proposal on market research

Market Research Proposal

Proposal maker.

Setting the direction for any market research effort is an essential and critical step that you have to consider whenever you would like to look into the trends in the marketplace or assess the key factors that affect the purchasing decisions of your target audience. Before doing any program or activity related to the specified matter, you first have to know how to execute an effective proposal writing procedure.

Developing a comprehensive and detailed market research proposal can help you a lot in terms of organizing the market research processes that you would like to conduct as well as the resources that you will be needing.

• Google Docs

Size: A4, US

State the objectives, scope of work, research methodology, target market, and other such important information of your market research by downloading and using this above-shown research  proposal example  template. This ready-made template’s content can be edited and customized in various file formats such as MS Word, Pages, Gooogle Docs, and editable PDF. Hurry up and try it out now!

Market Research Proposal Example

Download and make use of this market research template so that you can conduct your market research effectively. Using this, you can conveniently outline the objectives and goals for your market research, thereby, saving you enough time to do other tasks related to the research. Edit and customize using  MS Word and Pages. You can also click on  multimedia project proposal examples .

Marketing Research Proposal Example

It is important to not let yourself get confused between a market research proposal and a marketing research proposal. The marketing research proposal deals with the presentation of potential promotional and advertising activities that can be implemented by a company to present and market its products, services, deals, and other offers while the marketing research proposal is focused on learning the market movement based on the market’s trends, activities, and size.

Proposal for Market Research Example

Size: 10 KB

If you want to create your market research proposal, one of the things that you can do to help you have an easier time when developing the document is to look into references like downloadable examples. Simply browse through the market research proposal examples in PDF that are available in this post so you can have an idea of how to properly create the best market research proposal for your business.

Free Market Research Proposal Example

Size: 340 KB

Importance of a Market Research Proposal

A market research proposal helps you properly think of the things that truly matter when it comes to the market research. With the help of this document, you can give priority to the factors and elements that can contribute to the advancement and growth of your business .

Using a market research proposal can also give you time to put together relevant and necessary processes that are most likely helpful in achieving not only the goals of your market research activities but the corporate goals of the business as well. Here are some of the reasons why you need to create and use a market research proposal:

1. A market research proposal is one of the most essential documents that are used by businesses to properly plan the entire process of their market research activities. It presents the outline of the market research’s goals and it also focuses on the action plans that can lead the business to the achievement of its objectives and vision.

2. A market research proposal can give an idea about the funding that is needed by the team to execute the activities for market research. Financial support from the organization is needed to be addressed to make sure that all plotted procedures will be implemented accordingly. You may also see business proposal examples .

Developing the market research proposal with the knowledge that funding will be given for its implementation can make the marketing team, as well as the other people involved in the activity, become more proactive and efficient as it is most likely that what they envisioned and planned will be realized.

3. A market research proposal, especially one that contains a marketing SWOT analysis and a market condition overview, can help you look into the external and internal factors that affect your business operations.

The knowledge about the nature of your business, the competition that you need to look out for, the threats and risks that you need to prepare for, the needs and demands of your audience, the movement and shifts in the marketplace, and the opportunities that you should grab can make you become more well-rounded and multifaceted when drafting the market research proposal that you would like to present. You may also check out project proposal examples .

4. A market research proposal can discuss the milestones that are expected to be achieved by the business with the help of market research strategies and general action plans . Hence, this document can persuade and convince its target audience that a proposed market research activity must be approved especially if expected results can excessively benefit the business or provide a solution to its current issues, problems, and concerns.

Sample Marketing Research Proposal Example

Size: 90 KB

Proposal for Marketing Research and Market Intelligence Example

Size: 607 KB

Market Research and Analysis Report for Proposal Referencing Example

Size: 152 KB

Market Research Proposal Content

Different market research proposals have different sections, clauses, or areas of discussion. The content of a market research proposal depends on the purpose of its usage, the scope of the activity, the expected returns of the business, the professional goals of the market research, and the relation of the document’s usage to the vision of the business.

Even if there are differences when it comes to the information that you can see in many market research proposals used in various industries, there are still common or usual information that is seen in any market research proposal. Some of the details that are essential to be included in a market research proposal are as follows:

1. Develop a hypothesis. This is very important as you need to present the potential impacts of the market research proposal when implemented. This can also help you identify the ways on how you can interlink or align all the elements that are essential for the successful execution of all the market research proposal’s areas. You may also see short proposal examples .

2. Present an overview of the market research activities that you would like the business to consider. You have to sum up the intent of the market research as well as the output that you expect from it. More so, you have to discuss the feasibility, attainability, and sustainability of your general plans . Being able to showcase these strengths can help your market research proposal become more appealing and relevant.

3. Just like when making a development project proposal , use a timeline that can give an idea of the entire duration of the market research proposal’s actual usage. You have to set time frames where specific deliverables should be seen or observed already. With this, you can ensure your target audience that the proposal is time-bound and realistic.

4. Especially if you will use technical terms, a proper definition of terms is highly suggested to be included in your market research proposal. This part of the document can make the general proposal more understandable for any reasonable person.

5. Know your targets so you can easily come up with the methodology that is relevant to your needs. All the practices and activities that you would like to immerse in should be thoroughly defined in the document so that the general analysis of the measures of your proposal can be objectively done.

6. Discuss the current market conditions in the marketplace where your business belongs. Aside from the trends that you need to consider, you also have to list down the opportunities that the business can take to help it achieve its goals and return of investments.

Marketing Information Management System Research Proposal Example

Size: 399 KB

Research Proposal Usable for Market Study Example

Size: 99 KB

Market Research and Developing a Marketing Plan Proposal Example

Market Research Conduct and Proposal Drafting Example

Size: 131 KB

Discussion Flow for a Simple Market Research Proposal

The format and discussion flow of the market research proposal can contribute to the document’s successes, or the lack thereof. This is the reason why you have to be careful with how you will present the market research proposal to your audience. You have to ensure that the document is visually pleasing and well-organized so that people will not have a hard time reviewing its content. You may also see  freelance proposal examples .

A basic discussion flow that you can use when presenting the details of your market research proposal are listed below:

• The title of your market research  proposal sample
• The date when the market research proposal has been made and the dates of its updates
• The name of the company who can benefit from the document
• The name of the person who prepared the proposal and the department or division where he or she is assigned at
• The executive summary of the market research proposal
• The objectives of the market research proposal
• The current condition of the business and the market as well as other important existing knowledge
• The expected output of the document’s usage, when approved
• The demographics targeted by the business with the help of the market research proposal
• The processes of data gathering, collection, assessment, and presentation
• The methodology that will be applied for the  research project plan intended for a particular market
• The dates and periods where particular tasks should already be done
• The budget proposed by the team or the individual who made the proposal
• Any ethical considerations that must be looked into before the implementation of the market research

Proposal to Conduct Consumer Experience of Care Surveys or Market Research

Size: 103 KB

Request for Proposal for Solicitation for Contract for Market Research Example

Size: 344 KB

Marketing Research Group Project Proposal Example

Marketing Research Firm Proposal Example

Size: 477 KB

Tips to Develop an Impressive Market Research Proposal

Aside from having an advertising and marketing business plan , you should also have a market research plan. It is not enough for you to rely on your knowledge about the things that you can control. You also have to think of the elements that are not within your hands like the trends in the marketplace and the reaction of your audience and competition with regards to these trends and/or any other market changes.

Listed below are a few of the tips that you can use if you want to develop an impressive market research proposal for your business:

1. Since a market research proposal is one of the first documents that you will be needing for your market research, you have to ensure that the content of the document is flexible enough to adapt to possible changes within the development of the market research planning and implementation phases. You have to ensure that there are windows where appropriate changes can be inserted as well as channels, mediums, or platforms where you can incorporate backup plans when necessary or called for.

2. Keep in mind that the language and tone that you will use when creating the content of the market research proposal must be highly considered.

You have to ensure that the document is formal, business-appropriate, and compelling. Aside from the fact that the market research proposal is expected to be complete with all the details about your proposed market research plan, it is also imperative for you to make sure that the document is understandable, well-defined, and clear. You may also see security proposal examples .

3. Know the basics of market research proposal organization. There are different kinds of structures that you can look into so that your market research proposal can look cohesive and well put together.

The structure of the document should depend on the length of your discussion, the details that you will incorporate in your market research undertakings, and the key factors that you need to give focus and highlight on when presenting the complexity of the market research. You may also like budget proposal examples .

It will rather be more efficient for you if you plan to use references like templates and examples while preparing your market research proposal.

Maximize the help that you can get from the downloadable examples in this post as well as the related discussion that we have presented. Always ensure that there is an organization in the procedures of market research proposal development so you can be well-guided in terms of getting the output that you would like to have for your market research undertaking.

Text prompt

• Instructive
• Professional

Generate a proposal for a new school recycling program

Compose a proposal for a school field trip to a science museum.

How to Create a Market Research Proposal (+Template)

Continuing the market research series, in this article, we’ll discuss what a market research proposal is and how to create one.

To recap, what we’ve covered so far in the series, we’ve talked about what market research is, the different types of market research you need to do to grow your business, and the benefits of conducting market research .

What is A Market Research Proposal

Conducting market research is expensive, and if you work in a large organization, then you would need to justify such expenses.

Before conducting your research you’d need to shed some light on past data about your market, gaps in the data, and why new research is necessary.

This is where a Market Research Proposal come in to play.

Typically, a research proposal is a document proposing a research project, usually, these proposals are done by a scientist or an academic. 

The proposals are then evaluated on the cost and potential impact of the proposed research, and on the soundness of the proposed plan for carrying it out. Research proposals generally address several key points:

• What research question(s) will be addressed, and how they will be addressed
• How much time and expense will be required for the research
• What prior research has been done on the topic
• How the results of the research will be evaluated
• How the research will benefit the sponsoring organization and other parties involved

The same principles apply here, only that your business market environment is what is being researched, which is your target market.

A market research proposal is a document that details the what, the where, the when and the how of market research and the information and costs associated with it.

If this sounds complicated, then here’s what you need to know about a market proposal. It addresses:

• Why market research is necessary and what you aim to gain from the research
• What resources are required for the research
• Past research done on your market
• How the data from this market research will be collected, stored and used
• How the research will benefit your business

Keep in mind that at this point you are not conducting the research yet, you are simply providing a rationale behind why market research is necessary.

In the next article in this “Market Research” series, we will discuss the process of conducting market research, but for now, we need to provide a compelling document on why, how, when and where the research will be conducted.

11 Steps to Create A Market Research Proposal

Now that you know what a market research proposal is, it’s time to create one. There are 11 steps to create a sound and compelling market research proposal

1. Market Research Proposal Summary

Start your proposal by briefly explaining the purpose of the market research and why it is required. Also, give an overview of what the desired outcome of the market research is.

If your business is interested in pouring resources into an in-depth market research then surely, there is something you hope to gain from it.

Remember to provide reasoning for the need of this specific market research and let whoever is reading this, such as the CEO, COO. know what contributions this research will make to the company.

TEMPLATE TO USE:

The market research project, entitled [RESEARCH PROJECT TITLE] hopes to discover more information regarding market trends in [SPECIFIC AREA]. The following summary will give an overview of the causes, processes, and possible effects of the market research proposal, detailed below.

2. Research Objectives

In this section of your proposal give full details about what problem has been identified that requires market research to be conducted. I.e. Show why there is a specific need for this research in the first place.

Explain what the market research results will be used for and how they will help achieve the overall goals. Describe the goals which you hope to achieve with this project.

The proposed market research project contains the following objectives:

• Objective one
• Objective two

3. Background Information on Past Market Research

Odds are you’re not the first person/company to conduct research on your market. This means that there is existing information on your market. However, this knowledge might be outdated, or might not provide the data your business needs.

So, in this section explain what information already exists on this topic and what is already known. Also, highlight the gaps in knowledge that the market research will hopefully fill.

Here you will show information from existing sources regarding the specific topic to be researched. It is great to provide cited sources, graphs, charts, and statistics. 

You will use this section to show that you know a great deal about the market you will be researching, but you also need to show the holes in the current knowledge.

You can then demonstrate the specific need for your proposed research plan, and how this market research plan will fill these holes and contribute to the knowledge of this subject.

4. Market Research Proposal Hypothesis

If your business needs to conduct market research, then you probably have a few ideas of what you hope to get or learn from the research.

In this section describe what you believed to be the likely outcome of the market research and what you hope to learn.

5. Research Target Audience

Your business doesn’t target everyone, and odds are your business targets different audience types. So who is this research targeted at?

This is a very important part of your proposal and you need to be as detailed as possible about the target audience or audiences you will be researching.

Also, describe how you will source this target audience and how you will ensure they meet the correct criteria.

6. Data Collection of Market Research

Time to get to the good stuff. In this part of your proposal, you MUST detail all the data collection methods that will be used during the market research and, how they will be carried out. 

You MUST also explain how the accuracy of data will be maintained, how potential candidates for the research will be approached and, if applicable, how they will be reimbursed for their time and contribution.

Use specifics and consider potential questions such as.

• How will you maintain the accuracy of data? 
• How will you approach potential survey or research candidates? 
• Will these participants be paid for their time? 
• At what times of day will you make phone calls? 
• In what ways will you ensure an accurate data sample? 

The more information you can provide in this section, the better.

Our methods of data collection will be best suited to the project at hand. Research methods will include:

• Focus groups
• Collection of social media data
• Surveys via the Internet, phone, or email
• Long range in-home consumer tests
• Distribution of samples
• In person promotionals

These individuals will be selected [HOW THEY ARE SELECTED] to ensure an appropriately constituted pool of data from which we can infer accurate insights and trends.

The pool itself comprises of individuals who have expressed to us an interest in participating in such surveys, and they will be compensated by [METHOD OF COMPENSATION]….

7. Research and Analysis Methodology

In this section of your proposal, you are to discuss the strengths and possible limitations of your research methods. 

Provide an overall blueprint for your methodology in approaching research data, and describe the implications of each method of data collection, and explain the methods you will use to interpret the data. 

Lastly, discuss the means of evaluating the collected data and how you will account for errors, holes in data, or inaccuracies.

8. Ethics to be Followed During Research

You’re almost done with your proposal, but there are still a few important details that need to be included. 

Explain how the market research will adhere to ethical codes by thinking about how issues such as participant confidentiality, data security, privacy, and consent of research participants will be addressed.

Include waivers or documents you plan to provide to research participants, if applicable

9. Market Research Timeline

In this section, provide a detailed timeline of when the research needs to begin and when a full report is required, ensure sufficient and realistic time for both data collection and data analysis are considered.

Market Research Timeline

• Task 1 ([DATE] [TIME])
• Task 2 ([DATE] [TIME])
• Task 3 ([DATE] [TIME])

10. Market Research Budget

We’re almost done with our proposal, but it’s time to include arguably the most important section. After all, if your company does not have the funds and resources then there would be no research in the first place.

Provide an overall budget for the proposed project. Make sure to include all possible cost considerations. You can provide a breakdown of those here. 

Don’t forget budgets for sections such as Participant Reimbursement, funds for documents, rental space.

11. Conclusion

This is the last part of your market research proposal. You can add ways in which this market research will provide further benefits or include unique applications of the potential results.

Now that you know the market research proposal process and the importance of market research, in the next article will discuss the actual market research process.

Comment with any questions you have about Market Research Proposals and I will get back to you ASAP.

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How To Write Market Research Proposal: Tips and Best Practices

Entrepreneurs and companies need to get critical information about their industry or specific market landscape to help ensure their business becomes a success.

This is where market research plays a role. But to be effective, proper steps must be outlined through a market research proposal.

If you’re a business owner or a marketer, you must learn how to write a market research proposal correctly. So here’s a handy step-by-step guide on how to do just that. Plus, we’ll throw in a free template to help you get started.

Table of Contents

How To Write a Market Research Proposal

When drafting a market research proposal , you can adopt various styles depending on the industry or business. But to put forth a more organized proposal, it helps to adhere to proven structures and follow these steps.

1. Start with an overview

It’s always wise to open with an overview to give the readers of the proposal a general idea of what the market research is all about, as well as set their expectations. If you don’t want to use the term overview, you can also go with an executive summary or an introduction.

You can do a simple overview consisting of one to three paragraphs. Or if the situation calls for it, you can also present your executive summary with supporting information that may include any or all of the following:

• Definition of terms. List the terms that will be used in the market research proposal. Make sure to define them properly.
• Market conditions. Give an overall picture of the current market conditions. Explain the industry’s state and the competition level, as well as mention relevant economic or even political factors.
• Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis. You can also present market conditions through a SWOT diagram, which summarizes everything neatly.
• Feasibility. If you want to cut to the chase, state the overall feasibility. You can also consider including the potential ROI (return on investment ).

2. Define the objectives

When writing a market research proposal, define the project’s goals as clearly as possible. You can begin with a larger, encompassing objective and then break it up with its corresponding parts. 

If you are dealing with multiple goals, make sure to explain how each separate objective relates to or affects one another.

Remember that clearly defined goals will guide the execution of the market research project – from the budget to the types of surveys or questions you will use.

3. Outline the execution

Market research can be accomplished in various ways, but there needs to be a clear plan for executing it.

Outline your methodology and approach to getting the information you need. As far as methods are concerned, you can choose from options like organizing focus groups, deploying online surveys, or holding interviews over the phone or face-to-face.

You should also consider if your approach is multi-faceted. Will the surveys be done once or through a series of batches? Will you follow up on the first wave of interviews with email surveys? 

Never forget to include the rationale for choosing your methodology. Factors to remember include costs, logistics, and timeline.

4. Explain how the results will be analyzed and reported

Market research proposal creation would be incomplete without including the mechanics for analyzing and reporting the results.

You must present a concrete plan for how the market research data will be collected and safely stored. 

Next on your list is to explain how the data will be analyzed. Of course, what comes after is the reporting part. It’s more than just presenting the facts. You should also include your interpretations and, more importantly, your recommendations.

5. Discuss the timeline, costs, and conditions

Market research takes time and isn’t free. So, you’ll need to define your timeline and expected costs clearly.

It’s also important to tackle the terms and conditions of the market research project. The more transparent you are, the more you can prevent misunderstandings in the future.

Download the Market Research Proposal Template

When drafting a market research proposal, you can accomplish things faster using a reliable template. 

Sign up now for a free account at Fill to get a market research proposal template. It’s just one of several templates that we offer for free.

Market Research Proposal

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a Market Research Proposal

It’s not enough to know how to draft a market research proposal. You also have to be aware of common mistakes people commit when preparing these proposals.

• Lack of details. When you already know how to create market research proposals, you use certain structures and templates repeatedly. But sometimes, you forget to add elements that make your proposal look legit instead of being an apparent copy of another.
• There is not enough review and fact-checking. We’re not talking about simple spelling and grammar errors. We’re referring to the information you included in your market research proposal. Are they up-to-date? Are the sources considered trustworthy?
• There is too much hype. Be careful not to get caught up in the excitement of your proposal. Remember that you are dealing with business people. Be realistic and be clear about the goals. The last thing you need is to promise something you can’t deliver.
• Disorganized presentation. You can follow a decent structure when writing your market research proposal. But if you don’t organize the information you present in each section, you will you’re lose your reader’s interest.
• Underestimating visuals and diagrams. Yes, it’s showing real data is important, but you can be more persuasive by strategically using visuals, graphs, charts, and tables in your proposal. 

Using Fill to Create Your Market Research Proposal

Now that you know how to write a market research proposal, it’s time to put your learnings into practice immediately.

Create an account at Fill and grab a free market research proposal template today.

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• Marketing proposals

Marketing Research Proposal Template

Used 5,031 times

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Prepared by: ​ [Sender.FirstName] [Sender.LastName] ​ ​ [Sender.Company] ​

Prepared for: ​ [Client.FirstName] [Client.LastName] ​ ​ [Client.Company] ​

​ [Sender.Company] is one of the industry's leading firms for marketing research. We specialize in understanding consumer behavior and helping you align your marketing strategy to best capture audience attention.

​ [Sender.Company] ’s headquarters is situated in [Sender.City] , but we have operations expanding overseas, including cities such as Mumbai, London, Washington DC, Sydney, Tokyo, and Mexico City. Our client list includes noteworthy names, such as (Client A, Client B, and Client C, etc.) , amongst others.

With over (X) years of industry experience, we have learned what makes your audience tick — and what makes them click — and we help you understand consumer behavior such that you can create better marketing strategies, land dream clients, and improve your sales processes.

Client testimonials

Here’s what some of our past clients have to say about our work.

(Client Testimonial 1)

​ [Client.Company] ​

​ [Client.FirstName] [Client.LastName] ​

(Client Testimonial 2) (Client.Company) (Client.FirstName) (Client.LastName)

(Client Testimonial 3) (Client.Company) (Client.FirstName) (Client.LastName)

The purpose of this research is to understand consumer behavior for the customers of [Client.Company] . We also aim to understand what strategies work for the target mix and how [Client.Company] can improve their marketing strategy to better educate, inform, and persuade their potential clients to buy their products or services.

This research was commissioned by [Client.Company] , and the proposal is therefore created uniquely for [Client.Company] by [Sender.Company] . This ensures both parties are on the same page before beginning the research process. We will be using both quantitative and qualitative research techniques to learn about [Client.Company] ’s target group’s consumer behavior, refining the process as we go, and presenting the most useful results of our analysis.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The primary goal of the study is to gain a comprehensive, 360-degree understanding of consumer behavior with respect to [Client.Company] ’s customer base and target audience.

The study must meet the following research objectives to be considered accomplished:

It should critically examine the target demographic’s behavior.

It should intercept both primary and secondary data to come to conclusive results.

It should address implications of an ineffective marketing strategy.

It should understand what would be the right way to communicate with the target demo.

All other research objectives that the client deems necessary to be included in the study.

Framework analysis

This section goes hand-in-hand with the aims and objectives section, but should focus more in-depth on the background circumstances which indicate a need for the specific market research project proposed. While aims and objectives describe the specific outcomes the research will produce, the framework analysis section should demonstrate the scope of these outcomes from a practical standpoint. The framework analysis should include information from existing sources (the current body of knowledge) regarding the specific topic to be researched. You can then demonstrate the specific need for your proposed research plan.

Existing knowledge

Through secondary research and the previous data we have on the client’s target demographic, we know the following about the client:

Add details about the existing knowledge you have on your target mix.

By conducting this study, we also plan to understand if this knowledge still holds true for our client, and to what degree, within the current economic and social environment.

The hypothesis of the study is that the target audience enjoys [Client.Company] ’s social media posts. However, it does not like interacting with offline events that [Client.Company] conducts, and would ideally like to see more engaging offline events from the brand.

COLLECTION OF DATA

Use this section of the marketing research proposal to thoroughly describe all data collection methods which will be utilized in your research. The overall strategy can be addressed, as well as the individual data collection methods. For market research, these often include methods such as focus groups, surveys, social networking research, or in-home tests. Be specific about each method. For example, if your research includes the collection of surveys, specify in this section precisely how those surveys will be conducted (via phone, email, mail, etc.), what demographics will be sampled, and what the format will look like. The more detailed you can be in this section, the better likelihood that your proposal will be accepted.

Data collection can be done through many ways, such as client interviews, focus group studies, observation, social media data, online surveys, tests, questionnaires, published studies, public records, etc. Analysts usually use a mix of these data collection methods to understand audience behavior. Still, they may prefer some data collection methods over others depending on if they’re conducting qualitative research or quantitative research.

Target audience

Our target demographic for this study are men between the ages of 30-45, who are present on social media sites like LinkedIn and Twitter. The same target mix also has a spending power of up to (X) dollars per month, enjoys vacationing often, and prefers to buy luxury, high-quality products. They are motivated to buy [Client.Company] ’s products because they like the quality of materials the items are made from and because everything is ethically sourced and created.

Sampling method and size

For the research we’re conducting, [Sender.Company] has decided to explore the probability sampling methodology. Keeping all requirements of the research in mind, we believe that this method would be particularly fruitful to achieve accurate results. With probability sampling, [Sender.Company] plans to employ the stratified random sampling method, and will be using a sample size of (X) , which will be further divided based upon ages of the individuals.

Research methodology

Use this section to discuss the merits of your research methods. Describe the implications of each method of data collection, and explain the methodology you will use to interpret the data. Discuss the means of evaluating the collected data.

Fieldwork and Reporting

Starting from the date when the contract is signed by both parties, [Sender.Company] will begin fieldwork within 10 days. We will create a live data link to share all updates on the project. At every project milestone, [Client.Company] will be updated with a progress report. The link will be shared within 10 days of acceptance of the agreement, and can be accessed through a passcode [Sender.Company] will provide [Client.Company] .

Timeline and Budget

The following tables describe the budget and time requirements projected for the project.

ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Ethical considerations are very important in all types of research. Use this section to delineate the ways in which the research will abide by an ethical code in both methodology and practice. Among other possibilities, address factors such as confidentiality, data security, privacy, and consent of research participants.

LIMITATIONS

This section can remain somewhat brief. Here, you can concede any potential or probable limitations of your research methods.

FURTHER OUTCOMES

Although you have already addressed the likely outcomes of your findings previously in this research proposal, in this section you can expand upon the implications and potential benefits of your intended findings.

Terms and conditions

​ [Client.Company] agrees to pay [Sender.Company] 50% of the total project fee before beginning the project. The project will begin work once signatures are attained from both parties and 50% upfront payment is received by [Sender.Company] .

Once the project is completed, [Client.Company] is to send the remaining 50% payment amount due within 15 days after the final report is shared. Failure to send payment within the stipulated time period will result in a 10% late fee — this payment is to be made to the (Sender.Client) , unless the deadline for payment is agreed on a different date by both parties.

Any disputes arising from the agreement will be resolved based upon the laws and jurisdiction of [Sender.City] , [Sender.State] , [Sender.Country] ​.

Both parties agree that the contents and findings of the study will remain confidential, unless otherwise agreed upon. Confidential information is not information that is readily available to the public.

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How to Do Market Research: The Complete Guide

Learn how to do market research with this step-by-step guide, complete with templates, tools and real-world examples.

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Market research is the systematic process of gathering, analyzing and interpreting information about a specific market or industry.

What are your customers’ needs? How does your product compare to the competition? What are the emerging trends and opportunities in your industry? If these questions keep you up at night, it’s time to conduct market research.

Market research plays a pivotal role in your ability to stay competitive and relevant, helping you anticipate shifts in consumer behavior and industry dynamics. It involves gathering these insights using a wide range of techniques, from surveys and interviews to data analysis and observational studies.

In this guide, we’ll explore why market research is crucial, the various types of market research, the methods used in data collection, and how to effectively conduct market research to drive informed decision-making and success.

What is market research?

The purpose of market research is to offer valuable insight into the preferences and behaviors of your target audience, and anticipate shifts in market trends and the competitive landscape. This information helps you make data-driven decisions, develop effective strategies for your business, and maximize your chances of long-term growth.

Why is market research important? 

By understanding the significance of market research, you can make sure you’re asking the right questions and using the process to your advantage. Some of the benefits of market research include:

• Informed decision-making: Market research provides you with the data and insights you need to make smart decisions for your business. It helps you identify opportunities, assess risks and tailor your strategies to meet the demands of the market. Without market research, decisions are often based on assumptions or guesswork, leading to costly mistakes.
• Customer-centric approach: A cornerstone of market research involves developing a deep understanding of customer needs and preferences. This gives you valuable insights into your target audience, helping you develop products, services and marketing campaigns that resonate with your customers.
• Competitive advantage: By conducting market research, you’ll gain a competitive edge. You’ll be able to identify gaps in the market, analyze competitor strengths and weaknesses, and position your business strategically. This enables you to create unique value propositions, differentiate yourself from competitors, and seize opportunities that others may overlook.
• Risk mitigation: Market research helps you anticipate market shifts and potential challenges. By identifying threats early, you can proactively adjust their strategies to mitigate risks and respond effectively to changing circumstances. This proactive approach is particularly valuable in volatile industries.
• Resource optimization: Conducting market research allows organizations to allocate their time, money and resources more efficiently. It ensures that investments are made in areas with the highest potential return on investment, reducing wasted resources and improving overall business performance.
• Adaptation to market trends: Markets evolve rapidly, driven by technological advancements, cultural shifts and changing consumer attitudes. Market research ensures that you stay ahead of these trends and adapt your offerings accordingly so you can avoid becoming obsolete. 

As you can see, market research empowers businesses to make data-driven decisions, cater to customer needs, outperform competitors, mitigate risks, optimize resources and stay agile in a dynamic marketplace. These benefits make it a huge industry; the global market research services market is expected to grow from $76.37 billion in 2021 to $108.57 billion in 2026 . Now, let’s dig into the different types of market research that can help you achieve these benefits.

Types of market research 

• Qualitative research
• Quantitative research
• Exploratory research
• Descriptive research
• Causal research
• Cross-sectional research
• Longitudinal research

Despite its advantages, 23% of organizations don’t have a clear market research strategy. Part of developing a strategy involves choosing the right type of market research for your business goals. The most commonly used approaches include:

1. Qualitative research

Qualitative research focuses on understanding the underlying motivations, attitudes and perceptions of individuals or groups. It is typically conducted through techniques like in-depth interviews, focus groups and content analysis — methods we’ll discuss further in the sections below. Qualitative research provides rich, nuanced insights that can inform product development, marketing strategies and brand positioning.

2. Quantitative research

Quantitative research, in contrast to qualitative research, involves the collection and analysis of numerical data, often through surveys, experiments and structured questionnaires. This approach allows for statistical analysis and the measurement of trends, making it suitable for large-scale market studies and hypothesis testing. While it’s worthwhile using a mix of qualitative and quantitative research, most businesses prioritize the latter because it is scientific, measurable and easily replicated across different experiments.

3. Exploratory research

Whether you’re conducting qualitative or quantitative research or a mix of both, exploratory research is often the first step. Its primary goal is to help you understand a market or problem so you can gain insights and identify potential issues or opportunities. This type of market research is less structured and is typically conducted through open-ended interviews, focus groups or secondary data analysis. Exploratory research is valuable when entering new markets or exploring new product ideas.

4. Descriptive research

As its name implies, descriptive research seeks to describe a market, population or phenomenon in detail. It involves collecting and summarizing data to answer questions about audience demographics and behaviors, market size, and current trends. Surveys, observational studies and content analysis are common methods used in descriptive research. 

5. Causal research

Causal research aims to establish cause-and-effect relationships between variables. It investigates whether changes in one variable result in changes in another. Experimental designs, A/B testing and regression analysis are common causal research methods. This sheds light on how specific marketing strategies or product changes impact consumer behavior.

6. Cross-sectional research

Cross-sectional market research involves collecting data from a sample of the population at a single point in time. It is used to analyze differences, relationships or trends among various groups within a population. Cross-sectional studies are helpful for market segmentation, identifying target audiences and assessing market trends at a specific moment.

7. Longitudinal research

Longitudinal research, in contrast to cross-sectional research, collects data from the same subjects over an extended period. This allows for the analysis of trends, changes and developments over time. Longitudinal studies are useful for tracking long-term developments in consumer preferences, brand loyalty and market dynamics.

Each type of market research has its strengths and weaknesses, and the method you choose depends on your specific research goals and the depth of understanding you’re aiming to achieve. In the following sections, we’ll delve into primary and secondary research approaches and specific research methods.

Primary vs. secondary market research

Market research of all types can be broadly categorized into two main approaches: primary research and secondary research. By understanding the differences between these approaches, you can better determine the most appropriate research method for your specific goals.

Primary market research 

Primary research involves the collection of original data straight from the source. Typically, this involves communicating directly with your target audience — through surveys, interviews, focus groups and more — to gather information. Here are some key attributes of primary market research:

• Customized data: Primary research provides data that is tailored to your research needs. You design a custom research study and gather information specific to your goals.
• Up-to-date insights: Because primary research involves communicating with customers, the data you collect reflects the most current market conditions and consumer behaviors.
• Time-consuming and resource-intensive: Despite its advantages, primary research can be labor-intensive and costly, especially when dealing with large sample sizes or complex study designs. Whether you hire a market research consultant, agency or use an in-house team, primary research studies consume a large amount of resources and time.

Secondary market research 

Secondary research, on the other hand, involves analyzing data that has already been compiled by third-party sources, such as online research tools, databases, news sites, industry reports and academic studies.

Here are the main characteristics of secondary market research:

• Cost-effective: Secondary research is generally more cost-effective than primary research since it doesn’t require building a research plan from scratch. You and your team can look at databases, websites and publications on an ongoing basis, without needing to design a custom experiment or hire a consultant. 
• Leverages multiple sources: Data tools and software extract data from multiple places across the web, and then consolidate that information within a single platform. This means you’ll get a greater amount of data and a wider scope from secondary research.
• Quick to access: You can access a wide range of information rapidly — often in seconds — if you’re using online research tools and databases. Because of this, you can act on insights sooner, rather than taking the time to develop an experiment. 

So, when should you use primary vs. secondary research? In practice, many market research projects incorporate both primary and secondary research to take advantage of the strengths of each approach.

One rule of thumb is to focus on secondary research to obtain background information, market trends or industry benchmarks. It is especially valuable for conducting preliminary research, competitor analysis, or when time and budget constraints are tight. Then, if you still have knowledge gaps or need to answer specific questions unique to your business model, use primary research to create a custom experiment. 

Market research methods

• Surveys and questionnaires
• Focus groups
• Observational research
• Online research tools
• Experiments
• Content analysis
• Ethnographic research

How do primary and secondary research approaches translate into specific research methods? Let’s take a look at the different ways you can gather data: 

1. Surveys and questionnaires

Surveys and questionnaires are popular methods for collecting structured data from a large number of respondents. They involve a set of predetermined questions that participants answer. Surveys can be conducted through various channels, including online tools, telephone interviews and in-person or online questionnaires. They are useful for gathering quantitative data and assessing customer demographics, opinions, preferences and needs. On average, customer surveys have a 33% response rate , so keep that in mind as you consider your sample size.

2. Interviews

Interviews are in-depth conversations with individuals or groups to gather qualitative insights. They can be structured (with predefined questions) or unstructured (with open-ended discussions). Interviews are valuable for exploring complex topics, uncovering motivations and obtaining detailed feedback. 

3. Focus groups

The most common primary research methods are in-depth webcam interviews and focus groups. Focus groups are a small gathering of participants who discuss a specific topic or product under the guidance of a moderator. These discussions are valuable for primary market research because they reveal insights into consumer attitudes, perceptions and emotions. Focus groups are especially useful for idea generation, concept testing and understanding group dynamics within your target audience.

4. Observational research

Observational research involves observing and recording participant behavior in a natural setting. This method is particularly valuable when studying consumer behavior in physical spaces, such as retail stores or public places. In some types of observational research, participants are aware you’re watching them; in other cases, you discreetly watch consumers without their knowledge, as they use your product. Either way, observational research provides firsthand insights into how people interact with products or environments.

5. Online research tools

You and your team can do your own secondary market research using online tools. These tools include data prospecting platforms and databases, as well as online surveys, social media listening, web analytics and sentiment analysis platforms. They help you gather data from online sources, monitor industry trends, track competitors, understand consumer preferences and keep tabs on online behavior. We’ll talk more about choosing the right market research tools in the sections that follow.

6. Experiments

Market research experiments are controlled tests of variables to determine causal relationships. While experiments are often associated with scientific research, they are also used in market research to assess the impact of specific marketing strategies, product features, or pricing and packaging changes.

7. Content analysis

Content analysis involves the systematic examination of textual, visual or audio content to identify patterns, themes and trends. It’s commonly applied to customer reviews, social media posts and other forms of online content to analyze consumer opinions and sentiments.

8. Ethnographic research

Ethnographic research immerses researchers into the daily lives of consumers to understand their behavior and culture. This method is particularly valuable when studying niche markets or exploring the cultural context of consumer choices.

How to do market research

• Set clear objectives
• Identify your target audience
• Choose your research methods
• Use the right market research tools
• Collect data
• Analyze data 
• Interpret your findings
• Identify opportunities and challenges
• Make informed business decisions
• Monitor and adapt

Now that you have gained insights into the various market research methods at your disposal, let’s delve into the practical aspects of how to conduct market research effectively. Here’s a quick step-by-step overview, from defining objectives to monitoring market shifts.

1. Set clear objectives

When you set clear and specific goals, you’re essentially creating a compass to guide your research questions and methodology. Start by precisely defining what you want to achieve. Are you launching a new product and want to understand its viability in the market? Are you evaluating customer satisfaction with a product redesign? 

Start by creating SMART goals — objectives that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. Not only will this clarify your research focus from the outset, but it will also help you track progress and benchmark your success throughout the process. 

You should also consult with key stakeholders and team members to ensure alignment on your research objectives before diving into data collecting. This will help you gain diverse perspectives and insights that will shape your research approach.

2. Identify your target audience

Next, you’ll need to pinpoint your target audience to determine who should be included in your research. Begin by creating detailed buyer personas or stakeholder profiles. Consider demographic factors like age, gender, income and location, but also delve into psychographics, such as interests, values and pain points.

The more specific your target audience, the more accurate and actionable your research will be. Additionally, segment your audience if your research objectives involve studying different groups, such as current customers and potential leads.

If you already have existing customers, you can also hold conversations with them to better understand your target market. From there, you can refine your buyer personas and tailor your research methods accordingly.

3. Choose your research methods

Selecting the right research methods is crucial for gathering high-quality data. Start by considering the nature of your research objectives. If you’re exploring consumer preferences, surveys and interviews can provide valuable insights. For in-depth understanding, focus groups or observational research might be suitable. Consider using a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods to gain a well-rounded perspective. 

You’ll also need to consider your budget. Think about what you can realistically achieve using the time and resources available to you. If you have a fairly generous budget, you may want to try a mix of primary and secondary research approaches. If you’re doing market research for a startup , on the other hand, chances are your budget is somewhat limited. If that’s the case, try addressing your goals with secondary research tools before investing time and effort in a primary research study. 

4. Use the right market research tools

Whether you’re conducting primary or secondary research, you’ll need to choose the right tools. These can help you do anything from sending surveys to customers to monitoring trends and analyzing data. Here are some examples of popular market research tools:

• Market research software: Crunchbase is a platform that provides best-in-class company data, making it valuable for market research on growing companies and industries. You can use Crunchbase to access trusted, first-party funding data, revenue data, news and firmographics, enabling you to monitor industry trends and understand customer needs.

• Survey and questionnaire tools: SurveyMonkey is a widely used online survey platform that allows you to create, distribute and analyze surveys. Google Forms is a free tool that lets you create surveys and collect responses through Google Drive.
• Data analysis software: Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets are useful for conducting statistical analyses. SPSS is a powerful statistical analysis software used for data processing, analysis and reporting.
• Social listening tools: Brandwatch is a social listening and analytics platform that helps you monitor social media conversations, track sentiment and analyze trends. Mention is a media monitoring tool that allows you to track mentions of your brand, competitors and keywords across various online sources.
• Data visualization platforms: Tableau is a data visualization tool that helps you create interactive and shareable dashboards and reports. Power BI by Microsoft is a business analytics tool for creating interactive visualizations and reports.

5. Collect data

There’s an infinite amount of data you could be collecting using these tools, so you’ll need to be intentional about going after the data that aligns with your research goals. Implement your chosen research methods, whether it’s distributing surveys, conducting interviews or pulling from secondary research platforms. Pay close attention to data quality and accuracy, and stick to a standardized process to streamline data capture and reduce errors. 

6. Analyze data

Once data is collected, you’ll need to analyze it systematically. Use statistical software or analysis tools to identify patterns, trends and correlations. For qualitative data, employ thematic analysis to extract common themes and insights. Visualize your findings with charts, graphs and tables to make complex data more understandable.

If you’re not proficient in data analysis, consider outsourcing or collaborating with a data analyst who can assist in processing and interpreting your data accurately.

7. Interpret your findings

Interpreting your market research findings involves understanding what the data means in the context of your objectives. Are there significant trends that uncover the answers to your initial research questions? Consider the implications of your findings on your business strategy. It’s essential to move beyond raw data and extract actionable insights that inform decision-making.

Hold a cross-functional meeting or workshop with relevant team members to collectively interpret the findings. Different perspectives can lead to more comprehensive insights and innovative solutions.

8. Identify opportunities and challenges

Use your research findings to identify potential growth opportunities and challenges within your market. What segments of your audience are underserved or overlooked? Are there emerging trends you can capitalize on? Conversely, what obstacles or competitors could hinder your progress?

Lay out this information in a clear and organized way by conducting a SWOT analysis, which stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Jot down notes for each of these areas to provide a structured overview of gaps and hurdles in the market.

9. Make informed business decisions

Market research is only valuable if it leads to informed decisions for your company. Based on your insights, devise actionable strategies and initiatives that align with your research objectives. Whether it’s refining your product, targeting new customer segments or adjusting pricing, ensure your decisions are rooted in the data.

At this point, it’s also crucial to keep your team aligned and accountable. Create an action plan that outlines specific steps, responsibilities and timelines for implementing the recommendations derived from your research. 

10. Monitor and adapt

Market research isn’t a one-time activity; it’s an ongoing process. Continuously monitor market conditions, customer behaviors and industry trends. Set up mechanisms to collect real-time data and feedback. As you gather new information, be prepared to adapt your strategies and tactics accordingly. Regularly revisiting your research ensures your business remains agile and reflects changing market dynamics and consumer preferences.

Online market research sources

As you go through the steps above, you’ll want to turn to trusted, reputable sources to gather your data. Here’s a list to get you started:

• Crunchbase: As mentioned above, Crunchbase is an online platform with an extensive dataset, allowing you to access in-depth insights on market trends, consumer behavior and competitive analysis. You can also customize your search options to tailor your research to specific industries, geographic regions or customer personas.

• Academic databases: Academic databases, such as ProQuest and JSTOR , are treasure troves of scholarly research papers, studies and academic journals. They offer in-depth analyses of various subjects, including market trends, consumer preferences and industry-specific insights. Researchers can access a wealth of peer-reviewed publications to gain a deeper understanding of their research topics.
• Government and NGO databases: Government agencies, nongovernmental organizations and other institutions frequently maintain databases containing valuable economic, demographic and industry-related data. These sources offer credible statistics and reports on a wide range of topics, making them essential for market researchers. Examples include the U.S. Census Bureau , the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Pew Research Center .
• Industry reports: Industry reports and market studies are comprehensive documents prepared by research firms, industry associations and consulting companies. They provide in-depth insights into specific markets, including market size, trends, competitive analysis and consumer behavior. You can find this information by looking at relevant industry association databases; examples include the American Marketing Association and the National Retail Federation .
• Social media and online communities: Social media platforms like LinkedIn or Twitter (X) , forums such as Reddit and Quora , and review platforms such as G2 can provide real-time insights into consumer sentiment, opinions and trends. 

Market research examples

At this point, you have market research tools and data sources — but how do you act on the data you gather? Let’s go over some real-world examples that illustrate the practical application of market research across various industries. These examples showcase how market research can lead to smart decision-making and successful business decisions.

Example 1: Apple’s iPhone launch

Apple ’s iconic iPhone launch in 2007 serves as a prime example of market research driving product innovation in tech. Before the iPhone’s release, Apple conducted extensive market research to understand consumer preferences, pain points and unmet needs in the mobile phone industry. This research led to the development of a touchscreen smartphone with a user-friendly interface, addressing consumer demands for a more intuitive and versatile device. The result was a revolutionary product that disrupted the market and redefined the smartphone industry.

Example 2: McDonald’s global expansion

McDonald’s successful global expansion strategy demonstrates the importance of market research when expanding into new territories. Before entering a new market, McDonald’s conducts thorough research to understand local tastes, preferences and cultural nuances. This research informs menu customization, marketing strategies and store design. For instance, in India, McDonald’s offers a menu tailored to local preferences, including vegetarian options. This market-specific approach has enabled McDonald’s to adapt and thrive in diverse global markets.

Example 3: Organic and sustainable farming

The shift toward organic and sustainable farming practices in the food industry is driven by market research that indicates increased consumer demand for healthier and environmentally friendly food options. As a result, food producers and retailers invest in sustainable sourcing and organic product lines — such as with these sustainable seafood startups — to align with this shift in consumer values. 

The bottom line? Market research has multiple use cases and is a critical practice for any industry. Whether it’s launching groundbreaking products, entering new markets or responding to changing consumer preferences, you can use market research to shape successful strategies and outcomes.

Market research templates

You finally have a strong understanding of how to do market research and apply it in the real world. Before we wrap up, here are some market research templates that you can use as a starting point for your projects:

• Smartsheet competitive analysis templates : These spreadsheets can serve as a framework for gathering information about the competitive landscape and obtaining valuable lessons to apply to your business strategy.
• SurveyMonkey product survey template : Customize the questions on this survey based on what you want to learn from your target customers.
• HubSpot templates : HubSpot offers a wide range of free templates you can use for market research, business planning and more.
• SCORE templates : SCORE is a nonprofit organization that provides templates for business plans, market analysis and financial projections.
• SBA.gov : The U.S. Small Business Administration offers templates for every aspect of your business, including market research, and is particularly valuable for new startups. 

Strengthen your business with market research

When conducted effectively, market research is like a guiding star. Equipped with the right tools and techniques, you can uncover valuable insights, stay competitive, foster innovation and navigate the complexities of your industry.

Throughout this guide, we’ve discussed the definition of market research, different research methods, and how to conduct it effectively. We’ve also explored various types of market research and shared practical insights and templates for getting started. 

Now, it’s time to start the research process. Trust in data, listen to the market and make informed decisions that guide your company toward lasting success.

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4+ SAMPLE Market Research Proposal in PDF

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Market Research Proposal Template

Sample Market Research Proposal

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Organic Market Research Proposal

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How to Write a Winning Market Research Proposal

The current pandemic may have curbed our travel, but that doesn’t mean we don’t all still know the value of having good maps and a suggested itinerary. Indeed, a solid plan of action makes any endeavor — whether it be a fun-filled vacation, an educational goal, or a professional enterprise — more focused, less stressful, and, thus, more effective. It doesn’t matter if life interrupts our plans (“Hello, COVID-19!”); in fact, interruptions are a given, but we still know that good plans prepare us for whatever lies ahead. They help us to define our priorities and clarify our needs so that we can better manage our resources. The result: we are better prepared to handle uncertainties and more formidable and more productive in whatever we choose to do.

For businesses, good plans are based on good research. More than good products and services, good information sets profitable companies apart from their competition, allowing them to prepare for — and plan for — success. This is why market research proposals are so important. A market research proposal is a document a company uses to map out its future. It unites company stakeholders in joint discovery of information so that everyone knows who and what really matters. In short, a market research proposal outlines the specifics of an information-gathering project. This is how to write a winning one:

Keep It Brief

A market research proposal is sometimes called a “market research brief” because it's just that: brief. It should also be clearly written with no unusual acronyms or industry jargon and only the necessary points to underscore the overall research objective (as well as how it will be addressed) highlighted.

Include a Company Overview

The beginning of the proposal should include a short overview of the company, including such details as its mission and vision statements; market performance history; industry facts, figures, and trends; competitor data points and any other past research findings that shed light on the issue(s) at hand and why further research is needed.

Clearly Define the Objective

The research objective is the most important part of the proposal, as it clearly outlines the information a company needs, and, thus, defines the overall goal of the project. It’s basically the question a company wants to be answered and needs to be specific and measurable (but not necessarily quantitative) with the desired outcome.

Explain the Research Methodology

Of course, a market research proposal should also include a section explaining how the information to address the research objective will be obtained. Details about data collection (including the definition of the target audience, sample selection criteria, and proposed methodology) need to be clarified (since specific demographic, technological, economic, political, and even environmental concerns inevitably impact research outcomes) and should be evident with reasons for their use thoroughly transparent.

List Expected Outcomes

Finally, a good market research proposal needs to include a list of expected outcomes. An estimation of budget concerns, as well as a timeline for specific research milestones and project completion, should be listed here, along with an overview of projected deliverables to be anticipated. This helps both company executives and researchers to remain focused and on point.

Ready to Learn More?

A winning market research proposal isn’t just the one that seals the deal on a research project. It’s the one that provides actionable insights for companies and researchers alike. Following a determined set of standards, a winning market research proposal has the potential to garner data that can be used to inform better business decisions. Our team at Research America has the expertise needed to craft winning market research proposals that yield meaningful results for all involved. Please contact us to learn more.

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Market Research Proposal Template

Capture clients' interest with this well-crafted Market Research Proposal Template – demonstrate research approach, expert knowledge, and potential results.

About this template

Secure more market research projects with our Market Research Proposal Template. Designed to showcase your research methodologies, expertise, and success stories, this visually engaging template demonstrates your capabilities and helps you win more business.

Capture the attention of potential clients by highlighting your unique approach to market research and the valuable insights you provide. Our Market Research Proposal Template is tailored to present the best of your research offerings, driving increased interest and bookings for your services.

What's included?

• Executive summary
• Timeline and costs

What is a Market Research Proposal?

A Market Research Proposal is a strategic document outlining the objectives, methodologies, timeline, and budget of a proposed research project. It's crucial in securing stakeholders' support by clearly communicating the project's value. Utilizing a proposal management system streamlines the creation and management of such proposals, ensuring efficiency, accuracy, and consistency in presenting the project's details and objectives to stakeholders.

Market research is vital for understanding target audiences and their preferences, uncovering new opportunities, and improving existing products or services.

Key elements in a proposal include clear research objectives, appropriate methodologies like surveys or interviews, a realistic timeline, and a well-planned budget covering all stages of the project. This essential document helps businesses efficiently conduct market research within their financial constraints.

When should you use a Market Research Proposal?

A Market Research Proposal is crucial when introducing a research project to stakeholders. It enhances the likelihood of securing internal funding or client approval. This proposal outlines the research's objectives, methodologies, expected outcomes, timeline, and budget.

Market research, a critical part of business strategy, provides insights into customers, competitors, and market trends. Your proposal should be tailored to meet stakeholder needs, focusing on the potential benefits for the company or how it can help external stakeholders achieve their goals.

Benefits of using Qwilr's Market Research Proposal Template?

Qwilr's Market Research Proposal Template offers several benefits that enhance your proposal creation process:

• User-Friendly : The template is designed to be simple and intuitive. You don't need advanced design skills to build an impressive, professional proposal.
• Customizable : You can tailor the template to meet your specific needs, including adding or removing sections, changing the color scheme and fonts, and uploading your company logos or images.
• Real-Time Collaboration : The platform allows for synchronous collaboration. You and your team can edit, comment, and fine-tune the proposal together, streamlining the process.
• Engagement Tracking : Qwilr provides analytics on proposal engagement, alerting you when someone views your proposal and how long they spend on each section.
• Responsive Design : With its adaptive design, your proposal will display correctly and attractively on any device, enhancing the user experience.

How do you use Qwilr's Market Research Proposal Template?

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Using Qwilr's Market Research Proposal Template is easy. To begin, simply select the template from the Qwilr library and customize it to match your needs. Add your business information, project objectives, and timeline for completion. You can also add visuals such as graphs or images that will help illustrate the proposal's key points. Once you're finished, share, and track engagement with your team or external clients.

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Frequently asked questions

How do you write a market research proposal.

When writing a market research proposal:

• Start with an overview of the project's objective, methods, timeline, and budget.
• Describe the target market and research methodology, including the sampling method, sample size, data collection tool, and survey questions.
• Address potential limitations and provide a timeline for completion.
• Outline the budget and provide a breakdown of the cost estimate.

What are the components of market research proposal?

The components of a market research proposal include an overview of the project's objective, methods, timeline, and budget, as well as the target market and research methodology, a description of potential limitations, and a budget breakdown.

How do you create a market research proposal in Qwilr?

To create a market research proposal in Qwilr, select the Market Research Proposal Template and customize it to match your needs.

Add your business information, project objectives, and timeline for completion. You can also add visuals such as graphs or images that will help illustrate the proposal's key points.

Finally, share and track engagement with your team or clients.

How do you price a market research project?

To price a market research project, consider factors such as complexity, time, and manpower needed to carry out the research.

As a rule of thumb, pricing should be commensurate with the project's scope and level of effort.

It's also a good idea to evaluate the competition pricing to ensure you remain competitive without undercutting your work's value.

What makes an effective market research proposal?

An effective market research proposal clearly outlines the objective of the project, the research methodology, and the budget.

Detailed graphics and visual aids can help illustrate key points and make the proposal easier to understand. Additionally, a clear timeline for completion and potential limitations should be addressed.

Finally, it should be presented in a professional and visually-appealing format that can be easily shared and tracked.

Free Market Research Proposal Template That Wins Clients

Do you want a completely editable market research proposal template that brought more than $133 million in sales to companies worldwide in 2023 alone? Add, delete, or change sections as you see fit, make it your own, and improve your market outreach fast and easy.

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The first thing your client sees when your proposal shows up in their inbox is a nicely designed cover. As a business owner, you understand how hard it is to gain the client's attention, so the goal is to start the proposal with an attention-grabbing image.

You can change everything, from the text, logo, and background image to make it a better fit for your needs.

There is no better way to explain your market research plan to your potential clients than with our pre-written introduction section. It consists of a meeting summary, proposed research that includes everything from social media to focus groups, and a structured breakdown of your services. You just need to add a few client specifics and that's it.

Like everything else in this sample proposal, it's 100% editable - the colors, the text, images, layout - everything.

Explaining to the client the structure of each of the market research methodologies you are going to use can be difficult. You want to give enough detail about your data collection methods and how you generally conduct market research but not so much it seems overwhelming.

Fortunately, we created a plan of action already sectioned to fit the amount of information needed to design a perfect proposal. Just make a few adjustments to suit your exact process.

A client success story is a powerful tool in convincing your clients to close the deal. It gives you the perfect opportunity to show them that you understand their goals and objectives and have a way to make them come true. In this market research proposal template, we've set out an example case study.

All you need to do is replace our example with one of yours and use the structure we've used.

No matter if your pricing strategy includes charging hourly, monthly, or optional up-sell services, like special images and videos, you can do it all with this automatically calculated pricing table. The final steps are simple - just enter your numbers and a short description, and both your market research proposal and quotes are ready for your client's eyes.

Any business will eventually be tested in handling increased customer traffic. Lessen the strain of paperwork by choosing a digital signature over traditional mail. The 'Next steps' tab will allow you to explain your process after signing and offer a line for the customer to give their electronic consent.

Our digital signatures are legal and compliant. When your client signs, you can see their digital signature certificate in your Better Proposals account.

Whether you're just starting a company or you're a seasoned professional, Terms and Conditions will probably slip your mind when you're discussing some new market research projects. To ensure your business is still protected, we have added fully customizable T&Cs at the end of this template.

Getting paid - it's the hardest thing to do in business. The sooner and the easier you can get that money in your account, the better.

Using our integrations with Stripe, PayPal, and GoCardless, you can take a payment from your client the moment they sign your proposal.

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Focus Groups

How to Write a Market Research Proposal

The market research proposal is an important first step in near all studies. First and foremost, a skeleton that details a study’s direction, goals, and focus, such proposals are typically the first point of reference for management. While the proposals make or break a project’s funding, there is one other strength no research team can ignore: direction.

Critical for any undertaking that involves research, direction helps with both the pragmatics and concepts of near all studies. Market research proposals are vital for outlining both. They also explain the potential returns or results a study can yield. Ideally, the proposal should convince outside readers while informing research and development teams.

Language is important for writing a proposal, as is organization. A lot of detail goes into the typical research proposal, and sometimes there is no clear place for essential odds and ends. Luckily, there is a general organization, or logic, that most research proposals adopt. This allows readers to quickly absorb details, jump to pertinent sections, and digest its conclusions.

While not mandatory, using these structures add a cohesion that makes reading these papers more convenient and cohesive. Length, detail, and overall complexity are all factors when considering how a research proposal should be organized. Similarly, weigh the study’s goals and potential returns. Not every proposal necessitates the same sections. In fact, simple studies can do without a lot of sections that more involved or longer studies require. That mentioned, never write off these critical five elements of your research proposal.

Overview, Definition, and Terms

Important for summing up the study’s incentives, intents, and overall feasibility, overviews prep readers for the project’s strengths. Like everything else in a proposal, clarity is also all-important. Definitions and terms are vital. Overviews are also excellent for showcasing market conditions, opportunity, goals, and overall impact to ROI. While very important, always make sure to focus on the client. Their edification should be at the forefront of any proposal writer’s mind.

Hypothesis and Goals

While referenced in the overview, extrapolation about a project’s actual agenda goes a long way. Near everyone reviewing a research proposal will search for a hypothesis. While fine to reference in the overview, an outright hypothesis will always predominate the research proposal and its direction. Be clear as possible!

The hypothesis itself, however, explains the goal’s prospective burdens, costs, and returns. Also explain how these different elements combine to form a whole level of different parts. Perhaps most intrinsic is the order of said goals, as well how they compliment each other.

Realizing goals requires exploring a range of target segments that can appreciate the product, content, or whatever else. Exploring these different targets includes any range of periphery methods, not to mention actual possibilities. What is vital, however, is a full explanation as to why the target is pertinent.

Methodology and Conditions

The logical extension, research proposals must detail methodology. Include practices and conditions, study types, analysis standards, and other crucial aspects. Make sure extrapolation focuses on the actual methodology, however. Pragmatic intricacies can be glossed over, but that really depends on the reader. Researchers will typically want to know about the whole process, while management typically focuses on efficacy and ROI.

Discuss.io can offer deliverables within 48 hours, the fastest in the industry. Establishing a clear timeline  is still critical though. Product and content dev teams typically need to keep informed. A common timeline really encourages such cohesion, not mention also keeps MR better aware as to the product or content’s direction. Along with setting a schedule, timelines also helps inform team members of their objectives and schedule. Such a cohesive view both informs researchers as reminds them of the importance of each task.

Source:  https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode

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Companies that conduct market research and analysis can use our sample marketing research proposal template as an example of how to write a market research proposal, and as a guide when preparing survey proposals, data collection proposals, or business research.

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How to Write a Market Research Request for Proposal [+ Free Template]

by Emily Carroll

Posted at: 7/6/2022 12:30 PM

Writing a market research request for proposal (RFP) can seem like a daunting and overwhelming task.

The RFP process involves a lot of time, energy, and information gathering. This of course is all the work that comes before you've even started the massive task of reviewing the submissions and selecting a vendor.

Oftentimes it takes days if not weeks to review all the submissions as a team and find the best market research company that fits your needs. 

But that's a little down the road for you.

Right now, you are either thinking about drafting a market research RFP, have recently started a market research RFP, or you are well into constructing it and you are looking for some tips to improve it. 

Download Now: Free Market Research RFP Template

What You'll Learn in This Article

This post was designed to walk you through the market research RFP or RFQ process in greater detail.

Drive Research has broken down the core components of a market research RFP into sections. 

Each section includes narratives on items you'll want to consider adding to your RFP and more importantly, why you should add it.

To skip to a section of most interest, click the navigation links below.

• Do you need market research?
• What are your objectives?
• Do you have a preferred methodology?
• If conducting customer research, what type of information do you have?
• Are there specific geographies or markets?
• What is your timeline?
• What type of reporting do you need?
• Do you have a budget?
• Determining who is responsible for rewards.
• Allowing bidding vendors to ask questions.
• What to look for when receiving your RFP back from a research firm.

It's critical to be as descriptive as possible with your requests and expectations in your RFP. This ensures the bids you receive can be comparable (apples to apples). 

With that being said, there are some areas of the RFP where it may work to your benefit to be flexible and let the market research company decide on the best approach.

These more flexible sections are noted.

Before we start with specific components of the RFP, let's talk a little bit about market research in general.  If you're at the beginning phases of the RFP process, the first question you might have is:

"Do I need market research?" 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♀️

Do You Need Market Research?

If you are at the point where you are considering a market research RFP for your organization, you've likely already arrived at this answer. 

There are many benefits of market research .

Regardless of the type of project, market research provides managers with the knowledge, power, and confidence they need in their decision-making. 

At a very high level, market research produces fact-based and evidence-based decisions to help fuel strategy.

Market research comes in many shapes and sizes. 

Whether you are looking to conduct a brand equity study , customer satisfaction study , or an employee survey , market research will help you eliminate the risk of making the wrong decision or taking the wrong path. 

Data is power. When collected and used correctly, data can fuel operational, marketing, and strategic initiatives at your company or organization.

To learn more about your options, read Types of Market Research to Consider .

Still need convincing? Do you really, really need market research? 

The answer is most likely yes. All organizations can benefit from it. 

The ROI of market research is: 

• Bettering customer relationships
• Better understanding of consumer behavior
• Understanding the appeal of a new product or service
• Quantifying potential success

And much, much more.

Market research is purely objective and uses hundreds and thousands of data points to point your business in the right direction rather than using the opinion of 1 person or a few board members.

This video goes into detail about how market research can help businesses save money - a common objective Drive Research hears from clients.

💡 The Key Takeaway: Market research provides a host of benefits to a business.   The more data you have, the better you’ll understand your customers, employees, competitors, and more.

What Are Your Objectives?

When structuring your market research RFP, you'll want to include your objectives.

The objectives section should be the first part of your RFP and it's arguably the most critical to the success of the research. 

Be as clear and as specific as possible.

• Mention why you are requesting market research. 
• Talk about what your expectations from the market research are. 
• Discuss what you'd like as far as data and feedback to drive decision-making.

Most importantly, write about what you'd like to do with the market research results. The market research results are only as good as what is done with them.

Spend some time in your proposal for market research to discuss how you'd like the data to guide the next steps and action items. 

Provide specifics on how you'd like the data and market research analysis to help guide initiatives at your company or organization. It is all about data-driven decision-making .

An RFP with clear and well-defined objectives will retrieve responses from market research firms that are more aligned and hit on all of your major goals. 

Don't leave market research companies guessing your expectations.

It creates a lot of apples to oranges proposals because unclear objectives lead to different approaches.

It's important to tell the market research company and vendors what you are aiming for.

A few common objectives our market research firm has heard from our clients are:

• Level of customer satisfaction and individual factors driving high or low satisfaction.
• Performance of marketing or advertising campaigns.
• Customer experience with the company’s employees.
• Associations and perceptions of a brand.
• Sources of information and content used by target audiences.

💡 The Key Takeaway: Before you can write an RFP, you have to clearly state what your goals are. Having even a few clear objectives can simplify the process and avoid confusion down the road. 

Do You Want a Specific Methodology?

The choice is up to you on this. Some organizations will specify a specific methodology or methodologies they'd like the market research companies to bid on.

For example, you may be looking for one type of quantitative or qualitative approach – or a hybrid of the two, such as Wave I of focus groups followed by Wave II of an online survey .

If you leave the methodology open for discussion and bid, the market research firms are given the flexibility to think outside of the box and present you with new perspectives on how to tackle your objectives. 

Qualitative research

When you think of the qualitative method, think small-scale and detailed.

This type of research is considered exploratory–it’s all about the “why” in research. Answers in qualitative research are often found through focus groups and in-depth interviews (IDIs).

Quantitative research

This type of research is the direct opposite of qualitative research. Instead of small-scale, think large-scale and big sample sizes.

Careful measurements are the name of the game with quantitative research, instead of exploratory research. It’s all about reliable data and gathering large groups of respondents in order to get that (pristine) data.

Hybrid research

Sometimes you can have the best of both worlds.

Hybrid research simply is a mixture of qualitative and quantitative methodology. When conducting hybrid research, the qualitative portion typically comes first.

This is ideal because having key details prior to quantitative research allows for better insight.

What method you choose to conduct first is, of course, dependent on what your research goals are for your project.

Allowing flexibility in the choice of methodology produces both pros and cons for your company or organization.

• Pro: This may include a new or revolutionary way of tackling objectives you had not thought of before. 
• Con: The downside of this approach is it makes the comparison between firms much more difficult.

The advantages of stating your choice of methodology 👍

If you are open to the market research companies suggesting the best approach it could work in your favor because they may be able to present a more cost-effective , quicker, and higher quality approach. 

For example, let's say you want to conduct market research to understand the usage of your current website and how to improve it for the major website redesign overhaul occurring next year. 

Instead of asking for 6 focus groups in the RFP document, you leave the methodology up for choosing.

In this scenario, a market research firm could send in a response that suggests conducting 40 1-on-1 user experience (UX) interviews utilizing screen share technology. 

This approach would save you $10,000, get you results 3 weeks faster, and the results would incur no group bias . 

The UX interviews is a methodology you didn't even know was a possibility because your team had tunnel vision on traditional focus groups .

The disadvantages of stating your choice of methodology 👎

Allowing the market research firm to choose the best methodology for your project may result in your bids looking something like this:

• Firm A presents Wave I of 8 focus groups and Wave II of 800 online survey completes.
• Firm B presents Wave I of 25 in-depth interviews and a Wave II of 400 phone survey completes.
• Firm C presents one wave of 1,500 online survey completes.

Can you see how difficult it would be to compare these proposals?

As shown from the 3 scopes above, making an apples-to-apples comparison on price and timeline would prove difficult because the scope differs so much.

💡 The Key Takeaway: It’s important to weigh the pros and cons of being flexible in choosing your market research methodology. Consulting your third-party team and going back through your key objectives can help narrow down the choice. 

Recommended Reading: Conducting Market Research? How to Choose the Best Methodology

For Customer Research, What Type of Information Do You Have?

If your company or organization has a strong CRM or customer database it will help save the market research company time and money to target, invite, and qualify participants for the study or studies.

In this part of the request for a quote, you'll want to talk about your CRM or customer database. 

• What type(s) of data and information do you have on hand?
• What type(s) of data don't you have? 

This makes a difference in the scope and bidding for the market research company.

The difference in price 💰

For example, the answer to these questions can make a difference between a 20-question survey and a 40-question survey. 

In this case, doubling the number of questions will likely result in a much higher cost. 

If your CRM tool has a significant amount of customer data such as age, ZIP code, and income, this will save the market research company from having to ask these questions in the survey . 

As a result, they can structure the cost of the project to be more budget-friendly.

The difference in approach 📈

If your company or organization can tie telephone numbers or addresses to the participants, this will help the market research firm understand if email surveys , phone surveys , or mail surveys are an option. 

It will also help the market research know if reminder phone calls to those who do not respond to the email survey is an option or not.

The difference in quotas ♂️ ♀️

From a segmentation perspective, it will help the market research company develop quotas and audiences for targeting. 

Let's say your focus groups want to pinpoint those aged 25 to 34 with children in their households.

If you have this data on-hand it will make targeting and recruiting much easier for the market research company than if they had to call or email your entire customer list to screen.

• Examples like these create a more accurate proposal. ☑️
• Examples like these are why you should at least touch on the breadth and depth of your database. ☑️

If the market research company understands these nuisances it will help them more accurately and efficiently bid on your market research RFP.

This is why you should think about listing the fields of data you have available in-house.

💡 The Key Takeaway: Never underestimate the power of a customer database and reference that in your request for proposal process. Getting their information can alter the money you spend, the approach you take, and targeting practices. 

Recommended Reading: Ultimate Guide to Conducting Customer Satisfaction Surveys

Do You Have Relevant Target Markets?

Understanding where you want to conduct market research is another key touchpoint for your RFQ. 

A couple of questions you’ll want to answer in your request would be:

• If you are a national company with customers that span across the country, are there specific markets you want to research? Why? 
• Do these markets match the demographics of your customers or are you looking for a market research consultant to choose locations for the market research?

This is largely true with qualitative market research such as focus groups or in-person in-depth interviews (IDIs).

These types of studies incur large travel expenses and can add considerable length to the project timeline.

Another example of this would be feasibility studies .

If you are looking to test the feasibility of a new product or service , perhaps the market research firm should suggest some of the top test market cities in the United States for you. 

Why test markets are useful.

These test market suggestions could prove useful to your market research for a number of reasons.

Test markets are typically isolated, offer affordable media, and the demographics resemble national averages.

The location will play a major role in the scope and cost of the market research . 

Clearly defining where you want the market research targeted or held will help you receive comparable bids. If you leave this variable open, it could present a wide range of options and costs.

💡 The Key Takeaway: Knowing the areas you want to target during your research is essential information in the RFP process. Understanding the key areas you need to target can help determine which research to use. 

Do You Have a Specific or Aggressive Timeframe?

Timing is everything. In your market research request for proposal, you'll want to clarify when you need the market research completed. 

• Does the fieldwork have to be completed by a certain date? 
• Do the analysis and the draft report need to be received by a certain date? 
• Does the market research firm need to be on-site to present the findings on a specific date and time when your board is in town?

All of this information will be necessary to include in the RFP.

The timeline will dictate the scope and methodologies chosen⏰ 

Ideally, the more data the better. However, if the market research study needs to be fielded and concluded in two months, perhaps the intended 80 in-person IDIs will need to be limited to 40 IDIs.

Having a handle on these timelines assists the market research firm in planning.

If you are planning on the test product launching in 3-months, provide an expected date in the RFP so the market research firm can work its way backward.

Dates and deadlines for the market research are critical pieces for the RFP. Not only for the RFP submission and acceptance process but also for the study once fielded.

Dates add clarity and set expectations.

💡 The Key Takeaway: Having a project timeframe is crucial for success. This will help set the stage for additional deadlines and other important research factors.

Just how long does market research take? We answer that here.

What Type of Reporting Do You Need?

The type of analysis and reporting can have a major impact on cost . Without direction or structure, you may get several different levels of analysis in your RFP responses.

Some market research firms may produce a high-level summary document and that's it. 

Other market research firms, like Drive Research, may provide you with options such as: 

• An executive summary
• Recommendations
• Infographics
• Customer personas
• Hundreds of pages of banner runs
• A full Excel CSV file

One will charge you a few hundred dollars and the other will charge you thousands of dollars.

In the case of Drive Research, we offer various reporting packages to help fit into any budget. Most fall under either a topline or comprehensive market research report .

If you specify what you are looking for in the analysis and reporting it helps the market research company structure and plan for a report. 

If you are looking for conjoint analysis, a Van Westendorp pricing model , TURF analysis, or regression , it will require some additional time and cost.

💡 The Key Takeaway: Spend time considering reporting resources for your RFP. Prices may vary greatly depending on your goals, and it’s important to understand the full range of what you need before heading into the project. 

Sample Infographic in a Market Research Report by Drive Research

Do You Have a Budget or Budget Range?

This is an absolutely crucial piece of the request for proposal process.

The market research scope is often dictated by a budget. Market research companies want to present your company or organization with as much data as possible within your budget.

It's also understandably difficult for you to formulate because of the unknown. This is particularly true if you have never worked with a market research company before and are unsure of costs.

Defining some of the other categories we've listed in this article should help point you in the right direction of whether you are looking at an $8,000 project or $80,000 project.

The budget will dictate all recommendations and responses in a market research RFP. 

It will guide methodology, timeline, geographies, analysis, and reporting. No one fact or figure in your RFP process will have more of an impact. 

This is why it is critical to at least make an estimation or offer a range of your budget. Ask yourself or your team, what do you expect to spend?

As difficult as it sounds to list a budget or price range for your market research, it can prove crucial. 

💡 The Key Takeaway: Budget cannot be emphasized enough when it comes to your market research request for proposal. Having a clear understanding of what your project will cost allows you to plan accordingly. 

Recommended Reading: Should I Share My Project Budget with a Market Research Company?

Who Is Responsible for Rewards or Incentives for Participation?

One item in the RFP process that is often forgotten about but can have a large impact on cost is incentives or rewards.

Trust us, there are many reasons why you should offer a reward for your market research . 

Do you have an idea of the rewards you want to pay for participation? 

We suggest including some language on this because companies or organizations often have stipulations on what can or cannot be offered for participation.

Other companies have a stock and inventory of gifts and corporate items that can be given out as a thank you for participation.

If you have these types of rewards or an idea of what you'd like to offer participants, it will help to clarify this in the budget. 

If you plan on fulfilling these in-house it could save the market research from overbidding on this in their RFP response by a few thousand dollars.

💡 The Key Takeaway: Don’t be afraid of offering rewards for participants–in fact, it can save you money. One reason being it may prevent overbidding if you offer rewards in-house. 

Recommended Reading: Higher Rewards Can Lead to Lower Market Research Costs. Here's Why.

Will You Allow Bidding Vendors to Ask Questions?

Depending on your timeframe to accept bids, review bids, and make a decision, your company or organization will have to determine whether or not you are willing to have an open question and answer period.

Typically how the question and answer period works is you give vendors the opportunity to submit questions to you. 

Here you will make it clear, no questions can be accepted after X date 🙅‍♂️

Then you give your company or organization a few days to review questions and write answers. 

These answers are then posted to a public website for all vendors to review regardless of whether they have submitted a question or not.

Those who submitted questions are not singled out or labeled. The question and answer page is a section with generic questions with generic answers labeled 1 through 45 (or however many questions are received).

You'll likely receive several of the same or similar questions.  In these situations, for the answer, you can write "refer to the answer on Q5".

💡 The Key Takeaway: Consider the factors that go into an open question and answer period with vendors. This involves setting a strict deadline, then taking time to answer questions. 

What to Look For When Receiving RFPs Back From a Research Firm. 

Now that you have a clearer picture of how to write a market research RFP, quote, or estimate, it is time to set expectations for what types of responses you will receive.

As a market research company, we know a thing or two about what to look for after you’ve requested the type of information included in this article.

Briefly consider these 4 factors before choosing your market research company.

1. Responsiveness 💨

We all know about those form fills or inquiries that go into the great abyss. In fact, we have sent many of these ourselves to unresponsive clients. 

We have an immediate need, we reach out through a website form fill, and? Nothing. Silence.

Has this happened to you?

When you send your RFP to a market research company, test the responsiveness.

An organization that gets back to you within a few hours, or within 24 hours is likely a company that has it together and one you probably want to consider working with.

If you are waiting 6 days for a response it is probably telling you a larger story. Just think about this...

That company will never offer better customer service or work harder for you than when they are trying to win your business.

Once they have it won, it's likely to go downhill.

2. Excitement and Interest 😃

There is a difference between a market research vendor who takes on new clients to simply execute a process versus one who is actually interested and passionate about the work they are likely to perform.

Our team loves what we do. There are market research companies out there that exist who simply enjoy the process. Things like writing surveys, programming surveys , analyzing data, etc.

Passion often translates to higher quality work.

Be on the lookout for this in your communications via email, telephone, and in-person.  Are they interested in you? Or are they just interested in making a quick buck?

3. Background and Experience 🧠

While it is important the RFP focuses on your company’s needs and specifications, it is also helpful to inquire about the background and expertise of these firms. 

If you are deciding between several different research companies, ask follow-up questions about their history, staff experience, and case studies for your vertical. 

For example, if you work in retail, find a market research company that has direct or correlated experience in retail .

If you work in higher education, find a market research company that has worked in the educational space .

The benefit of finding a company with relevant experience is two-fold:

• First, they are more likely to understand the nuisances of your industry.
• Second, they are able to make anecdotal comparisons and pull insights from other similar projects.

All in all, it creates a more comprehensive outcome for your market research.

4. Cost Options 💵

As discussed earlier, it will be helpful to provide market research companies with your estimated budget – however, we know this is not always possible. 

If you are unable or uncomfortable with sharing your budget for research, the consultant should be happy to offer varying levels or pricing options.

For example, 400 survey responses are optimal. It offers an industry-standard +/- 5% margin of error . At the same time, 400 responses are more expensive than 200. 

If the budget is tight, the market research company should be willing to be flexible to offer options for 200, 300, and 400 responses.

💡 The Key Takeaway: The main elements to consider when receiving your RFP responses are the following: responsiveness, interest, experience, and cost. These are all essential elements that go into picking the right partner. 

Final Thoughts

The end goal with any market research request for proposal is to ensure you have a clearly defined process to acquire high-quality and credible market research company bids. 

The market research proposal process should also help you create a decision matrix that will assist you and your team in your choice. 

For a summary, here are the core components and topics to address in your market research RFP.

This is the checklist you can take back to your company's or organization's team to guide you in writing your RFP in market research:

• Main Objectives
• Secondary Objectives
• Methodology
• Database or CRM Information Available
• Geographies or Markets to Target
• Timeline for the Market Research
• Levels of Analysis and Reporting Needed
• Budget or Budget Range
• Rewards and Incentives
• Question and Answer Deadline
• Question and Answer Responses Posted by Date
• Number of Vendors Chosen for Follow-up and Dates
• Final Decision with 1 Vendor Date

Contact Drive Research for a Market Research RFP or Quote

Drive Research is a full-service market research company . Our clients span across the United States, as we work in a variety of industries and sectors.

Would you like Drive Research to bid on your RFP or RFQ? Contact us through any of the four ways below:

• Message us on our website
• Email us at  [email protected]
• Call us at  888-725-DATA
• Text us at 315-303-2040

Emily Carroll

A SUNY Cortland graduate, Emily has taken her passion for social and content marketing to Drive Research as the Marketing Manager. She has earned certificates for both Google Analytics and Google AdWords.

Learn more about Emily, here .

Categories: Market Research Services Category

Need help with your project? Get in touch with Drive Research.

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• How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates

How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates

Published on October 12, 2022 by Shona McCombes and Tegan George. Revised on September 5, 2024.

A research proposal describes what you will investigate, why it’s important, and how you will conduct your research.

The format of a research proposal varies between fields, but most proposals will contain at least these elements:

Introduction

Literature review.

• Research design

Reference list

While the sections may vary, the overall objective is always the same. A research proposal serves as a blueprint and guide for your research plan, helping you get organized and feel confident in the path forward you choose to take.

Table of contents

Research proposal purpose, research proposal examples, research design and methods, contribution to knowledge, research schedule, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about research proposals.

Academics often have to write research proposals to get funding for their projects. As a student, you might have to write a research proposal as part of a grad school application , or prior to starting your thesis or dissertation .

In addition to helping you figure out what your research can look like, a proposal can also serve to demonstrate why your project is worth pursuing to a funder, educational institution, or supervisor.

Research proposal length

The length of a research proposal can vary quite a bit. A bachelor’s or master’s thesis proposal can be just a few pages, while proposals for PhD dissertations or research funding are usually much longer and more detailed. Your supervisor can help you determine the best length for your work.

One trick to get started is to think of your proposal’s structure as a shorter version of your thesis or dissertation , only without the results , conclusion and discussion sections.

Download our research proposal template

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Writing a research proposal can be quite challenging, but a good starting point could be to look at some examples. We’ve included a few for you below.

• Example research proposal #1: “A Conceptual Framework for Scheduling Constraint Management”
• Example research proposal #2: “Medical Students as Mediators of Change in Tobacco Use”

Like your dissertation or thesis, the proposal will usually have a title page that includes:

• The proposed title of your project
• Your supervisor’s name
• Your institution and department

The first part of your proposal is the initial pitch for your project. Make sure it succinctly explains what you want to do and why.

Your introduction should:

• Introduce your topic
• Give necessary background and context
• Outline your  problem statement  and research questions

To guide your introduction , include information about:

• Who could have an interest in the topic (e.g., scientists, policymakers)
• How much is already known about the topic
• What is missing from this current knowledge
• What new insights your research will contribute
• Why you believe this research is worth doing

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As you get started, it’s important to demonstrate that you’re familiar with the most important research on your topic. A strong literature review  shows your reader that your project has a solid foundation in existing knowledge or theory. It also shows that you’re not simply repeating what other people have already done or said, but rather using existing research as a jumping-off point for your own.

In this section, share exactly how your project will contribute to ongoing conversations in the field by:

• Comparing and contrasting the main theories, methods, and debates
• Examining the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches
• Explaining how will you build on, challenge, or synthesize prior scholarship

Following the literature review, restate your main  objectives . This brings the focus back to your own project. Next, your research design or methodology section will describe your overall approach, and the practical steps you will take to answer your research questions.

To finish your proposal on a strong note, explore the potential implications of your research for your field. Emphasize again what you aim to contribute and why it matters.

For example, your results might have implications for:

• Improving best practices
• Informing policymaking decisions
• Strengthening a theory or model
• Challenging popular or scientific beliefs
• Creating a basis for future research

Last but not least, your research proposal must include correct citations for every source you have used, compiled in a reference list . To create citations quickly and easily, you can use our free APA citation generator .

Some institutions or funders require a detailed timeline of the project, asking you to forecast what you will do at each stage and how long it may take. While not always required, be sure to check the requirements of your project.

Here’s an example schedule to help you get started. You can also download a template at the button below.

Download our research schedule template

If you are applying for research funding, chances are you will have to include a detailed budget. This shows your estimates of how much each part of your project will cost.

Make sure to check what type of costs the funding body will agree to cover. For each item, include:

• Cost : exactly how much money do you need?
• Justification : why is this cost necessary to complete the research?
• Source : how did you calculate the amount?

To determine your budget, think about:

• Travel costs : do you need to go somewhere to collect your data? How will you get there, and how much time will you need? What will you do there (e.g., interviews, archival research)?
• Materials : do you need access to any tools or technologies?
• Help : do you need to hire any research assistants for the project? What will they do, and how much will you pay them?

If you want to know more about the research process , methodology , research bias , or statistics , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

Methodology

• Sampling methods
• Simple random sampling
• Stratified sampling
• Cluster sampling
• Likert scales
• Reproducibility

 Statistics

• Null hypothesis
• Statistical power
• Probability distribution
• Effect size
• Poisson distribution

Research bias

• Optimism bias
• Cognitive bias
• Implicit bias
• Hawthorne effect
• Anchoring bias
• Explicit bias

Once you’ve decided on your research objectives , you need to explain them in your paper, at the end of your problem statement .

Keep your research objectives clear and concise, and use appropriate verbs to accurately convey the work that you will carry out for each one.

I will compare …

A research aim is a broad statement indicating the general purpose of your research project. It should appear in your introduction at the end of your problem statement , before your research objectives.

Research objectives are more specific than your research aim. They indicate the specific ways you’ll address the overarching aim.

A PhD, which is short for philosophiae doctor (doctor of philosophy in Latin), is the highest university degree that can be obtained. In a PhD, students spend 3–5 years writing a dissertation , which aims to make a significant, original contribution to current knowledge.

A PhD is intended to prepare students for a career as a researcher, whether that be in academia, the public sector, or the private sector.

A master’s is a 1- or 2-year graduate degree that can prepare you for a variety of careers.

All master’s involve graduate-level coursework. Some are research-intensive and intend to prepare students for further study in a PhD; these usually require their students to write a master’s thesis . Others focus on professional training for a specific career.

Critical thinking refers to the ability to evaluate information and to be aware of biases or assumptions, including your own.

Like information literacy , it involves evaluating arguments, identifying and solving problems in an objective and systematic way, and clearly communicating your ideas.

The best way to remember the difference between a research plan and a research proposal is that they have fundamentally different audiences. A research plan helps you, the researcher, organize your thoughts. On the other hand, a dissertation proposal or research proposal aims to convince others (e.g., a supervisor, a funding body, or a dissertation committee) that your research topic is relevant and worthy of being conducted.

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McCombes, S. & George, T. (2024, September 05). How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates. Scribbr. Retrieved September 25, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/research-process/research-proposal/

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Table of contents

What is a Marketing research proposal?

A marketing research proposal is a document designed to sell your services by showing potential clients the research that you will carry out for their project. Whether you’re a freelance marketing consultant or you have your own marketing agency, a market research proposal will cover what research needs to be done, how you’ll go about it, and why they should choose you for the project.

A proposal is typically one of the first points of contact that you have with an organization. Therefore, it’s a chance to make a strong first impression.

Note: Sign up now to get your free marketing research proposal template that will make yours stand out for all the right reasons.

What to include in the Marketing research proposal

A market research proposal will outline your market research plan and each critical step you need to take to perform the necessary research. It usually consists of three parts.

• Introduction: This includes project objectives and scope, target market, and methodology, including data collection methods.
• Discussion: This covers existing knowledge of the market, case studies or competitor analysis, a project timeline, proposed budget, deliverables, and ethical considerations. ‍
• Summary: This concludes what you expect to achieve from the market research, how it will support the initial objectives, and why your company is the best for the job.

Introduction

At the top of any market research proposal template should be the title of your document followed by who it has been written by and who it’s for. You can also include both company addresses here if you wish.

Proceed to outline the project description and the purpose of performing the market research. What are you trying to achieve? Why is this research needed? Who will be conducting it? What problem are you trying to solve for the client?

You should also include a methodology section in your introduction. The research methodology should dive into what primary and secondary research will be conducted, how data will be collected, and the expected outcomes. As a freelance researcher, you’ll already know this, but it’s worth covering what’s included in each to the client:

• Primary research is research that you carry out yourself in the form of two research methods: qualitative and quantitative research. Qualitative research relies on first-hand observation from things like interviews, questionnaires, and focus groups. Quantitative research, on the other hand, relies on the collection and analysis of data from an online survey and polls.
• Secondary research is research that has already been published and comes from secondary sources. This may include academic literature, print publications, and online studies.

It’s important to give an overview of your target audience in your methodology too.

For instance, if your client is trying to determine whether it’s a good time to launch a new product, your methodology in your market research proposal would explain how you plan to arrange a focus group with their target audience of females aged 16-24. Being present in the meeting, asking the right questions, and making notes to refer to later on would confirm whether the prospective product could be useful and — ultimately — successful.

The discussion section of your marketing research proposal is typically the meatiest. It’s where you should demonstrate what you already know about the industry and company, while getting into the finer details of the market research project.

• Existing Industry Knowledge: Prospective clients are likely going to want to hire someone who knows what they’re talking about. Right? Demonstrate that’s you by discussing the market and how it’s being affected in terms of the PEST analysis (politically, economically, socioculturally, and technologically). You can also cover case studies or a competitor analysis of companies that have already undertaken the same research and achieved similar goals.
• Timeline: For the research items that you listed in your methodology, include time frames of when each one will be conducted. You don’t have to be super precise here — it’s more about giving your client a realistic idea of the timings of key project milestones. However, exact details can be tweaked and laid out in a marketing research contract once your proposal and project quote has been approved.
• Proposed Budget: Any market research proposal template has to include a budgeting section. This is where you would break down how much you expect the research to cost, while offsetting it with how the client can make the most out of their investment. Just like with the timeline, the information doesn’t have to be exact at this stage. It’s more a rough estimate to ensure that the project expectations of both parties align.
• Deliverables: This section should answer any questions that a prospective client may have on the general organization of the project. In other words, it should tell them how you plan to present the research and its findings, whether it’s in the form of a one-off report, series of meetings, or collaborative Google Docs. You may choose to hand-deliver a printed copy of your findings or email through a PDF file. Either way, this section is a significant part of a market research proposal as the findings taken from the document need to be actionable by the marketing team.
• Ethical Considerations: This part of the market research proposal should outline any ethical issues that may arise throughout the course of your research, from conflicts of interest to concerns about supplier relationships. It should also cover how you plan to deal with participants, data gathering, and privacy issues before the project has even begun.

For example, you may write something like the following: “Each participant will be told that their input in this research is voluntary. They will be provided with a form to assure them that their data will remain confidential for the purposes of this research and won’t be used by third parties. They must sign this form in person or we can accept digital signatures to consent to these terms.”

The summary tends to be the shortest section of your market research proposal. It’s where you would refer back to the initial project objectives and conclude the desired outcomes from the market research.

It’s a good idea to end on a punchy note by describing why your potential client should become an actual client.

• What can your company offer to this project that no other company can?
• Why are you the perfect person or team to perform the research?
• What makes this proposal unique?

Don’t lose sight of the fact that you’re trying to convince somebody (or some people) of your value. You want them to take action after reading your proposal, which is why you should include a compelling Call-To-Action (CTA). Let them know what the next steps entail, and how to take them.

How to write a Marketing research proposal

The truth is, it’s difficult to draft a market research proposal without some key information from your prospective client.

To gather all of the details you need to create a winning marketing research proposal, follow the below steps.

Find out exactly what the client wants to achieve

During your initial email or phone discussion, ask your client what they want to get out of the research. Are they rebranding and want to redefine their target market? Or are they testing out a new product with a small group of people before unleashing it to the masses?

Either way, it’s useful to know their final goals so that you can start to make a plan on how to help them achieve them.

Discuss the finer details

Alongside your prospective client’s research objectives, you need to find out more details in terms of their:

• Target demographics
• Project deadline
• Project budget

You should also ask them if there’s any other key information that they would like you to include in the market research proposal. This will ensure that you have everything you need upfront without having to make extensive edits later on.

Figure out what sets you apart

Keep in mind that you haven’t been awarded the job yet. A work proposal is essentially a sales document — it almost serves as a resume before the client decides that you’re the ideal person to hire.

As such, do some company research to put you ahead of your competition. Is there a link you can make with the company based on your background and interests? Why should they care about you? What do you offer that no one else does?

Be sure to feature all of this information in your market researching proposal, and don’t be afraid of highlighting your strengths and wins.

Creating a Marketing research proposal is simple with Bonsai

There's plenty to think about when conducting marketing research, which is why you can make life a little simpler with Bonsai. Bonsai's all-in-one tool for small businesses, freelancers, and entrepreneurs streamlines administrative tasks and covers all bases when it comes to proposals, contracts, and invoices.

You can find a template specific to market research and edit it to meet your needs in minutes. Then all you have to do is send it off to your client, which you can do without even leaving the platform. Talk about a time- and energy-saver!

The marketing research proposal template is professional and refined in structure. This provides clarity to your potential client by laying out exactly what you can do for them within their timeline and budget.

Simply enter your information, sit back, and be prepared to wow your prospective client so much that they hire you on the spot.

Note : Sign up for free and get started!

Marketing research proposal FAQs

How long should a marketing research proposal be.

A market research proposal should be concise and fluff-free. It should cover all the obligatory information without dragging it out. After all, prospective clients are busy reviewing other proposals and working on further aspects of their business.

The perfect length is between 1-2 pages, but try to ensure that it’s no more than 3.

What should the tone and writing style of a marketing research proposal be?

Because your market research proposal is only a couple of pages long, the writing style should be clear and easy to read. The language should be simple, everyday, and familiar, using short sentences that get to the point and won’t clutter up the document.

The tone of your plan should be informative and position you as the expert to leave a positive, long-lasting impression on your prospective client.

What is the main purpose of marketing research?

Marketing research aims to investigate and assess how certain factors influence consumer behavior. This provides key insights that are relevant to decision making.

Marketing research can identify new business opportunities and avoid business failures. That said, above all, it can be used to inform a company’s marketing strategy to help them achieve their business goals.

How do you write a marketing research proposal?

What is market research and examples, what is research proposal template.

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Market Research Proposal

Executive Summary

Why [sender company], 1. in-house research, 2. panel expertise, 3. premium databases, 4. global coverage, 5. data visualization, our research approach, primary research, our primary research services, secondary research, ip research, social media listening & analytics.

Our Services

Market analysis, consumer research and insights, competitive intelligence, custom research.

Terms and Conditions

1. payment terms, 2. limitation of liability, 3. termination, 4. governing law, acceptance and signature, free market research proposal templates, this proposal template encompasses every possible details necessary for a market research proposal..

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How to Write Effective Marketing Research Proposals

Table of Contents

Are you struggling to write effective marketing research proposals that will leave a lasting impression? Are you unsure how to structure your ideas and approach in a way that resonates with clients?

If so, then this article is for you! Here, we’ll provide step-by-step guidance on  how to write marketing research proposal templates that get results.

We’ll also explore key tips used to create winning bids. Whether you’re an experienced market researcher or starting out, these tips will help you produce convincing proposals that deliver excellent outcomes.

What is a Marketing Research Proposal?

Market research proposals are documents that sell your services to potential clients. It aims to educate them about what they can accomplish by hiring you to complete their projects or research .

It typically outlines the research project’s objectives, methods, costs, timeline, and expected results.

Key Elements of Marketing Research Proposal

A summary outlines the purpose and objectives of the proposed marketing research project. It should provide an overview of what will be investigated, as well as how this knowledge can benefit the organization.

This section lists what information needs to be gathered from the research study and why it is needed. These should focus on gaining insight into customer behaviour, attitudes, or preferences that can help inform decisions made by the company.

Targets refer to the target audience who will participate in the research. This includes criteria like age group, gender, profession, and other demographic characteristics relevant to the topic being studied.

Methodology

The methodology defines the methods and techniques used to collect data during the research process. This may involve interviews, surveys, focus groups, field experiments, and so on, depending on the study’s scope.

A timeline provides a realistic schedule for carrying out the project. It should identify when each phase begins and ends while addressing potential roadblocks or delays.

Proposed Budget

A proposed budget outlines the estimated costs of conducting the research study. This ensures sufficient resources are available to cover all expenses for successfully carrying out the project.

How to Write Marketing Research Proposal Templates

Get to know the client..

You might already have written audience personas available that can help you shape your proposal’s tone, language, plan, or other components. If not, it’s best to start researching the client’s target audience, industry, products/services, keywords or topics, and other relevant details.

It also helps to ask about the client’s pain points so you can better address them.

Knowing their main pain points gives you an idea of how to market your products or services as the best solution for their problems. Consider how your experience, expertise, and background can benefit them.

List the scope of work.

Include a scope of work section in your marketing proposal , which describes all the services you plan to provide the client. It should fulfill marketing tasks that clients do not have enough time or resources to accomplish.

For example, the Scope of Work for a social media marketing proposal may outline the following tasks:

• Creating a content calendar
• Uploading or automating posts
• Analyzing social metrics.

Provide timelines for deliverables.

Based on the scope of work outlined, provide estimated time frames for each deliverable associated with the project. This will help keep track of progress throughout its development and establish expectations between both parties involved.

Include costs and terms.

Include a cost breakdown in your proposal and any applicable terms or conditions. Explain what they are paying for and how much they will be charged, so there are no misunderstandings later down the line. This section can include the following:

• Pay rate (by milestone, week, and so on.) or pricing strategy (flat or hourly rate)
• Payment requirements (deposit required before project start, full payment due upon completion, and so on)
• Work location (on-site or remote)
• Any warranties you may provide
• Situations that warrant the termination of a contract

Show how you plan to measure results.

Demonstrate how you plan to measure the effectiveness of the research once it has been completed. Present strategies for tracking key performance indicators such as response rates, ROI, sales numbers, and so on. This will make potential clients more confident that you know what you’re doing.

A well-constructed, persuasive marketing research proposal is essential to attracting and acquiring new clients. It should provide relevant details about your research goals and highlight what clients can gain from working with you.

With the help of these steps on how to write marketing research proposal , you should have no trouble getting started. Now get out there and start putting together those winning research proposals!

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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8 Research Proposal Examples & Template to Use

Written by: Raja Mandal

So you have a groundbreaking research idea you've spent months or even years developing, and now you're ready to take the next step.

How do you get funding for your research, and how should you approach potential funders? The answer is to create a convincing research proposal.

Unfortunately, most research proposals often get rejected. According to the European Research Council, the success rate for repeat proposal applications was only 14.8% in 2023 .

Pitching a novel research concept isn’t enough. To increase your chances of securing funding, your research proposal must check the right boxes in terms of clarity, feasibility, aesthetic appeal and other factors.

If you’re looking for inspiration to create a persuasive and feasible proposal, you’re in the right place. In this article, we have compiled a list of research proposal examples to help you create yours.

These examples will help you understand how to organize your proposal, what information to include and how to present it in a way that encourages others to support your project.

Let's dive in!

Table of Contents

What is a research proposal, what to include in a research proposal, 8 research proposal examples & templates, research proposal faqs.

• A research proposal is a document that outlines your proposed research project, explaining what you plan to study, why it's important and how you will conduct your research.
• A well-structured research proposal includes a title page, abstract and table of contents, introduction, literature review, research design and methodology, contribution to knowledge, research schedule, timeline and budget.
• Visme's research proposal examples and templates offer a great starting point for creating engaging and well-structured proposals.
• Choose a template from Visme's research proposal examples and customize it to fit your needs.
• With Visme’s proposal maker , you can create a research proposal that stands out. Access a drag-and-drop editor and advanced features like AI tools , collaboration features, brand wizard and more.

A research proposal is a structured document that outlines the core idea of your research, the methods you intend to use, the required resources and the expected results.

Think of it as a sales pitch for your research. It answers some big questions: What are you planning to explore? Why is it important to conduct the research? What are your research objectives and the methods you’ll use to achieve them? What are the potential outcomes or contributions of this research to the field?

A research proposal serves two primary purposes. First, it convinces funding bodies or academic committees to support your research project expected to bring new ideas and insights. Second, it provides a roadmap for your research journey, helping you stay focused, organized and on track.

Now, we'll discuss what to include in a research proposal. You'll learn about the important parts of a research proposal template and how they help present your research idea clearly.

Here’s an infographic that you can use to understand the elements of a research proposal quickly.

1. Title Page

Start your research proposal with a title page that clearly states your research. The title page is like a book cover, giving the first impression of your project. Therefore, you must ensure the design is engaging enough to attract your audience at first glance.

Include the following details on your title page:

• Title of your research
• Contact Details
• Name of the department or organization
• Date of submission

2. Abstract and Table of Contents

After the title page comes the abstract and the table of contents.

The abstract is a concise summary of your project that briefly outlines your research question, the reasons behind the study and the methods you intend to use. It is a quick way for readers to understand your proposal without reading the entire document.

The table of contents is a detailed list of the sections and subsections in your proposal, with page numbers. It helps readers navigate through your document and quickly locate different parts they're interested in.

3. Introduction

The introduction of your research proposal sets the tone for the rest of the document. It should grab the reader's attention and make them want to learn more. It's your chance to make a strong case for why your research is worth investigating and how it can fill a gap in current knowledge or solve a specific problem.

Make sure that your introduction covers the following:

• Background Information: Set the stage with a brief snapshot of existing research and why your topic is relevant.
• Research Problem: Identify the specific problem or knowledge gap that your study will address.
• Research Questions or Hypotheses: Present the central question or hypothesis that guides your research focus.
• Aims and Objectives: Outline your research's main goal and the steps you'll take to achieve it.
• Significance and Contribution: Explain how your research will add value to the field and what impact it could have.

4. Literature Review

A literature review is a list of the scholarly works you used to conduct your research. It helps you demonstrate your current knowledge about the topic.

Here's how this part works:

• Summary of Sources: Talk about the main ideas or findings from your research materials and explain how they connect to your research questions.
• Finding Gaps: Show where the current research falls short or doesn't give the full picture—this is where your research comes in!
• Key Theories: Tell the readers about any theories or ways of thinking that help shape your research.
• Learning from Methods: Discuss what previous researchers worked on and how their methods might guide your research.
• Recognizing Authors and Studies: Honor the pioneers whose work has had a major influence on your topic.

5. Research Design and Methodology

This section outlines your plan for answering your research question. It explains how you intend to gather and analyze information, providing a clear roadmap of the investigation process.

Here are the key components:

Population and Sample

Describe the entire group you're interested in (the population). This could be all teachers in a specific state or all social media platform users. After that, you will need to explain how you will choose a smaller group, known as a sample, to study directly. This sample should be selected to accurately represent the larger population you are interested in studying.

To choose the right sampling method, you need to assess your population properly. For instance, to obtain general insights, you can use random sampling to select individuals without bias. If the population consists of different categories, such as professionals and students, you can use stratified sampling to ensure that each category is represented in the sample.

Other popular sampling methods include systematic, convenience, purposive, cluster, and probability sampling techniques.

Research Approach

There are three main approaches for the research: qualitative (focusing on experiences and themes), quantitative (using numbers and statistics), or mixed methods (combining both). Your choice will depend on your research question and the kind of data you need.

Data Collection

This section details the specific methods you'll use to gather information. Will you distribute surveys online or in person? Conduct interviews? Perhaps you'll use existing data sets. Here, you'll also explain how you'll ensure the data collection process is reliable and ethical.

Data Analysis

Once you have collected your data, the next step is to analyze it to obtain meaningful insights. The method you choose depends on the available data type.

If you have quantitative data, you can employ statistical tests to analyze it. And if you're dealing with qualitative data, coding techniques can help you spot patterns and themes in your collected data.

6. Contribution to Knowledge

In this section, you need to explain how your research will contribute to the existing knowledge in your field. You should describe whether your study will fill a knowledge gap, challenge conventional ideas or beliefs or offer a fresh perspective on a topic.

Clearly outline how your work will advance your field of study and why this new knowledge is essential.

7. Research Schedule and Timeline

Create a timeline with important milestones, such as finishing your literature review, completing data collection and finalizing your analysis.

This shows that you've carefully considered the scope of your project and can manage your time effectively. Furthermore, account for possible delays and be prepared to adapt your schedule accordingly.

To create this timeline, consider using a visual tool like a Gantt chart or a simple spreadsheet. These tools will help you organize individual tasks, assign deadlines, and visualize the project's overall progress.

Choose a Gantt chart template from Visme's library and customize it to create your timeline quickly. Here's an example template:

The budget section is your opportunity to show them that you've carefully considered all necessary expenses and that your funding request is justified.

Here's how you can approach this part:

• Understand the Rules: Before making calculations, thoroughly review the funding agency's guidelines. Pay attention to what types of expenses are allowed or excluded and whether there are any budget caps.
• Personnel: Salaries and benefits for yourself, research assistants, or collaborators.
• Equipment: Specialized tools, software, or lab supplies.
• Travel: Transportation, lodging and meals if data collection requires travel.
• Dissemination: Costs for publishing results or presenting at conferences.
• Provide Justifications: Don't just list a cost. Briefly explain why each expense is crucial for completing your research.
• Be Thorough and Realistic: Research prices for specific items using quotes or online comparisons. Don't underestimate expenses, as this can raise troubles about the project's feasibility.
• Don't Forget Contingencies: Include a small buffer (around 5% of your total budget) for unexpected costs that might arise.

Using these research proposal examples and templates, you can create a winning proposal in no time. You will find templates for various topics and customize every aspect of them to make them your own.

Visme’s drag-and-drop editor, advanced features and a vast library of templates help organizations and individuals worldwide create engaging documents.

Here’s what a research student who uses Visme to create award-winning presentations has to say about the tool:

Chantelle Clarke

Research Student

Now, let’s dive into the research proposal examples.

1. Research Proposal Presentation Template

This research proposal presentation template is a powerful tool for presenting your research plan to stakeholders. The slides include specific sections to help you outline your research, including the research background, questions, objectives, methodology and expected results.

The slides create a coherent narrative, highlighting the importance and significance of your research. Overall, the template has a calming and professional blue color scheme with text that enables your audience to grasp the key points.

If you need help creating your presentation slides in a fraction of the time, check out Visme's AI presentation maker . Enter your requirements using text prompts, and the AI tool will generate a complete presentation with engaging visuals, text and clear structure. You can further customize the template completely to your needs.

2. Sales Research Proposal Template

Sales research gives you a deeper understanding of their target audience. It also helps you identify gaps in the market and develop effective sales strategies that drive revenue growth. With this research proposal template, you can secure funding for your next research project.

It features a sleek and professional grayscale color palette with a classic and modern vibe. The high-quality images in the template are strategically placed to reinforce the message without overwhelming the reader. Furthermore, the template includes a vertical bar graph that effectively represents budget allocations, enabling the reader to quickly grasp the information.

Use Visme's interactive elements and animations to add a dynamic layer to your research proposals. You can animate any object and add pop-ups or link pages for a more immersive experience. Use these functionalities to highlight key findings, demonstrate trends or guide readers through your proposal, making the content engaging and interactive.

3. General Funding Research Proposal Template

This proposal template is a great tool for securing funding for any type of research project. It begins with a captivating title page that grabs attention. The beautiful design elements and vector icons enhance the aesthetic and aid visual communication.

This template revolves around how a specific user group adopts cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. The goal is to assess awareness, gauge interest and understand key factors affecting cryptocurrency adoption.

The project methodology includes survey design, data collection, and market research. The expected impact is to enhance customer engagement and position the company as a customer-centric brand.

Do you need additional help crafting the perfect text for your proposal? Visme's AI writer can quickly generate content outlines, summaries and even entire sections. Just explain your requirements to the tool using a text prompt, and the tool will generate it for you.

4. Product Research Proposal Template

Creating a product that delights users begins with detailed product research. With this modern proposal template, you can secure buy-in and funding for your next research.

It starts with a background that explains why the research is important. Next, it highlights what the research is set to achieve, how the research will be conducted, how much it will cost, the timeline and the expected outcomes. With a striking color scheme combining black, yellow, and gray, the template grabs attention and maintains it until the last page.

What we love about this template is the smart use of visuals. You'll find a flowchart explaining the methodology, a bar graph for the budget, and a timeline for the project. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg regarding the visual elements you’ll find in Visme.

Visme offers data visualization tools with 30+ data widgets, such as radial gauges, population arrays, progress bars and more. These tools can help you turn complex data into engaging visuals for your research proposal or any other document.

For larger data sets, you can choose from 20+ types of charts and graphs , including bar graphs , bubble charts , Venn diagrams and more.

5. Tech Research Proposal Template

If you’re a tech researcher, we’ve got the perfect template for you. This research proposal example is about predictive analytics in e-commerce. However, you can customize it for any other type of research proposal.

It highlights the project's objectives, including the effectiveness of predictive analysis, the impact of product recommendations and supply chain optimization. The methods proposed for achieving these objectives involve A/B testing and data analysis, a comprehensive budget and a 12-month timeline for clear project planning.

The title page has a unique triptych-style layout that immediately catches the reader's attention. It has plenty of white space that enhances readability, allowing your audience to focus on the critical points.

Submitting to different funding agencies? You don’t have to manually make changes to your document. Visme's dynamic fields can help save time and eliminate repetitive data entry.

Create custom fields like project names, addresses, contact information and more. Any changes made to these fields will automatically populate throughout the document.

6. Marketing Research Proposal Template

Artificial intelligence (AI) is taking the world by storm and the marketing niche isn’t left out. With this eye-catching template, you can attract attention to your proposed marketing research project for an AI-driven platform.

The main goal of the research is to evaluate the platform's feasibility and marketing potential. To achieve this goal, the scope of work includes a comprehensive analysis of the market and competitors and pilot testing. The proposal also contains a budget overview that clearly outlines the allocation of funds, ensuring a well-planned and transparent approach.

Using Visme's Brand Design Tool , you can easily customize this template to suit your branding with just one click. Simply enter your URL into the brand wizard, and the tool will automatically extract your company logo, brand colors, and brand fonts . Once saved, you or your team members can apply the branding elements to any document. It's that simple!

7. Environmental Research Proposal Template

The environmental research proposal example focuses on carbon emissions, identifies their contributing factors, and suggests sustainable practices to address them. It uses an appropriate sample size and data collection techniques to gather and evaluate data and provide sustainable recommendations to reduce industrial carbon footprints and waste.

From a design standpoint, the green and white color combination matches the theme of nature and environmental friendliness. In addition to its aesthetic appeal, the proposal includes relevant images that support ecological advocacy, making it informative and visually aligned with its purpose.

A key feature of this template is its detailed breakdown of the project's timeline. It uses a Gantt chart to clearly present stages, milestones and deadlines.

Collaborate with your team members to customize these research proposal templates using Visme’s collaborative design features . These features allow you to leave feedback, draw annotations and even make live edits. Invite your teammates via email or a shareable link and allow them to work together on projects.

8. General Approval Research Proposal Template

This research proposal template is a total game-changer - you can use it for any research proposal and customize it however you want. It features a modern and refreshing color scheme that immediately makes it stand out, providing a contemporary look that can adapt to any project's needs.

The template's layout is thoughtfully designed with primary fields that users can easily personalize by changing text, adjusting colors, or swapping images. No matter the research topic, you can tailor the template to fit your specific needs.

Once you're done customizing your research proposal template on Visme, you can download, share and publish it in different ways. For offline usage, you may download the proposal in PDF, PNG, or JPG format. To share it online, you can use a private or public link or generate a code snippet that you can embed anywhere on the web.

Want to create other types of proposals? Here are 29 proposal templates that you can easily customize in Visme.

Q. What Are the Five Steps of Writing a Research Proposal?

Follow these steps to write a solid research proposal:

• Choose a topic within your field of study that can be explored and investigated.
• Research existing literature and studies to build a foundational understanding and prepare your research question.
• Outline your research proposal: introduction, literature review, proposed methodology, budget and timeline.
• Conduct more detailed studies to strengthen your proposition, refine your research question and justify your methodology.
• Follow your outline to write a clear and organized proposal, then review and edit for accuracy before submitting.

If you want to learn more about creating an expert research proposal , we highly recommend checking out our in-depth guide.

Q. How Long Is a Research Proposal?

Research proposals can range from 1,000 to 5,000 words. For smaller projects or when specific requirements aren't provided, aim for a concise and informative proposal that effectively outlines your research plan.

However, the ideal length depends on these factors:

• Projects with complex methodologies or multiple phases may require longer proposals to explain the scope and procedures in detail.
• Universities, academic institutions and funding agencies often have guidelines of a specific length. Always check their requirements beforehand.
• When writing a proposal, adjust the level of study based on the audience. Academic proposals may require comprehensive explanations, while business or non-profit proposals require a more streamlined approach.

Q. How Long Does It Take to Write a Research Proposal?

The time it takes to write a research proposal depends on a few factors:

• Complex research with extensive data collection or analysis will naturally take longer to plan and write about.
• If you're new to writing research proposals, expect to spend more time learning the format and best practices.
• If you've already conducted some research or a thorough literature review, the writing process might go faster.
• Funding applications often have strict deadlines that will dictate your timeline.

Set aside several weeks to a couple of months for researching, writing, and revising your proposal. Start early to avoid stress and produce your best work.

Q. What Not to Do for a Research Proposal?

There are several factors that can make a research proposal weak. Here are some of the most common errors that you should avoid while preparing your research proposal:

• Don’t choose a topic that’s too broad. Focus on a specific area you can thoroughly explore within your proposal’s limits.
• Don’t ignore the rules for formatting and submitting your proposal. Always adhere to the requirements set by your institution or funding body.
• Don’t forget to conduct a thorough literature review. It's crucial to show your grasp of existing research related to your topic.
• Don't be vague about your methods. Ensure they're clearly defined and suitable for answering your research question.
• Don't overlook errors in grammar, typos or structure. A well-proofread proposal reflects professionalism, so review it carefully before submitting it.

Craft Professional & Engaging Proposals with Visme

Writing a compelling research proposal takes effort, but with the right tools, the process becomes a breeze. Use the research proposal examples and templates in this article as a launching point to write your own proposal.

The best part? Visme provides easy-to-use tools with a vast collection of customizable templates, design elements and powerful features.

Whether you're a seasoned researcher or a student, Visme has the resources to help you create visually appealing and well-structured research proposals. In addition to research proposals, Visme helps you create many other document types, such as presentations , infographics , reports and more.

Ready to create your own research proposal? Check out Visme's proposal maker and start crafting professional and engaging proposals in minutes!

Create professional research proposals with Visme

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About the Author

Raja Antony Mandal is a Content Writer at Visme. He can quickly adapt to different writing styles, possess strong research skills, and know SEO fundamentals. Raja wants to share valuable information with his audience by telling captivating stories in his articles. He wants to travel and party a lot on the weekends, but his guitar, drum set, and volleyball court don’t let him.

Business Plan Proposal for Coffee Shop: A Coffee Lover’s Blueprint

Coffee shops have become more than just places to grab a quick cup of joe. They have evolved into social hubs, community gathering spots, and creative sanctuaries. With the ever-increasing demand for high-quality coffee and the rise of the café culture, opening a coffee shop presents a compelling entrepreneurial opportunity.

In this article, I will outline the key components necessary for launching and running a great coffee shop.

Table of Contents

1. Executive Summary

Additionally, the executive summary delves into your target market, identifying the specific demographics, preferences, and needs of your potential customers. It highlights the competitive advantage your coffee shop possesses, whether it’s through superior quality, innovative offerings, exceptional customer service, or a combination of factors that sets you apart from existing market players.

In essence, the executive summary acts as a captivating hook, designed to pique the interest of potential investors and partners by succinctly communicating the most compelling aspects of your coffee shop business plan. It serves as a persuasive tool, enticing stakeholders to delve further into the details of your comprehensive proposal.

2. Market Analysis

In order to achieve greatness in the coffee industry, a deep understanding of the market and target audience is essential. Conducting a comprehensive market analysis becomes the foundation for making informed business decisions. By analyzing the industry, you can identify emerging trends that shape consumer preferences and demands. This knowledge enables you to tailor your offerings and stay ahead of the competition.

Examining local demographics is another critical aspect of market analysis. Understanding the age groups, income levels, and lifestyle preferences of the target market allows you to align your coffee shop’s offerings with their specific needs and desires. For example, if the area has a younger population with a preference for specialty coffee, you can focus on providing unique and artisanal coffee options.

3. Unique Selling Proposition (USP)

Consider various factors that can contribute to your USP. It could be a specific coffee brewing method that creates a distinct flavor profile, a signature blend crafted from premium beans sourced directly from growers, or a strong commitment to sustainability and ethical sourcing practices. Whatever aspect you choose, it should be something that resonates with your target audience and aligns with their values and preferences.

4. Menu and Product Offering

Expanding beyond beverages, it is beneficial to develop a selection of artisanal pastries, light meals, and healthy snack options. Freshly baked croissants, muffins, and scones can complement the coffee offerings and entice customers with their delicious aroma. Additionally, offering options like salads, sandwiches, and wraps caters to those seeking a light and satisfying meal.

You create a coffee shop that appeals to a broad range of customers by curating a diverse menu that incorporates various brewing methods, artisanal pastries, light meals, and conscious ingredient sourcing. This attention to variety and quality enhances the overall coffee experience and fosters customer satisfaction and loyalty.

5. Location and Facilities

Seek out areas with bustling foot traffic, such as busy shopping districts or near offices and educational institutions, to maximize visibility and attract potential customers. Additionally, a vibrant community atmosphere can contribute to a steady flow of patrons.

When evaluating potential locations, carefully consider the size of the space. It should be spacious enough to accommodate both seating areas for customers and a well-organized production area for coffee preparation. This ensures efficient workflow and a comfortable environment for both staff and customers.

6. Marketing and Promotion

To ensure the longevity of your coffee shop, it is essential to develop a robust marketing strategy that effectively raises awareness and attracts customers. A combination of online and offline marketing channels can be leveraged to reach a broader audience.

Engaging with customers is key to building loyalty. Implement loyalty programs that reward repeat visits and offer personalized discounts. Regularly introduce specials, seasonal promotions, or limited-time offers to keep customers engaged and entice them to try new offerings.

7. Operations and Management

When outlining the operational aspects of your coffee shop, it is crucial to address staffing, training, and day-to-day processes. Clearly define roles and responsibilities for each team member, placing strong emphasis on providing exceptional customer service and product knowledge. Implement efficient inventory management systems to ensure a smooth supply chain and establish reliable relationships with suppliers.

Read more about: Business Plan for Selling Coffee Online: From Farm to Digital Cup

8. Financial Projections

Additionally, outline your profitability targets and set financial goals to drive growth and sustainability. By meticulously planning your finances and regularly monitoring your performance, you can make informed decisions, optimize your operations, and achieve long-term profitability for your coffee shop.

9. Risk Assessment

Unforeseen events can also pose risks, such as pandemics or economic downturns. In response to such challenges, develop contingency plans that allow your coffee shop to adapt and thrive. This could involve diversifying revenue streams, such as offering online ordering or delivery services, or implementing cost-cutting measures during lean times.

Opening a coffee shop requires careful planning, attention to detail, and a passion for providing an exceptional coffee experience. By crafting a comprehensive business plan that addresses market analysis, differentiation, operations, and financial projections, you will be well-positioned to navigate the competitive landscape and brew popularity in the coffee industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: how much does it cost to open a coffee shop.

A: The cost of opening a coffee shop can vary depending on factors such as location, size, equipment, and renovations. On average, it can range from $80,000 to $300,000.

Q: Do I need prior experience in the coffee industry to start a coffee shop?

Q: what permits and licenses are needed to open a coffee shop.

To learn more on how to start your own coffee shop, check out my startup documents here.

I (like you may be) knew the coffee industry well. I could make the best latte art around and the foam on my caps was the fluffiest you have ever seen. I even had the best state-of-the-art 2 group digital Nuova Simonelli machine money could buy. But I knew that these things alone would not be enough to lure customers away from the name brand established coffee shops.

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!

Related posts, best ways to implement sustainable practices in your coffee shop, how to host events at your coffee shop, best coffee shop loyalty programs to implement, infusing style and substance: a blueprint for coffee shop design, infusing comfort and charm: small coffee shop design concepts.

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• → The 8 types of market research and ho...

The 8 types of market research and how to use them

There are eight types of marketing research you can try to stay ahead of the competition. Learn more about marketing research methods and how to use them.

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Typeform    |    08.2024

Typeform    |    07.2024

“If you keep doing what you’ve always done, you’ll keep getting what you’ve always got.”

Doesn’t sound too threatening if you’ve always been successful, right?

Continuing to do what you’ve always done means you’ll fall behind—and probably fade to darkness—to where all the forgotten brands go.

Take Kodak. They were a major player in photography for decades—remember? When digital photography boomed, Kodak kept doing what they always did. Their business floundered and people forgot about them. Well, everyone apart from Pitbull.

Now, look at Fujifilm, one of Kodak’s biggest competitors. They did the opposite and looked for ways to apply their expertise in film to the technology of the new millennium instead. Their company is still going strong.

The same goes for research. If you’re doing the same old types of market research, speaking to the same old people, and doing the same old tired surveys—you’re already behind.

How do you decide what kind of market research you need to do? It all comes down to what you need to know and what your business goals are.

In this article, we’ll explain the various types of market research you can use to solve issues and challenges in your business. We’ll throw you a freebie, too, and provide some market research tips about when to use each strategy.

Let’s get you ahead of the curve.

1. Brand research

Brand research helps with creating and managing a company’s brand, or identity. A company’s brand is the images, narratives, and characteristics people associate with it.

When to use it

Brand research can be used at every stage in a business’s lifecycle, from creation to new product launches and re-branding. There are at least seven types of brand research:

Brand advocacy: How many of your customers are willing to recommend your brand?

Brand awareness : Does your target market know who you are and consider you a serious option?

Brand loyalty: Are you retaining customers?

Brand penetration: What is the proportion of your target market using your brand?

Brand perception : What do people think of as your company’s identity or differentiating qualities?

Brand positioning: What is the best way to differentiate your brand from others in the consumer’s mind and articulate it in a way that resonates?

Brand value: How much are people willing to pay for an experience with your brand over another?

How to do it

A researcher will use several types of market research methods to assess your and your competitors’ strengths and weaknesses. Generally, they will conduct competitor research, both qualitative and quantitative, to get a picture of the overall marketplace. Focus groups and interviews can be used to learn about their emotions and associations with certain brands.

Market research surveys are useful to determine features and benefits that differentiate you from competitors . These are then translated into emotionally compelling consumer language.

2. Campaign effectiveness

This type of market research is designed to evaluate whether your advertising messages are reaching the right people and delivering the desired results. Successful campaign effectiveness research can help you sell more and reduce customer acquisition costs.

It’s estimated people see up to 5,000 advertising messages each day. That means attention is a scarce resource, so campaign effectiveness research should be used when you need to spend your advertising dollars effectively.

Campaign effectiveness research depends on which stage of the campaign you use it in (ideally, it’s all of them!). Quantitative research can be conducted to provide a picture of how your target market views advertising and address weaknesses in the advertising campaign.

3. Competitive analysis

Competitive analysis allows you to assess your competitors’ strengths and weaknesses in the marketplace, providing you with fuel to drive a competitive advantage.

No business exists in a vacuum—competitive analysis is an integral part of any business and market plan. Whether you’re just getting started, moving into a new market, or doing a health check of your business, a competitive analysis will be invaluable.

A researcher will typically choose a few of your main competitors and analyze things like their marketing strategy, customer perceptions, revenue or sales volume, and so on.

Secondary sources such as articles, references, and advertising are excellent sources of competitive information; however, primary research, such as mystery shopping and focus groups, can offer valuable information on customer service and current consumer opinions.

4. Consumer insights

Consumer insights research does more than tell you about who your customers are and what they do. It reveals why customers behave in certain ways and helps you leverage that to meet your business goals.

Knowing your customers deeply is integral to creating a strategic marketing plan. This type of market research can help you anticipate consumer needs, spark innovation, personalize your marketing, solve business challenges, and more.

Consumer insights research should be specific to your business—it’s about getting to know your target audience and customers. Various market research methods can be used, such as interviews, ethnography, survey research, social monitoring, and customer journey research.

Here are some of the characteristics you should understand through consumer insights research:

Purchase habits

Interests, hobbies, passions

Personal and professional information

How they consume media and advertising

5. Customer satisfaction research

Customer satisfaction research is a type of market research that measures customers’ experiences with products or services, specifically looking at how those meet, exceed, or fail to live up to their expectations.

Customer satisfaction is a strong indicator of customer retention and overall business performance. Successful customer satisfaction research should help you understand what your customers like, dislike, and feel needs improvement. You can use this type of market research to look at the quality and design of products, speed and timeliness of delivery, staff and service reliability, knowledge, and friendliness, market price, and value for money.

There are several ways to measure customer satisfaction, most commonly using surveys. An NPS or Voice of the Customer Survey can help you measure customer loyalty. Customer Effort Scoring measures how satisfied people are with customer service or problem resolution. CSAT is any survey that measures customer satisfaction , typically measured using Likert scale surveys . They can be conducted at different points in the customer experience, allowing deeper insight into that moment.

6. Customer segmentation research

Customer segmentation studies aim to divide markets or customers into smaller groups or personas with similar characteristics to enable targeted marketing. By understanding how people in each category behave, you can understand how each influences revenue.

Customer segmentation research is best used if you’re ready to give customers individualized experiences. Not every customer in your target market is the same. The more you understand each specific persona, the easier it is to focus on delivering personalized marketing, build loyal relations, price products effectively, and forecast how new products and services will perform in each segment.

Market researchers use four characteristics to segment customers.

Demographics: demographic information such as age, gender, family status, education, household income, occupation and so on

Geography: where people live, from cities and countries to whether they are city dwellers or suburbanites

Psychographics: socioeconomic status, class, lifestyle, personality traits, generation, interests, hobbies, etc.

Behavior: brand affinity, consumption and shopping habits, spending, etc.

A researcher will identify your current customers and collect data about them through various market research methods, such as surveys, database research, website analytics, interviews, and focus groups. The aim is to gather as much information as possible.

7. Product development

Market research for product development involves using customer knowledge to inform the entire process of creating or improving a product, service, or app and bringing it to market.

Innovation is hard work. A quick Google will tell you that 80–95% of new products fail every year. Conducting market research for product and app development helps minimize the risk of a new product or change going bust as it enters the market. There are three stages where you can use market research:

Conception: The moment you’re thinking about adding something new, market research can find market opportunities and provide insights into customer challenges or their jobs-to-be-done, so you can find a way to fill the gap.

Formation: Once you have an idea, market researchers can help you turn it into a concept that can be tested. You can learn more about strategizing pricing, testing advertising and packaging, value proposition, and so on.

Introduction: Market research can help you gauge attitudes toward the product once it’s in the market and adapt your messaging as it rolls out.

Keep making the product better or find opportunities to introduce it to new markets.

Product development research will utilize different market research methods, depending on the goal of the research. A researcher could present focus groups with product concepts and listen to their opinions, conduct interviews to learn more about their pain points, or perform user testing to see how they interact with an app or website.

8. Usability testing

Usability testing is concerned with understanding how customers use your products in real time. It can involve physical products, like a new blender, or digital products like a website or app.

Usability testing is helpful when you need to detect problems or bugs in early prototypes or beta versions before launching them. It typically costs far less to test a product or service beforehand than to pull a flawed product off the shelves or lose sales because of poor functionality.

There are several types of usability tests, which vary based on whether you’re testing a physical or digital product.

Journey testing involves observing the customer experience on an app or website and monitoring how they perform. This type of study can be done online

Eye tracking studies monitor where people’s eyes are drawn. Generally, they are conducted on websites and apps, but can also be done in stores to analyze where people look while shopping

Learn ability studies quantify the learning curve over time to see which problems people encounter after repeating the same task

Click tracking follows users’ activity on websites to evaluate the linking structure of a website

Checklist testing involves giving users tasks to perform and recording or asking them to review their experience

Combining types of market research with Typeform

When it comes to market research, you need to ask yourself what business challenge or question you’re trying to address. Then, select the appropriate methods and tools, such as market research automation , to simplify your process.From there, the world of useful data and actionable insights will open to you.

About the author

We're Typeform - a team on a mission to transform data collection by bringing you refreshingly different forms.

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Research Proposal Example: the One You'll Ever Need

Sitting down to write a research proposal can feel like staring at a blank page forever, right? You’ve got a brilliant idea in your head, but getting it out in a clear, compelling way? That’s tough. 

And it’s not just about putting words on paper — it’s about convincing someone your project is worth funding, which is no small feat. You’re dealing with stiff competition, especially when you realize that almost 80% of NIH and NSF grant proposals get rejected ​ . That’s a lot of pressure, but don’t let it stop you.

Writing a solid research proposal is more than just a task you need to check off. It’s your way of showing you’ve thought everything through, like why your research matters, how you’ll do it, and why it deserves attention (and funds). 

The good news is that you don’t have to figure it all out on your own. We’ll go step-by-step through how to structure your proposal, what each section needs, and even look at a real research proposal sample to give you a clearer path. 

Staring at the screen too long? We've all been there. If you need a hand, hit up research proposal writing help and let someone else help you get unstuck.

Research Proposals That Pop!

Your research proposal, perfectly written by experts who know how to make it shine.

Research Proposal Sample Structure

When you’re writing a research proposal, having a clear structure is half the battle. Each section serves a purpose and builds a strong case for why your research should be taken seriously. 

Here’s a breakdown of the key research proposal template sections, what they mean, and why they matter:

Research Proposal Template

Sometimes, all you need is a peek at a research proposal paper example to see how it’s done. It’s like a cheat code for getting started!

Below is a simple, practical educational research proposal template you'll need, with tips on what to include.

Research Proposal Examples

Getting the structure right can be tricky, but looking at a real research proposal example helps. 

Below, you'll find 5 research proposals that each tackle different topics and show how a solid, well-organized plan looks in action. These examples span various fields, showing the key sections in use — like the introduction, research design, and outcomes — so you can see how it all comes together. Each one highlights a clear research question and a practical method for exploring it, giving you a practical roadmap for your own proposal.

And if writing’s not your thing today, why not just pay for my essay and take a break while someone else does the heavy lifting?

Example 1. Sustainable Energy Solutions for Urban Transportation

Title : Advancing Electric Vehicle Adoption in Urban Areas: A Sustainable Transportation Model

Abstract : This research aims to explore the most effective strategies for increasing electric vehicle (EV) adoption in urban centers, focusing on reducing carbon emissions and improving infrastructure in the next decade. Using case studies from major cities such as Los Angeles, Berlin, and Tokyo, this study will assess the impact of government policies, charging infrastructure, and public awareness campaigns on EV adoption rates. The goal is to provide actionable recommendations for city planners and policymakers to foster a more sustainable urban transportation system.

Introduction : With global carbon emissions from transportation accounting for nearly 25% of total emissions, finding sustainable alternatives is critical. Electric vehicles (EVs) offer a promising solution, but adoption rates remain slow, especially in urban areas where pollution is most concentrated. This study addresses the barriers to widespread EV adoption in cities by analyzing key factors such as policy incentives, infrastructure, and public perception. The research is relevant for 2024, given the global push toward carbon neutrality and stricter environmental regulations.

Literature Review : Previous research has focused primarily on the technical capabilities of EVs, but fewer studies explore the role of urban infrastructure and public policy in shaping adoption rates. This study builds on existing literature, such as research on EV adoption in Scandinavian countries, by looking at urban-specific challenges. It also highlights gaps in current studies, particularly around public awareness and behavioral shifts needed to accelerate adoption.

Research Design and Methods : This study will use a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data from urban transportation authorities with qualitative interviews from city planners, EV manufacturers, and policy experts. Surveys will also be conducted among urban residents to gauge awareness and willingness to switch to EVs. Data will be analyzed using statistical software to identify patterns and correlations between infrastructure availability, government incentives, and EV adoption rates.

Timeline : The project will be conducted over 12 months. The first three months will focus on data collection, followed by three months of interviews. Data analysis will take four months, and the final two months will be dedicated to writing and presenting findings.

Budget : The project requires $50,000, allocated to data collection ($10,000), interviews and surveys ($15,000), travel costs for field research ($5,000), and software tools for analysis ($20,000).

Outcomes and Implications : The findings will provide practical recommendations for city planners and policymakers to improve EV adoption rates, reduce urban carbon emissions, and create more sustainable transportation networks. This research will be shared with local governments and international organizations working on climate initiatives.

Example 2. The Impact of Social Media on Adolescent Mental Health

Title : Social Media Use and Its Effects on Adolescent Mental Health: A Longitudinal Study

Abstract : This research seeks to investigate the long-term mental health effects of social media usage on adolescents, focusing on anxiety, depression, and self-esteem. By studying a cohort of adolescents over two years, the research will examine the relationship between social media consumption and mental health outcomes. The study will also explore how different platforms, content types, and time spent online affect psychological well-being, with the goal of providing evidence-based recommendations for educators, parents, and policymakers.

Introduction : The rise of social media has transformed how adolescents interact and form relationships. However, increasing screen time and exposure to online content have also raised concerns about the mental health effects of prolonged use. With studies indicating a correlation between social media and increased anxiety and depression rates, this research aims to explore these issues in a 2024 context, where adolescents spend an average of four hours daily on social platforms. Given the complexity of mental health, this study will look at multiple factors, including social comparison, cyberbullying, and content type, to understand the nuanced impacts of social media on young users.

Literature Review : Previous studies have shown mixed results regarding the effects of social media on adolescent well-being. While research like Twenge et al. (2020) highlights a sharp increase in depression rates linked to screen time, other studies, such as Orben et al. (2019) , suggest that the impact is more nuanced and depends on the type of social media engagement. This study aims to build on these findings by taking a longitudinal approach and focusing on specific platform usage patterns to reveal more in-depth relationships between social media and mental health.

Research Design and Methods : The study will follow 500 adolescents aged 13-17 from diverse backgrounds over two years, using regular mental health assessments, social media usage tracking, and in-depth interviews. Data will be collected on frequency, duration, and platform engagement. Psychological assessments will measure levels of anxiety, depression, and self-esteem at regular intervals to identify trends and correlations.

Timeline : This study will be conducted over 24 months, with data collection occurring every six months. Analysis will be performed during the final six months, followed by the publication of findings.

Budget : The total budget is estimated at $120,000, covering participant compensation, data collection tools, mental health assessments, and administrative costs.

Outcomes and Implications : This research will provide valuable insights into how social media impacts adolescent mental health, offering guidance for parents, educators, and policymakers on managing online behavior. The findings will contribute to ongoing discussions about the need for mental health interventions and responsible social media usage among young people.

Example 3. AI-Driven Predictive Healthcare for Chronic Disease Management

Title : Leveraging AI for Early Detection of Chronic Diseases

Abstract : This study will explore how artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can improve early detection of chronic diseases, focusing on diabetes and cardiovascular conditions. By analyzing electronic health records (EHR) and real-time data from wearable devices, we aim to develop predictive models that can identify disease risks before symptoms arise. The research also includes ethical considerations, particularly around data privacy and AI bias.

Introduction : Chronic diseases account for a significant share of global healthcare costs and are the leading cause of death. Early intervention is critical but often comes too late. AI, when combined with real-time data from wearables like smartwatches and glucose monitors, can help shift healthcare toward prevention by predicting diseases earlier than traditional methods. This study will explore AI's potential to change how we manage chronic conditions in 2024 and beyond.

Literature Review : Recent studies, such as Smith et al. (2021) , have demonstrated AI's capacity for diagnosing diseases through retrospective data. However, there is limited research on combining real-time data from wearable devices with AI to predict chronic diseases. This study will expand on prior work by integrating real-time monitoring to provide more accurate, timely predictions.

Research Design and Methods : The study will use anonymized EHRs from 50,000 patients, combined with real-time data from wearable devices. Machine learning models will be trained to identify early warning signs of disease, and their accuracy will be tested through a control group. We will employ deep learning techniques and statistical analysis to refine predictions.

Timeline : The study will run for 18 months: six months for data collection, six for model training and testing, and six for analysis and reporting.

Budget : The project budget is $200,000, covering data acquisition ($50,000), AI infrastructure ($70,000), personnel costs ($60,000), and dissemination ($20,000).

Outcomes and Implications : This research will offer healthcare providers actionable insights for using AI in disease prevention. The results will help shape AI policy in healthcare while addressing ethical concerns like data security and algorithmic bias.

Example 4. Using Game Elements to Boost Engagement in Online Learning

Title : Gamification in Virtual Classrooms: A 6-Month Study on Student Engagement

Abstract : This study will explore how using game-based features like points, badges, and challenges can make online learning more engaging for middle school students. By working with three online schools and tracking student performance in math and science courses, the research will assess which game elements keep students more active in their learning and motivated to complete tasks. The goal is to provide real, practical examples for educators looking to bring more life to online classes.

Introduction : Online learning has become a key part of education, but many students struggle with staying motivated in virtual classrooms. This research will test whether using game elements—such as earning points, unlocking badges, or competing in challenges—helps students feel more connected and focused in their classes. By focusing on core subjects like math and science, this study aims to show how small changes in course design can make a big difference in keeping students on track.

Literature Review : While earlier studies, such as Martinez et al. (2021) , demonstrated that rewards systems improved participation in physical classrooms, fewer have focused on fully online settings. Building on work by Jones and Patel (2020) , which found that competition between students increased motivation, this study will focus specifically on virtual learning environments, looking at how different game mechanics influence engagement and participation in real-time.

Research Design and Methods : The study will track 200 students from three online middle schools for six months. During this time, classes will introduce game features like leaderboards and progress badges. Engagement will be measured through class attendance, quiz results, and the number of completed assignments. In addition to collecting performance data, surveys will be used to gather feedback from students about their experiences with the game-based learning elements.

Timeline : This study will last six months, with the first two months focused on implementing game features in classes and the remaining four months on tracking results and gathering feedback from students and teachers.

Budget : The proposed budget is $50,000, with $20,000 allocated for the software integration of game features, $15,000 for data collection and analysis, and $15,000 for personnel costs and report preparation.

Outcomes and Implications : The findings will provide teachers and schools with real-world insights on how to keep students more involved in online courses using simple game mechanics. By identifying what works and what doesn’t, this study will offer clear recommendations for designing online lessons that are more engaging and interactive.

Example 5. The Impact of Remote Work on Family Dynamics and Relationships

Title : Exploring How Remote Work Has Shifted Family Roles and Relationships: A 6-Month Study

Abstract : This study will investigate the effects of the rise in remote work on family relationships and daily interactions. Focusing on families with both parents working from home, the research will explore how work-life balance, parenting roles, and marital dynamics have evolved. The goal is to understand whether remote work has strengthened family bonds or introduced new challenges, such as blurred boundaries between personal and professional life.

Introduction : The shift to remote work has been one of the most significant changes in the modern workforce. While it has given employees greater flexibility, it has also brought new challenges for families navigating shared workspaces and daily routines. This study will focus on how remote work is reshaping family dynamics, especially in homes where both parents are working from home. With 2024 continuing to see high numbers of remote workers, understanding how this impacts family life is crucial for work-life balance discussions.

Literature Review : While previous studies like Roberts et al. (2021) have explored how remote work affects individual productivity, fewer have examined its impact on family structures. Studies like Clarkson and Zhang (2022) highlight how remote work has changed parenting roles, with many families reporting more shared responsibilities. This research will build on that by examining how couples and children are adjusting to long-term remote work environments.

Research Design and Methods : The study will follow 150 families, each with both parents working from home. Data will be gathered through family interviews, daily journals, and surveys focusing on household routines, parenting duties, communication patterns, and relationship satisfaction. Comparisons will be made between families with children under 12 and those with older teens to assess differences in dynamics.

Timeline : The research will be completed over six months, with two months dedicated to participant recruitment and setup, followed by four months of data collection and analysis.

Budget : The budget of $35,000 will cover participant compensation, survey tools, and data analysis software, as well as researcher fees.

Outcomes and Implications : This study will offer insight into how remote work is reshaping family life. Its findings will be useful for employers developing remote work policies, as well as for family therapists and educators looking to support families in this new work environment.

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What Is a Research Proposal Example?

Where can i learn more about proposal writing, what is the format of a research proposal.

Daniel Parker

is a seasoned educational writer focusing on scholarship guidance, research papers, and various forms of academic essays including reflective and narrative essays. His expertise also extends to detailed case studies. A scholar with a background in English Literature and Education, Daniel’s work on EssayPro blog aims to support students in achieving academic excellence and securing scholarships. His hobbies include reading classic literature and participating in academic forums.

is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

NIH Extramural Grant Investments in Research. (2023). Nexus https://nexus.od.nih.gov/all/2023/03/01/fy-2022-by-the-numbers-extramural-grant-investments-in-research/

National Science Foundation (NSF). (2020). NSF 20-031: Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) . https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2020/nsf20031/nsf20031.jsp

NIH Success Rates and Funding Data. (n.d.). NIH Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tools (RePORT) . https://report.nih.gov/funding/nih-budget-and-spending-data-past-fiscal-years/success-rates

How to Write a Persuasive Proposal for a Raise

Asking for a raise can be a nerve-wracking experience, but it’s a necessary step in advancing your career and securing the compensation you deserve. One of the best ways to approach this sensitive topic is by writing a compelling proposal for a raise. A well-structured, thoughtful raise proposal allows you to present your case clearly, backed by facts and data, which increases your chances of success.

This article will answer your questions if you’re wondering “How to write a proposal for a raise”, it’ll also guide you through the steps of writing a compelling proposal that will leave a lasting impression on your manager or employer.

1. Start with Self-Reflection

Before you begin writing, it’s important to reflect on why you believe you deserve a raise. Consider your achievements, contributions, and growth within the company. Reflecting on your performance will help you gather the necessary information and data to make a strong case.

Questions to Ask Yourself:

• What have I accomplished? List out significant projects, milestones, or goals you’ve helped the company achieve.
• How have I added value? Think about how you’ve gone above and beyond your job description and how your work has positively impacted the company’s bottom line, efficiency, or culture.
• Have I taken on additional responsibilities? If you’ve assumed more tasks or leadership roles, make sure to highlight this.
• Am I aligned with company goals? Ensure that your contributions align with the company’s mission and objectives, demonstrating your dedication to its success.

2. Research Salary Benchmarks

It’s essential to know the going rate for your role before asking for a raise. By conducting salary research, you can determine if your current compensation aligns with industry standards and where you fall within the range.

How to Conduct Salary Research:

• Online Salary Tools : Use platforms like Glassdoor, Payscale, or Salary.com to research average salaries for your role in your geographic location.
• Industry Reports : Look for salary reports specific to your industry, which often provide detailed insights into salary trends.
• Internal Research : If possible, gather information on your company’s salary structure to understand the pay scale and how raises have been handled in the past.

Armed with this knowledge, you can present a realistic salary expectation in your proposal for a raise, backed by external data.

3. Structure Your Raise Proposal

A well-organized proposal is key to making your request clear, professional, and persuasive. Follow this structure to craft your proposal for a raise:

A. Introduction: Set the Stage

Start by briefly introducing your proposal. State that you’d like to discuss your current compensation and request a salary review. Make it clear that this proposal is based on your contributions and market research, and it reflects your commitment to the company.

“I am writing to request a review of my current salary, considering my recent accomplishments and the industry benchmarks for my role. I am deeply committed to the success of our team and believe this is a fitting time to discuss aligning my compensation with my contributions to the company.”

B. Highlight Your Achievements and Value

Beyond your KPIs, your added value to the company through new skills and increased responsibilities also plays a key role in justifying a raise.

New Skills or Certifications

Discuss any relevant qualifications or certifications you’ve gained recently:

• “I completed a certification in email marketing , which has enabled me to execute email campaigns more effectively.”
• “I’ve mastered advanced data analytics tools, allowing me to provide more in-depth market insights and strategy recommendations.”

Increased Responsibilities

Outline any additional tasks or projects you’ve taken on:

• “In the past year, I have taken on the responsibility of managing a team of six, overseeing project deadlines, and ensuring our quarterly goals are met.”
• “I was entrusted with leading a key client project, which I successfully completed under budget and ahead of schedule.”

Positive Impact

Explain how these responsibilities and skills have positively impacted the company:

• “My ability to manage multiple high-stakes projects has resulted in timely project completions, which has improved client satisfaction and increased repeat business.”

This section is critical to making a solid case, so focus on tangible results and how they’ve benefited the company.

C. Provide Market Comparison Data

Once you’ve highlighted your value, include the salary research you’ve conducted. This shows that your request is based on industry standards and not just personal opinion.

“According to my research on Glassdoor and industry reports, the average salary for someone in my role, with similar responsibilities and experience, is between $X and $Y. Given my contributions and tenure, I believe adjusting my salary to align with this range is reasonable.”

D. Make Your Request

Be direct but professional in stating the specific raise or salary adjustment you are seeking. If you’re flexible, you can suggest a range or offer to discuss alternative compensation options such as bonuses or additional benefits.

“Based on my research and the value I have added to the team, I would like to request a raise of X% or a new base salary of $X. I’m open to discussing this further to find a solution that works for both the company and me.”

To further strengthen your case, you need to provide a clear market analysis to justify your raise request

Company Policies

Reference any company policies or guidelines regarding raises:

• “According to our company’s compensation policy, employees who consistently exceed performance expectations may be considered for raises, which I believe aligns with my contributions.”

Economic Factors

Consider any external factors that may justify a raise:

• “Given the current economic conditions, including rising inflation and cost of living increases, I believe it is important to adjust compensation accordingly to remain competitive in the market.”

E. Express Gratitude and Commitment

End your proposal on a positive note by expressing your appreciation for the opportunity to contribute to the company. Reaffirm your commitment to continued growth and success within the organization.

Recommended : Prospero Request for Salary Raise Template

4. Anticipate Objections and Prepare Responses

It’s possible that your manager will have concerns or objections to your request. Anticipating these objections and preparing thoughtful responses can help you make a more persuasive case. Some common objections might include:

• Budget Constraints : If the company is facing financial limitations, you could suggest other forms of compensation, such as a bonus, extra vacation days, or the opportunity for professional development.
• Timing : If your manager mentions timing as an issue, you might ask to revisit the conversation in a few months or suggest setting performance targets to achieve the raise in the near future.
• Performance Concerns : Be prepared to address any potential performance concerns head-on. You could ask for clarity on any areas for improvement and work toward achieving measurable goals that would justify the raise later.

5. Be Professional and Confident

Asking for a raise can feel intimidating, but it’s important to approach the conversation with confidence. A written proposal helps ensure you present your case in a clear and professional manner. Keep your tone respectful and positive throughout the proposal. Even if your raise request is not approved immediately, this process sets a precedent for future discussions and shows your commitment to advancing within the company.

6. Follow Up

After submitting your proposal, following up with your manager is important to ensure the conversation moves forward. While a well-written proposal sets the stage, the follow-up is where you solidify your case and demonstrate your commitment to having a constructive dialogue.

Request a Meeting

Once you’ve sent your proposal, don’t assume your manager will automatically take the next step. Be proactive and politely request a meeting to discuss the proposal in detail. Timing is key here—give your manager a few days to review the document before reaching out. In your follow-up, frame the request professionally, such as:

• “I hope you’ve had a chance to review my proposal. I’d love to set up a meeting to discuss it further and answer any questions you might have.”
• “Would you have time this week or early next week to go over the details of my proposal? I’m eager to discuss how we can move forward.”

This step shows that you are serious about your request and that you’re willing to engage in an open conversation.

Prepare for the Conversation

During the meeting, you should be prepared to discuss your reasoning in more detail. This includes elaborating on the points made in your proposal, addressing any concerns or objections your manager might have, and reinforcing the data or examples you’ve provided.

To prepare effectively:

• Review Your Proposal : Familiarize yourself with the key points of your request, such as your achievements, market research, and value to the company.
• Anticipate Questions : Think about any objections your manager might raise. These could be related to company budget constraints, performance feedback, or timing. Prepare thoughtful responses to these concerns.
• Stay Open to Feedback : Be ready to listen to your manager’s perspective. They may have additional considerations that weren’t initially clear, such as company-wide policies on raises or a specific timeline for salary reviews.

Be Confident but Flexible

During the meeting, approach the conversation with confidence. Clearly articulate why you believe a raise is warranted, but also be open to negotiation. If your manager can’t immediately approve your request, inquire about what steps you could take or milestones you could achieve to make the raise possible in the future.

For example, you might say:

• “I understand there might be budgetary constraints right now. Could we set up a plan or timeline to revisit this discussion in a few months?”
• “If there are areas I can focus on to improve my chances of a raise in the future, I’d appreciate your guidance.”

Clarify Next Steps

End the meeting by clarifying the next steps. Whether your request is approved, denied, or deferred, it’s important to know the outcome and what actions can be taken moving forward. If your manager needs more time to consider your proposal, set a follow-up date to continue the discussion. This keeps the process on track and ensures you’re not left waiting indefinitely.

Following up is a critical part of the raise request process. It not only shows initiative but also keeps the conversation moving toward a resolution. By being proactive, prepared, and open to feedback, you increase the likelihood of a successful outcome.

Writing a persuasive raise proposal is a strategic way to advocate for yourself and your career advancement. By researching thoroughly, presenting a clear and compelling case, and demonstrating your value with data, you can increase your chances of receiving a raise. Remember to remain professional, confident, and open to feedback throughout the process. With a well-prepared proposal, you’re more likely to engage in a productive discussion and reach a positive outcome.

If you’re ready to take the next step in your own career, you can use the Request for Salary Raise Template available on Prospero to structure your proposal with ease. 

Get started with Prospero

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Damilola Oyetunji

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Instant insights, infinite possibilities

• What is the MoSCoW prioritization method?

Last updated

17 April 2024

Reviewed by

Mary Mikhail

Several techniques are available to project managers to plan a team’s workload by ranking projects or tasks by significance. These prioritization techniques also help communicate to project teams and stakeholders where resources must be directed to accomplish goals. 

The MoSCoW method is one such popular prioritization technique. Learn what the MoSCoW method is and how to apply it. 

The MoSCoW method ranks the significance of a task by determining the requirements for a project's successful completion.

Some may be essential and must be included in the project’s deliverables. You may find other specifications are not required for a successful conclusion, but you might consider them to improve the result or business value.

This prioritization technique requires you to classify projects and tasks by their levels of necessity in reaching your goal.

• Where does the term MoSCoW come from?

MoSCoW is an acronym that signifies the names of the categories in which the requirements are placed:

M = Must-haves

S = Should-haves

C = Could-haves

W = Will not have at this time or wish for

The Os were added to make the acronym easier to pronounce. Using these categories makes projects more manageable, helps with better resource control, and increases the chances of meeting deadlines.

• Using MoSCoW prioritization categories

Requirements with the highest level of importance are must-haves. You'll place lesser-ranked requirements in the should-haves and could-haves categories. Anything in the will-not-have category defines the requirement as nice to have, but not a necessity, at least for now.

Deliverance of effective solutions

Because a project can't be accomplished without must-have initiatives, your team must be committed to completing these requirements.

Should-haves

These tasks or elements are important to completing the project or product, but they're not necessary. Although the product will still function without should-have requirements, you shouldn't disregard them or underestimate their importance because they can significantly increase the product's value.

Performance improvements and new functions are examples of should-have requirements.

Could-haves

These initiatives take a back seat to must-haves and should-haves. If left out, they will not significantly influence the completion of a product or project. A could-have element is desired but not necessary.

Will-not-haves (at this time)

The items in this category set realistic expectations for what the product will not include. A clear visual representation of these requirements communicates to the team and stakeholders items identified as out of scope.

What do your users really want?

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• When do you use the MoSCoW method for prioritization?

The idea behind Agile project management is to decrease the risk of missed goals and deadlines. It uses resources and time more efficiently by breaking the project into smaller sections and prioritizing tasks, requirements, products, and stories.

To prioritize these, you can use the MoSCoW method within the scope of an Agile project.

• What is an example of the MoSCoW technique?

Imagine you're building an e-commerce website that must launch by a specific date. You'll have to prioritize its features because you don't have unlimited time to work on the site.

The functionality you want to incorporate into the website could be:

Users can log onto the website

Users should have access to a "Forgot Password" solution

Users can change account details

Users can send an email to the system requesting a change to the account page

Here's how you might categorize these features based on how effective you want the website to be and the time constraints you face:

Must-haves:

Should-haves:

Could-haves:

Will-not-haves

Users can click on a phone number on the webpage, and a call will automatically be made from their desk phone to that number

• Benefits of using MoSCoW prioritization

MoSCoW prioritization offers several benefits in project management:

Clarity and focus: It helps teams identify and prioritize the most critical requirements, ensuring clarity on what needs to be delivered first.

Efficiency: By categorizing tasks into must-haves, should-haves, could-haves, and won't-haves, teams can allocate resources more efficiently and focus on delivering essential features first.

Stakeholder alignment: It facilitates stakeholder discussions by providing a common language to discuss and prioritize requirements, ensuring alignment on project goals and objectives.

Risk mitigation: MoSCoW prioritization helps mitigate project risks by addressing must-have requirements first, reducing the likelihood of critical features being overlooked or delayed.

Flexibility: It allows for flexibility in project planning and execution by accommodating changes in requirements throughout the project lifecycle while ensuring that essential features are prioritized.

Time and cost savings: By focusing on must-have requirements early in the project, teams can deliver value more quickly, potentially reducing project timelines and costs.

Overall, MoSCoW prioritization promotes a structured and systematic approach to project management, leading to more successful and efficient project outcomes.

• Disadvantages of using MoSCoW prioritization

The major disadvantage of the MoSCoW method is that it isn’t an objective or consistent scoring system. For this methodology to be effective, other scoring systems, like the weighted scoring or the Kano model, should be used in conjunction with it.

Not combining another scoring system with the MoSCoW method can exclude the organization's leadership from the decision-making process. Decisions would then be in danger of being made based on the project manager's personal preferences rather than adhering to business goals and values.

This method does not involve supporting reasoning on how you prioritize requirements within the same category or why one requirement is a must-have or should-have. The parameters of each category can be blurred. There is also uncertainty about whether will-not-haves are being left out of the tasks required now or out of the entire project.

• How can teams use MoSCoW to their advantage?

Resources, time, and skill sets are not unlimited in the business world. You must constantly strive to work around those constraints efficiently for a maximum return on investment (ROI). Using the MoSCoW method can help.

Use budgetary constraints to prioritize

Some projects have tight budgets. You can use the MoSCoW method by using the budget to determine which items must be and should be completed.

Use the team's skill sets to prioritize

Experience and expertise levels can help determine which tasks to prioritize. If a task requires skills that the team lacks, you must prioritize it accordingly.

Use the competing needs of the company to prioritize

While your team is working on a specific aspect of a project, the company's leaders may have added additional requirements for your team to complete within the same timeframe. You would then have to reshuffle the priorities to accommodate the additional requirements. The MoSCoW method can help you do this.

• Best practices for using MoSCoW prioritization

Include all stakeholders in using the MoSCoW method, from the executive level down to the different teams involved in the successful completion of the project. Get them to also use objective scoring systems like:

Opportunity scoring: uses data from market research to determine what customers expect from your product or service. Prioritization is done according to their wants and needs.

Priority poker: based on priorities that will provide the highest yields in a specific target market. The marketing team, executive team, and customers should be involved for accurate ranking of priorities.

Cost of delay: based on determining how much money the company is losing by waiting to work on a particular task, product, or feature.

100-point method: all stakeholders vote for what they think is the most important requirement. They each get 100 points to distribute among the requirements, ranking them from most important to least. If a stakeholder thinks four requirements are of equal value, they can allocate 25 points to each. If they feel strongly that one requirement overrides all others, they can put all 100 points on that requirement.

Incorporate the data you receive from these scoring systems when inserting the requirements in your MoSCoW categories. Share the results with stakeholders so that they can understand why you prioritized the criteria as you did. This exercise might even reveal a reason to expand a budget constraint or allocate more resources to a priority the stakeholders initially thought unimportant.

How the MoSCoW method differs from the 100-point method

While the 100-point method helps in general brainstorming sessions, the MoSCoW method focuses on working within budget and time constraints.

Once the teams and stakeholders reach an agreement (perhaps by using the 100-point method) on the importance level of each requirement, the product managers or owners will use the MoSCoW method to categorize requirements based on:

High customer value

An elevated benefit to the business

Simple implementation

Inflated costs, when not applied as soon as possible

Technical specifications that are interdependent 

This will help stakeholders and project teams visualize the intended direction.

• MoSCoW prioritization in Agile project management

In an ideal world, your business would have unlimited time and a limitless source of funds to become the most efficient revenue generator it could be. But in the real world, you've got budget and time constraints.

When deciding on projects that will help increase revenue, decrease operational costs, boost productivity, or heighten customer satisfaction, you must choose the projects and project requirements that will most impact the goals you find important. The MoSCoW method can help you do just that.

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MoSCoW Prioritization

What is moscow prioritization.

MoSCoW prioritization, also known as the MoSCoW method or MoSCoW analysis, is a popular prioritization technique for managing requirements. 

  The acronym MoSCoW represents four categories of initiatives: must-have, should-have, could-have, and won’t-have, or will not have right now. Some companies also use the “W” in MoSCoW to mean “wish.”

What is the History of the MoSCoW Method?

Software development expert Dai Clegg created the MoSCoW method while working at Oracle. He designed the framework to help his team prioritize tasks during development work on product releases.

You can find a detailed account of using MoSCoW prioritization in the Dynamic System Development Method (DSDM) handbook . But because MoSCoW can prioritize tasks within any time-boxed project, teams have adapted the method for a broad range of uses.

How Does MoSCoW Prioritization Work?

Before running a MoSCoW analysis, a few things need to happen. First, key stakeholders and the product team need to get aligned on objectives and prioritization factors. Then, all participants must agree on which initiatives to prioritize.

At this point, your team should also discuss how they will settle any disagreements in prioritization. If you can establish how to resolve disputes before they come up, you can help prevent those disagreements from holding up progress.

Finally, you’ll also want to reach a consensus on what percentage of resources you’d like to allocate to each category.

With the groundwork complete, you may begin determining which category is most appropriate for each initiative. But, first, let’s further break down each category in the MoSCoW method.

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Moscow prioritization categories.

1. Must-have initiatives

As the name suggests, this category consists of initiatives that are “musts” for your team. They represent non-negotiable needs for the project, product, or release in question. For example, if you’re releasing a healthcare application, a must-have initiative may be security functionalities that help maintain compliance.

The “must-have” category requires the team to complete a mandatory task. If you’re unsure about whether something belongs in this category, ask yourself the following.

If the product won’t work without an initiative, or the release becomes useless without it, the initiative is most likely a “must-have.”

2. Should-have initiatives

Should-have initiatives are just a step below must-haves. They are essential to the product, project, or release, but they are not vital. If left out, the product or project still functions. However, the initiatives may add significant value.

“Should-have” initiatives are different from “must-have” initiatives in that they can get scheduled for a future release without impacting the current one. For example, performance improvements, minor bug fixes, or new functionality may be “should-have” initiatives. Without them, the product still works.

3. Could-have initiatives

Another way of describing “could-have” initiatives is nice-to-haves. “Could-have” initiatives are not necessary to the core function of the product. However, compared with “should-have” initiatives, they have a much smaller impact on the outcome if left out.

So, initiatives placed in the “could-have” category are often the first to be deprioritized if a project in the “should-have” or “must-have” category ends up larger than expected.

4. Will not have (this time)

One benefit of the MoSCoW method is that it places several initiatives in the “will-not-have” category. The category can manage expectations about what the team will not include in a specific release (or another timeframe you’re prioritizing).

Placing initiatives in the “will-not-have” category is one way to help prevent scope creep . If initiatives are in this category, the team knows they are not a priority for this specific time frame. 

Some initiatives in the “will-not-have” group will be prioritized in the future, while others are not likely to happen. Some teams decide to differentiate between those by creating a subcategory within this group.

How Can Development Teams Use MoSCoW?

  Although Dai Clegg developed the approach to help prioritize tasks around his team’s limited time, the MoSCoW method also works when a development team faces limitations other than time. For example: 

Prioritize based on budgetary constraints.

What if a development team’s limiting factor is not a deadline but a tight budget imposed by the company? Working with the product managers, the team can use MoSCoW first to decide on the initiatives that represent must-haves and the should-haves. Then, using the development department’s budget as the guide, the team can figure out which items they can complete. 

Prioritize based on the team’s skillsets.

A cross-functional product team might also find itself constrained by the experience and expertise of its developers. If the product roadmap calls for functionality the team does not have the skills to build, this limiting factor will play into scoring those items in their MoSCoW analysis.

Prioritize based on competing needs at the company.

Cross-functional teams can also find themselves constrained by other company priorities. The team wants to make progress on a new product release, but the executive staff has created tight deadlines for further releases in the same timeframe. In this case, the team can use MoSCoW to determine which aspects of their desired release represent must-haves and temporarily backlog everything else.

What Are the Drawbacks of MoSCoW Prioritization?

  Although many product and development teams have prioritized MoSCoW, the approach has potential pitfalls. Here are a few examples.

1. An inconsistent scoring process can lead to tasks placed in the wrong categories.

  One common criticism against MoSCoW is that it does not include an objective methodology for ranking initiatives against each other. Your team will need to bring this methodology to your analysis. The MoSCoW approach works only to ensure that your team applies a consistent scoring system for all initiatives.

Pro tip: One proven method is weighted scoring, where your team measures each initiative on your backlog against a standard set of cost and benefit criteria. You can use the weighted scoring approach in ProductPlan’s roadmap app .

2. Not including all relevant stakeholders can lead to items placed in the wrong categories.

To know which of your team’s initiatives represent must-haves for your product and which are merely should-haves, you will need as much context as possible.

For example, you might need someone from your sales team to let you know how important (or unimportant) prospective buyers view a proposed new feature.

One pitfall of the MoSCoW method is that you could make poor decisions about where to slot each initiative unless your team receives input from all relevant stakeholders. 

3. Team bias for (or against) initiatives can undermine MoSCoW’s effectiveness.

Because MoSCoW does not include an objective scoring method, your team members can fall victim to their own opinions about certain initiatives. 

One risk of using MoSCoW prioritization is that a team can mistakenly think MoSCoW itself represents an objective way of measuring the items on their list. They discuss an initiative, agree that it is a “should have,” and move on to the next.

But your team will also need an objective and consistent framework for ranking all initiatives. That is the only way to minimize your team’s biases in favor of items or against them.

When Do You Use the MoSCoW Method for Prioritization?

MoSCoW prioritization is effective for teams that want to include representatives from the whole organization in their process. You can capture a broader perspective by involving participants from various functional departments.

Another reason you may want to use MoSCoW prioritization is it allows your team to determine how much effort goes into each category. Therefore, you can ensure you’re delivering a good variety of initiatives in each release.

What Are Best Practices for Using MoSCoW Prioritization?

If you’re considering giving MoSCoW prioritization a try, here are a few steps to keep in mind. Incorporating these into your process will help your team gain more value from the MoSCoW method.

1. Choose an objective ranking or scoring system.

Remember, MoSCoW helps your team group items into the appropriate buckets—from must-have items down to your longer-term wish list. But MoSCoW itself doesn’t help you determine which item belongs in which category.

You will need a separate ranking methodology. You can choose from many, such as:

• Weighted scoring
• Value vs. complexity
• Buy-a-feature
• Opportunity scoring

For help finding the best scoring methodology for your team, check out ProductPlan’s article: 7 strategies to choose the best features for your product .

2. Seek input from all key stakeholders.

To make sure you’re placing each initiative into the right bucket—must-have, should-have, could-have, or won’t-have—your team needs context. 

At the beginning of your MoSCoW method, your team should consider which stakeholders can provide valuable context and insights. Sales? Customer success? The executive staff? Product managers in another area of your business? Include them in your initiative scoring process if you think they can help you see opportunities or threats your team might miss. 

3. Share your MoSCoW process across your organization.

MoSCoW gives your team a tangible way to show your organization prioritizing initiatives for your products or projects. 

The method can help you build company-wide consensus for your work, or at least help you show stakeholders why you made the decisions you did.

Communicating your team’s prioritization strategy also helps you set expectations across the business. When they see your methodology for choosing one initiative over another, stakeholders in other departments will understand that your team has thought through and weighed all decisions you’ve made. 

If any stakeholders have an issue with one of your decisions, they will understand that they can’t simply complain—they’ll need to present you with evidence to alter your course of action.  

Related Terms

2×2 prioritization matrix / Eisenhower matrix / DACI decision-making framework / ICE scoring model / RICE scoring model

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