Tips for writing a research proposal for your thesis

What do you include in your research proposal?

What you include in your research proposal can vary depending on the program. We will provide you with some helpful tips, but it is important to thoroughly review the requirements of your specific education program. Programs often provide a guidebook that outlines both the research proposal or plan of action and the thesis. Therefore, carefully read this document and highlight the key requirements. Your research proposal should include the literature you will utilize, the research questions you will address, the research methodology, and the important sources you will use when writing your thesis. Below there are some tips to assist you in writing your research proposal.

Tip 1: Always provide a well-defined research question

If you are writing a thesis as a higher professional education student, it is important to define your research question. This involves identifying what insight or knowledge is missing within the organization, preventing it from solving a specific problem. Often, your client may not fully understand why this is important but simply wants a concrete plan or advice. Therefore, it is crucial to ask numerous questions in order to uncover the underlying question. From our experience, there is always an underlying reason that can be used as a starting point to define your research question.

Tip 2: State the reason and analyze the ‘problem’ in the introduction

We have observed that many students struggle with writing introductions. The key is to transition smoothly from providing a brief overview of the organization to stating the purpose, and then conducting an analysis of the current situation based on both internal and external factors (referred to as the problem analysis or context analysis).

When identifying the problem, it is advisable to start with an internal problem analysis. This involves examining the current problem and examining what actions the organization is taking to address it. It is essential to conduct thorough exploratory research and document all conversations while also noting down the sources of information.

Tip 3: Use Ferrel’s 6W model

Using Ferrel’s 6W model, you can often gather valuable information by asking your client the following questions.

What is the problem?
Who is affected by the problem? (Who are the stakeholders in this process?)
Since when has the problem been occurring? (When did the problem arise?)
Why is it a problem? (This question is crucial! What specific issues is your client currently noticing? Are they experiencing a decline in registrations? Is there a high rate of absenteeism due to illness, putting pressure on other employees?)
Where does the problem occur? (This refers to the scope of the problem.
Does it pertain to a specific department or does it impact the entire organization?) What is the cause of the problem? (Another important question is to determine the origin of the problem. For example, is there increased competition? What factors contributed to the problem?)

Tip 4: Use relevant and current sources and information

In your external problem analysis, make sure to consult as many external sources as possible to substantiate your problem. It is essential to observe the trend in order to understand the situation. Research reports and external databases to get an insight into the environmental factors. Remember to keep track of all the sources you use and don’t forget to cite them.

Let’s consider a scenario where your client is experiencing a decline in the number of registrations for a particular magazine, which is putting the organization’s continuity at risk. Through your external problem analysis, you may discover that the main threat comes from the online channel, where a plethora of news is available for free on the internet. This makes the magazine’s value proposition negligible.

If the internal problem analysis shows that your client has taken no action to address this development and hasn’t adjusted their revenue model, you can easily pinpoint the issue. The external context always reinforces the problem at hand.

If you want to learn more about conducting source research, check out the tips we have provided. You can find them on this page.

Tip 5: Make sure that your research goal arises logically from the problem analysis

Based on your problem analysis, you have determined the research goal. What insight will you provide to your client to address his/her problem? Alternatively, what knowledge is currently lacking within the organization that you aim to uncover through your research?

Tip 6: With the literature you indicate which theory you use in your research

Then you should proceed to discuss the relevant literature and theories that you will be utilizing in your study. It is important to use credible and up-to-date sources, preferably from your course database or the library. Your main and sub-questions should derive from your theoretical exploration. Additionally, you need to justify why you have chosen to employ specific theories and literature in your research, establishing a connection with the reasons and problem analysis.

In your theoretical framework or literature review, you need to identify the theories that you will employ to answer your research question. For instance, if you are writing a marketing communication plan, your theoretical framework should encompass various theories on communication, strategy, and applicable models. Typically, the goal is to investigate multiple theories and models and then select the ones that align with your research. Therefore, you must carefully justify why you have chosen Model X over Model Y. Moreover, you should clarify how you will implement the chosen model, linking it back to the rationale and problem definition of your research.

Tip 7: Make sure that your research question and sub-questions match your problem analysis and theory

You can formulate your main research question and sub-questions based on your theoretical framework and the models you will use. Make sure you have a specific reason or problem statement that is linked to your main question. Additionally, limit yourself to 3 to 5 sub-questions, ensuring that they are not too detailed, as they will assist in answering the main question.

Tip: When asking your main question, you don’t solve the commercial problem of the organization, but rather the knowledge question. Therefore, ask yourself what knowledge your client lacks in order to solve their problem.

Tip 8: Describe which methods you choose and substantiate your choices

In the methodology section of your research proposal, you should clearly outline the type of research you intend to conduct. It is important to distinguish between primary research, which involves practical investigations, and secondary research, which involves literature reviews or desk research.

When describing your primary research, provide a detailed explanation of the specific methodology you plan to employ and justify your choice. Many students often mention conducting surveys, but it is crucial to explain the reasons behind selecting this particular method. Clearly identify your research population and respondents, and elaborate on why you have chosen them for your study.

Tip 9: Make sure you process your source references correctly

If you utilize external sources, it is essential to accurately cite these sources within your research proposal. Numerous colleges and universities adopt the guidelines set by the American Psychological Association (APA). It is crucial to properly cite sources both within the text and in the bibliography.

More information about the APA style for citing sources? Also read our article with tips for making APA references.

Tip 10: Also view examples of research proposals

An example of a research proposal can provide you with greater clarity regarding its structure and what is expected from you. For instance, you can refer to a sample bachelor’s or master’s thesis or research proposal available on the HBO Knowledge Base. It’s quite simple; just search for “research proposal” and specify your education level. By filtering the results by “most recent,” you will find the latest examples.

Are you seeking an example of a research proposal for a bachelor’s or master’s degree at a university? Many universities have their own database where you can find sample theses or research proposals. This resource can help you understand and maintain the proper structure.

Would you rather get help with your research proposal?

Sometimes you receive so much feedback on your proposal that you can no longer see the forest for the trees. Most programs require you to have your research proposal approved before writing the rest of the thesis. This is logical because we consider the research proposal as the foundation of your thesis. Just like a house needs a solid surface and base, otherwise it will collapse, your thesis also needs a strong foundation. If the foundation is solid, you can build upon it. Making adjustments at the beginning of the process will prevent complications later on and allow you to immediately focus on your research. Usually, you can get started in just a few hours.

Our thesis supervisors can help you process the feedback so that you receive approval and can start your research and writing. We can assist you when you are starting out and want to discuss your topic and research direction. Have you received feedback on your research proposal multiple times? In that case, we can review the feedback together and immediately highlight areas in the document where you can improve your research proposal. If you want to keep writing your thesis quickly and receive approval, feel free to ask for immediate assistance with writing your research proposal if you encounter any difficulties.

Have you already written your research proposal?

You can receive assistance with your research proposal by having the document checked for language, structure, and content. Our proofreader will eliminate language and spelling errors from your document while improving sentence structure, style, and grammar. Additionally, feedback will be provided on the structure and content of the research proposal. You can utilize this feedback to significantly enhance and refine the proposal.

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