Adaptation of Plants to Water Stress Research Proposal Paper

Writing a Research Proposal

A research proposal has three main points:

1. Explanation of proposed research (what will be done)
2. Methods and techniques to be employed (how it will be done)
3. Novelty and/or importance of the study (why it should be done)

You will need to include the following sections:

• Title

provides a specific summary of the proposed work (short, not too much detail)

• Abstract

This is a brief (one paragraph) description of the hypothesis and the goals of the experiment. It should indicate what questions you, as a researcher, will be seeking to answer. An abstract provides a summary that allows readers to quickly assess the basic premise of your proposal.

• Introduction

You should begin with the basics of your research topic and then narrow the focus of those details that are especially pertinent to the proposed work. You are laying the groundwork for your proposal with the material that you present. Discuss the topic and its evidence thus far.

• Research Hypothesis

What is the hypothesis that you are testing? What are the questions that you seek to answer? Based on what is known in this field, explain what you expect to see and hope to show through your result (i.e., your predictions)? This is where you share your thoughts.

• Materials and Methods

Describe your proposed experiment in depth. What processes are you going to use? What kind of equipment and supplies will be necessary for the project? What will you use for a control(s), and what will be your replicate? What are your variables? How will they be determined? Be thorough, but not excessive. Needs to be detailed enough that the experiment could be performed by the reader. It might be useful to construct an outline before completing this section, as this will give you an idea of what should be occurring when, and if your goals are attainable in the given time.