The difference between these two terms is not like Tomato/To-mah-toe. It is rather like the difference between bananas and plantains!
One of the things students get confused in understanding the purposes of a research prospectus vs. proposal. Therefore; before we start playing with the differences between these two terms, it is better to understand the concept of these two terms;
What is a research proposal?
A research proposal is the official outline of your research. A research proposal contains all the whereabouts of your research like; what is your research, why are you opting for this research, when and how are you going to research.
A research proposal is usually written to get the research approved by your professor to continue it further. It is done so to cater to the issues at the earliest hour.
What is a research Prospectus?
The definition of a research prospectus can be covered within one line and that is “a research prospectus is the preliminary research proposal”. Thus, a research prospectus contains all the critical issues that are likely to occur while researching a topic.
The purpose of a research prospectus can be learned more clearly from those custom thesis writing services at The Research Guardian, which always motivates students to acquaint them with a research prospectus. A researcher writes a research prospectus for himself to get a clear idea about a particular topic.
The main difference between a research proposal and a research prospectus?
A research proposal is the official requirement of research, which needs approval from the respective authority. A research proposal is that chapter of your research that you will have to win by precision and concreteness. It contains all the official information about your research. A research proposal is written in the future tense.
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A research prospectus is the unofficial requirement of research. A researcher only makes the prospectus to acquaint him or herself with all the hurdles likely to occur in the study. A student can get a second opinion from his professor on a prospectus without fearing rejection. As the purpose over here is just to learn and not win.
The main components of are a research prospectus:
A research prospectus may not be the official research requirement, but it has its core components. A prospectus includes the following aspects of your research;
Topic: What is the topic that you are willing to research upon? Is it up to the requirement of your research. You may analyze the interest towards your topic.
Aims and objectives: State the aims and objectives. Analyze how going for a certain approach helps you achieve your aims and objectives and the possible hurdles in achieving those.
Analyze methodology: Each methodology has its pros and cons. For example, while writing a prospectus, a researcher must analyze the pros and cons he could handle in research.
The core concept: To understand the core concept of doing research is the main element of a research prospectus; this helps in setting the vision of your research.
The main component of a research proposal:
The research proposal has the following aspects, which demand the utmost approval from the desired authority.
Title/Introduction: It includes the introduction of research, where you inform the reader about your topic.
Background: In a proposal, you give the topic’s background, which compelled you to research this topic.
Literature review: A proposal must contain some information about the past research conducted on your topic, which helped you find the research gap.
Hypothesis; in a proposal, you include the hypothesis of your research, for which you will conduct your research.
Methodology; Discuss the method of your research, like what is your approach to work on your research questions/problems or hypotheses.
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References and Bibliography Bibliography; if there have been any inspiration while writing a research proposal, you should cite those sources in your bid. Not only this, you may discuss the Bibliography and references you will give to your research.
Final verdict!
To come up with the best research, a student is always expected to struggle a bit extra. By making a research prospectus and proposal, side by side, a student brings one step closer to writing the best research of an academic career.
