A practical framework for defining your research question, justifying your methodology and convincing your supervisor.
A research proposal is your opportunity to show that your project is focused, feasible and worth doing. Before you write a single paragraph, be clear on the gap you are addressing and why it matters within your field.
Start with the problem, not the method. Supervisors look for a tightly framed question that can realistically be answered within your timeframe and with the resources available to you.
Justify your methodology by connecting it directly to your question. If you plan to use interviews, explain what interviews will reveal that a survey could not. If you plan to use secondary data, name the dataset and explain its limitations.
Finally, map your timeline in weeks. A proposal with a realistic schedule signals to your supervisor that you understand the scale of the work ahead.
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