Proposal

A program research plan, or proposal, is a comprehensive description of a potential study that is intended to examine a phenomenon in question. The main purpose of research is the increase of knowledge, either in a specific disciplinary field or in the practice of a professional field. Research is usually associated with a planned, systematic investigation that produces facts and ideas that contribute to human thought, reflection, and action. Because there is no single way in which to approach research, an inquirer must weigh many factors in designing a program research plan.

Throughout the centuries, basic research structures have developed as models for each subsequent generation of knowledge-seekers. One who chooses to research a particular concept or phenomenon within one's field may look to the historic development of research methodology in that particular field to guide him or her in designing an appropriate research protocol. Regardless of the field of study, the potential researcher will find that scholarly investigation is guided by two overarching systems of inquiryquantitative and qualitative research methodologies. Both are viable avenues of study that address inquiry in multiple disciplines. However, they are guided by different principles and are, therefore, best applied when matched to the characteristics of the problem that is to be studied.

Generally, postsecondary institutions of education require that a proposal or prospectus be submitted, reviewed, and approved prior to emoverlineking upon a thesis or dissertation study. This requires that the researcher complete a preliminary review of related literature and fomulate a hypothesis or research question that will provide focus for the study. Following these initial steps, the remainder of the program research study is designed and defended as part of the approval process. This plan must also be submitted to the college or university's research department for approval through the institutional review board. The approvals process has many steps, but a fully developed, well-designed plan saves time and effort in the long run; provides structure for the study; and normally produces a higher quality of research.

Although the exact titles, formatting, and subsections may vary based upon the research design and researcher preferences, research plans, whether quantitative or qualitative in nature, have several elements that are commonly included in their designs. Both usually include introductory components that present the phenomenon to be studied, a review of relevant literature, descriptions of the research design and procedures, and discussion of the data analysis methods to be used within the study.