research proposal template for phd

How to write a research proposal

What is a research proposal.

A research proposal should present your idea or question and expected outcomes with clarity and definition – the what.

It should also make a case for why your question is significant and what value it will bring to your discipline – the why. 

What it shouldn't do is answer the question – that's what your research will do.

Why is it important?

Research proposals are significant because Another reason why it formally outlines your intended research. Which means you need to provide details on how you will go about your research, including:

• your approach and methodology
• timeline and feasibility
• all other considerations needed to progress your research, such as resources.

Think of it as a tool that will help you clarify your idea and make conducting your research easier.

How long should it be?

Usually no more than 2000 words, but check the requirements of your degree, and your supervisor or research coordinator.

Presenting your idea clearly and concisely demonstrates that you can write this way – an attribute of a potential research candidate that is valued by assessors.

What should it include?

Project title.

Your title should clearly indicate what your proposed research is about.

Research supervisor

State the name, department and faculty or school of the academic who has agreed to supervise you. Rest assured, your research supervisor will work with you to refine your research proposal ahead of submission to ensure it meets the needs of your discipline.

Proposed mode of research

Describe your proposed mode of research. Which may be closely linked to your discipline, and is where you will describe the style or format of your research, e.g. data, field research, composition, written work, social performance and mixed media etc. 

This is not required for research in the sciences, but your research supervisor will be able to guide you on discipline-specific requirements.

Aims and objectives

What are you trying to achieve with your research? What is the purpose? This section should reference why you're applying for a research degree. Are you addressing a gap in the current research? Do you want to look at a theory more closely and test it out? Is there something you're trying to prove or disprove? To help you clarify this, think about the potential outcome of your research if you were successful – that is your aim. Make sure that this is a focused statement.

Your objectives will be your aim broken down – the steps to achieving the intended outcome. They are the smaller proof points that will underpin your research's purpose. Be logical in the order of how you present these so that each succeeds the previous, i.e. if you need to achieve 'a' before 'b' before 'c', then make sure you order your objectives a, b, c.

A concise summary of what your research is about. It outlines the key aspects of what you will investigate as well as the expected outcomes. It briefly covers the what, why and how of your research. 

A good way to evaluate if you have written a strong synopsis, is to get somebody to read it without reading the rest of your research proposal. Would they know what your research is about?

Now that you have your question clarified, it is time to explain the why. Here, you need to demonstrate an understanding of the current research climate in your area of interest.

Providing context around your research topic through a literature review will show the assessor that you understand current dialogue around your research, and what is published.

Demonstrate you have a strong understanding of the key topics, significant studies and notable researchers in your area of research and how these have contributed to the current landscape.

Expected research contribution

In this section, you should consider the following:

• Why is your research question or hypothesis worth asking?
• How is the current research lacking or falling short?
• What impact will your research have on the discipline?
• Will you be extending an area of knowledge, applying it to new contexts, solving a problem, testing a theory, or challenging an existing one?
• Establish why your research is important by convincing your audience there is a gap.
• What will be the outcome of your research contribution?
• Demonstrate both your current level of knowledge and how the pursuit of your question or hypothesis will create a new understanding and generate new information.
• Show how your research is innovative and original.

Draw links between your research and the faculty or school you are applying at, and explain why you have chosen your supervisor, and what research have they or their school done to reinforce and support your own work. Cite these reasons to demonstrate how your research will benefit and contribute to the current body of knowledge.

Proposed methodology

Provide an overview of the methodology and techniques you will use to conduct your research. Cover what materials and equipment you will use, what theoretical frameworks will you draw on, and how will you collect data.

Highlight why you have chosen this particular methodology, but also why others may not have been as suitable. You need to demonstrate that you have put thought into your approach and why it's the most appropriate way to carry out your research. 

It should also highlight potential limitations you anticipate, feasibility within time and other constraints, ethical considerations and how you will address these, as well as general resources.

A work plan is a critical component of your research proposal because it indicates the feasibility of completion within the timeframe and supports you in achieving your objectives throughout your degree.

Consider the milestones you aim to achieve at each stage of your research. A PhD or master's degree by research can take two to four years of full-time study to complete. It might be helpful to offer year one in detail and the following years in broader terms. Ultimately you have to show that your research is likely to be both original and finished – and that you understand the time involved.

Provide details of the resources you will need to carry out your research project. Consider equipment, fieldwork expenses, travel and a proposed budget, to indicate how realistic your research proposal is in terms of financial requirements and whether any adjustments are needed.

Bibliography

Provide a list of references that you've made throughout your research proposal. 

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Writing your PhD research proposal

Find guidance on how to write your PhD research proposal and a template form for you to use to submit your research proposal.

By asking you for an outline  research proposal we hope to get a good picture of your research interests and your understanding of what such research is likely to entail.

The University's application form is designed to enable you to give an overview of your academic experience and qualifications for study at postgraduate level. Your outline research proposal then gives us an idea of the kind of research you want to undertake. This, together with information from your referees, will help us assess whether the Moray House School of Education and Sport would be the appropriate place for you to pursue your research interests.

At  the application stage, you are unlikely to be in a position to provide a comprehensive research proposal; the detailed shaping up of a research plan would be done in conjunction with your supervisor(s). But it is important for us to appreciate what you are hoping to investigate, how you plan to carry out the research, and what the results might be expected to contribute to current knowledge and understanding in the relevant academic field(s) of study. In writing your proposal, please indicate any prior academic or employment experience relevant to your planned research.

In your research proposal, please also ensure that you clearly identify the Moray House research cluster your proposal falls under, as well as two to three staff members  with expertise in this area. We also encourage you to contact potential supervisors within your area of proposed research before submitting your application to gauge their interest and availability.

How to write your research proposal

The description of your proposed research should consist of 4-5 typed A4 sheets. It can take whatever form seems best, but should include some information about the following:

• The general area within which you wish to conduct research, and why (you might find it helpful to explain what stimulated your interest in your chosen research field, and any study or research in the area that you have already undertaken)
• The kind of research questions that you would hope to address, and why (in explaining what is likely to be the main focus of your research, it may be helpful to indicate, for example, why these issues are of particular concern and the way in which they relate to existing literature)
• The sources of information and type of research methods you plan to use (for example, how you plan to collect your data, which sources you will be targeting and how you will access these data sources).

In addition to the above, please include any comments you are able to make concerning:

• The approach that you will take to analyse your research data
• The general timetable you would follow for carrying out and writing up your research
• Any plans you may have for undertaking fieldwork away from Edinburgh
• Any problems that might be anticipated in carrying out your proposed research

Please note: This guidance applies to all candidates, except those applying to conduct PhD research as part of a larger, already established research project (for example, in the Institute for Sport, Physical Education & Health Sciences).

In this case, you should provide a two- to three-page description of a research project you have undertaken, to complement information in the application form. If you are in any doubt as to what is appropriate, please contact us:

Email: Education@[email protected]

All doctoral proposals submitted as part of an application will be run through plagiarism detection software.

Template form for your research proposal

All applicants for a PhD or MSc by Research must submit a research proposal as part of their application. Applicants  must   use the template form below for their research proposal. This research proposal should then be submitted online as part of your application. Please use Calibri size 11 font size and do not change the paragraph spacing (single, with 6pt after each paragraph) or the page margins.

How to Write a PhD Research Proposal

• Applying to a PhD
• A research proposal summarises your intended research.
• Your research proposal is used to confirm you understand the topic, and that the university has the expertise to support your study.
• The length of a research proposal varies. It is usually specified by either the programme requirements or the supervisor upon request. 1500 to 3500 words is common.
• The typical research proposal structure consists of: Title, Abstract, Background and Rationale, Research Aims and Objectives, Research Design and Methodology, Timetable, and a Bibliography.

What is a Research Proposal?

A research proposal is a supporting document that may be required when applying to a research degree. It summarises your intended research by outlining what your research questions are, why they’re important to your field and what knowledge gaps surround your topic. It also outlines your research in terms of your aims, methods and proposed timetable .

What Is It Used for and Why Is It Important?

A research proposal will be used to:

• Confirm whether you understand the topic and can communicate complex ideas.
• Confirm whether the university has adequate expertise to support you in your research topic.
• Apply for funding or research grants to external bodies.

How Long Should a PhD Research Proposal Be?

Some universities will specify a word count all students will need to adhere to. You will typically find these in the description of the PhD listing. If they haven’t stated a word count limit, you should contact the potential supervisor to clarify whether there are any requirements. If not, aim for 1500 to 3500 words (3 to 7 pages).

Your title should indicate clearly what your research question is. It needs to be simple and to the point; if the reader needs to read further into your proposal to understand your question, your working title isn’t clear enough.

Directly below your title, state the topic your research question relates to. Whether you include this information at the top of your proposal or insert a dedicated title page is your choice and will come down to personal preference.

2. Abstract

If your research proposal is over 2000 words, consider providing an abstract. Your abstract should summarise your question, why it’s important to your field and how you intend to answer it; in other words, explain your research context.

Only include crucial information in this section – 250 words should be sufficient to get across your main points.

3. Background & Rationale

First, specify which subject area your research problem falls in. This will help set the context of your study and will help the reader anticipate the direction of your proposed research.

Following this, include a literature review . A literature review summarises the existing knowledge which surrounds your research topic. This should include a discussion of the theories, models and bodies of text which directly relate to your research problem. As well as discussing the information available, discuss those which aren’t. In other words, identify what the current gaps in knowledge are and discuss how this will influence your research. Your aim here is to convince the potential supervisor and funding providers of why your intended research is worth investing time and money into.

Last, discuss the key debates and developments currently at the centre of your research area.

4. Research Aims & Objectives

Identify the aims and objectives of your research. The aims are the problems your project intends to solve; the objectives are the measurable steps and outcomes required to achieve the aim.

In outlining your aims and objectives, you will need to explain why your proposed research is worth exploring. Consider these aspects:

• Will your research solve a problem?
• Will your research address a current gap in knowledge?
• Will your research have any social or practical benefits?

If you fail to address the above questions, it’s unlikely they will accept your proposal – all PhD research projects must show originality and value to be considered.

5. Research Design and Methodology

The following structure is recommended when discussing your research design:

• Sample/Population – Discuss your sample size, target populations, specimen types etc.
• Methods – What research methods have you considered, how did you evaluate them and how did you decide on your chosen one?
• Data Collection – How are you going to collect and validate your data? Are there any limitations?
• Data Analysis – How are you going to interpret your results and obtain a meaningful conclusion from them?
• Ethical Considerations – Are there any potential implications associated with your research approach? This could either be to research participants or to your field as a whole on the outcome of your findings (i.e. if you’re researching a particularly controversial area). How are you going to monitor for these implications and what types of preventive steps will you need to put into place?

6. Timetable

We’ve outlined the various stages of a PhD and the approximate duration of a PhD programme which you can refer to when designing your own research study.

7. Bibliography

Plagiarism is taken seriously across all academic levels, but even more so for doctorates. Therefore, ensure you reference the existing literature you have used in writing your PhD proposal. Besides this, try to adopt the same referencing style as the University you’re applying to uses. You can easily find this information in the PhD Thesis formatting guidelines published on the University’s website.

Finding a PhD has never been this easy – search for a PhD by keyword, location or academic area of interest.

Questions & Answers

Here are answers to some of the most common questions we’re asked about the Research Proposal:

Can You Change a Research Proposal?

Yes, your PhD research proposal outlines the start of your project only. It’s well accepted that the direction of your research will develop with time, therefore, you can revise it at later dates.

Can the Potential Supervisor Review My Draft Proposal?

Whether the potential supervisor will review your draft will depend on the individual. However, it is highly advisable that you at least attempt to discuss your draft with them. Even if they can’t review it, they may provide you with useful information regarding their department’s expertise which could help shape your PhD proposal. For example, you may amend your methodology should you come to learn that their laboratory is better equipped for an alternative method.

How Should I Structure and Format My Proposal?

Ensure you follow the same order as the headings given above. This is the most logical structure and will be the order your proposed supervisor will expect.

Most universities don’t provide formatting requirements for research proposals on the basis that they are a supporting document only, however, we recommend that you follow the same format they require for their PhD thesis submissions. This will give your reader familiarity and their guidelines should be readily available on their website.

Last, try to have someone within the same academic field or discipline area to review your proposal. The key is to confirm that they understand the importance of your work and how you intend to execute it. If they don’t, it’s likely a sign you need to rewrite some of your sections to be more coherent.

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How to write a research proposal

Drafting your first research proposal can be intimidating if you’ve never written (or seen) one before. Our grad students and admissions staff have some advice on making a start.

Before you make a start

Is it a requirement for your course.

For some research courses in sciences you’ll join an existing research group so you don’t need to write a full research proposal, just a list of the groups and/or supervisors you want to work with. You might be asked to write a personal statement instead, giving your research interests and experience.

Still, for many of our research courses — especially in humanities and social sciences — your research proposal is one of the most significant parts of your application. Grades and other evidence of your academic ability and potential are important, but even if you’re academically outstanding you’ll need to show you’re a good match for the department’s staff expertise and research interests. Every course page on the University website has detailed information on what you’ll need to send with your application, so make sure that’s your first step before you continue:

There are many ways to start, I’ve heard stories about people approaching it totally differently. Yannis (DPhil in Computer Science)

How to begin?

There isn’t one right way to start writing a research proposal. First of all, make sure you’ve read your course page - it’ll have instructions for what to include in your research proposal (as well as anything to avoid), how your department will assess it, and the required word count.

Start small, think big

A research degree is a big undertaking, and it’s normal to feel a bit overwhelmed at first. One way to start writing is to look back at the work you’ve already done. How does your proposed research build on this, and the other research in the area? One of the most important things you’ll be showing through your research project is that your project is achievable in the time available for your course, and that you’ve got (or know how you’ll get) the right skills and experience to pull off your plan.

They don’t expect you to be the expert, you just have to have good ideas. Be willing to challenge things and do something new. Rebecca (DPhil in Medieval and Modern Languages)

However, you don’t have to know everything - after all, you haven’t started yet! When reading your proposal, your department will be looking at the potential and originality of your research, and whether you have a solid understanding of the topic you’ve chosen.

But why Oxford?

An Admissions Officer at one of our colleges says that it’s important to explain why you’re applying to Oxford, and to your department in particular:

“Really, this is all dependent on a department. Look at the department in depth, and look at what they offer — how is it in line with your interests?”

Think about what you need to successfully execute your research plans and explain how Oxford’s academic facilities and community will support your work. Should I email a potential supervisor? Got an idea? If your course page says it’s alright to contact a supervisor (check the top of the How to apply section), it’s a good idea to get in touch with potential supervisors when you come to write your proposal.

You’re allowed to reach out to academics that you might be interested in supervising you. They can tell you if your research is something that we can support here, and how, and give you ideas. Admissions Officer 

You’ll find more information about the academics working in your area on your department’s website (follow the department links on your course page ). John (DPhil in Earth Sciences) emailed a professor who had the same research interests as he did.

“Luckily enough, he replied the next day and was keen to support me in the application.”

These discussions might help you to refine your ideas and your research proposal.

Layal says, “I discussed ideas with my supervisor — what’s feasible, what would be interesting. He supported me a lot with that, and I went away and wrote it.”

It’s also an opportunity to find out more about the programme and the department:

“Getting in touch with people who are here is a really good way to ask questions.”

Not sure how to find a potential supervisor for your research? Visit our How-to guide on finding a supervisor .

Asking for help

My supervisors helped me with my research proposal, which is great. You don’t expect that, but they were really helpful prior to my application. Nyree (DPhil in Archaeological Science)

Don’t be afraid to ask for advice and feedback as you go. For example, you could reach out to a supervisor from your current or previous degree, or to friends who are also studying and could give you some honest feedback.

More help with your application

You can find instructions for the supporting documents you’ll need to include in your application on your course page and in the Application Guide.

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This content was previously available through our  Applicant advice hub . The hub contained links to articles hosted on our  Graduate Study at Oxford Medium channel . We've moved the articles that support the application process into this new section of our website.

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Examples of research proposals

How to write your research proposal, with examples of good proposals.

Research proposals

Your research proposal is a key part of your application. It tells us about the question you want to answer through your research. It is a chance for you to show your knowledge of the subject area and tell us about the methods you want to use.

We use your research proposal to match you with a supervisor or team of supervisors.

In your proposal, please tell us if you have an interest in the work of a specific academic at York St John. You can get in touch with this academic to discuss your proposal. You can also speak to one of our Research Leads. There is a list of our Research Leads on the Apply page.

When you write your proposal you need to:

• Highlight how it is original or significant
• Explain how it will develop or challenge current knowledge of your subject
• Identify the importance of your research
• Show why you are the right person to do this research
• Research Proposal Example 1 (DOC, 49kB)
• Research Proposal Example 2 (DOC, 0.9MB)
• Research Proposal Example 3 (DOC, 55.5kB)
• Research Proposal Example 4 (DOC, 49.5kB)

Subject specific guidance

• Writing a Humanities PhD Proposal (PDF, 0.1MB)
• Writing a Creative Writing PhD Proposal (PDF, 0.1MB)
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School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies

How to write a phd research proposal.

In order to help you with your application, the information below aims to give some guidance on how a typical research proposal might look.

Your research proposal is a concise statement (up to 3,000 words) of the rationale for your research proposal, the research questions to be answered and how you propose to address them. We know that during the early stages of your PhD you are likely to refine your thinking and methodology in discussion with your supervisors.

However, we want to see that you can construct a fairly rigorous, high quality research proposal.

We use your research proposal to help us decide whether you would be a suitable candidate to study at PhD level. We therefore assess your proposal on its quality, originality, and coherence. It also helps us to decide if your research interests match those of academics in the School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies (SPAIS) and whether they would be able to provide suitably qualified supervision for your proposed research.

Format of the research proposal

Your proposal should include the following:

Title. A short, indicative title is best.

Abstract. This is a succinct summary of your research proposal (approximately 200-300 words) that will present a condensed outline, enabling the reader to get a very quick overview of your proposed project, lines of inquiry and possible outcomes. An abstract is often written last, after you have written the proposal and are able to summarise it effectively.

Rationale for the research project. This might include a description of the question/debate/phenomenon of interest; an explanation of why the topic is of interest to you; and an outline of the reasons why the topic should be of interest to research and/ or practice (the 'so what?' question).

Aims and initial research question. What are the aims and objectives of the research? State clearly the puzzle you are addressing, and the research question that you intend to pursue. It is acceptable to have multiple research questions, but it is a good idea to clarify which is the main research question. If you have hypotheses, discuss them here. A research proposal can and should make a positive and persuasive first impression and demonstrate your potential to become a good researcher. In particular, you need to demonstrate that you can think critically and analytically as well as communicate your ideas clearly.

Research context for your proposed project. Provide a short introduction to your area of interest with a succinct, selective and critical review of the relevant literature. Demonstrate that you understand the theoretical underpinnings and main debates and issues in your research area and how your proposed research will make an original and necessary contribution to this. You need to demonstrate how your proposed research will fill a gap in existing knowledge.

Intended methodology. Outline how you plan to conduct the research and the data sources that you will use. We do not expect you to have planned a very detailed methodology at this stage, but you need to provide an overview of how you will conduct your research (qualitative and/or quantitative methods) and why this methodology is suited for your proposed study. You need to be convincing about the appropriateness and feasibility of the approaches you are suggesting, and reflective about problems you might encounter (including ethical and data protection issues) in collecting and analysing your data.

Expected outcomes and impact. How do you think the research might add to existing knowledge; what might it enable organisations or interested parties to do differently? Increasingly in academia (and this is particularly so for ESRC-funded studentships), PhD students are being asked to consider how their research might contribute to both academic impact and/or economic and societal impact. (This is well explained on the ESRC website if you would like to find out more.) Please consider broader collaborations and partnerships (academic and non-academic) that will support your research. Collaborative activity can lead to a better understanding of the ways in which academic research can translate into practice and it can help to inform and improve the quality of your research and its impact.

Timetable. What is your initial estimation of the timetable of the dissertation? When will each of the key stages start and finish (refining proposal; literature review; developing research methods; fieldwork; analysis; writing the draft; final submission). There are likely to overlaps between the stages.

Why Bristol? Why – specifically – do you want to study for your PhD at Bristol ? How would you fit into the School's  research themes and research culture . You do not need to identify supervisors at the application stage although it can be helpful if you do.

Bibliography. Do make sure that you cite what you see as the key readings in the field. This does not have to be comprehensive but you are illustrating the range of sources you might use in your research.

We expect your research proposal to be clear, concise and grammatically correct. Prior to submitting your research proposal, please make sure that you have addressed the following issues:

• Have you included a clear summary of what the proposed research is about and why it is significant?
• Have you clearly identified what your proposed research will add to our understanding of theory, knowledge or research design?
• Does it state what contributions it will make to policy and/or practice?
• Does the proposal clearly explain how you will do the research?
• Is the language clear and easy to understand by someone who is not an expert in the field?
• Is the grammar and spelling correct?

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How to write a good PhD proposal

Study tips Published 3 Mar, 2022  ·  5-minute read

Want to make sure your research degree starts smoothly? We spoke with 2 PhD candidates about overcoming this initial hurdle. Here’s their advice for how to write a good PhD proposal.

Writing your research proposal is an integral part of commencing a PhD with many schools and institutes, so it can feel rather intimidating. After all, how you come up with your PhD proposal could be the difference between your supervisor getting on board or giving your project a miss.

Let’s explore how to make a PhD research proposal with UQ candidates Chelsea Janke and Sarah Kendall. 

Look at PhD proposal examples

Look at other PhD proposals that have been successful. Ask current students if you can look at theirs.

Nobody’s asking you to reinvent the wheel when it comes to writing your PhD proposal – leave that for your actual thesis. For now, while you’re just working out how to write a PhD proposal, examples are a great starting point.

Chelsea knows this step is easier if you’ve got a friend who is already doing a PhD, but there are other ways to find a good example or template.

“Look at other PhD proposals that have been successful,” she says.

“Ask current students if you can look at theirs.”

“If you don’t know anyone doing their PhD, look online to get an idea of how they should be structured.”

What makes this tricky is that proposals can vary greatly by field and disciplinary norms, so you should check with your proposed supervisor to see if they have a specific format or list of criteria to follow. Part of writing a good PhD proposal is submitting it in a style that's familiar to the people who will read and (hopefully) become excited by it and want to bring you into their research area.

Here are some of the key factors to consider when structuring your proposal:

• meeting the expected word count (this can range from a 1-page maximum to a 3,000-word minimum depending on your supervisor and research area)
• making your bibliography as detailed as necessary
• outlining the research questions you’ll be trying to solve/answer
• discussing the impact your research could have on your field
• conducting preliminary analysis of existing research on the topic
• documenting details of the methods and data sources you’ll use in your research
• introducing your supervisor(s)  and how their experience relates to your project.

Please note this isn't a universal list of things you need in your PhD research proposal. Depending on your supervisor's requirements, some of these items may be unnecessary or there may be other inclusions not listed here.

Ask your planned supervisor for advice

Alright, here’s the thing. If sending your research proposal is your first point of contact with your prospective supervisor, you’ve jumped the gun a little.

You should have at least one researcher partially on board with your project before delving too deep into your proposal. This ensures you’re not potentially spending time and effort on an idea that no one has any appetite for. Plus, it unlocks a helpful guide who can assist with your proposal.

PhD research isn’t like Shark Tank – you’re allowed to confer with academics and secure their support before you pitch your thesis to them. Discover how to choose the right PhD supervisor for you.

For a time-efficient strategy, Chelsea recommends you approach your potential supervisor(s) and find out if:

• they have time to supervise you
• they have any funds to help pay for your research (even with a stipend scholarship , your research activities may require extra money)
• their research interests align with yours (you’ll ideally discover a mutual ground where you both benefit from the project).

“The best way to approach would be to send an email briefly outlining who you are, your background, and what your research interests are,” says Chelsea.

“Once you’ve spoken to a potential supervisor, then you can start drafting a proposal and you can even ask for their input.”

Chelsea's approach here works well with some academics, but keep in mind that other supervisors will want to see a research proposal straight away. If you're not sure of your proposed supervisor's preferences, you may like to cover both bases with an introductory email that has a draft of your research proposal attached.

Sarah agrees that your prospective supervisor is your most valuable resource for understanding how to write a research proposal for a PhD application.

“My biggest tip for writing a research proposal is to ask your proposed supervisor for help,” says Sarah.

“Or if this isn’t possible, ask another academic who has had experience writing research proposals.”

“They’ll be able to tell you what to include or what you need to improve on.”

Find the 'why' and focus on it

One of the key aspects of your research proposal is emphasising why your project is important and should be funded.

Your PhD proposal should include your major question, your planned methods, the sources you’ll cite, and plenty of other nitty gritty details. But perhaps the most important element of your proposal is its purpose – the reason you want to do this research and why the results will be meaningful.

In Sarah’s opinion, highlighting the 'why' of your project is vital for your research proposal.

“From my perspective, one of the key aspects of your research proposal is emphasising why your project is important and should be funded,” she says.

“Not only does this impact whether your application is likely to be successful, but it could also impact your likelihood of getting a scholarship .”

Imagine you only had 60 seconds to explain your planned research to someone. Would you prefer they remember how your project could change the world, or the statistical models you’ll be using to do it? (Of course, you’ve got 2,000 words rather than 60 seconds, so do make sure to include those little details as well – just put the why stuff first.)

Proofread your proposal, then proof it again

As a PhD candidate, your attention to detail is going to be integral to your success. Start practising it now by making sure your research proposal is perfect.

Chelsea and Sarah both acknowledge that clarity and writing quality should never be overlooked in a PhD proposal. This starts with double-checking that the questions of your thesis are obvious and unambiguous, followed by revising the rest of your proposal.

“Make sure your research questions are really clear,” says Sarah.

“Ensure all the writing is clear and grammatically correct,” adds Chelsea.

“A supervisor is not going to be overly keen on a prospective student if their writing is poor.”

It might sound harsh, but it’s fair. So, proofread your proposal multiple times – including after you get it back from your supervisor with any feedback and notes. When you think you’ve got the final, FINAL draft saved, sleep on it and read it one more time the next morning.

Still feeling a little overwhelmed by your research proposal? Stay motivated with these reasons why a PhD is worth the effort .

Want to learn more from Chelsea and Sarah? Easy:

• Read about Chelsea’s award-winning PhD thesis on keeping crops healthy.
• Read Sarah’s series on becoming a law academic .

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• School of Law
• Postgraduate

Writing a PhD research proposal

The following guidance has been compiled to help you submit a high quality application that is targeted to the research strengths of The School of Law.

Choosing a research topic

PhDs are supposed to contain an element of originality and innovation. Originality need not mean that you explore a wholly new concept. For instance, it might also include applying new methods or new theories to existing scholarship on the topic. They also need to be backed up by logically reasoned evidence and argument – whether that is provided by theoretical or empirical sources.

The types of thesis that could be constructed:

An analysis of a specific area of law or criminology on which there is no significant existing literature. The lack of existing literature may be explained by the relative newness of the body of law and/or creation of institutions; or the previous lack of attention given to the practical impact of the chosen area of study. A thesis in this area might attempt to describe, explain and rationalise the development of this particular area of law and/ or critically analyse the content of the legal system being researched.

An analysis applying, analysing, or evaluating existing studies in a new context. For instance, one might extend a study of one jurisdiction to another, providing comparative evidence that tests the applicability of existing research and enables the existing theory to be challenged, reconsidered, or expanded upon.

An empirical study of  an area of law or criminology where there is existing doctrinal, conceptual, or theoretical literature, but limited empirical evidence to test those doctrines, concepts, or theories. Such an empirical study would still require a degree of originality but would be academically interesting if it offers a view of the area of study not previously attempted and/or allowed for an appraisal of the effectiveness of the law as it currently stands and is organised.

An in-depth critical study of a specific aspect of law or criminology. Such an examination may consist solely or mainly of library based or theoretical work, or include an element of socio-legal research. As well as recognising existing literature, such an approach needs to make clear how this project would build on and add to that work. The answer may be that the area of law or criminology has evolved or the work itself takes a very different approach to analysing the problem.

Before drafting a research proposal it is a good idea to consult with any academic contacts you already have for their feedback.

The Research Proposal

Applications must include an outline research proposal. If a proposal is submitted without a proposal it will be automatically rejected.

The application asks you to give a description of your research project, including the research questions to be addressed, the methodology to be used, the sources to be consulted and a brief timetable. Your proposal should be included in the application as a separate attachment, and distinguished from your supporting statement (if you include one).

There is no set format or page length for proposals, although to keep the proposal concise and clear while still providing enough information, we recommend limiting yourself to 1,500-2,500 words. Within your application it is useful to identify and bear in mind some or all of the following points:

It is important that you demonstrate clearly the area that you intend to research and provide some indication that you are already knowledgeable in the area that you intend to research. This can be achieved through suitable references and/or by supplying a bibliography to support your application.

Research is about more than collating knowledge already in the public domain. Within your application you should indicate how you intend to add to the knowledge that you will be uncovering. Examples of potential aims include: adding to existing theory; disproving previous understandings; a critique of the current legal position; a defended positive/negative prognosis of the impact of a new legal provision; new empirically obtained findings. You may find it helpful to express your research aims as questions to be answered, or as aims to fulfil by doing the research. Try to limit the number of aims of your study as much as possible.

A research application is more likely to be accepted if you can demonstrate that it has relevance and academic merit. Ultimately PhDs are awarded where a piece of work can demonstrate some originality and innovation. This should be explained within your application.

It is rare for an entirely original piece of research to be written. Therefore, the links with existing research should be made clear, as should the possibilities your work might open up for future research. You should provide some background to the research, exploring the wider literature and making as clear as possible what makes your proposed research original in the context of that literature.

In other words, how do you intend to undertake the research? Methods may include reviewing library-based resources or empirical research. If the latter, then what form – e.g. quantitative or qualitative analysis, and what evidence can you provide that you have the skills to undertake such research. These methods should be carefully considered in relation to the research aims and questions you are seeking to address in the proposed research.

You must consider the partnerships, knowledge exchange and impacts associated with your proposed research. If you already have collaborative arrangements in place with relevant external stakeholders then you should describe these and potentially also provide letters of support, in principle, if you have them. You should consider the likely impacts of your proposed research and how these will be achieved, as well as your plans for disseminating your research findings beyond academia.

If you are applying for WRDTP or WRoCAH scholarships, it is essential that you consider how your proposed research fits in with the research pathways or clusters of these two funders. The quality of your scholarship application will be judged partly by the fit of your research within these pathways or clusters.

Your application should not be too unrealistic as to what can be delivered. It is also wise to predict the likely challenges that you will face in undertaking the research and suggest ways in which those challenges can be overcome.

What to avoid

Research proposals should not be viewed as binding contracts. Most first-year PhD students adapt their research proposal once they start studying the topic in more depth and working with their supervisor. Nevertheless, a PhD proposal should amount to a coherent, intelligent, realistic and relatively well thought-out idea of an area of potential research.

The following errors should be avoided if possible:

Simplistic descriptions of an area of study should be avoided – eg ‘I want to research EU law’. The specific focus of the research must be clear.

Offer to review or analyse an area of law on which there is already a significant existing literature. PhDs should be attempting something more than bringing together knowledge that already exists.

Develop a research proposal primarily because the topic is or has been fashionable. Topics such as the legality of the war in Iraq, the operation of the International Criminal Court or the Human Rights Act 1998 remain extremely important areas of academic study, but as a PhD student it is going to be very difficult to say anything interesting, new or original about these topics.

Avoid trying to resolve grand problems in one thesis. The best research proposals tend to focus on discrete and well-confined subject areas.

Relying upon a comparison to provide the intellectual component of the proposal, whether that is a comparison between different institutions, different bodies of law or different countries. Comparative research proposals are worthy if properly thought out. If the comparison is between different legal systems for instance, in the submission it needs to be made clear why that comparison could be a useful one and what can be learnt from the comparison. For instance, you may be undertaking research in the UK and from Botswana, but that does not mean that there are any valid reasons why comparing the UK to Botswana is actually worthwhile in your subject area.

Relatedly, you should consider the research expertise of supervisors at the University of Sheffield, and the value that studying at Sheffield adds to your research. Generally a PhD submitted in a UK university should contribute to knowledge about the UK, or about global/international issues. If you want to research another country of jurisdiction, you need to provide a credible reason for why Sheffield is a good place to undertake that study, as opposed to an institution in that country.

Make sure that your methodology is as clear and specific as you can make it at this early stage. Proposals that say, “I will use qualitative methods” are unlikely to succeed because they suggest an ignorance of the diversity of qualitative methods. Ideally, you should be able to say something about: 

the methods you will use (e.g. surveys, documentary analysis, interviews, observation, ethnography, audio-visual methods...); 

the target populations of your research (eg, a study of criminal courts might seek to recruit judges, lawyers, ushers, defendants, police officers, or other actors. Which groups do you want to participate in your research, and why? The answer to this question should bear some relation to your research aims); and, 

If possible, the approximate number of participants you want to recruit for each method (for instance, you might want to conduct 10-15 interviews with each of two groups of participants, or to survey 500 people) and how they will be accessed/recruited. Try to be realistic about how long empirical research takes, and how many research participants it is possible to study.

How these chosen methods are likely to illuminate the research questions of the proposed research

Ethical considerations of the research in relation to things like informed consent, anonymity, the safeguarding of researchers and participants

It may not be possible to say much at this stage, but the more details you can provide, the clearer it will be that you have thought seriously about your research project, and the easier it will be for the School of Law to evaluate its feasibility.

Positive steps to take

When we make an offer we will do so on the basis of various considerations. Making an effort to foreshadow those considerations in your application is a good idea. It is advisable to submit a supporting statement alongside the research proposal. Issues to consider include:

Why did you choose to apply to the University of Sheffield?

Can you provide any evidence to suggest that you are capable of completing an extensive piece of research and have the character to undertake three years of study, on a relatively low income and with only supervisory support?

Does the research proposal fit into one of the areas in which the Law School has a speciality ? Often a proposal only needs minor adaptation to fall within an area the School can supervise, but to improve your chances of success it is worthwhile reviewing the academic profile of the various staff in the Law School before you submit an application.

If you are able, it would be helpful to have a look at some past PhD theses in your own area of interest which have been successfully submitted at a UK university. Most UK universities have copies in the library of all past successful PhDs, either as physical copies or in an online repository. 

The online application form requires you to provide some standard information about yourself and your past academic performance. Please ensure that this information is correct and that you provide evidence to support your qualifications.

The references that your referees provide are important sources of information for us. Wherever possible, it is helpful to provide (where possible) a reference from at least one academic who is aware of your research potential and has read some of your work.

Search for PhD opportunities at Sheffield and be part of our world-leading research.

What (Exactly) Is A Research Proposal?

A simple explainer with examples + free template.

By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Reviewed By: Dr Eunice Rautenbach | June 2020 (Updated April 2023)

Whether you’re nearing the end of your degree and your dissertation is on the horizon, or you’re planning to apply for a PhD program, chances are you’ll need to craft a convincing research proposal . If you’re on this page, you’re probably unsure exactly what the research proposal is all about. Well, you’ve come to the right place.

Overview: Research Proposal Basics

• What a research proposal is
• What a research proposal needs to cover
• How to structure your research proposal
• Example /sample proposals
• Proposal writing FAQs
• Key takeaways & additional resources

What is a research proposal?

Simply put, a research proposal is a structured, formal document that explains what you plan to research (your research topic), why it’s worth researching (your justification), and how  you plan to investigate it (your methodology). 

The purpose of the research proposal (its job, so to speak) is to convince  your research supervisor, committee or university that your research is  suitable  (for the requirements of the degree program) and  manageable  (given the time and resource constraints you will face). 

The most important word here is “ convince ” – in other words, your research proposal needs to  sell  your research idea (to whoever is going to approve it). If it doesn’t convince them (of its suitability and manageability), you’ll need to revise and resubmit . This will cost you valuable time, which will either delay the start of your research or eat into its time allowance (which is bad news). 

What goes into a research proposal?

A good dissertation or thesis proposal needs to cover the “ what “, “ why ” and” how ” of the proposed study. Let’s look at each of these attributes in a little more detail:

Your proposal needs to clearly articulate your research topic . This needs to be specific and unambiguous . Your research topic should make it clear exactly what you plan to research and in what context. Here’s an example of a well-articulated research topic:

An investigation into the factors which impact female Generation Y consumer’s likelihood to promote a specific makeup brand to their peers: a British context

As you can see, this topic is extremely clear. From this one line we can see exactly:

• What’s being investigated – factors that make people promote or advocate for a brand of a specific makeup brand
• Who it involves – female Gen-Y consumers
• In what context – the United Kingdom

So, make sure that your research proposal provides a detailed explanation of your research topic . If possible, also briefly outline your research aims and objectives , and perhaps even your research questions (although in some cases you’ll only develop these at a later stage). Needless to say, don’t start writing your proposal until you have a clear topic in mind , or you’ll end up waffling and your research proposal will suffer as a result of this.

Need a helping hand?

As we touched on earlier, it’s not good enough to simply propose a research topic – you need to justify why your topic is original . In other words, what makes it  unique ? What gap in the current literature does it fill? If it’s simply a rehash of the existing research, it’s probably not going to get approval – it needs to be fresh.

But,  originality  alone is not enough. Once you’ve ticked that box, you also need to justify why your proposed topic is  important . In other words, what value will it add to the world if you achieve your research aims?

As an example, let’s look at the sample research topic we mentioned earlier (factors impacting brand advocacy). In this case, if the research could uncover relevant factors, these findings would be very useful to marketers in the cosmetics industry, and would, therefore, have commercial value . That is a clear justification for the research.

So, when you’re crafting your research proposal, remember that it’s not enough for a topic to simply be unique. It needs to be useful and value-creating – and you need to convey that value in your proposal. If you’re struggling to find a research topic that makes the cut, watch  our video covering how to find a research topic .

It’s all good and well to have a great topic that’s original and valuable, but you’re not going to convince anyone to approve it without discussing the practicalities – in other words:

• How will you actually undertake your research (i.e., your methodology)?
• Is your research methodology appropriate given your research aims?
• Is your approach manageable given your constraints (time, money, etc.)?

While it’s generally not expected that you’ll have a fully fleshed-out methodology at the proposal stage, you’ll likely still need to provide a high-level overview of your research methodology . Here are some important questions you’ll need to address in your research proposal:

• Will you take a qualitative , quantitative or mixed -method approach?
• What sampling strategy will you adopt?
• How will you collect your data (e.g., interviews, surveys, etc)?
• How will you analyse your data (e.g., descriptive and inferential statistics , content analysis, discourse analysis, etc, .)?
• What potential limitations will your methodology carry?

So, be sure to give some thought to the practicalities of your research and have at least a basic methodological plan before you start writing up your proposal. If this all sounds rather intimidating, the video below provides a good introduction to research methodology and the key choices you’ll need to make.

How To Structure A Research Proposal

Now that we’ve covered the key points that need to be addressed in a proposal, you may be wondering, “ But how is a research proposal structured? “.

While the exact structure and format required for a research proposal differs from university to university, there are four “essential ingredients” that commonly make up the structure of a research proposal:

• A rich introduction and background to the proposed research
• An initial literature review covering the existing research
• An overview of the proposed research methodology
• A discussion regarding the practicalities (project plans, timelines, etc.)

In the video below, we unpack each of these four sections, step by step.

Research Proposal Examples/Samples

In the video below, we provide a detailed walkthrough of two successful research proposals (Master’s and PhD-level), as well as our popular free proposal template.

Proposal Writing FAQs

How long should a research proposal be.

This varies tremendously, depending on the university, the field of study (e.g., social sciences vs natural sciences), and the level of the degree (e.g. undergraduate, Masters or PhD) – so it’s always best to check with your university what their specific requirements are before you start planning your proposal.

As a rough guide, a formal research proposal at Masters-level often ranges between 2000-3000 words, while a PhD-level proposal can be far more detailed, ranging from 5000-8000 words. In some cases, a rough outline of the topic is all that’s needed, while in other cases, universities expect a very detailed proposal that essentially forms the first three chapters of the dissertation or thesis.

The takeaway – be sure to check with your institution before you start writing.

How do I choose a topic for my research proposal?

Finding a good research topic is a process that involves multiple steps. We cover the topic ideation process in this video post.

How do I write a literature review for my proposal?

While you typically won’t need a comprehensive literature review at the proposal stage, you still need to demonstrate that you’re familiar with the key literature and are able to synthesise it. We explain the literature review process here.

How do I create a timeline and budget for my proposal?

We explain how to craft a project plan/timeline and budget in Research Proposal Bootcamp .

Which referencing format should I use in my research proposal?

The expectations and requirements regarding formatting and referencing vary from institution to institution. Therefore, you’ll need to check this information with your university.

What common proposal writing mistakes do I need to look out for?

We’ve create a video post about some of the most common mistakes students make when writing a proposal – you can access that here . If you’re short on time, here’s a quick summary:

• The research topic is too broad (or just poorly articulated).
• The research aims, objectives and questions don’t align.
• The research topic is not well justified.
• The study has a weak theoretical foundation.
• The research design is not well articulated well enough.
• Poor writing and sloppy presentation.
• Poor project planning and risk management.
• Not following the university’s specific criteria.

Key Takeaways & Additional Resources

As you write up your research proposal, remember the all-important core purpose:  to convince . Your research proposal needs to sell your study in terms of suitability and viability. So, focus on crafting a convincing narrative to ensure a strong proposal.

At the same time, pay close attention to your university’s requirements. While we’ve covered the essentials here, every institution has its own set of expectations and it’s essential that you follow these to maximise your chances of approval.

By the way, we’ve got plenty more resources to help you fast-track your research proposal. Here are some of our most popular resources to get you started:

• Proposal Writing 101 : A Introductory Webinar
• Research Proposal Bootcamp : The Ultimate Online Course
• Template : A basic template to help you craft your proposal

If you’re looking for 1-on-1 support with your research proposal, be sure to check out our private coaching service , where we hold your hand through the proposal development process (and the entire research journey), step by step.

Psst… there’s more!

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

You Might Also Like:

51 Comments

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Bundle of thanks to you for the research proposal guide it was really good and useful if it is possible please send me the sample of research proposal

You’re most welcome. We don’t have any research proposals that we can share (the students own the intellectual property), but you might find our research proposal template useful: https://gradcoach.com/research-proposal-template/

Cheruiyot Moses Kipyegon

Thanks alot. It was an eye opener that came timely enough before my imminent proposal defense. Thanks, again

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Thank you. This is a great insight. I am a student preparing for a PhD program. I am requested to write my Research Proposal as part of what I am required to submit before my unconditional admission. I am grateful having listened to this video which will go a long way in helping me to actually choose a topic of interest and not just any topic as well as to narrow down the topic and be specific about it. I indeed need more of this especially as am trying to choose a topic suitable for a DBA am about embarking on. Thank you once more. The video is indeed helpful.

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I need any research proposal

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Writing a research proposal

The research proposal is the main way in which we evaluate the quality of your research plans. You should aim to make your proposal about 1500-2000 words long.

Your proposal should include the following:

The title indicates the overall question or topic of the PhD. It should include any key concepts, empirical focus, or lines of inquiry that you aim to pursue, and it should be concise and descriptive. You can normally discuss changes in the title with your supervisor(s) should you be successful but it is important to try to choose a clear and engaging title.

Research questions

What are the questions or problems for politics or international relations that you are trying to understand and solve? In explaining these, it will be helpful to spell out what else we need to know in order to understand why you are framing the problem this way.

Research aims

In answering these questions, what will your research project do? What will it shed light on or help us to understand that we don’t really understand better?

Contribution

Why this project? Explain why your project is interesting, what its broader implications are, and – if you think this is relevant – why you are particularly well placed to tackle it. It is also valuable to reflect on who has worked on the topic before and to provide a brief literature review. Are there any good approaches to the topic, or particular articles or books, that you are drawing on or bad ones you want to push back against?

What are the sources you plan to use to answer your research questions? These will vary according to the nature of your research but may include study of particular texts, interviews, published or unpublished data, archival or policy documents, or field site visits, among others. Try to be as specific as you can and assess the possibility of access to relevant sources.

This includes thinking about the research methods you will use to analyse empirical sources (e.g., sampling, survey or interview design, data collection, discourse analysis) but may also include setting out the kind of theoretical framework you will employ or your approach to history or political ideas. What prior knowledge and skills do you bring to the project? What extra training may you need?

Structure and timetable

Include a provisional chapter structure and timetable to completion, covering the three years of the full-time programme or six years of the part-time programme, as appropriate.

To help you with your application here are some examples of PhD proposals which were successful in obtaining funding:  PhD sample research proposal 1 (PDF , 96kb) PhD sample research proposal 2 (PDF , 79kb) PhD sample research proposal 3 (PDF , 197kb)

Apply for a PhD now

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Guide for Writing Research Proposals

This guide is for candidates who are enrolled in a higher degree research program (PhD, Masters by Research or Master of Philosophy) and who have been asked to submit a research proposal as part of their Research Progress Review or Confirmation of Candidature.

The aim of the research proposal is to convince your school that:

• there is a need for the research; it is significant and important.
• you are contributing something original to the field.
• the topic is feasible in terms of availability of funding, equipment, supervisors, and data.
• the research can be completed in the expected time period(3-4 years full time for a PhD or 1.5 – 2 years full time for a research Masters).
• ethical issues have been considered and approval has been given for the research by the University Ethics Committee.
• the topic matches your interests and capabilities.

What is the difference between a Masters and a Doctoral research proposal?

As research Masters degrees are shorter than PhDs, the main goals and complexity of your proposed research should align with this shorter timeframe. If you are unsure of what is required, you should seek advice from your supervisor or your School’s Postgraduate Coordinator.

Who is my audience?

Your research proposal is normally assessed during your Research Progress Review by the Review Panel. If you are a PhD candidate, your research proposal will normally be submitted as part of your Confirmation of Candidature Review. Most candidates need to submit a written report and present their proposal during their Review. If you are not sure of the requirements within your School or Faculty, contact your supervisor or your School’s Postgraduate Coordinator.

The research proposal helps you focus your research aims, clarify its importance and the need, describe the methods, predict problems and outcomes, and plan alternatives and interventions. 

Getting it done

Preparing your proposal will be an iterative process. You will most likely need to prepare a number of drafts, improving each one with feedback from your supervisors. You should be writing regularly to have your proposal completed by the due date.

Demonstrating originality

Your work will make a worthwhile contribution to your field if it fulfils one or more of the following: 

• it provides evidence to support or disprove a concept, theory, or model;
• it contributes new data/information, new or improved solution, analysis procedure or a new improved research methodology;
• it results in a new or improved concept, theory or model.

See next: Structuring the proposal

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• Academic skills support
• Structuring the proposal
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Writing a research proposal

What is a research proposal .

Getting your research proposal right is a critical part of the PhD application process if you’re not choosing an advertised project and want to conduct your own research idea.  

It’s essentially your sales pitch to showcase your proposed research topic, why it’s relevant to the wider world – and why you’re the best person to carry it out. It’s the first time the School will see your project idea, so it’s vital this proposal conveys the importance and originality of your research, based on current knowledge and existing literature surrounding the topic. 

As well as the ‘why’, you’ll also detail how you’re going to approach your research, what you hope to achieve and the potential impact your project will have. 

What should your proposal include? 

Below is an outline of the elements a research proposal might typically include: 

Title page – A clear and succinct description of your research 

Introduction (250-350 words) – A brief explanation of what you propose to research, why the research is of value, where its originality lies and how it contributes to the literature. You can also demonstrate any aims and objectives of your research in this section. 

Literature review (1,200-1,400 words) – A thorough examination of key, recent contributions in research periodicals relating to the area of research in question. You should use the literature review to identify gaps in – or problems with – existing research to justify why further or new research is required. You should include a clear statement of your research questions. 

Research Method (1,200-1,400 words) – A description of your choice of methodology, including details of methods of data collection and analysis. 

Conclusion (200-250 words) – A summary of your project which collates the key points clearly. Remember, this is your final chance to convey why the School should choose your project – so make it compelling. 

Bibliography/ References – Any literature cited in the proposal should be listed at the end of the document. Broadly speaking, Harvard referencing is the preferred style. 

Top tips to making your proposal great  

Keep it succinct and clear – try not to overcomplicate or go into excessive detail at this stage. The proposal is the starting point so make sure you’re getting across the key points in a structured, concise and clear way.  

Demonstrate your expertise – this proposal is your chance to really showcase your knowledge and skills in the area you’re hoping to research so don’t hold back. Use this opportunity to demonstrate exactly why you’re the best person to conduct this project. 

Proof your work – ensuring your proposal is free of spelling or grammar errors is so important. You want to explain your project in the best way possible, without mistakes distracting the flow and, therefore, the impact of what you’re saying. Plus, it shows you have a critical eye which is one of the key skills you’ll need for your PhD. 

Make it compelling – Yes, your proposal is a factual document, but it also needs to stand out. Letting your passion, originality and drive for your chosen topic shine through will help give your proposal the edge in this highly competitive process. 

Preparing your research proposal

Embarking on a research project can be both exciting and daunting. Whether applying for graduate school , seeking funding, or preparing for your thesis , a well-prepared research proposal is your first step toward academic success. This guide will provide you with the fundamental concepts and tools to construct a coherent and persuasive research proposal. You’ll understand the structure and learn how to articulate a clear vision for your study, ensuring your ideas are presented logically and effectively.

We invite you to explore the enriching journey of research proposal preparation. By diving into this article, you will gain valuable insights into creating a document that meets academic standards and intrigues your audience, laying a solid groundwork for your research ambitions.

Overview of a research proposal

A research proposal is a detailed blueprint that outlines your research project, clarifying the investigation’s objectives, significance, and methodological approach. While formats can vary across academic or professional fields, most research proposals share common components that structure your research narrative effectively:

• Title page . Acts as the proposal’s cover, detailing essential aspects such as the project title, your name, your supervisor’s name, and your institution.
• Introduction . Set the stage by introducing the research topic , background, and the core problem your study addresses.
• Literature review . Evaluates relevant existing research to position your project within the broader academic conversation.
• Research design . Details the methodological process , including how data will be collected and analyzed.
• Reference list . Ensures all sources and citations supporting your proposal are clearly documented.

These elements form the structure of your research proposal, each contributing uniquely to the These elements create the framework of your research proposal, each playing a unique role in building a convincing and well-organized argument. In the sections that follow, we’ll explore each component in detail, explaining their purposes and showing you how to implement them effectively.

Objectives of a research proposal

Developing a research proposal is essential for securing funding and advancing in graduate studies. This document outlines your research agenda and demonstrates its significance and practicality to crucial stakeholders such as funding bodies and academic committees. Here’s how each component of the research proposal serves a strategic purpose:

• Relevance . Highlight the originality and significance of your research question. Articulate how your study introduces new perspectives or solutions, enriching the existing body of knowledge in your field. This ties directly to the compelling introduction you prepared, setting the stage for a strong justification of your project’s worth.
• Context . Show a deep understanding of the subject area. Being familiar with the main theories, important research, and current debates helps anchor your study in the scholarly landscape and boosts your credibility as a researcher. This builds on the basic knowledge from the literature review, connecting past studies to your proposed research.
• Methodological approach . Detail the techniques and tools you will employ to collect and analyze data. Explain your chosen methodologies as the most appropriate for addressing your research questions, supporting the design choices explained in the research design section of the research proposal.
• Feasibility . Consider the practical aspects of your research, such as time, resources, and logistics, within the limits of your academic program or funding guidelines. This evaluation ensures that your project is realistic and achievable, which is crucial for funders and institutions.
• Impact and significance . Outline the broader implications of your research. Discuss how the expected outcomes can influence the academic field, contribute to policy-making, or address societal challenges.

Selecting the right proposal length

The appropriate length of a research proposal varies based on its purpose and audience. Proposals for academic coursework might be straightforward, whereas those intended for Ph.D. research or significant funding applications are typically more detailed. Consult with your academic advisor or follow the guidelines from your institution or funding agency to measure the necessary scope. Think of your research proposal as a shorter version of your future thesis or dissertation —without the results and discussion sections. This approach helps you structure it well and cover everything important without adding unnecessary details.

Having outlined the key objectives and structure of a research proposal, let’s delve into the first essential component: the title page. This in your research proposal serves as the cover and first impression of your project. It includes essential information such as:

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

Including this information not only identifies the document but also provides context for the reader. If your proposal is extensive, consider adding an abstract and a table of contents to help navigate your work. The abstract offers a brief summary of your research proposal, highlighting key points and objectives, while the table of contents provides an organized list of sections, making it easier for readers to find specific information.

By presenting a clear and informative title page, you set a professional tone and ensure that all necessary details are readily available to those reviewing your research proposal.

Introduction

With the title page complete, we move on to the introduction, the initial pitch for your project. This section sets the stage for your entire research proposal, clearly and concisely outlining what you plan to investigate and why it is important. Here’s what to include:

• Introduce your topic. Clearly state the subject of your research. Provide a brief overview that captures the essence of what you are investigating.
• Provide necessary background and context. Offer a concise summary of the existing research related to your topic. This helps situate your study within the broader academic landscape and shows that you are building on a solid foundation of existing knowledge.
• Outline your problem statement and research questions. Clearly describe the specific problem or issue your research will address. Present your main research questions that will guide your study.

To effectively guide your introduction, consider including the following information:

• Interest in the topic. Identify who might be interested in your research, such as scientists, policymakers, or industry professionals. This shows the broader relevance and potential impact of your work.
• Current state of knowledge. Summarize what is already known about your topic. Highlight key studies and findings that are relevant to your research.
• Gaps in current knowledge. Point out what is missing or not well understood in the existing research. This helps explain the need for your study and shows that your research will contribute new insights.
• New contributions. Explain what new information or perspectives your research will provide. This could include new data, a novel theoretical approach, or innovative methods.
• Significance of your research. Communicate why your research is worth pursuing. Discuss the potential implications and benefits of your findings, both for advancing knowledge in your field and for practical applications.

A well-prepared introduction outlines your research agenda and engages your readers, encouraging them to see the value and importance of your proposed study.

Literature review

Having introduced your research topic and its significance, the next step is to set the academic foundation for your study through a comprehensive literature review. This section demonstrates your familiarity with key research, theories, and debates relevant to your topic, placing your project within the broader academic context. Below are guidelines on how to effectively compose your literature review.

Purpose of the literature review

The literature review serves multiple purposes:

• Foundation building. It provides a solid grounding in existing knowledge and highlights the context for your research.
• Identifying gaps. It helps identify gaps or inconsistencies in the current body of research that your study aims to address.
• Justifying your study. It justifies the need for your research by showing that your work will contribute new insights or methods.

Key elements to include

To construct a thorough literature review, incorporate these essential elements:

• Survey of key theories and research. Begin by summarizing the major theories and key pieces of research related to your topic. Highlight influential studies and seminal works that have shaped the field.
• Comparative analysis. Compare and contrast different theoretical perspectives and methodologies. Discuss how these approaches have been applied in previous studies and what their findings suggest.
• Evaluation of strengths and weaknesses. Critically evaluate the strengths and limitations of existing research. Point out methodological flaws, gaps in data, or theoretical inconsistencies that your study will address.
• Positioning your research. Explain how your research builds on, challenges, or synthesizes previous work. Clearly articulate how your study will advance understanding in your field.

Strategies for writing your literature review

Organize and present your literature review effectively using these strategies:

• Organize thematically. Structure your review around themes or topics rather than chronologically. This approach allows you to group similar studies together and provide a more coherent analysis.
• Use a conceptual framework. Develop a conceptual framework to organize your literature review. This framework helps link your research questions to the existing literature and provides a clear rationale for your study.
• Highlight your contribution. Make sure to highlight what new perspectives or solutions your research will bring to the field. This could involve introducing novel methodologies, theoretical frameworks, or addressing previously unexplored areas.

Practical tips

Improve the clarity and impact of your literature review with these practical tips:

• Be selective. Focus on the most relevant and impactful studies. Avoid including every piece of research you encounter, and instead, highlight those that are most relevant to your topic.
• Be critical. Don’t just summarize existing research; critically engage with it. Discuss the implications of previous findings and how they inform your research questions.
• Be clear and concise. Write clearly and concisely, ensuring that your review is easy to follow and understand. Avoid jargon and overly complex language.

Conclusion of the literature review

Summarize the key points from your literature review, restating the gaps in knowledge that your study will address. This sets the stage for your research design and methodology, demonstrating that your study is both necessary and well-founded in the existing academic discourse.

Methodology and research design

After selecting the academic foundation in your literature review, the next step is to focus on the methodology and research strategy. This section is crucial as it outlines how you will conduct your research and provides a clear roadmap for your study. It ensures that your project is feasible, methodologically sound, and capable of addressing your research questions effectively. Here’s how to structure this important section:

• Restate your objectives . Begin by restating the main objectives of your research. This reaffirms the focus of your study and transitions smoothly from the literature review to your research design.
• Outline your research strategy. Provide a detailed description of your overall research approach. Specify whether your research will be qualitative, quantitative, or a mix of both. Clarify whether you conducting original data collection or analyzing primary and secondary sources. Describe whether your study will be descriptive, correlational, or experimental in nature.
• Describe your population and sample . Clearly define who or what you will study. Identify your study subjects (e.g., undergraduate students at a large university or historical documents from the early 20th century). Explain how you will select your subjects, whether through probability sampling, non-probability sampling, or another method. Specify when and where you will collect your data.
• Detail your research methods . Explain the tools and procedures you will use to collect and analyze your data. Describe the instruments and techniques (such as surveys, interviews, observational studies, or experiments). Explain why you have chosen these particular methods as the most effective for answering your research questions.
• Address practical considerations . Consider and outline the practical aspects of your research to ensure it is achievable. Estimate the time required for each stage of your study. Discuss how you will get access to your population or data sources and consider any permissions or ethical clearances needed. Identify any potential obstacles you might face and propose strategies to address them.
• Ensuring methodological precision . Ensure your approach is well-planned and capable of producing reliable and valid results. Highlight how your chosen methods align with your research objectives and address the gaps identified in the literature review.

Providing a comprehensive methodology and research strategy section assures reviewers of your project’s feasibility and shows your readiness to undertake the study.

Research impact and significance

The expected impact of this research proposal extends beyond academic circles into policy formulation and societal benefit, reflecting its broad relevance and significance. By addressing [specific topic], the study aims to contribute significantly to the existing body of knowledge while providing practical solutions that can be implemented in real-world settings.

Field influence

The findings of the research proposal are expected to challenge and potentially reshape current theories and practices within the field of [relevant field]. By exploring innovative methodologies or uncovering new data, the study could pave the way for more effective strategies in [specific application], influencing academic research and practical applications.

Policy impact

The project is ready to inform policy decisions by providing evidence-based recommendations that policymakers can directly use. For example, insights derived from the study could influence [specific policy area], leading to improved [policy outcome], which could significantly enhance [specific aspect of public life].

Societal contributions

The societal implications of the research proposal are profound. It aims to address [key societal challenge], thereby improving quality of life and promoting long-lasting practices. The potential for widespread adoption of the study’s outcomes could lead to significant improvements in [area of societal impact], such as increasing access to [critical resources] or improving public health standards.

Overall, the significance of the research proposal lies in its dual ability to advance academic understanding and produce real, beneficial changes in policy and society. By funding the project, [funding body] will be supporting a groundbreaking study with the potential to deliver significant results that match broader goals of social progress and innovation.

Reference list

After highlighting the potential impacts of the research, it is crucial to acknowledge the foundation underpinning these insights: the sources. This section of the research proposal is vital for substantiating the arguments presented and upholding academic integrity. Here, every source and citation used throughout your proposal should be carefully documented. This documentation provides a roadmap for validation and further exploration, ensuring that every claim or statement can be traced back to its source.

Such thorough documentation improves the proposal’s credibility, allowing readers and reviewers to verify the sources of your ideas and findings easily. By diligently keeping a detailed reference list, you uphold academic standards and strengthen the scholarly basis of your research proposal. This practice supports transparency and encourages deeper engagement and follow-up by interested students and practitioners.

Detailed timeline for research project execution

After detailing the components of the research proposal structure, it’s crucial to set a clear timeline for the research project. This example schedule guides you through the necessary steps to meet typical academic and funding cycle deadlines:

• Objective . Conduct initial meetings with your advisor, extensively review relevant literature, and refine your research questions based on the insights earned.
• Example deadline . January 14th
• Objective . Develop and finalize the data collection methods, such as surveys and interview protocols, and set the analytical approaches for the data.
• Example deadline. February 2nd
• Objective . Start finding participants, distribute surveys, and conduct initial interviews. Make sure all data collection tools are working properly.
• Example deadline . March 10th
• Objective . Process the collected data, including the transcription and coding of interviews. Begin statistical and thematic analysis of the datasets.
• Example deadline . April 10th
• Objective . Collect the initial draft of the results and discussion sections. Review this draft with your advisor and integrate their feedback.
• Example deadline . May 30th
• Objective . Revise the draft based on feedback, complete the final proofreading, and prepare the document for submission, including printing and binding.
• Example deadline . July 10th

These example deadlines serve as a framework to help you organize and manage your time effectively throughout the academic year. This structure ensures that each step of the research proposal is completed methodically and on time, promoting transparency and assisting in meeting educational and financing deadlines.

Budget overview

Following our detailed project timeline, it’s key to note that a budget overview is a standard and crucial part of academic research proposals. This section gives funders a clear view of anticipated costs, showing how money will be carefully used throughout the project. Including a budget makes sure all possible expenses are considered, proving to funders that the project is well-organized and financially sound:

• Personnel costs . Specify the salaries or stipends for research assistants and other team members, including their roles and the employment duration. Clarify the importance of each team member to the project’s success, ensuring their roles are directly linked to specific project outcomes.
• Travel expenses . Detail costs associated with fieldwork or archival visits, including transportation, accommodation, and daily allowances. Explain the necessity of each trip about your research objectives, highlighting how these activities contribute to data collection and overall project success.
• Equipment and materials . List all essential equipment, software, or supplies necessary for the project. Describe how these tools are critical for effective data collection and analysis, supporting the methodological integrity of the research.
• Miscellaneous costs . Account for additional expenses such as publication fees, conference participation, and unforeseen expenses. Include a contingency fund to cover unexpected costs, providing a cause for the estimated amount based on potential project risks.

Each budget item is calculated using data from suppliers, standard service rates, or average salaries for research roles, improving the budget’s credibility and transparency. This level of detail fulfills the funder’s requirements and showcases the thorough planning that backs the research proposal.

By explaining each expense clearly, this budget overview allows funding bodies to see how their investment will directly support the successful performance of your research, aligning financial resources with projected outcomes and milestones.

Potential challenges and mitigation strategies

As we near the conclusion of this research proposal, it’s crucial to predict and plan for potential challenges that could impact the study’s success. Identifying these challenges early and proposing concrete strategies to overcome them, you underscore your commitment to a successful and achievable project.

Identification of potential challenges

In planning the research proposal, you need to consider several potential drawbacks:

• Access to participants. Engaging the target demographic can be challenging due to privacy concerns or lack of interest, which might restrict data collection.
• Data reliability . Keeping the reliability and validity of data is crucial, especially when dealing with subjective responses or observations. Inconsistencies here could compromise the study’s outcomes.
• Technological limitations . Encountering technical issues with data collection tools or analysis software can lead to delays and disrupt the research process, affecting the timeline and quality of findings.

Handling strategies

To effectively address these challenges, the following strategies need to be integrated into the research proposal:

• Building relationships and gaining trust . Early engagement with community leaders or relevant institutions will simplify access to participants. This includes securing the necessary permissions and ethical clearances well in advance of data collection.
• Careful research design . Set up a strong plan for collecting data, including trial runs to improve methods and tools, ensuring the data you collect is reliable.
• Technological preparedness . Create backup systems, and ensure all team members are trained to efficiently handle the necessary technology. Launch partnerships with technical support teams to ensure any issues that arise are quickly resolved.

Actively addressing these challenges, the research proposal shows funders and academic committees that the project is strong and can handle difficulties well. This approach makes the proposal more trustworthy and shows careful planning and foresight.

Ethical considerations in research proposals

As briefly mentioned in the previous section, ethical considerations are critical in your research proposal. It’s crucial to delve deeper into these principles to ensure the protection and respect of all participants, encouraging trust and credibility in your study. Key ethical practices include:

• Informed agreement . Get informed permission from each participant before the study begins. Provide detailed information about the nature of the research, their role in it, potential risks, and benefits. This information is provided verbally and in writing, with consent documented through signed forms.
• Confidentiality . Ensure participant confidentiality by immediately removing all personal identifiers from the data after collection. Store the data on secure, password-protected servers, accessible only to you and your primary research team. Report findings in aggregate form to guarantee that no individual can be identified.
• Addressing ethical issues . If any ethical issues come up during your research, discuss them right away with your supervising ethics committee. Quickly resolve these issues, always putting your participants’ well-being and preferences first.
• Ethical training . Ensure you and your research team undergo regular training in ethical research practices. Stay updated on current regulations and ensure all members are prepared to handle ethical dilemmas professionally.

By following these steps, your research meets institutional and legal ethical standards and supports a respectful and responsible research environment.

Implications and contributions of the research

As we almost conclude our discussion on the research proposal, it’s crucial to consider the broad impact and significant contributions of your study. This section highlights the transformative potential of your research within your field. By examining these implications, you underscore the relevance of your work and its potential to drive markable change and innovation.

Here are the key ways in which your research is set to make a meaningful impact:

• Improving best practices . Your findings could improve methods or practices in your field, setting new benchmarks for future research.
• Influencing policy decisions . With solid, data-backed insights, your research might shape local or national policies, leading to better-informed decisions.
• Strengthening theoretical frameworks . Your work could support or refine existing theories, improving academic discussions with fresh perspectives.
• Challenging established norms . Your results may challenge current beliefs or common ideas, encouraging a reevaluation of what is widely accepted.
• Laying groundwork for future studies . By identifying new areas for inquiry, your study sets the stage for future investigations.

This overview of potential contributions demonstrates the extensive and significant impact your research could achieve. By detailing these outcomes, your proposal highlights the relevance of your study and aligns its objectives with the priorities of funding bodies and academic institutions. It presents your research as a valuable investment capable of advancing knowledge and addressing key issues.

Illustrative examples of research proposals

After exploring the essential components and strategies for preparing a compelling research proposal, let’s look at practical examples to enhance your understanding further. These illustrative examples demonstrate various approaches and methodologies, providing tangible references to help you get started on your own proposal:

• The Dynamics of Narrative Persuasion – This proposal outlines a study on how narratives influence individual beliefs over time.
• Examining the Role of Stress in Relapse among Former Smokers – This research aims to investigate the triggers of relapse in individuals who have quit smoking.
• Social Media and Adolescent Mental Health: Risks and Benefits – This proposal examines the impact of social media usage on the mental health of adolescents.

These examples provide a glimpse into the structure and detail required in research proposals, helping you to better understand how to articulate your own research ideas effectively.

Improve your research proposal with our services

Having delved into the structure and examples of crafting effective research proposals, it’s essential to guarantee the final document’s authenticity and clarity. Our comprehensive suite of services is tailored to boost your proposal’s quality and prepare it for academic success:

• Plagiarism checker . Use our advanced plagiarism checker to set apart your proposal from existing academic work. This tool provides a detailed similarity score, featuring sophisticated algorithms that detect subtle instances of plagiarism . It also includes a risk score that sets the likelihood of parts of your proposal being perceived as unoriginal. Additionally, our citation analysis ensures all references are accurately recognized, and the paraphrasing score highlights rephrased content, which helps keep the integrity of your academic writing.
• Plagiarism removal . If plagiarism is detected , our skilled editors are prepared to responsibly revise your content. This service includes removing problematic sections, adding missing citations, rewriting content appropriately, and correcting citation errors. This thorough approach ensures your proposal adheres to the highest standards of academic integrity, preparing it for strict review.
• Document revision . Elevate the overall quality of your research proposal with our document revision service. This includes detailed proofreading and comprehensive editing to improve grammar, style, coherence, and flow. Our expert editors adhere to strict editorial standards, transforming your document into a clear, concise, and compelling research proposal.

These services not only improve the quality of your research proposal but also ensure it has a strong, positive impact during academic reviews and funding considerations. Our professional services are designed to help you present a well-prepared, thoroughly checked proposal that stands out in academic and professional assessments.

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School of Environmental and Forest Sciences

• College of the Environment
• University of Washington

Spring 2024 Scholarship newsletter #5

We hope your Spring quarter is wrapping up well. And special  congratulations  to those who are graduating!

Here are few resources for current students and graduating seniors.

** FAO Schwarz Fellowship :  The Foundation supports outstanding recent college graduates with paid, two-year Fellowship positions each year. Fellows work at leading nonprofit organizations in three cities: Boston, New York, and Philadelphia. Alumni of the Fellowship program go on to hold leadership roles at nonprofit or public service organizations and programs, attend prestigious graduate programs, and start their own organizations. This selective, domestic Fellowship is one of a few programs of its kind focused on social impact leadership. Learn about the Fellowship program from current Fellows at an Info Session:  Sign up here. 

**Fashion Scholarship Fund  2025 application link:  https://webportalapp.com/sp/25_fashionscholarshipfund

FSF’s  Summer Scholar Series  launches on  June 4th  — it is eight weeks of robust virtual programming and consists of two components:

• Workforce Preparedness Courses:  four virtual sessions dedicated to each of our FSF Case Study disciplines: Business Strategy, Design and Product Development, Marketing and Merchandising. Each class will include a panel discussion with industry professionals – providing an informative overview of a career in each of those fields. We’ll then deep dive into the respective 2025 FSF Case Study Prompt to help prepare Scholar Applicants pursuing that discipline.
• Master Classes:  these sessions, which will be featured throughout the eight-week program, will allow Scholars, Scholar Applicants and Alumni to hear from industry experts on relevant topics and current challenges of the industry.

** The  Kennedy Drayton Scholarship  provides $2,500 a year in financial support (renewable for a second year for a total of $5,000) to undergraduate students with financial need, incoming to the University of Washington, who demonstrate commitment to the principles of justice, equality, and diversity.  The deadline for the scholarship has been extended to  Monday, June 3. 

More information, and link to the application form:  https://labor.washington.edu/kennedydrayton

For any questions, please reach out to Sai Ahmed at  [email protected] .

** Are you interested in  FUNDED  graduate study, research or English teaching overseas?

Learn more about  Global Fellowships Prep (GFP)  and  join a session  to start the application process!

Fulbright Application Workshop – Study/Research Awards:   Tuesday, May 21, 2024, 4 – 5 p.m.

• https://washington.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYuceihqDMrGdK4hy6fVhLrIu77lgpXB89Q

Fulbright Application Workshop – English Teaching Assistant Awards:   Thursday May 30, 2024, 4 – 5 p.m.

• https://washington.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYofuyhqjovE9S9qMwlS5SIMOjbKkkntv7r

** Are you are wondering how these overseas experiences connect with your broader professional goals? And also, how you can submit your strongest applications?

Join us on Wednesday June 5, 3:30-5 PM at an  Ask an Advisor session !

Register  here for the zoom link  and drop in to brainstorm with us. Any and all questions welcome!!

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The Digital Variome: Understanding the Implications of Digital Tools on Health

CERSI Collaborators: University of California at San Francisco (UCSF): Andrew Auerbach MD MPH (UCSF, Variome and DOVeS); Benjamin Rosner MD PhD (UCSF, Variome and DOVeS co-PI); Stanford Univerisity (Stanford): Matthew Horridge PhD (Stanford, DOVeS)

FDA Collaborators: Center for Devices and Radiological Health(CDRH): Bakul Patel, MS, MBA (Formerly of CDRH); Vinay Pai, PhD; Catherine Bahr; Leeda Rashid, MD, MPH, ABFM; Arti Tandon, PhD; Charlie Yongpravat, PhD; Anindita Saha, PhD

CERSI Subcontractors: Flying Buttress Associates- Jeph Herrin, PhD

CERSI In-Kind Collaborators: Stanford Univerisity (Stanford): Mark Musen, PhD (Stanford, DOVeS)

Non-Federal Entity Collaborators: Johnson and Johnson- Karla Childers, MSJ, Paul Coplan, ScD, MBA, Stephen Johnston, MSc

Project Start Date: October 12, 2021 Project End Date: February 28, 2022-->

Regulatory Science Framework

Charge I “Modernize development and evaluation of FDA-regulated project” and Focus Area “C. Analytical and computational Methods.”

Regulatory Science Challenge

There is a consistent need to research and develop the methods used to ensure the quality and safety of FDA-regulated products. Research and development in this area helps FDA employ scientifically valid approaches for combining patient input and data from multiple sources. These 'real world' data insights are key to informing regulatory decision-making both for traditionally regulated products (e.g. drugs and devices) as well as for new and emerging products such as digital health tools. Furthermore, as the FDA considers new products for regulatory approval, they may examine whether these new products are “substantially equivalent” to previously approved products. The wave of new digital health products creates regulatory decision challenges that need to be informed by real world data and data that help identify the degree to which products may be similar.

Project Description and Goals

The Digital Variome project extends work that is ongoing as part of our overarching CERSI project Developing Frameworks and Tools for Integration of Digital Health Tools into Clinical Practice , a national network of leading academic medical centers, researchers, and innovators working to identify how real world measures and data can be used across types of software used in health, and the eventual data sources required to carry out real world performance measurement and post-market surveillance of digital health tools (DHTs). ADviCE identified several challenges to DHT adoption: (1) Variable definitions of which DHTs are relevant to clinical care delivery; (2) Lack of consistent, common terms to describe DHTs during selection, (3) Wide variability in how health systems integrate DHTs into practice and, (4) Lack of a framework and tools to evaluate DHTs’ real-world performance through post-market surveillance.

The ADviCE project in turn framed the goals of the Variome proposal, which focused on identifying data sources and potential partnerships needed to create a learning health collaboration that might leverage tools such as NEST or resources (e.g., PCORnet, or payor data) to provide data needed to carry out post-market surveillance of DHTs. Few of these data networks or partnerships could gather information needed for DHT post-market surveillance, so investigators turned their attention to tools which would both facilitate efficient specification of DHT characteristics while also being flexibly able to accommodate measures that might vary between DHTs even though applicable to similar patients or health systems.

With this realization, the research team extended their Priority Measurement framework and expanded it to represent a range of potential metrics applicable to real world performance. Investigators built on their consensus work from Developing Frameworks and Tools for Integration of Digital Health Tools into Clinical Practice to identify specific domains and measures relevant to each broad domain. For example, within the area of Product Performance  Cybersecurity, investigators developed subdomains where metric identification was recognized as a key next step. Not surprisingly, a wide range of potential measures were identified. For example, each of the Measure Concepts for Real World Health might have dozens or even hundreds of patient- or population-specific metrics that are supported by evidence, are broadly used, or both.

This realization led to development of the Digital medicine Outcomes Value Set (DOVeS), as a powerful and flexible approach to classifying digital health tools according to key features and important clinical outcomes identified by our work to this point.

DOVeS was blueprinted using Protégé software using input from research collaborators and professional ontologists so that it permits flexible expansion as outcomes or population definitions change and technology advances. DOVeS was then tested and validated against real DHT and company characteristics to yield a working prototype that facilitates search and display of data using the overall ADviCE/Variome approach. DOVeS has been published on BioPortal and is publicly available for broad use.

DOVeS has the potential to be scaled up to include a broader and more representative sample of real-world digital health tools, accommodate new technologies (e.g. large language lodels (LLMs)), while also being tested for usability and feasibility as a practical framework for use by health systems, vendors, and regulators use.

Research Outcomes/Results

There are several outcomes to date associated with the development of the Variome project and DOVeS Ontology. The first is that the DOVeS ontology has been expanded substantially over the course of this support, informed by real world digital health outcomes gleaned from industry and academic experts. The second is that DOVeS has been made publicly available on the BioPortal website so that a community of digital health experts may continue to contribute to it over time. The third is that a prototype user interface overlying DOVeS has been created (only a non-functional wireframe was originally proposed) leading to functional demonstrations that show the power and value of DOVeS in identifying tools based on common outcomes. Fourth, several public presentations of DOVeS have been made. Finally, a peer reviewed publication on the development of DOVeS is forthcoming and will help disseminate awareness of the ontology and its value. In the future, investigators hope to convert the prototype front end user interface into a robust platform capable of supporting regulatory insights as well as health system leader inquiries and decisions about digital health tools.

Research Impacts

This project enhances foundational requirements for regulatory science research by providing the FDA and other stakeholders with a new way to categorize and identify digital health tools based on outcomes they influence. This is particularly valuable to enable more appropriate apples-to-apples comparison of digital health tools that influence similar outcomes which could be valuable for "substantial equivalence" assessment as well as both superiority and non-inferiority considerations. The ontology is also particularly valuable for ongoing post-market surveillance.

Publications

No peer-reviewed publications to date; Investigators plan to analyze and publish follow-up study results.

Dr. Auerbach has published invited editorials in JAMA IM on digital health regulation based in part on his experiences with ADviCE.

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ESDRI Seed Grants Enable Early-Stage Research on Indigenous Land Conservation, Carbon Stabilization, and Invasive Species

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Each year the  Environmental Science and Design Research Institute (ESDRI) hosts a competitive request for proposals which are reviewed by an interdisciplinary panel, awarding seed grants with funding up to $12,000 for multidisciplinary research related to ESDRI’s wide-ranging  areas of focus . These seed grants provide funds for preliminary or early-stage research, facilitating the building blocks to apply for extramural funding.

The application cycle for seed grants is typically early spring. To apply, at least one person from the research team must be an  ESDRI affiliated faculty member . If you are interested in becoming an ESDRI affiliated faculty member, please email  [email protected] .

This year the institute awarded three seed grants and they are thrilled to support this important and timely research!

"Two-eyed seeing in Earth observations: co-creating data tools and capacity for Earth observations data analysis in support of California’s land transfer policy"

Elaine (Lan Yin) Hsiao, PhD (Assistant Professor, School of Peace and Conflict Studies) and  He Yin, PhD (Assistant Professor, Department of Geography) were awarded an ESDRI seed grant to conduct a pilot study focused on supporting the transfer of land back to California Tribal Nations using two-eyed seeing that combines both remote sensing and Indigenous knowledge. This includes identifying lands that are at risk, from stressors such as degradation or wildfire, that would benefit from Indigenous conservation. “This work has real world implications because it is taking place in a state where funds are provided for Tribes to buy back land,” says Hsiao, “Within this project we can identify lands that might be optimal for land transfer while at the same time strengthening the argument that these lands should be given back.” 

This work centers around workshops with Tribal members in which they will first meet and begin the project design process, then the core research team will bring initial research back to Tribal members, and finally the whole team will work together to pull everything they have learned into a larger project proposal for external funding. The first workshop, taking place this summer, will include “listening sessions to understand the needs of the stakeholders,” tells He, “which are much needed to guide our remote sensing work.” He is excited to begin his first remote sensing project in the environmental justice sphere, adding “What is even more exciting is that I will co-design the research with the stakeholder, rather than just working alone.”

Joining Hsiao and He on this project are undergraduate students Rae Baba (Junior, Environmental Studies with Environment, Peace, and Justice minor) and Andrew Shenal (Sophomore, Environmental Studies with Geography and GIS minors). Both are participants in the  Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) program and are supported by ESDRI and the  Anti-Racism and Equity Institute (AREI), respectively.

The research team states that the seed grant makes this co-design process possible. By creating the workshops in California, it allows them to physically meet with partners and design together, from the basic plans of the project to how data is managed. Hsiao says, “This level of collaboration requires a lot of time together to work through questions and ideas, and it is really not possible to build this trust and side-by-side cooperation otherwise.”

Find out more about this Indigenous land conservation research project 

"Unlocking secrets below: Investigating the spatial heterogeneity of carbon stabilization in Arctic lake sediments through a visual lens"

Chelsea Smith, PhD (Postdoctoral Scholar, Department of Earth Sciences),  Allyson Tessin, PhD (Assistant Professor, Department of Earth Sciences), and  Shannon Hines  (Manager, Design Innovation Hub) will be deploying a camera system to study lake sediments in an Arctic lake in Alaska with their seed grant. Lakes hold an important role in carbon sequestration, but with climate change, that carbon isn’t necessarily going to remain stored in lake sediments. “Warming causes more carbon to enter lakes from the surrounding landscape as permafrost thaws, then in turn microbes can eat that carbon, releasing carbon dioxide,” tells Smith, “However, metals, such as iron and manganese, may stabilize the carbon, making it inaccessible to microbes allowing it to eventually become buried in the sediments over time.” The group's preliminary research shows that some parts of their research lake, Lake Toolik, are high in iron, while other parts are high in manganese. This interesting feature of the lake will allow them to look at the role of each of these metals separately and see if they are doing similar or different things.

Being awarded an ESDRI seed grant allowed an increase in interdisciplinarity for this research. Smith and Tessin brought on Hines as well as Nicholas Cindrich (BE ‘24, Mechatronics Engineering Technology), to help with the planning and design of the 3D printed camera and light attachments that will fasten to their sediment coring device. Sediment cores are a traditional way to sample sediment in lakes, but adding the camera and light allows for videos to be taken of the process to use in outreach and education material. Additionally, the team noticed some odd striations in one sampling site in Toolik Lake (right) and this new tool will allow them to examine that abnormality more closely. A prototype of this camera system will be tested out in the Central Basin of Lake Erie in June with plans to take it to Alaska in August.

Smith is very passionate about outreach and has plans to disseminate this information as well as generally teach students about this type of research in collaboration with the Toolik Field Station, the Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program, and as a Scientist in Residency at the Sitka Sound Science Center. Through these programs she’ll be with students from grade school through high school, participating in workshops, group projects, panel discussions, radio and podcast interviews, and classroom visits.

Find out more about this carbon stabilization research project

"Understanding the Early-Stage Invasion Dynamics of Box Tree Moths in Midwestern USA: Integrating Genomics and Landscape Approaches"

Sangeet Lamichhaney, PhD (Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences),  Sarah Eichler, PhD  (Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences), and  He Yin, PhD (Assistant Professor, Department of Geography) were awarded a seed grant to study the early-stage invasion of the Box Tree Moth (Cydalima perspectalis) in Ohio, Michigan, and New York. This work will be key to understanding the invasion dynamics of this moth, which decimates boxwood trees (Buxus sps.), but also has the potential to answer bigger questions in the field of invasion biology. “Most invasive systems we study are already established systems. We don’t normally get to study the biological processes associated with early stages of invasion, so we have a very interesting case with the Box Tree Moths which were first identified in the USA in 2021,” says Lamichhaney. “We will begin trapping Box Tree Moth adults and larvae in May and use genomics tools to characterize genetic diversity and population structure of local invasive populations, identify genetic markers associated with their successful introduction and explore where these populations originated from.”

During this time Eichler will lead the collection of “on the ground” data, and states “we will do a rapid assessment of the plant community near each trap as well as assess the relative development intensity of the area.” The team will also obtain plant tissue and soil samples to test the attractiveness of pests based on plant and soil nutrition. Alongside, He will be at the field sites to learn about the vegetation and landscape. “Such information is vital for guiding remote sensing work,” says He.

One of the key pieces to this work is the combination of genomic and landscape approaches. In addition to this “on the ground” data collection, Eichler and Yin will be analyzing landscape characteristics such as topography, land use patterns, habitat composition from satellite imagery to see if plant community may be a factor in where the moths become established. He tells us “While you cannot detect individual moths from satellite images, we can see the damage of the moth to plants, which can be used to trace moths.” These elements will be combined to answer the questions about the invasion dynamics of this pest. Lamichhaney, Eichler and He expect to accomplish a detailed assessment of surrounding landscape features in the invasion areas and identify the spatial relationships between genetic variations in local invasive populations and landscape features.

The team includes a handful of students with key skills from genomics to remote sensing and GIS: Aarati Basnet (PhD Student, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology), Carter Henry (Junior, Zoology), Aciano Leipply-Caban (Sophomore, Botany with Climate Change and GIS minors), and Gus Holman (incoming PhD Student, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology). 

The research team states that this new collaboration and the transdisciplinarity of the project was made possible, in part, by ESDRI. They are currently collaborating with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA), with plans to produce public awareness campaign materials based on the results of this study. Given the popularity of the Box Tree as an ornamental plant, it is crucial to involve the public in understanding the invasion in our region and methods for its control.    

Find out more about this invasive species research project

Kent State University is proud to be ranked as an  R1 Carnegie Classification .  Aside from the Environmental Science and Design Research Institute,  explore the other institutes and initiatives that are dedicated to cutting edge research and development .

To learn more about the Environmental Science and Design Research Institute’s Seed Grant Program as well view past awarded projects, please visit the Seed Grant Program page

• Environmental Science and Design Research Institute
• Department of Biological Sciences
• Department of Earth Sciences
• Department of Geography
• School of Peace and Conflict Studies
• Anti-Racism and Equity Institute

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