A research proposal is a document that outlines the goals, objectives, methodology, and expected findings of a proposed research project. It is typically written by researchers and PhD students to secure funding, approval, or collaboration for their research. A well-written research proposal is essential for several reasons. It helps researchers clarify their own thinking about their research project. By forcing themselves to articulate their research goals, objectives, and methods in a clear and concise way, researchers can identify any gaps in their understanding or any potential problems with their project design.