A research paper proposal draft in APA style should be composed of seven main sections:
Title Page (not included in the character count)
The title page should contain a concise and clear title reflecting the proposed research, author’s name, and institutional affiliation. The title should pique the interest of the reader and provide an overall sense of the project focus.
Abstract
The abstract, the second page of a proposal, succinctly summarizes the key elements of the proposed paper in no more than 250 words. It previews the main ideas, research questions or hypotheses, participants, methods, and implications of expected outcomes or conclusions. The goal is to define clearly the nature and scope of the proposed study.
Introduction
The introduction section sets the stage for the research paper proposal. It should start broadly and focus down on the specific topic and research question(s)/hypothesis(es). This section synthesizes the relevant literature, narrows the topic, identifies gaps in knowledge and any contradictory findings, and states why the study is important and how it will address a specific problem. The proposed study is situated within the context of the existing body of literature. The research questions should be explicitly stated at the end of this section.
Method
This section should provide enough methodological detail so that others could replicate the proposed study. It describes the research design, participants, materials/measures, and procedures. For conceptual or theoretical studies, it may describe the theory or conceptual framework, variables or constructs, and relationships between variables. quantitative studies must describe operational definitions of variables, the type of research design or methodology (experimental, correlational, etc.), the types of tests or analyses that will be conducted and appropriate controls or safeguards. Qualitative studies should describe the setting, sample and inclusion/exclusion criteria (if any), data collection procedures including measures or instruments (surveys, questionnaires, interview protocols), and proposed data analysis approaches such as a grounded theory or phenomenology. Any potential ethical issues should be acknowledged and safeguards described.
Anticipated Results
Succinctly summarize expected findings and conclusions. State the specific, testable hypotheses if appropriate for the study’s methodological design and how each will be statistically tested if using quantitative methods. For conceptual or theoretical papers, identify the expected relationships between constructs or variables. Discuss expected theoretical or practical implications and importance or “so what” factor of conducting the study. Potential limitations and delimitations should also be outlined.
Discussion
This section further contextualizes the significance and implications of the proposed study. It expands on why the results matter and what they may mean for theory, research, or practice. The potential worth of the study to various stakeholders should be highlighted. Discuss how the expected findings would expand the literature, resolve contradictory past findings, have applicability or value. Expected follow-up studies could also be proposed.
References
All references cited in the text of the proposal must be appropriately formatted and listed alphabetically by the first author’s last name in APA style on a References page. Typically a research proposal will include 15-25 sources to situate the study within the relevant scholarly conversation on the topic.
Adherence to precise APA style guidelines is crucial for proposal formatting. The title page, abstract, introduction, method, anticipated results, discussion, and references sections help potential readers clearly understand the rationale, purpose, methodology, and significance of the proposed study. Proposals should provide sufficient detail to evaluate the viability, rigor, and potential contribution of the work to advancing research and knowledge. Securing approval for the proposed methodology helps ensure ethical standards and best practices are incorporated in the research design. Overall, adhering to the APA proposal format allows the potential and limitations of the research to be properly conveyed and assessed.