How to write a Research Proposal
A step-by-step guided outline for postgraduate researchers and practice-led scholars working in creative practice.Writing a research proposal is one of the most daunting tasks in postgraduate study — and one of the most consequential. This guide walks you through every section, showing you how to write it, what to avoid, and a starter sentence to get you moving on every section.What it coversNine sections in full: an introduction covering background, purpose of study, and rationale; a literature review covering organisation and themed structure; a methodology chapter covering research design, context and sampling, instruments, data collection procedures, and ethical considerations; proposed data analysis with guidance on thematic, content, and narrative analysis; anticipated limitations and challenges; a timescale section with a visual Gantt-style timeline template; presentation and referencing standards; a curated list of suggested starting sources; and a comprehensive final checklist before submission.Every section includes how to write it step by step, a starter sentence to overcome the blank page, and a clearly marked warning box identifying the most common errors that cost marks or credibility.Who it is forMA and PhD students in arts, humanities, cultural studies, religious studies, and practice-led disciplines. Independent researchers and scholars writing proposals for grants, residencies, or institutional programmes. Artists and creative practitioners undertaking formal research for the first time. Anyone who has stared at a blank page and not known where to start.How it worksDownload the file. Open in Microsoft Word or Google Docs. Work through each section in order, replacing the examples and starter sentences with your own thinking about your own topic. Use the final checklist before you submit. The guide is a teaching tool — every example must be replaced with your own original work.What you getOne Word document formatted for immediate use. Fully editable. Colour-coded section structure with callout boxes, starter sentences, warning notes, a Gantt timeline template, suggested sources, and a final submission checklist. A separate table of contents page included. A cover page SVG file for printing or digital presentation.Part of the Academic Research Toolkit series. Compatible with any postgraduate research programme in arts, humanities, and practice-led disciplines.This is a teaching tool, not a template. All examples must be replaced with original work. Submitting guide content as your own would constitute academic plagiarism.© 2026. All rights reserved. Personal use only. No reproduction or resale without written permission.
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