A good research plan (roughly ten pages) should include the following information: topic, background, objectives, methods, data, and execution. It should also demonstrate that the author is familiar with his/her topic and related research.
- Include two parts in your research plan: an abstract and the actual research plan (about ten pages).
- In the introduction, introduce readers to the topic, state your reasons for selecting that topic and specify the objectives of the study. Present your topic and state clearly why it is important to study it. Please bear in mind that an idea is not the same as a topic; to formulate your topic, you must define your subject area, select an approach, familiarize yourself with previous research and place your study in that context. What is already known about the topic?
- Introduce the key and main concepts of your study.
- Formulate your research problem and related research questions in as much detail as possible. What are you actually studying? Formulate your research questions in such a way that you can answer them
- Tell readers how you will answer your research questions. Specify your research data and methods. How will you access or produce your data? How will you acquire your research subjects? How will you analyze your data?
- Outline what new information your study will produce. How and where can this information be used?
- Draw up a schedule describing when and how you will conduct your study and when you plan to publish your findings.
- Enclose references and a cover sheet stating your name and the title of your study with your research plan.
