common mistakes in research proposal writing

Writing a Research Proposal

• Parts of a Research Proposal
• Structure of a Research Proposal

Common Proposal Writing Mistakes

Preventing common writing mistakes.

• Proposal Writing Resources

According to Wong (2002) and Locke et al. (2007), there are common mistakes that people make when writing a research proposal:

• Not providing context to the research question(s).
• Not citing significant studies ("landmark studies") in the field that changed others' understanding of the topic.
• Not accurately presenting other research done on the topic.
• Not staying focused on the primary research question.
• Not focusing on the study's primary objective or paying too much attention to minor things (not focusing on the big picture).
• Trying to change the reader's opinions on topics that are not relevant to understanding the project.
• Using the proposal to take a stance on a particular political or social issue.
• Failing to have a clear sense of direction (proposals should flow like a research paper).
• Making the proposal too long or too short.
• Using APA style improperly.
• Using too many citations (only use what you need).
• Not proofreading for grammar and spelling errors.

Making these mistakes can reduce the probability of gaining the favor of your evaluators, so it is critical that you avoid these common mistakes!

Below are some tips that will help you avoid making common proposal writing mistakes (Wallwork and Southern, 2020):

• If you feel overwhelmed with the thought of writing a proposal, start with creating an outline.  This will place your main ideas on paper and prevent you from getting sidetracked.  You can use the outline as a guide to write your proposal once it is complete.
• Make an effort to "sell" your work.  Many people assume reviewers will automatically understand the importance of your proposed study, but you should assume that they know nothing about your topic.
• Make sure your proposal follows the instructions and guidelines of your assignment prompt or instructions.  This includes having proper document formatting.
• Ensure that your proposal is visually pleasing and easy to read.  Reviewers will not want to spend time on your proposal if it is not easy to follow.
• Check spelling and grammar on your own before or after using a proofreading service.  Language editing programs like Grammarly can improve the quality of your writing, but it may not catch everything that should be edited or changed.
• << Previous: Structure of a Research Proposal
• Next: Proposal Writing Resources >>
• Last Updated: May 22, 2023 10:46 AM
• URL: https://library.tiffin.edu/writingaresearchproposal

Writing Your Research Proposal

5 Things You Need To Keep Top Of Mind

By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Reviewer: Eunice Rautenbach (DTech) | June 2023

W riting a   high-quality research proposal   that “sells” your study and wins the favour (and approval) of your university is no small task. In this post, we’ll share five   critical dos and don’ts   to help you navigate the proposal writing process.

This post is based on an extract from   our online course ,   Research Proposal Bootcamp . In the course, we walk you through the process of developing an A-grade proposal, step by step, with plain-language explanations and loads of examples. If it’s your first time writing a research proposal, you definitely want to check that out.

Overview: 5 Proposal Writing Essentials

• Understand your university’s   requirements   and   restrictions
• Have a clearly articulated   research   problem
• Clearly communicate the   feasibility   of your research
• Pay very close attention to   ethics   policies
• Focus on writing   critically   and   concisely

1. Understand the rules of the game

All too often, we see students going through all the effort of finding a  unique and valuable topic  and drafting a meaty proposal, only to realise that they’ve missed some  critical information  regarding their university’s requirements. 

Every university is different, but they all have some sort of requirements or expectations regarding what students can and can’t research. For example:

• Restrictions regarding the  topic area  that can be research
• Restrictions regarding  data   sources  – for example, primary or secondary
• Requirements regarding  methodology  – for example, qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods-based research
• And most notably, there can be varying expectations regarding  topic originality  – does your topic need to be super original or not?

The key takeaway here is that you need to  thoroughly read through any briefing documents provided  by your university. Also, take a look at past dissertations or theses from your program to get a feel for  what   the norms are . Long story short, make sure you understand the rules of the game before you start playing.

2. Have a clearly articulated research problem

As we’ve explained many times on this blog, all   good research starts with a strong   research problem   – without a problem, you don’t have a clear justification for your research. Therefore, it’s essential that you have clarity regarding the research problem you’re going to address   before you start drafting   your proposal. From the research   problem , the   research   gap   emerges and from the research gap, your   research   aims , objectives and research   questions   emerge. These then guide your entire dissertation from start to end. 

Needless to say, all of this starts with the literature – in other words, you have to   spend time reading the existing literature   to understand the current state of knowledge. You can’t skip this all-important step. All too often, we see students make the mistake of trying to write up a proposal without having a   clear understanding of the current state   of the literature, which is just a recipe for disaster. You’ve got to take the time to understand what’s already been done before you can propose doing something new.

3. Demonstrate the feasibility of your research

One of the key concerns that reviewers or assessors have when deciding to approve or reject a research proposal is the   practicality/feasibility of the proposed research , given the student’s resources (which are usually pretty limited). You can have a brilliant research topic that’s super original and valuable, but if there is any question about whether the project is something that you can realistically pull off, you’re going to run into issues when it comes to getting your proposal accepted.

So, what does this mean for you?

First, you need to make sure that the research topic you’ve chosen and the methodology you’re planning to use is   100% safe in terms of feasibility . In other words, you need to be super certain that you can actually pull off this study. Of greatest importance here is the data collection and analysis aspect – in other words, will you be able to get access to the data you need, and will you be able to analyse it?

Second, assuming you’re 100% confident that you can pull the research off, you need to   clearly communicate that   in your research proposal. To do this, you need to proactively think about all the concerns the reviewer or supervisor might have and ensure that you clearly address these in your proposal. Remember,   the proposal is a one-way communication   – you get one shot (per submission) to make your case, and there’s generally   no Q&A opportunity . So, make it clear what you’ll be doing, what the potential risks are and how you’ll manage those risks to ensure that your study goes according to plan.

If you have the word count available, it’s a good idea to   present a project plan , ideally using something like a Gantt chart. You can also consider presenting a   risk register , where you detail the potential risks, their likelihood and impact, and your mitigation and response actions – this will show the assessor that you’ve really thought through the practicalities of your proposed project. If you want to learn more about project plans and risk registers, we cover these in detail in our proposal writing course,   Research Proposal Bootcamp , and we also provide templates that you can use. 

Need a helping hand?

4. Pay close attention to ethics policies

This one’s a biggy – and it can often be a dream crusher for students with lofty research ideas. If there’s one thing that will sink your research proposal faster than anything else, it’s   non-compliance with your   university’s research ethics policy . This is simply a non-negotiable, so don’t waste your time thinking you can convince your institution otherwise. If your proposed research runs against any aspect of your institution’s ethics policies,   it’s a no-go.

The ethics requirements for dissertations can vary depending on the field of study, institution, and country, so we can’t give you a list of things you need to do, but some common requirements that you should be aware of include things like:

• Informed   consent   – in other words, getting permission/consent from your study’s participants and allowing them to opt out at any point
• Privacy   and   confidentiality   – in other words, ensuring that you manage the data securely and respect people’s privacy
• If your research   involves   animals   (as opposed to people), you’ll need to explain how you’ll   ensure ethical treatment , how you’ll reduce harm or distress, etc.

One more thing to keep in mind is that certain types of research may be acceptable from an ethics perspective, but will require   additional levels of approval . For example, if you’re planning to study any sort of vulnerable population (e.g., children, the elderly, people with mental health conditions, etc.), this may be allowed in principle but requires additional ethical scrutiny. This often involves some sort of review board or committee, which   slows things down   quite a bit. Situations like this aren’t proposal killers, but they can create a much   more rigid environment , so you need to consider whether that works for you, given your timeline.

5. Write critically and concisely

The final item on the list is more generic but just as important to the success of your research proposal – that is,   writing   critically   and concisely . 

All too often, students fall short in terms of critical writing and end up   writing in a very descriptive manner   instead. We’ve got a   detailed blog post and video   explaining the difference between these two types of writing, so we won’t go into detail here. However, the simplest way to distinguish between the two types of writing is that   descriptive writing focuses on the what , while   analytical writing draws out the “so what”   – in other words, what’s the impact and relevance of each point that you’re making to the bigger issue at hand.

In the case of a research proposal, the core task at hand is to   convince the reader that your planned research deserves a chance . To do this, you need to show the reviewer that your research will (amongst other things) be   original ,   valuable   and   practical . So, when you’re writing, you need to keep this core objective front of mind and write with purpose, taking every opportunity to link what you’re writing about to that core purpose of the proposal.

The second aspect in relation to writing is to   write concisely . All too often, students ramble on and use far more word count than is necessary. Part of the problem here is that their writing is just too descriptive (the previous point) and part of the issue is just a   lack of editing .

The keyword here is editing – in other words, you   don’t need to write the most concise version possible on your first try   – if anything, we encourage you to just thought vomit as much as you can in the initial stages of writing. Once you’ve got everything down on paper, then you can get down to   editing and trimming down your writing . You need to get comfortable with this process of iteration and revision with everything you write – don’t try to write the perfect first draft. First,   get the thoughts out of your head and onto the paper , then edit. This is a habit that will serve you well beyond your proposal, into your actual dissertation or thesis.

Wrapping Up

To recap, the five essentials to keep in mind when writing up your research proposal include:

If you want to learn more about how to craft a top-notch research proposal, be sure to   check out our online course   for a comprehensive, step-by-step guide. Alternatively, if you’d like to get hands-on help developing your proposal, be sure to check out our   private coaching service , where we hold your hand through the research journey, step by step. 

Ace Your Research Proposal

How To Choose A Research Topic: 5 Key Criteria

How To Choose A Research Topic Step-By-Step Tutorial With Examples + Free Topic...

Writing A Research Proposal: 4 Hacks To Fast-Track The Process

🎙️ PODCAST: Writing A Research Proposal 4 Time-Saving Tips To Fast-Track Your...

How To Find A Research Gap: Step-By-Step Process

How To Find A Research Gap, Quickly A step-by-step guide for new researchersBy: Derek...

Research Proposal Example/Sample: Full Walkthrough

Research Proposal Example/Sample Detailed Walkthrough + Free Proposal TemplateIf you're...

The Research Problem & Problem Statement

The Research Problem & Statement What they are & how to write them (with...

📄 FREE TEMPLATES

Research Topic Ideation

Proposal Writing

Literature Review

Methodology & Analysis

Academic Writing

Referencing & Citing

Apps, Tools & Tricks

The Grad Coach Podcast

Thanks alot, I am really getting you right with focus on how to approach my research work soon, Insha Allah, God blessed you.

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Submit Comment

• Print Friendly

• Writing Research Proposals: Tips, Examples & Mistakes

After identifying a problem you’d like to address in your study, the next step is to write a research proposal. In your research proposal, you can provide critical insights into your systematic investigation, including your methodology and the significance of the study. 

In educational assessment , your supervisor would always ask you to present a proposal before commencing the study. If you need research funding, you’d also have to submit a proposal in many cases. So how do you write an effective research proposal? 

First, you need to understand your research problem clearly and show why there’s a need to solve this problem. In this article, we’ll discover several tips for writing an effective research proposal and common pitfalls you should look out for.   

What is a Research Proposal?  

A research proposal spells out the critical issues your research is about and how you plan to go about your investigation. This is where you lay out a solid background of your proposed field of study, outline existing arguments and demonstrate the originality of your systematic research. 

Writing a research proposal is one of the most important aspects of any systematic investigation as it allows you to justify your efforts. After reading your document, people should understand why your topic is essential and why your solution is a feasible approach to solving the issue. 

Sometimes, you might be asked to submit a chapter breakdown with your proposal to give your supervisor a step-by-step insight into how you would conduct the study. 

Learn About: Research Report: Definition, Types + [Writing Guide]

What is the Purpose of a Research Proposal?

Why should you bother about writing research proposals? A research proposal serves two significant purposes: justification of your study and justification of your method. 

First, it is an opportunity to justify the need to study an existing problem. In other words, this is where you show people the far-reaching impact or effects of the research problem. For example, suppose you’re researching the use of drugs amongst teenagers. In that case, you must communicate the impact of this behavior and why it’s necessary to address this problem. 

Next, a research proposal is an opportunity to present the practical ways the proposed study should be conducted. At this point, you should also convince your supervisor and show why your research method or theory is most suitable for this particular investigation. 

Some other reasons why you should write a good research proposal include: 

• If you’re seeking funding for your research, then a proposal is your chance to explain the significance of your project to organizations who might wish to fund or otherwise support it. 
• It demonstrates the quality and importance of your work. 
• It allows you to communicate your competence and ability to conduct the proposed research. 

What are the Qualities of a Good Research Proposal?  

• A good research proposal must be brief and concise without fillers or fluff. 
• It should be written in simple language that is easy to understand. 
• It should describe the relevance of your systematic investigation.
• A good proposal emphasizes the significance of your study. 
• It should follow the prescribed guidelines from your professor or supervisor. 

Types of Research Proposals and When to Use Them  

Depending on your type of research, you may submit an approval proposal or a funding proposa l. In some cases, you’d have to turn in both; that is if your supervisor doubles as the project’s proposed financier. 

1. Approval Proposals 

An approval proposal is common in final undergraduate dissertations where a professor is assigned as your project supervisor. Typically, your supervisor would ask you to draw up a road map that justifies your study and shows that the research problem is worth investigating. You’d need to submit this document for the professor’s approval before going ahead with your research. 

When writing an approval proposal, you need to present information such as the purpose of the research, its importance, previous research in the same area, how your research will be conducted, a timeframe, and the resources that will be needed. 

2. Funding Proposal 

A funding proposal is submitted to an external organization to seek funding for your research. Funding proposals are like business pitches because you’re trying to convince someone or a team to invest in your idea. So, you need to use persuasive language that sells the validity and relevance of your research. 

Funding proposals also require that you emphasize your expertise in the field of study. Have you conducted similar research in the past? Great! Now’s the time to mention that. Do you have academic qualifications in a particular field of study? Mention that too. 

To recap, your funding proposal must communicate the following:

• The validity of your research design
• The relevance of your study
• Research budget and how you plan to utilize it
• The significance of your systematic investigation
• The suitability of your research facilities, if any

In educational research, we can also identify five(5) categories of research proposals which are:

• Renewal or Competing Proposals
• Continuation or Non-competing Proposals
• Prepropoals
• Unsolicited Proposals
• Solicited Proposals 

Explore: 33 Fundraising Ideas for Clubs & Non-Profit

1. Renewal Proposals 

A renewal proposal requests additional support for a study that’s already in progress and about to come to an end. Here, you need to show the outcomes you’ve already achieved and why additional support is necessary to the investigation. 

2. Continuation or Non-competing Proposals

This type of proposal applies to research that spans multiple years. Typically, the sponsor has already provided funding for an initial period (typically one year), and you’re presenting the proposal to request the release of additional funds for the following year. Here, the proposal approval depends on the availability of funds and if the sponsor is satisfied with the work you’ve done so far. 

Free to use: 21 Sponsorship Form Templates

3. Pre Proposal  

Sometimes, a sponsor would ask you to submit a pre-proposal in the form of an abstract or letter of intent for your study. After the pre-proposal is reviewed, the sponsor notifies the investigator if a full proposal is required.

4. Unsolicited Proposals

As the name suggests, an unsolicited proposal is submitted when there’s no express call for it. Researchers submit unsolicited proposals to sponsors who might have some interest in their field of study. 

5. Solicited Proposals

Any proposal submitted in response to a formal call or request is known as a solicited proposal. Such solicitations, typically called Request for Proposals (RFP), or Request for Quotations (RFQ), usually have a specific format and technical content requirements and may specify certain award terms and conditions. 

What Should Be Included in a Research Proposal? (Content and structure)

In most cases, your supervisor would let you in on the guidelines for writing a research proposal. In the case of research that requires funding, the sponsors will specify the different information that you should include in your proposal. 

Nevertheless, it pays to have some idea of the content and structure of a proposal. Typically, your research proposal should include the following information:

• Research Overview
• Research Context
• Research Questions
• Significance
• References 

Your proposal should clearly state the working title of your research paper, and this title should include relevant keywords. Your title should capture the intention of your research and draw attention to the specific issue your study will address. 

This section should highlight the critical issue(s) that you want to investigate and why these are important. At this point, you can refer to previous research efforts and any gaps your study will address. 

This is where you create a well-defined frame for your study, and it’s an intelligent way to grab your reader’s attention. Here, you have the chance to answer critical questions relating to your research, such as, “why is this study important?” How does it fit into the existing strengths of the department? How will it add something new to the current body of literature? 

You don’t have to go into details here, but it pays to highlight key ideas that will build readers’ interest in your work. 

Read: What is Educational Research? + [Types, Scope & Importance]

• Research Questions  

Prioritize one or two research questions here and use them to narrow the aims and objectives of your study. While you might not answer these questions in your proposal, you should explain how you intend to answer them—are you adopting a qualitative research method ? Would your approach be empirical, doctrinal or theoretical, etc.? 

This ties to responding to specific research questions. Once you’ve narrowed it down to particular aims and objectives, you should show the reader how you intend to achieve them. Depending on how deep you want to go, you can state the primary and secondary data sources , details about fieldwork, sampling technique, and data analysis methods for your study. This section should also contain a realistic timeline for completing your research. 

Why should anyone fund or approve your research? This section is where you convince them that your study is significant and relevant to your field and even related fields. In this section, you should show how your systematic investigation adds to the existing body of knowledge. You should also set out reasons why it is timely to research your proposed topic. 

Unlike an abstract, a proposal requires a list of initial references and sources for your study. You should mention critical articles and texts discussed within your research proposal, as well as a selection of sources that may be relevant to your project. 

Examples of Research Proposals 

Now, let’s look at some practical examples of research proposals. You can use these samples as templates when drafting your proposal for the first time. 

Example 1: Research Proposals From York St John University  

Example 2: Sample Research Proposal From The Open University  

Example 3: Sample Research Proposal From The University of Houston  

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing Research Proposals

If you want your research proposal to be accepted at the first go, you should avoid these common mistakes: 

1. The research topic is too broad.  

If your research topic doesn’t speak to a single, specific problem, it gives the impression that your study lacks a central focus. For example, a research topic that aims to “investigate the behaviors of children” will leave lots of questions like:

• What type of behaviors?
• How old are these children?
• What’s their background? Are they white or black? 

2. The aims and objectives of your research are poorly-aligned 

If there are discrepancies between your aims and objectives, and your specific research questions , your proposal might be rejected. When this happens, your investigation will appear to pull in several directions, making it difficult for anyone to follow through with the core ideas of your study. 

3. There’s no justification for your study 

One of the most important reasons for a research proposal is the justification of your study. In other words, you need to convince all parties that your research is relevant and worth investing in. Poor justification of the research topic is a common reason for proposals to be rejected. 

Other things that can ruin your chances of proposal approval include:

4. When your research has a weak theoretical background and fails to fill a clear gap in the existing literature

5. Failing to acknowledge and discuss landmark studies and critical literature in the topic area

6. Relying heavily on outdated sources and not incorporating more recent research that builds on the “classics.”

7. When your research design is impractical or not well-articulated

8. Poor writing and sloppy presentation of your ideas

How Long Should My Research Proposal Be? 

Different universities and faculties have prescribed word counts for research proposals. For example, the University of Westminster states that a research proposal should be 2,000–3,500 words (4-7 pages) long. In cases where there’s no prescribed word count, you can go with 1,000-1,500 words for your paper. 

Top Tips For Writing Your Research Proposal

• Take time to write a good proposal. Well-presented and written proposals are more likely to stick in the reviewer’s mind.
• Allow for flexibility as research proposals do not have to be set in stone. 
• Avoid plagiarism. You should acknowledge the authors of all publications you reference. 
• Make sure that your research ideas and questions are clearly stated. Your questions are as important as your results at this stage of the research.
• Spell out the scope of your research and make sure it is reasonable and realistic. 
• Make sure that your proposal does not contain any errors. Proofread and edit your work several times before you submit it.

Conclusion  

Your research proposal determines whether you’d go further in your systematic investigation, so you want to get it right. If you cannot present your ideas in a way that appeals to your supervisor or prospective financier, you will miss the chance to pursue this area of interest. 

Fortunately, writing a research proposal doesn’t have to look or feel overwhelming. We’ve shared a simple guide for writing an effective proposal and several examples to help out in this article. By leveraging all of this information, you should get through writing your proposal in no time.  

Connect to Formplus, Get Started Now - It's Free!

• approval proposal
• funding proposal
• good research proposal
• renewal proposals
• research design
• research proposal tips
• sample research proposals
• solicited proposals
• unsolicited proposals
• busayo.longe

You may also like:

What is Pure or Basic Research? + [Examples & Method]

Simple guide on pure or basic research, its methods, characteristics, advantages, and examples in science, medicine, education and psychology

Recall Bias: Definition, Types, Examples & Mitigation

This article will discuss the impact of recall bias in studies and the best ways to avoid them during research.

Exploratory Research: What are its Method & Examples?

Overview on exploratory research, examples and methodology. Shows guides on how to conduct exploratory research with online surveys

Citation Styles in Research Writing: MLA, APA, IEEE

In this article, we will explore the characteristics of each citation style along with examples and resources

Formplus - For Seamless Data Collection

Collect data the right way with a versatile data collection tool. try formplus and transform your work productivity today..

Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Assignments

• Annotated Bibliography
• Analyzing a Scholarly Journal Article
• Group Presentations
• Dealing with Nervousness
• Using Visual Aids
• Grading Someone Else's Paper
• Types of Structured Group Activities
• Group Project Survival Skills
• Leading a Class Discussion
• Multiple Book Review Essay
• Reviewing Collected Works
• Writing a Case Analysis Paper
• Writing a Case Study
• About Informed Consent
• Writing Field Notes
• Writing a Policy Memo
• Writing a Reflective Paper
• Writing a Research Proposal
• Generative AI and Writing
• Acknowledgments

The goal of a research proposal is twofold: 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 research are governed by standards of the predominant discipline in which the problem resides, therefore, the 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 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 determine that the research problem has not been adequately addressed or has been answered ineffectively and, in so doing, become better at locating pertinent 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 conducting 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 findings. Finally, an effective proposal is judged on the quality of your writing and, therefore, it is important that your proposal 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 investigate.
• Why do you want to do the research? 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 in-depth study. A successful research proposal must answer the "So What?" question.
• How are you going to conduct the research? Be sure that what you propose is doable. If you're having difficulty formulating a research problem to propose investigating, go here for strategies in developing a problem to study.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Failure to be concise . A research proposal must be focused and not be "all over the map" or diverge into unrelated tangents without a clear sense of purpose.
• Failure to cite landmark works in your literature review . Proposals should be grounded in foundational research that lays a foundation for understanding the development and scope of the the topic and its relevance.
• Failure to delimit the contextual scope of your research [e.g., time, place, people, etc.]. As with any research paper, your proposed study must inform the reader how and in what ways the study will frame the problem.
• Failure to develop a coherent and persuasive argument for the proposed research . This is critical. In many workplace settings, the research proposal is a formal document intended to argue for why a study should be funded.
• Sloppy or imprecise writing, or poor grammar . Although a research proposal does not represent a completed research study, there is still an expectation that it is well-written and follows the style and rules of good academic writing.
• Too much detail on minor issues, but not enough detail on major issues . Your proposal should focus on only a few key research questions in order to support the argument that the research needs to be conducted. Minor issues, even if valid, can be mentioned but they should not dominate the overall narrative.

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 most college-level academic papers, research proposals are generally organized the same way throughout most social science disciplines. The text of proposals generally vary in length between ten and thirty-five pages, followed by the list of references. 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!"

Most proposals 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 based on 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 to 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 two to four paragraphs that succinctly answers the following four questions :

• What is the central research problem?
• What is the topic of study related to that research problem?
• What methods should be used to analyze the research problem?
• Answer the "So What?" question by explaining why this is 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 is where you explain the scope and context of your proposal and describe in detail why it's important. It can be melded into your introduction or you can create a separate section to help with the organization and narrative flow of your proposal. 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 most relevant in explaining the aims of your research.

To that end, while there are no prescribed rules for establishing the significance of your proposed study, you should attempt to address some or all of the following:

• 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; be sure to answer the "So What? question [i.e., why should anyone care?].
• Describe the major issues or problems examined by your research. This can be in the form of questions to be addressed. Be sure to note how your proposed study builds on previous assumptions about the research problem.
• Explain the methods you plan to use for conducting your research. Clearly identify the key sources you intend to use and explain how they will contribute to your analysis of the topic.
• Describe the boundaries of your proposed research in order to provide a clear focus. Where appropriate, state not only what you plan to study, but what aspects of the research problem will be excluded from the study.
• If necessary, provide definitions of key concepts, theories, 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 at the same time, demonstrating to your readers that your work is original and innovative. Think about what questions other researchers have asked, what methodological approaches they have used, and what is your understanding of their findings and, when stated, their recommendations. Also pay attention to any suggestions for further research.

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 proposed study in relation to the arguments put forth by other researchers. A good strategy is to break the literature into "conceptual categories" [themes] rather than systematically or chronologically 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 review 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.

NOTE: Do not shy away from challenging the conclusions made in prior research as a basis for supporting the need for your proposal. Assess what you believe is missing and state how previous research has failed to adequately examine the issue that your study addresses. Highlighting the problematic conclusions strengthens your proposal. For more information on writing literature reviews, GO HERE .

To help frame your proposal's review of prior research, consider 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: describe what are the major areas of disagreement, controversy, or debate among scholars?
• Critique the literature: Which arguments are more persuasive, and why? Which approaches, findings, and 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 you have a plan 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 proposed 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 process you will undertake and the way you will interpret the results obtained 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 the methodology is not just a list of tasks; it is a deliberate argument as to why techniques for gathering information 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 clearly 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 applied to research in the social and behavioral sciences 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 professor!

V.  Preliminary Suppositions and Implications

Just because you don't have to actually conduct the study and analyze the results, doesn't mean you can skip talking about the analytical process and potential implications . The purpose of this section is to argue how and in what ways you believe your research will refine, revise, or extend existing knowledge in the subject area under investigation. Depending on the aims and objectives of your study, describe how the anticipated results will impact future scholarly research, theory, practice, forms of interventions, or policy making. Note that such discussions may have either substantive [a potential new policy], theoretical [a potential new understanding], or methodological [a potential new way of analyzing] significance.   When thinking about the potential implications of your study, ask the following questions:

• What might the results mean in regards to challenging the theoretical framework and underlying assumptions that support the study?
• What suggestions for subsequent research could arise from the potential outcomes of the study?
• What will the results mean to practitioners in the natural settings of their workplace, organization, or community?
• Will the results influence programs, methods, and/or forms of intervention?
• How might the results contribute to the solution of social, economic, or other types of problems?
• Will the results influence policy decisions?
• In what way do individuals or groups benefit should your study be pursued?
• What will be improved or changed as a result of the proposed research?
• How will the results of the study be implemented and what innovations or transformative insights could emerge from the process of implementation?

NOTE:   This section should not delve into idle speculation, opinion, or be formulated on the basis of unclear evidence . The purpose is to reflect upon gaps or understudied areas of the current literature and describe how your proposed research contributes to a new understanding of the research problem should the study be implemented as designed.

ANOTHER NOTE : This section is also where you describe any potential limitations to your proposed study. While it is impossible to highlight all potential limitations because the study has yet to be conducted, you still must tell the reader where and in what form impediments may arise and how you plan to address them.

VI.  Conclusion

The conclusion reiterates the importance or significance of your proposal and provides a brief summary of the entire study . This section should be only one or two paragraphs long, emphasizing why the research problem is worth investigating, why your research study is unique, and how it should advance existing knowledge.

Someone reading this section should come away with an understanding of:

• Why the study should be done;
• The specific purpose of the study and the research questions it attempts to answer;
• The decision for why the research design and methods used where chosen over other options;
• The potential implications emerging from your proposed study of the research problem; and
• A sense of how your study fits within the broader scholarship about the research problem.

VII.  Citations

As with any scholarly research paper, you must cite the sources you used . In a standard research proposal, this section can take two forms, so consult with your professor about which one is preferred.

• References -- a list of only the sources you actually used in creating your proposal.
• Bibliography -- a list of everything you used in creating your proposal, along with additional citations to any key sources relevant to understanding the research problem.

In either case, this section should testify to the fact that you did enough preparatory work to ensure the project will complement and not just duplicate the efforts of other researchers. It demonstrates to the reader that you have a thorough understanding of prior research on the topic.

Most proposal formats have you start a new page and use the heading "References" or "Bibliography" centered at the top of the page. Cited works should always use a standard format that follows the writing style advised by the discipline of your course [e.g., education=APA; history=Chicago] or that is preferred by your professor. This section normally does not count towards the total page length of your research proposal.

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.

• << Previous: Writing a Reflective Paper
• Next: Generative AI and Writing >>
• Last Updated: Jun 3, 2024 9:44 AM
• URL: https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/assignments

How to write a Research Proposal: Common mistakes to avoid

• Components of a research proposal
• Useful videos

Common mistakes to avoid

• Sage Research Methods LibGuide This link opens in a new window
• Managing sources
• Request a literature search
• Research proposal - examples
• Creating a Gantt chart
• Free Apps for Research
• Academic writing

Not following your department’s specific criteria and format for writing research proposals

The research topic is too broad , too narrow or just poorly expressed .

Failure to be concise ; without providing context to show a clear sense of purpose.

The research topic is not well justified .

Failure to provide the proper context to frame the research question.

The research aims, objectives and questions do not align .

Failure to cite landmark/seminal works and authors in the relevant discipline, field of study/research area, in your literature review.

Failure to accurately present the theoretical and empirical contributions by other researchers and as a result the study has a weak theoretical foundation .

The research design is not articulated well enough.

Failure to delimit the contextual boundaries of your research.

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 important issues .

• << Previous: Useful videos
• Next: Sage Research Methods >>
• Last Updated: Aug 30, 2024 9:03 AM
• URL: https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/research_proposal

• Research Process
• Manuscript Preparation
• Manuscript Review
• Publication Process
• Publication Recognition

Language Editing Services

• Translation Services

Writing a Scientific Research Project Proposal

• 5 minute read
• 114.7K views

Table of Contents

The importance of a well-written research proposal cannot be underestimated. Your research really is only as good as your proposal. A poorly written, or poorly conceived research proposal will doom even an otherwise worthy project. On the other hand, a well-written, high-quality proposal will increase your chances for success.

In this article, we’ll outline the basics of writing an effective scientific research proposal, including the differences between research proposals, grants and cover letters. We’ll also touch on common mistakes made when submitting research proposals, as well as a simple example or template that you can follow.

What is a scientific research proposal?

The main purpose of a scientific research proposal is to convince your audience that your project is worthwhile, and that you have the expertise and wherewithal to complete it. The elements of an effective research proposal mirror those of the research process itself, which we’ll outline below. Essentially, the research proposal should include enough information for the reader to determine if your proposed study is worth pursuing.

It is not an uncommon misunderstanding to think that a research proposal and a cover letter are the same things. However, they are different. The main difference between a research proposal vs cover letter content is distinct. Whereas the research proposal summarizes the proposal for future research, the cover letter connects you to the research, and how you are the right person to complete the proposed research.

There is also sometimes confusion around a research proposal vs grant application. Whereas a research proposal is a statement of intent, related to answering a research question, a grant application is a specific request for funding to complete the research proposed. Of course, there are elements of overlap between the two documents; it’s the purpose of the document that defines one or the other.

Scientific Research Proposal Format

Although there is no one way to write a scientific research proposal, there are specific guidelines. A lot depends on which journal you’re submitting your research proposal to, so you may need to follow their scientific research proposal template.

In general, however, there are fairly universal sections to every scientific research proposal. These include:

• Title: Make sure the title of your proposal is descriptive and concise. Make it catch and informative at the same time, avoiding dry phrases like, “An investigation…” Your title should pique the interest of the reader.
• Abstract: This is a brief (300-500 words) summary that includes the research question, your rationale for the study, and any applicable hypothesis. You should also include a brief description of your methodology, including procedures, samples, instruments, etc.
• Introduction: The opening paragraph of your research proposal is, perhaps, the most important. Here you want to introduce the research problem in a creative way, and demonstrate your understanding of the need for the research. You want the reader to think that your proposed research is current, important and relevant.
• Background: Include a brief history of the topic and link it to a contemporary context to show its relevance for today. Identify key researchers and institutions also looking at the problem
• Literature Review: This is the section that may take the longest amount of time to assemble. Here you want to synthesize prior research, and place your proposed research into the larger picture of what’s been studied in the past. You want to show your reader that your work is original, and adds to the current knowledge.
• Research Design and Methodology: This section should be very clearly and logically written and organized. You are letting your reader know that you know what you are going to do, and how. The reader should feel confident that you have the skills and knowledge needed to get the project done.
• Preliminary Implications: Here you’ll be outlining how you anticipate your research will extend current knowledge in your field. You might also want to discuss how your findings will impact future research needs.
• Conclusion: This section reinforces the significance and importance of your proposed research, and summarizes the entire proposal.
• References/Citations: Of course, you need to include a full and accurate list of any and all sources you used to write your research proposal.

Common Mistakes in Writing a Scientific Research Project Proposal

Remember, the best research proposal can be rejected if it’s not well written or is ill-conceived. The most common mistakes made include:

• Not providing the proper context for your research question or the problem
• Failing to reference landmark/key studies
• Losing focus of the research question or problem
• Not accurately presenting contributions by other researchers and institutions
• Incompletely developing a persuasive argument for the research that is being proposed
• Misplaced attention on minor points and/or not enough detail on major issues
• Sloppy, low-quality writing without effective logic and flow
• Incorrect or lapses in references and citations, and/or references not in proper format
• The proposal is too long – or too short

Scientific Research Proposal Example

There are countless examples that you can find for successful research proposals. In addition, you can also find examples of unsuccessful research proposals. Search for successful research proposals in your field, and even for your target journal, to get a good idea on what specifically your audience may be looking for.

While there’s no one example that will show you everything you need to know, looking at a few will give you a good idea of what you need to include in your own research proposal. Talk, also, to colleagues in your field, especially if you are a student or a new researcher. We can often learn from the mistakes of others. The more prepared and knowledgeable you are prior to writing your research proposal, the more likely you are to succeed.

One of the top reasons scientific research proposals are rejected is due to poor logic and flow. Check out our Language Editing Services to ensure a great proposal , that’s clear and concise, and properly referenced. Check our video for more information, and get started today.

Research Fraud: Falsification and Fabrication in Research Data

Research Team Structure

You may also like.

Descriptive Research Design and Its Myriad Uses

Five Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a Biomedical Research Paper

Making Technical Writing in Environmental Engineering Accessible

To Err is Not Human: The Dangers of AI-assisted Academic Writing

When Data Speak, Listen: Importance of Data Collection and Analysis Methods

Choosing the Right Research Methodology: A Guide for Researchers

Why is data validation important in research?

Writing a good review article

Input your search keywords and press Enter.

• Resources Home 🏠
• Try SciSpace Copilot
• Search research papers
• Add Copilot Extension
• Try AI Detector
• Try Paraphraser
• Try Citation Generator
• April Papers
• June Papers
• July Papers

How to Write a Research Proposal

Table of Contents

In academia, especially in social and behavioral sciences, writing a research proposal is an essential first step while planning a new research project. A research proposal is an initial pitch, or theoretical framework that serves to introduce the topic and anticipated results of a project, provide an overview of the methods to be used, and convince the reader that the proposed research can be conducted successfully. It is very essential to know how to write a research proposal, whether you are a student trying to fulfill course requirements or a researcher looking for funding for scholarly research. But writing a well-structured proposal is easier said than done.

To make things simpler for you, In this article, I explained the fundamentals of a research proposal, its structure, the steps involved in writing a research proposal, and common mistakes to avoid. Continue reading to gain a thorough understanding of the concept and purpose of a research proposal. This blog will also enable you to write the research proposal quickly, reducing the likelihood of rejection.

What is a Research Proposal?

In simpler terms,  A research proposal is a document written to explain and justify your chosen research topic and the necessity to carry out that particular research by addressing the research problem. Likewise, a good research proposal should carry the proposed research's results and benefits, backed by convincing evidence.

Always keep your audience in mind while writing your research proposal. Your audience expects a concise summary and a detailed research methodology from you in the research proposal.

To begin, you must understand the purpose of a research proposal in order to effectively write a research proposal and also to receive swift approvals.

What is the purpose or importance of a research proposal?

A research proposal's purpose is to provide a detailed outline of the process that will be used to answer a specific research problem. Whereas the goal of the research proposal varies from person to person. In some cases, it may be to secure funding, while in others, it may be to obtain a meager approval from the committee or the supervisor to proceed with the research project. Regardless of your research proposal's end goal, you are supposed to write a research proposal that fulfills its intended purpose of presenting the best plan for your research.

While writing a research proposal, you should demonstrate how and why your proposed research is crucial for the domain, especially if it is social and behavioral sciences. It would help if you showed how your work is necessary by addressing some key points like:

• Bridging the gaps in the existing domain of research.
• Adding new and fresh perspectives to the existing understanding of the topic.
• Undervalued data in the current stats of the domain.

Furthermore, your research proposal must demonstrate that you, as an author, are capable of conducting the research and that the results will significantly contribute to the field of knowledge. To do so, include and explain your academic background and significance along with your previous accolades to demonstrate that you and your idea have academic merit.

What is the ideal length of a research proposal?

There are no hard and fast rules about how long a research proposal should be, and it varies dramatically from different institutions and publishers. However, as a standard domain practice, a research proposal is generally between 3000- 4000 words. A majority of globally reputed institutions follow the 3000- 3500 word limit.

Since the research proposal is written well before the research is conducted, you need to outline all the necessary elements your research will entail and accomplish. Once completed, your research proposal must resemble a concise version of a thesis or dissertation without results and a discussion section.

Structure of a research proposal

When you recognize a gap in the existing books of knowledge, you will address it by developing a research problem. A research problem is a question that researchers want to answer. It is the starting point for any research project, and it can be broad or narrow, depending on your objectives. Once you have a problem, it is followed by articulating a research question. After that, you can embark on the process of writing a research proposal.

Whether your goal is to secure funding or just approval, nevertheless, your research proposal needs to follow the basic outline of a research paper, containing all the necessary sections. Therefore, the structure of a research proposal closely resembles and follows a thesis or dissertation or any research paper. It should contain the following sections:

As is well known, the first thing that catches the reader's attention is a catchy title. Therefore, you should try to come up with a catchy yet informative title for your research proposal. Additionally, it should be concise and clear to reflect enough information about your research question.

To create a good research proposal, try writing the title to induce interest and information in your readers. Pro-Tip: Avoid using phrases such as “An investigation of …” or “A review of …” etc. . These have been overused for ages and may reflect your research title as a regular entry. On the other hand, concise and well-defined titles are always something readers like and stand higher chances for a proposal approval.

2. Abstract

Write your abstract in a brief yet very informative way. It should summarize the research you intend to conduct. Put an emphasis on the research question, research hypothesis , research design and methods, and the key findings of your proposed research.

If you wish to create a detailed proposal, try including a table of contents. It will help readers navigate easily and catch a glance at your entire proposal writing. Check out this guide if you want to learn more about how to write a research abstract for your scholarly research.

3. Introduction

All papers need a striking introduction to set the context of the research question. While framing your research proposal, ensure that the introduction provides rich background and relevant information about the research question.

Your entire research proposal hinges upon your research question. Thus, fit should come out clearly in the intro. Provide a general introduction without clear explanations, and it might render your research proposal insignificant.

Start your research proposal with the research problem, engage your audience with elements that relate to the problem, and then shed some light on the research question. Then, proceed with your study's evidence-based justification, and you'll find that the audience is sticking with your proposal narrative.

While writing your research proposal, ensure that you have covered the following:

• Purpose of your study.
• Background information and significance of your study.
• Introduction to the question, followed by an introduction to the paper.
• Brief mention of the critical issues that you will focus on.
• Declaration of independent and dependent variables of the research hypothesis. (You can learn more about the variables of the research hypothesis here .)

4. Literature Review

Writing a literature review is an important part of the research process. It provides the researcher with a summary of previous studies that have been conducted on a subject, and it helps the researcher determine what areas might need additional investigation in the existing research. Guidelines for the literature review vary for different institutions.

To effectively conduct and write a literature review check this guide . You can also use tools like SciSpace Copilot , our AI research assistant that makes reading academic papers a much easier task. You can use it to get simple explanations for complex text, maths, or tables. Copilot can be particularly helpful when you’re sifting through papers as you can quickly understand the abstract, get some context around the study, and identify if the paper is relevant to your project or not.

The literature review can either be kept as a separate section or incorporated into the introduction section. A separate section is always favorable and vital in gaining the research proposal approval. Additionally, a separate section for a literature review offers in-depth background data and demonstrates the relevance of your research question by emphasizing the gaps that have remained since the previous study.

Your research proposal’s literature review must contain and serve the following:

• To provide a reference of the studies and the researchers who have previously worked in the same domain.
• To provide the build path of your research question.
• To furnish a critical examination of the previous research works.
• To present the research issues about the current investigation.
• To convince the audience about the importance of your research in the relevant domain.

Need help you with your literature review? Try SciSpace Discover and get barrier-free access to scientific knowledge.

Discover millions of peer-reviewed research articles and their full-text PDFs here. The articles can be compiled in one place and saved for later use to conduct a Hassel-free literature review.

5. Research Methodology

Research design and methods is the section where you explain how you will be conducting the proposed research. Ensure that you provide and include a sufficient explanation for the chosen methods. Additionally, include some points explaining how your chosen methods will help you get the desired or expected results.

Provide ample information to the readers about your research procedures so that they can easily comprehend the methodology and its expected results. Through your research methodology, you can easily show your audience whether the results you are promising can be achieved or not.

Most importantly, make sure the methodology you choose—whether qualitative or quantitative—is the best fit for your research. You should also be able to justify your choice.

Additionally, you should properly explain both the quantitative and qualitative components of your research if they are both used. For a qualitative approach, you must offer more elaborate and in-depth theoretical-based evidence. On the other hand, for the quantitative approach, you must describe the survey or lab setup, sample size, tools, and data collection methods.

Make sure you have plenty of explanations for the research methodology to support how you approached the research problem.

6. Expected Research Results

The expected research results section is where the researcher states what they expect to find in their research. The purpose of this section is to provide a summary of the study's goals, as well as give an overview of what the researcher expects will be found out. These results must orient the reader in sync with the methodology section and provide the answers to the research questions.

7. Limitations

The limitations section of an academic research paper is a section in which the writers of the paper discuss the weaknesses of their study. They do this by identifying problems with their methods, design, and implementation. This section should also discuss any other factors that may have affected the results or accuracy of the study. This section allows readers to understand how much confidence they can place in the findings, and how applicable they are to other contexts.

Furthermore, it will also showcase your honesty and complete understanding of the topic. Your research proposal’s limitations can include:

• Reasons for the chosen sample size.
• Justifications for the availability of resources at hand.
• Any unexpected error that might occur in the course of research as well.

8. Reference and Bibliography

If you don’t want your efforts to be tagged as plagiarized, ensure that you include the reference section at the end of the research proposal and follow the appropriate citation guidelines while citing different scholarly sources and various other researchers’ work.

For references, use both the in-text and footnote citations. List all the literature you have used to gather the information. However, in the bibliography, apart from including the references you have cited, you should include the sources that you didn't cite.

Reasons why research proposals get rejected

Research proposals often get rejected due to the smallest of mistakes. To keep the chances of getting your research proposal rejection at bay or a minimum, you should be aware of what grounds committees or supervisors often decide on rejection.

Follow through to understand the common reasons why research papers get rejected:

• The proposal stated a flawed hypothesis.
• The readers or the audience don't get convinced that the expected results will be anything new or unique.
• The research methodology lacks the details and may appear unrealistic.
• The research proposal lacks coherence in the problem statement, methodology, and results.
• Inadequate literature review.
• Inaccurate interpretation of expected results from the methodology.
• Plagiarized or copied sections of the research proposal.

Common mistakes to avoid

You must stay aware of the research proposal guidelines and best writing manners. To maximize the approval chances of your research proposal, you should try to avoid some common pitfalls like:

• Making it verbose

Try explaining the various sections of the research proposal economically. Ideally, you should strive to keep your writing as a concise, brief, and to the point as possible. The more concisely you explain the purpose and goal of your research proposal, the better.

• Focusing on minor issues than tackling the core

While writing the research proposal, you may feel every issue is important, and you should provide an explanatory note for that. However, stay wiser while selecting the importance of issues. Avoid falling into the trap of trivial issues, as it may distract your readers from the core issues.

• Failure to put a strong research argument

The easiest way your readers can undermine your research proposal is by stating it is far more subjective and sounds unrealistic. A potent research argument describing the gaps in the current field, its importance, significance, and contributions to your research is the foremost requirement of a good research proposal.

Remember, even though you are proposing the objective, academic way, the goal is to persuade the audience to provide you with the required research approval.

• Not citing correctly

Understand that when you are going for some research, its outcome will contribute to the existing pool of knowledge. Therefore, always cite some landmark works of your chosen research domain and connect your proposed work with it.

Providing such intricate details will establish your research's importance, relevance, and familiarity with the domain knowledge.

Before You Go,

You might also like.

Consensus GPT vs. SciSpace GPT: Choose the Best GPT for Research

Literature Review and Theoretical Framework: Understanding the Differences

Types of Essays in Academic Writing - Quick Guide (2024)

Common Mistakes in Proposal Writing and How to Avoid Them

• First Online: 01 January 2010

Cite this chapter

• Susan Folkman 4 &
• Willo Pequegnat  

5525 Accesses

A key strategy in preparing a grant proposal is to think about the proposal from the perspective of a reviewer. Reviewers work very hard. Each reviewer is assigned a set of proposals that must be reviewed by a deadline, usually within just a few weeks. This work requires a great deal of concentration and reflection, and it also requires time taken from schedules that are already packed. The recommendations in this chapter are intended to help make proposals as reviewer-friendly as possible.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Subscribe and save.

• Get 10 units per month
• Download Article/Chapter or eBook
• 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
• Cancel anytime
• Available as PDF
• Read on any device
• Instant download
• Own it forever
• Available as EPUB and PDF
• Compact, lightweight edition
• Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
• Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Dealing with the Rejected Grant Proposal: Learning from the Mistakes

Think it through first: questions to consider in writing a successful grant application

Rigor and Specifics in Writing Research Proposals

Author information, authors and affiliations.

117 Roblar Avenue, Hillsborough, CA, 94010, USA

Susan Folkman

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Susan Folkman .

Editor information

Editors and affiliations.

National Institute of Mental Health, Executive Blvd. 6001, Bethesda, 20892-9641, Maryland, USA

Willo Pequegnat

Ellen Stover

Delafield Place, N.W. 1413, Washington, 20011, District of Columbia, USA

Cheryl Anne Boyce

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2010 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

About this chapter

Folkman, S., Pequegnat, W. (2010). Common Mistakes in Proposal Writing and How to Avoid Them. In: Pequegnat, W., Stover, E., Boyce, C. (eds) How to Write a Successful Research Grant Application. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1454-5_8

Download citation

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1454-5_8

Published : 20 August 2010

Publisher Name : Springer, Boston, MA

Print ISBN : 978-1-4419-1453-8

Online ISBN : 978-1-4419-1454-5

eBook Packages : Medicine Medicine (R0)

Share this chapter

Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content:

Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article.

Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative

• Publish with us

Policies and ethics

• Find a journal
• Track your research

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a Proposal

Discover the most common mistakes to avoid when writing a proposal. Learn expert tips to enhance your proposal writing skills and increase your chances of success.

Tired of nonsense pricing of DocuSign?

Start taking digital signatures with BoloSign and save money.

Are you looking to create a compelling request for a proposal that stands out from the rest? Whether you're navigating the tumultuous waters of proposal writing or sharpening your skills, knowing what pitfalls to avoid can greatly enhance your success. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the common mistakes people make when drafting a proposal and offer practical advice on how to avoid them.

Understanding the Basics of Proposal Writing

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of what not to do, let's take a moment to discuss what a proposal is. Essentially, a proposal is a structured document that attempts to convince the reader to take a specific action, often related to business endeavors or grant applications. Whether you're responding to a request for proposal (RFP) or initiating a project proposal, clear objectives are crucial. Your goal should be evident almost immediately as readers assess whether your project is worth their time . The benefits of avoiding common mistakes in proposal writing cannot be overstated. Precision, clarity, and persuasiveness are non-negotiable traits of successful proposals. From tedious errors in grammar to vague outlines, skipping even minor details can be detrimental to your chances of success .

Common Mistakes in Proposal Writing

Let's explore some of the most frequent errors that plague proposal writers:

1. Poor Grammar and Syntax: Sloppy writing reflects poorly on your professionalism. An extra set of eyes can catch errors you might overlook. Remember, a single typo can potentially ruin your chances of winning a bid .

2. Lack of Focus: Straying from the core message confuses your readers. Instead, keep your writing concise and aligned with your primary goal. A well-structured outline for your proposal can help maintain focus and relevance throughout the document.

3. Insufficient Research: One of the biggest mistakes proposal writers make is not doing enough research upfront. Before you start writing, it's crucial to:

• Thoroughly understand the client's needs, pain points, and goals
• Research the client's industry, competitors, and market trends
• Review any provided RFP (Request for Proposal) documents in detail
• Gather relevant data, case studies, and proof points to support your proposal

4. Ignoring Guidelines: When responding to a request for a proposal, ensure you're meeting all the specific criteria laid out by your target audience or funding body. Failing to follow your department's specific criteria and format for writing research proposals is a common pitfall .

5. Failure to Highlight Benefits: Readers want to know what's in it for them. Make sure you're pitching the benefits clearly and compellingly. Speak directly to your customer—put the focus on them by replacing every "we" with "you." This trick makes them feel acknowledged and valued .

6.Poor Structure and Organization: A disorganized proposal can confuse and frustrate readers. Make sure your proposal has a logical flow and is easy to navigate. Use clear headings, subheadings, and a table of contents for longer proposals. Consider the reader's perspective and organize information in a way that makes sense to them.

Other Common Mistakes in Proposal Writing:

• Focusing Too Much on Your Company: While it's important to establish your credibility, many proposals spend too much time talking about how great the proposed company is. Instead, focus primarily on the client and how you can solve their problems. A good rule of thumb is to use "you" and "your" more often than "we" and "our" in your proposal.
• Vague or Unrealistic Promises: Avoid making sweeping claims or promises without backing them up. Be specific about what you will deliver, how you'll do it, and what results the client can expect. Set realistic timelines and goals, and be clear about any assumptions or dependencies.
• Neglecting the Executive Summary: The executive summary is often the most important part of your proposal, as busy decision-makers may only read this section. Make sure it concisely captures the key points of your proposal, including the client's problem, your proposed solution, and the expected benefits.
• Inconsistent Formatting and Design: A sloppy-looking proposal can undermine your credibility. Ensure consistent formatting throughout, including fonts, colors, and styles. Use professional design elements and high-quality graphics to enhance readability and visual appeal.
• Failing to Proofread: Typos, grammatical errors, and inconsistencies can make your proposal look unprofessional. Always have someone else review your proposal before submission, and consider using tools like Grammarly for an extra layer of proofreading.
• Not Tailoring the Proposal: Avoid using a one-size-fits-all approach. Each proposal should be customized to the specific client and opportunity. This includes using the client's terminology, addressing their unique challenges, and aligning your solution with their business goals.
• Overlooking the Importance of Visuals: Dense blocks of text can be off-putting. Use charts, graphs, infographics, and other visual elements to break up text and convey information more effectively. Visual elements can help make complex information more digestible and memorable.
• Weak or Missing Call-to-Action: Your proposal should clearly state what you want the client to do next. Whether it's scheduling a meeting, signing a contract, or moving to the next stage of the process, make sure your call-to-action is clear and compelling. By avoiding these common mistakes, you can significantly improve the quality and effectiveness of your proposals, increasing your chances of winning new business.

How to Avoid These Common Proposal Mistakes

Now that we've identified the common pitfalls, let's explore some practical steps to avoid them:

1. Comprehensive Editing: Take editing seriously. Grammatical errors can be fixed with software tools or professional help. Give yourself a full day away from the proposal before editing. This helps you return to the document with fresh eyes and an objective view of your writing .

2. Structured Outlines: Creating an outline for your proposal helps maintain focus and relevance throughout the document. If you feel overwhelmed with the thought of writing a proposal, start with creating an outline .

3. Thorough Research: Well-researched proposals not only sound convincing but also build credibility. Make sure to cite landmark/seminal works and authors in the relevant discipline or field of study in your literature review .

4. Effective Design: Visual elements should complement text without causing distraction. Use clear fonts and adequate spacing between sections. Consider changing the document font during editing - this can trick your brain into seeing the text as a new piece of writing, helping to uncover once-overlooked misspellings .

5. Contextual Clarity: Stay contextual; focus on addressing readers' specific needs by using templates and examples fitting their context. Make an effort to "sell" your ideas to the reader .

6. Strong Call-to-Actions: Ensure your closing statements provide clear instructions on the next steps, such as reaching out for more details or accepting terms .

Enhancing Your Proposal with Design and Editing

The use of images, top-notch design templates, and clear layouts can significantly enhance a reader's understanding and engagement level with your proposals. Proposals with dynamic designs display a commitment to quality and make a lasting impression that bland documents cannot match . Here are some additional editing tips:

• Read Aloud : If your proposal doesn't sound right when read aloud, it might mean your sentences are too long and complicated, or your point isn't coming across clearly .
• Final Proofread : Proofread one last time before submission. During your first round of edits, you might restructure sentences and make new grammar mistakes. So, proofread one more time (and then once more) just to be sure .
• Peer Reviews : Encourage peers or mentors to review your draft to channel constructive feedback into improvements before finalizing it .

Crafting Specific Types of Proposals

Different types of proposals may require slightly different approaches. Let's look at a few specific types:

Writing a Grant Proposal

When writing a grant proposal, it's crucial to clearly articulate the problem you're addressing and how your project will solve it. Be sure to include a detailed budget and timeline. Avoid jargon and keep your language clear and concise.

Creating a Project Proposal Template

A good project proposal template should include sections for an executive summary, project background, objectives, methodology, timeline, budget, and team qualifications. Having a solid template can save time and ensure consistency across multiple proposals.

Crafting an RFP (Request for Proposal)

When creating an RFP, be clear about your requirements and expectations. Include sections on project scope, deliverables, timeline, budget constraints, and evaluation criteria. The more specific you are, the more targeted and useful the responses will be.

Steps to Send and Get a Proposal Signed with BoloSign

Before you even log into BoloSign , ensure your proposal document is complete and ready for signatures. This includes:

• A clear title page with your company details and proposal title.
• An executive summary outlining the key points of your proposal.
• Detailed sections covering the project scope, objectives, methodology, budget, timeline, and team qualifications.
• A strong call-to-action at the end prompts the recipient to sign.

You can also make use of the premade templates that are available in Boloforms.

Download our sample template here:

How to Send and Sign the Proposals through BoloForms?

• Access your BoloSign account using your credentials. If you don’t have an account, you can easily sign up on the BoloSign website.
• Navigate to the document upload section and upload your proposal.
• Once your document is uploaded, use BoloSign’s intuitive drag-and-drop interface to add signature fields.
• Review all the details and hit the “Send” button. BoloSign will send an email notification to each recipient with a link to the proposal document.
• Once all recipients have signed the proposal, BoloSign will compile the signed document and send you a notification. You can download the fully executed proposal from your BoloSign account.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1) should i use technical jargon in my proposal if so, how much.

Use technical jargon sparingly. Ensure that the language is clear and understandable to the client. Simplify complex terms and avoid unnecessary jargon to ensure your message is effectively communicated .

2) What kind of supporting evidence or proof should I include in my proposal?

• Case studies and examples of past successes .
• Testimonials from previous clients .
• Data and statistics that support your claims .

3) How can I avoid making my proposal sound too "sales-y"?

Focus on the client's needs and how your solution addresses them. Avoid excessive self-promotion and instead, provide clear, factual information that demonstrates your capability and understanding of the client's requirements

4) What are some effective ways to open and close a proposal?

Effective ways to open a proposal:

• Start with an engaging executive summary that outlines the proposal's main points .
• Clearly state the client's problem and your proposed solution .

Effective ways to close a proposal:

• Summarize the key benefits and value you bring to the project .
• Include a call to action, inviting the client to discuss the proposal further or to take the next steps .

In summary, writing an exceptional proposal requires paying attention to detail, sticking to guidelines, carrying out comprehensive research, utilizing eye-catching designs, and always reviewing multiple times to eliminate mistakes completely. Professionalism enhanced by a conversational tone ensures your message is engaging yet suitably formal for business communication standards. Remember, a well-crafted proposal can be the difference between winning and losing a contract or grant. By avoiding these common mistakes and implementing the strategies we've discussed, you'll be well on your way to creating proposals that stand out and get results.

Whether you're writing a request for a proposal, a grant proposal, or a project proposal, these principles apply. Use them to create a template proposal for a project that you can adapt for various needs. And don't forget to outline your proposal before diving into the full draft - it can make the writing process much smoother. Enjoy crafting your next project proposal with these insights! Don't shy away from applying these practices diligently—success will surely follow. Happy writing!

Paresh Deshmukh

Co-Founder, BoloForms

31 Jul, 2024

Take a Look at Our Featured Articles

These articles will guide you on how to simplify office work, boost your efficiency, and concentrate on expanding your business.

Feb 23, 2024

Mar 6, 2024

Microbe Notes

Common mistakes in Proposal writing

Table of Contents

Interesting Science Videos

Some of the mistakes are:

• Choosing a topic that is too large.
• Choosing a topic that is too complex for research at the level of the researcher.
• Not giving due consideration to the time factor. This factor is important because the research work is to be completed within the prescribed time period.
• Choosing research where materials are not easily accessible.
• Choosing research that is not researchable because the methodology of the study is not yet developed or outdated or incomplete.
• Using buzzwords and jargon.
• Objective not relevant to the project or research.
• Inadequate literature review.
• Irrelevant references should not be cited.
• Discussing more problems rather than solutions.
• The budget is inaccurate or very high.
• Repeating exact phrases from the funder’s guideline while developing proposals.
• The proposal is not structurally clear or has formatting problems.
• Grammar and punctuations should be correct and sentence construction should be simple.
• The expected result should be objective-oriented.
• Not having someone else review the submission.
• Instructions were not followed and/or all questions on the application form were not answered.
• Not requesting feedback.
• http://www.indiana.edu/~gradgrnt/proposal-writing-and-research-resources/the-most-common-errors-made-in-research-proposals-and-applications/
• https://www.alliedwriters.com/grant-writing-mistakes/
• https://communispond.com/insights/blog/2018/02/08/696/6-common-mistakes-proposal-writers-make/
• https://blog.quoteroller.com/learn-from-common-mistakes-made-writing-a-proposal/
• https://www.thebalancesmb.com/what-not-to-do-grant-proposals-2501981
• https://captureplanning.com/articles/mistakes-proposal-writers-make.cfm
• https://personalexcellence.co/blog/business-proposal-mistakes/
• https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-4419-1454-5_8
• https://azwriting.com/tips/common-mistakes-in-research-proposal-writing.html
• https://www.eldis.org/document/A33734
• https://www.mastersthesiswriting.com/blog/research-proposal-help/5-typical-mistakes-in-research-proposal-writing.html
• https://www.executivecompass.co.uk/blog/top-tips/7-common-proposal-writing-mistakes/

About Author

Sagar Aryal

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Academia.edu no longer supports Internet Explorer.

To browse Academia.edu and the wider internet faster and more securely, please take a few seconds to  upgrade your browser .

Enter the email address you signed up with and we'll email you a reset link.

• We're Hiring!
• Help Center

Common Mistakes and Problems in Research Proposal Writing

Related Papers

Abiud Kaswamila

independent, non-profit organisation concerned with poverty and related policy issues in Tanzania. REPOA undertakes and facilitates research, enables monitoring, and promotes capacity building, dialogue and knowledge sharing. REPOA’s research agenda is concerned with poverty and its alleviation. Our objectives are to:- develop the research capacity in Tanzania;- enhance stakeholders ’ knowledge of poverty issues and empower them to act;- contribute to policy dialogue;- support the monitoring of the implementation of poverty related policy;- strengthen national and international poverty research networks, and- forge linkages between research(ers) and users. It is our conviction that research provides the means for the acquisition of knowledge necessary for improving the quality of welfare in Tanzanian society. REPOA’s Research Reports contain the results of

Amon Chaligha

Marjorie Mbilinyi

Prof. Ambrose Kessy

abasynuniv.edu.pk

Flora Maleki

Rick Davies

Frédéric C . DEVE

Maruf Kamal

Teresa Debuque

S Vasantha Kumari

A research proposal is a written document specifying what a researcher intends to study and written before beginning the research which communicate research problem and proposed methods of solving it. A research proposal should be built on a concrete plan to conduct academic or scientific research. Types of proposals include internal, external, solicited, unsolicited, preproposals, continuation or non-competing and renewal or competing. Purpose of a Research Proposal is to convince the organization and readers .Characteristics need to be based on attention, interest, desire and action. Qualities of good proposal include specific scope, realistic nature, appropriate credentials, fulfill needs, beneficial, short and simple. Need for good preparation of proposal is vital in formulating proposal, assisting researcher and improving the research quality. Functions of Proposal consists to synthesize critical thinking, clarifies own thinking, refine proposed research, communicate ideas, open thinking and negotiation between researcher and involved parties. Basic composition of Proposal needs a beginning, middle and an end. Typical proposal format includes title, abstract, introduction, background, preliminary studies, research methodology, budget, curriculum vitae for principal investigators, appendix and human subjects. Proposal development strategies and writing tips includes use of outline , listings, visuals, forecasting , internal summaries , significant issues , sequencing components , review , edit , proof read , avoiding overkill point and errors. Proposals are turned down when problems are trivial, complex, nebulous, diffuse without clear aim, lack of sufficient evidence, imagination and originality.

Loading Preview

Sorry, preview is currently unavailable. You can download the paper by clicking the button above.

RELATED PAPERS

IDS Working Papers

Rajendra Mulmi

S. Nchimbi-Msolla , F. Johnsen , J. Sesabo

Elias Mhegera

Guy Edwards

mnkeni africanus

Yousif Badawi Abdel Rahman , Leidulv Bergwitz and Elaine Hogan

Development Policy Review

Alesia Zuccala

Christine Noe

Pham Tuyet Lan

Winnsie Zaballero

Kumaran Rajagopal

Kisarach Philip

sello sithole

Gilbert Fokou , G. Fokou

Anthony M. Wanjohi

Emil Ilyasov

Dos Santos Silayo

Martin Hoban

Natalia Stefanides

Bwite Lukama

Gvantsa Kvinikadze

•   We're Hiring!
•   Help Center
• Find new research papers in:
• Health Sciences
• Earth Sciences
• Cognitive Science
• Mathematics
• Computer Science
• Academia ©2024

Call us free today on 0800 612 5563

Our range of bid and tender writing services are designed to meet your desired level of support and individual requirements

• Bid Writing & Tender Writing
• Bid Management
• PQQ Writing
• PQQ & Tender Review Services
• Standard Selection Questionnaire Writing Services
• PAS 91 Applications
• Pre-Bid Consultancy Services
• Bid Design Service
• Interim Bid Support

At Executive Compass, our team of professional bid writers complete tender submissions for all industries and every sector.

• Fire and Security
• Gas Servicing
• Grounds Maintenance
• Mechanical and Electrical
• Security and Manned Guarding
• Domiciliary Care Tenders
• Supported Accommodation
• Supported Living
• Patient Transport Services
• Consultancy
• Interpretation and Translation
• IT Solutions and Data Management
• Recruitment
• Civil Engineering
• Highway and Street Lighting
• Repair and Maintenance Tenders

Our resources are designed to improve your bidding knowledge and your tender writing skills.

• Bid & Tender Writing Resources
• Government Contract Notices

Executive Compass have achieved unparalleled success in assisting our clients to win contracts.

• Case Studies
• Contract Wins
• Testimonials

Since 2009, Executive Compass has provided clients with the highest quality PQQ, tender writing and bid management services.

• How We Work
• Meet Our Team
• Memberships
• London Office
• Newcastle Office
• Glasgow Office
• Midlands Office

Home / 7 Common Proposal Writing Mistakes

7 Common Proposal Writing Mistakes

Article details.

When we review submissions completed by companies we often come across the same errors time and again.

We have reviewed thousands of PQQs and tenders over the years and it is amazing how many people make the same mistakes. Because of this we have decided to put together a list of the most common errors we have found:

• 1. Not being compliant

It may sound obvious but you’d be surprised how many times we find this. Many companies find a contract they know they can deliver and go about writing the submission without checking if they are compliant.

At the very least companies have to have been trading for at least three years, and in most cases there is a minimum turnover requirement that must be met. Other compliance areas may include policies and procedures, accreditations or previous contract experience.

Before tender writing , always make sure that your company is fully compliant or there is no point carrying on.

• 2. Not using the specification

The specification is there for a reason – it is your guide to completing the document and gaining the most marks. It is more than just a simple guideline, it is the key to securing the contract.

If you read the specification carefully you can pick out points that you must hit in order to gain top marks. Being able to decipher the specification is a skill that takes time and experience. But once you know what to look for you will find your success rate increase rapidly.

We often find when we review tenders that we are seeing one word over and over, and we are constantly amazed how many companies we work with do this.

Yes, that’s right – WE. It is not just a pet peeve of our managing director, but a common mistake that can cost your company. In many cases it is a sign that your submission is focussed on the wrong area. Try to focus instead on the client and the specific contract.

• 4. Failing to add value

With huge competition for contracts it is not enough to simply ‘meet the requirements’, you need to add value.

You need to prove that you are the right company for the job and will add great value to the specified service. Whether this is creating jobs, working in the community or including additional services, evaluators are always looking for added value.

• 5. Using copy and paste

This is a big no. Copy and pasting both from previous submissions and across different answers is a common mistake that results in an average submission and a lost tender. As a company we have a rule against copy and paste. If you must re-use old content, it needs to be re-written and updated.

• 6. Not having someone else review the submission

This is potentially the biggest mistake. When one person completes a submission they become familiar with it and can no longer see the errors, be it spelling or content.

Having someone else review the submission will remove any grammatical errors and will add a new perspective to the document. Good ideas come from peer reviews.

• 7. Not requesting feedback

Finally, regardless of whether it is a winning or losing bid, always request feedback. This is the key to future success. Feedback will inform you of both your strengths and weaknesses and allows you to create a strong bid library for future submissions.

Make an Enquiry

You can also contact us by telephone on 0800 612 5563 , direct to mobile 07739 407746 or via email [email protected]

Latest News

Developing bid win themes are a critical part of tender submissions, allowing your tender to stand out from other bidders.

Many public sector tenders require bidders to provide a social value delivery plan, which outlines how they will deliver against their social value commitments.

The latest blog in our series on the Procurement Act 2023 looks at dynamic markets, a new element of procurement introduced by the Act.

Call us now to speak to a member of our Bid Team: 0800 612 5563

• Corpus ID: 74289588

Common Mistakes Committed and Challenges Faced in Research Proposal Writing by University of Zambia Postgraduate Students

• P. Manchishi , D. Ndhlovu , D. Mwanza
• Published 2015

31 Citations

Common mistakes committed and challenges faced in research proposal writing by university of aden postgraduate students.

• Highly Influenced

A Qualitative Study on Challenges that Post-Graduate Students Face in Research Proposal Writing at University Level

Postgraduate students’ common errors in writing education studies dissertations, perspectives of university of zambia trainee teachers on research proposal supervision, perception of the difficulties of international postgraduate students writing research proposal, the challenges and problems faced by students in the early stage of writing research projects in l2, university of bisha, saudi arabia, a ‘vingerklip’ view on academic writing among masters’ degree students: a case of research proposals in the university of namibia, academic writing of saudi graduate students: issues and improvements, challenges facing students in writing theses at the jordanian universities, problems experienced by undergraduate students in conducting research in online distance learning, 14 references, an analysis of problems encountered by post-graduate students in nigerian universities, how to prepare a dissertation proposal: suggestions for students in education & the social and behavioral sciences (review), research methods in education, preparing your dissertation at a distance : a research guide, how to write a research proposal, how to write a research proposal, getting started in research., research in education, 教育与社科研究入门指南(第三版) = doing your research project, writing an effective research proposal, related papers.

Showing 1 through 3 of 0 Related Papers