Thesis Statement

• Research proposals need a thesis statement to guide the process. This is part hypothesis, part description of purpose. This thesis statement should be clearly defined early on in the proposal. An example of a strong thesis statement would be, "Adolescents are the among the largest percent of purchasers of online media. Questionnaires distributed among this demographic should determine what needs are not being met and how to best satisfy this niche."
  
  

Abstract

• All research proposals will contain an abstract in the beginning of the proposal. This abstract is typically no longer than one page. It is designed to grab the interest of the reader while outlining the framework of the research. The abstract includes the purpose for the research, the method of research, and how the information will be used.
  
  

Problems/Solutions

• Research is conducted to solve a problem or to find out if a problem exists. In your proposal, indicate the problem statement and intent of the research. Throughout the proposal, your research proposal should offer suggestions for solutions to this problem that you intend to prove with your research.
  
  

Research Method

• Detail your chosen method of research in the proposal. Whether you plan to conduct focus groups, distribute surveys, call customers or analyze statistics, your method is imperative to determining the validity of your research. Include how you will determine your sampling and why you feel this manner of research is important.
  
  

Budget Expectations

• Research proposals are generally written for funding purposes. They will often be given to a company, lending organization, or grant-review board for review. Therefore, you should do your homework as to how much the research will cost the organization. Detail how the money will be used and how you reached your estimations on cost. This is often the most important portion of a research proposal.
  
  

Flow and Voice

• Your proposal should flow from section to section easily, often with the help of headings for easy reference of the reader. The voice of an entrepreneur's proposal should be persuasive. Because you are generally asking for permission or funding to move forward, your proposal should demonstrate that adequate research and planning have gone into the proposal.