Some Questions to Ask of Research Proposals

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Some questions to ask of research proposals

Of the Introduction

Is the focus or purpose of the research stated clearly?
Does the problem statement appropriately restrict the scope of the study?
Is the research question stated in succinct and unambiguous terms?
Is the research question researchable?
Is there a theoretical or descriptive framework indicated within which the question sits?
Is there a rationale for the study?
If relevant, are the researcher’s biases made clear?
Is the significance of the study made clear?

Of the Review of the Research Literature

“In writing a research proposal, the author is obligated to place the question or hypothesis in the context of previous work in such a way as to explain and justify the decisions made…Nothing more is appropriate and nothing more should be attempted…What is it the author wants to know and why has this plan been devised to find the answer?  In a good review, the literature is made to serve the reader’s query by supporting, explicating, and illuminating the logic now implicit in the proposed investigation.” (Locke et al., 1987)

Is the review introduced to let the reader know what to expect?
Is the literature divided up into a number of significantly different domains?
Are there secondary sources cited?  Could they have been avoided?
Is there background research reported both in theory and descriptive studies?
Is there a clear “gap” in the existing knowledge set out that the research will address?
Is the literature logically reviewed as it relates to the selection and significance of the questions?
Are the studies critically classified, compared, and contrasted in terms of the way they contribute or fail to contribute to knowledge relevant to the research question?
Is the review organized logically?
Are the assessments of the literature integrated?
Are there areas left out which should have been included?

Of the Research Design

The primary purpose of this section is to convince the reader that the study will be carried out competently and ethically with a high probability that the data collect3ed, when analyzed, will provide a clear answer to the research question.  Ideally, the methodology of the research should be presented in sufficient detail to permit another to repeat the study in relevant details.

Is there a clear picture of the overarching design of the research?
Is the type of study (e.g. correlational, experimental) made explicit?
Is the methodology appropriate for the research question?
Is the logic of the procedure(s) clear and reasonable?
Is the time allotted to carry out the research reasonable?
If relevant, are the different types of variables clearly defined?
Is there reason to believe that the research is qualified to carry out the study?
Who are the subjects?
How do they participate in the study?
What instruments/tests were used?
What procedures of data collection will be utilized?
Are the methods of analysis clear?
Does the study meet ethical standards?

Of the Findings/Results

Are the findings succinctly presented and organized in terms of the question(s)?
Do they follow from the analysis in a coherent way?
Are they reasonable?
Were rival explanations considered and rejected?
Were confounding/complicating factors addressed and accounted for?
If relevant, is the researcher’s biases/beliefs kept distinct?

Of the Overall Writing

Is the writing clear, succinct, and well-organized?
Is the audience for the proposal/report made clear?




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