As Seen On Linkedin: 14 Commonly Overlooked Research Proposal Mistakes [Downloadable PDF]

Here are some of the most commonly noted mistakes that many research candidates make in their proposals:

1. Overly ambitious scope – A project that tries to be unnecessarily complex or covers too much, making it unmanageable.

2. Vague definitions of concepts – Not explaining how certain variables will be measured.

3. Using outdated sources – Mainly relying on old references can signal weak engagement with current debates.

4. Too many quotes – Examiners want to see your voice and analysis to assess your understanding and academic skills.

5. No alignment between objectives and questions – These must flow logically, or the proposal will feel disjointed.

6. Incompatible theoretical framework – A poor fit undermines the entire foundation of the study and its results.

7. Unclear research problem – Without a clear problem statement, the purpose of the research is lost.

8. Merging introduction and background without clarity – Blending sections without strategy or structure can confuse readers and increases the risk of not addressing what will actually be assessed.

9. Vague research questions and objectives – They need to be specific, measurable, and researchable or the study will feel confusing and harder to execute.

10. Not justifying methods – Examiners expect you to clearly and thoughtfully explain why you chose particular methods, as this impacts the quality and credibility of the entire study and its results.

11. Ignoring ethical considerations – Overlooking ethics can stall approval later, especially in studies focusing on sensitive topics.

12. Poor presentation – Errors in layout, grammar, or formatting can frustrate the examiner and distract from the actual content.

13. Missing in-text citations – Claims without evidence weaken your argument.

14. Incomplete or incorrect reference list – Examiners ALWAYS double check that all in-text citations appear in the reference list, and vice versa.

📝 Think of a research proposal, in the same way professionals think of a business proposal. It needs to be clear, feasible, practical, convince stakeholders, and justify the need for resources.

Download the full guide below.

Wishing you all the best.

Aniche Scholar_Research Proposal.pdf

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