research proposal of english literature

English Literary Studies

• Studying English at UCT
• Why English Literary Studies?
• Academic Staff
• Administrative staff
• Postdoctoral Researchers
• Departmental Associates
• Honorary and Emeritus Professors
• Current MA Students
• Current PhD Students
• ELL1013F Literature: How and Why?
• ELL1016S Image, Voice, Word
• ELL2000F Cultures of Empire, Resistance and Postcoloniality
• ELL2001S Literature and the Work of Memory
• ELL3000F Movements, Manifestos and Modernities
• ELL3001S Contemporary Literary Studies
• Departmental prizes
• Academic support
• Welfare support
• ELL4001H Research Essay/Project (Full Year)
• ELL4061F Theory in Practice
• ELL4062S Literary Criticism and the Archive
• Applying for the degree of Honours in English Literary Studies
• Master's Electives
• Research Master's in English Literature
• Applying for the degree of Master of Arts in English Literary Studies
• PhD in English Literary Studies
• Navigating your PhD: procedures and milestones
• Recent PhD Graduates
• Applying for a PhD in English Literary Studies

PhD research proposal guidelines

• Research overview
• UCT Writers Series archive
• Current news
• News archive
• Frequently asked questions

Writing a thesis is a personal journey, and in English there is significant leeway in how you approach your work. We have put together a set of guidelines for putting together a proposal. It may be that, in consultation with your supervisor, you decide that aspects of this outline do not best facilitate a description of your project. However, we strongly recommend that you do use this document as a starting point. As a Research Committee, this is the information we will be looking for and on the basis of which we will assess your proposal.

Your proposal should include, possibly in this order:

1. thesis statement or research question, 2. rational and literature review.

Include a rationale for choosing your topic: why is it important, and what contribution to the field could you make?

Link this to a brief literature review – what sources will be most important to you, and how will your work be different?

3. Theoretical approach

Spend about a page sketching out your theoretical approach. Pay special attention to this if the theoretical approach is part of your research question.

4. Chapter outline

An outline of chapters, with a paragraph on each one – the main ideas, and how you'll go about discussing them. Try to give the sense of an overall and developing argument for the whole thesis. Be as specific as possible about your primary texts. Why have you chosen these particular texts, and what work do they do in terms of the overall conceptual design of your own project?

5. A time schedule

Specify expected completion dates of each chapter. Remember that for December graduation, final thesis submission is around September. For June graduation, final submission is around April. Factor these deadlines in to your planning. You should hand in your final draft to your supervisor at least 6 weeks before it is due at Faculty, to enable you to make any changes. Also, check the final word count requirement for the dissertation, and specify how many words you'll spend on each chapter.

6. Bibliography

You can divide this into two parts at this stage: the first part books that you have read and that you know you’ll be using; the second part books/articles that you know about and would like to consult, but haven’t read yet.

Bibliographies are crucial indicators of the quality of your work. They give your examiners an idea of where you are coming from theoretically and methodologically, and of how up-to-date the research is. Many examiners turn to the bibliography first, upon receiving a thesis to examine. Journal articles are usually a few years ahead of books that come out. So when a student has hardly any articles in the bibliography, the thesis looks out of date from the start. Make use of the electronic databases in the library to do regular searches for the latest work in your area.

English and Comparative Literary Studies

Sample dissertation proposal.

Below is an example of a successful MA dissertation proposal. Note particularly the robust referencing, and the way in which the author has already done preparatory work in the field so that clear areas of critical enquiry have already been formulated.

Modernist Poetics and the Acquisition of the Other Tongue

I will reconsider the role that multilingualism plays in modernist poetry, and particularly Ezra Pound’s, by moving away from a text-based model – in which the poem is understood primarily as translation, appropriation or montage of another language’s representative texts – and towards a more author-centric one, in which the poem documents the lived experience of knowing multiple languages, each of which transcends the finite set of words and texts that its author knows. I hope that my work will extend Robert Stark’s recent assertion that Pound acquired poetic style as if it were a foreign language, but by paying attention to the more literal encounters with foreign languages that make this simile possible. However, in contrast to Stark’s model of ‘apprenticeship’, Steven Yao has argued that modernism marked the point at which mastering the source language stopped being a prerequisite for a literary translator: thus, the different ways in which Pound translated or incorporated Chinese texts into English works over the course of his career, or used original ‘handy language’ in Italian alongside quotations, may represent different heuristic approaches to a code that still remained somehow impenetrable. ‘Barbarism and onomatopoeia’, rather than forming the comfortable pair of terms sometimes used by Stark, might define a driving tension in Pound’s verse practice, between seeing another language as pure sound and as the product of another culture incompletely understood.

Mutlu Konuk Blasing’s Lyric Poetry will be an important source: although she focuses almost exclusively on the role of the mother tongue, and uses it to justify lyric’s untranslatability, many of the phenomena which she associates with first language acquisition, such as the delay in recognising phonemes, are also relevant to second language acquisition. I also hope to move beyond Blasing’s cognitive and psychoanalytic approaches, to position Pound within a broader cultural history of language acquisition theory: texts to investigate may include the prose treatises by Dante that he admired, and contemporary reflections on language-learning by Leo Spitzer. I expect to offer a reading of Cantos LXXII and LXXIII (perhaps alongside T S Eliot’s early French poems) in light of this investigation, as possible oversights in Blasing’s argument.

Both Blasing’s and Stark’s monographs are bound up in questions of genre definition which deserve further consideration. I intend to develop the arguments of those critics, such as Simon Jarvis, who have questioned whether Blasing’s arguments define lyric poetry alone. How might language acquisition also be important for a definition of epic, especially in light of its traditional association with nation-building and Wai Chee Dimock’s recent vision of the genre as a carrier of foreign lexis? If, for Blasing, lyric ‘dramatises’ the struggle to enter a language-speaking community, is it more fully dramatised in a text such as Pound’s Elektra, where traumatic experience is manifested in a conflation of American vernacular and untranslated Greek?

Here, it may be fruitful to compare Pound’s choral dramas to Eliot’s: Murder in the Cathedral, for example, updates English vernacular drama, but by incorporating a ‘babbling’ chorus who imitate classical tragedy. While I expect the changes in Pound’s practice over the course of his career to provide the structure for my final project, I look forward to paying attention to points of comparison with other, less canonical modernists. These could include Hope Mirrlees’s use of montage to search for a ‘holophrase’ in Paris; Basil Bunting’s insistence on a regional vernacular, but against a backdrop of international cultural references; and the artificial languages of Futurist and Dada sound art, which work both to reject subjectivity and forge international communities.

Critical Bibliography

Arrowsmith, Richard Rupert, Modernism and the Museum: Asian, African and Pacific Art and the London Avant-Garde (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2010).

(ed.) Bates, Catherine, The Cambridge Companion to the Epic (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2010) [essays by Freccero, Whittier-Ferguson and Merchant].

Blasing, Mutlu Konuk, Lyric Poetry: The Pleasure and the Pain of Words (Princeton and Oxford: Princeton University Press, 2007).

Dimock, Wai Chee, Through Other Continents: American Literature Across Deep Time (Princeton and Oxford: Princeton University Press, 2006).

Ellis, Rod, Second Language Acquisition (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1997).

Hart, Matthew, Nations of Nothing but Poetry: Modernism, Transnationalism and Synthetic Vernacular Writing (Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press, 2010).

Jarvis, Simon, ‘The melodics of long poems’, Textual Practice 24.4 (2010).

Kenner, Hugh, The Pound Era (Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1971).

Moody, A David, Ezra Pound: Poet, I: The Young Genius, 1885-1920 (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007).

North, Michael, The Dialect of Modernism: Race, Language and Twentieth-Century Literature (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1998).

Patterson, Ian, ‘Time, Free Verse, and the Gods of Modernism’ in Tradition, Translation, Trauma: The Classic and the Modern, eds. Jan Parker and Timothy Mathews (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011) [and other essays in this volume].

Scott, Clive, Literary Translation and the Rediscovery of Reading (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2012) [and earlier works by Scott].

Spitzer, Leo, ‘Learning Turkish’, tr. Tülay Atak, PMLA 126.3 (2011).

Stark, Robert, Ezra Pound’s Early Verse and Lyric Tradition: A Jongleur’s Apprenticeship (Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2012).

Writing your research proposal

The purpose of the research proposal is to demonstrate that the research you wish to undertake is significant, necessary and feasible, that you will be able to make an original contribution to the field, and that the project can be completed within the normal time period. Some general guidelines and advice on structuring your proposal are provided below. Research proposals should be between 1,000 and 3,000 words depending on the programme (excluding the reference list/bibliography).

Title sheet

Topic statement, research aims, review of the literature, study design / theoretical orientation, research methods, tentative chapter outline, references/bibliography.

Applying for a research degree

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, generate accurate citations for free.

• Knowledge Base

Methodology

• How to Write a Literature Review | Guide, Examples, & Templates

How to Write a Literature Review | Guide, Examples, & Templates

Published on January 2, 2023 by Shona McCombes . Revised on September 11, 2023.

What is a literature review? A literature review is a survey of scholarly sources on a specific topic. It provides an overview of current knowledge, allowing you to identify relevant theories, methods, and gaps in the existing research that you can later apply to your paper, thesis, or dissertation topic .

There are five key steps to writing a literature review:

• Search for relevant literature
• Evaluate sources
• Identify themes, debates, and gaps
• Outline the structure
• Write your literature review

A good literature review doesn’t just summarize sources—it analyzes, synthesizes , and critically evaluates to give a clear picture of the state of knowledge on the subject.

Instantly correct all language mistakes in your text

Upload your document to correct all your mistakes in minutes

Table of contents

What is the purpose of a literature review, examples of literature reviews, step 1 – search for relevant literature, step 2 – evaluate and select sources, step 3 – identify themes, debates, and gaps, step 4 – outline your literature review’s structure, step 5 – write your literature review, free lecture slides, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions, introduction.

• Quick Run-through
• Step 1 & 2

When you write a thesis , dissertation , or research paper , you will likely have to conduct a literature review to situate your research within existing knowledge. The literature review gives you a chance to:

• Demonstrate your familiarity with the topic and its scholarly context
• Develop a theoretical framework and methodology for your research
• Position your work in relation to other researchers and theorists
• Show how your research addresses a gap or contributes to a debate
• Evaluate the current state of research and demonstrate your knowledge of the scholarly debates around your topic.

Writing literature reviews is a particularly important skill if you want to apply for graduate school or pursue a career in research. We’ve written a step-by-step guide that you can follow below.

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

Writing literature reviews can be quite challenging! A good starting point could be to look at some examples, depending on what kind of literature review you’d like to write.

• Example literature review #1: “Why Do People Migrate? A Review of the Theoretical Literature” ( Theoretical literature review about the development of economic migration theory from the 1950s to today.)
• Example literature review #2: “Literature review as a research methodology: An overview and guidelines” ( Methodological literature review about interdisciplinary knowledge acquisition and production.)
• Example literature review #3: “The Use of Technology in English Language Learning: A Literature Review” ( Thematic literature review about the effects of technology on language acquisition.)
• Example literature review #4: “Learners’ Listening Comprehension Difficulties in English Language Learning: A Literature Review” ( Chronological literature review about how the concept of listening skills has changed over time.)

You can also check out our templates with literature review examples and sample outlines at the links below.

Download Word doc Download Google doc

Before you begin searching for literature, you need a clearly defined topic .

If you are writing the literature review section of a dissertation or research paper, you will search for literature related to your research problem and questions .

Make a list of keywords

Start by creating a list of keywords related to your research question. Include each of the key concepts or variables you’re interested in, and list any synonyms and related terms. You can add to this list as you discover new keywords in the process of your literature search.

• Social media, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, TikTok
• Body image, self-perception, self-esteem, mental health
• Generation Z, teenagers, adolescents, youth

Search for relevant sources

Use your keywords to begin searching for sources. Some useful databases to search for journals and articles include:

• Your university’s library catalogue
• Google Scholar
• Project Muse (humanities and social sciences)
• Medline (life sciences and biomedicine)
• EconLit (economics)
• Inspec (physics, engineering and computer science)

You can also use boolean operators to help narrow down your search.

Make sure to read the abstract to find out whether an article is relevant to your question. When you find a useful book or article, you can check the bibliography to find other relevant sources.

You likely won’t be able to read absolutely everything that has been written on your topic, so it will be necessary to evaluate which sources are most relevant to your research question.

For each publication, ask yourself:

• What question or problem is the author addressing?
• What are the key concepts and how are they defined?
• What are the key theories, models, and methods?
• Does the research use established frameworks or take an innovative approach?
• What are the results and conclusions of the study?
• How does the publication relate to other literature in the field? Does it confirm, add to, or challenge established knowledge?
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the research?

Make sure the sources you use are credible , and make sure you read any landmark studies and major theories in your field of research.

You can use our template to summarize and evaluate sources you’re thinking about using. Click on either button below to download.

Take notes and cite your sources

As you read, you should also begin the writing process. Take notes that you can later incorporate into the text of your literature review.

It is important to keep track of your sources with citations to avoid plagiarism . It can be helpful to make an annotated bibliography , where you compile full citation information and write a paragraph of summary and analysis for each source. This helps you remember what you read and saves time later in the process.

Receive feedback on language, structure, and formatting

Professional editors proofread and edit your paper by focusing on:

• Academic style
• Vague sentences
• Style consistency

See an example

To begin organizing your literature review’s argument and structure, be sure you understand the connections and relationships between the sources you’ve read. Based on your reading and notes, you can look for:

• Trends and patterns (in theory, method or results): do certain approaches become more or less popular over time?
• Themes: what questions or concepts recur across the literature?
• Debates, conflicts and contradictions: where do sources disagree?
• Pivotal publications: are there any influential theories or studies that changed the direction of the field?
• Gaps: what is missing from the literature? Are there weaknesses that need to be addressed?

This step will help you work out the structure of your literature review and (if applicable) show how your own research will contribute to existing knowledge.

• Most research has focused on young women.
• There is an increasing interest in the visual aspects of social media.
• But there is still a lack of robust research on highly visual platforms like Instagram and Snapchat—this is a gap that you could address in your own research.

There are various approaches to organizing the body of a literature review. Depending on the length of your literature review, you can combine several of these strategies (for example, your overall structure might be thematic, but each theme is discussed chronologically).

Chronological

The simplest approach is to trace the development of the topic over time. However, if you choose this strategy, be careful to avoid simply listing and summarizing sources in order.

Try to analyze patterns, turning points and key debates that have shaped the direction of the field. Give your interpretation of how and why certain developments occurred.

If you have found some recurring central themes, you can organize your literature review into subsections that address different aspects of the topic.

For example, if you are reviewing literature about inequalities in migrant health outcomes, key themes might include healthcare policy, language barriers, cultural attitudes, legal status, and economic access.

Methodological

If you draw your sources from different disciplines or fields that use a variety of research methods , you might want to compare the results and conclusions that emerge from different approaches. For example:

• Look at what results have emerged in qualitative versus quantitative research
• Discuss how the topic has been approached by empirical versus theoretical scholarship
• Divide the literature into sociological, historical, and cultural sources

Theoretical

A literature review is often the foundation for a theoretical framework . You can use it to discuss various theories, models, and definitions of key concepts.

You might argue for the relevance of a specific theoretical approach, or combine various theoretical concepts to create a framework for your research.

Like any other academic text , your literature review should have an introduction , a main body, and a conclusion . What you include in each depends on the objective of your literature review.

The introduction should clearly establish the focus and purpose of the literature review.

Depending on the length of your literature review, you might want to divide the body into subsections. You can use a subheading for each theme, time period, or methodological approach.

As you write, you can follow these tips:

• Summarize and synthesize: give an overview of the main points of each source and combine them into a coherent whole
• Analyze and interpret: don’t just paraphrase other researchers — add your own interpretations where possible, discussing the significance of findings in relation to the literature as a whole
• Critically evaluate: mention the strengths and weaknesses of your sources
• Write in well-structured paragraphs: use transition words and topic sentences to draw connections, comparisons and contrasts

In the conclusion, you should summarize the key findings you have taken from the literature and emphasize their significance.

When you’ve finished writing and revising your literature review, don’t forget to proofread thoroughly before submitting. Not a language expert? Check out Scribbr’s professional proofreading services !

This article has been adapted into lecture slides that you can use to teach your students about writing a literature review.

Scribbr slides are free to use, customize, and distribute for educational purposes.

Open Google Slides Download PowerPoint

If you want to know more about the research process , methodology , research bias , or statistics , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

• Sampling methods
• Simple random sampling
• Stratified sampling
• Cluster sampling
• Likert scales
• Reproducibility

 Statistics

• Null hypothesis
• Statistical power
• Probability distribution
• Effect size
• Poisson distribution

Research bias

• Optimism bias
• Cognitive bias
• Implicit bias
• Hawthorne effect
• Anchoring bias
• Explicit bias

A literature review is a survey of scholarly sources (such as books, journal articles, and theses) related to a specific topic or research question .

It is often written as part of a thesis, dissertation , or research paper , in order to situate your work in relation to existing knowledge.

There are several reasons to conduct a literature review at the beginning of a research project:

• To familiarize yourself with the current state of knowledge on your topic
• To ensure that you’re not just repeating what others have already done
• To identify gaps in knowledge and unresolved problems that your research can address
• To develop your theoretical framework and methodology
• To provide an overview of the key findings and debates on the topic

Writing the literature review shows your reader how your work relates to existing research and what new insights it will contribute.

The literature review usually comes near the beginning of your thesis or dissertation . After the introduction , it grounds your research in a scholarly field and leads directly to your theoretical framework or methodology .

A literature review is a survey of credible sources on a topic, often used in dissertations , theses, and research papers . Literature reviews give an overview of knowledge on a subject, helping you identify relevant theories and methods, as well as gaps in existing research. Literature reviews are set up similarly to other  academic texts , with an introduction , a main body, and a conclusion .

An  annotated bibliography is a list of  source references that has a short description (called an annotation ) for each of the sources. It is often assigned as part of the research process for a  paper .  

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

McCombes, S. (2023, September 11). How to Write a Literature Review | Guide, Examples, & Templates. Scribbr. Retrieved July 30, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/dissertation/literature-review/

Is this article helpful?

Shona McCombes

Other students also liked, what is a theoretical framework | guide to organizing, what is a research methodology | steps & tips, how to write a research proposal | examples & templates, "i thought ai proofreading was useless but..".

I've been using Scribbr for years now and I know it's a service that won't disappoint. It does a good job spotting mistakes”

• Postgraduate

Research degrees

• Examples of Research proposals
• Find a course
• Accessibility

Examples of research proposals

How to write your research proposal, with examples of good proposals.

Research proposals

Your research proposal is a key part of your application. It tells us about the question you want to answer through your research. It is a chance for you to show your knowledge of the subject area and tell us about the methods you want to use.

We use your research proposal to match you with a supervisor or team of supervisors.

In your proposal, please tell us if you have an interest in the work of a specific academic at York St John. You can get in touch with this academic to discuss your proposal. You can also speak to one of our Research Leads. There is a list of our Research Leads on the Apply page.

When you write your proposal you need to:

• Highlight how it is original or significant
• Explain how it will develop or challenge current knowledge of your subject
• Identify the importance of your research
• Show why you are the right person to do this research
• Research Proposal Example 1 (DOC, 49kB)
• Research Proposal Example 2 (DOC, 0.9MB)
• Research Proposal Example 3 (DOC, 55.5kB)
• Research Proposal Example 4 (DOC, 49.5kB)

Subject specific guidance

• Writing a Humanities PhD Proposal (PDF, 0.1MB)
• Writing a Creative Writing PhD Proposal (PDF, 0.1MB)
• About the University
• Our culture and values
• Academic schools
• Academic dates
• Press office

Our wider work

• Business support
• Work in the community
• Donate or support

Connect with us

York St John University

Lord Mayor’s Walk

[email protected]

01904 624 624

York St John London Campus

6th Floor Export Building

1 Clove Crescent

[email protected]

01904 876 944

• Policies and documents
• Module documents
• Programme specifications
• Quality gateway
• Admissions documents
• Access and Participation Plan
• Freedom of information
• Accessibility statement
• Modern slavery and human trafficking statement

© York St John University 2024

Colour Picker

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Dui id ornare arcu odio.

Felis bibendum ut tristique et egestas quis ipsum. Et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. Faucibus pulvinar elementum integer enim neque volutpat ac. Hac habitasse platea dictumst vestibulum rhoncus.

Nec ullamcorper sit amet risus nullam eget felis eget. Eget felis eget nunc lobortis mattis aliquam faucibus purus.

How to Write a Ph.D. Proposal for English Literature

Anthony fonseca.

When considering researching and writing your dissertation in literature, you will need to find an original topic. Unless you are doing original archival research, you may find many topics have already been covered. Once you have decided on an original angle or have found an author or literary theme that has gone virtually unstudied, you are ready to draft the dissertation proposal.

Explore this article

• Know the Rules
• Be Objective and Original
• Include a Working Title
• Create Sections
• Final Considerations

1 Know the Rules

All institutions have formatting standards for the proposal. Familiarize yourself with these, as you will be expected to follow them. Among the standards will be the required length, which can range from 2,000 words to almost 100 pages if a sample chapter and bibliography are required. Institutions are also strict with pagination and format standards; some have individuals whose jobs involve verifying your adherence to standards. When you have questions, consult your dissertation director or talk to the graduate school.

2 Be Objective and Original

A good literature dissertation proposal will be sufficiently specific. You cannot simply write that you plan to examine Edgar Allan Poe’s short stories; you would be better served to identify a story or group of stories and possibly even a common theme within these for analysis. The website Dissertation Tips suggests that you should choose a topic that can sustain your interest for a long time but with which you can remain objective. Your logic should be easy to follow. Your proposal should build on published research but show promise of originality -- your contribution to literature scholarship.

3 Include a Working Title

Proposal standards will likely differ per institution, but various elements are universal. You will be asked to provide a working title. Some institutions and English departments may want a short, descriptive title that summarizes your argument. You may be allowed by some advisers to use a longer title, since a multi-part title better suits a complex topic. For example, if you examine the sociological or psychological implications of a recurring metaphor in the fiction of Joyce Carol Oates and Angela Carter or perhaps three or more authors, a short title will not suffice.

4 Create Sections

The working title is typically followed by an introduction, which is an overview of the proposal. A list of research questions may be helpful, as it makes you consider the feasibility of your research. The next section, the review of literature, demonstrates that you know the published work of other scholars in your specialty area. For example, if John Hawkes’ imagery is your topic, you would discuss -- in essay format -- any of the published literature on Hawkes or imagery that either affects your proposal or shows the lack of research done in your specific area, thereby justifying your dissertation.

5 Final Considerations

Some professors may require an explanation of your research methodology, which will help you determine what potentially helpful research seems to be missing so that you can seek it out. Remember, the proposal is a working version of the dissertation topic and should help you determine what your next research steps should be.

About the Author

Anthony Fonseca is the library director at Elms College in Massachusetts. He has a doctorate in English and has taught various writing courses and literature survey courses. His books include readers' advisory guides, pop culture encyclopedias and academic librarianship studies.

Related Articles

How to Critique a Dissertation

How to Come Up With a Dissertation Title

How to Write a Sample Topic Proposal

How to Write a Book Prospectus

How to Write a Thesis Statement in High School Essays

The Minimum Number of References in a Dissertation

How to Write a Ph.D. Concept Paper

Research Paper Thesis Topics

How to Write a Rationale for Your Dissertation

How to Write a Research Design

Define MLA Writing Format

How to Write a Thesis for a DBQ

How to Organize a Literature Review

How to Write a Lab Proposal

The APA Format for a Problem & Purpose Statement for...

Examples of Short- and Long-Term Writing Goals

How to Write a Research Question for Research Papers

How to Write a Research Paper Proposal

Is Quoting Your Own Dissertation Plagiarism?

How to Get Published as an Undergraduate

Regardless of how old we are, we never stop learning. Classroom is the educational resource for people of all ages. Whether you’re studying times tables or applying to college, Classroom has the answers.

• Accessibility
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Copyright Policy
• Manage Preferences

© 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Based on the Word Net lexical database for the English Language. See disclaimer .

17 Research Proposal Examples

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

Learn about our Editorial Process

A research proposal systematically and transparently outlines a proposed research project.

The purpose of a research proposal is to demonstrate a project’s viability and the researcher’s preparedness to conduct an academic study. It serves as a roadmap for the researcher.

The process holds value both externally (for accountability purposes and often as a requirement for a grant application) and intrinsic value (for helping the researcher to clarify the mechanics, purpose, and potential signficance of the study).

Key sections of a research proposal include: the title, abstract, introduction, literature review, research design and methods, timeline, budget, outcomes and implications, references, and appendix. Each is briefly explained below.

Watch my Guide: How to Write a Research Proposal

Get your Template for Writing your Research Proposal Here (With AI Prompts!)

Research Proposal Sample Structure

Title: The title should present a concise and descriptive statement that clearly conveys the core idea of the research projects. Make it as specific as possible. The reader should immediately be able to grasp the core idea of the intended research project. Often, the title is left too vague and does not help give an understanding of what exactly the study looks at.

Abstract: Abstracts are usually around 250-300 words and provide an overview of what is to follow – including the research problem , objectives, methods, expected outcomes, and significance of the study. Use it as a roadmap and ensure that, if the abstract is the only thing someone reads, they’ll get a good fly-by of what will be discussed in the peice.

Introduction: Introductions are all about contextualization. They often set the background information with a statement of the problem. At the end of the introduction, the reader should understand what the rationale for the study truly is. I like to see the research questions or hypotheses included in the introduction and I like to get a good understanding of what the significance of the research will be. It’s often easiest to write the introduction last

Literature Review: The literature review dives deep into the existing literature on the topic, demosntrating your thorough understanding of the existing literature including themes, strengths, weaknesses, and gaps in the literature. It serves both to demonstrate your knowledge of the field and, to demonstrate how the proposed study will fit alongside the literature on the topic. A good literature review concludes by clearly demonstrating how your research will contribute something new and innovative to the conversation in the literature.

Research Design and Methods: This section needs to clearly demonstrate how the data will be gathered and analyzed in a systematic and academically sound manner. Here, you need to demonstrate that the conclusions of your research will be both valid and reliable. Common points discussed in the research design and methods section include highlighting the research paradigm, methodologies, intended population or sample to be studied, data collection techniques, and data analysis procedures . Toward the end of this section, you are encouraged to also address ethical considerations and limitations of the research process , but also to explain why you chose your research design and how you are mitigating the identified risks and limitations.

Timeline: Provide an outline of the anticipated timeline for the study. Break it down into its various stages (including data collection, data analysis, and report writing). The goal of this section is firstly to establish a reasonable breakdown of steps for you to follow and secondly to demonstrate to the assessors that your project is practicable and feasible.

Budget: Estimate the costs associated with the research project and include evidence for your estimations. Typical costs include staffing costs, equipment, travel, and data collection tools. When applying for a scholarship, the budget should demonstrate that you are being responsible with your expensive and that your funding application is reasonable.

Expected Outcomes and Implications: A discussion of the anticipated findings or results of the research, as well as the potential contributions to the existing knowledge, theory, or practice in the field. This section should also address the potential impact of the research on relevant stakeholders and any broader implications for policy or practice.

References: A complete list of all the sources cited in the research proposal, formatted according to the required citation style. This demonstrates the researcher’s familiarity with the relevant literature and ensures proper attribution of ideas and information.

Appendices (if applicable): Any additional materials, such as questionnaires, interview guides, or consent forms, that provide further information or support for the research proposal. These materials should be included as appendices at the end of the document.

Research Proposal Examples

Research proposals often extend anywhere between 2,000 and 15,000 words in length. The following snippets are samples designed to briefly demonstrate what might be discussed in each section.

1. Education Studies Research Proposals

See some real sample pieces:

• Assessment of the perceptions of teachers towards a new grading system
• Does ICT use in secondary classrooms help or hinder student learning?
• Digital technologies in focus project
• Urban Middle School Teachers’ Experiences of the Implementation of
• Restorative Justice Practices
• Experiences of students of color in service learning

Consider this hypothetical education research proposal:

The Impact of Game-Based Learning on Student Engagement and Academic Performance in Middle School Mathematics

Abstract: The proposed study will explore multiplayer game-based learning techniques in middle school mathematics curricula and their effects on student engagement. The study aims to contribute to the current literature on game-based learning by examining the effects of multiplayer gaming in learning.

Introduction: Digital game-based learning has long been shunned within mathematics education for fears that it may distract students or lower the academic integrity of the classrooms. However, there is emerging evidence that digital games in math have emerging benefits not only for engagement but also academic skill development. Contributing to this discourse, this study seeks to explore the potential benefits of multiplayer digital game-based learning by examining its impact on middle school students’ engagement and academic performance in a mathematics class.

Literature Review: The literature review has identified gaps in the current knowledge, namely, while game-based learning has been extensively explored, the role of multiplayer games in supporting learning has not been studied.

Research Design and Methods: This study will employ a mixed-methods research design based upon action research in the classroom. A quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test control group design will first be used to compare the academic performance and engagement of middle school students exposed to game-based learning techniques with those in a control group receiving instruction without the aid of technology. Students will also be observed and interviewed in regard to the effect of communication and collaboration during gameplay on their learning.

Timeline: The study will take place across the second term of the school year with a pre-test taking place on the first day of the term and the post-test taking place on Wednesday in Week 10.

Budget: The key budgetary requirements will be the technologies required, including the subscription cost for the identified games and computers.

Expected Outcomes and Implications: It is expected that the findings will contribute to the current literature on game-based learning and inform educational practices, providing educators and policymakers with insights into how to better support student achievement in mathematics.

2. Psychology Research Proposals

See some real examples:

• A situational analysis of shared leadership in a self-managing team
• The effect of musical preference on running performance
• Relationship between self-esteem and disordered eating amongst adolescent females

Consider this hypothetical psychology research proposal:

The Effects of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Stress Reduction in College Students

Abstract: This research proposal examines the impact of mindfulness-based interventions on stress reduction among college students, using a pre-test/post-test experimental design with both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods .

Introduction: College students face heightened stress levels during exam weeks. This can affect both mental health and test performance. This study explores the potential benefits of mindfulness-based interventions such as meditation as a way to mediate stress levels in the weeks leading up to exam time.

Literature Review: Existing research on mindfulness-based meditation has shown the ability for mindfulness to increase metacognition, decrease anxiety levels, and decrease stress. Existing literature has looked at workplace, high school and general college-level applications. This study will contribute to the corpus of literature by exploring the effects of mindfulness directly in the context of exam weeks.

Research Design and Methods: Participants ( n= 234 ) will be randomly assigned to either an experimental group, receiving 5 days per week of 10-minute mindfulness-based interventions, or a control group, receiving no intervention. Data will be collected through self-report questionnaires, measuring stress levels, semi-structured interviews exploring participants’ experiences, and students’ test scores.

Timeline: The study will begin three weeks before the students’ exam week and conclude after each student’s final exam. Data collection will occur at the beginning (pre-test of self-reported stress levels) and end (post-test) of the three weeks.

Expected Outcomes and Implications: The study aims to provide evidence supporting the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions in reducing stress among college students in the lead up to exams, with potential implications for mental health support and stress management programs on college campuses.

3. Sociology Research Proposals

• Understanding emerging social movements: A case study of ‘Jersey in Transition’
• The interaction of health, education and employment in Western China
• Can we preserve lower-income affordable neighbourhoods in the face of rising costs?

Consider this hypothetical sociology research proposal:

The Impact of Social Media Usage on Interpersonal Relationships among Young Adults

Abstract: This research proposal investigates the effects of social media usage on interpersonal relationships among young adults, using a longitudinal mixed-methods approach with ongoing semi-structured interviews to collect qualitative data.

Introduction: Social media platforms have become a key medium for the development of interpersonal relationships, particularly for young adults. This study examines the potential positive and negative effects of social media usage on young adults’ relationships and development over time.

Literature Review: A preliminary review of relevant literature has demonstrated that social media usage is central to development of a personal identity and relationships with others with similar subcultural interests. However, it has also been accompanied by data on mental health deline and deteriorating off-screen relationships. The literature is to-date lacking important longitudinal data on these topics.

Research Design and Methods: Participants ( n = 454 ) will be young adults aged 18-24. Ongoing self-report surveys will assess participants’ social media usage, relationship satisfaction, and communication patterns. A subset of participants will be selected for longitudinal in-depth interviews starting at age 18 and continuing for 5 years.

Timeline: The study will be conducted over a period of five years, including recruitment, data collection, analysis, and report writing.

Expected Outcomes and Implications: This study aims to provide insights into the complex relationship between social media usage and interpersonal relationships among young adults, potentially informing social policies and mental health support related to social media use.

4. Nursing Research Proposals

• Does Orthopaedic Pre-assessment clinic prepare the patient for admission to hospital?
• Nurses’ perceptions and experiences of providing psychological care to burns patients
• Registered psychiatric nurse’s practice with mentally ill parents and their children

Consider this hypothetical nursing research proposal:

The Influence of Nurse-Patient Communication on Patient Satisfaction and Health Outcomes following Emergency Cesarians

Abstract: This research will examines the impact of effective nurse-patient communication on patient satisfaction and health outcomes for women following c-sections, utilizing a mixed-methods approach with patient surveys and semi-structured interviews.

Introduction: It has long been known that effective communication between nurses and patients is crucial for quality care. However, additional complications arise following emergency c-sections due to the interaction between new mother’s changing roles and recovery from surgery.

Literature Review: A review of the literature demonstrates the importance of nurse-patient communication, its impact on patient satisfaction, and potential links to health outcomes. However, communication between nurses and new mothers is less examined, and the specific experiences of those who have given birth via emergency c-section are to date unexamined.

Research Design and Methods: Participants will be patients in a hospital setting who have recently had an emergency c-section. A self-report survey will assess their satisfaction with nurse-patient communication and perceived health outcomes. A subset of participants will be selected for in-depth interviews to explore their experiences and perceptions of the communication with their nurses.

Timeline: The study will be conducted over a period of six months, including rolling recruitment, data collection, analysis, and report writing within the hospital.

Expected Outcomes and Implications: This study aims to provide evidence for the significance of nurse-patient communication in supporting new mothers who have had an emergency c-section. Recommendations will be presented for supporting nurses and midwives in improving outcomes for new mothers who had complications during birth.

5. Social Work Research Proposals

• Experiences of negotiating employment and caring responsibilities of fathers post-divorce
• Exploring kinship care in the north region of British Columbia

Consider this hypothetical social work research proposal:

The Role of a Family-Centered Intervention in Preventing Homelessness Among At-Risk Youthin a working-class town in Northern England

Abstract: This research proposal investigates the effectiveness of a family-centered intervention provided by a local council area in preventing homelessness among at-risk youth. This case study will use a mixed-methods approach with program evaluation data and semi-structured interviews to collect quantitative and qualitative data .

Introduction: Homelessness among youth remains a significant social issue. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of family-centered interventions in addressing this problem and identify factors that contribute to successful prevention strategies.

Literature Review: A review of the literature has demonstrated several key factors contributing to youth homelessness including lack of parental support, lack of social support, and low levels of family involvement. It also demonstrates the important role of family-centered interventions in addressing this issue. Drawing on current evidence, this study explores the effectiveness of one such intervention in preventing homelessness among at-risk youth in a working-class town in Northern England.

Research Design and Methods: The study will evaluate a new family-centered intervention program targeting at-risk youth and their families. Quantitative data on program outcomes, including housing stability and family functioning, will be collected through program records and evaluation reports. Semi-structured interviews with program staff, participants, and relevant stakeholders will provide qualitative insights into the factors contributing to program success or failure.

Timeline: The study will be conducted over a period of six months, including recruitment, data collection, analysis, and report writing.

Budget: Expenses include access to program evaluation data, interview materials, data analysis software, and any related travel costs for in-person interviews.

Expected Outcomes and Implications: This study aims to provide evidence for the effectiveness of family-centered interventions in preventing youth homelessness, potentially informing the expansion of or necessary changes to social work practices in Northern England.

Research Proposal Template

Get your Detailed Template for Writing your Research Proposal Here (With AI Prompts!)

This is a template for a 2500-word research proposal. You may find it difficult to squeeze everything into this wordcount, but it’s a common wordcount for Honors and MA-level dissertations.

Your research proposal is where you really get going with your study. I’d strongly recommend working closely with your teacher in developing a research proposal that’s consistent with the requirements and culture of your institution, as in my experience it varies considerably. The above template is from my own courses that walk students through research proposals in a British School of Education.

• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 25 Number Games for Kids (Free and Easy)
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 25 Word Games for Kids (Free and Easy)
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 25 Outdoor Games for Kids
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 50 Incentives to Give to Students

8 thoughts on “17 Research Proposal Examples”

Very excellent research proposals

very helpful

Very helpful

Dear Sir, I need some help to write an educational research proposal. Thank you.

Hi Levi, use the site search bar to ask a question and I’ll likely have a guide already written for your specific question. Thanks for reading!

very good research proposal

Thank you so much sir! ❤️

Very helpful 👌

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

• Our Commitment
• How to find a PhD Tutor
• PhD Tutoring What it Entails
• Selecting a PhD topic

• Experimental Research Design
• Literature Review Writing
• PhD Dissertation
• PhD research objectives
• research proposal for PhD

A Guide on How to Write a Research Proposal for PhD in English Literature

Figuring out how to write a research proposal for a PhD in English Literature may seem tricky, but we’ll make it easier for you. A Research Proposal for a PhD in English Literature is crucial as it outlines the study’s scope, objectives, and methodology. It demonstrates the candidate’s research readiness, ensures alignment with academic standards, and allows for feedback. A well-crafted proposal is pivotal for securing approval and guiding the successful completion of the doctoral research.

So, if you’re ready to dive into the world of PhD research proposals and want a process of writing PhD research proposal in English literature that speaks your language, you’re in the right place. Let’s get started on making your English Literature PhD dreams a reality with our guidelines for writing PhD research proposal in English literature.

Process of Writing PhD Research Proposal in English Literature

The process of writing a PhD research proposal in English Literature involves several key steps to ensure a strong and well-structured document. Begin by choosing a specific and compelling research topic within English Literature that aligns with your interests and the existing scholarly conversation. Next, conduct a thorough literature review to understand the current state of research in your chosen area.

After identifying a gap or a unique angle for your study, clearly define your research questions and objectives. Outline the methodology you plan to use for your investigation, whether it involves textual analysis, surveys, or other research methods. Clearly present the significance of your research and how it contributes to the broader field of English Literature.

Lastly, pay careful attention to the structure, language, and formatting of your proposal. Seek feedback from mentors or colleagues to refine your work. This comprehensive process ensures a compelling and well-organized PhD research proposal in English Literature.

Now, let’s dive into 3 most important steps regarding how to write a research proposal for PhD in English literature, which you haven’t even heard about before.

Step 1: Deeply Engage with Existing Literature

– Unique Perspective and Contribution: Engaging deeply with existing literature offers PhD researchers the opportunity to identify gaps or overlooked aspects within the academic discourse. By exploring less-explored works, researchers can uncover unique perspectives that contribute to the richness of their research proposal.

– Demonstrating Scholarly Rigor: In-depth engagement demonstrates scholarly rigor and a comprehensive understanding of the subject. By going beyond mainstream sources, researchers showcase their dedication to thorough scholarship, which is a crucial aspect of the guidelines for writing PhD research proposals in English Literature.

– Building a Comprehensive Literature Review: Deep engagement helps in building a comprehensive literature review. It allows researchers to contextualize their study within the broader field, highlighting the evolution of thought and providing a strong foundation for their proposed research. A well-constructed literature review, in line with the guidelines for writing PhD research proposals in English Literature, establishes the significance of the study and justifies its necessity.

Step 2: Interdisciplinary Connections

– Creating interdisciplinary connections enriches the context of the research proposal, making it more relevant and impactful. By incorporating insights from diverse fields, researchers enhance the depth and breadth of their study, aligning with the process of writing a PhD research proposal in English Literature.

– Integrating elements from other disciplines broadens the analytical framework. This approach allows researchers to adopt varied perspectives and methodologies, fostering a more holistic understanding of their research topic. It aligns with the guidelines for writing PhD research proposals in English Literature, encouraging a multidimensional exploration.

– Interdisciplinary connections showcase innovation and creativity, demonstrating a willingness to explore beyond the traditional boundaries of English Literature research. This not only adds a layer of uniqueness to the proposal but also aligns with the evolving nature of academic inquiry, adhering to the guidelines for writing a PhD research proposal in English Literature that encourage innovative approaches.

Step 3: Innovative Methodological Framework

– Crafting an innovative methodological framework showcases the researcher’s ability to think outside conventional boundaries. This aligns with the guidelines for writing PhD research proposals in English Literature, emphasizing a commitment to advancing research methodologies within the field.

– Developing innovative methods demonstrates adaptability and open-mindedness, crucial qualities in academic research. By exploring unconventional approaches, researchers signal a willingness to embrace new ideas, fitting well within the guidelines for writing PhD research proposals in English Literature.

– An innovative methodological framework contributes to the advancement of the field. It shows that the proposed research is not only addressing specific literary questions but is also pushing the boundaries of traditional research practices. This forward-thinking approach aligns with the guidelines for writing PhD research proposals in English Literature, emphasizing the proposal’s potential impact on the broader academic landscape.

This guide has illuminated the path on how to write a research proposal for PhD in English Literature, simplifying a seemingly complex process. By adhering to the guidelines for writing PhD research proposals in English Literature and also the process of writing PhD research proposal in English literature, aspiring researchers can confidently embark on their academic journey.

Remember, a well-crafted proposal is more than a document; it’s a roadmap that communicates your passion, dedication, and unique contribution to the realm of English Literature. We explored the importance of deep engagement with existing literature, discovering hidden gems that enrich your narrative. Additionally, we highlighted the guidelines for writing PhD research proposal in English literature, showcasing your adaptability and commitment to pushing academic boundaries.

Armed with this guide, you are equipped to navigate the intricacies of crafting a compelling research proposal that not only meets the guidelines for writing a PhD research proposal in English Literature but also sets the stage for an impactful scholarly pursuit. Best of luck on your academic journey!

PhDTutor.in is a website that provides research assistance to PhD scholars. They offer a wide range of guidelines for writing PhD research proposal in English literature, including research proposal writing, thesis writing, and statistical analysis. Their research proposal writing service is designed to help scholars develop a well-organized proposal that clearly conveys the significance of their research. The proposal is written by expert academic writers who can justify the relevance of the research question and the scholar as a potential researcher. The proposal consists of a good literature review, appropriate methodology, and a comprehensive explanation of the research proposed.

PhDTutor.in also offers PhD project guidance in Chennai, which aims to make the PhD research journey smoother for scholars from across the world. They have a team of academic professionals who not only have research expertise but also have subject expertise in varied academic fields. Their timely and high-quality research support services and PhD project help can definitely guide you in the right direction and make your work unique and comprehensive

FAQ Questions

1. what are the areas of research in english literature.

Areas of research in English literature include literary analysis, cultural studies, historical perspectives, and interdisciplinary approaches.

2. What are the key elements in writing a PhD research proposal in English literature?

Key elements in writing a PhD research proposal in English literature involve defining research questions, conducting a thorough literature review, outlining methodology, and emphasizing the significance of the study.

3. What are the requirements for PhD in English Literature?

Requirements for a PhD in English Literature typically include a master’s degree in a related field, strong academic records, letters of recommendation, a compelling research proposal, and, in some cases, language proficiency.

4. What is the structure of PhD research proposal in English literature?

The structure of a PhD research proposal in English literature usually includes sections for introduction, literature review, research questions, methodology, significance of the study, and a preliminary bibliography.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Recent Posts

• 3 Most Crucial Dissertation Literature Review Writing Guidelines Literature Review Writing December 16, 2023
• A Guide on How to Write a Research Proposal for PhD in English Literature research proposal for PhD December 4, 2023
• Uncovering the Types of Experimental Research Design in PhD Thesis Experimental Research Design October 27, 2023
• The Ultimate Purpose of PhD Research Objectives PhD research objectives September 30, 2023
• Complete your PhD easily with online PhD tutoring PhD Tutors July 22, 2017

© phdtutor.in all rights reserved.

• Terms and Conditions |
• Privacy Policy |
• Money Refund Policy

• How to Write a Research Proposal

How to Write a Research Proposal - Structure and Guidelines

To obtain any higher degree of education, you will be required to write a research paper as a part of your final project. A research proposal is written before you write your research paper. It is a description of your research topic and the details of your paper. There is a particular format for writing a research proposal. To learn more about what a research proposal is, go through this article.

Table of Contents

What is the purpose of a research proposal, abstract and table of contents, introduction, aims and objectives, background significance, literature review, research design and methodology, research questions, suppositions and implications, bibliography, tips to write a research proposal, frequently asked questions on writing a research proposal.

The purpose of writing a research proposal is to present the plan for the research. It can also be written as a proposal for the research project’s funding. First, a research proposal is sent to the guide or mentor for approval. Only after their approval can you proceed with the research.

No matter what your reasons are for drafting a research proposal, the format remains the same. The researcher portrays how and why the research topic is relevant to the field. They explain the research gap and the ways to fill up the research gap. A research proposal also proves that the author can conduct the research and make a significant contribution to the field’s current status. To do this, your research proposal must detail your academic history and credentials and also establish the academic worth of your proposed ideas.

Listed below are the important things to be covered in a research proposal.

• The research methodology
• The research tools and procedures to be used by the researcher to collect and analyse the data
• Explanation of how the research can fit the budget and other restrictions imposed by the institution, department, or academic program

Structure of a Research Proposal

A research proposal must include the following.

An abstract and table of contents are added at the beginning of the research proposal, just before the introduction. An abstract talks about the research in brief. It can also include keywords used in the proposal towards the end.

Like in any other academic writing, the introduction of a research proposal introduces your research idea. It covers the research problem and the questions it raises. The introduction provides the context for your research. It must be precise and must cover all the relevant information. Be careful not to make it look like all the information is crammed into one paragraph.

This is an important section of a research proposal. This is where you explain your objectives for conducting the research and what you intend to achieve through it. This will help the reader understand your point of view more clearly. Mention the objectives in bullet points.

This is the section where you explain why the research is essential and how it is related to the field. You have to also explain the research problems and why you have to work on them here.

The literature review plays a vital role in a research proposal. In this section, you will explain information related to the study from books, articles and other sources. The main objective here is to establish the research gap.

After the literature review, the important thing to discuss in the research proposal is the research methodology and the design of your research. In this section, you will mention about,

• The type of research to be conducted – qualitative or quantitative. You will have to mention if the data is collected originally by you or if you are analysing other researchers’ works.
• You will also have to explain if you are conducting an experimental, correlational, or descriptive type of research.
• Discuss the data you are working with. If you are conducting social science research, for example, you will have to describe the demographic you are looking at. You must also explain how you will choose your subjects and collect data from them.
• Also, explain the tools to be used while conducting the research. It can be surveys, interviews, videos, etc.

After looking at your research and the type of research, you can also add information regarding the budget, time frame, and obstacles.

Research questions direct you to stick to the research and not deviate from it at any point. It can be two to four or five questions that you seek to find answers to with your research.

Although you will not know the findings of your research until you’ve completed it, you should have a clear sense of how your work will benefit your field before you begin. This section of your research proposal is likely the most important because it expresses why your research is vital. You can explain the below-given points in this section.

• How your research will create the foundation for future research.
• How it can be challenging to the already existing theories.
• How it adds practical value to the practitioners, researchers, teachers, etc.
• The problems that you may have to work on and fix.
• Policies that can be impacted by your findings.
• How your findings can be implemented in academics, and how they can transform the system.

Primarily this section talks about the value that your research can add. Rather than talking about the exact result or exact answer, you can discuss the expected outcomes.

The conclusion contains the overall summary of the proposal. Make sure you do not end it abruptly.

A bibliography plays a crucial role in a research paper as well as a research proposal. It is the list of sources you have referred to and cited to avoid plagiarism and copyright issues. At times, the full list of the bibliography is not needed. In such a case, we can just add the reference list. You can seek help from your guide or supervisor for the correct format.

• Include all the information regarding the final research paper to make it understandable to the supervisor, guide, etc.
• Citations play a major role. Cite every source you have referred to and used.
• Follow one format of writing, e.g. MLA format, APA format, etc. Consult with your guide and find out which format you have to follow to write your research proposal.
• Establish a strong argument for your research proposal because your objective is to make your reader say “Yes” to your proposal.
• Proofread and edit it to avoid any possible errors.

What are the essential components of a research proposal?

The essential components of a research proposal are the introduction, literature review, research questions, aims and objectives, and the research methodology.

Why is a research proposal written?

A research proposal is written to seek approval from the research guide, to get financial support, or to prepare a representation of your research plan and strategies.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your Mobile number and Email id will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Request OTP on Voice Call

Post My Comment

Register with BYJU'S & Download Free PDFs

Register with byju's & watch live videos.

A note for better Understanding of Thesis vs Dissertation

• Independent Researcher

Discover the world's research

• 25+ million members
• 160+ million publication pages
• 2.3+ billion citations
• Recruit researchers
• Join for free
• Login Email Tip: Most researchers use their institutional email address as their ResearchGate login Password Forgot password? Keep me logged in Log in or Continue with Google Welcome back! Please log in. Email · Hint Tip: Most researchers use their institutional email address as their ResearchGate login Password Forgot password? Keep me logged in Log in or Continue with Google No account? Sign up

Admissions Overview

2025-26 admissions theme: environmental humanities.

The Department of English currently has a themed admissions process. This means that the cohort of students admitted each year shares a particular area of research or methodology. Previous themes have included Black studies, Pre-1900 literature, and Poetry and poetics. This year’s theme is described below. Such a themed approach to PhD admissions has pluses and minuses: it allows the department to focus course offerings and programming, but strong applicants may be excluded by the particularity of a given year’s theme. We have nonetheless decided to continue with themed admissions at present. Note that the department anticipates that each theme is broadly salient and will be realized in varied ways. All themes are conceived as inclusive of multiple time periods and subfields.

For the 2025-2026 graduate admissions cycle, the University of Chicago English Department is prioritizing applications focusing on literature and culture in relation to environment, ecology, and space. Possible areas of interest include (but are not limited to) the environmental humanities; built environments and literature; geography and urbanization; the atmosphere and setting of literary and artistic works and circles; ecopoetics; the poetics and politics of space.  We encourage applications from students wishing to work in all historical periods, and on texts from and about any region of the world. We welcome hybrid scholars working in creative and critical modes or across media, or doing public humanities and public-facing work that foregrounds environmental and spatial concerns.   For more information on faculty and current graduate students in this area, please visit the  department website .

You may indicate up to five Areas of Study in which you are interested, in ranked order.  

Admissions Themes

 Year 2 (2025–26): Environmental, ecological, and/or spatial matters, including eco-aesthetics, built environments and literature, geography and urbanization, and environmental e/affects. Prospective students might also consider connections to the Committee on Environment, Geography and Urbanization.

Year 3 (2026–27): Transnational literature, migration, and movement, including decolonial literatures, speculative fictions, the movement of cultural meaning, and translation.

Request More Information Here  

Request More Information

Students applying to the PhD program in English Language and Literature at the University of Chicago must complete an online application and upload the following to that application:

• Scanned transcripts from all college-level, degree-track programs. [Note: For Spring 2020 transcripts, ‘Pass’ grades and letter grades will be regarded as equivalent as we evaluate applications for admission to our PhD program.]
• 3-4 confidential letters of recommendation (recommenders may upload directly or you may use a service like Interfolio).
• A 15-20 page writing sample (double-spaced; page count does not include bibliography)
• A statement of academic purpose, 1-3 pages, single-spaced

The online application for the 2024-25 academic year will open in October. 

The application deadline for Autumn 2024 will be: December 14, 2023  

Learn more here

English Proficiency

Applicants for whom English is not a primary language may be required to submit current scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language ( TOEFL ) or the International English Language Testing System ( IELTS ). Current scores are no more than two years old at the time of application submission. A complete description of the English proficiency policy may be found at  this website , and questions about the English proficiency requirement should be directed to  [email protected] .

For more information on English proficiency requirements refer to the  UChicagoGRAD webpage .

Frequently Asked Questions

Information for applicants impacted by covid-19.

The English Department as well as other Graduate programs at the University of Chicago share a desire to identify the most promising students for admission, and assess a wide variety of factors on a holistic basis. Faculty and admissions committees are aware of the disruptions impacting not just academic coursework and grading systems, but also research, travel, internships, employment, and many other activities. In light of the unprecedented challenges associated with COVID-19 facing individuals, institutions, and organizations, UChicago will evaluate applicants with these significant impacts in mind.

The University fully expects that admissions committees will evaluate all applicants with this in mind during future admissions cycles, including respecting decisions, whether made by institutions or individual students, to grade courses in Spring 2020 on a Pass/No Pass or other basis.

Does the Department of English accept applications by mail? No. The department, with the rest of the Humanities Division graduate programs, only accepts  online applications .

GRE & GPA

Does the Department of English require the GRE exam? No.  The department does not require  any  GRE exam scores.

Does the Department of English Admissions Committee have cutoff levels for GPAs? No. The Admissions Committee does not have specific cutoff levels for GPAs, nor does the Department report average GPAs. Please note that the Admissions Committee generally considers your writing sample, statement of purpose, and recommendation letters to be of most relevance.

Questions about Application Materials

My writing sample is over 20 pages long. Will my application still be considered?

Your application will still be considered if your writing sample is over the recommended upper limit of 20 pages. This recommended limit is not absolutely fixed, but we strongly suggest that applicants try to adhere to it as closely as possible. If you are unable to reduce the paper you want to use as a writing sample in your PhD application to 20 pages, please consider providing an 20-page excerpt from that paper and supplying a brief (one-page or less) abstract that contextualizes the function and place of the excerpted section within the paper as a whole. Place the explanation and writing on one pdf.

What is the deadline for uploading all application materials?  

All application materials  must  be uploaded on the application  by the application deadline  to guarantee inclusion with your application. We cannot guarantee that materials uploaded after the deadline will be included in the review process as your application may have already been reviewed by the committee. We strongly prefer that faculty recommendations be uploaded by the application deadline. If this is impossible, recommenders should contact Humanities Admissions at [email protected] .

Do page counts refer to single- or double-spaced pages?

 The writing sample should be 15-20 pages double-spaced. The statement of academic purpose (also referred to as the Candidate or Personal Statement, or the "Statement of Intent") should be 1-3 pages single-spaced. Additional PhD application information can be found on the  Division of Humanities Admissions  webpage.

Master's Degree

Does the Department of English offer a master's degree? No. The Department of English does not offer a terminal MA degree. We recommend that students interested in master's-level work consider applying to the  Master of Arts Program in the Humanities  (MAPH). MAPH provides students with strong pedagogical support, including writing colloquia, a core course, and master's thesis workshops.

Department of English students can earn an MA while on the PhD track, providing they do not already hold an MA in English.

Does the PhD program have different requirements for students who already hold a master's degree in English? The admissions committee will review the transcripts of students entering the program with an MA in English to evaluate if any of their previous graduate course work will be counted as fulfilling requirements in our program. Typically, students who enter the program with an MA in English must take at least one year of course work, plus an additional two courses in their second year of the program. (By contrast, students who enter the program with a BA degree are required to take two full years of courses.)

• University of Chicago Admissions FAQ
• Division of the Humanities Admissions

Miscellaneous

Should I contact faculty with whom I would like to study before applying?  

It is not necessary or advantageous to contact individual faculty regarding your application. 

Once I've submitted my application, how can I check that my materials were received?  

Once your application is submitted, you can log in to the submission site to track the receipt of your application. As the Admissions Office receives your application materials, they will update your checklist.

Does the Department of English fund all admitted students?

All incoming doctoral students receive a comprehensive funding package to support them in their scholarly and pedagogical training and are eligible to be registered for up to 9 years. The funding package includes:

• An academic year stipend (and teaching remuneration)
• Full tuition aid
• Health insurance premium aid

How many applicants does the PhD program receive per year and how many of these applicants are admitted? In recent years, we have received around 500 applications a year and have admitted anywhere from 2% to 5% of those applicants into our PhD program.

I would like to apply for a joint degree program at the University of Chicago. How can I go about doing this? Please refer to the  Division of the Humanities  page regarding joint degree information. 

I am currently enrolled in a PhD program at another University and would like to transfer to the University of Chicago. How can I do this? The PhD program in English does not accept transfer students. For admission, you must apply as would any other prospective student, regardless of your academic background. The admission committee will assess your academic progress and see what graduate courses, if any, may be counted toward your PhD course work at University of Chicago.

How many times a year do you accept PhD applicants?  We only accept new PhD students in the fall. The application portal opens in early October and closes mid-December. We recommend that you check the Division of the Humanities page . 

I am an international applicant. Where can I find more information about resources available for international students at the University of Chicago? For more information about international student resources at UChicago see the Division of the Humanities Resources for International Students .

How can I fulfill the Foreign Language Requirement? Graduate students must prove they are proficient in one language other than English to meet the Department's requirement. There are a number of ways in which students can fulfill the Foreign Language Requirement:

• For students who want to study a new language: Taking (a) two quarters of classes in a language here (100 level or above) or (b) six weeks in an intensive summer course in a language here (100 level or above) and receiving grades of A or A- in those courses.
• For students who want to continue training in a language they’ve already begun studying: Taking (a) two quarters of classes in that language at the level the placement exam indicates) or (b) six weeks in an intensive summer course in a language here, also at the level where the placement exam indicates) and receiving grades of A or A- in those courses.
• Subject to review by Director of Graduate Studies: Taking (or getting credit for) two years of a language in an undergraduate or another graduate program.
• Receiving at least a B grade in a one-quarter graduate literature course, or a 200-level undergraduate literature course, in the literature of one language, taken at this University. Texts must be read in the language, and the student must have taken classes in this language previously.
• Receiving an A or A- grade in the one-quarter graduate course, German 33300: German for Research Purposes (or similar courses in other languages, should those be developed), providing that the student selects a set of literary and critical texts (as described in no. 4, above) to use as “sources from their own field of study” in fulfilling the course requirements. It is the student’s responsibility to see that the course instructor understands this requirement and communicates to the Director of Graduate Studies that the student has met it.
• Subject to review by Director of Graduate Studies: Taking other intensive summer language courses elsewhere funded by a FLAS grant.
• Taking one of the following course sequences in Computer Sciences (either during the year or in the summer) and receiving at least a B grade in both quarters: (1) CS 10100 and 10200, Introduction to the World Wide Web 1 & 2; (2) CS 10500 and 10600, Fundamentals of Computer Programming 1 & 2; (3) CS 12100 and 12200 Computer Science with Applications 1 & 2; or (4) CS 15100/16100 and 15200/16200 (Honors) Introduction to Computer Science 1 & 2.

Can prospective students schedule campus visits? For information about campus tours, please visit  UChicagoGRAD . The Department of English hosts an Open House each year, solely for prospective students who have  already  been admitted to the PhD program. If other prospective students have questions about the program, they should e-mail department staff at  [email protected] .

• Humanities Division Financial Aid
• Humanities Division Financial Aid For Prospective Students

The Future of Academia: How AI Tools are Changing the Way We Do Research

Table of Contents

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in research is not merely a trend but a transformation of the academic landscape. The impact of AI on research is profound and multifaceted. AI tools not only streamline the collection, analysis, and reporting of data but also transform how we conceptualize and execute research projects. They enable researchers to handle larger datasets than ever before, uncover patterns and insights that would be impossible to detect manually, and significantly speed up the research cycle. Moreover, AI tools are supporting researchers in reading and writing research papers far more efficiently. AI’s ability to automate routine tasks frees up researcher time so they can focus on more complex and creative aspects of their work, thereby enhancing the innovation and depth of academic inquiries.  

How AI Transformed My Research Journey  

My journey into AI-powered research began during my post-doctoral studies at The University of Adelaide, where I focused on big data and cyber security. The experience opened my eyes to the immense potential of AI in speeding up research processes and enhancing its accuracy. As academicians, we used AI in research keeping in mind the ethical and institutional boundaries. One striking example was during a project, where we utilized AI to analyze complex datasets. This not only expedited our research but also enhanced the depth of our analysis, leading to several key insights that would have been difficult to obtain manually.  

Similarly, in another recent project, we encountered a significant challenge in accessing and reviewing relevant literature due to the vast amount of emerging research. By using R Discovery , an AI-powered literature search and reading platform, we managed to streamline our literature review process significantly. This tool not only saved us time but also ensured that we didn’t overlook critical research being published, allowing us to develop a more comprehensive foundation for our research project.   

Enhancing Literature Review and Research Writing with AI  

AI tools like R Discovery have revolutionized the way literature reviews are conducted. Traditionally, a literature review could take weeks, involving painstaking manual searches and reviews. Now, AI can automate these tasks, allowing researchers to focus on analysis and interpretation. For instance, during a project on software vulnerabilities, R Discovery helped us identify key literature in less than half the usual time. As a result, we were able to move forward quickly with our experimental setup.  

The impact of AI in research extends beyond data gathering to assisting in research writing and analysis. Paperpal , for example, is a comprehensive AI writing assistant that significantly improves the quality of research papers by ensuring clarity and adherence to academic standards. It helps you with finding factual answers to your research queries, assists with the writing, citing, and editing process, and even has plagiarism and submission readiness checks, making it an ideal assistant for academics. Reflecting on my past publication efforts now, I realize how AI tools like Paperpal could have refined the writing process, making it smoother and more efficient.   

In the realm of data analysis, AI tools like Chat2Stats have been instrumental. These tools allow researchers to perform sophisticated statistical analyses more accurately and faster than traditional methods. For example, you can use Chat2Stats to analyze data patterns that are crucial for your research outcomes.   

Revolutionizing Research Presentation and Productivity  

While it is important to conduct high-quality research, it is also equally important to present and communicate that research effectively. While academics traditionally turned to professional writing and editing services, these are no longer enough. The growing use of AI in research is ensuring real-time assistance, enhancing quality, and boosting productivity—all without burning a hole in your pocket. Organizations like Editage, known for its exceptional author publication support services, have delved into the AI space, introducing a host of AI tools for researchers designed to improve their academic writing, presentation, and productivity. The Editage All Access subscription combines top AI tools and expert-led services to enhance and support researchers at every step of their publication journey.  

I’ve explored several of the AI tools included in this comprehensive plan, including Paperpal, R Discovery, and Mind the Graph.  

• R Discovery revolutionizes how researchers stay updated by providing personalized reading recommendations, with functionalities like audio papers, translations, and daily alerts when relevant papers become available. I often use the R Discovery mobile app to listen to the latest papers published while I am in the train on my way to work in the morning. I find it especially useful and refreshing to listen to the amazing research being published in my niche area.   
• Paperpal , the all-in-one academic writing tool is one of my favorites. It has a wide range of features that can help right authors move faster from ideation to submission readiness. The latest features that allow users to get fact-based insights and instantly cite sources in the recommended style expands its offering, making it especially useful for busy users.  
• Mind the Graph , a scientific illustration tool, emerges as a vital resource for researchers to visualize and present their work effectively, bridging the gap between scientific data and the broader audience. This infographic maker is specially designed for the scientific community, enabling researchers to transform dense and complex information into engaging, understandable visual formats. Studies, such as those published in prominent journals, have shown that incorporating infographics can lead to a substantial increase in citations, highlighting the importance of visual elements in scientific communication.¹, ²    

By integrating these AI tools for researchers, Editage All Access not only saves valuable time but also optimizes the overall research workflow, making it an indispensable resource for the academic community.  

The Use of AI and Research Ethics  

AI tools are widely being incorporated in research. However, the increasing reliance on AI tools brings up significant ethical considerations. In my teaching and research, I emphasize the importance of using AI responsibly . We must ensure data privacy and mitigate any biases in AI algorithms. Maintaining transparency in how AI tools are used in research processes is critical to uphold the integrity of our findings and the trust of the academic community. The use of AI should in no way lead to lowering the quality of research output. At the same time, these practices should not be adopted in a way that it hits the learning curve of our new and young researchers. These AI tools should be considered as helping hands but never be pushed or will be able to completely replace humans. The critical thinking ability a human has is far more than the ability of any AI tool (at least as of now).   

Reflections on AI’s Ongoing Impact in Academia  

Looking at recent advancements in research methodologies, it’s clear that AI tools have profoundly influenced how we do research. These tools have not only enhanced our efficiency and productivity but also allowed us to maintain high standards of academic rigor. Looking to the future, the potential of AI in research and academia is boundless. We are just beginning to tap into the capabilities of AI tools. As we continue to explore and integrate AI in our academic practices, the potential for enhancing research capabilities is immense. Embracing AI can lead to groundbreaking discoveries and innovations, shaping the future of academia. I believe that this exciting journey with AI will bring about a new era of academic research, marked by increased innovation, efficiency, and global collaboration.  

About the Author

Dr Faheem Ullah: Assistant Professor and Cyber Security Program Director, University of Adelaide, Australia       

Dr. Faheem is an Assistant Professor and Cyber Security Program Director at the University of Adelaide, Australia, with wide-ranging expertise in AI tools for research. With a PhD and Postdoc in computer science focusing on AI from the University of Adelaide, he is a highly accomplished academic and a Big Data Lead at CREST (Center for Research on Engineering Software Technologies). Dedicated to advancing knowledge and fostering innovation in computer science and cybersecurity, Dr. Faheem regularly conducts webinars and gives talks on AI in research. He also shares his knowledge on platforms like LinkedIn and X (Twitter), engaging over 135K+ followers.

Throughout his career, Dr. Faheem has received numerous accolades, including two Gold Medals, one Silver Medal, and six academic distinctions. His research interests include AI, cybersecurity, big data analytics, and software engineering and he is currently working on projects related to Big Data Analytics for Climate Change Analysis, Data Exfiltration, and Cybersecurity Skills. He has published his research in top-notch journals and conferences. He has supervised more than 40 undergrad + Masters + PhD students.

References:  

• Elaldi, Senel, and Taner Çifçi. “The Effectiveness of Using Infographics on Academic Achievement: A Meta-Analysis and a Meta-Thematic Analysis.”  Journal of Pedagogical Research  5, no. 4 (2021): 92-118.  
• Murray, Iain R., A. D. Murray, Sarah J. Wordie, Chris W. Oliver, A. W. Murray, and A. H. R. W. Simpson. “Maximising the impact of your work using infographics.”  Bone & joint research  6, no. 11 (2017): 619-620.    

Paperpal is a comprehensive AI writing toolkit that helps students and researchers achieve 2x the writing in half the time. It leverages 21+ years of STM experience and insights from millions of research articles to provide in-depth academic writing, language editing, and submission readiness support to help you write better, faster.  

Get accurate academic translations, rewriting support, grammar checks, vocabulary suggestions, and generative AI assistance that delivers human precision at machine speed.  Try for free or  upgrade to Paperpal Prime  starting at US$19 a month  to access premium features, including consistency, plagiarism, and 30+ submission readiness checks to help you succeed.  

Experience the future of academic writing –  Sign up to Paperpal and start writing for free!  

Related Reads:

• Grammarly Review – Is Grammarly Worth it? [2024 Update]
• AI + Human Expertise – A Paradigm Shift In Safeguarding Research Integrity

What’s the Best ChatGPT Alternative for Academic Writing?

The ai revolution: authors’ role in upholding academic and research integrity, how to write a research proposal: (with examples & templates), you may also like, the ai revolution: authors’ role in upholding academic..., how to write a research proposal: (with examples..., apa format: basic guide for researchers, five things authors need to know when using..., 7 best referencing tools and citation management software..., top 7 ai tools for research 2024, addressing peer review feedback and mastering manuscript revisions..., what is the importance of a concept paper..., how to write a high-quality conference paper.

Project 2025 Explained: What To Know About The Controversial Right-Wing Policy Map For Trump—As Director Steps Down

• Share to Facebook
• Share to Twitter
• Share to Linkedin

Project 2025 director Paul Dans announced his resignation on Tuesday, as the organization’s wide-ranging blueprint for a potential second Trump term has come under widespread criticism—including by former President Donald Trump and his campaign, even as Trump’s ex-staffers helped to assemble it.

Then-President Donald Trump gives a speech at the Heritage Foundation's President's Club Meeting on ... [+] October 17, 2017, in Washington D.C.

Project 2025, spearheaded by conservative think tank the Heritage Foundation with help from more than 100 other conservative groups , is a multi-part plan for the next conservative administration—namely a Trump presidency—which includes a LinkedIn-style database for presidential personnel hopefuls, training programs for executive branch positions and an as-yet-unreleased “playbook” laying out what Trump should do in his first 180 days.

Though the project is led by the Heritage Foundation and other private third-party groups and is not formally tied to Trump, who has tried to distance himself from the operation, its proposals were developed in part by former members of his administration and other Trump allies, and the ex-president has previously praised Heritage for its policy work.

The project has drawn the most attention for its “Mandate for Leadership,” a 900-page proposed policy agenda that describes itself as a “plan to unite the conservative movement and the American people against elite rule and woke culture warriors,” laying out plans for all aspects of the executive branch.

Personnel: Project 2025 broadly proposes to insert far more political appointees who are ideologically aligned with the president into the executive branch—replacing many of the nonpartisan career civil servants who serve in it now—proposing an executive order that would put political appointees into any “confidential, policy-determining, policymaking, or policy-advocating positions” (which Trump previously did at the end of his presidency, but President Joe Biden then overturned it).

Federal Agencies: It proposes a scaled-down federal government, including the abolishment of multiple agencies—including the Department of Education, Department of Homeland Security, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau—whose remaining departments would be folded into other agencies or privatized, including the Transportation Security Administration.

Transgender Rights: Transgender rights and gender identity beyond biological sex are roundly rejected, with such steps as reinstating the ban on transgender Americans serving in the military, prohibiting public school educators from referring to students by anything other than their birth name and pronouns without parental permission, and ensuring no federal funds are used to provide gender-affirming care.

DEI and LGBTQ Rights: Project 2025 seeks to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs from throughout the federal government and in universities, and while it doesn’t outlaw same-sex marriage, it supports “nuclear families” that include a “married mother, father, and their children,” and calls for restricting laws that bar discrimination on the basis of sex to exclude sexual orientation and gender identity.

Climate Change: The proposal would undo much of the federal government’s climate work, including by leaving the Paris Climate Agreement, overhauling the Department of Energy to promote oil and natural gas and deemphasize green energy sources, removing the Department of Agriculture’s focus on sustainability and curtailing climate research.

Abortion: While Project 2025 doesn’t explicitly call for an abortion ban, it would take many steps to restrict the procedure, including directing the Food and Drug Administration to revoke its approval of abortion drug mifepristone, using the Comstock Act to block any abortion equipment or medication from being mailed—which abortion rights advocates have said would be a “backdoor” way to ban abortion—barring federal funds being used to provide healthcare coverage for abortion and requiring states to report all abortions that take place there to the federal government.

Education: Project 2025 emphasizes a “school choice” policy that directs public funds to be used for students to attend private or religious schools, bars “critical race theory” from being taught in federally funded schools and advocates for legislation that would allow parents to sue schools they feel have acted improperly—such as by teaching controversial subjects or requiring students to disclose information about their religious beliefs.

Student Loans: Student loan relief efforts would come to an end—including the public service loan forgiveness program and income-driven repayment plans—as the proposal states “borrowers should be expected to repay their loans.”

Big Tech: TikTok would be banned, and the proposal calls for reforming Section 230 —which shields tech companies and social media networks from being sued over content on their platforms—and allowing laws like those passed in Florida and Texas that seek to punish social media companies who ban or suspend users based on their “viewpoints.”

Justice Department: Project 2025 calls for a “top-to-bottom overhaul” of the DOJ and FBI that gets rid of what it calls an “unaccountable bureaucratic managerial class and radical Left ideologues,” proposing an agency that would be more focused on violent crime and filing litigation that’s “consistent with the President’s agenda” and filled with far more political appointees; it also proposes prohibiting the FBI from investigating misinformation or making “politically motivated” moves against U.S. citizens.

Taxes: Project 2025 would seek to get rid of current tax rates and most deductions and credits, instead proposing a 15% rate for anyone under the Social Security wage base ( $168,000 in 2024) and 30% for taxpayers earning more than that—which means the lowest-income taxpayers will now pay more and some higher earners will pay less, and it would also lower the corporate income tax rate to 18%.

Federal Reserve: The project seeks to reform the Federal Reserve by “tak[ing] the monetary steering wheel out of [its] hands and return[ing] it to the people,” which the authors propose could be done by getting rid of the government’s control over the nation’s money entirely—instead leaving it up to banks—or returning to the gold standard, in which the dollar’s value would be tied to a specific weight of gold.

Foreign Relations: Project 2025 emphasizes opposing China, which it describes as “a totalitarian enemy of the United States,” and directs the U.S. to pull out of international organizations when they don’t serve the administration’s interests, including the World Health Organization and various United Nations agencies.

Healthcare: Project 2025 does not seek to overturn the Affordable Care Act, but would make significant cuts to Medicaid and impose work requirements to receive coverage, as well as reform Medicare—including by making Medicare Advantage, a paid supplement to Medicare, the default option for patients.

Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you'll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here .

Is Trump Involved With Project 2025?

Trump has denied any connection to Project 2025, claiming on Truth Social last week that he has “nothing to do with them,” has “no idea” who’s behind the plan and finds some of its ideas “absolutely ridiculous and abysmal.” His campaign advisor Chris LaCivita has also denounced it, calling the effort a “pain in the ass.” But many aren’t buying the ex-president’s claims: The team behind Project 2025 includes 140 people who worked for Trump in his administration, according to CNN , including six former Cabinet secretaries and four people he nominated as ambassadors. Trump has also seemingly endorsed Heritage’s policy work in the past, saying at a 2022 dinner for the Heritage Foundation that the group was “going to lay the groundwork and detail plans for exactly what our movement will do … when the American people give us a colossal mandate.”

The Heritage Foundation confirmed July 30 that Project 2025 director Dans is stepping down and leaving the organization, saying in a statement he was “moving up to the front where the fight remains.” The Daily Beast reports Dans resigned amid pressure from the Trump campaign, though the Heritage Foundation said only that it had always intended its “policy drafting” work to only last through the party conventions, “and we are sticking to that timeline.” The Heritage Foundation denied reports Project 2025 is shutting down, and said its personnel efforts would continue.

What Impact Could Project 2025’s Policies Have?

Experts have warned Project 2025’s proposals could have seismic impacts on how the federal government operates if carried out. In an article for Justia , criminal defense attorney and former prosecutor John May suggested Project 2025’s language endorsing the executive branch being able to “restrain the excesses” of the judicial branch and Congress means “if the President wants to, the President can defy any decision of the Supreme Court, any legislation by Congress, maybe even the act of impeachment and removal from office.”

Who’s Behind Project 2025?

The main team behind Project 2025 includes Heritage Foundation director Paul Gans and former Trump White House personnel leaders Spencer Chretien (who also served as Trump’s special assistant) and Troup Hemenway, according to the project’s website. Other groups listed as participating in the project include ex-Trump adviser Stephen Miller’s America First Legal, legal group Alliance Defending Freedom, Liberty University, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America and Turning Point USA. The 900-page policy agenda was co-authored by a series of conservative figures, with chapters penned by such Trump allies as former Housing Secretary Dr. Ben Carson, former Deputy Homeland Security Secretary Ken Cuccinelli, former HHS Civil Rights Director Roger Severino and former Trump advisor Peter Navarro, who went to prison in March for contempt of Congress.

Will Trump Have To Follow Project 2025’s Plans?

Trump will not be under any obligation to follow Project 2025’s proposals if he wins the presidency, though history suggests he’ll listen to at least some of them. The Heritage Foundation made a similar policy proposal for Trump ahead of his presidency in 2016, and boasted two years into his tenure that Trump had already followed 64% of its recommendations, CBS News notes .

Would Project 2025 Change Social Security?

One area that Project 2025 doesn’t touch on is Social Security benefits and any potential cuts to the program, even as proposals outline changes to numerous other government “entitlements.” Changing Social Security and making cuts to its spending has been a priority for the GOP for decades, though the American public has long opposed slashing benefits. Republicans’ efforts have waned under Trump, however, and the ex-president publicly claimed in March he “will never do anything that will jeopardize or hurt Social Security or Medicare,” after he came under fire for suggesting otherwise in an interview with CNBC.

Surprising Fact

While much of Project 2025’s policy agenda concerns federal agencies, the proposal has also gotten attention for its call to outlaw all pornography, which it claims is tied to “the omnipresent propagation of transgender ideology and sexualization of children” and is not protected under the First Amendment. Project 2025 calls not only for pornography to be made illegal, but also for anyone involved with its production and distribution to be imprisoned, for any librarians or educators who “purvey it” to be registered as sex offenders and for telecommunications and technology firms that facilitate its distribution to be shut down.

Key Background

The Heritage Foundation’s practice of laying out a policy roadmap for a future Republican administration actually dates back to the Reagan era, founder Edwin J. Feulner noted in the afterword of the 2025 edition. The organization first laid out a blueprint in 1981 that President Ronald Reagan ultimately adopted, fulfilling half of its recommendations by the end of his first year in office. The Heritage Foundation has continued to come out with blueprints for potential conservative presidents each election since, it notes, and its 2025 Mandate for Leadership was published in 2023. While it came out last year, Project 2025 gained new attention in the past week since Trump disavowed it—sparking a wave of reports highlighting his ties to the figures behind the project that debunk his claims. Democrats have also used the controversial proposal as a key talking point and argument for why the left should unite behind President Joe Biden and focus on defeating Trump, particularly as Biden’s candidacy has come under widespread scrutiny in the wake of the president’s poor debate performance in June.

Further Reading

• Editorial Standards
• Reprints & Permissions

Join The Conversation

One Community. Many Voices. Create a free account to share your thoughts. 

Forbes Community Guidelines

Our community is about connecting people through open and thoughtful conversations. We want our readers to share their views and exchange ideas and facts in a safe space.

In order to do so, please follow the posting rules in our site's  Terms of Service.   We've summarized some of those key rules below. Simply put, keep it civil.

Your post will be rejected if we notice that it seems to contain:

• False or intentionally out-of-context or misleading information
• Insults, profanity, incoherent, obscene or inflammatory language or threats of any kind
• Attacks on the identity of other commenters or the article's author
• Content that otherwise violates our site's  terms.

User accounts will be blocked if we notice or believe that users are engaged in:

• Continuous attempts to re-post comments that have been previously moderated/rejected
• Racist, sexist, homophobic or other discriminatory comments
• Attempts or tactics that put the site security at risk
• Actions that otherwise violate our site's  terms.

So, how can you be a power user?

• Stay on topic and share your insights
• Feel free to be clear and thoughtful to get your point across
• ‘Like’ or ‘Dislike’ to show your point of view.
• Protect your community.
• Use the report tool to alert us when someone breaks the rules.

Thanks for reading our community guidelines. Please read the full list of posting rules found in our site's  Terms of Service.