Steps to Writing a Proposal
By Andy Hira
Updated: Dec. 30, 2010
1.
Proposal Topic: choose a topic on the basis of interest, cutting edge aspect/current problem, and scope a.
Consider carefully the nature of the output and the audience and/or the funding agency.
2.
Annotated Bibliography: Begin your survey of what is known about the topic, reading widely (see tips for researchers) and examining what data are available a.
Prepare a short synopsis of the key paradigms and then organize them around how they answer your question in categories in your bibliography. Your analysis includes samples/leading examples from each paradigm, but you want to be sure that you have not missed any. b.
Do the same for whatever data are available.
3.
Literature Review: Prepare a thorough analysis of which paradigm (or combination or none) is the appropriate one for answering your question and argue why. Here your bibliography pretends to be more exhaustive, seeking to highlight the key works in the question you are addressing. a.
Since you are being exhaustive, you have to carefully consider the scope and possibilities for identifying and eventually answering a question that is both interesting/novel and feasible. b.
In your analysis, you want to set up why your question has not yet been answered. c.
You want to be problem-solving oriented, well beyond critique.
4.
Conceptual Framework Map out the key actors and variables, and their relationships. a.
Explain differences in power/influence and potential causal variables. Explore multicollinearity issues. b.
Explain path dependencies and/or cultural tendencies.
5.
Methodology Identify your general hypothesis and 2-3 key sub-hypotheses that you will seek to answer in your study. a.
Match up the variables/actors with specific measurement, noting the data sources you will use. b.
Again be very careful to delimit the scope to what is feasible. c.
Explain what outputs your study will bring to the public good.

6.
Budget and Timeline Explain why taxpayers should fund your study and why each budget items is absolutely necessary to get this study done.