Create a Research proposal Involving Microbes
The introduction should include the following elements:
Background and Context
Lead the reader into the topic and scope of your research.
Problem Statement
Describe the theoretical or practical research problem that you want to address. What is already known about the problem? What is missing from current knowledge?
Research Questions
State the specific question(s) that you aim to answer.
Relevance and Importance of the Research
Make it clear what new insights you will contribute, who they are relevant to, and why the research is worth doing.
The literature review summarizes, compares and critiques the most relevant scholarly sources on the topic. There are many different ways to structure a literature review, but it should explore:
Key Concepts, Theories and Studies
Compare, contrast, and establish the theories and concepts that will be most important for your project.
Key Debates and Controversies
Identify points of conflict and situate your own position.
Gaps in Existing Knowledge
Show what is missing and how your project will fit in.
Here you should explain your approach to the research and describe exactly what steps you will take to answer your questions.
Research design
Explain how you will design the research. Qualitative or quantitative? Original data collection or primary/secondary sources? Descriptive, correlational or experimental?
Methods and Sources
Describe the tools, procedures, participants and sources of the research. When, where and how will you collect, select and analyze data?
Practical Considerations
Address any potential obstacles, limitations and ethical or practical issues. How will you plan for and deal with problems?
Implications and contributions to knowledge
Finish the proposal by emphasizing why your proposed project is important and what it will contribute to practice or theory.
Practical Implications
Will your findings help improve a process, inform policy, or make a case for concrete change?
Theoretical Implications
Will your work help strengthen a theory or model, challenge current assumptions, or create a basis for further research?
| Research phase | Objectives | Deadline |
Example research schedule
| Research phase | Objectives | Deadline |
| 1. Background research and literature review | • Meet with supervisor for initial discussion
• Conduct a more extensive review of relevant literature • Refine the research questions • Develop a theoretical framework |
20th February |
| 2. Research design planning | • Design questionnaires
• Identify online and offline channels for recruiting participants • Finalize sampling methods and data analysis methods |
13th March |
| 3. Data collection and preparation | • Recruit participants and send out questionnaires
• Conduct semi-structured interviews with selected participants • Transcribe and code interviews and clean survey data |
24th April |
| 4. Data analysis | • Statistically analyze survey data
• Conduct thematic analysis of interview transcripts • Draft the results and discussion chapters |
22nd May |
| 5. Writing | • Complete a full thesis draft
• Meet with supervisor to discuss feedback and revisions |
17th July |
| 6. Revision | • Redraft based on feedback
• Get supervisor approval for final draft • Print, bind and submit |
28th August |
