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How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates

Published on October 12, 2022 by Shona McCombes and Tegan George. Revised on November 21, 2023.

A research proposal describes what you will investigate, why it’s important, and how you will conduct your research.

The format of a research proposal varies between fields, but most proposals will contain at least these elements:

Introduction

Literature review.

• Research design

Reference list

While the sections may vary, the overall objective is always the same. A research proposal serves as a blueprint and guide for your research plan, helping you get organized and feel confident in the path forward you choose to take.

Table of contents

Research proposal purpose, research proposal examples, research design and methods, contribution to knowledge, research schedule, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about research proposals.

Academics often have to write research proposals to get funding for their projects. As a student, you might have to write a research proposal as part of a grad school application , or prior to starting your thesis or dissertation .

In addition to helping you figure out what your research can look like, a proposal can also serve to demonstrate why your project is worth pursuing to a funder, educational institution, or supervisor.

Research proposal length

The length of a research proposal can vary quite a bit. A bachelor’s or master’s thesis proposal can be just a few pages, while proposals for PhD dissertations or research funding are usually much longer and more detailed. Your supervisor can help you determine the best length for your work.

One trick to get started is to think of your proposal’s structure as a shorter version of your thesis or dissertation , only without the results , conclusion and discussion sections.

Download our research proposal template

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See an example

Writing a research proposal can be quite challenging, but a good starting point could be to look at some examples. We’ve included a few for you below.

• Example research proposal #1: “A Conceptual Framework for Scheduling Constraint Management”
• Example research proposal #2: “Medical Students as Mediators of Change in Tobacco Use”

Like your dissertation or thesis, the proposal will usually have a title page that includes:

• The proposed title of your project
• Your supervisor’s name
• Your institution and department

The first part of your proposal is the initial pitch for your project. Make sure it succinctly explains what you want to do and why.

Your introduction should:

• Introduce your topic
• Give necessary background and context
• Outline your  problem statement  and research questions

To guide your introduction , include information about:

• Who could have an interest in the topic (e.g., scientists, policymakers)
• How much is already known about the topic
• What is missing from this current knowledge
• What new insights your research will contribute
• Why you believe this research is worth doing

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As you get started, it’s important to demonstrate that you’re familiar with the most important research on your topic. A strong literature review  shows your reader that your project has a solid foundation in existing knowledge or theory. It also shows that you’re not simply repeating what other people have already done or said, but rather using existing research as a jumping-off point for your own.

In this section, share exactly how your project will contribute to ongoing conversations in the field by:

• Comparing and contrasting the main theories, methods, and debates
• Examining the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches
• Explaining how will you build on, challenge, or synthesize prior scholarship

Following the literature review, restate your main  objectives . This brings the focus back to your own project. Next, your research design or methodology section will describe your overall approach, and the practical steps you will take to answer your research questions.

To finish your proposal on a strong note, explore the potential implications of your research for your field. Emphasize again what you aim to contribute and why it matters.

For example, your results might have implications for:

• Improving best practices
• Informing policymaking decisions
• Strengthening a theory or model
• Challenging popular or scientific beliefs
• Creating a basis for future research

Last but not least, your research proposal must include correct citations for every source you have used, compiled in a reference list . To create citations quickly and easily, you can use our free APA citation generator .

Some institutions or funders require a detailed timeline of the project, asking you to forecast what you will do at each stage and how long it may take. While not always required, be sure to check the requirements of your project.

Here’s an example schedule to help you get started. You can also download a template at the button below.

Download our research schedule template

If you are applying for research funding, chances are you will have to include a detailed budget. This shows your estimates of how much each part of your project will cost.

Make sure to check what type of costs the funding body will agree to cover. For each item, include:

• Cost : exactly how much money do you need?
• Justification : why is this cost necessary to complete the research?
• Source : how did you calculate the amount?

To determine your budget, think about:

• Travel costs : do you need to go somewhere to collect your data? How will you get there, and how much time will you need? What will you do there (e.g., interviews, archival research)?
• Materials : do you need access to any tools or technologies?
• Help : do you need to hire any research assistants for the project? What will they do, and how much will you pay them?

If you want to know more about the research process , methodology , research bias , or statistics , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

Methodology

• Sampling methods
• Simple random sampling
• Stratified sampling
• Cluster sampling
• Likert scales
• Reproducibility

 Statistics

• Null hypothesis
• Statistical power
• Probability distribution
• Effect size
• Poisson distribution

Research bias

• Optimism bias
• Cognitive bias
• Implicit bias
• Hawthorne effect
• Anchoring bias
• Explicit bias

Once you’ve decided on your research objectives , you need to explain them in your paper, at the end of your problem statement .

Keep your research objectives clear and concise, and use appropriate verbs to accurately convey the work that you will carry out for each one.

I will compare …

A research aim is a broad statement indicating the general purpose of your research project. It should appear in your introduction at the end of your problem statement , before your research objectives.

Research objectives are more specific than your research aim. They indicate the specific ways you’ll address the overarching aim.

A PhD, which is short for philosophiae doctor (doctor of philosophy in Latin), is the highest university degree that can be obtained. In a PhD, students spend 3–5 years writing a dissertation , which aims to make a significant, original contribution to current knowledge.

A PhD is intended to prepare students for a career as a researcher, whether that be in academia, the public sector, or the private sector.

A master’s is a 1- or 2-year graduate degree that can prepare you for a variety of careers.

All master’s involve graduate-level coursework. Some are research-intensive and intend to prepare students for further study in a PhD; these usually require their students to write a master’s thesis . Others focus on professional training for a specific career.

Critical thinking refers to the ability to evaluate information and to be aware of biases or assumptions, including your own.

Like information literacy , it involves evaluating arguments, identifying and solving problems in an objective and systematic way, and clearly communicating your ideas.

The best way to remember the difference between a research plan and a research proposal is that they have fundamentally different audiences. A research plan helps you, the researcher, organize your thoughts. On the other hand, a dissertation proposal or research proposal aims to convince others (e.g., a supervisor, a funding body, or a dissertation committee) that your research topic is relevant and worthy of being conducted.

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How to Write a Research Proposal: (with Examples & Templates)

Table of Contents

Before conducting a study, a research proposal should be created that outlines researchers’ plans and methodology and is submitted to the concerned evaluating organization or person. Creating a research proposal is an important step to ensure that researchers are on track and are moving forward as intended. A research proposal can be defined as a detailed plan or blueprint for the proposed research that you intend to undertake. It provides readers with a snapshot of your project by describing what you will investigate, why it is needed, and how you will conduct the research.  

Your research proposal should aim to explain to the readers why your research is relevant and original, that you understand the context and current scenario in the field, have the appropriate resources to conduct the research, and that the research is feasible given the usual constraints.  

This article will describe in detail the purpose and typical structure of a research proposal , along with examples and templates to help you ace this step in your research journey.  

What is a Research Proposal ?  

A research proposal¹ ,²  can be defined as a formal report that describes your proposed research, its objectives, methodology, implications, and other important details. Research proposals are the framework of your research and are used to obtain approvals or grants to conduct the study from various committees or organizations. Consequently, research proposals should convince readers of your study’s credibility, accuracy, achievability, practicality, and reproducibility.   

With research proposals , researchers usually aim to persuade the readers, funding agencies, educational institutions, and supervisors to approve the proposal. To achieve this, the report should be well structured with the objectives written in clear, understandable language devoid of jargon. A well-organized research proposal conveys to the readers or evaluators that the writer has thought out the research plan meticulously and has the resources to ensure timely completion.  

Purpose of Research Proposals  

A research proposal is a sales pitch and therefore should be detailed enough to convince your readers, who could be supervisors, ethics committees, universities, etc., that what you’re proposing has merit and is feasible . Research proposals can help students discuss their dissertation with their faculty or fulfill course requirements and also help researchers obtain funding. A well-structured proposal instills confidence among readers about your ability to conduct and complete the study as proposed.  

Research proposals can be written for several reasons:³  

• To describe the importance of research in the specific topic  
• Address any potential challenges you may encounter  
• Showcase knowledge in the field and your ability to conduct a study  
• Apply for a role at a research institute  
• Convince a research supervisor or university that your research can satisfy the requirements of a degree program  
• Highlight the importance of your research to organizations that may sponsor your project  
• Identify implications of your project and how it can benefit the audience  

What Goes in a Research Proposal?    

Research proposals should aim to answer the three basic questions—what, why, and how.  

The What question should be answered by describing the specific subject being researched. It should typically include the objectives, the cohort details, and the location or setting.  

The Why question should be answered by describing the existing scenario of the subject, listing unanswered questions, identifying gaps in the existing research, and describing how your study can address these gaps, along with the implications and significance.  

The How question should be answered by describing the proposed research methodology, data analysis tools expected to be used, and other details to describe your proposed methodology.   

Research Proposal Example  

Here is a research proposal sample template (with examples) from the University of Rochester Medical Center. 4 The sections in all research proposals are essentially the same although different terminology and other specific sections may be used depending on the subject.  

Structure of a Research Proposal  

If you want to know how to make a research proposal impactful, include the following components:¹  

1. Introduction  

This section provides a background of the study, including the research topic, what is already known about it and the gaps, and the significance of the proposed research.  

2. Literature review  

This section contains descriptions of all the previous relevant studies pertaining to the research topic. Every study cited should be described in a few sentences, starting with the general studies to the more specific ones. This section builds on the understanding gained by readers in the Introduction section and supports it by citing relevant prior literature, indicating to readers that you have thoroughly researched your subject.  

3. Objectives  

Once the background and gaps in the research topic have been established, authors must now state the aims of the research clearly. Hypotheses should be mentioned here. This section further helps readers understand what your study’s specific goals are.  

4. Research design and methodology  

Here, authors should clearly describe the methods they intend to use to achieve their proposed objectives. Important components of this section include the population and sample size, data collection and analysis methods and duration, statistical analysis software, measures to avoid bias (randomization, blinding), etc.  

5. Ethical considerations  

This refers to the protection of participants’ rights, such as the right to privacy, right to confidentiality, etc. Researchers need to obtain informed consent and institutional review approval by the required authorities and mention this clearly for transparency.  

6. Budget/funding  

Researchers should prepare their budget and include all expected expenditures. An additional allowance for contingencies such as delays should also be factored in.  

7. Appendices  

This section typically includes information that supports the research proposal and may include informed consent forms, questionnaires, participant information, measurement tools, etc.  

8. Citations  

Important Tips for Writing a Research Proposal  

Writing a research proposal begins much before the actual task of writing. Planning the research proposal structure and content is an important stage, which if done efficiently, can help you seamlessly transition into the writing stage. 3,5  

The Planning Stage  

• Manage your time efficiently. Plan to have the draft version ready at least two weeks before your deadline and the final version at least two to three days before the deadline.
• What is the primary objective of your research?  
• Will your research address any existing gap?  
• What is the impact of your proposed research?  
• Do people outside your field find your research applicable in other areas?  
• If your research is unsuccessful, would there still be other useful research outcomes?  

  The Writing Stage  

• Create an outline with main section headings that are typically used.  
• Focus only on writing and getting your points across without worrying about the format of the research proposal , grammar, punctuation, etc. These can be fixed during the subsequent passes. Add details to each section heading you created in the beginning.   
• Ensure your sentences are concise and use plain language. A research proposal usually contains about 2,000 to 4,000 words or four to seven pages.  
• Don’t use too many technical terms and abbreviations assuming that the readers would know them. Define the abbreviations and technical terms.  
• Ensure that the entire content is readable. Avoid using long paragraphs because they affect the continuity in reading. Break them into shorter paragraphs and introduce some white space for readability.  
• Focus on only the major research issues and cite sources accordingly. Don’t include generic information or their sources in the literature review.  
• Proofread your final document to ensure there are no grammatical errors so readers can enjoy a seamless, uninterrupted read.  
• Use academic, scholarly language because it brings formality into a document.  
• Ensure that your title is created using the keywords in the document and is neither too long and specific nor too short and general.  
• Cite all sources appropriately to avoid plagiarism.  
• Make sure that you follow guidelines, if provided. This includes rules as simple as using a specific font or a hyphen or en dash between numerical ranges.  
• Ensure that you’ve answered all questions requested by the evaluating authority.  

Key Takeaways   

Here’s a summary of the main points about research proposals discussed in the previous sections:  

• A research proposal is a document that outlines the details of a proposed study and is created by researchers to submit to evaluators who could be research institutions, universities, faculty, etc.  
• Research proposals are usually about 2,000-4,000 words long, but this depends on the evaluating authority’s guidelines.  
• A good research proposal ensures that you’ve done your background research and assessed the feasibility of the research.  
• Research proposals have the following main sections—introduction, literature review, objectives, methodology, ethical considerations, and budget.  

Frequently Asked Questions  

Q1. How is a research proposal evaluated?  

A1. In general, most evaluators, including universities, broadly use the following criteria to evaluate research proposals . 6  

• Significance —Does the research address any important subject or issue, which may or may not be specific to the evaluator or university?  
• Content and design —Is the proposed methodology appropriate to answer the research question? Are the objectives clear and well aligned with the proposed methodology?  
• Sample size and selection —Is the target population or cohort size clearly mentioned? Is the sampling process used to select participants randomized, appropriate, and free of bias?  
• Timing —Are the proposed data collection dates mentioned clearly? Is the project feasible given the specified resources and timeline?  
• Data management and dissemination —Who will have access to the data? What is the plan for data analysis?  

Q2. What is the difference between the Introduction and Literature Review sections in a research proposal ?  

A2. The Introduction or Background section in a research proposal sets the context of the study by describing the current scenario of the subject and identifying the gaps and need for the research. A Literature Review, on the other hand, provides references to all prior relevant literature to help corroborate the gaps identified and the research need.  

Q3. How long should a research proposal be?  

A3. Research proposal lengths vary with the evaluating authority like universities or committees and also the subject. Here’s a table that lists the typical research proposal lengths for a few universities.  

Q4. What are the common mistakes to avoid in a research proposal ?  

A4. Here are a few common mistakes that you must avoid while writing a research proposal . 7  

• No clear objectives: Objectives should be clear, specific, and measurable for the easy understanding among readers.  
• Incomplete or unconvincing background research: Background research usually includes a review of the current scenario of the particular industry and also a review of the previous literature on the subject. This helps readers understand your reasons for undertaking this research because you identified gaps in the existing research.  
• Overlooking project feasibility: The project scope and estimates should be realistic considering the resources and time available.   
• Neglecting the impact and significance of the study: In a research proposal , readers and evaluators look for the implications or significance of your research and how it contributes to the existing research. This information should always be included.  
• Unstructured format of a research proposal : A well-structured document gives confidence to evaluators that you have read the guidelines carefully and are well organized in your approach, consequently affirming that you will be able to undertake the research as mentioned in your proposal.  
• Ineffective writing style: The language used should be formal and grammatically correct. If required, editors could be consulted, including AI-based tools such as Paperpal , to refine the research proposal structure and language.  

Thus, a research proposal is an essential document that can help you promote your research and secure funds and grants for conducting your research. Consequently, it should be well written in clear language and include all essential details to convince the evaluators of your ability to conduct the research as proposed.  

This article has described all the important components of a research proposal and has also provided tips to improve your writing style. We hope all these tips will help you write a well-structured research proposal to ensure receipt of grants or any other purpose.  

References  

• Sudheesh K, Duggappa DR, Nethra SS. How to write a research proposal? Indian J Anaesth. 2016;60(9):631-634. Accessed July 15, 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5037942/  
• Writing research proposals. Harvard College Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships. Harvard University. Accessed July 14, 2024. https://uraf.harvard.edu/apply-opportunities/app-components/essays/research-proposals  
• What is a research proposal? Plus how to write one. Indeed website. Accessed July 17, 2024. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/research-proposal  
• Research proposal template. University of Rochester Medical Center. Accessed July 16, 2024. https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/MediaLibraries/URMCMedia/pediatrics/research/documents/Research-proposal-Template.pdf  
• Tips for successful proposal writing. Johns Hopkins University. Accessed July 17, 2024. https://research.jhu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Tips-for-Successful-Proposal-Writing.pdf  
• Formal review of research proposals. Cornell University. Accessed July 18, 2024. https://irp.dpb.cornell.edu/surveys/survey-assessment-review-group/research-proposals  
• 7 Mistakes you must avoid in your research proposal. Aveksana (via LinkedIn). Accessed July 17, 2024. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/7-mistakes-you-must-avoid-your-research-proposal-aveksana-cmtwf/  

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Get accurate academic translations, rewriting support, grammar checks, vocabulary suggestions, and generative AI assistance that delivers human precision at machine speed. Try for free or upgrade to Paperpal Prime starting at US$19 a month to access premium features, including consistency, plagiarism, and 30+ submission readiness checks to help you succeed.  

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How to Write a Methodology in a Research Proposal

In academic research, crafting a solid methodology is crucial, acting as the foundation for a reliable study structure. It provides the framework that guides the investigation towards addressing research questions and achieving study objectives. Understanding ‘What is methodology in research?’, the components it entails, its efficient organization, and the essential steps required, is vital for aspiring academics.

This comprehensive guide explores the intricacies of accurately generating a methods section in a research proposal. It includes examples, insights, and strategies meticulously drawn from reputable academic sources, experienced instructors, and educational platforms.

What is a Research Proposal Methodology?

The thought-provoking part – methodology in a research paper – acts as a guide that describes the methods of analysis, research instruments, and procedures utilized to conduct the investigation. It delineates the survey design, analysis techniques, data retrieval methods, and ethics-related concerns, crucial for carrying out the investigation. Let's say that in a qualitative survey exploring the influence of social media on mental well-being, the approach section would elucidate how data is compiled through participant interviews or assessments and examined using thematic analysis.

Struggling with ‘how to write a research proposal’? Explore how our AI-powered Aithor Text Generator Assistant transforms the process, seamlessly generating content, reviewing errors, and providing suggestions for ideas and citations. Enhance your work’s proposal effortlessly with our comprehensive tool.

The Structure of the Research Proposal Methodology

In generating a research proposal, the written part for methodology serves as a pivotal element that charts the course of the investigation, delineating the stages and strategies to be employed. Let’s delve into essential elements to feature in this section.

1.  Research Design: Begin by elucidating the overall academic design of your survey, whether it's a quantitative, qualitative method, or mixed. Let’s say, a quantitative investigation may employ surveys with closed-ended queries to compile numerical data. 

2.  Data Retrieval Methods: Delineate the specific approaches employed to compile data, comprising observations, experiments, interviews, or previously collected material – secondary data analysis. Each method must be justified based on its suitability for addressing the investigation queries.

3.  Sampling Strategy: Describe the way survey participants or data samples are selected, ensuring representativeness, and minimizing bias. As an example, a random sampling method may select partakers from the population.

4.  Data Analysis Techniques: Detail the analytical tools and tactics you will use to scrutinize the compiled data. This can involve various methods such as content analysis, thematic exploration, statistical evaluation, or discourse examination, based on the research queries and the data type.

5.  Ethical Concerns: Consider ethical issues like informed consent, privacy-related concerns, confidentiality, and potential threats to participants. Abiding by ethical guidelines is pivotal for upholding investigation trustworthiness.

Largely, the research design outlines how the inquiry will proceed and guarantees precision and dependability in achieving its objectives.  

How to Write a Methodology Section for Research Proposals: The Essential Steps

Creating a well-planned methods section is essential for precisely managing your investigation. Curious about how to write a methodology section? Begin by clearly defining your investigation issue and the hypothesis to set a robust foundation for your inquiry.

Step 1: Specify a Problem Statement and a Strong Hypothesis

Firstly, state the investigation problem, or query that your work aims to address. Here’s a sample: "The study intends to explore the correlation between youngsters' use of social media and their resulting mental well-being."

Express a strong hypothesis that predicts the expected connection between variables. For instance, "It is hypothesized that greater social site usage linked negatively to self-reported mental health records."

Step 2: Define Your Methodological Approach

Select an appropriate methodological approach depending on your investigation design from techniques named qualitative, quantitative, or mixed.

Validate your preference of approach by explaining its suitability for addressing the queries and aims. To illustrate, "A qualitative method is selected to analyze participants' lived experiences and views regarding social media usage and psychological health."

Step 3: Outline Data Collection Methods

Detail the approaches used to gather data, comprising the tools utilized.

For example, "Semi-structured interviews will be conducted to gather rich qualitative records on participants' experiences with social media platforms."

Discuss any pilot testing or validation procedures conducted for the data retrieval mechanisms.

Step 4: Detail Data Analysis Procedures

Specify the analytical methods employed to assess the gathered data. For instance, "Thematic analysis will be utilized to uncover recurring patterns and themes in the interview transcripts concerning the usage of social media impact and mental condition outcomes."

Examine how data saturation or triangulation will be achieved to establish credibility for the investigation findings.

Step 5: Address Ethical Concerns

Offer a comprehensive overview of the ethical concerns in the inquiry, comprising safeguarding participants' privacy, attaining informed consent, and addressing potential risks.

Detail any ethical approvals or permissions obtained from relevant committees that oversee investigation like ethics panels or IRBs – institution-focused review boards.

Briefly, addressing ethical concerns and obtaining necessary approvals are critical steps in safeguarding the credibility of your inquiry outcomes. Also, stay updated on the methodology outline format to make sure your analysis proposal aligns with current standards and best practices. By precisely detailing your methodology ethics and practices, you contribute significantly to advancing expertise in your domain.

Tips on Improving Your Methodology Section - Strategies and Examples

How can you guarantee that your procedures section is succinct, coherent, and easily comprehensible? Below, we provide actionable steps to guide you in constructing a methodology that elevates the clarity of your writing.

1.  Clarity and Precision: Check and refine your methods section for conciseness, clarity, and lack of ambiguity. Use straightforward language and avoid words or phrases like jargon or technical terms that may hinder reader understanding.

2.  Justification: Justify every methodology-based selection by explaining its rationale and relevance to your investigation objectives. For example, "The use of purposive sampling ensures the inclusion of participants with diverse experiences related to social media usage."

3.  Transparency: Be sufficiently transparent about any limitations or constraints in this part, be it data collection challenges or sample size limitations. This enhances the trustworthiness of your work.

4.  Validation: Discuss any validation or reliability checks conducted for your data retrieval instruments or analytical procedures. Verification improves the reliability and authenticity of your findings.

5.  Peer Review: Consider obtaining feedback from researchers who are knowledgeable about study methodology to review, enhance, and polish your methodology section. Peer review acts as a helping tool to detect potential weaknesses or areas needing enhancement.

Prioritize justification, transparency, validation, and peer feedback to increase the validity and integrity of your methodology. These elements significantly contribute to the progression of knowledge in your academic field.

Final Thoughts

To wrap up, comprehending how to write a methodology section in a study proposal and eventually mastering this art is essential for carrying out impactful and rigorous studies. By following the ethical guidelines and outlined steps, and carefully organizing your methods section, you elevate the quality and credibility of your investigation. A well-designed methodology supports both your inquiry's execution and the advancement of expertise in your field. Best of luck with your research!

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What Is a Research Proposal?

Reference books.

• Writing the Research Paper
• Presenting the Research Paper

When applying for a research grant or scholarship, or, just before you start a major research project, you may be asked to write a preliminary document that includes basic information about your future research. This is the information that is usually needed in your proposal:

• The topic and goal of the research project.
• The kind of result expected from the research.
• The theory or framework in which the research will be done and presented.
• What kind of methods will be used (statistical, empirical, etc.).
• Short reference on the preliminary scholarship and why your research project is needed; how will it continue/justify/disprove the previous scholarship.
• How much will the research project cost; how will it be budgeted (what for the money will be spent).
• Why is it you who can do this research and not somebody else.

Most agencies that offer scholarships or grants provide information about the required format of the proposal. It may include filling out templates, types of information they need, suggested/maximum length of the proposal, etc.

Research proposal formats vary depending on the size of the planned research, the number of participants, the discipline, the characteristics of the research, etc. The following outline assumes an individual researcher. This is just a SAMPLE; several other ways are equally good and can be successful. If possible, discuss your research proposal with an expert in writing, a professor, your colleague, another student who already wrote successful proposals, etc.

• Author, author's affiliation
• Explain the topic and why you chose it. If possible explain your goal/outcome of the research . How much time you need to complete the research?
• Give a brief summary of previous scholarship and explain why your topic and goals are important.
• Relate your planned research to previous scholarship. What will your research add to our knowledge of the topic.
• Break down the main topic into smaller research questions. List them one by one and explain why these questions need to be investigated. Relate them to previous scholarship.
• Include your hypothesis into the descriptions of the detailed research issues if you have one. Explain why it is important to justify your hypothesis.
• This part depends of the methods conducted in the research process. List the methods; explain how the results will be presented; how they will be assessed.
• Explain what kind of results will justify or  disprove your hypothesis. 
• Explain how much money you need.
• Explain the details of the budget (how much you want to spend for what).
• Describe why your research is important.
• List the sources you have used for writing the research proposal, including a few main citations of the preliminary scholarship.

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How to write a research proposal

What is a research proposal?

What is the purpose of a research proposal , how long should a research proposal be, what should be included in a research proposal, 1. the title page, 2. introduction, 3. literature review, 4. research design, 5. implications, 6. reference list, frequently asked questions about writing a research proposal, related articles.

If you’re in higher education, the term “research proposal” is something you’re likely to be familiar with. But what is it, exactly? You’ll normally come across the need to prepare a research proposal when you’re looking to secure Ph.D. funding.

When you’re trying to find someone to fund your Ph.D. research, a research proposal is essentially your “pitch.”

A research proposal is a concise and coherent summary of your proposed research.

You’ll need to set out the issues that are central to the topic area and how you intend to address them with your research. To do this, you’ll need to give the following:

• an outline of the general area of study within which your research falls
• an overview of how much is currently known about the topic
• a literature review that covers the recent scholarly debate or conversation around the topic

➡️  What is a literature review? Learn more in our guide.

Essentially, you are trying to persuade your institution that you and your project are worth investing their time and money into.

It is the opportunity for you to demonstrate that you have the aptitude for this level of research by showing that you can articulate complex ideas:

It also helps you to find the right supervisor to oversee your research. When you’re writing your research proposal, you should always have this in the back of your mind.

This is the document that potential supervisors will use in determining the legitimacy of your research and, consequently, whether they will invest in you or not. It is therefore incredibly important that you spend some time on getting it right.

Tip: While there may not always be length requirements for research proposals, you should strive to cover everything you need to in a concise way.

If your research proposal is for a bachelor’s or master’s degree, it may only be a few pages long. For a Ph.D., a proposal could be a pretty long document that spans a few dozen pages.

➡️ Research proposals are similar to grant proposals. Learn how to write a grant proposal in our guide.

When you’re writing your proposal, keep in mind its purpose and why you’re writing it. It, therefore, needs to clearly explain the relevance of your research and its context with other discussions on the topic. You need to then explain what approach you will take and why it is feasible.

Generally, your structure should look something like this:

• Introduction
• Literature Review
• Research Design
• Implications

If you follow this structure, you’ll have a comprehensive and coherent proposal that looks and feels professional, without missing out on anything important. We’ll take a deep dive into each of these areas one by one next.

The title page might vary slightly per your area of study but, as a general point, your title page should contain the following:

• The proposed title of your project
• Your supervisor’s name
• The name of your institution and your particular department

Tip: Keep in mind any departmental or institutional guidelines for a research proposal title page. Also, your supervisor may ask for specific details to be added to the page.

The introduction is crucial   to your research proposal as it is your first opportunity to hook the reader in. A good introduction section will introduce your project and its relevance to the field of study.

You’ll want to use this space to demonstrate that you have carefully thought about how to present your project as interesting, original, and important research. A good place to start is by introducing the context of your research problem.

Think about answering these questions:

• What is it you want to research and why?
• How does this research relate to the respective field?
• How much is already known about this area?
• Who might find this research interesting?
• What are the key questions you aim to answer with your research?
• What will the findings of this project add to the topic area?

Your introduction aims to set yourself off on a great footing and illustrate to the reader that you are an expert in your field and that your project has a solid foundation in existing knowledge and theory.

The literature review section answers the question who else is talking about your proposed research topic.

You want to demonstrate that your research will contribute to conversations around the topic and that it will sit happily amongst experts in the field.

➡️ Read more about how to write a literature review .

There are lots of ways you can find relevant information for your literature review, including:

• Research relevant academic sources such as books and journals to find similar conversations around the topic.
• Read through abstracts and bibliographies of your academic sources to look for relevance and further additional resources without delving too deep into articles that are possibly not relevant to you.
• Watch out for heavily-cited works . This should help you to identify authoritative work that you need to read and document.
• Look for any research gaps , trends and patterns, common themes, debates, and contradictions.
• Consider any seminal studies on the topic area as it is likely anticipated that you will address these in your research proposal.

This is where you get down to the real meat of your research proposal. It should be a discussion about the overall approach you plan on taking, and the practical steps you’ll follow in answering the research questions you’ve posed.

So what should you discuss here? Some of the key things you will need to discuss at this point are:

• What form will your research take? Is it qualitative/quantitative/mixed? Will your research be primary or secondary?
• What sources will you use? Who or what will you be studying as part of your research.
• Document your research method. How are you practically going to carry out your research? What tools will you need? What procedures will you use?
• Any practicality issues you foresee. Do you think there will be any obstacles to your anticipated timescale? What resources will you require in carrying out your research?

Your research design should also discuss the potential implications of your research. For example, are you looking to confirm an existing theory or develop a new one?

If you intend to create a basis for further research, you should describe this here.

It is important to explain fully what you want the outcome of your research to look like and what you want to achieve by it. This will help those reading your research proposal to decide if it’s something the field  needs  and  wants,  and ultimately whether they will support you with it.

When you reach the end of your research proposal, you’ll have to compile a list of references for everything you’ve cited above. Ideally, you should keep track of everything from the beginning. Otherwise, this could be a mammoth and pretty laborious task to do.

Consider using a reference manager like Paperpile to format and organize your citations. Paperpile allows you to organize and save your citations for later use and cite them in thousands of citation styles directly in Google Docs, Microsoft Word, or LaTeX.

Your project may also require you to have a timeline, depending on the budget you are requesting. If you need one, you should include it here and explain both the timeline and the budget you need, documenting what should be done at each stage of the research and how much of the budget this will use.

This is the final step, but not one to be missed. You should make sure that you edit and proofread your document so that you can be sure there are no mistakes.

A good idea is to have another person proofread the document for you so that you get a fresh pair of eyes on it. You can even have a professional proofreader do this for you.

This is an important document and you don’t want spelling or grammatical mistakes to get in the way of you and your reader.

➡️ Working on a research proposal for a thesis? Take a look at our guide on how to come up with a topic for your thesis .

A research proposal is a concise and coherent summary of your proposed research. Generally, your research proposal will have a title page, introduction, literature review section, a section about research design and explaining the implications of your research, and a reference list.

A good research proposal is concise and coherent. It has a clear purpose, clearly explains the relevance of your research and its context with other discussions on the topic. A good research proposal explains what approach you will take and why it is feasible.

You need a research proposal to persuade your institution that you and your project are worth investing their time and money into. It is your opportunity to demonstrate your aptitude for this level or research by showing that you can articulate complex ideas clearly, concisely, and critically.

A research proposal is essentially your "pitch" when you're trying to find someone to fund your PhD. It is a clear and concise summary of your proposed research. It gives an outline of the general area of study within which your research falls, it elaborates how much is currently known about the topic, and it highlights any recent debate or conversation around the topic by other academics.

The general answer is: as long as it needs to be to cover everything. The length of your research proposal depends on the requirements from the institution that you are applying to. Make sure to carefully read all the instructions given, and if this specific information is not provided, you can always ask.

Want to create or adapt books like this? Learn more about how Pressbooks supports open publishing practices.

11.2 Steps in Developing a Research Proposal

Learning objectives.

• Identify the steps in developing a research proposal.
• Choose a topic and formulate a research question and working thesis.
• Develop a research proposal.

Writing a good research paper takes time, thought, and effort. Although this assignment is challenging, it is manageable. Focusing on one step at a time will help you develop a thoughtful, informative, well-supported research paper.

Your first step is to choose a topic and then to develop research questions, a working thesis, and a written research proposal. Set aside adequate time for this part of the process. Fully exploring ideas will help you build a solid foundation for your paper.

Choosing a Topic

When you choose a topic for a research paper, you are making a major commitment. Your choice will help determine whether you enjoy the lengthy process of research and writing—and whether your final paper fulfills the assignment requirements. If you choose your topic hastily, you may later find it difficult to work with your topic. By taking your time and choosing carefully, you can ensure that this assignment is not only challenging but also rewarding.

Writers understand the importance of choosing a topic that fulfills the assignment requirements and fits the assignment’s purpose and audience. (For more information about purpose and audience, see Chapter 6 “Writing Paragraphs: Separating Ideas and Shaping Content” .) Choosing a topic that interests you is also crucial. You instructor may provide a list of suggested topics or ask that you develop a topic on your own. In either case, try to identify topics that genuinely interest you.

After identifying potential topic ideas, you will need to evaluate your ideas and choose one topic to pursue. Will you be able to find enough information about the topic? Can you develop a paper about this topic that presents and supports your original ideas? Is the topic too broad or too narrow for the scope of the assignment? If so, can you modify it so it is more manageable? You will ask these questions during this preliminary phase of the research process.

Identifying Potential Topics

Sometimes, your instructor may provide a list of suggested topics. If so, you may benefit from identifying several possibilities before committing to one idea. It is important to know how to narrow down your ideas into a concise, manageable thesis. You may also use the list as a starting point to help you identify additional, related topics. Discussing your ideas with your instructor will help ensure that you choose a manageable topic that fits the requirements of the assignment.

In this chapter, you will follow a writer named Jorge, who is studying health care administration, as he prepares a research paper. You will also plan, research, and draft your own research paper.

Jorge was assigned to write a research paper on health and the media for an introductory course in health care. Although a general topic was selected for the students, Jorge had to decide which specific issues interested him. He brainstormed a list of possibilities.

If you are writing a research paper for a specialized course, look back through your notes and course activities. Identify reading assignments and class discussions that especially engaged you. Doing so can help you identify topics to pursue.

• Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) in the news
• Sexual education programs
• Hollywood and eating disorders
• Americans’ access to public health information
• Media portrayal of health care reform bill
• Depictions of drugs on television
• The effect of the Internet on mental health
• Popularized diets (such as low-carbohydrate diets)
• Fear of pandemics (bird flu, HINI, SARS)
• Electronic entertainment and obesity
• Advertisements for prescription drugs
• Public education and disease prevention

Set a timer for five minutes. Use brainstorming or idea mapping to create a list of topics you would be interested in researching for a paper about the influence of the Internet on social networking. Do you closely follow the media coverage of a particular website, such as Twitter? Would you like to learn more about a certain industry, such as online dating? Which social networking sites do you and your friends use? List as many ideas related to this topic as you can.

Narrowing Your Topic

Once you have a list of potential topics, you will need to choose one as the focus of your essay. You will also need to narrow your topic. Most writers find that the topics they listed during brainstorming or idea mapping are broad—too broad for the scope of the assignment. Working with an overly broad topic, such as sexual education programs or popularized diets, can be frustrating and overwhelming. Each topic has so many facets that it would be impossible to cover them all in a college research paper. However, more specific choices, such as the pros and cons of sexual education in kids’ television programs or the physical effects of the South Beach diet, are specific enough to write about without being too narrow to sustain an entire research paper.

A good research paper provides focused, in-depth information and analysis. If your topic is too broad, you will find it difficult to do more than skim the surface when you research it and write about it. Narrowing your focus is essential to making your topic manageable. To narrow your focus, explore your topic in writing, conduct preliminary research, and discuss both the topic and the research with others.

Exploring Your Topic in Writing

“How am I supposed to narrow my topic when I haven’t even begun researching yet?” In fact, you may already know more than you realize. Review your list and identify your top two or three topics. Set aside some time to explore each one through freewriting. (For more information about freewriting, see Chapter 8 “The Writing Process: How Do I Begin?” .) Simply taking the time to focus on your topic may yield fresh angles.

Jorge knew that he was especially interested in the topic of diet fads, but he also knew that it was much too broad for his assignment. He used freewriting to explore his thoughts so he could narrow his topic. Read Jorge’s ideas.

Conducting Preliminary Research

Another way writers may focus a topic is to conduct preliminary research . Like freewriting, exploratory reading can help you identify interesting angles. Surfing the web and browsing through newspaper and magazine articles are good ways to start. Find out what people are saying about your topic on blogs and online discussion groups. Discussing your topic with others can also inspire you. Talk about your ideas with your classmates, your friends, or your instructor.

Jorge’s freewriting exercise helped him realize that the assigned topic of health and the media intersected with a few of his interests—diet, nutrition, and obesity. Preliminary online research and discussions with his classmates strengthened his impression that many people are confused or misled by media coverage of these subjects.

Jorge decided to focus his paper on a topic that had garnered a great deal of media attention—low-carbohydrate diets. He wanted to find out whether low-carbohydrate diets were as effective as their proponents claimed.

Writing at Work

At work, you may need to research a topic quickly to find general information. This information can be useful in understanding trends in a given industry or generating competition. For example, a company may research a competitor’s prices and use the information when pricing their own product. You may find it useful to skim a variety of reliable sources and take notes on your findings.

The reliability of online sources varies greatly. In this exploratory phase of your research, you do not need to evaluate sources as closely as you will later. However, use common sense as you refine your paper topic. If you read a fascinating blog comment that gives you a new idea for your paper, be sure to check out other, more reliable sources as well to make sure the idea is worth pursuing.

Review the list of topics you created in Note 11.18 “Exercise 1” and identify two or three topics you would like to explore further. For each of these topics, spend five to ten minutes writing about the topic without stopping. Then review your writing to identify possible areas of focus.

Set aside time to conduct preliminary research about your potential topics. Then choose a topic to pursue for your research paper.

Collaboration

Please share your topic list with a classmate. Select one or two topics on his or her list that you would like to learn more about and return it to him or her. Discuss why you found the topics interesting, and learn which of your topics your classmate selected and why.

A Plan for Research

Your freewriting and preliminary research have helped you choose a focused, manageable topic for your research paper. To work with your topic successfully, you will need to determine what exactly you want to learn about it—and later, what you want to say about it. Before you begin conducting in-depth research, you will further define your focus by developing a research question , a working thesis, and a research proposal.

Formulating a Research Question

In forming a research question, you are setting a goal for your research. Your main research question should be substantial enough to form the guiding principle of your paper—but focused enough to guide your research. A strong research question requires you not only to find information but also to put together different pieces of information, interpret and analyze them, and figure out what you think. As you consider potential research questions, ask yourself whether they would be too hard or too easy to answer.

To determine your research question, review the freewriting you completed earlier. Skim through books, articles, and websites and list the questions you have. (You may wish to use the 5WH strategy to help you formulate questions. See Chapter 8 “The Writing Process: How Do I Begin?” for more information about 5WH questions.) Include simple, factual questions and more complex questions that would require analysis and interpretation. Determine your main question—the primary focus of your paper—and several subquestions that you will need to research to answer your main question.

Here are the research questions Jorge will use to focus his research. Notice that his main research question has no obvious, straightforward answer. Jorge will need to research his subquestions, which address narrower topics, to answer his main question.

Using the topic you selected in Note 11.24 “Exercise 2” , write your main research question and at least four to five subquestions. Check that your main research question is appropriately complex for your assignment.

Constructing a Working ThesIs

A working thesis concisely states a writer’s initial answer to the main research question. It does not merely state a fact or present a subjective opinion. Instead, it expresses a debatable idea or claim that you hope to prove through additional research. Your working thesis is called a working thesis for a reason—it is subject to change. As you learn more about your topic, you may change your thinking in light of your research findings. Let your working thesis serve as a guide to your research, but do not be afraid to modify it based on what you learn.

Jorge began his research with a strong point of view based on his preliminary writing and research. Read his working thesis statement, which presents the point he will argue. Notice how it states Jorge’s tentative answer to his research question.

One way to determine your working thesis is to consider how you would complete sentences such as I believe or My opinion is . However, keep in mind that academic writing generally does not use first-person pronouns. These statements are useful starting points, but formal research papers use an objective voice.

Write a working thesis statement that presents your preliminary answer to the research question you wrote in Note 11.27 “Exercise 3” . Check that your working thesis statement presents an idea or claim that could be supported or refuted by evidence from research.

Creating a Research Proposal

A research proposal is a brief document—no more than one typed page—that summarizes the preliminary work you have completed. Your purpose in writing it is to formalize your plan for research and present it to your instructor for feedback. In your research proposal, you will present your main research question, related subquestions, and working thesis. You will also briefly discuss the value of researching this topic and indicate how you plan to gather information.

When Jorge began drafting his research proposal, he realized that he had already created most of the pieces he needed. However, he knew he also had to explain how his research would be relevant to other future health care professionals. In addition, he wanted to form a general plan for doing the research and identifying potentially useful sources. Read Jorge’s research proposal.

Before you begin a new project at work, you may have to develop a project summary document that states the purpose of the project, explains why it would be a wise use of company resources, and briefly outlines the steps involved in completing the project. This type of document is similar to a research proposal. Both documents define and limit a project, explain its value, discuss how to proceed, and identify what resources you will use.

Writing Your Own Research Proposal

Now you may write your own research proposal, if you have not done so already. Follow the guidelines provided in this lesson.

Key Takeaways

• Developing a research proposal involves the following preliminary steps: identifying potential ideas, choosing ideas to explore further, choosing and narrowing a topic, formulating a research question, and developing a working thesis.
• A good topic for a research paper interests the writer and fulfills the requirements of the assignment.
• Defining and narrowing a topic helps writers conduct focused, in-depth research.
• Writers conduct preliminary research to identify possible topics and research questions and to develop a working thesis.
• A good research question interests readers, is neither too broad nor too narrow, and has no obvious answer.
• A good working thesis expresses a debatable idea or claim that can be supported with evidence from research.
• Writers create a research proposal to present their topic, main research question, subquestions, and working thesis to an instructor for approval or feedback.

Writing for Success Copyright © 2015 by University of Minnesota is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Blog Business How to Write a Research Proposal: A Step-by-Step

How to Write a Research Proposal: A Step-by-Step

Written by: Danesh Ramuthi Nov 29, 2023

A research proposal is a structured outline for a planned study on a specific topic. It serves as a roadmap, guiding researchers through the process of converting their research idea into a feasible project. 

The aim of a research proposal is multifold: it articulates the research problem, establishes a theoretical framework, outlines the research methodology and highlights the potential significance of the study. Importantly, it’s a critical tool for scholars seeking grant funding or approval for their research projects.

Crafting a good research proposal requires not only understanding your research topic and methodological approaches but also the ability to present your ideas clearly and persuasively. Explore Venngage’s Proposal Maker and Research Proposals Templates to begin your journey in writing a compelling research proposal.

What to include in a research proposal?

In a research proposal, include a clear statement of your research question or problem, along with an explanation of its significance. This should be followed by a literature review that situates your proposed study within the context of existing research. 

Your proposal should also outline the research methodology, detailing how you plan to conduct your study, including data collection and analysis methods.

Additionally, include a theoretical framework that guides your research approach, a timeline or research schedule, and a budget if applicable. It’s important to also address the anticipated outcomes and potential implications of your study. A well-structured research proposal will clearly communicate your research objectives, methods and significance to the readers.

How to format a research proposal?

Formatting a research proposal involves adhering to a structured outline to ensure clarity and coherence. While specific requirements may vary, a standard research proposal typically includes the following elements:

• Title Page: Must include the title of your research proposal, your name and affiliations. The title should be concise and descriptive of your proposed research.
• Abstract: A brief summary of your proposal, usually not exceeding 250 words. It should highlight the research question, methodology and the potential impact of the study.
• Introduction: Introduces your research question or problem, explains its significance, and states the objectives of your study.
• Literature review: Here, you contextualize your research within existing scholarship, demonstrating your knowledge of the field and how your research will contribute to it.
• Methodology: Outline your research methods, including how you will collect and analyze data. This section should be detailed enough to show the feasibility and thoughtfulness of your approach.
• Timeline: Provide an estimated schedule for your research, breaking down the process into stages with a realistic timeline for each.
• Budget (if applicable): If your research requires funding, include a detailed budget outlining expected cost.
• References/Bibliography: List all sources referenced in your proposal in a consistent citation style.

How to write a research proposal in 11 steps?

Writing a research proposal template in structured steps ensures a comprehensive and coherent presentation of your research project. Let’s look at the explanation for each of the steps here:  

Step 1: Title and Abstract Step 2: Introduction Step 3: Research objectives Step 4: Literature review Step 5: Methodology Step 6: Timeline Step 7: Resources Step 8: Ethical considerations Step 9: Expected outcomes and significance Step 10: References Step 11: Appendices

Step 1: title and abstract.

Select a concise, descriptive title and write an abstract summarizing your research question, objectives, methodology and expected outcomes​​. The abstract should include your research question, the objectives you aim to achieve, the methodology you plan to employ and the anticipated outcomes. 

Step 2: Introduction

In this section, introduce the topic of your research, emphasizing its significance and relevance to the field. Articulate the research problem or question in clear terms and provide background context, which should include an overview of previous research in the field.

Step 3: Research objectives

Here, you’ll need to outline specific, clear and achievable objectives that align with your research problem. These objectives should be well-defined, focused and measurable, serving as the guiding pillars for your study. They help in establishing what you intend to accomplish through your research and provide a clear direction for your investigation.

Step 4: Literature review

In this part, conduct a thorough review of existing literature related to your research topic. This involves a detailed summary of key findings and major contributions from previous research. Identify existing gaps in the literature and articulate how your research aims to fill these gaps. The literature review not only shows your grasp of the subject matter but also how your research will contribute new insights or perspectives to the field.

Step 5: Methodology

Describe the design of your research and the methodologies you will employ. This should include detailed information on data collection methods, instruments to be used and analysis techniques. Justify the appropriateness of these methods for your research​​.

Step 6: Timeline

Construct a detailed timeline that maps out the major milestones and activities of your research project. Break the entire research process into smaller, manageable tasks and assign realistic time frames to each. This timeline should cover everything from the initial research phase to the final submission, including periods for data collection, analysis and report writing. 

It helps in ensuring your project stays on track and demonstrates to reviewers that you have a well-thought-out plan for completing your research efficiently.

Step 7: Resources

Identify all the resources that will be required for your research, such as specific databases, laboratory equipment, software or funding. Provide details on how these resources will be accessed or acquired. 

If your research requires funding, explain how it will be utilized effectively to support various aspects of the project. 

Step 8: Ethical considerations

Address any ethical issues that may arise during your research. This is particularly important for research involving human subjects. Describe the measures you will take to ensure ethical standards are maintained, such as obtaining informed consent, ensuring participant privacy, and adhering to data protection regulations. 

Here, in this section you should reassure reviewers that you are committed to conducting your research responsibly and ethically.

Step 9: Expected outcomes and significance

Articulate the expected outcomes or results of your research. Explain the potential impact and significance of these outcomes, whether in advancing academic knowledge, influencing policy or addressing specific societal or practical issues. 

Step 10: References

Compile a comprehensive list of all the references cited in your proposal. Adhere to a consistent citation style (like APA or MLA) throughout your document. The reference section not only gives credit to the original authors of your sourced information but also strengthens the credibility of your proposal.

Step 11: Appendices

Include additional supporting materials that are pertinent to your research proposal. This can be survey questionnaires, interview guides, detailed data analysis plans or any supplementary information that supports the main text. 

Appendices provide further depth to your proposal, showcasing the thoroughness of your preparation.

Research proposal FAQs

1. how long should a research proposal be.

The length of a research proposal can vary depending on the requirements of the academic institution, funding body or specific guidelines provided. Generally, research proposals range from 500 to 1500 words or about one to a few pages long. It’s important to provide enough detail to clearly convey your research idea, objectives and methodology, while being concise. Always check

2. Why is the research plan pivotal to a research project?

The research plan is pivotal to a research project because it acts as a blueprint, guiding every phase of the study. It outlines the objectives, methodology, timeline and expected outcomes, providing a structured approach and ensuring that the research is systematically conducted. 

A well-crafted plan helps in identifying potential challenges, allocating resources efficiently and maintaining focus on the research goals. It is also essential for communicating the project’s feasibility and importance to stakeholders, such as funding bodies or academic supervisors.

Mastering how to write a research proposal is an essential skill for any scholar, whether in social and behavioral sciences, academic writing or any field requiring scholarly research. From this article, you have learned key components, from the literature review to the research design, helping you develop a persuasive and well-structured proposal.

Remember, a good research proposal not only highlights your proposed research and methodology but also demonstrates its relevance and potential impact.

For additional support, consider utilizing Venngage’s Proposal Maker and Research Proposals Templates , valuable tools in crafting a compelling proposal that stands out.

Whether it’s for grant funding, a research paper or a dissertation proposal, these resources can assist in transforming your research idea into a successful submission.

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• Indian J Anaesth
• v.60(9); 2016 Sep

How to write a research proposal?

Department of Anaesthesiology, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

Devika Rani Duggappa

Writing the proposal of a research work in the present era is a challenging task due to the constantly evolving trends in the qualitative research design and the need to incorporate medical advances into the methodology. The proposal is a detailed plan or ‘blueprint’ for the intended study, and once it is completed, the research project should flow smoothly. Even today, many of the proposals at post-graduate evaluation committees and application proposals for funding are substandard. A search was conducted with keywords such as research proposal, writing proposal and qualitative using search engines, namely, PubMed and Google Scholar, and an attempt has been made to provide broad guidelines for writing a scientifically appropriate research proposal.

INTRODUCTION

A clean, well-thought-out proposal forms the backbone for the research itself and hence becomes the most important step in the process of conduct of research.[ 1 ] The objective of preparing a research proposal would be to obtain approvals from various committees including ethics committee [details under ‘Research methodology II’ section [ Table 1 ] in this issue of IJA) and to request for grants. However, there are very few universally accepted guidelines for preparation of a good quality research proposal. A search was performed with keywords such as research proposal, funding, qualitative and writing proposals using search engines, namely, PubMed, Google Scholar and Scopus.

Five ‘C’s while writing a literature review

BASIC REQUIREMENTS OF A RESEARCH PROPOSAL

A proposal needs to show how your work fits into what is already known about the topic and what new paradigm will it add to the literature, while specifying the question that the research will answer, establishing its significance, and the implications of the answer.[ 2 ] The proposal must be capable of convincing the evaluation committee about the credibility, achievability, practicality and reproducibility (repeatability) of the research design.[ 3 ] Four categories of audience with different expectations may be present in the evaluation committees, namely academic colleagues, policy-makers, practitioners and lay audiences who evaluate the research proposal. Tips for preparation of a good research proposal include; ‘be practical, be persuasive, make broader links, aim for crystal clarity and plan before you write’. A researcher must be balanced, with a realistic understanding of what can be achieved. Being persuasive implies that researcher must be able to convince other researchers, research funding agencies, educational institutions and supervisors that the research is worth getting approval. The aim of the researcher should be clearly stated in simple language that describes the research in a way that non-specialists can comprehend, without use of jargons. The proposal must not only demonstrate that it is based on an intelligent understanding of the existing literature but also show that the writer has thought about the time needed to conduct each stage of the research.[ 4 , 5 ]

CONTENTS OF A RESEARCH PROPOSAL

The contents or formats of a research proposal vary depending on the requirements of evaluation committee and are generally provided by the evaluation committee or the institution.

In general, a cover page should contain the (i) title of the proposal, (ii) name and affiliation of the researcher (principal investigator) and co-investigators, (iii) institutional affiliation (degree of the investigator and the name of institution where the study will be performed), details of contact such as phone numbers, E-mail id's and lines for signatures of investigators.

The main contents of the proposal may be presented under the following headings: (i) introduction, (ii) review of literature, (iii) aims and objectives, (iv) research design and methods, (v) ethical considerations, (vi) budget, (vii) appendices and (viii) citations.[ 4 ]

Introduction

It is also sometimes termed as ‘need for study’ or ‘abstract’. Introduction is an initial pitch of an idea; it sets the scene and puts the research in context.[ 6 ] The introduction should be designed to create interest in the reader about the topic and proposal. It should convey to the reader, what you want to do, what necessitates the study and your passion for the topic.[ 7 ] Some questions that can be used to assess the significance of the study are: (i) Who has an interest in the domain of inquiry? (ii) What do we already know about the topic? (iii) What has not been answered adequately in previous research and practice? (iv) How will this research add to knowledge, practice and policy in this area? Some of the evaluation committees, expect the last two questions, elaborated under a separate heading of ‘background and significance’.[ 8 ] Introduction should also contain the hypothesis behind the research design. If hypothesis cannot be constructed, the line of inquiry to be used in the research must be indicated.

Review of literature

It refers to all sources of scientific evidence pertaining to the topic in interest. In the present era of digitalisation and easy accessibility, there is an enormous amount of relevant data available, making it a challenge for the researcher to include all of it in his/her review.[ 9 ] It is crucial to structure this section intelligently so that the reader can grasp the argument related to your study in relation to that of other researchers, while still demonstrating to your readers that your work is original and innovative. It is preferable to summarise each article in a paragraph, highlighting the details pertinent to the topic of interest. The progression of review can move from the more general to the more focused studies, or a historical progression can be used to develop the story, without making it exhaustive.[ 1 ] Literature should include supporting data, disagreements and controversies. Five ‘C's may be kept in mind while writing a literature review[ 10 ] [ Table 1 ].

Aims and objectives

The research purpose (or goal or aim) gives a broad indication of what the researcher wishes to achieve in the research. The hypothesis to be tested can be the aim of the study. The objectives related to parameters or tools used to achieve the aim are generally categorised as primary and secondary objectives.

Research design and method

The objective here is to convince the reader that the overall research design and methods of analysis will correctly address the research problem and to impress upon the reader that the methodology/sources chosen are appropriate for the specific topic. It should be unmistakably tied to the specific aims of your study.

In this section, the methods and sources used to conduct the research must be discussed, including specific references to sites, databases, key texts or authors that will be indispensable to the project. There should be specific mention about the methodological approaches to be undertaken to gather information, about the techniques to be used to analyse it and about the tests of external validity to which researcher is committed.[ 10 , 11 ]

The components of this section include the following:[ 4 ]

Population and sample

Population refers to all the elements (individuals, objects or substances) that meet certain criteria for inclusion in a given universe,[ 12 ] and sample refers to subset of population which meets the inclusion criteria for enrolment into the study. The inclusion and exclusion criteria should be clearly defined. The details pertaining to sample size are discussed in the article “Sample size calculation: Basic priniciples” published in this issue of IJA.

Data collection

The researcher is expected to give a detailed account of the methodology adopted for collection of data, which include the time frame required for the research. The methodology should be tested for its validity and ensure that, in pursuit of achieving the results, the participant's life is not jeopardised. The author should anticipate and acknowledge any potential barrier and pitfall in carrying out the research design and explain plans to address them, thereby avoiding lacunae due to incomplete data collection. If the researcher is planning to acquire data through interviews or questionnaires, copy of the questions used for the same should be attached as an annexure with the proposal.

Rigor (soundness of the research)

This addresses the strength of the research with respect to its neutrality, consistency and applicability. Rigor must be reflected throughout the proposal.

It refers to the robustness of a research method against bias. The author should convey the measures taken to avoid bias, viz. blinding and randomisation, in an elaborate way, thus ensuring that the result obtained from the adopted method is purely as chance and not influenced by other confounding variables.

Consistency

Consistency considers whether the findings will be consistent if the inquiry was replicated with the same participants and in a similar context. This can be achieved by adopting standard and universally accepted methods and scales.

Applicability

Applicability refers to the degree to which the findings can be applied to different contexts and groups.[ 13 ]

Data analysis

This section deals with the reduction and reconstruction of data and its analysis including sample size calculation. The researcher is expected to explain the steps adopted for coding and sorting the data obtained. Various tests to be used to analyse the data for its robustness, significance should be clearly stated. Author should also mention the names of statistician and suitable software which will be used in due course of data analysis and their contribution to data analysis and sample calculation.[ 9 ]

Ethical considerations

Medical research introduces special moral and ethical problems that are not usually encountered by other researchers during data collection, and hence, the researcher should take special care in ensuring that ethical standards are met. Ethical considerations refer to the protection of the participants' rights (right to self-determination, right to privacy, right to autonomy and confidentiality, right to fair treatment and right to protection from discomfort and harm), obtaining informed consent and the institutional review process (ethical approval). The researcher needs to provide adequate information on each of these aspects.

Informed consent needs to be obtained from the participants (details discussed in further chapters), as well as the research site and the relevant authorities.

When the researcher prepares a research budget, he/she should predict and cost all aspects of the research and then add an additional allowance for unpredictable disasters, delays and rising costs. All items in the budget should be justified.

Appendices are documents that support the proposal and application. The appendices will be specific for each proposal but documents that are usually required include informed consent form, supporting documents, questionnaires, measurement tools and patient information of the study in layman's language.

As with any scholarly research paper, you must cite the sources you used in composing your proposal. Although the words ‘references and bibliography’ are different, they are used interchangeably. It refers to all references cited in the research proposal.

Successful, qualitative research proposals should communicate the researcher's knowledge of the field and method and convey the emergent nature of the qualitative design. The proposal should follow a discernible logic from the introduction to presentation of the appendices.

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There are no conflicts of interest.

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• How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates

How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates

Published on 30 October 2022 by Shona McCombes and Tegan George. Revised on 13 June 2023.

A research proposal describes what you will investigate, why it’s important, and how you will conduct your research.

The format of a research proposal varies between fields, but most proposals will contain at least these elements:

Introduction

Literature review.

• Research design

Reference list

While the sections may vary, the overall objective is always the same. A research proposal serves as a blueprint and guide for your research plan, helping you get organised and feel confident in the path forward you choose to take.

Table of contents

Research proposal purpose, research proposal examples, research design and methods, contribution to knowledge, research schedule, frequently asked questions.

Academics often have to write research proposals to get funding for their projects. As a student, you might have to write a research proposal as part of a grad school application , or prior to starting your thesis or dissertation .

In addition to helping you figure out what your research can look like, a proposal can also serve to demonstrate why your project is worth pursuing to a funder, educational institution, or supervisor.

Research proposal length

The length of a research proposal can vary quite a bit. A bachelor’s or master’s thesis proposal can be just a few pages, while proposals for PhD dissertations or research funding are usually much longer and more detailed. Your supervisor can help you determine the best length for your work.

One trick to get started is to think of your proposal’s structure as a shorter version of your thesis or dissertation , only without the results , conclusion and discussion sections.

Download our research proposal template

Prevent plagiarism, run a free check.

Writing a research proposal can be quite challenging, but a good starting point could be to look at some examples. We’ve included a few for you below.

• Example research proposal #1: ‘A Conceptual Framework for Scheduling Constraint Management’
• Example research proposal #2: ‘ Medical Students as Mediators of Change in Tobacco Use’

Like your dissertation or thesis, the proposal will usually have a title page that includes:

• The proposed title of your project
• Your supervisor’s name
• Your institution and department

The first part of your proposal is the initial pitch for your project. Make sure it succinctly explains what you want to do and why.

Your introduction should:

• Introduce your topic
• Give necessary background and context
• Outline your  problem statement  and research questions

To guide your introduction , include information about:

• Who could have an interest in the topic (e.g., scientists, policymakers)
• How much is already known about the topic
• What is missing from this current knowledge
• What new insights your research will contribute
• Why you believe this research is worth doing

As you get started, it’s important to demonstrate that you’re familiar with the most important research on your topic. A strong literature review  shows your reader that your project has a solid foundation in existing knowledge or theory. It also shows that you’re not simply repeating what other people have already done or said, but rather using existing research as a jumping-off point for your own.

In this section, share exactly how your project will contribute to ongoing conversations in the field by:

• Comparing and contrasting the main theories, methods, and debates
• Examining the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches
• Explaining how will you build on, challenge, or synthesise prior scholarship

Following the literature review, restate your main  objectives . This brings the focus back to your own project. Next, your research design or methodology section will describe your overall approach, and the practical steps you will take to answer your research questions.

To finish your proposal on a strong note, explore the potential implications of your research for your field. Emphasise again what you aim to contribute and why it matters.

For example, your results might have implications for:

• Improving best practices
• Informing policymaking decisions
• Strengthening a theory or model
• Challenging popular or scientific beliefs
• Creating a basis for future research

Last but not least, your research proposal must include correct citations for every source you have used, compiled in a reference list . To create citations quickly and easily, you can use our free APA citation generator .

Some institutions or funders require a detailed timeline of the project, asking you to forecast what you will do at each stage and how long it may take. While not always required, be sure to check the requirements of your project.

Here’s an example schedule to help you get started. You can also download a template at the button below.

Download our research schedule template

If you are applying for research funding, chances are you will have to include a detailed budget. This shows your estimates of how much each part of your project will cost.

Make sure to check what type of costs the funding body will agree to cover. For each item, include:

• Cost : exactly how much money do you need?
• Justification : why is this cost necessary to complete the research?
• Source : how did you calculate the amount?

To determine your budget, think about:

• Travel costs : do you need to go somewhere to collect your data? How will you get there, and how much time will you need? What will you do there (e.g., interviews, archival research)?
• Materials : do you need access to any tools or technologies?
• Help : do you need to hire any research assistants for the project? What will they do, and how much will you pay them?

Once you’ve decided on your research objectives , you need to explain them in your paper, at the end of your problem statement.

Keep your research objectives clear and concise, and use appropriate verbs to accurately convey the work that you will carry out for each one.

I will compare …

A research aim is a broad statement indicating the general purpose of your research project. It should appear in your introduction at the end of your problem statement , before your research objectives.

Research objectives are more specific than your research aim. They indicate the specific ways you’ll address the overarching aim.

A PhD, which is short for philosophiae doctor (doctor of philosophy in Latin), is the highest university degree that can be obtained. In a PhD, students spend 3–5 years writing a dissertation , which aims to make a significant, original contribution to current knowledge.

A PhD is intended to prepare students for a career as a researcher, whether that be in academia, the public sector, or the private sector.

A master’s is a 1- or 2-year graduate degree that can prepare you for a variety of careers.

All master’s involve graduate-level coursework. Some are research-intensive and intend to prepare students for further study in a PhD; these usually require their students to write a master’s thesis . Others focus on professional training for a specific career.

Critical thinking refers to the ability to evaluate information and to be aware of biases or assumptions, including your own.

Like information literacy , it involves evaluating arguments, identifying and solving problems in an objective and systematic way, and clearly communicating your ideas.

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McCombes, S. & George, T. (2023, June 13). How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates. Scribbr. Retrieved 12 August 2024, from https://www.scribbr.co.uk/the-research-process/research-proposal-explained/

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Research Proposal Example/Sample

Detailed Walkthrough + Free Proposal Template

If you’re getting started crafting your research proposal and are looking for a few examples of research proposals , you’ve come to the right place.

In this video, we walk you through two successful (approved) research proposals , one for a Master’s-level project, and one for a PhD-level dissertation. We also start off by unpacking our free research proposal template and discussing the four core sections of a research proposal, so that you have a clear understanding of the basics before diving into the actual proposals.

• Research proposal example/sample – Master’s-level (PDF/Word)
• Research proposal example/sample – PhD-level (PDF/Word)
• Proposal template (Fully editable) 

If you’re working on a research proposal for a dissertation or thesis, you may also find the following useful:

• Research Proposal Bootcamp : Learn how to write a research proposal as efficiently and effectively as possible
• 1:1 Proposal Coaching : Get hands-on help with your research proposal

PS – If you’re working on a dissertation, be sure to also check out our collection of dissertation and thesis examples here .

FAQ: Research Proposal Example

Research proposal example: frequently asked questions, are the sample proposals real.

Yes. The proposals are real and were approved by the respective universities.

Can I copy one of these proposals for my own research?

As we discuss in the video, every research proposal will be slightly different, depending on the university’s unique requirements, as well as the nature of the research itself. Therefore, you’ll need to tailor your research proposal to suit your specific context.

You can learn more about the basics of writing a research proposal here .

How do I get the research proposal template?

You can access our free proposal template here .

Is the proposal template really free?

Yes. There is no cost for the proposal template and you are free to use it as a foundation for your research proposal.

Where can I learn more about proposal writing?

For self-directed learners, our Research Proposal Bootcamp is a great starting point.

For students that want hands-on guidance, our private coaching service is recommended.

Psst… there’s more!

This post is an extract from our bestselling short course, Research Proposal Bootcamp . If you want to work smart, you don't want to miss this .

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Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Paper: Writing a Research Proposal

• Purpose of Guide
• Writing a Research Proposal
• Design Flaws to Avoid
• Independent and Dependent Variables
• Narrowing a Topic Idea
• Broadening a Topic Idea
• The Research Problem/Question
• Academic Writing Style
• Choosing a Title
• Making an Outline
• Paragraph Development
• The C.A.R.S. Model
• Background Information
• Theoretical Framework
• Citation Tracking
• Evaluating Sources
• Reading Research Effectively
• Primary Sources
• Secondary Sources
• What Is Scholarly vs. Popular?
• Is it Peer-Reviewed?
• Qualitative Methods
• Quantitative Methods
• Common Grammar Mistakes
• Writing Concisely
• Avoiding Plagiarism [linked guide]
• Annotated Bibliography
• Grading Someone Else's Paper

The goal of a research proposal is to present and justify the need to study a research problem and to present the practical ways in which the proposed study should be conducted. The design elements and procedures for conducting the research are governed by standards within the predominant discipline in which the problem resides, so guidelines for research proposals are more exacting and less formal than a general project proposal. Research proposals contain extensive literature reviews. They must provide persuasive evidence that a need exists for the proposed study. In addition to providing a rationale, a proposal describes detailed methodology for conducting the research consistent with requirements of the professional or academic field and a statement on anticipated outcomes and/or benefits derived from the study's completion.

Krathwohl, David R. How to Prepare a Dissertation Proposal: Suggestions for Students in Education and the Social and Behavioral Sciences . Syracuse, NY: Syracuse University Press, 2005.

How to Approach Writing a Research Proposal

Your professor may assign the task of writing a research proposal for the following reasons:

• Develop your skills in thinking about and designing a comprehensive research study;
• Learn how to conduct a comprehensive review of the literature to ensure a research problem has not already been answered [or you may determine the problem has been answered ineffectively] and, in so doing, become better at locating scholarship related to your topic;
• Improve your general research and writing skills;
• Practice identifying the logical steps that must be taken to accomplish one's research goals;
• Critically review, examine, and consider the use of different methods for gathering and analyzing data related to the research problem; and,
• Nurture a sense of inquisitiveness within yourself and to help see yourself as an active participant in the process of doing scholarly research.

A proposal should contain all the key elements involved in designing a completed research study, with sufficient information that allows readers to assess the validity and usefulness of your proposed study. The only elements missing from a research proposal are the findings of the study and your analysis of those results. Finally, an effective proposal is judged on the quality of your writing and, therefore, it is important that your writing is coherent, clear, and compelling.

Regardless of the research problem you are investigating and the methodology you choose, all research proposals must address the following questions:

• What do you plan to accomplish? Be clear and succinct in defining the research problem and what it is you are proposing to research.
• Why do you want to do it? In addition to detailing your research design, you also must conduct a thorough review of the literature and provide convincing evidence that it is a topic worthy of study. Be sure to answer the "So What?" question.
• How are you going to do it? Be sure that what you propose is doable. If you're having trouble formulating a research problem to propose investigating, go here .

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Failure to be concise; being "all over the map" without a clear sense of purpose.
• Failure to cite landmark works in your literature review.
• Failure to delimit the contextual boundaries of your research [e.g., time, place, people, etc.].
• Failure to develop a coherent and persuasive argument for the proposed research.
• Failure to stay focused on the research problem; going off on unrelated tangents.
• Sloppy or imprecise writing, or poor grammar.
• Too much detail on minor issues, but not enough detail on major issues.

Procter, Margaret. The Academic Proposal .  The Lab Report. University College Writing Centre. University of Toronto; Sanford, Keith. Information for Students: Writing a Research Proposal . Baylor University; Wong, Paul T. P. How to Write a Research Proposal . International Network on Personal Meaning. Trinity Western University; Writing Academic Proposals: Conferences, Articles, and Books . The Writing Lab and The OWL. Purdue University; Writing a Research Proposal . University Library. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Structure and Writing Style

Beginning the Proposal Process

As with writing a regular academic paper, research proposals are generally organized the same way throughout most social science disciplines. Proposals vary between ten and twenty-five pages in length. However, before you begin, read the assignment carefully and, if anything seems unclear, ask your professor whether there are any specific requirements for organizing and writing the proposal.

A good place to begin is to ask yourself a series of questions:

• What do I want to study?
• Why is the topic important?
• How is it significant within the subject areas covered in my class?
• What problems will it help solve?
• How does it build upon [and hopefully go beyond] research already conducted on the topic?
• What exactly should I plan to do, and can I get it done in the time available?

In general, a compelling research proposal should document your knowledge of the topic and demonstrate your enthusiasm for conducting the study. Approach it with the intention of leaving your readers feeling like--"Wow, that's an exciting idea and I can’t wait to see how it turns out!"

In general your proposal should include the following sections:

I.  Introduction

In the real world of higher education, a research proposal is most often written by scholars seeking grant funding for a research project or it's the first step in getting approval to write a doctoral dissertation. Even if this is just a course assignment, treat your introduction as the initial pitch of an idea or a thorough examination of the significance of a research problem. After reading the introduction, your readers should not only have an understanding of what you want to do, but they should also be able to gain a sense of your passion for the topic and be excited about the study's possible outcomes. Note that most proposals do not include an abstract [summary] before the introduction.

Think about your introduction as a narrative written in one to three paragraphs that succinctly answers the following four questions :

• What is the central research problem?
• What is the topic of study related to that problem?
• What methods should be used to analyze the research problem?
• Why is this important research, what is its significance, and why should someone reading the proposal care about the outcomes of the proposed study?

II.  Background and Significance

This section can be melded into your introduction or you can create a separate section to help with the organization and narrative flow of your proposal. This is where you explain the context of your proposal and describe in detail why it's important. Approach writing this section with the thought that you can’t assume your readers will know as much about the research problem as you do. Note that this section is not an essay going over everything you have learned about the topic; instead, you must choose what is relevant to help explain the goals for your study.

To that end, while there are no hard and fast rules, you should attempt to address some or all of the following key points:

• State the research problem and give a more detailed explanation about the purpose of the study than what you stated in the introduction. This is particularly important if the problem is complex or multifaceted .
• Present the rationale of your proposed study and clearly indicate why it is worth doing. Answer the "So What? question [i.e., why should anyone care].
• Describe the major issues or problems to be addressed by your research. Be sure to note how your proposed study builds on previous assumptions about the research problem.
• Explain how you plan to go about conducting your research. Clearly identify the key sources you intend to use and explain how they will contribute to your analysis of the topic.
• Set the boundaries of your proposed research in order to provide a clear focus. Where appropriate, state not only what you will study, but what is excluded from the study.
• If necessary, provide definitions of key concepts or terms.

III.  Literature Review

Connected to the background and significance of your study is a section of your proposal devoted to a more deliberate review and synthesis of prior studies related to the research problem under investigation . The purpose here is to place your project within the larger whole of what is currently being explored, while demonstrating to your readers that your work is original and innovative. Think about what questions other researchers have asked, what methods they have used, and what is your understanding of their findings and, where stated, their recommendations. Do not be afraid to challenge the conclusions of prior research. Assess what you believe is missing and state how previous research has failed to adequately examine the issue that your study addresses. For more information on writing literature reviews, GO HERE .

Since a literature review is information dense, it is crucial that this section is intelligently structured to enable a reader to grasp the key arguments underpinning your study in relation to that of other researchers. A good strategy is to break the literature into "conceptual categories" [themes] rather than systematically describing groups of materials one at a time. Note that conceptual categories generally reveal themselves after you have read most of the pertinent literature on your topic so adding new categories is an on-going process of discovery as you read more studies. How do you know you've covered the key conceptual categories underlying the research literature? Generally, you can have confidence that all of the significant conceptual categories have been identified if you start to see repetition in the conclusions or recommendations that are being made.

To help frame your proposal's literature review, here are the "five C’s" of writing a literature review:

• Cite , so as to keep the primary focus on the literature pertinent to your research problem.
• Compare the various arguments, theories, methodologies, and findings expressed in the literature: what do the authors agree on? Who applies similar approaches to analyzing the research problem?
• Contrast the various arguments, themes, methodologies, approaches, and controversies expressed in the literature: what are the major areas of disagreement, controversy, or debate?
• Critique the literature: Which arguments are more persuasive, and why? Which approaches, findings, methodologies seem most reliable, valid, or appropriate, and why? Pay attention to the verbs you use to describe what an author says/does [e.g., asserts, demonstrates, argues, etc.] .
• Connect the literature to your own area of research and investigation: how does your own work draw upon, depart from, synthesize, or add a new perspective to what has been said in the literature?

IV.  Research Design and Methods

This section must be well-written and logically organized because you are not actually doing the research, yet, your reader must have confidence that it is worth pursuing . The reader will never have a study outcome from which to evaluate whether your methodological choices were the correct ones. Thus, the objective here is to convince the reader that your overall research design and methods of analysis will correctly address the problem and that the methods will provide the means to effectively interpret the potential results. Your design and methods should be unmistakably tied to the specific aims of your study.

Describe the overall research design by building upon and drawing examples from your review of the literature. Consider not only methods that other researchers have used but methods of data gathering that have not been used but perhaps could be. Be specific about the methodological approaches you plan to undertake to obtain information, the techniques you would use to analyze the data, and the tests of external validity to which you commit yourself [i.e., the trustworthiness by which you can generalize from your study to other people, places, events, and/or periods of time].

When describing the methods you will use, be sure to cover the following:

• Specify the research operations you will undertake and the way you will interpret the results of these operations in relation to the research problem. Don't just describe what you intend to achieve from applying the methods you choose, but state how you will spend your time while applying these methods [e.g., coding text from interviews to find statements about the need to change school curriculum; running a regression to determine if there is a relationship between campaign advertising on social media sites and election outcomes in Europe ].
• Keep in mind that a methodology is not just a list of tasks; it is an argument as to why these tasks add up to the best way to investigate the research problem. This is an important point because the mere listing of tasks to be performed does not demonstrate that, collectively, they effectively address the research problem. Be sure you explain this.
• Anticipate and acknowledge any potential barriers and pitfalls in carrying out your research design and explain how you plan to address them. No method is perfect so you need to describe where you believe challenges may exist in obtaining data or accessing information. It's always better to acknowledge this than to have it brought up by your reader.

Develop a Research Proposal: Writing the Proposal . Office of Library Information Services. Baltimore County Public Schools; Heath, M. Teresa Pereira and Caroline Tynan. “Crafting a Research Proposal.” The Marketing Review 10 (Summer 2010): 147-168; Jones, Mark. “Writing a Research Proposal.” In MasterClass in Geography Education: Transforming Teaching and Learning . Graham Butt, editor. (New York: Bloomsbury Academic, 2015), pp. 113-127; Juni, Muhamad Hanafiah. “Writing a Research Proposal.” International Journal of Public Health and Clinical Sciences 1 (September/October 2014): 229-240; Krathwohl, David R. How to Prepare a Dissertation Proposal: Suggestions for Students in Education and the Social and Behavioral Sciences . Syracuse, NY: Syracuse University Press, 2005; Procter, Margaret. The Academic Proposal . The Lab Report. University College Writing Centre. University of Toronto; Punch, Keith and Wayne McGowan. "Developing and Writing a Research Proposal." In From Postgraduate to Social Scientist: A Guide to Key Skills . Nigel Gilbert, ed. (Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2006), 59-81; Wong, Paul T. P. How to Write a Research Proposal . International Network on Personal Meaning. Trinity Western University; Writing Academic Proposals: Conferences, Articles, and Books . The Writing Lab and The OWL. Purdue University; Writing a Research Proposal . University Library. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

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9 Best Marketing Research Methods to Know Your Buyer Better [+ Examples]

Published: August 08, 2024

One of the most underrated skills you can have as a marketer is marketing research — which is great news for this unapologetic cyber sleuth.

From brand design and product development to buyer personas and competitive analysis, I’ve researched a number of initiatives in my decade-long marketing career.

And let me tell you: having the right marketing research methods in your toolbox is a must.

Market research is the secret to crafting a strategy that will truly help you accomplish your goals. The good news is there is no shortage of options.

How to Choose a Marketing Research Method

Thanks to the Internet, we have more marketing research (or market research) methods at our fingertips than ever, but they’re not all created equal. Let’s quickly go over how to choose the right one.

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1. Identify your objective.

What are you researching? Do you need to understand your audience better? How about your competition? Or maybe you want to know more about your customer’s feelings about a specific product.

Before starting your research, take some time to identify precisely what you’re looking for. This could be a goal you want to reach, a problem you need to solve, or a question you need to answer.

For example, an objective may be as foundational as understanding your ideal customer better to create new buyer personas for your marketing agency (pause for flashbacks to my former life).

Or if you’re an organic sode company, it could be trying to learn what flavors people are craving.

2. Determine what type of data and research you need.

Next, determine what data type will best answer the problems or questions you identified. There are primarily two types: qualitative and quantitative. (Sound familiar, right?)

• Qualitative Data is non-numerical information, like subjective characteristics, opinions, and feelings. It’s pretty open to interpretation and descriptive, but it’s also harder to measure. This type of data can be collected through interviews, observations, and open-ended questions.
• Quantitative Data , on the other hand, is numerical information, such as quantities, sizes, amounts, or percentages. It’s measurable and usually pretty hard to argue with, coming from a reputable source. It can be derived through surveys, experiments, or statistical analysis.

Understanding the differences between qualitative and quantitative data will help you pinpoint which research methods will yield the desired results.

For instance, thinking of our earlier examples, qualitative data would usually be best suited for buyer personas, while quantitative data is more useful for the soda flavors.

However, truth be told, the two really work together.

Qualitative conclusions are usually drawn from quantitative, numerical data. So, you’ll likely need both to get the complete picture of your subject.

For example, if your quantitative data says 70% of people are Team Black and only 30% are Team Green — Shout out to my fellow House of the Dragon fans — your qualitative data will say people support Black more than Green.

(As they should.)

Primary Research vs Secondary Research

You’ll also want to understand the difference between primary and secondary research.

Primary research involves collecting new, original data directly from the source (say, your target market). In other words, it’s information gathered first-hand that wasn’t found elsewhere.

Some examples include conducting experiments, surveys, interviews, observations, or focus groups.

Meanwhile, secondary research is the analysis and interpretation of existing data collected from others. Think of this like what we used to do for school projects: We would read a book, scour the internet, or pull insights from others to work from.

So, which is better?

Personally, I say any research is good research, but if you have the time and resources, primary research is hard to top. With it, you don’t have to worry about your source's credibility or how relevant it is to your specific objective.

You are in full control and best equipped to get the reliable information you need.

3. Put it all together.

Once you know your objective and what kind of data you want, you’re ready to select your marketing research method.

For instance, let’s say you’re a restaurant trying to see how attendees felt about the Speed Dating event you hosted last week.

You shouldn’t run a field experiment or download a third-party report on speed dating events; those would be useless to you. You need to conduct a survey that allows you to ask pointed questions about the event.

This would yield both qualitative and quantitative data you can use to improve and bring together more love birds next time around.

Best Market Research Methods for 2024

Now that you know what you’re looking for in a marketing research method, let’s dive into the best options.

Note: According to HubSpot’s 2024 State of Marketing report, understanding customers and their needs is one of the biggest challenges facing marketers today. The options we discuss are great consumer research methodologies , but they can also be used for other areas.

Primary Research

1. interviews.

Interviews are a form of primary research where you ask people specific questions about a topic or theme. They typically deliver qualitative information.

I’ve conducted many interviews for marketing purposes, but I’ve also done many for journalistic purposes, like this profile on comedian Zarna Garg . There’s no better way to gather candid, open-ended insights in my book, but that doesn’t mean they’re a cure-all.

What I like: Real-time conversations allow you to ask different questions if you’re not getting the information you need. They also push interviewees to respond quickly, which can result in more authentic answers.

What I dislike: They can be time-consuming and harder to measure (read: get quantitative data) unless you ask pointed yes or no questions.

Best for: Creating buyer personas or getting feedback on customer experience, a product, or content.

2. Focus Groups

Focus groups are similar to conducting interviews but on a larger scale.

In marketing and business, this typically means getting a small group together in a room (or Zoom), asking them questions about various topics you are researching. You record and/or observe their responses to then take action.

They are ideal for collecting long-form, open-ended feedback, and subjective opinions.

One well-known focus group you may remember was run by Domino’s Pizza in 2009 .

After poor ratings and dropping over $100 million in revenue, the brand conducted focus groups with real customers to learn where they could have done better.

It was met with comments like “worst excuse for pizza I’ve ever had” and “the crust tastes like cardboard.” But rather than running from the tough love, it took the hit and completely overhauled its recipes.

The team admitted their missteps and returned to the market with better food and a campaign detailing their “Pizza Turn Around.”

The result? The brand won a ton of praise for its willingness to take feedback, efforts to do right by its consumers, and clever campaign. But, most importantly, revenue for Domino’s rose by 14.3% over the previous year.

The brand continues to conduct focus groups and share real footage from them in its promotion:

What I like: Similar to interviewing, you can dig deeper and pivot as needed due to the real-time nature. They’re personal and detailed.

What I dislike: Once again, they can be time-consuming and make it difficult to get quantitative data. There is also a chance some participants may overshadow others.

Best for: Product research or development

Pro tip: Need help planning your focus group? Our free Market Research Kit includes a handy template to start organizing your thoughts in addition to a SWOT Analysis Template, Survey Template, Focus Group Template, Presentation Template, Five Forces Industry Analysis Template, and an instructional guide for all of them. Download yours here now.

3. Surveys or Polls

Surveys are a form of primary research where individuals are asked a collection of questions. It can take many different forms.

They could be in person, over the phone or video call, by email, via an online form, or even on social media. Questions can be also open-ended or closed to deliver qualitative or quantitative information.

A great example of a close-ended survey is HubSpot’s annual State of Marketing .

In the State of Marketing, HubSpot asks marketing professionals from around the world a series of multiple-choice questions to gather data on the state of the marketing industry and to identify trends.

The survey covers various topics related to marketing strategies, tactics, tools, and challenges that marketers face. It aims to provide benchmarks to help you make informed decisions about your marketing.

It also helps us understand where our customers’ heads are so we can better evolve our products to meet their needs.

Apple is no stranger to surveys, either.

In 2011, the tech giant launched Apple Customer Pulse , which it described as “an online community of Apple product users who provide input on a variety of subjects and issues concerning Apple.”

"For example, we did a large voluntary survey of email subscribers and top readers a few years back."

While these readers gave us a long list of topics, formats, or content types they wanted to see, they sometimes engaged more with content types they didn’t select or favor as much on the surveys when we ran follow-up ‘in the wild’ tests, like A/B testing.”  

Pepsi saw similar results when it ran its iconic field experiment, “The Pepsi Challenge” for the first time in 1975.

The beverage brand set up tables at malls, beaches, and other public locations and ran a blindfolded taste test. Shoppers were given two cups of soda, one containing Pepsi, the other Coca-Cola (Pepsi’s biggest competitor). They were then asked to taste both and report which they preferred.

People overwhelmingly preferred Pepsi, and the brand has repeated the experiment multiple times over the years to the same results.

What I like: It yields qualitative and quantitative data and can make for engaging marketing content, especially in the digital age.

What I dislike: It can be very time-consuming. And, if you’re not careful, there is a high risk for scientific error.

Best for: Product testing and competitive analysis

Pro tip:  " Don’t make critical business decisions off of just one data set," advises Pamela Bump. "Use the survey, competitive intelligence, external data, or even a focus group to give you one layer of ideas or a short-list for improvements or solutions to test. Then gather your own fresh data to test in an experiment or trial and better refine your data-backed strategy."

Secondary Research

8. public domain or third-party research.

While original data is always a plus, there are plenty of external resources you can access online and even at a library when you’re limited on time or resources.

Some reputable resources you can use include:

• Pew Research Center
• McKinley Global Institute
• Relevant Global or Government Organizations (i.e United Nations or NASA)

It’s also smart to turn to reputable organizations that are specific to your industry or field. For instance, if you’re a gardening or landscaping company, you may want to pull statistics from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

If you’re a digital marketing agency, you could look to Google Research or HubSpot Research . (Hey, I know them!)

What I like: You can save time on gathering data and spend more time on analyzing. You can also rest assured the data is from a source you trust.

What I dislike: You may not find data specific to your needs.

Best for: Companies under a time or resource crunch, adding factual support to content

Pro tip: Fellow HubSpotter Iskiev suggests using third-party data to inspire your original research. “Sometimes, I use public third-party data for ideas and inspiration. Once I have written my survey and gotten all my ideas out, I read similar reports from other sources and usually end up with useful additions for my own research.”

9. Buy Research

If the data you need isn’t available publicly and you can’t do your own market research, you can also buy some. There are many reputable analytics companies that offer subscriptions to access their data. Statista is one of my favorites, but there’s also Euromonitor , Mintel , and BCC Research .

What I like: Same as public domain research

What I dislike: You may not find data specific to your needs. It also adds to your expenses.

Best for: Companies under a time or resource crunch or adding factual support to content

Which marketing research method should you use?

You’re not going to like my answer, but “it depends.” The best marketing research method for you will depend on your objective and data needs, but also your budget and timeline.

My advice? Aim for a mix of quantitative and qualitative data. If you can do your own original research, awesome. But if not, don’t beat yourself up. Lean into free or low-cost tools . You could do primary research for qualitative data, then tap public sources for quantitative data. Or perhaps the reverse is best for you.

Whatever your marketing research method mix, take the time to think it through and ensure you’re left with information that will truly help you achieve your goals.

Don't forget to share this post!

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Intake of sugar sweetened beverages among children and adolescents in 185 countries between 1990 and 2018: population based study

• Related content
• Peer review
• Renata Micha , professor 1 3 ,
• Frederick Cudhea , biostatistician 1 ,
• Victoria Miller , research fellow 1 4 5 ,
• Peilin Shi , biostatistician 1 ,
• Jianyi Zhang , biostatistician 6 ,
• Julia R Sharib , researcher 1 ,
• Josh Erndt-Marino , researcher 1 ,
• Sean B Cash , professor 7 ,
• Simon Barquera , director 8 ,
• Dariush Mozaffarian , professor 1 9 10
• on behalf of the Global Dietary Database
• 1 Food is Medicine Institute, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
• 2 Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
• 3 University of Thessaly, Volos, Greece
• 4 Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
• 5 Population Health Research Institute, Hamilton, ON, Canada
• 6 Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women’s Hospital Boston, MA, USA
• 7 Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
• 8 Research Center on Nutrition and Health, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
• 9 Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
• 10 Division of Cardiology, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
• Correspondence to: L Lara-Castor lauralac{at}uw.edu
• Accepted 11 June 2024

Objective To quantify global intakes of sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs) and trends over time among children and adolescents.

Design Population based study.

Setting Global Dietary Database.

Population Children and adolescents aged 3-19 years in 185 countries between 1990 and 2018, jointly stratified at subnational level by age, sex, parental education, and rural or urban residence.

Results In 2018, mean global SSB intake was 3.6 (standardized serving=248 g (8 oz)) servings/week (1.3 (95% uncertainly interval 1.0 to 1.9) in south Asia to 9.1 (8.3 to 10.1) in Latin America and the Caribbean). SSB intakes were higher in older versus younger children and adolescents, those resident in urban versus rural areas, and those of parents with higher versus lower education. Between 1990 and 2018, mean global SSB intakes increased by 0.68 servings/week (22.9%), with the largest increases in sub-Saharan Africa (2.17 servings/week; 106%). Of 185 countries included in the analysis, 56 (30.3%) had a mean SSB intake of ≥7 servings/week, representing 238 million children and adolescents, or 10.4% of the global population of young people.

Conclusion This study found that intakes of SSBs among children and adolescents aged 3-19 years in 185 countries increased by 23% from 1990 to 2018, parallel to the rise in prevalence of obesity among this population globally. SSB intakes showed large heterogeneity among children and adolescents worldwide and by age, parental level of education, and urbanicity. This research should help to inform policies to reduce SSB intake among young people, particularly those with larger intakes across all education levels in urban and rural areas in Latin America and the Caribbean, and the growing problem of SSBs for public health in sub-Saharan Africa.

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Introduction

In 2015, obesity was estimated to affect more than 100 million children and adolescents, in line with observed increases in body mass index among this population from 1975 to 2016 in most world regions. 1 43 Among the main risk factors for obesity, unhealthy diets play a crucial role. 2 In particular, intake of sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs) has been consistently reported to increase the risk of obesity among children and adolescents. 2 3 This is especially concerning because obesity in childhood tends to persist into adulthood, increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and premature mortality. 4 Explanations for the increase in intake of SSBs include globalization of markets, transformation of food systems, aggressive marketing strategies directed at children and adolescents, and lack of (or poor) regulatory measures to limit intake. 5 6 In studies at national and subnational level, policies and strategies such as taxation on sugar sweetened drinks, restrictions on food marketing, regulations for front-of-package labeling, and restrictions at school level have proven to curb the intake of SSBs among children and adolescents. 6 7 8

Although quantifying the intake of SSBs among children and adolescents is critical to further evaluate the impact of these beverages on disease and the effectiveness of policies to control intake, recent national estimates among young people are unavailable for most countries. 6 The lack of such data prevents an analysis of the trends in SSB intake over time, as well as the role of key sociodemographic factors such as age, sex, education, and urbanicity to more accurately inform current and future policies. In this study we present SSB intakes among children and adolescents aged 3-19 years at global, regional, and national level and trends over time from 1990 to 2018, jointly stratified at subnational level by age, sex, parental level of education, and area of residence.

Study design

This investigation is based on a serial cross sectional analysis of SSB intakes from the Global Dietary Database 2018 for 185 countries. Details on the methods and standardized data collection protocol are described in detail elsewhere. 9 10 11 12 13 Compared with the Global Dietary Database 2010, innovations include major expansion of individual level dietary surveys and global coverage up to 2018; inclusion of new data jointly stratified at subnational level by age, sex, education level, and urban or rural residence; and updated modeling methods, covariates, and validation to improve prediction of stratum specific mean intakes and uncertainty. This present analysis focused on children and adolescents aged 3-19 years.

Data sources

The approach and results of our survey search strategy by dietary factor, time, and region are reported in detail elsewhere. 11 We performed systematic online searches for individual level dietary surveys in global and regional databases: PubMed, Embase, Web of science, LILACS, African Index Medicus, and the South-east Asia Index Medicus, using search terms “nutrition” or “diet” or “food habits” or “nutrition surveys” or “diet surveys” or “food habits”[mesh] or “diet”[mesh] or “nutrition surveys”[mesh] or “diet surveys”[mesh] and (“country of interest”). Additionally, we identified surveys through extensive personal communications with researchers and government authorities throughout the world, inviting them to be corresponding members of the Global Dietary Database. The search included surveys that collected data on at least one of 54 foods, beverages, nutrients, or dietary indices, including SSBs. A single reviewer screened identified studies by title and abstract, a random subset of articles was screened by a second reviewer to ensure consistency and accuracy, and a third reviewer screened studies to ensure that survey inclusion criteria were met. Surveys were prioritized if they were performed at national or subnational level and used individual level dietary assessments with standardized 24 hour recalls, food frequency questionnaires, or short standardized questionnaires (eg, Demographic Health Survey questionnaires). When national or subnational surveys at individual level were not identified for a country, we searched for individual level surveys from large cohorts, the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Infobase, and the WHO Stepwise Approach to Surveillance database. When individual level dietary surveys were not identified for a particular country, we considered household budget surveys. We excluded surveys focused on special populations (eg, exclusively pregnant or nursing mothers, individuals with a specific disease) or cohorts (eg, specific occupations or dietary patterns). Supplementary methods 1-3, supplementary tables 1-2, and supplementary figure 1 provide additional details on the methods. The final Global Dietary Database model incorporated 1224 dietary surveys from 185 countries, with 89% representative at national or subnational level, thus covering about 99.0% of the global population in 2018. Among these, 450 surveys reported data on SSBs, 85% of which provided individual level data. These 450 originated from 118 countries and surveyed a total of 2.9 million individuals, with 94% being representative at national or subnational level (see supplementary tables 4 and 5). Supplementary data 1 provides details on the characteristics of the survey.

Data extraction

For each survey, we used standardized methods to extract data on survey characteristics and dietary metrics, units, and mean and standard deviation of intake by age, sex, education level, and urban or rural residence (see supplementary methods 1). 12 All intakes are reported adjusted to 5439 kilojoules (kJ) daily (1300 kilocalories (kcal) daily) for ages 3-5 years, 7113 kJ/day (1700 kcal/day) for ages 6-10 years, and 8368 kJ/day (2000 kcal/day) for ages 11-19 years. SSBs were defined as any beverages with added sugars and ≥209 kJ (50 kcal) for each 237 g serving, including commercial or homemade beverages, soft drinks, energy drinks, fruit drinks, punch, lemonade, and aguas frescas. This definition excluded 100% fruit and vegetable juices, non-caloric artificially sweetened drinks, and sweetened milk. All included surveys used this definition.

Data modeling

Our model estimates intakes of SSBs for years for which we have survey data available. To incorporate and deal with differences in data comparability and sampling uncertainty, we used a bayesian model with a nested hierarchical structure (with random effects by country and region) to estimate the mean consumption of SSBs and its statistical uncertainty for each of 264 population strata across 185 countries for 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2018. Our model incorporated seven world regions: central and eastern Europe and central Asia, high income countries, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East and north Africa, south Asia, southeast and east Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa. Our team and others (eg, the Global Burden of Disease study) have previously used this (or similar) classification for world regions, which aims to group nations by general similarities in risk profiles and disease outcomes. Although the current analysis only focuses on children and adolescents aged 3-19 years, the model used all age data to generate the strata predictions. Modeling all age groups jointly allows the use of the full set of available data and covariates to inform estimates, including age patterns, relationships between predictors and SSB intakes, and influence of covariates (eg, dietary assessment methods).

Primary inputs were the survey level quantitative data on SSB intakes (by country, time, age, sex, education level, and urban or rural residence), survey characteristics (dietary assessment method, type of dietary metric), and country-year specific covariates (see supplementary methods 2). The model included overdispersion of survey level variance for surveys that were not nationally representative or not stratified by smaller age groups (≤10 years), sex, education level, or urbanicity. Survey level covariates addressed potential survey bias, and the overdispersion parameter non-sampling variation due to survey level error (from imperfect study design and quality). The model then estimated intakes jointly stratified by age (<1, 1-2, 3-4, 5-9, 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85-89, 90-94, ≥95 years), sex, education (≤6 years, >6-12 years, >12 years), and urbanicity (urban, rural). For children and adolescents (age <20 years) the stratification by education refers to parental education.

The uncertainty of each stratum specific estimate was quantified using 4000 Monte Carlo iterations to determine posterior predictive distributions of mean intake jointly by country, year, and sociodemographic subgroup. We computed the median intake and the 95% uncertainty interval (UI) for each stratum as the 50th, 2.5th, and 97.5th percentiles of the 4000 draws, respectively. For model selection and validation, we compared results from fivefold cross validation (randomly omitting 20% of the survey data at the stratum level and using that to evaluate predictive ability, run five times), compared predicted country intakes with survey observed intakes, assessed implausible estimates (see supplementary table 2), and visually assessed global and national mean intakes using heat maps.

A second bayesian model was used to strengthen time trend estimates for dietary factors (including SSBs) with corresponding available date on food or nutrients from the Food and Agriculture Organization’s food balance sheets 14 or the Global Expanded Nutrient Supply dataset. 15 No time component was formally included in the model; rather, time was captured by the underlying time variation in the model covariates. This second model incorporated country level intercepts and slopes, along with their correlation estimated across countries. The model is commonly referred to as a varying slopes model structure, and it leverages two dimensional partial pooling between intercepts and slopes to regularize all parameters and minimize the risk of overfitting. 16 17 The final presented results are a combination of these two bayesian models, as detailed in supplementary methods 3.

Statistical analysis

Global, regional, national, and within country population subgroup intakes of SSBs and their uncertainty were calculated as population weighted averages using all 4000 posterior predictions for each of the 264 demographic strata in each country-year. Population weights for each year were derived from the United Nations (UN) Population Division, 18 supplemented with data for education and urban or rural status from Barro and Lee 19 and the UN. 20

Intakes were calculated as 248 g (8 oz) servings weekly, or two thirds of a common 355 mL (12 oz) can of a sugar sweetened drink weekly. Absolute changes and percentage changes in consumption between 1990 and 2005, 2005 and 2018, and 1990 and 2018 were calculated at the stratum specific prediction level to account for the full spectrum of uncertainty and standardized to the proportion of individuals within each stratum in 2018 to account for changes in population characteristics over time. Stratum specific predictions were summed to calculate the differences in intake between all children and adolescents aged 3-19 years, high and low parental education (>12 years and ≤6 years, respectively), and urban and rural residence, further stratified by sex, age, parental education, and area of residence, as appropriate.

National intakes of SSBs and trends were assessed by sociodemographic development index, including trends over time between 1990 and 2005, 2005 and 2018, and 1990 and 2018. The sociodemographic development index is a measure of the development of a country or region, ranging from 0 to 1, with 0 representing the minimum level and 1 the maximum level of development of a given nation, and it is based on income per capita, average educational attainment, and fertility rates. 21 Our UIs are derived from a bayesian model and can be interpreted as at least 95% probability that the true mean is contained within the interval. For comparisons between groups (or over time), if the 95% UI of the difference (or change over time) does not include zero, this can be interpreted as at least 95% probability of a true difference. No hypothesis testing was conducted, as estimation with uncertainty has been recognized as a more informative approach. 22

Patient and public involvement

No patients or members of the public were involved in the study as we did not collect data directly from individuals, the funding source did not provide support for direct patient and public involvement, and the study was initiated before patient and public involvement was common. The present analysis used modeled data derived from dietary data that had been previously collected, and we engaged with a diverse set of 320 corresponding members in nations around the world.

Global, regional, and national SSB intakes in 2018

In 2018, the mean global intake of SSBs among children and adolescents was 3.6 (standardized serving=248 g (8 oz)) servings/week (95% UI 3.3 to 4.0), with wide (sevenfold) variation across world regions, from 1.3 servings/week (1.0 to 1.9) in south Asia to 9.1 (8.3 to 10.1) in Latin America and the Caribbean ( table 1 ). Among the 25 countries with the largest population of children and adolescents worldwide, mean highest intakes were in Mexico (10.1 (9.1 to 11.3)), followed by Uganda (6.9 (4.5 to 10.6)), Pakistan (6.4 (4.3 to 9.7)), South Africa (6.2 (4.7 to 8.1)), and the US (6.2 (5.9 to 6.6)); while the lowest intakes were in India and Bangladesh (0.3 servings/week each) ( fig 1 , also see supplementary figure 9). Of the 185 countries included in the analysis, 56 (30.3%) had mean SSB intakes of ≥7 servings/week, representing 238 million young people aged 3-19 years, or 10.4% of the global population for this age group.

Global and regional mean intake of SSBs (248 g (8 oz) serving/week) in children and adolescents aged 3-19 years, by age, sex, parental education, and area of residence across 185 countries in 2018

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National mean intakes of SSBs (standardized 248 g (8 oz) serving/week for this analysis) in children and adolescents aged 3-19 years across 185 countries in 2018. SSBs were defined as any beverage with added sugars and ≥209 kJ (50 kcal) per 237 g serving, including commercial or homemade beverages, soft drinks, energy drinks, fruit drinks, punch, lemonade, and aguas frescas. This definition excludes 100% fruit and vegetable juices, non-caloric artificially sweetened drinks, and sweetened milk. For this visual representation, values were truncated at 21 servings/week to better reflect the distribution of intakes globally. The figure was created using the rworldmap package (v1.3-6). SSB=sugar sweetened beverage

SSB intake by sex and age in 2018

Globally, regionally, and nationally, SSB intakes between male and female children and adolescents aged 3-19 years did not differ noticeably, as observed by the 95% UI of the differences including zero ( table 1 , also see supplementary tables 7 and 8). Intake of SSBs in young people was greater with increasing age globally and regionally, although with varying magnitude of these differences by region ( table 1 and fig 2 ). For instance, intakes of SSBs exceeded 9 servings/week among children aged ≥10 years in Latin America and the Caribbean and in the Middle East and north Africa but were just over 1 serving/week among young people of the same age in south Asia. Regionally, patterns of intake by age were similar between young people (see supplementary figure 2). Considering both age and region, the highest weekly intakes of SSBs were in Latin America and the Caribbean in 15-19 year olds (11.5 servings/week) and lowest in southeast and east Asia in 3-4 year olds (0.9 servings/week) ( table 1 ). Among the 25 most populous countries, the highest intakes of SSBs were in Mexico among 10-14 year olds (11.9 servings/week) and 15-19 year olds (12.8 servings/week) and lowest in Kenya and China among 3-4 year olds (0.2 servings/week each) (supplementary table 6).

Global and regional intakes of SSBs (standardized 248 g (8 oz) serving/week for this analysis) by age in children and adolescents aged 3-19 years in 2018. SSBs were defined as any beverage with added sugars and ≥209 kJ (50 kcal) per 237 g serving, including commercial or homemade beverages, soft drinks, energy drinks, fruit drinks, punch, lemonade, and aguas frescas. This definition excludes 100% fruit and vegetable juices, non-caloric artificially sweetened drinks, and sweetened milk. The filled circles represent the mean SSBs intake (248 g (8 oz) serving/week) and the error bars the 95% UIs. In previous Global Dietary Database reports, the region central and eastern Europe and central Asia was referred to as the former Soviet Union, and southeast and east Asia was referred to as Asia. SSBs=sugar sweetened beverages; UI=uncertainty interval

SSB intake by parental education and urbanicity in 2018

Intakes of SSBs were greater in children and adolescents from urban areas than those from rural areas (4.6 servings/week (4.2 to 5.0) v 2.7 servings/week (2.4 to 3.1); table 1 ). When parental education and area of residence was assessed jointly, globally the highest intakes of SSBs were among children and adolescents of parents with high education in urban areas (5.15 servings/week (4.76 to 5.64)), representing 11.2% of the global population of children and adolescents ( fig 3 ). Regionally, a similar pattern was observed in Latin America and the Caribbean, south Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa, with the largest intakes of SSBs in children and adolescents of parents with high and medium education in urban and rural areas in Latin America and the Caribbean (≥9 servings/week each), representing 56% of the population of children and adolescents in that region. Intakes of SSBs by area of residence and education were inverted in the Middle East and north Africa, with larger intakes among children and adolescents from rural areas and of parents with lower education, and little variation was observed in other world regions. See supplementary tables 7, 9, and 10, supplementary figures 3 and 4, and supplementary results for further details on SSB intakes by parental education and area of residence.

Global and regional mean SSB intakes (standardized 248 g (8 oz) serving/week for this analysis) in children and adolescents aged 3-19 years by area of residence and parental education level in 2018. SSBs were defined as any beverage with added sugars and ≥209 kJ (50 kcal) per 237 g serving, including commercial or homemade beverages, soft drinks, energy drinks, fruit drinks, punch, lemonade, and aguas frescas. This definition excludes 100% fruit and vegetable juices, non-caloric artificially sweetened drinks, and sweetened milk. Error bars represent 95% UIs. Values were truncated at 11.5 servings/week to better reflect the distribution of intakes. Upper 95% UIs above that value are shown with a dashed line. In previous Global Dietary Database reports, the region central and eastern Europe and central Asia was referred to as the former Soviet Union, and southeast and east Asia was referred to as Asia. SSBs=sugar sweetened beverages; UI=uncertainty interval

Trends in SSB intake during 1990-2005, 2005-18, and 1990-2018

Supplementary tables 11-14 and supplementary figures 5-8 show absolute global, regional, and national intakes of SSBs for 1990 and 2005. Globally, from 1990 to 2018, intakes among children and adolescents increased by 0.68 servings/week (95% UI 0.54 to 0.85; 22.9%) ( fig 4 , also see supplementary data 2). The magnitude of global increase was similar from 1990 to 2005 (0.33 (0.25 to 0.43); 11.0%) and from 2005 to 2018 (0.35 (0.26 to 0.47); 10.7%). However, regionally, changes did not follow the same global pattern. Between 1990 and 2005, increases in intakes of SSBs were observed in most regions, with the largest increase in high income countries (1.48 (1.37 to 1.60); 29.1%), little change in central and eastern Europe and central Asia and in south Asia, and a decrease in Latin America and the Caribbean (−1.20 (−1.54 to −0.88); −12.7%). More recently, from 2005 to 2018, increases continued in most regions, with the largest in sub-Saharan Africa (1.38 (1.01 to 1.85); 49.2%), except for south Asia where little change was evident and high income countries where intakes decreased (−1.59 (−1.71 to −1.47); −24.1%). In the overall period from 1990 to 2018, the largest regional increase was in sub-Saharan Africa (2.17 (1.60 to 2.88); 106%), with other world regions showing steady, more modest increases over time. Exceptions were high income countries and Latin America and the Caribbean, where intakes increased after 1990 and then decreased close to 1990 levels by 2018. The supplementary results and supplementary table 15 describe regional trends over time by age, sex, parental education, and urbanicity.

(Top panel) Mean SSB intakes (standardized 248 g (8 oz) serving/week for this analysis) by world region in 1990, 2005, and 2018, and absolute changes from 1990 to 2005, 2005-18, and 1990-2018 in children and adolescents aged 3-19 years. (Bottom panel) Absolute changes in SSB intakes from 1990-2005, 2005-18, and 1990-2018. SSBs were defined as any beverage with added sugars and ≥209 kJ (50 kcal) per 237 g serving, including commercial or homemade beverages, soft drinks, energy drinks, fruit drinks, punch, lemonade, and aguas frescas. This definition excludes 100% fruit and vegetable juices, non-caloric artificially sweetened drinks, and sweetened milk. Error bars represent 95% UIs. In previous Global Dietary Database reports, the region central and eastern Europe and central Asia was referred to as the former Soviet Union, and southeast and east Asia was referred to as Asia. SSBs=sugar sweetened beverages; UI=uncertainty interval

Among the 25 most populous countries, the largest increase from 1990 to 2005 was in the US (2.95 (2.73 to 3.17); 43.2%) and the largest decrease was in Brazil (−3.42 (−3.95 to −2.97); −40.6%) (see supplementary data 2 and supplementary figure 9). From 2005 to 2018, the largest increase was in Uganda (4.30 (2.31 to 7.39); 173%), and the largest decrease was in the US (−3.55 (−3.81 to −3.30); −36.4%). Overall, between 1990 and 2018, the largest increased was in Uganda (6.73 (4.38 to 10.39); 5573%) and the largest decrease was in Brazil (−3.29 (−3.79 to −2.86); −39.0%) (see supplementary data 2 and supplementary figure 10). The supplementary results and supplementary tables 16-19 show trends over time within the 25 most populous countries by age, sex, parental education, and urbanicity.

SSB intakes and trends by sociodemographic development index and obesity

In 1990 and 2005 a positive correlation was evident between national intakes of SSBs and sociodemographic development index, with greater intakes observed in countries with a higher sociodemographic development index (see supplementary figures 11 and 12). However, this correlation was no longer present in 2018 (r=−0.001, P=0.99). Intakes of SSBs and prevalence of obesity were positively correlated in both 1990 (r=0.28, P<0.001) and 2018 (r=0.23, P<0.001) (see supplementary figure 13).

Intakes of SSBs among children and adolescents aged 3-19 years in 185 countries increased by 23% (0.68 servings/week (0.54 to 0.85)) from 1990 to 2018, parallel to the rise in prevalence of obesity among this population globally. 23 We found a positive correlation between intake of SSBs and prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents in all years. This finding needs particular attention given the incremental economic costs associated with overweight and obesity globally, which are projected to increase from about $2.0tn (£1.6tn; €1.9tn) in 2020 to $18tn by 2060, exceeding 3% of the world’s gross domestic product. 24 Chronic diet related conditions such as obesity have been recognized as part of a global syndemic along with undernutrition given their interaction and shared underlying societal drivers. 25 Tackling drivers of obesity and other diet related diseases among children and adolescents is also critical to be better equipped for potential future pandemics, as cardiometabolic conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension were top drivers of increased risk of hospital admission and death with covid-19. 26 The increase in intakes of SSBs among children and adolescents corresponded to nearly twice the absolute increase in intake observed among the adult population from 1990 to 2018, for which policies targeting specifically children and adolescents are critical. 13 Young people are particularly appealing to the food industry as they are easily influenced by food marketing, having an effect on not only their current intakes but also their preferences as they develop into adulthood. 27 Their susceptibility to marketing, rising trends in obesity, and accelerated increases in intakes of SSBs underline the necessity for interventions such as taxes, regulations on front-of-package labeling, and regulations in the school environment to curb intakes of SSBs. 6 8 27 28

Changes in intakes of SSBs in children and adolescents from 1990 to 2018 varied substantially by world region. As with the adult population, the largest increase from 1990 to 2018 was in sub-Saharan Africa, emphasizing the need for prompt interventions in this region. Young people in the Middle East and north Africa and in southeast and east Asia showed a more accelerated increase in SSB consumption compared with adults, underlining the importance of policies targeting young people in these regions. The Middle East and north Africa had the second highest intakes of SSBs among children and adolescents in 2018, which differed from our findings among adults, where the Middle East and north Africa occupied third place after sub-Saharan Africa.

Latin America and the Caribbean experienced an overall decrease in intakes of SSBs from 1990 to 2005, which could be attributed to the economic crisis experienced among most of the major economies in the region during this period, 29 in addition to potential greater health awareness as a result of healthy eating campaigns in several countries in the region. 30 In contrast, the increases in intakes in this region from 2005 to 2018 may relate to economic recovery, increased marketing campaigns, and industry opposition to public policies to reduce the intake of SSBs. 31 These findings align with findings in the adult population of this region. 13 Over the past 30 years, Latin America and the Caribbean has undergone an accelerated transformation in the food systems, resulting in wider availability of unhealthy foods, including SSBs, that could explain the large intakes in this region. 7 Moreover, the influence of multinational corporations responsible for ultra-processed foods, marketing strategies targeted at young people, lack of (or poor) regulatory measures to limit the intake of SSBs have also been consistently observed in Latin America and other regions with improving economies. 1 6 7 The use of social media and TV to target advertising at young people has been identified as being especially high in Latin America as well as in the Middle East. 6 27

High income countries experienced an overall decrease in intakes of SSBs from 2005 to 2018. This might be explained by the increasing scientific and public health attention on the harms of SSBs as well as obesity in these nations during this period, which may have led to increased media and public awareness about the harms to health associated with SSBs, wider formulation, promotion, and availability of non-caloric sweetened beverage substitutes, and, more recently, taxation on SSBs in several of these nations. 32

The potential role of sociodemographic factors on intakes of SSBs was evidenced by the large variations in intake by parental education and urbanicity, particularly in south Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, evidencing the need to account for these factors in the design of policies and interventions. At national level, the correlation between intake of SSBs and sociodemographic development index changed from positive in 1990 to null in 2018 (see supplementary figure 11), suggesting that the association between the two might be reversing. This is similar to what was observed in adults, where the association between intake of SSBs and sociodemographic index changed from null to negative from 1990 to 2018. 13 Our new findings show similar directional trends in national and subnational intakes of SSBs among young people compared with adults, 13 although with generally higher absolute intakes among young people, suggesting nation specific influences on SSB intakes are at least partly shared across the lifespan. Further efforts are needed to incorporate data on other social determinants of health, such as income, access to water, access to healthcare, and race/ethnicity to elucidate additional potential heterogeneities.

Strengths and limitations of this study

Our study has several strengths. We assessed and reported global, regional, and national estimates of SSB intakes jointly stratified by age, sex, parental education, and urbanicity among children and adolescents. Compared with previous estimates, our current model included a larger number of dietary surveys, additional demographic subgroups, and years of assessment. Our updated bayesian hierarchical model better incorporated survey and country level covariates—and addressed heterogeneity and uncertainty about sampling and modeling. 13 33 Intakes were estimated from 450 surveys—mostly representative at national and subnational levels and collected at individual level—and represented 87.1% of the world’s population. Other recent estimates for global intakes of SSBs relied mostly on national per capita estimates of food availability (eg, Food and Agriculture Organization food balance sheets) or sales data. 34 Such estimates can substantially overestimate and underestimate intake compared with individual level data 35 and are less robust for characterizing differences across population subgroups. Our estimates are informed by dietary data at individual level collected from both 24 hour recalls (24% of surveys), considered the ideal method for assessing nutritional intakes of populations), and food frequency questionnaires (61% of surveys), a validated approach for measuring intakes of SSBs 36 (see supplementary table 4).

Overall, our findings should be taken as the best currently available, but nonetheless imperfect, estimates of SSB intakes worldwide. Even with systematic searches for all relevant surveys, we identified limited availability of data for several countries (particularly lower income nations) and time periods. 11 Thus, estimated findings in countries with no primary individual level surveys have higher corresponding uncertainty, informing surveillance needs to assess SSBs nationally and in populations at subnational level. Particularly, we identified limited surveys for south Asia (n=9) and sub-Saharan Africa (n=22), which might have affected the accuracy of our estimates in those regions (see supplementary table 4). This finding emphasizes the critical need for further efforts in data collection and surveillance, particularly in these regions. Categorization by age, parental education, and urbanicity were in groups rather than in more nuanced classifications, balancing the interest in subgroup detail versus the realities required from a global demographic effort of de novo harmonized analyses of individual level dietary data from hundreds of different dietary surveys and corresponding members globally. All types of dietary assessments include some errors, whether from individual level surveys, national food availability estimates, or other sources. Our model’s incorporation of multiple types and sources of dietary assessments provided the best available estimates of global diets, as well as the uncertainty of these estimates. For instance, self-reported data rely on the memory and personal biases of the respondents, thus introducing potential bias from underreporting or overreporting of actual intakes. Furthermore, assumptions relating to standardization of serving sizes, SSB definitions, energy adjustment, and disaggregation at household level, as well as of no interaction between sociodemographic variables in our model, could have impacted our estimates. To minimize these limitations, we used standardized approaches and carefully documented each survey’s methods and standardization processes to maximize transparency.

Our definition and data collection on SSBs excluded 100% fruit juice, sugar sweetened milk, tea, and coffee, given that evidence for health effects of these beverages is inconsistent and does not achieve at least probable evidence for causal harms. 37 38 These differences may relate to additional nutrients, such as calcium, vitamin D, fats, and protein in milk, caffeine and polyphenols in coffee and tea, and fiber and vitamins in 100% juice; or to differences in rapidity of consumption and drinking patterns. Each of these beverages is generally also excluded in policy and surveillance efforts around SSBs. A recent meta-analysis suggested a modest positive association between 100% fruit juices and body mass index in children (0.03 units higher for each daily serving), 39 highlighting the need for more research on the health impacts of these and other beverages in children. Sweetened milks are mostly targeted at children and adolescents, and in some regions are mostly consumed by the youngest children. 40 Given that our SSBs definition excluded sweetened milk, this could partially explain the low intakes observed in our study among the youngest age categories. Future studies should also look into characterizing intakes of sweetened milks, especially in countries such as the US, Australia, Pakistan, and Chile where high intakes among children and adolescents have been reported. 40 41 Home sweetened teas and coffees were not explicitly excluded from the definition of SSBs at the time of data collection, but tea and coffee were collected as separate variables and thus most likely excluded by data owners from the SSBs category. SSBs were defined as beverages with added sugars and ≥209 kJ (50 kcal) per 237g serving, capturing most of the SSBs during the time period of our investigation that typically contained about 418 kJ (100 kcal) per serving. More recently, some SSBs with slightly less than 10 g of added sugar have entered the market. As these are a relatively recent addition, their exclusion is unlikely to meaningfully alter our findings, but future research should focus on more refined surveillance of SSBs to allow flexibility in beverage group definitions—for example, similar to the data harmonized in our collaboration with the FAO/WHO GIFT food consumption data tool. 42 Our current definition leveraging product name and caloric content to identify beverages with added sugar across the world ensures consistency in reporting.

Intakes of SSBs among children and adolescents aged 3-19 years in 185 countries increased by almost a quarter from 1990 to 2018, parallel to the rise in prevalence of obesity among this population globally. Policies and approaches at both a national level and a more targeted level are needed to reduce intakes of SSBs among young people worldwide, highlighting the larger intakes across all education levels in urban and rural areas in Latin America and the Caribbean, and the growing problem of SSBs for public health in sub-Saharan Africa. Our findings are intended to inform current and future policies to curb SSB intakes, adding to the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development for improving health and wellbeing, reducing inequities, responsible consumption, poverty, and access to clean water.

What is already known in this topic

The intake of sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs) has been consistently reported to increase the risk of obesity among children and adolescents

This is especially concerning given that obesity in childhood tends to persist into adulthood, increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and premature mortality

Quantification of SSB intakes among children and adolescents is therefore critical, yet recent estimates among children and adolescents are unavailable for most nations

What this study adds

Intakes of SSBs among children and adolescents aged 3-19 years in 185 countries increased by almost a quarter from 1990 to 2018, parallel to the rise in prevalence of obesity among this population globally

Larger intakes were identified across all education levels in urban and rural areas in Latin America and the Caribbean, along with the growing problem of SSBs for public health in sub-Saharan Africa

Intake of SSBs among children and adolescents showed large heterogeneity by region and population characteristics, informing the need for national and targeted policies and approaches to reduce SSB intake among this population worldwide

Ethics statements

Ethical approval.

This investigation was exempt from ethical review board approval because it was based on published deidentified nationally representative data, without personally identifiable information. Individual surveys underwent ethical review board approval required for the applicable local context.

Data availability statement

The individual SSB intake estimate distribution data used in this as means and uncertainty (SE) for each strata in the analysis are available freely online at the Global Dietary Database (Download 2018 Final Estimates: https://www.globaldietarydatabase.org/data-download ). Global Dietary Database data were utilized in agreement with the database guidelines. Absolute and relative differences by strata and by year presented in this analysis were calculated using the 4000 simulations corresponding to the stratum level intake data derived from the bayesian model. The 4000 simulations files can be made available to researchers upon request. Eligibility criteria for such requests include utilization for non-profit purposes only, for appropriate scientific use based on a robust research plan, and by investigators from an academic institution. If you are interested in requesting access to the data, please submit the following documents: (1) proposed research plan (please download and complete the proposed research plan form: https://www.globaldietarydatabase.org/sites/default/files/manual_upload/research-proposal-template.pdf ), (2) data-sharing agreement (please download this form https://www.globaldietarydatabase.org/sites/default/files/manual_upload/tufts-gdd-data-sharing-agreement.docx and complete the highlighted fields, have someone who is authorized to enter your institution into a binding legal agreement with outside institutions sign the document. Note that this agreement does not apply when protected health information or personally identifiable information are shared), (3) email items (1) and (2) [email protected]. Please use the subject line “GDD Code Access Request.” Once all documents have been received, the Global Dietary Database team will be in contact with you within 2-4 weeks about subsequent steps. Data will be shared as .csv or .xlsx files, using a compressed format when appropriate. Population weights for each strata and year were derived from the United Nations Population Division ( https://population.un.org/wpp/ ), supplemented with data for education and urban or rural status from Barro and Lee (doi: 10.3386/w15902 ) and the United Nations ( https://population.un.org/wup/Download/ ).

Acknowledgments

We acknowledge the Tufts University High Performance Computing Cluster ( https://it.tufts.edu/high-performance-computing ), which was used for the research reported in this paper.

Members of the Global Dietary Database (see supplementary text 1 for affiliations)

Antonia Trichopoulou, Murat Bas, Jemal Haidar Ali, Tatyana El-Kour, Anand Krishnan, Puneet Misra, Nahla Hwalla, Chandrashekar Janakiram, Nur Indrawaty Lipoeto, Abdulrahman Musaiger, Farhad Pourfarzi, Iftikhar Alam, Celine Termote, Anjum Memon, Marieke Vossenaar, Paramita Mazumdar, Ingrid Rached, Alicia Rovirosa, María Elisa Zapata, Roya Kelishadi, Tamene Taye Asayehu, Francis Oduor, Julia Boedecker, Lilian Aluso, Emanuele Marconi, Laura D’Addezio, Raffaela Piccinelli, Stefania Sette, Johana Ortiz-Ulloa, J V Meenakshi, Giuseppe Grosso, Anna Waskiewicz, Umber S Khan, Kenneth Brown, Lene Frost Andersen, Anastasia Thanopoulou, Reza Malekzadeh, Neville Calleja, Anca Ioana Nicolau, Cornelia Tudorie, Marga Ocke, Zohreh Etemad, Mohannad Al Nsour, Lydiah M Waswa, Maryam Hashemian, Eha Nurk, Joanne Arsenault, Patricio Lopez-Jaramillo, Abla Mehio Sibai, Albertino Damasceno, Pulani Lanerolle, Carukshi Arambepola, Carla Lopes, Milton Severo, Nuno Lunet, Duarte Torres, Heli Tapanainen, Jaana Lindstrom, Suvi Virtanen, Cristina Palacios, Noel Barengo, Eva Roos, Irmgard Jordan, Charmaine Duante, Corazon Cerdena (retired), Imelda Angeles-Agdeppa (retired), Josie Desnacido, Mario Capanzana (retired), Anoop Misra, Ilse Khouw, Swee Ai Ng, Edna Gamboa Delgado, Mauricio T Caballero, Johanna Otero, Hae-Jeung Lee, Eda Koksal, Idris Guessous, Carl Lachat, Stefaan De Henauw, Ali Reza Rahbar, Alison Tedstone, Annie Ling, Beth Hopping, Catherine Leclercq, Christian Haerpfer, Christine Hotz, Christos Pitsavos, Coline van Oosterhout, Debbie Bradshaw, Dimitrios Trichopoulos, Dorothy Gauci, Dulitha Fernando, Elzbieta Sygnowska, Erkki Vartiainen, Farshad Farzadfar, Gabor Zajkas, Gillian Swan, Guansheng Ma, Hajah Masni Ibrahim, Harri Sinkko, Isabelle Sioen, Jean-Michel Gaspoz, Jillian Odenkirk, Kanitta Bundhamcharoen, Keiu Nelis, Khairul Zarina, Lajos Biro, Lars Johansson, Leanne Riley, Mabel Yap, Manami Inoue, Maria Szabo, Marja-Leena Ovaskainen, Meei-Shyuan Lee, Mei Fen Chan, Melanie Cowan, Mirnalini Kandiah, Ola Kally, Olof Jonsdottir, Pam Palmer, Philippos Orfanos, Renzo Asciak, Robert Templeton, Rokiah Don, Roseyati Yaakub, Rusidah Selamat, Safiah Yusof, Sameer Al-Zenki, Shu-Yi Hung, Sigrid Beer-Borst, Suh Wu, Widjaja Lukito, Wilbur Hadden, Xia Cao, Yi Ma, Yuen Lai, Zaiton Hjdaud, Jennifer Ali, Ron Gravel, Tina Tao, Jacob Lennert Veerman, Mustafa Arici, Demosthenes Panagiotakos, Yanping Li, Gülden Pekcan, Karim Anzid, Anuradha Khadilkar, Veena Ekbote, Irina Kovalskys, Arlappa Nimmathota, Avula Laxmaiah, Balakrishna Nagalla, Brahmam Ginnela, Hemalatha Rajkumar, Indrapal Meshram, Kalpagam Polasa, Licia Iacoviello, Marialaura Bonaccio, Simona Costanzo, Yves Martin-Prevel, Nattinee Jitnarin, Wen-Harn Pan, Yao-Te Hsieh, Sonia Olivares, Gabriela Tejeda, Aida Hadziomeragic, Le Tran Ngoan, Amanda de Moura Souza, Daniel Illescas-Zarate, Inge Huybrechts, Alan de Brauw, Mourad Moursi, Augustin Nawidimbasba Zeba, Maryam Maghroun, Nizal Sarrafzadegan, Noushin Mohammadifard, Lital Keinan-Boker, Rebecca Goldsmith, Tal Shimony, Gudrun B Keding, Shivanand C Mastiholi, Moses Mwangi, Yeri Kombe, Zipporah Bukania, Eman Alissa, Nasser Al-Daghri, Shaun Sabico, Rajesh Jeewon, Martin Gulliford, Tshilenge S Diba, Kyungwon Oh, Sihyun Park, Sungha Yun, Yoonsu Cho, Suad Al-Hooti, Chanthaly Luangphaxay, Daovieng Douangvichit, Latsamy Siengsounthone, Pedro Marques-Vidal, Peter Vollenweider, Constance Rybak, Amy Luke, Nipa Rojroongwasinkul, Noppawan Piaseu, Kalyana Sundram, Jeremy Koster, Donka Baykova, Parvin Abedi, Sandjaja Sandjaja, Fariza Fadzil, Noriklil Bukhary Ismail Bukhary, Pascal Bovet, Yu Chen, Norie Sawada, Shoichiro Tsugane, Lalka Rangelova, Stefka Petrova, Vesselka Duleva, Ward Siamusantu, Lucjan Szponar, Hsing-Yi Chang, Makiko Sekiyama, Khanh Le Nguyen Bao, Sesikeran Boindala, Jalila El Ati, Ivonne Ramirez Silva, Juan Rivera Dommarco, Luz Maria Sanchez-Romero, Simon Barquera, Sonia Rodríguez-Ramírez, Nayu Ikeda, Sahar Zaghloul, Anahita Houshiar-rad, Fatemeh Mohammadi-Nasrabadi, Morteza Abdollahi, Khun-Aik Chuah, Zaleha Abdullah Mahdy, Alison Eldridge, Eric L Ding, Herculina Kruger, Sigrun Henjum, Milton Fabian Suarez-Ortegon, Nawal Al-Hamad, Veronika Janská, Reema Tayyem, Bemnet Tedla, Parvin Mirmiran, Almut Richter, Gert Mensink, Lothar Wieler, Daniel Hoffman, Benoit Salanave, Shashi Chiplonkar, Anne Fernandez, Androniki Naska, Karin De Ridder, Cho-il Kim, Rebecca Kuriyan, Sumathi Swaminathan, Didier Garriguet, Anna Karin Lindroos, Eva Warensjo Lemming, Jessica Petrelius Sipinen, Lotta Moraeus, Saeed Dastgiri, Sirje Vaask, Tilakavati Karupaiah, Fatemeh Vida Zohoori, Alireza Esteghamati, Sina Noshad, Suhad Abumweis, Elizabeth Mwaniki, Simon G Anderson, Justin Chileshe, Sydney Mwanza, Lydia Lera Marques, Samuel Duran Aguero, Mariana Oleas, Luz Posada, Angelica Ochoa, Alan Martin Preston, Khadijah Shamsuddin, Zalilah Mohd Shariff, Hamid Jan Bin Jan Mohamed, Wan Manan, Bee Koon Poh, Pamela Abbott, Mohammadreza Pakseresht, Sangita Sharma, Tor Strand, Ute Alexy, Ute Nöthlings, Indu Waidyatilaka, Ranil Jayawardena, Julie M Long, K Michael Hambidge, Nancy F Krebs, Aminul Haque, Liisa Korkalo, Maijaliisa Erkkola, Riitta Freese, Laila Eleraky, Wolfgang Stuetz, Laufey Steingrimsdottir, Inga Thorsdottir, Ingibjorg Gunnarsdottir, Lluis Serra-Majem, Foong Ming Moy, Corina Aurelia Zugravu, Elizabeth Yakes Jimenez, Linda Adair, Shu Wen Ng, Sheila Skeaff, Regina Fisberg, Carol Henry, Getahun Ersino, Gordon Zello, Alexa Meyer, Ibrahim Elmadfa, Claudette Mitchell, David Balfour, Johanna M Geleijnse, Mark Manary, Laetitia Nikiema, Masoud Mirzaei, Rubina Hakeem

Contributors: LLC, RM, and DM conceived the study. FC, PS, JZ, JRS, JEM, VM, LLC, RM, DM curated the data. FC, LLC, RM, and DM were responsible for the methodology. LLC, JRS, VM, and RM collected the data. FC, PS, JZ, JEM, VM, and LLC developed the software. FC, PS, JZ, VM, LLC, RM, and DM validated the data. LLC, SBC, SB, RM, and DM performed the formal analysis. LLC prepared the original draft of the manuscript. LLC, FC, PS, JZ, JRS, JEM, VM, SBC, SB, RM, and DM wrote, reviewed, and edited the manuscript. LLC generated the original figures and tables; SBC, SB, RM, and DM supervised the analysis, manuscript draft, and generation of figures and tables. LLC, RM, and DM acquired funding. They are the guarantors. The corresponding author attests that all listed authors meet authorship criteria and that no others meeting the criteria have been omitted.

Funding: This research was supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (grant OPP1176682 to DM), the American Heart Association (grant 903679 to LLC), and Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología in Mexico (to LLC). This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under grant number 2018149. The computational resource is under active development by Research Technology, Tufts Technology Services. The funding agencies had no role in the design of the study; collection, management, analysis, or interpretation of the data; preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript; or decision to submit for publication.

Competing interests: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form at https://www.icmje.org/disclosure-of-interest/ and declare the following: support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, American Heart Association, and Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología in Mexico. LLC reports research funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the American Heart Association, and Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología in Mexico (CONACyT), outside of the submitted work. RM reports research funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; and (ended) the US National Institutes of Health, Danone, and Nestle. She also reports consulting from Development Initiatives and as IEG chair for the Global Nutrition Report, outside of the submitted work. FC, JZ, and PS report research funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, as well as the National Institutes of Health, outside of the submitted work. VM reports research funding the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and from the American Heart Association, outside the submitted work. JRS reports research funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, as well as the National Institutes of Health, Nestlé, Rockefeller Foundation, and Kaiser Permanent Fund at East Bay Community Foundation, outside of the submitted work. SBC reports research funding from the US. National Institutes of Health, US. Department of Agriculture, the Rockefeller Foundation, US. Agency for International Development, and the Kaiser Permanente Fund at East Bay Community Foundation, outside the submitted work. SB reports funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies, CONACyT, United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (Unicef), and Fundación Rio Arronte, outside the submitted work. DM reports research funding from the US National Institutes of Health, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Rockefeller Foundation, Vail Innovative Global Research, and the Kaiser Permanente Fund at East Bay Community Foundation; personal fees from Acasti Pharma, Barilla, Danone, and Motif FoodWorks; is on the scientific advisory board for Beren Therapeutics, Brightseed, Calibrate, Elysium Health, Filtricine, HumanCo, Instacart, January, Perfect Day, Tiny Organics, and (ended) Day Two, Discern Dx, and Season Health; has stock ownership in Calibrate and HumanCo; and receives chapter royalties from UpToDate, outside the submitted work. The investigators did not receive funding from a pharmaceutical company or other agency to write this report, and declare no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Transparency: The lead author (LLC) affirms that the manuscript is an honest, accurate, and transparent account of the study being reported; that no important aspects of the study have been omitted; and that any discrepancies from the study as originally planned (and, if relevant, registered) have been explained.

Dissemination to participants and related patient and public communities: Our research will be disseminated to the scientific community in a scientific conference and scientific publications; to the public through our website and social media; and to funders and interested ministries in various nations through presentations and brief reports.

Provenance and peer review: Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.

Publisher’s note: Published maps are provided without any warranty of any kind, either express or implied. BMJ remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps.

Editor’s note: The visual abstract was included in this article on 9 August 2024 post-publication.

This is an Open Access article distributed in accordance with the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt and build upon this work, for commercial use, provided the original work is properly cited. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ .

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Research Proposal – Types, Template and Example

Table of Contents

Research Proposal

Research proposal is a document that outlines a proposed research project . It is typically written by researchers, scholars, or students who intend to conduct research to address a specific research question or problem.

Types of Research Proposal

Research proposals can vary depending on the nature of the research project and the specific requirements of the funding agency, academic institution, or research program. Here are some common types of research proposals:

Academic Research Proposal

This is the most common type of research proposal, which is prepared by students, scholars, or researchers to seek approval and funding for an academic research project. It includes all the essential components mentioned earlier, such as the introduction, literature review , methodology , and expected outcomes.

Grant Proposal

A grant proposal is specifically designed to secure funding from external sources, such as government agencies, foundations, or private organizations. It typically includes additional sections, such as a detailed budget, project timeline, evaluation plan, and a description of the project’s alignment with the funding agency’s priorities and objectives.

Dissertation or Thesis Proposal

Students pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree often need to submit a proposal outlining their intended research for their dissertation or thesis. These proposals are usually more extensive and comprehensive, including an in-depth literature review, theoretical framework, research questions or hypotheses, and a detailed methodology.

Research Project Proposal

This type of proposal is often prepared by researchers or research teams within an organization or institution. It outlines a specific research project that aims to address a particular problem, explore a specific area of interest, or provide insights for decision-making. Research project proposals may include sections on project management, collaboration, and dissemination of results.

Research Fellowship Proposal

Researchers or scholars applying for research fellowships may be required to submit a proposal outlining their proposed research project. These proposals often emphasize the novelty and significance of the research and its alignment with the goals and objectives of the fellowship program.

Collaborative Research Proposal

In cases where researchers from multiple institutions or disciplines collaborate on a research project, a collaborative research proposal is prepared. This proposal highlights the objectives, responsibilities, and contributions of each collaborator, as well as the overall research plan and coordination mechanisms.

Research Proposal Outline

A research proposal typically follows a standard outline that helps structure the document and ensure all essential components are included. While the specific headings and subheadings may vary slightly depending on the requirements of your institution or funding agency, the following outline provides a general structure for a research proposal:

• Title of the research proposal
• Name of the researcher(s) or principal investigator(s)
• Affiliation or institution
• Date of submission
• A concise summary of the research proposal, typically limited to 200-300 words.
• Briefly introduce the research problem or question, state the objectives, summarize the methodology, and highlight the expected outcomes or significance of the research.
• Provide an overview of the subject area and the specific research problem or question.
• Present relevant background information, theories, or concepts to establish the need for the research.
• Clearly state the research objectives or research questions that the study aims to address.
• Indicate the significance or potential contributions of the research.
• Summarize and analyze relevant studies, theories, or scholarly works.
• Identify research gaps or unresolved issues that your study intends to address.
• Highlight the novelty or uniqueness of your research.
• Describe the overall approach or research design that will be used (e.g., experimental, qualitative, quantitative).
• Justify the chosen approach based on the research objectives and question.
• Explain how data will be collected (e.g., surveys, interviews, experiments).
• Describe the sampling strategy and sample size, if applicable.
• Address any ethical considerations related to data collection.
• Outline the data analysis techniques or statistical methods that will be applied.
• Explain how the data will be interpreted and analyzed to answer the research question(s).
• Provide a detailed schedule or timeline that outlines the various stages of the research project.
• Specify the estimated duration for each stage, including data collection, analysis, and report writing.
• State the potential outcomes or results of the research.
• Discuss the potential significance or contributions of the study to the field.
• Address any potential limitations or challenges that may be encountered.
• Identify the resources required to conduct the research, such as funding, equipment, or access to data.
• Specify any collaborations or partnerships necessary for the successful completion of the study.
• Include a list of cited references in the appropriate citation style (e.g., APA, MLA).

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Research Proposal Example Template

Here’s an example of a research proposal to give you an idea of how it can be structured:

Title: The Impact of Social Media on Adolescent Well-being: A Mixed-Methods Study

This research proposal aims to investigate the impact of social media on the well-being of adolescents. The study will employ a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to gather comprehensive data. The research objectives include examining the relationship between social media use and mental health, exploring the role of peer influence in shaping online behaviors, and identifying strategies for promoting healthy social media use among adolescents. The findings of this study will contribute to the understanding of the effects of social media on adolescent well-being and inform the development of targeted interventions.

1. Introduction

1.1 Background and Context:

Adolescents today are immersed in social media platforms, which have become integral to their daily lives. However, concerns have been raised about the potential negative impact of social media on their well-being, including increased rates of depression, anxiety, and body dissatisfaction. It is crucial to investigate this phenomenon further and understand the underlying mechanisms to develop effective strategies for promoting healthy social media use among adolescents.

1.2 Research Objectives:

The main objectives of this study are:

• To examine the association between social media use and mental health outcomes among adolescents.
• To explore the influence of peer relationships and social comparison on online behaviors.
• To identify strategies and interventions to foster positive social media use and enhance adolescent well-being.

2. Literature Review

Extensive research has been conducted on the impact of social media on adolescents. Existing literature suggests that excessive social media use can contribute to negative outcomes, such as low self-esteem, cyberbullying, and addictive behaviors. However, some studies have also highlighted the positive aspects of social media, such as providing opportunities for self-expression and social support. This study will build upon this literature by incorporating both quantitative and qualitative approaches to gain a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between social media and adolescent well-being.

3. Methodology

3.1 Research Design:

This study will adopt a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews. The quantitative phase will involve administering standardized questionnaires to a representative sample of adolescents to assess their social media use, mental health indicators, and perceived social support. The qualitative phase will include in-depth interviews with a subset of participants to explore their experiences, motivations, and perceptions related to social media use.

3.2 Data Collection Methods:

Quantitative data will be collected through an online survey distributed to schools in the target region. The survey will include validated scales to measure social media use, mental health outcomes, and perceived social support. Qualitative data will be collected through semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of participants. The interviews will be audio-recorded and transcribed for thematic analysis.

3.3 Data Analysis:

Quantitative data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis to examine the relationships between variables. Qualitative data will be analyzed thematically to identify common themes and patterns within participants’ narratives. Integration of quantitative and qualitative findings will provide a comprehensive understanding of the research questions.

4. Timeline

The research project will be conducted over a period of 12 months, divided into specific phases, including literature review, study design, data collection, analysis, and report writing. A detailed timeline outlining the key milestones and activities is provided in Appendix A.

5. Expected Outcomes and Significance

This study aims to contribute to the existing literature on the impact of social media on adolescent well-being by employing a mixed-methods approach. The findings will inform the development of evidence-based interventions and guidelines to promote healthy social media use among adolescents. This research has the potential to benefit adolescents, parents, educators, and policymakers by providing insights into the complex relationship between social media and well-being and offering strategies for fostering positive online experiences.

6. Resources

The resources required for this research include access to a representative sample of adolescents, research assistants for data collection, statistical software for data analysis, and funding to cover survey administration and participant incentives. Ethical considerations will be taken into account, ensuring participant confidentiality and obtaining informed consent.

7. References

Research Proposal Writing Guide

Writing a research proposal can be a complex task, but with proper guidance and organization, you can create a compelling and well-structured proposal. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

• Understand the requirements: Familiarize yourself with the guidelines and requirements provided by your institution, funding agency, or program. Pay attention to formatting, page limits, specific sections or headings, and any other instructions.
• Identify your research topic: Choose a research topic that aligns with your interests, expertise, and the goals of your program or funding opportunity. Ensure that your topic is specific, focused, and relevant to the field of study.
• Conduct a literature review : Review existing literature and research relevant to your topic. Identify key theories, concepts, methodologies, and findings related to your research question. This will help you establish the context, identify research gaps, and demonstrate the significance of your proposed study.
• Define your research objectives and research question(s): Clearly state the objectives you aim to achieve with your research. Formulate research questions that address the gaps identified in the literature review. Your research objectives and questions should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).
• Develop a research methodology: Determine the most appropriate research design and methodology for your study. Consider whether quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods approaches will best address your research question(s). Describe the data collection methods, sampling strategy, data analysis techniques, and any ethical considerations associated with your research.
• Create a research plan and timeline: Outline the various stages of your research project, including tasks, milestones, and deadlines. Develop a realistic timeline that considers factors such as data collection, analysis, and report writing. This plan will help you stay organized and manage your time effectively throughout the research process.
• A. Introduction: Provide background information on the research problem, highlight its significance, and introduce your research objectives and questions.
• B. Literature review: Summarize relevant literature, identify gaps, and justify the need for your proposed research.
• C . Methodology: Describe your research design, data collection methods, sampling strategy, data analysis techniques, and any ethical considerations.
• D . Expected outcomes and significance: Explain the potential outcomes, contributions, and implications of your research.
• E. Resources: Identify the resources required to conduct your research, such as funding, equipment, or access to data.
• F . References: Include a list of cited references in the appropriate citation style.
• Revise and proofread: Review your proposal for clarity, coherence, and logical flow. Check for grammar and spelling errors. Seek feedback from mentors, colleagues, or advisors to refine and improve your proposal.
• Finalize and submit: Make any necessary revisions based on feedback and finalize your research proposal. Ensure that you have met all the requirements and formatting guidelines. Submit your proposal within the specified deadline.

Research Proposal Length

The length of a research proposal can vary depending on the specific guidelines provided by your institution or funding agency. However, research proposals typically range from 1,500 to 3,000 words, excluding references and any additional supporting documents.

Purpose of Research Proposal

The purpose of a research proposal is to outline and communicate your research project to others, such as academic institutions, funding agencies, or potential collaborators. It serves several important purposes:

• Demonstrate the significance of the research: A research proposal explains the importance and relevance of your research project. It outlines the research problem or question, highlights the gaps in existing knowledge, and explains how your study will contribute to the field. By clearly articulating the significance of your research, you can convince others of its value and potential impact.
• Provide a clear research plan: A research proposal outlines the methodology, design, and approach you will use to conduct your study. It describes the research objectives, data collection methods, data analysis techniques, and potential outcomes. By presenting a clear research plan, you demonstrate that your study is well-thought-out, feasible, and likely to produce meaningful results.
• Secure funding or support: For researchers seeking funding or support for their projects, a research proposal is essential. It allows you to make a persuasive case for why your research is deserving of financial resources or institutional backing. The proposal explains the budgetary requirements, resources needed, and potential benefits of the research, helping you secure the necessary funding or support.
• Seek feedback and guidance: Presenting a research proposal provides an opportunity to receive feedback and guidance from experts in your field. It allows you to engage in discussions and receive suggestions for refining your research plan, improving the methodology, or addressing any potential limitations. This feedback can enhance the quality of your study and increase its chances of success.
• Establish ethical considerations: A research proposal also addresses ethical considerations associated with your study. It outlines how you will ensure participant confidentiality, obtain informed consent, and adhere to ethical guidelines and regulations. By demonstrating your awareness and commitment to ethical research practices, you build trust and credibility in your proposed study.

Importance of Research Proposal

The research proposal holds significant importance in the research process. Here are some key reasons why research proposals are important:

• Planning and organization: A research proposal requires careful planning and organization of your research project. It forces you to think through the research objectives, research questions, methodology, and potential outcomes before embarking on the actual study. This planning phase helps you establish a clear direction and framework for your research, ensuring that your efforts are focused and purposeful.
• Demonstrating the significance of the research: A research proposal allows you to articulate the significance and relevance of your study. By providing a thorough literature review and clearly defining the research problem or question, you can showcase the gaps in existing knowledge that your research aims to address. This demonstrates to others, such as funding agencies or academic institutions, why your research is important and deserving of support.
• Obtaining funding and resources: Research proposals are often required to secure funding for your research project. Funding agencies and organizations need to evaluate the feasibility and potential impact of the proposed research before allocating resources. A well-crafted research proposal helps convince funders of the value of your research and increases the likelihood of securing financial support, grants, or scholarships.
• Receiving feedback and guidance: Presenting a research proposal provides an opportunity to seek feedback and guidance from experts in your field. By sharing your research plan and objectives with others, you can benefit from their insights and suggestions. This feedback can help refine your research design, strengthen your methodology, and ensure that your study is rigorous and well-informed.
• Ethical considerations: A research proposal addresses ethical considerations associated with your study. It outlines how you will protect the rights and welfare of participants, maintain confidentiality, obtain informed consent, and adhere to ethical guidelines and regulations. This emphasis on ethical practices ensures that your research is conducted responsibly and with integrity.
• Enhancing collaboration and partnerships: A research proposal can facilitate collaborations and partnerships with other researchers, institutions, or organizations. When presenting your research plan, you may attract the interest of potential collaborators who share similar research interests or possess complementary expertise. Collaborative partnerships can enrich your study, expand your resources, and foster knowledge exchange.
• Establishing a research trajectory: A research proposal serves as a foundation for your research project. Once approved, it becomes a roadmap that guides your study’s implementation, data collection, analysis, and reporting. It helps maintain focus and ensures that your research stays on track and aligned with the initial objectives.

When to Write Research Proposal

The timing of when to write a research proposal can vary depending on the specific requirements and circumstances. However, here are a few common situations when it is appropriate to write a research proposal:

• Academic research: If you are a student pursuing a research degree, such as a Ph.D. or Master’s by research, you will typically be required to write a research proposal as part of the application process. This is usually done before starting the research program to outline your proposed study and seek approval from the academic institution.
• Funding applications: When applying for research grants, scholarships, or funding from organizations or institutions, you will often need to submit a research proposal. Funding agencies require a detailed description of your research project, including its objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes. Writing a research proposal in this context is necessary to secure financial support for your study.
• Research collaborations: When collaborating with other researchers, institutions, or organizations on a research project, it is common to prepare a research proposal. This helps outline the research objectives, roles and responsibilities, and expected contributions from each party. Writing a research proposal in this case allows all collaborators to align their efforts and ensure a shared understanding of the project.
• Research project within an organization: If you are conducting research within an organization, such as a company or government agency, you may be required to write a research proposal to gain approval and support for your study. This proposal outlines the research objectives, methodology, resources needed, and expected outcomes, ensuring that the project aligns with the organization’s goals and objectives.
• Independent research projects: Even if you are not required to write a research proposal, it can still be beneficial to develop one for your independent research projects. Writing a research proposal helps you plan and structure your study, clarify your research objectives, and anticipate potential challenges or limitations. It also allows you to communicate your research plans effectively to supervisors, mentors, or collaborators.

About the author

Muhammad Hassan

Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

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How We Could Warm Mars

A new idea among a rich history of proposals to make the surface of the cold planet habitable.

The Problem

The surface of Mars averages about -80 degrees Fahrenheit, well too cold to be suitable for microbial life.

A method using engineered dust particles released into the atmosphere that could potentially warm the Red Planet by more than 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Why It Matters

This could be a first step toward making Mars habitable.

Graduate Student Samaneh Ansari, Professor Hooman Mohseni

Ever since learning the surface of the planet Mars is cold and dead, scientists have wondered if there was a way to make it friendlier to life.

In a groundbreaking study  published Aug. 7  in Science Advances , researchers from Northwestern University, University of Chicago, and University of Central Florida have proposed a revolutionary approach toward terraforming Mars. This new method, using engineered dust particles released into the atmosphere, could potentially warm the Red Planet by more than 50 degrees Fahrenheit, to temperatures suitable for microbial life — a crucial first step toward making Mars habitable. 

The proposed method is more than 5,000 times more efficient than previous schemes to globally warm the planet, representing a significant leap forward in our ability to modify the Martian environment, according to lead author and Northwestern electrical and computer engineering graduate student Samaneh Ansari, who works in the lab of Northwestern professor Hooman Mohseni .

What sets this approach apart is its use of resources readily available on Mars, making it far more feasible than earlier proposals that relied on importing materials from Earth or mining rare Martian resources.

This strategy would take decades. But it appears logistically easier than other plans proposed so far, the researchers said.

“This suggests that the barrier to warming Mars to allow liquid water is not as high as previously thought,” said Edwin Kite, an associate professor of geophysical sciences at the University of Chicago and corresponding author on the study.

Making the planet suitable for humans to walk on the surface unaided requires much more work — astronauts still won’t be able to breathe Mars' thin air. But perhaps groundwork could be laid by making the planet habitable for microbes and food crops that could gradually add oxygen to the atmosphere, much as they have done for Earth during its geologic history.

A new approach to an age-old dream

There is a rich history of proposals to make Mars habitable — Carl Sagan himself came up with one back in 1971. These have ranged from outright daydreams, such as science fiction writers depicting turning one of Mars’ moons into a sun, to more recent and scientifically plausible ideas, such as engineering transparent gel tiles to trap heat.

Any plan to make Mars habitable must address several hurdles, including deadly UV rays and salty soil. But the biggest is the planet’s temperature — the surface of Mars averages about -80 degrees Fahrenheit.

The average temperature of Mars' surface

Times more efficient the proposed method is than previous schemes to warm mars, the amount the new method could potentially warm the planet.

One strategy to warm the planet could be the same method that humans are unintentionally using here on Earth: releasing material into the atmosphere, which would enhance Mars' natural greenhouse effect, trapping solar heat at the surface.

The trouble is that tons of these materials would be needed — literally. Previous schemes depended on bringing gases from Earth to Mars, or attempting to mine Mars for a large mass of ingredients that aren’t very common there are both costly and difficult propositions. But the team wondered whether it could be done by processing materials that already exist abundantly on Mars.

Changing the shape of the planet’s dust

Scientists have learned from rovers like Curiosity that dust on Mars is rich in iron and aluminum. By themselves, those dust particles aren’t suitable to warm the planet; their size and composition mean they tend to cool the surface slightly rather than warm it. But if dust particles could be engineered to have different shapes or compositions, the researchers hypothesized, perhaps they could trap heat more efficiently.

The researchers designed particles shaped like short rods, similar in size to commercially available glitter. These particles are designed to trap escaping heat and scatter sunlight towards the surface, enhancing Mars' natural greenhouse effect.

“How light interacts with sub-wavelength objects is fascinating,” Ansari said. “Importantly, engineering nanoparticles can lead to optical effects that far exceed what is conventionally expected from such small particles.”

A step toward feasibility

Mohseni, a study co-author and the AT&T Professor of Information Technology at the McCormick School of Engineering, as well as a professor of physics and astronomy in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences , believes that they have just scratched the surface.

“We believe it is possible to design nanoparticles with higher efficiency, and even those that can dynamically change their optical properties,” he said.

“You'd still need millions of tons to warm the planet, but that’s five thousand times less than you would need with previous proposals to globally warm Mars,” Kite said. “This significantly increases the feasibility of the project.”

Calculations indicate that if the particles were released into Mars’ atmosphere continuously at 30 liters per second, the planet would warm by more than 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The effect could be noticeable within as soon as months. Similarly, the warming would be reversible, stopping within a few years if release was switched off.

The authors used the Quest high-performance computing facility at Northwestern and the University of Chicago Research Computing Center.

Potential impact and future research

Much work remains to be done, the scientists said. They don’t know exactly how fast the engineered dust would cycle out of Mars’ atmosphere, for example. Mars does have water and clouds, and, as the planet warms, it’s possible that water would increasingly start to condense around the particles and fall back to the surface as rain.

"Climate feedbacks are really difficult to model accurately," Kite cautioned. "To implement something like this, we would need more data from both Mars and Earth, and we'd need to proceed slowly and reversibly to ensure the effects work as intended."

While this method represents a significant leap forward in terraforming research, the researchers emphasize that the study focuses on warming Mars to temperatures suitable for microbial life and possibly growing food crops — not on creating a breathable atmosphere for humans.

“This research opens new avenues for exploration and potentially brings us one step closer to the long-held dream of establishing a sustainable human presence on Mars,” Kite said.

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