Your Research Proposal should be formatted in ASA Style and include each of the following sections:
Project Title
Project Summary: a brief overview of the research design, goals, and merit
Biographical Sketch: your biography and relevant experience
Project Description: a clear statement of the work and its merit
Relevant Literature and Theoretical Frameworks: Bring together theories and results from a number of studies to describe the "big picture" of your area of research and provide the context for your study. This should be a compelling narrative about the research trails you followed, how they build up to your study, and why your research study is original and important.
Research Methods: includes information about how you plan to carry out your proposed research study.
Data Management Plan: includes protocol covering data collection, storage, and sharing.
Proposal Budget: project costs and justification for each of your project costs
Research Timeline: include deliverables and their expected dates
References Cited: Go to Cite & Write in ASA Style to format your References Cited list in American Sociological Association (ASA) format.
Appendices (if applicable): include additional study components like survey instruments, interview instruments, and/or informed consent documents
For more writing help, contact the Writing Center and make an online appointment to meet with one of their consultants.