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Research Proposal Format Example
Following is a general outline of the material that should be included in your project proposal.
I. Title Page
II. Introduction and Literature Review (Chapters 2 and 3)
A. Identification of specific problem area (e.g., what is it, why it is important).
B. Prevalence, scope of problem.
C. An overview of what we know (literature review). What has previous research
found out about the problem? What methods and samples did they use? What are
your main variables of interest and what do we know about them from previous
research (include conceptual definitions of terms)? Add critiques of other research
(i.e., strengths and weaknesses of previous research).
D. An overview of what we don’t know (i.e., gap/gaps in the literature that you plan
to address in your project).
E. Statement of the purpose of your study and research question(s). Relate these to
the gap in the literature you are addressing. Include hypotheses, if applicable.
Note: Be sure to organize and use subheadings as well as integrate the literature in a way that
tells your story.
III. Methodology
A. Design (Chapters 4, 5, and 6)
1. Will this be a qualitative, quantitative, or mixed? What is your rationale?
2. What type of specific design will be used? What is your rationale?
3. What specific research methods will be used (e.g., control group, comparison
group, survey, interviews, etc.)? What is your rationale?
B. Sample and Procedures (Chapter 7)
1. Describe your study population and proposed sample (expected size,
demographics, etc.)
2. How will the sample be selected? Once they are selected what procedures will
they follow as they participate in your study.