how to write a research proposal

how to write a research proposal

How to Write a Research Proposal

1. Introduction

A proposal is a request for support of sponsored research, instruction or extension projects. The purpose of the proposal is to ensure that the candidates have done sufficient preliminary reading/research in their area of interest, that they have thought about the issues involved and are able to provide more than a general description of the topic which they are planning to research. The proposal is of course not a fixed blueprint. One cannot predict one’s findings beforehand or mechanically stick to an argument since the research will inevitably alter or even unseat one’s initial expectations. There is a common tendency for the writer to hold back, avoiding a full and direct statement of the research question; this is more common in published work. Your proposal should be a precise, well-defined project with a limited scope. A good proposal is like a good sales pitch. You have to sell your idea to the panel of reviewers. You need to explain why your project is an important one and deserves to be funded with enthusiasm. Your proposal can be a resubmission to a funding agency which has been changed or not funded.

2. Research Objectives

A research proposal needs to let people know why the project is a good and/or needed idea and what the project aims to accomplish. The main reason people conduct any research is because they think something is true and they want to find out more about it. For the project to have a strong foundation, the research must identify a problem in the world around us which needs to be addressed, it must be an interesting and important problem and the project must make a significant contribution to the existing body of knowledge regarding that problem. More practically, people conduct research because they want to change the world and they believe that the changes they want to make are changes for the better. No matter how big or small, any research project only ever takes place to directly or indirectly cause some kind of positive change. Because the changes are always done with some kind of a goal in mind, it makes sense to define those goals at the very beginning of the project and this will help in the development of the research objectives.

3. Methodology

Methodology deals with the methods and techniques used in research. It is an integral component of a research course of study since it serves as the underpinning to the research activity. The methodology should incorporate adequate references to similar studies and state whether the student plans to compare the results with other studies or monitor the results retrospectively. Considering that the research is on a particular case study, a combination of one or two research methods would be more suitable and would help in achieving the research objectives as the data needs to be analyzed in the context of real life. Such research methods include the quantitative case research methods and the descriptive methods. The research methods selected and framework put into practice would be contingent on the requirements of the case study and will assist the student in getting a logical results-based conclusion. The student should provide justification for the research methods selected. The final subsection should consist of reflection on the research done and the tools used. It should provide an analysis as to whether the research methods were successful in achieving the research objectives and if the research done has resulted in any new knowledge. It should also include any difficulties the student faced during the research phase.

4. Expected Results

These experiments have a high potential for generating unexpected results. Because regression of a mammary tumor is a complex process involving interaction between both host and tumor, it is possible that entirely novel mechanisms or previously undescribed genes will be discovered. As such, the projects described in this aim are largely exploratory and feasibility studies. However, as the end result will be a greater understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying tumor regression, these studies have high potential to identify new therapeutic strategies for treating breast cancer.

Specific Aim 1: To identify genes that induce regression of the mammary tumor. Using select lines of transgenic mice with the FVB background, we will attempt to induce a mammary tumor with the oncogene Wnt-1, which is known to cause mammary tumors with 100% incidence. We will confirm that the tumor is present through manual palpation. After developing the tumor, we will compare gene expression profiles of tumors that have regressed compared with tumors that have continued to grow. This will be done by removing the primary tumor from one side and allowing the mouse to continue to develop tumors on the other side. mRNA microarrays can then be done on the tumors from the two different groups to identify genes that are differentially expressed.

We expect to be able to identify the roles of specific genes involved in preventing breast cancer. The results of this study will make a significant impact on the understanding of breast cancer and provide a possible early detection method.

5. Conclusion

This tutorial has outlined the basic concepts of writing a research proposal. This occurs at the end of the proposal and is the bridge to the proposed study. This allows for the decision maker to see what has been discussed in the body and its relevance and then go on to implement the changes suggested. A well thought out and well-written conclusion should yield a positive reaction from the decision maker. This tutorial has also incorporated examples from real life to help the readers understand what goes into writing a successful research proposal. An annotated outline is another form of the steps written in paragraph form. This tutorial incorporated the annotated outline as an example and as a tool to help further understand the steps and concepts. The tutorial has given a full example of an annotated outline and the proposal it is based off of. One of the most useful ways of finding out how to write a research proposal is to read other’s work from past years. This tutorial has given one example and encourages readers to do further research and read other successful proposals. This will give an understanding of what goes into a successful proposal and help generate ideas.