This document outlines how to write an effective research proposal. It discusses the key components of a proposal, including an introduction, statement of purpose, background on previous work, significance of the research, description of the research methodology, other concerns, and bibliography. The document provides guidance on each component, such as choosing an eye-catching but relevant title, explaining the problem domain and motivation, detailing academic and research backgrounds, outlining the benefits and contributions of the proposed research, describing the research methods and timeline, and citing references properly. The overall message is that a research proposal should clearly present an important problem and plan to address it, and that it is best to start writing early and continue improving it gradually over time.

1. How to Write
a Research
Proposal
Muhammad
Adil Raja
Introduction
Components
of a
Research
Proposal
Conclusions
HOW TO WRITE A RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Muhammad Adil Raja

2. How to Write
a Research
Proposal
Muhammad
Adil Raja
Introduction
Components
of a
Research
Proposal
Conclusions
OUTLINE
1 INTRODUCTION
2 COMPONENTS OF A RESEARCH PROPOSAL
3 CONCLUSIONS

3. How to Write
a Research
Proposal
Muhammad
Adil Raja
Introduction
Components
of a
Research
Proposal
Conclusions
OUTLINE
1 INTRODUCTION
2 COMPONENTS OF A RESEARCH PROPOSAL
3 CONCLUSIONS

4. How to Write
a Research
Proposal
Muhammad
Adil Raja
Introduction
Components
of a
Research
Proposal
Conclusions
OUTLINE
1 INTRODUCTION
2 COMPONENTS OF A RESEARCH PROPOSAL
3 CONCLUSIONS

5. How to Write
a Research
Proposal
Muhammad
Adil Raja
Introduction
Components
of a
Research
Proposal
Conclusions
RESEARCH PROPOSAL – WHAT IS IT?
An intent or a plan for addressing a valuable problem.
The problem might be scientific, engineering or
otherwise having academic and intellectual value.
Brevity and comprehension are two orthogonal
requirements.
A document that is supposed to keep evolving over
time.

6. How to Write
a Research
Proposal
Muhammad
Adil Raja
Introduction
Components
of a
Research
Proposal
Conclusions
COMPONENTS OF A RESEARCH PROPOSAL
1 Title.
2 Statement of purpose – motivation.
3 Background – Previous Work.
4 Significance.
5 Description of the Research Method.
6 Methodology.
7 Other Concerns.
8 Bibliography.

7. How to Write
a Research
Proposal
Muhammad
Adil Raja
Introduction
Components
of a
Research
Proposal
Conclusions
TITLE
Try to choose something nice.
Eye-catching but relevant.
Brevity – SImple, short and elegant.
Avoid obscurity.

8. How to Write
a Research
Proposal
Muhammad
Adil Raja
Introduction
Components
of a
Research
Proposal
Conclusions
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE (MOTIVATION)
What do you really want to do?
Your findings, your contributions?
Explain the important aspects of what you really intend
to do.
Explain why the problem is so important.
Introduce the problem domain to the reader in a lucid
manner.
Why are you so motivated about working on this
problem?
Assume a general audience with little or no expertise in
the field.

9. How to Write
a Research
Proposal
Muhammad
Adil Raja
Introduction
Components
of a
Research
Proposal
Conclusions
BACKGROUND (PREVIOUS WORK)
Your personal background.
Write about your academic and/or professional
background.
Why do you think that you are so suitable for this work?
Write about your previous academic qualifications.
Mention student projects and previous research that is
relevant or commendable.
This section is all about yourself.
So toot your horn.

10. How to Write
a Research
Proposal
Muhammad
Adil Raja
Introduction
Components
of a
Research
Proposal
Conclusions
SIGNIFICANCE
Explain the project here.
Explain all the benefits and fruit that the project would
shed.
What will this research add to the existing body of
knowledge.
How will that be uniquely useful.
How will you add/contribute to the discipline or the
problem domain.

11. How to Write
a Research
Proposal
Muhammad
Adil Raja
Introduction
Components
of a
Research
Proposal
Conclusions
DESCRIPTION OF THE RESEARCH METHOD
Explain your method(s).
This is the roadmap to conducting your research.
Different methodology for different problems – research
in number theory is different than research in
biochemistry.
Time division.
How do you plan to conduct your literature review?
How do you plan to design your experiments?
How do you plan to spare time for reading or writing?
What type of tools do you require to do your work?
Is a budget for library borrowing required?
Employ scheduling tools – Gantt Charts.

12. How to Write
a Research
Proposal
Muhammad
Adil Raja
Introduction
Components
of a
Research
Proposal
Conclusions
OTHER CONCERNS
Don’t forget things that you consider trivial.
Do you need inter-library loans?

13. How to Write
a Research
Proposal
Muhammad
Adil Raja
Introduction
Components
of a
Research
Proposal
Conclusions
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Do not forget to cite your references properly.
Employ a nice bibliography management tool.
It reflects on how well you have done your homework.

14. How to Write
a Research
Proposal
Muhammad
Adil Raja
Introduction
Components
of a
Research
Proposal
Conclusions
CONCLUSIONS
Start writing your research proposal as soon as
possible.
Make small improvements gradually.
Taking baby steps is not a bad idea.
Keep on evolving gradually.
By the passage of time it would become big and nice.