Research Proposal Checklist

Background and Significance of the Research

• Will the results of the research fill a gap in our knowledge?
• Will the research advance our understanding of this topic?

Literature Review

• Does the proposal demonstrate thorough and current understanding and knowledge of the peer- reviewed literature related to the topic?
• Is the literature reviewed critically?
• Does the literature review identify gaps, shortcomings, and/or limitations in existing research, therefore providing a context for the study?
• Does the literature review justify the question/problem being studied?

Theoretical Framework

• Is a theoretical framework identified and clearly described?
• Is the theoretical framework linked to the research problem/question/hypothesis?
• Does the theoretical framework demonstrate understanding of current and relevant peer-reviewed literature?

Research Problem/Question/Hypothesis

• Does the proposal clearly frame the research question/problem/hypothesis?
• Is the research problem/question/hypothesis logical and researchable?
• Is the research problem/question/hypothesis manageable and achievable?
• Is the research problem/question/hypothesis ethical?
• Is the research question/problem/hypothesis focused and grounded in relevant peer-reviewed literature?
• Where relevant, is the research grounded in the researcher’s experience and context?

Methodology

Rationale for Research Method

• Is the methodology (e.g., quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods) appropriate for the research question/problem?
• Does the proposal identify and describe the specific type of methodology (e.g., qualitative (ethnography, grounded theory, case study, etc.), quantitative (descriptive, quasi-experimental, etc.), or mixed methods (from both traditions)?
• Is the methodology clearly articulated and supported by current and relevant peer-reviewed literature?

Research and Data-Gathering Procedures

• Are the procedures well organized and clearly described in a carefully focused step-by-step, straight- forward manner?
• Are the procedures consistent with the selected methodology?
• Are the methods reasonable and appropriate for the research question/problem?
• Is a timeline for the project provided? Is it manageable and achievable?
• Does the proposal demonstrate thorough and current understanding and knowledge relevant peer reviewed literature related to selected research and data-gathering procedures?

Data Analysis

• Does the proposal identify possible methods for data analysis?
• Does the proposal demonstrate thorough and current understanding and knowledge of the research/peer reviewed literature related to their data analysis?

Ethical Considerations

• Does the proposal anticipate and/or discuss potential difficulties and obstacles in the approach I have chosen?
• Have I fully considered potential benefits and risks to research participants?
• Does the proposal discuss how confidentiality of subjects and their responses will be maintained?
• Does the proposal discuss how data will be stored to ensure confidentiality of subjects?

References

• Does the proposal provide a list of cited references?
• Are the references current and relevant?
• Is APA used appropriately in the reference list?
• Are references cited appropriately in the literature review, theoretical framework, and description of methodology?

Overall