Attached is the most complete suggestion for the elements of a proposal that I have ever seen with the attribution. I downloaded it from the web many years ago. With that said, I will add what I have found as the biggest problem with students and professionals at any level writing a research proposal. That is, they always begin with the solution rather than the problem. All quantitative research should flow from the problem. I define the problem this way: It is the difference from what is now and what you want it to be. Therefore, you must determine the current state of affairs and propose what they should be. The problem is the difference between the two. The proposal flows from that problem. Good luck!

James E. McLean thanks so much.

Here is some general advice before you start. Your 1st goal should be to develop a proposal that enables you to complete your dissertation in a reasonable amount of time so you can graduate. There will be plenty of time to develop other research studies. If you have a particular interest, use the dissertation to collect early information your might be able to use later. You don't want to do a 10 year research study for your dissertation. Some advisors like doctoral students to carry out projects that help them but are of not great interest to the students. If that's your case, say if you can wiggle out. This is your time!

I also like McLean's answer. You need to describe clearly if you are conducting a qualitative or quantitative study. He does hint at this in this sentence, Foreshadow the hypotheses to be tested or the questions to be raised, but there needs to be more info for a qualitative study.

Good luck!