Make the proposal as brief and vague as possible, then you can change the question as the research unfolds, avoid annoying questions and keep your research confidential :)

Dear Hussein Chible

Research proposals are used to persuade potential supervisors and funders that your work is worthy of their support. These documents setting out your Doctoral thesis are typically between 1,500 and 3,000 words in length.

I suggest the following links to go further:

1. https://www.findaphd.com/advice/finding/writing-phd-research-proposal.aspx

2. https://www.sydney.edu.au/study/how-to-apply/postgraduate-research/how-to-write-a-research-proposal-for-a-strong-phd-application.html

3. https://www.findaphd.com/advice/finding/writing-phd-research-proposal.aspx

Best Regards

Dr. Fatemeh Khozaei

Thanks Andrew Paul McKenzie Pegman for the reply.

Yes, I agree with you that the proposal can be short and some things can be changed as research goes on.

Greetings

Dear Fatemeh Khozaei

Thanks for your detailed reply.

Yes, research proposals can be used for getting support and funding, so it should be well defined and written. About how many words the Proposal can include, it can be in the range you provided.

Regards

Dear Dr Shibli, PhD proposals must be built on a felt need. Students should be oriented into choosing a topic from a bank of subjects tailored to explore and improve the different fields and industries.

So much could be said on this topic, but I'll just point to some points on the top of my mind that I experienced.

Proposals give a sneak peek into the students' mindset, planning abilities, and research prowess.

It pays to be mindful of regulations especially regarding ethical concerns, mainly focusing on the host country's laws, then the block (like the EU), then international laws. Then, adjust the projects' objectives and methodology accordingly. Being attentive to those shows maturity and professionalism.

Dear Dr Inssaf El Takash

Thanks for the reply.

I agree with your opinion on doctoral proposals "felt needed, oriented, ..." in order to improve or solve real problems.

Regards

Dear Dr Ahmad Kobeissi

Thank you for your reply.

Yes, it is very important to take into account ethical concerns, country research laws and international research laws.

Regards

Les guides de rédaction d'une proposition de recherche sont multiples et disponibles sur les sites des universités et des écoles doctorales. Ils expliquent en détail le protocole de la recherche et les règles d'écriture. Mais l'étudiant-chercheur devrait considérer la proposition de la recherche comme une feuille de route ou comme un ensemble de repères qui vont orienter son projet de thèse durant plusieurs années.

Si au début, la préparation de la proposition de la recherche exige des qualités comme l'esprit critique et le sens de l'innovation, ces qualités se développent en travaillant la thèse. D'où le rôle important que doit jouer le directeur de la recherche.

There are many guides for writing a research proposal. They are available on the websites of universities and doctoral schools. They explain in detail the research protocol and the rules of writing. But the student-researcher should consider the research proposal as a roadmap or as a set of benchmarks that will guide his thesis project for several years.

If at the beginning, the preparation of the research proposal requires qualities such as critical thinking and a sense of innovation, these qualities are developed by working on the thesis. Hence the important role that the research director must play.

Every university has its own standards and guidelines for the PhD programme. I agree with the comments from all the esteemed researchers here that the research question evolves along the process and so in the proposal, there must be sufficient background information on the project and that could easily be understood through write-ups/presentations. These are the minimum conditions for a good PhD proposal.

Thank you Dr Zeina Makki for your reply that explains your opinion in a clear way. Especially the roadmap that should be used.

Regards

Dear Jyotirmoy Mishra

Yes, each university may have its own criteria and guidelines for its PhD proposal and thesis. I agree with you that minimum requirements for a good PhD proposal must be did. So we have to try to determine these best conditions and requirements.

Regards

Best Regards, Hussein Chible

https://www.sydney.edu.au/study/how-to-apply/postgraduate-research/how-to-write-a-research-proposal-for-a-strong-phd-application.html

A research proposal should present your idea or question and expected outcomes with clarity and definition.

It should also make a case for why your question is significant and what value it will bring to your discipline.