The Purpose of a Research Proposal

The Purpose of a Research ProposalThe purpose of a research proposal is not simply to demonstrate how a research project is going to be undertaken or to point out that it has been reviewed by other groups in the past. In fact, one of the first questions asked by prospective students during a research essay is whether the research involves human subjects or not. Therefore, whether the human component of the research is being thought about or is expected to be addressed, the purpose of a research proposal is to persuade potential students of the significance of the research project and to convey the current and proposed method of research.The need to employ a defined list of objects to support an argument and to state the implications of a hypothesis is the whole point of an argument for which a thesis is intended. In a different context, an argument would not be regarded as interesting if it did not begin with a statement of the conclusion. Many of the writers who are influenced by th e Humanities or Art Studies in the U.S. routinely have little knowledge of the field in which they are writing.Without a theory of the assumptions underlying the arguments being made, a researcher cannot avoid problems in deciding on how best to proceed with the work. Without a detailed list of objectives to guide one through a proposed research project, the successful proposal will be vague, open to misinterpretation and ineffective.Research is a process of discovery that requires research funding and analytical skills. It is not usually possible to write a complete research proposal, including cover letters, without support from a grant or departmental office. As well, faculty members and departmental officers tend to discourage extra-curricular activities in their departments. In their absence, the project should be approached, financed and written from the perspective of a researcher who is self-financed.Most of the research proposal will either be designed to reach a specific g roup of people or to inform prospective students and the community. For the latter, a pre-proposal questionnaire will be required. This will give the prospective student the opportunity to determine the extent to which the project relates to the knowledge and skills of the student's major, and to see whether it will be possible to meet the other requirements for the program to which the student is applying. For instance, if the major does not require a breadth of knowledge, breadth of knowledge will not be used in the preparation of the proposed research project.The purpose of a research proposal should not be to appear clever or to convince other potential students. It should be to make an impression on a supervisor, department chair, faculty advisor or teacher. In a given environment, a proposal should inform the prospective student of the significance of the proposed research to the community in which the student is applying. The proposal should also outline how the proposed rese arch will help students in the area of study, and what implications the proposed research has for their education.The purpose of a research proposal is to attract funding and to help the student understand how the process of research is going to be managed. Although an extensive research proposal can be interpreted in many ways, the final part of the proposed research project will be presented to the research team. The purpose of the research proposal is to define the research project, explain the research methods and explain the relevance of the proposed research to the course.