Students must write an academic proposal before writing a thesis or graduate dissertation. A major project is pitched to a supervisor or academic committee for approval. A proposal is a written document that describes a proposed research project in detail. An academic committee or supervisor will approve or deny the student’s request to conduct research based on how persuasive the proposal is.
A research question is at the heart of an academic proposal. The student has a question about which he or she must conduct research in order to answer. The proposal explains why the student should do research in order to arrive at this conclusion. It will explain why the student’s topic needs to be addressed, show how research will be carried out in detail, and declare how a valid conclusion will be drawn.
A successful academic proposal includes a rationale, review, and outline in addition to the research question. The rationale explains why the student chose the topic and why knowing the answer to the research question is important. The student will explain how the topic relates to his discipline or course, as well as any project limitations, in the rationale.
The review summarizes all of the existing literature on the subject. Here you’ll find a list of books that contain relevant or similar information. The student will explain how her research builds on existing knowledge while also taking a fresh approach and charting new territory in the field. The outline lays out the course of action, including the student’s intended approach, the types of data collection and analysis that will be used, the resources that will be required, any costs associated with the project, and a deadline for completion.
Much of the academic proposal should focus on the project’s “why” and “how”: Why is it important to learn about this topic? Why should anyone be concerned? How will academics be able to tell if the conclusion is correct? What method will be used to verify the conclusion?
When writing an academic proposal, students must be cautious and pay close attention to details, grammar, and readability. The proposal should be written in an active voice and be concise. Students should start writing a rough draft and then go over it to proofread and edit it for clarity. All proposals require a hook that captivates the reader and piques their interest in the student’s research question’s conclusion. Some colleges have writing centers that can assist students with academic proposals.