research proposal cover page

research proposal cover page

The Importance of Research Proposal Cover Page

1. Introduction

Once an area of interest has been selected, the whole process of the research work gets traced out. A comprehensive and precise research proposal covering all the areas of the subject is prepared. It gives a clear and brief understanding of the proposed work. But the cover page of the proposal is the first thing that the reader notices. It is the most important part of the proposal. It is generally limited to 250 words. A good cover page consists of a title mentioning a clear understanding of the proposed work. The title should be specific and identify the problem. It should convey to the point the area of research which would be the most attractive part of the proposal. The title should be followed by the members or the participants of the proposal. This would give the reader a clear understanding of the involvement of the participants in the proposed work. After mentioning the members of the proposal, there comes the guide or the supervisor of the proposed work. This would make the reader clear about the person under whom the reader would be going through the rest of the proposal. Then there should be a mention of the area of the work and the name of the organization where the work would be carried out. This would give a clear picture about the environment the work would be having. Then at the end there should be a declaration of the submission of the cover page for the proposed work. This was just the cover page of the research proposal. But does it really have an importance? Yes, it does have. The cover page really gives a first and the most important impression of any document. It should be attractive, precise, and informative enough to get the attention of the reader. As it is the mere cover page of the proposal, an understanding of the proposed work would be clear to the reader. An impressive cover page would enforce the reader to read the whole proposal. But an unimpressive or a casual cover page may degrade the interest of the reader in the proposed work. So it is very important for the cover page to mention each and every important detail of the proposed work. Though the cover page is just a beginning of any proposed work, it really has an importance. And so it should be neatly prepared and should mention all the necessary details of the proposed work. A good cover page can make the reader sufficient enough to understand the rest of the proposal and may increase his interest in the proposed topic. So, an impressive and an informative cover page have always a positive impact on the proposed work.

2. Purpose of the Research Proposal Cover Page

The purpose of a cover page is to provide a framework for the rest of the proposal. The cover page gives the reader a quick glance at the contents of the proposal and the purpose of the research. The cover page can provide the researcher’s degree program and the date of the proposal or the date that the research will begin. This is important so that the reader knows whether the proposal is for recent research or research that has not yet been started. The cover page can also provide the title for the proposal which will be direct and to the point. If the cover page lists the title, it will be easier for the reader to track what they are reading and it could make it easier for the proposal to be assessed by a committee if there are line items for evaluation. Since the cover page is the first thing the reader will see, it will leave an impression on the reader. A reader will form a first impression of the research proposal on the quality and appropriateness of the cover page. If it is for research being done for a class, a handwritten cover page would be sufficient. If the proposal is for research that will be conducted at a company or if it is research being done to obtain a degree, a more professional cover page would be more appropriate. The cover page can set the tone for the rest of the proposal and cause the reader to not take the proposal as seriously as the research actually is. This means that time should not only be put into the contents of the proposal, but the cover page should not be overlooked.

3. Key Elements of an Effective Research Proposal Cover Page

A title of the research proposal is the most important component of the research proposal. It is the first thing that a research committee will see before considering the proposal in detail and it is the only chance to capture the reader’s attention. It is first impression. The funding decision about the research proposal is based on the quality of the title and often the funding body will refer to the title in their allocation of funding. If the title is unclear, inappropriate, or poorly constructed then the rest of the proposal will probably be disregarded. The title should be clear and it should give the reader a good indication of what the research is about. A title such as “A comparison of modern and conventional teaching methods” does not provide the reader with enough information and it is too general. A better title would be “Does using interactive teaching methods produce better results in encouraging primary school children to be more creative?”. This provides a specific research question and a clear indication of the population and type of research. The title should also be short. This is because a short title is good for displaying on the internet where space is limited. Time constrained assessors will also appreciate a concise title because it won’t take long to read. The title should be as short as possible whilst still providing information on the key features of the research.

4. Tips for Creating a Compelling Research Proposal Cover Page

The cover page introduces the research problem. It provides some idea to the reader on the kind of information that is to follow. This is because by writing the front page, the researcher begins to fully understand the research problem. A good understanding of the research problem will enable the researcher to generate a good research question. This research question provides a summary of the research problem and it is essential in papers such as a thesis or a research paper. A research question is usually found at the end of an introduction to summarize the content that follows; later, due to its importance, it is rewritten in the theoretical framework and in the discussion to provide a check on one’s argument. This simple research question should lead to a hypothesis. This hypothesis should be testable and it should provide an answer to the research question. By having one, it is possible to construct a research design specific to testing a hypothesis. All this information can be summarized on the cover page. At this stage, it is the task of the researcher to generate a title that can summarize the entire paper in one line. This is important as it can help catch the attention of certain people when browsing ideas for related research.

First, it is essential to understand the important role played by a cover page in a research proposal. It is not a simple ‘add on’ to the research paper. While it can be put into a ‘miscellaneous’ or an appendices section, the cover page is definitely not a section to be missed in a research proposal. The reasons are many.

5. Conclusion

In conclusion, because there are not enough students researching cover page making and competitions to see if it makes an impact, I would strongly encourage this kind of research to be done. Considering that cover pages are a staple for any written document, whether it is an essay, a lab report, a dissertation, an article or research proposal, I would say that a research on cover pages is indispensable and long overdue. From the grammar schools to the grad schools a comprehensive study of cover pages and their role in written works can provide a valuable synopsis of what students are learning and what educators are teaching. It can also be a good catalyst for discussion among educators to exchange ideas. Furthermore, it is something that very easily can be disseminated to other educators, students and education professionals. A simple set of guidelines derived from the study can lead to a better practice of what written documents are trying to teach and communicate. This can range anywhere from elementary school where students are just learning to write, to secondary education, and all the way to college and university students.