GRASP

Writing your M1 research proposal

July 29th, 2026, by Karen Miller Tag(s): Academic writing, Research proposal, Candidacy

Starting a higher degree by research is exciting, but the initial step of writing the research proposal can be daunting. If you are about to embark on writing your M1 Research Proposal as a Curtin HDR student, and are not sure where to start, here is a quick, practical rundown of what you need to know.

What is the research proposal?

The Research proposal is a necessary document that is submitted as part of Curtin University’s M1 candidacy process. It is your project’s blueprint and answers these questions:

  • What are you researching?
  • Why does it matter?
  • How and when will you do it?

Doctoral candidates need to aim to write around 10 pages, while Masters students write about 5.

The building blocks

In the M1 Research proposal you’ll need to cover these areas:

  1. Title and Abstract
  2. Background / Literature Review
  3. Significance
  4. Research Question, Aims & Objectives
  5. Methodology & Methods
  6. Ethical Considerations
  7. Timeline
  8. Budget
  9. References
  10. Data Management Plan (Note, this is part of the M1 submission, but not part of the proposal itself.)

Not all of these topics need a separate heading, but they do need to be addressed in the proposal. Your supervisor will help you calibrate exactly how much weight each section needs. For example, some projects may require a longer ethics section than others.

Top tip! Read the Research Proposal Factsheet provided by the Curtin Graduate Research School, and look at the M1 Reviewers Report to see the kinds of things they will be looking for when reviewing your proposal.

Title and abstract: first impressions are important!

The title and abstract are the first things your M1 reviewers read, so take the time to ensure these are carefully crafted.

Your title should be clear, specific, and engaging - and yes, it can change after your M1.

Your abstract isn’t an introduction, but rather a summary of the substantial elements of your proposal. Its purpose is to quickly and clearly convey what your research is about. It should cover the research problem, why it matters, your approach, and the expected outcome.

Background: map the field, then plant your flag

The background /literature review section is usually the meatiest section of the proposal. You’re not summarising everything ever written on the topic - you’re telling a story that leads readers to understand why your research is necessary. Cover:

  • The current state of knowledge in your field
  • Key debates and controversies
  • Recent developments
  • The gaps in existing research
  • How your work connects to what’s already out there

A useful way to structure this section is by starting with broad themes and narrowing down to your specific focus. Include key concepts/ definitions and important theories or frameworks. Provide signposts to help your readers navigate the ideas, which may be unfamiliar to them.

Significance: the ‘so what’ part

Your M1 reviewers will want to see that your research is original, but also that it matters. The idea that “nobody has done this before” isn’t enough on its own. Ask yourself:

  • Who benefits from this research?
  • What problem does it solve?
  • How does it move the field forward?
  • What practical outcomes might it have?

Discussion of the significance of your research fits well at the end of the background section, although can have its own heading if you prefer.

Research question, aims and objectives: what you intend to do

Your research question should be clear, appropriately scoped (not too broad, not too narrow), aligned with your methodology, and answerable within your thesis. Many proposals have one overarching question with 3-4 sub-questions.

Your research aim expresses what you hope to achieve, while your objectives are the steps you’ll take to achieve your aim / answer your research question/s. Start drafting your objectives early, using verbs like ‘identify’, ‘measure’, ‘analyse’, ‘evaluate’, ‘compare’, ‘explore’ or ‘develop’.

Methodology: how you’ll do it

Research methodology refers to your overall research philosophy, approach and design. It should reflect how you believe knowledge is best discovered in your field. Research methods are the specific tools and techniques you’ll use to carry out the research, such as surveys, interviews, or statistical analyses.

Your methodology section should explain your approach (e.g., qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods), your theoretical lens and how you’ll ensure reliability and validity. When discussing your methods, be as specific as possible about the data collection tools, the sample size and rationale, the analysis procedures, and any known limitations.

Ethics: a necessary consideration

Every research project has ethical implications, even if you’re not working directly with human subjects. For direction look at the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research, consult with your supervisor and familiarise yourself with Curtin’s Ethics website. It’s worth considering factors like data storage, conflicts of interest, cultural sensitivities and environmental impact. If your work involves people, animals, sensitive data, or hazardous materials, you should indicate in the proposal that you intend to apply for Curtin ethics approval. If your research won’t need formal ethics approval and the ethical considerations are minor, it’s still important to acknowledge in the proposal that you have considered any potential concerns.

Timeline and budget: proving it is do-able

Your timeline should be realistic (include buffer time to allow for unexpected disruptions or holdups), and show how your milestones and research phases line up. A Gantt-style spreadsheet works well — you can download a template here and customise it to reflect your tasks and timeline.

For the budget, consider potential costs like equipment, software, travel, participant compensation, conferences, and training. Curtin’s budget template can help you structure it.

Together, these two sections demonstrate that you’ve thought through the practicalities and that your research goal is achievable.

Reference list

The proposal needs to include a reference list. This is not a bibliography, so should only include the sources cited in your proposal. If you haven’t started using a bibliographic software like Endnote or Zotero, now is the time to start. Curtin provides Endnote software and support for students.

Data Management Plan

Separate to the proposal itself, you will need to complete and submit a Data Management Plan. There is information and instructions in the Curtin Library’s Research Toolkit. Take the time to go through these resources and discuss your plan with your supervisors.

A few tips

Final reflections

Remember that your M1 candidacy proposal is a starting point, not your final thesis. Reviewers might suggest new angles or literature you hadn’t considered, and it’s normal for it to change. It’s common for research projects to narrow in scope as they develop, which is usually a sign that it is shaping into a well focussed and clearly defined project.

Note: This post is based on the content we cover in the workshop ‘Overview of the M1 Research Proposal’. A recording of a previous workshop is available here. Warning - it’s 2 hours long!

Please make any anonymous comments/ feedback, or suggestions for further posts at this link. If you would like to get in touch, or write a post for the Ideas Hub blog, please email karen.miller@curtin.edu.au. Contributions from HDR students are welcome!

Photo by Ante Hamersmit on Unsplash