Free template · master's and PhD

How to Write a Research Proposal

A research proposal explains what you'll research, why it matters and how you'll do it. Use the template and example below, or plan your own proposal section by section from your topic and ideas.

An outline is a plan: you write the essay in your own words. Your text is used only to answer and isn't stored.

Example: 5-paragraph essay outline

  1. I. Introduction: hook, background, thesis statement
  2. II. Body paragraph 1: topic sentence, evidence, explanation
  3. III. Body paragraph 2: topic sentence, evidence, explanation
  4. IV. Body paragraph 3: topic sentence, evidence, explanation (or counter-argument)
  5. V. Conclusion: restate the thesis, sum up, final thought

Enter your topic to get an outline built for your essay, with what each section should do and the evidence to look for.

How to write a research proposal

  1. 1Choose a focused topic. Pick a question you care about that is narrow enough to answer with the time, data and word count you have.
  2. 2Write your research question. State exactly what you'll find out, and why it matters: the gap or problem your research addresses.
  3. 3Review the literature. Summarize what's already known, group it by theme, and show the gap your study fills.
  4. 4Plan your methods. Explain your design, participants or data, how you'll collect it and how you'll analyze it, and why these methods fit.
  5. 5Add timeline, ethics and significance. Set realistic milestones, note ethical issues and limitations, and say what your results could change.

Research proposal format and template

The standard outline format uses Roman numerals for main sections and letters and numbers for the points under them:

I. Main idea
   A. Supporting point
      1. Detail or evidence
         a. Smaller detail
   B. Supporting point
II. Main idea
   A. Supporting point

The usual outline for each type of writing. Copy one, or let the generator fill it in for your topic.

Research proposal

  1. Title and short summary
  2. Background and problem statement
  3. Research questions or aims
  4. Literature review: what's known and the gap
  5. Methodology: design, data, analysis
  6. Timeline
  7. Expected outcomes and significance
  8. Ethics and limitations
  9. References

Research paper

  1. Introduction and research question
  2. Literature review
  3. Methods
  4. Results
  5. Discussion
  6. Conclusion and further research

Research Proposal FAQs

What is a research proposal?

A research proposal is a document that sets out what you plan to research, why it matters and how you'll do it. Universities ask for one to approve a dissertation or thesis, and funders ask for one before giving a grant.

What is the research proposal format?

Most proposals include: title, background and problem statement, research questions or aims, literature review, methodology, timeline, expected outcomes and significance, ethics, and references. Check your department's guidelines for required sections and length.

How long is a research proposal?

Usually 1,500–3,000 words for a master's dissertation and 2,500–5,000 words for a PhD application, but follow the word limit your university or funder sets.

Can you show a research proposal example?

Yes. The example outline below shows what goes in each section. Generate your own to get one built around your topic, research question and methods.

Is the outline generator free?

Yes. You can try it twice a day without an account, and a free account gets 5 a day. Premium gets 100 a day for every StudyCoach tool.

Is using an outline generator cheating?

An outline is a plan, not the essay. It gives you a structure and points to develop; you research and write every sentence yourself. Check your school's rules on AI tools.

More outline help: Literature Review Generator · Research Question Generator · Essay Outline Generator · Research Paper Outline · Outline Format. Also try the thesis statement generator, the citation generator and the AI Essay Grader. Writing a dissertation? Map it out with the free dissertation timeline maker and track it in the Thesis & Dissertation Tracker.

Keep going

Your next step

🧰 Browse all tools and exam plans

Free exam study plans: College & university tools · SAT & ACT Prep · SAT practice test · ACT practice test · PSAT practice test · GRE practice test · GMAT practice test · SAT study plan · ACT study plan · MCAT study schedule · LSAT study schedule · GRE study plan · NCLEX study plan · USMLE Step 1 study schedule · Revision timetable (GCSE, A-level)