如何写好research proposal？从定义到写法再到相关技巧

research proposal是科研环节中很重要的一环。写好proposal，事半功倍呐。话不多说，在此探究research proposal的写法。

宇内虹游

3393人浏览 · 2020-11-09 14:09:01

宇内虹游 · 2020-11-09 14:09:01 发布

文章目录

前言

research proposal是科研环节中很重要的一环。写好proposal，事半功倍呐。话不多说，在此探究research proposal的写法。

场景

以前自己也写过几个research proposal，但自己好像都没有系统地学习过。这次想认真的学习一下。

更新

原版：2020年11月09日 14:09:01

更新：2021年1月25日19:43:48
最近又要写research proposal，有些感触就是：不一定要拘泥于某些特殊的框架，但是一定要包含必要的元素，比如motivation，contribution，research question，其他的其实我觉得不一定要按固定框架来写，关键就是把核心元素明确明晰，后面做实验、写论文就稍微轻松些了。

当然，下面所说的一些框架，我感觉还是很有参考价值的，它会让你明白还有哪些点漏了，帮助查漏补缺的。

1 Research Proposal的准确定义

定义：[1]

A research proposal is a document proposing a research project, generally in the sciences or academia, and generally constitutes a request for sponsorship of that research. Proposals are evaluated on the cost and potential impact of the proposed research, and on the soundness of the proposed plan for carrying it out.

其他定义：[2]

A research proposal is an introduction to the research that you would like to start doing for your final semester. A well-framed research proposal gives a very clear view of what the research is based on.

要求：[1]

Academic research proposals are generally written as part of the initial requirements of writing a thesis, research paper, or dissertation.[5] They generally follow the same format as a research paper, with an introduction, a literature review, a discussion of research methodology and goals, and a conclusion. This basic structure may vary between projects and between fields, each of which may have its own requirements.

我觉得这个 Academic research proposals are generally written as part of the initial requirements of writing a thesis, research paper, or dissertation. 对我有帮助，在此总结一下我写research proposal的目的：

1）“承前启后”：通过proposal，
既可以进一步明确之前定下的科学问题，
还可以为后续的实验展开、论文写作定下全局性的思路。
2）相当于一个preliminary study。
3）给后续的paper writing提供一些素材。

更多用途（目前与我无关）：

申请基金估计也要写类似的proposal

刚刚看到的一句话深得我心，我认为这是research proposal的核心价值所在：
“Well begun is half done” –Aristotle, quoting an old proverb

参考文献：

[1] Research proposal. 来源wikipedia。
[2] How to Write a Good Research Proposal?

2 Research Proposal的写作框架

主要参考[3]、[5]

Sec 1：Introduction (2-4 paragraphs)

This section aims to answer the following four questions:
1. What is the central research problem?
2. What is the topic of study related to that research problem?
3. What methods should be used to analyze the research problem?
4. Why is this important research, what is its significance, and why should someone reading the proposal care about the outcomes of the proposed study?

Sec 2: Background and Significance

I think this section can be integrated into Sec 1. 
This section mainly answers:
1. State the research problem with a more detailed explanation
2. Describe the major issues or problems to be addressed by your research 
(i.e., Research Questions)
3. Explain the methods you plan to propose or use
4. Describe the boundaries of your proposed research in order to provide a clear focus. Where appropriate, state not only what you plan to study, but what aspects of the research problem will be excluded from the study.
5. If necessary, provide definitions of key concepts or terms.

Sec 3: Literature Review
The purpose here is to place your project within the larger whole of what is currently being explored, while demonstrating to your readers that your work is original and innovative. Think about what questions other researchers have asked, what methods they have used, and what is your understanding of their findings and, when stated, their recommendations.

A good strategy is to break the literature into "conceptual categories" [themes] rather than systematically or chronologically describing groups of materials one at a time.

In my opinion, this section mainly works for: a systematic literature review to show that your research topic is important and valuable but has never been studied before or have not been well studied yet.

Sec 4: Research Design and Methods

This section illustrate you methodology of conducting your research.

Be sure to cover the following:
1. Anticipate and acknowledge any potential barriers and pitfalls in carrying out your research design and explain how you plan to address them.

Sec 5. Plan of Work and Time Schedule
You should include an outline of the various stages and corresponding time lines for developing and implementing the research, including writing up your thesis.

Sec 6: Preliminary Suppositions and Implications

This section is to present your expected results.

Sec 7: Conclusion (1 or 2 paragraphs)

The conclusion reiterates the importance or significance of your proposal and provides a brief summary of the entire study. This section should be only one or two paragraphs long, emphasizing why the research problem is worth investigating, why your research study is unique, and how it should advance existing knowledge.

Sec 8: Citations
In either case, this section should testify to the fact that you did enough preparatory work to ensure the project will complement and not just duplicate the efforts of other researchers. Start a new page and use the heading "References" or "Bibliography" centered at the top of the page.

参考：

3 Research Proposal的几点准则

强调research的可行性；
尽量简洁，抓住核心写，不要铺地太开；
在literature review中要引用landmark works（关键论文）；

4 怎样判断Research Proposal是否完备？

写完research proposal之后，请确认是否回答了以下问题：[4]

What do I want to study?
Why is the topic important?
How is it significant within the subject areas covered in my class?
What problems will it help solve?
How does it build upon [and hopefully go beyond] research already conducted on the topic?
What exactly should I plan to do, and can I get it done in the time available?
In general, a compelling research proposal should document your knowledge of the topic and demonstrate your enthusiasm for conducting the study. In general, a compelling research proposal should document your knowledge of the topic and demonstrate your enthusiasm for conducting the study. Approach it with the intention of leaving your readers feeling like, "Wow, that’s an exciting idea and I can’t wait to see how it turns out!"

我的补充