that can only happen if and when you plan to address problems concerning the subject matter. In simple words, you will have to convey the problems you want to address in your research.

   Research questions outline the ‘whys’ and ‘hows’ of your research. But, remember, you cannot take too much liberty while formulating them. Specificity and pertinence are key elements of good research questions.

3. Clarity on your research methodology
   Research methodology is the process by which you shall conduct your research. It covers your research methods, tools for data collection, references, their nature, analytical methods, and whatnot. There are two types of research methodologies used in mainstream research: doctrinal/theoretical research and non-doctrinal/empirical research.

   The former is, as the name suggests, confined largely to theoretical data and is generally descriptive in nature; usually, it adds to the existing research, though newer contributions may be made depending upon the topic. The latter, on the other hand, is real-time research activity where on-site data gathering or lab-based research is conducted; data is freshly collected and may be corroborated with existing research. Of course, there can be a mix of both as well.

4. Hypothesis
   You must have often heard people say, “My hypothesis says…” quite casually. Well, it is actually a technical term used in research, generally doctrinal study. Your hypothesis is what you think about the subject matter as of the limited research you have conducted. To put it simply, it serves as a starting point for your investigation.

   You start with a rebuttable assumption about the research and its possible solutions. By the end of the research, you will know whether to accept the hypothesis or reject it. Interestingly, I have always found a hypothesis a tricky thing to write because you have to be on-point and clear about your assumptions.

5. Be careful with your references
   Just because it is a research proposal you cannot take lightly the importance of quality references. You should refer to materials and those too good ones. What makes a good reference material? One which comes from an authoritative, peer-reviewed source. Journals, for example, are said to be authoritative only when they come from a well-established research agency and are peer-reviewed. Articles with extensive citations, good research background, and those written by established authors are even better choices. You will have to add a bibliography at the end of the proposal so make sure it is nicely done.

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