Research Paper vs Research Proposal – Differences Between Research Proposal And Research Paper

Research Paper vs Research Proposal – Differences Between Research Proposal And Research Paper

What is a Research Proposal?

In its most basic form, a research proposal can be described as a planned research endeavour that outlines a proposed research project and looks for money or support to actualize it.

In other words, it can be seen as a formal and well-organized document offering frank justifications about why people conduct or perform particular forms of research. A research proposal also considers the value of the planned research and the methodology used to carry it out.

Deducing from these proposed definitions, one can aptly imply that the core aim of a research proposal is to convince a higher entity (usually a research supervisor, a committee or an organization) about the importance and reason for pursuing a particular research or project.

What are the properties of a Research Proposal?

A standard research proposal typically consists of the following properties or elements;

• A concise description of the research question and the proposed problem that the research intends to study.
• A brief overview of the relevant literature and the theories surrounding the proposed research.
• A breakdown of the research methodology, describing the kind of information which will be gathered and examined for the sake of the research.
• A justification of the significance or importance of the proposed study and its potential impacts in a locality or setting.
• An approximate timetable or timeline for the proposed study.
• A budget and a plan for funding the proposed budget.
• Proper reference list of the cited sources in the proposal.

Why is a Research Proposal Important?

A research proposal supersedes the walls of academia alone. It is also referred to in organizations or diverse entities that use research to progress or evolve. Such entities include laboratories, government agencies, consultancy firms, industries, etc. As a result of its continuous usage for diverse reasons, it can be regarded as important, owing to the following factors;

• A research proposal specifies the precise objectives, procedures and timetables for a proposed research or study. These factors and elements are considered candid phases or steps in a research process.
• It can be used to ascertain the feasibility and potential of a proposed research or study, and it can be used as a strong means of ensuring or securing funding and other vital resources for proposed research.
• A properly structured research proposal can be used to depict the degree of expertise a researcher may have on the subject matter of the proposed research. Similarly, such a level of expertise can be used to gauge the suitability of the researcher to conduct a particular project.
• A research proposal creates room for the provision of feedback and past theories from experts in that particular field. These factors or elements can improve a research’s research questions, procedures and design structure.
• It is crucial for cooperation and communication with potential project stakeholders and other scholars in diverse fields.
• Additionally, it aids in ensuring that the study endeavour adheres to pertinent laws and rules in the locality or region in which it is conducted.

What is a Research Paper?

A research paper can be described as a formal document which presents original findings on proposed research or subject matter. In much simpler terms, it is an expanded essay which brings to light the views of a writer or a researcher regarding a particular topic or subject matter. Similar to a research proposal, a research paper is also used in diverse places or settings.

In academia, it is frequently used to share original research or analysis findings with diverse scholars in diverse fields. These findings are then used for dissertations, conference proceedings, scho­­­larly publications, etc. Research papers are also used in business and professional settings and are released as articles, books, etc.

What are the properties of a Research Paper?

A research paper typically consists of the following properties or structure;

• An Introduction:

  This section of the research paper introduces the research subject matter, outlines the research questions, and provides the proposed study’s aim and objectives and significance. This section of the research introduces the subject matter of the research and its properties to the readers.

• The Literature Review:

  This is a portion of the research paper that compiles and analyzes all the previous studies conducted on the research subject matter. The main aim of a literature review is to identify the gaps in the existing body of knowledge and look for ways the current study will be able to fill these gaps.

• Methodology:

  The research methodology section in a research paper outlines the research design, techniques and approaches which will be used throughout the conduction of the proposed study. Its main goal is to provide such research steps so that other researchers can duplicate or ascertain the validity of the proposed research.

• Results:

  In its most basic form, the results in a research paper provide or propose the research findings. These findings include the data collected and the data analyzed. The aim of the results section in a research paper is to provide the research findings objectively without any form of interpretation or discussion.

• Discussion:

  The discussion in a research paper interprets the study’s results and relates them to the research question and the literature review. The purpose of this section is to provide context for the findings, explain their implications and suggest directions for further research.

• Conclusion:

  The key elements of the research study are logically and concisely summarized in the conclusion. Additionally, it contains information about the study’s importance and additional suggestions that could be used to advance the planned study.

• References:

  This consists of a list of the sources the author or writer of a research paper uses while conducting a proposed or particular research. It is usually situated at the end of the paper and is used to show appreciation, acknowledgement, and credit to the works of scholars used in the research paper.

Why is a Research Paper important?

A research paper can be regarded as an important result for several reasons, these reasons include;

• It enables researchers to communicate their theories and discoveries to a larger scientific community, which advances knowledge and comprehension in a given discipline. This is crucial in medicine, where cutting-edge research can result in better patient therapies and treatments.
• Secondly, scientific communication is facilitated by research articles. Researchers might build on the work of others or reproduce the study to verify the findings by using the findings and methodologies described in a paper. This supports the development of the scientific community and helps to ensure the authenticity and dependability of scientific discoveries.

What are the differences between a Research Paper and a Research Proposal?

A research paper and a research proposal can be described as slightly similar. This is so because they both project and justify a proposed or particular project topic. Nonetheless, both entities tend to differ in many ways, these ways include;

• Differences in terms of purpose or aim:

Both entities tend to differ in terms of their purposes or aims. In this regard, a research proposal aims to outline a proposed research topic and its properties. This could include its background study, study timeline, significance, objectives, methods, expected outcomes, etc. A research proposal is often used to seek funding from other organizations or people.

A research paper, on the other hand, is a report containing full research conducted by the researcher. It has distinct qualities, such as; the findings and results of the research conducted, a conclusion, and a recommendation. Often, a research paper is used as a tool for evaluating and listening to the opinion of a researcher regarding a particular field of study.

• Differences in page lengths:

A research paper is typically longer than a research proposal. It demands about 20-50 pages, all of which should contain detailed findings, descriptions and results of the proposed subject matter. A research proposal, on the other hand, tends to be shorter than a research paper.

It demands about 5-20 pages, the bulk of which is used to convince another entity of the importance of the research and the need for proper funding of the proposed research.

• Differences in the intended audience:

The ‘intended audience’ in this context refers to the different types of people tasked with reading both a research proposal and a research paper. A research proposal is often targeted to a smaller audience (mainly the organization who will be responsible for the funding or the lecturer tasked with the responsibility of approving the proposed research topic).

A research paper, on the other hand, tends to entertain a higher audience (this usually includes a large bulk of the academic society or community).