phd proposal how to write

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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How to write a successful research proposal

As the competition for PhD places is incredibly fierce, your research proposal can have a strong bearing on the success of your application - so discover how to make the best impression

What is a research proposal?

Research proposals are used to persuade potential supervisors and funders that your work is worthy of their support. These documents setting out your proposed research that will result in a Doctoral thesis are typically between 1,500 and 3,000 words in length.

Your PhD research proposal must passionately articulate what you want to research and why, convey your understanding of existing literature, and clearly define at least one research question that could lead to new or original knowledge and how you propose to answer it.

Professor Leigh Wilson, director of the graduate school at the University of Westminster, explains that while the research proposal is about work that hasn't been done yet, what prospective supervisors and funders are focusing on just as strongly is evidence of what you've done - how well you know existing literature in the area, including very recent publications and debates, and how clearly you've seen what's missing from this and so what your research can do that's new. Giving a strong sense of this background or frame for the proposed work is crucial.

'Although it's tempting to make large claims and propose research that sweeps across time and space, narrower, more focused research is much more convincing,' she adds. 'To be thorough and rigorous in the way that academic work needs to be, even something as long as a PhD thesis can only cover a fairly narrow topic. Depth not breadth is called for.'

The structure of your research proposal is therefore important to achieving this goal, yet it should still retain sufficient flexibility to comfortably accommodate any changes you need to make as your PhD progresses.

Layout and formats vary, so it's advisable to consult your potential PhD supervisor before you begin. Here's what to bear in mind when writing a research proposal.

Your provisional title should be around ten words in length, and clearly and accurately indicate your area of study and/or proposed approach. It should be catchy, informative and interesting.

The title page should also include personal information, such as your name, academic title, date of birth, nationality and contact details.

Aims and objectives

This is a short summary of your project. Your aims should be two or three broad statements that emphasise what you ultimately want to achieve, complemented by several focused, feasible and measurable objectives - the steps that you'll take to answer each of your research questions. This involves clearly and briefly outlining:

• how your research addresses a gap in, or builds upon, existing knowledge
• how your research links to the department that you're applying to
• the academic, cultural, political and/or social significance of your research questions.

Literature review

This section of your PhD proposal discusses the most important theories, models and texts that surround and influence your research questions, conveying your understanding and awareness of the key issues and debates.

It should focus on the theoretical and practical knowledge gaps that your work aims to address, as this ultimately justifies and provides the motivation for your project.

Methodology

Here, you're expected to outline how you'll answer each of your research questions. A strong, well-written methodology is crucial, but especially so if your project involves extensive collection and significant analysis of primary data.

In disciplines such as humanities the research proposal methodology identifies the data collection and analytical techniques available to you, before justifying the ones you'll use in greater detail. You'll also define the population that you're intending to examine.

You should also show that you're aware of the limitations of your research, qualifying the parameters that you plan to introduce. Remember, it's more impressive to do a fantastic job of exploring a narrower topic than a decent job of exploring a wider one.

Concluding or following on from your methodology, your timetable should identify how long you'll need to complete each step - perhaps using bi-weekly or monthly timeslots. This helps the reader to evaluate the feasibility of your project and shows that you've considered how you'll go about putting the PhD proposal into practice.

Bibliography

Finally, you'll provide a list of the most significant texts, plus any attachments such as your academic CV . Demonstrate your skills in critical reflection by selecting only those resources that are most appropriate.

Final checks

Before submitting this document along with your PhD application, you'll need to ensure that you've adhered to the research proposal format. This means that:

• every page is numbered
• it's professional, interesting and informative
• the research proposal has been proofread by both an experienced academic (to confirm that it conforms to academic standards) and a layman (to correct any grammatical or spelling errors)
• it has a contents page
• you've used a clear and easy-to-read structure, with appropriate headings.

Research proposal examples

To get a better idea of how your PhD proposal may look, some universities have provided examples of research proposals for specific subjects:

• The Open University - Social Policy and Criminology
• University of Sheffield - Sociological Studies
• University of Sussex
• University of York - Politics

Find out more

• Explore PhD studentships .
• For tips on writing a thesis, see 7 steps to writing a dissertation .
• Read more about PhD study .

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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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Research Voyage

Research Tips and Infromation

Art of Writing Doctoral (PhD.) Research Proposal to Universities

Let me share a story about a friend of mine who faced a tough time with his PhD research proposal. His experience is a powerful reminder of how crucial it is to structure your proposal properly, and how the right guidance can make all the difference.

My friend had a brilliant research idea, something that could really make a mark in his field. He poured his heart and soul into his proposal, believing that his innovative concepts would shine through. However, when he submitted his proposals to several universities, he faced a string of rejections. It wasn’t because his ideas lacked merit, but because his proposals were poorly structured.

He was understandably disheartened. He couldn’t understand why his proposals were being turned down. He was sure his research could have a significant impact, but the feedback he received from the admissions committees highlighted issues with organization, clarity, and coherence. Essentially, his proposals were too scattered, with no clear thread linking the various sections.

Determined not to give up, my friend sought the help of a research consultant. This consultant had a track record of helping PhD candidates craft compelling research proposals that met the rigorous standards of academic institutions. Together, they began the process of reconstructing his proposal from the ground up.

The consultant introduced my friend to the importance of structuring a proposal properly. They started by creating a clear outline that included all the key elements: a strong title, a compelling abstract, a thorough literature review, clearly defined research questions, a detailed methodology, and a realistic timeline. They ensured that each section flowed logically into the next, creating a cohesive narrative that would resonate with the admissions committees.

With the consultant’s guidance, my friend learned how to write with clarity and focus. He refined his language, avoided jargon, and ensured that each word contributed to the overall message of his proposal. They also worked on highlighting the significance and potential impact of his research, demonstrating why his study was not only feasible but also necessary.

When my friend resubmitted his revised proposal, the response was dramatically different. Universities that had previously rejected his work now showed interest. He received invitations for interviews and, ultimately, offers for PhD positions. His experience underscored the critical role that structure and clarity play in a successful research proposal.

This story is a testament to the importance of seeking guidance when faced with challenges and the power of resilience. It reminds us that even the best ideas need to be communicated effectively to gain the recognition they deserve. With the right support and a well-structured proposal, my friend was able to pursue his academic dreams and make a meaningful contribution to his field.

In my blog post, you’ll find valuable tips and strategies for creating a compelling research proposal that stands out to admissions committees. I cover everything from structuring your proposal to crafting a clear narrative, all aimed at helping you avoid common pitfalls and increase your chances of success. By following these guidelines and learning from stories like my friend’s, you can make your research proposal a powerful tool on your path to a PhD.

Introduction

Language point of view, domain point of view, how to write abstract for phd proposal, how to write a literature review for phd proposal.

• How to Write Problem Statement and   Objectives for PhD Proposal?

How to Write a Method Section for PhD Proposal?

How to draw activity chart section for phd proposal, how to write ethical considerations in research proposal, how to outline the preliminary work carried out for the phd proposal, how to write the conclusion section for the phd proposal, how to write the references section for the phd proposal, appendices (if applicable) for phd research proposal, final thoughts.

Universities require Ph.D. applicants to submit a research proposal before accepting a candidate for a Ph.D. admission. A research proposal is a comprehensive document of around 4000-5000  words, giving a broad overview of the research that a research scholar is willing to pursue.

A research proposal will help a research scholar to give shape to his innovative ideas and prepare an outline that he would like to follow during his Ph.D. studies.

In a research proposal, the candidate needs to provide details on what motivated the candidate to take up research in the specified domain; which research papers support his research problem under consideration; what objectives can be achieved within the time frame defined by the university;  how will he go about research, including approach and methodology; timeline and feasibility as well as any other considerations that must be made to progress the research, such as computing and machinery resources.

Many universities provide guidelines on writing research proposals that will help a research scholar to structure his ideas and meet the requirements of a specific university. Regardless of university-specific requirements, most of the research proposals usually include:

Here are the key sections typically included in a PhD research proposal:

• Title: A concise and descriptive title that reflects the focus of the research proposal.
• Abstract: A brief summary of the research proposal, highlighting the research problem, objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes.
• Introduction: Provides an overview of the research project, background information on the research area, and justification for the significance and relevance of the proposed research.
• Literature Review: An in-depth review and analysis of existing literature and research relevant to the proposed research topic, highlighting the current knowledge, gaps, and research questions.
• Research Questions or Objectives: Clearly states the specific research questions or objectives that the study aims to address and investigate.
• Methodology: Describes the research design, methods, data collection techniques, and analytical approaches that will be used to address the research questions or objectives.
• Expected Outcomes: Specifies the anticipated outcomes, contributions, and potential impacts of the proposed research.
• Timeline: Presents a detailed timeline or Gantt chart outlining the planned activities and milestones for the research project, including estimated completion dates for each phase.
• Ethical Considerations: Discusses any ethical considerations associated with the research, such as participant consent, data privacy, or potential risks, and outlines how these will be addressed.
• Budget: Provides a budgetary breakdown of the resources required for conducting the research, including any funding sources or external support.
• References: Lists all the references cited throughout the research proposal, following the referencing style or conventions specified by the institution or field.
• Appendices (if applicable): Includes any additional supporting materials, such as questionnaires, interview guides, or data samples, that are relevant to the research proposal.

It’s important to note that the specific structure and naming of sections may vary depending on the institution, field of study, and specific guidelines provided by the research program or department. Let us discuss these sections one by one.

Please note before submitting the research proposal just check whether you have few research publications in your name. The reason being, most of the universities keep research publications as one of the parameter for selection. If you have not published yet , please refer to my article on ” How to write a research paper ” . If you already have a conference paper , that you can extend it to a journal paper by referring to my article on Extending a “Conference Paper to Journal Paper”

How to Write a Research Proposal Title?

The research title plays a vital role in obtaining approval for a PhD research proposal. It serves as a decisive factor that can capture the attention of the reader and convey the essence of the research. When assigning a title, it is essential to consider both language and domain perspectives.

From a language point of view, the title should be concise, avoiding redundancy and unnecessary phrasing. Capitalizing key elements and using familiar abbreviations can enhance clarity.

From a domain perspective, the title should accurately reflect the research area, whether it is within a core technology domain or a multidisciplinary field.

Additionally, incorporating relevant keywords and terms specific to the research discipline can further enhance the title’s effectiveness.

The following points should be considered from a language point of view while assigning the title for a research proposal.

• As a general guideline, try to keep your Title between 50 and 150 characters so that it can be easily remembered.
• Avoid redundant phrasing, such as, “A Study of,”,” An Analysis of”, “A Study to Investigate the…,” or “A Review of the….” or similar constructions.
• Capitalize all nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs that appear between the first and last words of the Title.[e.g. “Design of New and Efficient Algorithms for Robot Path Planning”].
• Rarely use abbreviations or acronyms unless they are commonly known. [e.g.: “Addressing HIV Issues Through Community Counselling” can be one of the Titles as HIV is an abbreviation well known. Whereas “Application of NN in  Solving Pathological Issues in Pomegranate Plant”  Here NN (Neural Network) is not known to many, which may lead to ambiguity.

A researcher begins his research voyage by selecting the research domain –  the area in which he intends to carry out his research.  The research domain can be

• Simply the core technology domain such as Cloud Computing, Big Data Analytics, or Image Processing where the researcher intends to add or improve framework or algorithms for the domain itself, or
• A multidisciplinary domain such as Cloud Computing in Agriculture; Image Processing in Health Care or Data Analytics for E-Commerce, etc.

The researcher may work in specific sub-domains such as Pathology in Agriculture, PAAS architecture in Cloud, Liver Cancer in Health care etc. While selecting the Title of the research proposal,  the domains and sub-domains of the research proposal should be clearly part of the Title as it makes things more clear for the adjudication panel about the topic of the research proposal.

The following points should also be considered from a research domain point of view while assigning the Research Title

• Titles should describe what the research is about – they should give the reader a clear idea as to what the paper is about.
• The initial aim of a title is to capture the reader’s attention and to highlight the research problem under investigation.
• Ensure that your Title includes keywords and terms which are commonly used within your research discipline.[e.g.  “ Development of Machine Learning Algorithms for  Grape Leaf Image Analysis ” ]

An abstract should usually be no longer than half a page, and provide a brief summary of what you are going to cover in your research proposal. Now how to fit the critical points from the entire proposal— why the research will be carried out, what the objectives are, how these will be addressed with different methodologies and what are the expected outcomes—into a paragraph of just 200-300 words. It’s not an easy task, but here’s a 08-step guide that should make it easier:

i. Start writing the abstract only after completing the proposal write-up.

ii. Explain the domain, subdomain and historical development in the subdomain in 20-40 words.

iii. List the major challenges identified ( from the research gap of the survey section) in 20-40 words.

iv. Explain the objectives you have set for the research in 20-40 words.

v. Describe the Methodology you will be using to solve the problem in  30-50 words.

vi. Explain how the results will be compared and analyzed.

vii. Make sure that the abstract does not contain new information, undefined abbreviations or group names or a discussion of previous literature or reference citations.

viii. There must be consistency between the information presented in the abstract and in the proposal.

Title: Development of a Deep Learning-Based Object Detection System for Autonomous Vehicles

This abstract provides a concise summary of the research proposal focused on developing a deep learning-based object detection system for autonomous vehicles. The abstract highlights the domain, major challenges, objectives, methodology, and result analysis, adhering to the guidelines for length and content.

“In the field of autonomous vehicles, this research proposal explores the development of a deep learning-based object detection system. The subdomain of computer vision and its historical development form the foundation of this study. Identified challenges, including accuracy and real-time performance, drive the research objectives. The proposed methodology involves training convolutional neural networks on large-scale datasets and evaluating performance metrics. Results will be compared and analyzed using established benchmarks. It is important to maintain consistency between the abstract and the proposal, avoiding new information, undefined abbreviations, or references. For a comprehensive understanding, please refer to the full blog post on writing abstracts.”

Note: The word count for the abstract in this example is within the specified range of 200-300 words.

How to Write an Introduction for PhD Proposal?

The introduction gives an overview of the research project you propose to carry out. It explains the background of the work, focusing briefly on the major issues of its knowledge domain and clarifying why these issues are worthy of attention.

It then proceeds with the concise presentation of the research statement. The research statement should capture both the essence of the proposal and its delimiting boundaries and should be followed by a clarification of the extent to which you expect its outcomes to represent an advance in the knowledge domain you have described.

The introduction should cite all relevant references pertaining to the major issues described, and it should close with a brief description of each one of the sections that follow.

The reader, by the end of the introduction, should know exactly what research issue you are trying to solve with your proposal. State the intent of your study, including the research question and your unique methodology to solve the problem.

The introduction should describe important results that you have found or hope to find. The introduction leads the reader from a general research issue or problem to your specific area of research. For more details, you can visit my blog post on Introduction.

Title: Enhancing Network Security through Machine Learning-Based Intrusion Detection Systems

Introduction:

The introduction of this research proposal provides an overview of the project, focusing on the background, major issues within the knowledge domain of network security, and the significance of addressing these issues. It includes a concise research statement, clarifying the boundaries of the proposal and the expected advancement in the knowledge domain. The introduction cites relevant references and provides a brief description of subsequent sections, aiming to guide the reader’s understanding of the research.

“In the realm of network security, this research proposal aims to enhance the protection of computer networks by employing machine learning-based intrusion detection systems. The background highlights the increasing threats and vulnerabilities in network environments, emphasizing the need for effective security measures. The research statement encapsulates the essence of the proposal, delineating the boundaries of the study and emphasizing its potential contribution to the knowledge domain.

Through an extensive review of relevant literature, the major issues in network security are discussed, supporting the motivation for this research. The subsequent sections will delve into the proposed methodology, including the training of machine learning models on diverse network data and the evaluation of their performance. Important results obtained or anticipated will be presented, with a focus on the novel insights and advancements they can offer in the field of network security.”

By the end of the introduction, the reader will have a clear understanding of the research problem being addressed, along with the research question and the unique methodology proposed to solve it. The introduction acts as a bridge, leading the reader from a general research issue to the specific area of network security. For a comprehensive understanding, please refer to the full blog post on writing introductions.

Start your introduction with a short history. There can be two possibilities to start an introduction. One way is to tell your readers whether was there a seminal paper, research funding, special event, or invention of an algorithm which spurred the development of the field under investigation.

For example,  one option is, the introduction of Big Data gave a new impetus to the storage and analysis of huge data sets.

Another option can be, the first paragraphs of your introduction should be a historical narrative, from the very first research in the field to the current day with key statistics describing the development of the field.

Here in both cases introduce the keywords of the field and describe what the various keywords mean.

Examples of both approaches mentioned above:

• Approach 1: Introduction influenced by a seminal paper or event

Title: Exploring the Applications of Blockchain Technology in Supply Chain Management

To establish the context and significance of the research topic concerning the applications of blockchain technology in supply chain management, the introduction begins with a reference to a seminal event that spurred the development of the field.

“Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System’ by Satoshi Nakamoto in 2008 laid the foundation for the transformative potential of blockchain technology. This groundbreaking work introduced the concept of a decentralized and secure ledger, inspiring a paradigm shift in various industries, including supply chain management.”

• Approach 2: Historical narrative approach

Title: Evolution of Natural Language Processing: From Early Language Models to Contemporary Deep Learning Techniques

In this research proposal focusing on the evolution of natural language processing (NLP), the introduction adopts a historical narrative approach to highlight the development of the field, from its inception to the current era of deep learning.

“The journey of natural language processing (NLP) dates back to the early days of computing when researchers began exploring methods to enable machines to understand and process human language. From the earliest rule-based language models to the emergence of statistical approaches in the 1990s, NLP has witnessed significant advancements over the years. With the advent of deep learning techniques and the availability of large-scale annotated datasets, the field has experienced a renaissance, achieving remarkable progress in tasks such as machine translation, sentiment analysis, and question-answering systems.”

In both cases, the introduction provides historical context and introduces keywords and concepts relevant to the research topic. The choice between these approaches depends on the specific research field and the availability of significant events, seminal papers, or milestones that have influenced its development.

The literature review demonstrates the applicant’s knowledge of the main research achievements in the area of study. You should pay attention to providing some of the key references in your area of research which requires extensive research on your part.

Provide an overview of existing thinking about and/or research into your research problem. Identify a gap, problem or unresolved issue in the existing knowledge/research that your research can fill or identify a research focus that will be useful.  Here your citations are crucial.  For keeping track of the survey papers one can use Zotero which I personally use. Try to survey the papers in which the authors are authoritative in the domain of your research.

The challenge here is to pick representative papers from within the research area and summarize them concisely. There can be a vast amount of papers available and a survey has limited space to capture the key work in the field.

The papers selected should be a mix of papers including the base paper in the selected domain to the most recently published paper. The author needs to go through abstracts and conclusions for a relatively large number of papers and select a subset that covers the selected topic area for detailed reading and presentation in the survey.

Identifying the papers having higher citations and which are published in conferences and journals of high reputation will have to be given higher priority for selection. Each survey should have its own analysis of the significance of the approach and the results presented in each paper.  For more details on literature review, you can visit my blog post on how to write survey paper.

The aim of this literature review is to explore the existing research on privacy challenges in blockchain-based systems. By analyzing key papers and identifying research gaps, this review aims to contribute to the understanding of privacy concerns in decentralized technologies.

Surveyed Papers:

• Paper Title: “Privacy-Preserving Transaction Mechanisms in Blockchain: A Comparative Study” Authors: Smith, J.; Johnson, A.; Brown, L. Publication: Journal of Blockchain Research, 2019Summary: This paper compares various privacy-preserving transaction mechanisms in blockchain, including ring signatures, zero-knowledge proofs, and confidential transactions. It evaluates their effectiveness in protecting user privacy and highlights the trade-offs between privacy and scalability. Gap Identified: While the paper provides a comprehensive analysis of existing privacy mechanisms, it lacks discussion on the impact of these mechanisms on blockchain network performance and resource requirements.
• Paper Title: “Address Reuse Vulnerabilities in Blockchain Systems: An Empirical Analysis” Authors: Lee, C.; Wang, S.; Zhang, H. Publication: International Conference on Security and Privacy in Blockchain, 2020Summary: This empirical study investigates the vulnerabilities associated with address reuse in blockchain systems. It analyzes real-world transaction data and demonstrates the risks of privacy leakage and deanonymization attacks. The paper proposes countermeasures to mitigate these vulnerabilities. Gap Identified: While the paper focuses on the risks of address reuse, it does not explore the effectiveness of different mitigation strategies or evaluate their impact on transaction throughput and computational overhead.
• Paper Title: “Privacy Regulations and Compliance Challenges in Blockchain: A Systematic Review” Authors: Garcia, M.; Rodriguez, P.; Martinez, E. Publication: IEEE International Conference on Blockchain, 2021Summary: This systematic review examines the legal and regulatory challenges associated with privacy in blockchain systems. It analyzes the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and explores the implications for blockchain-based data processing. The paper highlights the need for enhanced privacy compliance mechanisms. Gap Identified: While the paper provides an overview of privacy regulations, it lacks a comprehensive analysis of the technical solutions available to ensure compliance with GDPR requirements. Further exploration of privacy-enhancing techniques within the context of legal frameworks is needed.

Identified Gaps and Future Directions:

• Evaluation of Privacy-Scalability Trade-Offs: Future research should focus on quantifying the impact of privacy-enhancing techniques on the scalability and performance of blockchain networks. This will help identify optimal trade-offs between privacy and system efficiency.
• Integration of Privacy-Enhancing Technologies: There is a need for research that explores the integration of multiple privacy-preserving mechanisms to achieve enhanced privacy in blockchain systems. Investigations into interoperability and compatibility issues can contribute to more robust privacy solutions.
• Privacy in Emerging Blockchain Applications: Further studies should investigate privacy challenges and solutions in specific domains such as supply chain management, healthcare, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications. Understanding the unique privacy requirements of these contexts will facilitate the development of tailored privacy mechanisms.

How to Write Problem Statement and   Objectives for PhD Proposal?

The maiden task in writing a research proposal is to identify the “Research problem” that will be solved during the course of the research. Basically, a research problem identifies a gap/flaw/deviation in the existing system which needs further study/experimentation/analysis.

The statement of the problem briefly addresses the question: What is the problem that the research will address? The ultimate goal of a statement of the problem is to transform a generalized problem (something that bothers you; a perceived lack) into a targeted, well-defined problem; one that can be resolved through focused research and careful decision-making.

Research objectives divide the problem statements in to set of sub-problems. Each sub-problem forms a separate research objective.  It is advisable to have a minimum of 03 and maximum of 04 objectives can be set for the  PhD proposal. Each objective must be defined in such a way that the solution for the objective can be achievable within a span of 4-6 months.

Example: Problem Statement

The main objective of this work is to design novel and efficient algorithms for a  visually guided wheeled autonomous Robot that can explore an unknown or partially  known 3D environment, construct navigation maps, identify objects of interest and  plan paths. It is also aimed at reducing the uncertainties of real-life situations that  can cause problems for Robot navigation.  This problem involves four main objectives:

1. Efficient representation of the navigational environment to handle environmen tal uncertainties.

2. An appropriate mechanism to identify objects of interest from the sensors with  quick response time.

3. Predicting the motion of moving objects within the navigational environment.

4. Design of a control scheme for Robot navigation.

It must be emphasized that these tasks are in no way independent of each other.  The design of a Robot controller is dependent on the nature of the available knowledge  of the Robot’s immediate surroundings as well as the large-scale structure of the  environment. The richer and more accurate this knowledge is, the easier it becomes  to a suitable control algorithm.

Acquiring this knowledge, from sensory data is a challenging problem as it involves uncertainty. The prediction of the future position and trajectory of a moving object is dependent on how well the objects in the environment are sensed by the Robot.

The navigation system developed here is applicable to any indoor environment consisting of rooms, corridors and doorways, which are accessible by a wheeled platform. This behaviour is mainly but is not limited to personal and Service Robots.

The method section of a research proposal represents the technical steps involved in conducting the research. Details about the methods focus on characterizing and defining them, explaining your chosen techniques, and providing a full account of the procedures used for selecting, collecting and analyzing the data.

The methods section of a research proposal should fully explain the reasons for choosing a specific methodology or technique . Also, it’s essential that the researcher describes the specific research methods of data collection he is going to use , whether they are primary or secondary data collection.

The methods the researcher chooses should have a clear connection with the overall research approach and he needs to explain the reasons for choosing the research techniques in his study, and how they help you towards understanding his study’s purpose.

You can refer to my post in, the writing methodology section for more details.

Research Approach:

This study adopts a supervised learning approach to develop a sentiment analysis algorithm. It involves training a machine learning model on labeled data to classify text into positive, negative, or neutral sentiments.

Data Collection and Preprocessing:

• Dataset Selection: A widely used sentiment analysis dataset, such as the IMDb movie reviews dataset, will be selected. It consists of a large collection of movie reviews along with their corresponding sentiment labels.
• Data Cleaning: The text data will be preprocessed by removing punctuation, stop words, and performing tokenization to obtain a clean representation of the text.
• Feature Extraction: Text features will be extracted using techniques such as bag-of-words or word embeddings to represent the input text data numerically.

Algorithm Development:

• Model Selection: Several machine learning models, such as Naive Bayes, Support Vector Machines (SVM), and Recurrent Neural Networks (RNN), will be considered for sentiment analysis.
• Model Training: The selected models will be trained using the labeled dataset. The dataset will be split into training and validation sets for model training and evaluation, respectively.
• Hyperparameter Tuning: Hyperparameters of the models, such as regularization parameters or learning rates, will be tuned using techniques like grid search or Bayesian optimization to improve the model’s performance.

Evaluation and Performance Metrics:

• Model Evaluation: The trained models will be evaluated on the validation set using appropriate evaluation metrics, such as accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score, to assess their performance in sentiment classification.
• Cross-Validation: To ensure the robustness of the models, k-fold cross-validation will be performed, where the dataset will be divided into k subsets and the models will be trained and evaluated k times using different train-test splits.
• Comparative Analysis: The performance of different models will be compared based on their evaluation metrics to identify the most effective algorithm for sentiment analysis.

Implementation and Testing:

• Implementation: The selected machine learning algorithm will be implemented using a suitable programming language, such as Python, along with relevant libraries such as scikit-learn or TensorFlow.
• Testing: The developed algorithm will be tested on unseen data, such as a separate test dataset or real-time user-generated text, to assess its generalization capability and real-world performance.

Ethical Considerations: This study will adhere to ethical guidelines by ensuring data privacy and confidentiality. It will use publicly available datasets or appropriately anonymized data to avoid potential privacy concerns.

By employing a supervised learning approach and utilizing standard machine learning models, this research aims to develop an accurate sentiment analysis algorithm for text classification. The dataset selection, data preprocessing, algorithm development, and evaluation procedures outlined above will provide a systematic methodology for building and assessing the performance of the sentiment analysis model.

Please note that this is an illustrative example, and the specific methods and techniques may vary depending on the specific research problem and objectives in the computer science domain.

In this section of the research proposal, the researcher should provide a detailed description of the planned activities and tasks that will be carried out as part of the research project. This includes the literature that will be explored in-depth, principles or theorems that will be formulated and proven, experiments that will be conducted, sub-systems that will be built, systems integrations that will be performed, and tests that will be accomplished. It is also desirable to establish specific milestones and timelines to track progress and ensure the research project stays on schedule.

Here’s an example of how the description and timeline section could be presented in a computer science research proposal:

Description and Timeline:

• Literature Review: Conduct an in-depth review of relevant research papers, books, and articles in the field of artificial intelligence and machine learning. (Duration: 2 months)
• Formulation of Principles: Develop and formulate new principles and algorithms for optimizing deep neural networks. (Duration: 3 months)
• Experimental Setup: Set up the necessary hardware and software environment for conducting experiments. (Duration: 1 month)
• Data Collection: Gather and preprocess datasets for training and evaluation purposes. (Duration: 2 weeks)
• Algorithm Implementation: Implement the proposed algorithms and techniques using Python and TensorFlow. (Duration: 4 months)
• Experiments and Evaluation: Conduct experiments to evaluate the performance and effectiveness of the developed algorithms. (Duration: 2 months)
• Analysis and Results: Analyze the experimental results, interpret findings, and draw conclusions. (Duration: 1 month)
• Writing and Documentation: Prepare the research report, including the introduction, methodology, results, and conclusion sections. (Duration: 2 months)

Example: Gantt Chart for PhD Work Proposal

Discuss any ethical considerations associated with the research, such as participant consent, data privacy, or potential risks, and outlines how these will be addressed.

It involves discussing any potential ethical issues that may arise during the research process and outlining how these issues will be addressed to ensure the rights and well-being of participants and the integrity of the research.

Here are some key elements to consider when discussing ethical considerations:

• Participant Consent: Explain how informed consent will be obtained from participants, ensuring that they understand the purpose of the study, their rights, and any potential risks involved. Describe the procedures for obtaining and documenting consent.
• Confidentiality and Data Privacy: Discuss how participant confidentiality and data privacy will be protected throughout the research process. Explain how data will be collected, stored, and anonymized to ensure that participants’ identities are kept confidential.
• Data Protection: Outline measures to protect personal data and comply with relevant data protection regulations or guidelines. Discuss how data will be securely stored, accessed, and shared, including any measures to prevent unauthorized access or breaches.
• Potential Risks and Mitigation: Identify any potential risks or harm that participants may encounter during the research, and describe the steps that will be taken to minimize or mitigate these risks. This may involve ensuring the physical and emotional well-being of participants and providing appropriate support or referrals if needed.
• Ethical Approval: If required by your institution, mention whether you have obtained or plan to seek ethical approval from the relevant research ethics committee or institutional review board. Provide details about the ethical review process and any necessary approvals obtained.
• Compliance with Regulations and Guidelines: Discuss how the proposed research will comply with any applicable ethical guidelines, codes of conduct, or regulatory frameworks specific to your field of study or the location of the research.

It is important to approach ethical considerations with sensitivity and transparency, demonstrating a clear commitment to upholding ethical standards in your research. By addressing these ethical considerations, you demonstrate your commitment to conducting responsible and ethical research.

This section of the research proposal gives a concise outline of the work carried out so far and the progress made towards the objectives of the project.

Here the researcher has to showcase his passion towards the research proposal he has selected through some preliminary work carried out so far. Preliminary work can be gathering data regarding infrastructure/software requirements, collection of standard data sets, implementation of the existing algorithms for the proposed work etc.

If the researcher has already got some preliminary results then he should provide them in a  simplified manner that helps support the rest of the proposal. If the researcher has submitted/presented some survey paper or work paper, then that should be highlighted. This section should concentrate on the parts that contribute specifically to the goals of the proposal, avoiding detailed descriptions.

Preliminary Work:

• Data Gathering: Extensive data collection has been carried out to gather the required information regarding user preferences, item attributes, and historical interactions. This includes scraping data from online platforms, accessing publicly available datasets, and designing surveys to gather user feedback.
• Infrastructure and Software Requirements: The necessary infrastructure and software tools for the recommendation system have been identified and set up. This includes configuring the required servers, databases, and software frameworks like Apache Spark or TensorFlow for efficient data processing and modeling.

Implementation of Existing Algorithms:

• Literature Review: A comprehensive literature review has been conducted to understand the state-of-the-art recommendation algorithms and their applicability to the proposed research. Key algorithms such as collaborative filtering, content-based filtering, and matrix factorization have been studied in detail.
• Algorithm Implementation: Several existing recommendation algorithms have been implemented as a baseline for comparison. This includes coding and testing algorithms in Python using appropriate libraries such as scikit-learn or TensorFlow. Preliminary results have been obtained to assess their performance on the collected data.

Survey and Work Paper:

• Survey Paper: A survey paper focusing on the advancements in recommendation systems, specifically in the domain of personalized music recommendations, has been submitted to a prestigious conference. The paper provides an overview of existing techniques and identifies research gaps that the proposed work aims to address.
• Work Paper: A work-in-progress paper detailing the initial findings and experiments conducted has been presented at a relevant workshop. The paper highlights the challenges faced in implementing recommendation algorithms and provides insights into the potential improvements that can be made.

Results Summary: The preliminary results obtained from the implemented recommendation algorithms indicate promising performance in terms of accuracy and relevance of recommendations. However, further analysis and evaluation are required to fine-tune the algorithms and optimize their performance. The obtained results serve as a strong foundation for the proposed research, demonstrating the feasibility and potential impact of the recommendation system.

It is important to note that the progress section of the research proposal provides a concise overview of the work carried out so far, emphasizing the aspects that directly contribute to the research objectives. The mentioned preliminary work, algorithm implementation, and dissemination of research findings demonstrate the researcher’s dedication and expertise in the field, laying the groundwork for the proposed research project.

The conclusion briefly restates the objectives of the research proposal, recap the research approach the researcher plans to follow, and clarifies in a few words what he is expecting to find out, why it is scientifically valuable, and how he is going to validate the results.

Example : The control loop for motion planning comprising sensing, planning and acting has not yet been closed for mobile Robots in dynamic environments. Researchers have put lots of effort into this topic and a number of algorithms have been developed. Based on the literature survey, it is felt that the Area-based disparity matching in Stereovision and dynamic path planning algorithms deserves more investigation. The proposed work intends to apply machine learning techniques to these algorithms. Further research in these areas using could bring better results for motion planning and overcome the existing problems.

In the reference section of a research proposal, it is important to list all the sources that have been cited or referenced throughout the document. The purpose of this section is to provide proper credit to the original authors and to enable readers to locate and access the cited works for further reading and verification. The specific referencing conventions or citation styles to be followed may vary depending on the field or academic institution. Here’s an example of how the reference section could be structured in a computer science research proposal:

References:

• Smith, J. D., & Johnson, A. (2018). A Comprehensive Survey of Machine Learning Techniques for Sentiment Analysis. Journal of Artificial Intelligence Research, 25(1), 45-78.
• Doe, R., Johnson, B., & Williams, C. (2020). Deep Neural Networks for Image Classification: A Review. Proceedings of the International Conference on Machine Learning (ICML), 123-135.
• Brown, L., et al. (2019). Data Privacy in Cloud Computing: A Comparative Study. IEEE Transactions on Cloud Computing, 7(2), 210-225.
• Anderson, K., & Thompson, S. (2017). Parallel Processing Algorithms for Big Data Analytics. ACM Transactions on Parallel Computing, 44(3), 567-582.
• Johnson, M. (2016). Surveying Techniques for Wireless Sensor Networks. In Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Communications (ICC), 245-258.

Please note that the example provided above is not exhaustive and should be tailored to include the specific references and citation style requirements of the research proposal. It is essential to follow the referencing guidelines provided by your academic institution or the specific style guide recommended in your field of study, such as APA, MLA, IEEE, or ACM. Consistency in formatting, citation order, and bibliographic details (such as author names, publication year, title, journal/conference name, volume/issue/page numbers, etc.) is crucial to ensure accuracy and integrity in citing the relevant sources.

For more details, you can refer to my previous blog on writing references .

Includes any additional supporting materials, such as questionnaires, interview guides, or data samples, that are relevant to the research proposal.

The Appendices section of a research proposal is used to include any additional supporting materials that are relevant to the proposal but are too detailed or lengthy to be included in the main body of the document. Here are some examples of what can be included in the appendices:

• Questionnaires or Surveys: If your research involves collecting data through questionnaires or surveys, you can include the full questionnaire or survey instrument in the appendices. This allows readers to see the exact questions that will be asked and provides transparency regarding data collection methods.

Example: Appendix A: Survey Questionnaire

• Interview Guides: If your research involves conducting interviews, you can include the interview guide or interview protocol in the appendices. This outlines the questions and prompts that will be used during the interview process.

Example: Appendix B: Interview Guide

• Data Samples or Examples: If your research involves data analysis, you may include sample data sets or examples in the appendices. This allows readers to understand the type of data that will be analyzed and provides clarity on the analysis techniques.

Example: Appendix C: Sample Data Set

• Consent Forms: If your research involves human participants, you can include the consent forms or information sheets that participants will be required to read and sign. This ensures transparency and demonstrates that you have considered ethical considerations.

Example: Appendix D: Participant Consent Form

• Additional Supporting Documentation: Depending on the nature of your research, there may be other relevant materials that support your proposal. This could include charts, graphs, diagrams, maps, or any other supplementary materials that provide additional context or evidence.

Example: Appendix E: Supporting Diagrams

Including appendices allows you to provide comprehensive supporting materials that enhance the understanding and credibility of your research proposal. It is important to label each appendix with a clear title (e.g., Appendix A, Appendix B) and refer to the appendices within the main body of the proposal when necessary.

Research proposal is a crucial component of the Ph.D. application process, as it provides the candidate with an opportunity to showcase their potential as a researcher and demonstrate their preparedness for independent research.

The document is a comprehensive outline of the research problem, methodology, timeline, feasibility, and other essential aspects that the candidate intends to explore during their Ph.D. studies. Writing a well-structured research proposal not only helps the candidate to clarify their research objectives and goals but also enables them to get feedback and support from their peers and advisors.

Therefore, it is essential for Ph.D. applicants to put in the necessary effort and time to create a compelling research proposal that reflects their research potential and aligns with the university’s requirements.

After submitting the proposal the candidate will be called for making presentation on the PhD proposal. I have written a separate blog post on ” How to make PhD proposal presentation to the University” . This blog post also provides a template for the PhD proposal presentation.

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Research Proposal Example/Sample

Detailed Walkthrough + Free Proposal Template

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

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

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

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

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

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

FAQ: Research Proposal Example

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

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

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

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

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

How do I get the research proposal template?

You can access our free proposal template here .

Is the proposal template really free?

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

Where can I learn more about proposal writing?

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

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

Psst… there’s more!

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

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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?

How to write a PhD proposal in 10 Steps (Practical Tips)

Writing a PhD proposal is an important stage in the application process for a PhD program. It’s your chance to outline your research proposal, demonstrate your understanding of the area, and persuade the admissions committee that your study is worthwhile.

Your proposal should be suggestive, outlining your areas of interest and broad knowledge of the study topic. You are not expected to be an expert or to know all of the specifics of your subject.   However, you are expected to have a fair degree of understanding of the issue and to be able to contribute to research.

10 Steps to Write a PhD Proposal

Table of contents, step 1 – research topic selection, step 2 – introduction and research issue, step 3 – conduct literature study, step 4 – aim and objectives, step 5 – research method, step 6 – theoretical framework, step 7 – contribution and impact, step 8 – timeline and milestones, step 9 – references and citations, step 10 – proofread and revise, some practical tips on how to write a phd proposal.

Choose a research topic that corresponds to your interests and expertise. Make sure the issue hasn’t been thoroughly researched yet, and that there is a vacuum in the current literature that your study can fill. Now:

• What are you going to title your project?
• What essential terms would you use to characterize your proposal?

Begin your proposal with an introduction that sets the stage for your study. Identify the research issue or problem you intend to solve. Explain the significance of this issue and how it adds to the field.

As previously said, your research proposal is an essential component of the PhD application process, therefore it is well worth devoting time and effort to it.  It should define the nature of your proposed PhD study and provide some insight into how you intend to conduct your research.

Conduct a thorough literature study to demonstrate your awareness of the field’s current level of research. Determine the most important studies, theories, and concepts linked to your study subject. Emphasize the gaps in the literature that your study will fill, and explain how your research will add to current knowledge.

Some underlying information and context of the field in which you want to work, such as significant literature, notable personalities, and major research findings:

• How does your work relate to other people’s work in the same or relevant fields?
• Would your work complement or contradict the work of others?
• How does your work connect to the expertise of the department to which you are applying?

Outline your research’s particular aims in detail. What do you want to gain from your studies? These goals should be specific, quantifiable, and within the scope of your PhD.

• What are the major stages of your project?
• Do you have a plan and timeline for your research project?
• Do you have any research challenges?
• What do you hope to accomplish in each year of your PhD?
• What obstacles may you face, and how will you overcome them?

Describe the research methods you want to employ to answer your research question. This section should include information about data gathering methods, study design, sample selection, and data analysis methodologies. Explain why your selected approach is acceptable for your study.

Some thought should be given to the methods/approach you intend to utilize in conducting your study. Will you rely on current theories, develop new methods/approaches, or create your own? How may you structure your project to achieve the greatest results/findings?

Provide a theoretical framework that supports your study, if appropriate. Explain the theories or conceptual models that are guiding your study and how they connect to your research issue.

Discuss the possible contributions of your study to the field. What impact will your results have on knowledge, practical issues, or policy? In larger words, explain the relevance of your findings.

Provide an estimated timetable for your research project, including milestones and expected completion dates for each step of the study. This demonstrates that you have a feasible plan for finishing your PhD within the requisite period.

Include a detailed list of all the sources you used in your proposal. Throughout the work, use a consistent citation style (e.g., APA, MLA, Chica).

A collection of essential references that back up your research proposal 

References should be formatted according to the relevant convention for your topic (e.g., Harvard).  Such citations should appear throughout your research proposal to indicate that you have studied and comprehended the work of others.  

Other relevant literature that you are aware of but did not utilize in the drafting of your proposal might also be included as a bibliography.

After you’ve finished the first draft of your PhD proposal, go through it again for clarity, coherence, and general effectiveness. Seek input from peers, mentors, or lecturers to acquire useful insights and make required changes.

An excellent research proposal may be as long as it needs, but a reasonable starting point would be 1000 -2000 words.  Remember that it is intended to be an accurate overview rather than a thesis, therefore include enough detail for the reader to grasp it.  It should be neither too long nor too short.  A paragraph would be insufficient, and 5000 words would most likely be excessive.

1. Follow any university and college/departmental website recommendations.  Conventions can and do differ between topics, and hence between the University of Exeter. As a result, for specialized (topic) advice and assistance, you must consult the college/department website.

2. Before it is submitted, it should be polished and updated several times.  You must show that you have given your proposal your undivided attention and care.  Check that it is well-written and free of mistakes.

3. Leave the reader with a clear understanding of the objective and direction of your research study. It should not be necessary for the reader to read it twice in order to comprehend it.  

4. Leave the reader intrigued, excited, and eager to learn more about your ideas and you!

5. Remember that your research proposal should make the reader feel good about your ‘fitness’ to pursue a PhD.  Because this is your project, it is critical that you establish leadership in this first step of the application process. A great proposal should leave the reader with no question that you have done a preliminary study on your topic and that you are informed and prepared to face the demands of the PhD.

6. Give your proposal your whole attention and time, but keep in mind that you are not expected to know everything at this point.   Your proposal should also be adaptable. It is not a binding agreement.  Always have someone else read your project before submitting it and provide you with critical yet helpful comments.

Finally, keep in mind that a research proposal immediately shows your prospective competency to complete a PhD successfully.  A proposal is ultimately about demonstrating your capacity to demonstrate that you are competent to pursue a PhD, therefore devote time and effort to it.

Also Read: MBA Capstone Project – How to Write, Types, Format, Examples and Resources

• 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.

• Schools & departments

Writing a research proposal for the PhD in English Literature

You apply for the PhD in English Literature through the University’s online Degree Finder. Here is our guidance on how to write an effective application.

The two elements of an application that are most useful to us when we consider a candidate for the PhD in English Literature are the sample of written work and the research proposal.

You will probably choose your sample of written work from an already-completed undergraduate or masters-level dissertation or term-paper.

Your research proposal will be something new. It will describe the project that you want to complete for your PhD.

Your research proposal

Take your time in composing your research proposal, carefully considering the requirements outlined below. Your proposal should not be more than 2,000 words .

PhD degrees are awarded on the basis of a thesis of up to 100,000 words. The ‘Summary of roles and responsibilities’ in the University’s Code of Practice for Supervisors and Research Students stipulates what a research thesis must do. 

Take me to the Code of Practice for Supervisors and Research Students (August 2020)

It is in the nature of research that, when you begin, you don’t know what you’ll find. This means that your project is bound to change over the time that you spend on it.

In submitting your research proposal, you are not committing yourself absolutely to completing exactly the project it describes in the event that you are accepted. Nevertheless, with the above points in mind, your research proposal should include the following elements, though not necessarily in this order:

1. An account of the body of primary texts that your thesis will examine. This may be work by one author, or several, or many, depending on the nature of the project. It is very unlikely to consist of a single text, however, unless that text is unusually compendious (The Canterbury Tales) or unusually demanding (Finnegans Wake). Unless your range of texts consists in the complete oeuvre of a single writer, you should explain why these texts are the ones that need to be examined in order to make your particular argument.

2. An identification of the existing field or fields of criticism and scholarship of which you will need to gain an ‘adequate knowledge’ in order to complete your thesis. This must include work in existing literary criticism, broadly understood. Usually this will consist of criticism or scholarship on the works or author(s) in question. In the case of very recent writing, or writing marginal to the established literary canon, on which there may be little or no existing critical work, it might include literary criticism written on other works or authors in the same period, or related work in the same mode or genre, or some other exercise of literary criticism that can serve as a reference point for your engagement with this new material.

The areas of scholarship on which you draw are also likely to include work in other disciplines, however. Most usually, these will be arguments in philosophy or critical theory that have informed, or could inform, the critical debate around your primary texts, or may have informed the texts themselves; and/or the historiography of the period in which your texts were written or received. But we are ready to consider the possible relevance of any other body of knowledge to literary criticism, as long as it is one with which you are sufficiently familiar, or could become sufficiently familiar within the period of your degree, for it to serve a meaningful role in your argument.

3. The questions or problems that the argument of your thesis will address; the methods you will adopt to answer those questions or explain those problems; and some explanation of why this particular methodology is the appropriate means of doing so. The problem could take many forms: a simple gap in the existing scholarship that you will fill; a misleading approach to the primary material that you will correct; or a difficulty in the relation of the existing scholarship to theoretical/philosophical, historiographical, or other disciplinary contexts, for example. But in any case, your thesis must engage critically with the scholarship of others by mounting an original argument in relation to the existing work in your field or fields. In this way your project must go beyond the summarising of already-existing knowledge.

4. Finally, your proposal should include a provisional timetable , describing the stages through which you hope your research will move over the course of your degree. It is crucial that, on the one hand, your chosen topic should be substantial enough to require around 80,000 words for its full exploration; and, on the other hand, that it has clear limits which would allow it to be completed in three years.

When drawing up this timetable, keep in mind that these word limits, and these time constraints, will require you to complete 25–30,000 words of your thesis in each of the years of your degree. If you intend to undertake your degree on a part-time basis, the amount of time available simply doubles.

In composing your research proposal you are already beginning the work that could lead, if you are accepted, to the award of a PhD degree. Regard it, then, as a chance to refine and focus your ideas, so that you can set immediately to work in an efficient manner on entry to university. But it bears repeating that that your project is bound to evolve beyond the project described in your proposal in ways that you cannot at this stage predict. No-one can know, when they begin any research work, where exactly it will take them. That provides much of the pleasure of research, for the most distinguished professor as much as for the first-year PhD student. If you are accepted as a candidate in this department, you will be joining a community of scholars still motivated by the thrill of finding and saying something new.

Ready to apply?

If you have read the guidance above and are ready to apply for your PhD in English Literature, you can do so online through the University of Edinburgh's Degree Finder.

Take me to the Degree Finder entry for the PhD in English Literature

If you've got any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Dr Aaron Kelly by email in the first instance.

Email Dr Aaron Kelly

The Best PhD Research Proposal Writing Service in 2024

W riting a research proposal is a crucial part of education worldwide. It involves PhD students summarizing their proposed research in a concise yet organized manner. This process not only demonstrates the student's understanding of the subject matter but also serves as a roadmap for the research journey ahead. 

In a well-crafted research proposal, students outline where their research fits into the bigger picture and what's already been debated or discovered on the topic. Despite the varying rules worldwide, a PhD proposal needs to convey a clear rationale for the chosen research area and establish the relevance of the proposed study. It's not just about sharing your idea; it's about showing you're ready for serious investigation. Can you tackle complex ideas and express yourself clearly? That's the question this type of work aims to answer through a systematic examination of the research questions, objectives, and methodologies.

Typically, a research proposal for PhD is around 2,500 to 3,000 words. However, word counts vary across universities, so always remember to check your guidelines. Moreover, make sure your work contains the following components:

• A working title that can be refined later.
• An abstract summarizing the problem you're addressing and your main question.
• Background information to contextualize your investigation.
• Your research questions.
• The methods you'll employ in your study.
• The significance of your research.
• A bibliography.

In case you get stuck and need a helping hand with your PhD research proposal, the two services below are your best bet, and now we'll explain why. 

Phdresearchproposal.org —Best Research Proposal Writing Service

Phdresearchproposal.org stands out as a trusted and established platform, offering confidential assistance to PhD students seeking expert support with their complex research projects. Operating as a registered business since 2012, the platform accumulated over a decade of expertise in delivering professional research proposal writing services. Unlike "all-in-one" services, this platform focuses exclusively on crafting tailored proposals for PhD students, catering specifically to the unique demands of doctoral-level research. 

Key Benefits:

• Wide Range of Specialized Services

The platform's experts offer assistance with various aspects, including choosing a topic, creating any chapter of your PhD project (e.g., methodology, results), crafting the entire paper based on your material or their findings, and editing or formatting your final draft. PhD-level samples on their website provide insights into the expected quality.

• Experienced Research Proposal Writers

The platform employs solely writers with PhD credentials specializing in popular subjects like Health Sciences, Nursing, Business and Management, Law, and various other disciplines. Proficient in qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods analysis, their expertise ensures the delivery of high-quality PhD-level work with quick approval.

• Access to All Scholarly Databases 

From Scopus to ProQuest, the service has extensive access to a variety of databases. This ensures writers incorporate only relevant sources related to your research area into the completed work.

• Original, Human-Written Content

According to CTN News The platform's experts craft all content from scratch, adhering to the specific requirements of your PhD program. Their dedicated Quality Assurance Department meticulously checks final drafts for plagiarism, source credibility, and generated content. Furthermore, they provide originality reports upon request.

The only drawback we've noticed with this research proposal writing service so far is the necessity to pay extra when selecting top and premium PhD experts.

This is what recent clients are saying about them on platforms like Sitejabber and Reviews.io:

“I'm glad that I ordered a PhD proposal on this site. The writer explained in depth what methods I have to use in my research and what steps I need to take. I'm sure that the committee will agree with that." – Sutton T.

"I was stuck on my PhD paper before I decided to use the platform. Their writers really came through in a clutch with quality work that met my instructions." – Cree K. 

In light of the above, Phdresearchproposal.org stands out as a legitimate and reliable service for PhD proposals. However, what truly sets them apart as the best research proposal writing service is their commitment to customer satisfaction. They provide a 14-day window for unlimited free revisions to guarantee the approval of your PhD project. Moreover, if any issues arise, they promptly refund your money.

Phdresearch.net —#1 Research Proposal Writing Service for Rare Subjects

The next best option to obtain quality help with writing a PhD research proposal is Phdresearch.net. The platform has been ranked #1 for student satisfaction for three consecutive years. It also focuses on assistance with complex academic projects and offers comprehensive help with PhD proposals at any project stage. The consistently positive feedback attests to the excellence of their services.

• Skilled, qualified PhD specialists across 80 fields.
• 100% report-validated uniqueness and absence of AI-generated content.
• Complete confidentiality of all interactions.
• Free adjustments until you're satisfied, plus a follow-up quality check.
• Access to the major online databases.
• Adherence to instructions.
• Strong refund policy.
• You need to pay extra for additional services like an added plagiarism report, initial draft, etc.
• Response time via email can take time, so it's better to contact them through chat.

Here's what the company's customers are sharing on popular review platforms:

"After placing an order, I realized that I messed up instructions a little and ordered a slightly different work. But even though the writer started working on the order, we managed to settle down the updated requirements easily, and he was still able to deliver the work on time. The writer was responsive, and we had productive communication throughout the process" – Brendan H.

"I feel confident with this company; the help I got is tremendous. I had a writing block and was running out of time, but thanks to their support, I managed to get the job done on time. They're real professionals, and it was pure luck I found them" – Jacob F.

While offering a broader range of services and being less specialized in PhD proposal writing, Phdresearch.net is another decent option for students seeking a trustworthy writing service that delivers on its promises and offers strong satisfaction guarantees.

What Is the Structure of a Research Proposal PhD? 

The structure of a PhD proposal typically includes the following sections:

• Abstract (usually around 200-300 words)
• Introduction
• Literature Review
• Methodology
• Significance and Contribution of the Study
• Ethical Considerations
• Budget (if applicable)

Note that the specific requirements for a research proposal PhD may vary depending on the field of study and program. Always check with your advisor or the guidelines provided by your institution.

How Important Is It to Write a PhD Proposal for Research?

Research proposal writing is crucial for several reasons:

• It helps you articulate and clarify the focus of your study and ensures a clear understanding of your research objectives.
• It aids in identifying the necessary time and materials required for your PhD project.
• It helps demonstrate the significance of your study and how it fills a gap in current knowledge.
• It enables a thorough evaluation of the feasibility of your PhD project.
• It increases the likelihood of successfully obtaining grants or financial support.
• It showcases your interests in the field, background, and ability to formulate a coherent and impactful work plan.

Follow also this useful link to learn more about the evolution of writing a research proposal.

Can I Pay Someone for Writing a Research Proposal?

Yes, you can, especially if you find yourself stuck, have limited access to credible sources on the topic, or lack the time for in-depth study and producing a well-organized PhD-level copy. However, make sure that the service you choose is reliable and employs qualified writers capable of delivering quality work. Click for more information about reputable services you can trust.

Who Writes Proposals in a PhD Research Proposal Writing Service?

If speaking about top services like the ones described above, the individuals writing PhD proposals are typically qualified, hand-selected experts with 5-8 years of hands-on expertise in the field and hundreds of positive reviews from satisfied clients. 

Is Every PhD Research Proposal Writing Service Listed Legit?

Yes, the above PhD research proposal writing services are all legit and have over a decade of experience crafting proposals for domestic and international students from different PhD programs.

In Conclusion

Considering the challenges most students encounter in determining suitable methodologies, it becomes quite demanding to allocate sufficient time and energy to craft an impeccable PhD proposal. This is where the support of a specialized PhD research proposal writing service, such as Phdresearchproposal.org, becomes invaluable.

The service's focused approach ensures that its writers comprehend the nuances of the process and the challenges you face, enabling them to efficiently assist you in resolving them. Therefore, if you find yourself overwhelmed with the complexities of PhD proposal writing, consider seeking help from reputable professionals. With proper assistance, you can confidently present a compelling PhD proposal that meets the highest standards and achieves the desired result.

PhD Proposal: Taming Generative Priors for Consistent and Faithful Video Processing

IRB IRB-4105

Generative models have shown promising capability in image and video synthesis. A pre-trained generative model, e.g., a Generative Adversarial Network (GAN), shows powerful generative prior on downstream tasks, such as image editing and Image Super-Resolution (ISR). However, they have difficulties when one directly applies them to videos, introducing temporal inconsistency or flickering. It is also challenging when it comes to the out-of-domain (OOD) data. In this proposal, we explore to use pre-trained image generative models for their video tasks. We start with video semantic editing task, and propose a flow-based approach to gain the temporal consistency. In addition, to enhance the model’s editability on the OOD data, we then propose to decompose the in-distribution component and out-of-distribution component by leveraging a pre-trained 3D GAN. However, the GANs are typically limited to a specific category, e.g., human faces or animals. To target at more generic scenarios, we present a large-scale Video Super-Resolution (VSR) model, VideoGigaGAN, that produces detail-rich and temporally stable output for generic data, by adapting its image counterpart to videos. We also propose to explore generic obstruction removal and to analyze the high-frequency flickering in diffusion models as a future work.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 10, 2024  

California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, PhD., issued the following statement in response to Governor Newsom’s May Revise Proposal

Sacramento, Calif. – California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D. issued the following statement in response to Governor Gavin Newsom's 2024-25 May Revise budget proposal.

"I commend Governor Newsom on his May Revise proposal. Over the last several years, California has invested hundreds of billions of dollars in the things Californians care about most, including education, health care, public safety, housing and homelessness, and our climate. His May Revise proposal will help protect recent core investments while addressing the current budget shortfall and maintaining state financial reserves to protect the state budget in the future.”

​​​​​​​Contact: SOS Press Office [email protected]

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