W9A. Introduction to Research Proposals, Structure, Tenses, Common Mistakes

1. Summary

1.1 What is a Research Proposal?

A research proposal is a formal document in which a researcher describes a study they plan to conduct and makes the case that it is worth doing. It is distinct from a research paper (which reports completed work) and from a literature review (which synthesizes existing work). The research proposal is forward-looking: it describes intended methods, anticipated results, and expected contributions before the research has been performed.

Research proposals are used to seek funding, academic approval, or institutional support. In an academic course context, a research proposal demonstrates that you can design a coherent, feasible, and original research project.

1.2 Research Proposal Structure

The research proposal structure can vary depending on the institution, discipline, or funding body. At Innopolis University, the standard structure is:

1. Title
2. Introduction / Background and Rationale
3. Literature Review
4. Methods / Methodology / Procedure / Research Design
5. Anticipated Results
6. Discussion
7. References

Note that this structure is flexible. Depending on your research question and methods, you may merge or rename sections (e.g., Design and Implementation or Implementation and Results).

1.3 Functions of Each Section

1.3.1 Title

The title is the reader’s first encounter with your research. A good title:

• Clearly summarizes the research: The reader should immediately understand the topic.
• Includes keywords: Use the exact terms your target audience searches for in databases.
• Is interesting: Engage the reader’s curiosity without sacrificing clarity.
• Is short: A maximum of 16 words is a widely recommended guideline.
• Avoids abbreviations: Unless the abbreviation is universally recognized in the field.
• Adds a subtitle if necessary: If the main title is broad, a subtitle after a colon can add specificity.
• Does not end with a period.

1.3.2 Introduction / Background and Rationale

The Introduction establishes the context for your research and justifies its existence. It must:

• State the problem and its significance: What is the issue you are investigating, and why does it matter?
• Provide your research question(s) and/or hypothesis: What specifically are you trying to discover, test, or demonstrate?
• Define key terms: Any specialized or potentially ambiguous terms used in the proposal should be defined clearly here.
• Discuss the limits of your research: Be explicit about what your study will and will not cover.

1.3.3 Literature Review

The Literature Review in a research proposal is a focused synthesis of existing research relevant to your topic. Unlike a stand-alone literature review, it does not need to be exhaustive—it should be strategic: selecting the most important theories, debates, and findings that directly inform your research design. It must:

• Describe the most important theories and concepts relevant to the topic.
• Describe key debates and controversies in the field.
• Identify the research gap that your study will address.
• Use credible, relevant, and recent sources.
• Synthesize sources rather than listing them.

1.3.4 Methods / Methodology

The Methods section describes how you will conduct your research. It must:

• Review the literature on methods: Briefly justify why the chosen methodology is appropriate for your research question.
• Describe your chosen methods: What data will you collect? How? From whom? What instruments or tools will you use?
• Explain your choice: Why is this method the most appropriate for answering your RQ?
• Address potential obstacles: What challenges might arise, and how will you deal with them?

For IT research, this section may also include: details of algorithms and program logic to be used, system architecture decisions, dataset descriptions, evaluation metrics, and (if applicable) a timeline and budget.

1.3.5 Anticipated Results

This section describes the results you expect to obtain. You have not yet conducted the research, so you are making an informed prediction based on your understanding of the field and the logic of your method. Write what outcomes are plausible and why.

1.3.6 Discussion

The Discussion in a research proposal is forward-looking. It answers the “so what?” question for your planned research. It should:

• Explain the practical benefits of the research: Who will benefit, and how?
• Specify the theoretical contribution: Will your research strengthen an existing theory? Challenge current assumptions? Create a basis for further research?
• Discuss potential limitations: What factors might constrain the validity or scope of your findings?
• Describe possible future work: What questions might your research open up that could be pursued in follow-on studies?

1.3.7 References

• Follow IEEE formatting requirements.
• Include a minimum of 15 references.
• References are not counted in the 4-page limit.

1.4 Length

A research proposal at Innopolis University must not exceed four pages of text. References are excluded from this count. Brevity is not a weakness—it is a skill. A proposal that conveys a coherent, compelling research plan in four pages demonstrates stronger command of the material than one that requires ten pages to make the same case.

1.5 Tenses in a Research Proposal

Tense selection in a research proposal reflects the fact that some content is about established knowledge (present or past) and some is about future plans (future or conditional):

Section	Predominant tenses	Rationale
Introduction	Present Simple, Past Simple, Present Perfect	Background facts, previous studies, current knowledge
Literature Review	Present Simple, Past Simple	Established findings; what researchers have argued
Methods	Present Simple, Future Simple	Describing your planned procedure
Anticipated Results	Present Simple, Future Simple	Predictions about what the study will find
Discussion	Present Simple, Future Simple	Implications and expected contributions

A common error is to use Future Simple (“we will examine,” “the study will find”) inconsistently across sections. The Methods and Anticipated Results sections legitimately use the Future Simple (since you are describing plans), but the Introduction and Literature Review should use Present/Past tenses for established knowledge.

1.6 Common Mistakes to Avoid

Research proposals are frequently weakened by predictable, avoidable errors:

1. Submitting a lengthy proposal: A proposal that exceeds the page limit signals an inability to prioritize. Cut ruthlessly.
2. Covering too much ground: A proposal that tries to answer five questions will answer none of them well. One focused, well-supported RQ is more compelling than five vague ones.
3. Not citing major works: Failing to engage with foundational or widely-cited work in your field suggests an inadequate literature review and undermines your credibility.
4. Too much focus on minor issues: Spending disproportionate space on peripheral details while treating the core research question superficially creates an unbalanced proposal.
5. Inability to frame a persuasive argument: The proposal must convince the reader that the research is necessary, feasible, and valuable. If the argument is unclear or unconvincing, the proposal fails its primary purpose.
6. Poor grammar or careless writing: Errors in language undermine the reader’s confidence in the researcher’s rigor and professionalism. Proofread carefully.