How to Write a PhD Reseach Proposal

• 1). Create a title page containing your name, department, supervisor's name and the title of your research project. On the subsequent page provide an abstract.The abstract should concisely sum up the outline of your proposal, research involved, questions and/or hypothesis, proposed research methods and method of data analysis.
  
  
• 2). Provide a table of contents on the page following the abstract. This is composed of all the headings in your research proposal along with their corresponding page numbers.
  
  
• 3). Write the background under the background heading. This section will include what research will be involved, research questions or hypotheses, research methods and how the data will be analyzed.
  
  
• 4). Provide the theoretical framework by reviewing relevant literature related to your topic of interest. Label this section under the theoretical framework heading. This will place your proposed research in context within existing research.
  
  
• 5). Identify the methodology under the research methodology heading. Provide a strong argument for the research you wish to conduct based on an exhaustive literature review. Identify any substantive gaps and/or questions raised from the literature surrounding your chosen topic. Use this gap to provide a rationale for your proposed research.
  
  
• 6). Outline how you will obtain data under the research design and methods heading. Identify any problems that may be encountered, ethical considerations, number of participants or animals required and how they will be recruited and method of data collection.
  
  
• 7). Write the analysis and discussion under a heading of the same name. Restate the aims and objectives of the research and how data will be analyzed. Include detailed information on any tools required for analysis.
  
  
• 8). Write under the format heading how many chapters are required and what the order of presentation will be. This stage is not always included in research proposals, but is useful in indicating structure and increases the accuracy when estimating the required time to complete research.
  
  
• 9). Include the estimated time required for the project under the timeline heading. Factor in the time taken for research, testing period, data collection, data analysis and report writing or presentation preparation.
  
  
• 10
  
  Outline resources and budget required under the budget and resources heading. This section should indicate the financial viability of your proposed research. Consider potential costs such as equipment hire or purchase, travel costs, participant payment and payment associated with hiring data analysts and a research assistant.
  
  
• 11
  
  Write the bibliography. This step comprises an extensive list of resources consulted during the initial research stage. Evidence of thorough reading will provide an overview of the topic area and to demonstrate your knowledge of the topic. The format for the bibliography will differ depending on the academic organization. In the U.S, the Harvard System of Referencing Guide is frequently used.