How to Write A Research Proposal?

The question of “How” to prepare a research proposal is an important part when proposing
to venture into graduate level studies. It is also “A First Question” when starting to work
on the final project or minor thesis as well as before proposing to study at the graduate
level. Here are a few suggestions on what to include and what to avoid. When attempting to
venture into a research project, make sure that the specialized area you wish to study is
covered by a member(s) of staff at the Engineering Faculty. You can do this by checking
either individual staff profiles, or by meeting him/her directly and discussing for your
interested topics. You can also explore staff research interests by reading papers from of
research working papers. Normally a proposal should be between 2000 and 2500 words (but
not limited to that range) and will include the following:

A working title of the topic area.

This should do more than convey the key words associated with the proposed research.

General overview of area.

This should take the form of a brief abstract of the general area of study and identify the
concentration in your discipline(s) such as in transportation engineering, it can be more
deeply focus when you are writing the topic of “pavement modeling”, “traffic simulation”,
“public transportation” or other topics.

Identification of the relevant main literature.

In this section you should develop your proposal to demonstrate that you are aware of the
debates and issues raised in relevant bodies of literature. References to key articles and
texts should be made to show that you appreciate their relevance to your research area.
You should demonstrate that your proposed area is not a “copy” from other thesis, research
report, published paper etc.

Key research questions.

Since you need to demonstrate that the topic can be completed within the normal time
period allowed, you need to demonstrate that it is manageable, and so focus on key questions
within your niche area.

Short Explanation of Methodology.

You need to demonstrate an awareness of the methodological tools available to you and show
some understanding of which would be suitable for your research. It may be that qualitative
methods including the analysis of interviews, is appropriate. Alternatively your approach may
involve field or laboratory experiments, forecasting or statistical, designing or modeling. In
other cases you may be combining methodologies. You need to specify the approach you feel
will be most appropriate.
Timescale/research planning  Study Plan.

You need to demonstrate an awareness of the need for planning and the timescale of the
research.

Bibliography.

You should include a short list of references to key articles and texts included in the
proposal.

Avoid.
 Wide topic areas which would be unmanageable.
 Very complex descriptions of research areas
 Experimental activities that the university laboratories and closed
universities do not have the equipments and materials
 Subject areas where engineering faculty has no expertise