benchmark research proposal paper

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Benchmarking your research

Why benchmark.

Benchmarking your research performance against other comparable individuals, institutions, and research centers, can be another method of demonstrating the impact and engagement of your research. This approach can be useful when applying for grant funding or career advancement.

The Library guide Research evidence for grants and promotion is a ‘how to’ guide on information and tools for describing and capturing evidence of research outputs.

Using proprietary tools

The two main bibliometric tools that can be used for benchmarking are SciVal and InCites . SciVal’s data is sourced from Elsevier’s Scopus database, whilst InCite’s data is sourced from Clarivate’s Web of Science database.

Access SciVal (login required). Note: that an Elsevier account is required to access this resource.

Watch the following video to learn more about using SciVal to benchmark your research performance.   

Benchmarking in SciVal (1:53 mins)

Benchmarking in SciVal (1:53 mins.) by Ana Ranitovic ( YouTube )

Access InCites (login required). Note: create an account using your RMIT email.

Watch the following video to learn more about using Incites to benchmark your research performance.  

InCites Benchmarking & Analytics: Quick Tour (4:53 mins)

InCites Benchmarking & Analytics: Quick Tour (4:53 mins) by Web of Science Training ( YouTube )

Research and Writing Skills for Academic and Graduate Researchers Copyright © 2022 by RMIT University is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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COUC 515 LIBERTY UNIVERSITY Benchmark Research Proposal Paper _2024.pdf

• School Liberty University - Lynchburg, VA
• Course Title COUC 515 - Research and Program Evaluation
• Uploaded By Mo salah

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• Homework Answers

COUC 515 Research and Program Evaluation

• Course Description

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the  Academic Course Catalog .

Course Guide

View this course’s outcomes, policies, schedule, and more.*

*The information contained in our Course Guides is provided as a sample. Specific course curriculum and requirements for each course are provided by individual instructors each semester. Students should not use Course Guides to find and complete assignments, class prerequisites, or order books.

Empirical methods are increasingly being used to justify or criticize the usage of particular counseling approaches in therapy. Government, private foundations, and corporations are asking for program evaluations to determine the merits of each program’s continued funding. Spiritual interventions are being explored for their utility in therapy. In short, the scientific method, counseling, and Christian intervention strategies are intersecting. Counselors with thorough knowledge of research strategies will shape both what psychotherapy looks like and how effective those interventions are in the counseling setting.

Method of Instruction: This 8-week course is delivered in a digital asynchronous format, with Canvas® as the primary instructional delivery method. Students complete one module per week over the duration of the course. 

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and lecture presentations.

(CLO: A, B, C, D, E, F, G)

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations , the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussion: Narrated PowerPoint – Present Your Research

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student will complete a narrated PowerPoint to present their Benchmark Research Proposal Assignment . For the narrated PowerPoint, the student will create and upload a 5 – 10-minute video. A part of conducting research is to present the student’s findings at professional conferences/workshops and the student will practice presenting his or her proposals. Each presentation must demonstrate course-related knowledge and assertions, and must be supported by at least two outside scholarly sources. The student will post two replies, each reply a 2–3-minute video, to his or her peers discussing the implications to the counseling field and highlight Christian integration with the topic. Replies must be supported by at least one scholarly source. (CLO: A, B, C, E, F, G)

Topic Selection: Find a Gap Assignment:

The student will select 3 topics related to the counseling profession. The topics and summaries of 3 peer-reviewed articles published within the last 5 years (one article per topic) will be submitted to the instructor for approval and feedback. The instructor will give the student feedback on his/her topic selections regarding which may be the most “researchable and ethical topic” based on assignment requirements, and may recommend the student focus on one for subsequent assignments. The proposal will not be completed as an experimental study, but rather as a proposal of a study that could be conducted in the future. (CLO: A, E, F)

Topic Selection: Final Topic Selection Assignment:

After receiving feedback from the Topic Selection: Find a Gap Assignment , the student will then choose one topic selection based upon the professor’s feedback, highlighting measurable variables (quantitative) or research strategy (qualitative) for the Benchmark Research Proposal Assignment . (CLO: A, B, C, E, F) 

Stimulus Questions: Chapter Two Research Training – Joys and Challenges Assignment

The student will write answers to the stimulus questions for the Stimulus Questions: Chapter Two Research Training – Joys and Challenges Assignment is located at the end of the chapter in Heppner et al. (2016). Answers to the Stimulus Questions will assist the student in the development of the Benchmark Research Proposal Assignment . (CLO: A, F, G).

Benchmark Quantitative or Qualitative Research Reporting Assignment

The student will analyze data from a chosen case scenario (not related to his or her proposal) for either a quantitative or qualitative study, and will write up a results and discussion section corresponding to that data/case scenario. The student will interpret the study’s design, discuss hypotheses (for the quantitative case scenario), data collection, method of analysis, results, and implications for the counseling field. This paper should be no more than 1-2 pages. (CLO: A, B, C, E, F)

Using the feedback received from the Topic Selection: Final Topic Selection Assignment , the student will use a decision-making template to build a quantitative or qualitative research design outline. This assignment is to be one page or less. (CLO: A, B, C, E, F, G)

Benchmark Research Proposal Assignment

For this assignment, the student will identify a research topic relevant to counseling and develop a research proposal. The student will conduct a literature review to develop appropriate research hypotheses/questions and discuss the design chosen. The student will then conclude the proposal with the implications that the study could have upon the counseling field and integrate a biblical perspective in light of these implications. This will be 3-4 pages in length and contain at least 5 citations. (CLO: A, B, C, E, F, G)

This quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain a combination of 24 multiple-choice, true/false, and short-answer questions, and have a time limit of 1 hour and 15 minutes. (CLO: A, B, C, D, E, F)

This quiz will be open-book/open-notes and will contain a combination of 25 multiple-choice or true/false questions, and have a time limit of 1 hour and 15 minutes. (CLO: A, B, C, D, E, F)

Quiz: Dispositions Reflection

This Dispositions Reflection quiz will ask the student to rate himself/herself on the nine dispositions required for this program by our accrediting bodies using the following scale:

• Exceeds expectations – I believe I do this exceptionally well.
• Clearly meets expectations – I believe I am able to do this in an appropriate way as expected for graduate students at my current position in the program.
• Adequately meets expectations – I believe I do this but could use improvement and growth in this dispositional area.
• Does not meet expectations – I believe I do not do this well and could use improvement.

This quiz will cover the Learn material for the assigned module. This quiz will contain 10 multiple-choice and essay questions, and have a 1-hour time limit. (CLO: F, G)

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• Knowledge Base
• Starting the research process
• How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates

How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates

Published on October 12, 2022 by Shona McCombes and Tegan George. Revised on November 21, 2023.

A research proposal describes what you will investigate, why it’s important, and how you will conduct your research.

The format of a research proposal varies between fields, but most proposals will contain at least these elements:

Introduction

Literature review.

• Research design

Reference list

While the sections may vary, the overall objective is always the same. A research proposal serves as a blueprint and guide for your research plan, helping you get organized and feel confident in the path forward you choose to take.

Table of contents

Research proposal purpose, research proposal examples, research design and methods, contribution to knowledge, research schedule, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about research proposals.

Academics often have to write research proposals to get funding for their projects. As a student, you might have to write a research proposal as part of a grad school application , or prior to starting your thesis or dissertation .

In addition to helping you figure out what your research can look like, a proposal can also serve to demonstrate why your project is worth pursuing to a funder, educational institution, or supervisor.

Research proposal length

The length of a research proposal can vary quite a bit. A bachelor’s or master’s thesis proposal can be just a few pages, while proposals for PhD dissertations or research funding are usually much longer and more detailed. Your supervisor can help you determine the best length for your work.

One trick to get started is to think of your proposal’s structure as a shorter version of your thesis or dissertation , only without the results , conclusion and discussion sections.

Download our research proposal template

Receive feedback on language, structure, and formatting

Professional editors proofread and edit your paper by focusing on:

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See an example

Writing a research proposal can be quite challenging, but a good starting point could be to look at some examples. We’ve included a few for you below.

• Example research proposal #1: “A Conceptual Framework for Scheduling Constraint Management”
• Example research proposal #2: “Medical Students as Mediators of Change in Tobacco Use”

Like your dissertation or thesis, the proposal will usually have a title page that includes:

• The proposed title of your project
• Your supervisor’s name
• Your institution and department

The first part of your proposal is the initial pitch for your project. Make sure it succinctly explains what you want to do and why.

Your introduction should:

• Introduce your topic
• Give necessary background and context
• Outline your  problem statement  and research questions

To guide your introduction , include information about:

• Who could have an interest in the topic (e.g., scientists, policymakers)
• How much is already known about the topic
• What is missing from this current knowledge
• What new insights your research will contribute
• Why you believe this research is worth doing

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

As you get started, it’s important to demonstrate that you’re familiar with the most important research on your topic. A strong literature review  shows your reader that your project has a solid foundation in existing knowledge or theory. It also shows that you’re not simply repeating what other people have already done or said, but rather using existing research as a jumping-off point for your own.

In this section, share exactly how your project will contribute to ongoing conversations in the field by:

• Comparing and contrasting the main theories, methods, and debates
• Examining the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches
• Explaining how will you build on, challenge, or synthesize prior scholarship

Following the literature review, restate your main  objectives . This brings the focus back to your own project. Next, your research design or methodology section will describe your overall approach, and the practical steps you will take to answer your research questions.

To finish your proposal on a strong note, explore the potential implications of your research for your field. Emphasize again what you aim to contribute and why it matters.

For example, your results might have implications for:

• Improving best practices
• Informing policymaking decisions
• Strengthening a theory or model
• Challenging popular or scientific beliefs
• Creating a basis for future research

Last but not least, your research proposal must include correct citations for every source you have used, compiled in a reference list . To create citations quickly and easily, you can use our free APA citation generator .

Some institutions or funders require a detailed timeline of the project, asking you to forecast what you will do at each stage and how long it may take. While not always required, be sure to check the requirements of your project.

Here’s an example schedule to help you get started. You can also download a template at the button below.

Download our research schedule template

If you are applying for research funding, chances are you will have to include a detailed budget. This shows your estimates of how much each part of your project will cost.

Make sure to check what type of costs the funding body will agree to cover. For each item, include:

• Cost : exactly how much money do you need?
• Justification : why is this cost necessary to complete the research?
• Source : how did you calculate the amount?

To determine your budget, think about:

• Travel costs : do you need to go somewhere to collect your data? How will you get there, and how much time will you need? What will you do there (e.g., interviews, archival research)?
• Materials : do you need access to any tools or technologies?
• Help : do you need to hire any research assistants for the project? What will they do, and how much will you pay them?

If you want to know more about the research process , methodology , research bias , or statistics , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

Methodology

• Sampling methods
• Simple random sampling
• Stratified sampling
• Cluster sampling
• Likert scales
• Reproducibility

 Statistics

• Null hypothesis
• Statistical power
• Probability distribution
• Effect size
• Poisson distribution

Research bias

• Optimism bias
• Cognitive bias
• Implicit bias
• Hawthorne effect
• Anchoring bias
• Explicit bias

Once you’ve decided on your research objectives , you need to explain them in your paper, at the end of your problem statement .

Keep your research objectives clear and concise, and use appropriate verbs to accurately convey the work that you will carry out for each one.

I will compare …

A research aim is a broad statement indicating the general purpose of your research project. It should appear in your introduction at the end of your problem statement , before your research objectives.

Research objectives are more specific than your research aim. They indicate the specific ways you’ll address the overarching aim.

A PhD, which is short for philosophiae doctor (doctor of philosophy in Latin), is the highest university degree that can be obtained. In a PhD, students spend 3–5 years writing a dissertation , which aims to make a significant, original contribution to current knowledge.

A PhD is intended to prepare students for a career as a researcher, whether that be in academia, the public sector, or the private sector.

A master’s is a 1- or 2-year graduate degree that can prepare you for a variety of careers.

All master’s involve graduate-level coursework. Some are research-intensive and intend to prepare students for further study in a PhD; these usually require their students to write a master’s thesis . Others focus on professional training for a specific career.

Critical thinking refers to the ability to evaluate information and to be aware of biases or assumptions, including your own.

Like information literacy , it involves evaluating arguments, identifying and solving problems in an objective and systematic way, and clearly communicating your ideas.

The best way to remember the difference between a research plan and a research proposal is that they have fundamentally different audiences. A research plan helps you, the researcher, organize your thoughts. On the other hand, a dissertation proposal or research proposal aims to convince others (e.g., a supervisor, a funding body, or a dissertation committee) that your research topic is relevant and worthy of being conducted.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

McCombes, S. & George, T. (2023, November 21). How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates. Scribbr. Retrieved September 3, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/research-process/research-proposal/

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