Introduction
Writing a research proposal is one of the most important steps in your academic journey — it’s the foundation upon which your entire project is built. Unfortunately, many students rush through this stage and end up making avoidable mistakes that cost them time, confidence, and even approval from their supervisors.
At LucyWriters, we’ve helped hundreds of students craft successful proposals, and we’ve noticed a few patterns. Here are five common mistakes students make when writing a research proposal — and how you can avoid them.
1. Choosing a Topic That’s Too Broad
Many students start with a topic that tries to cover too much. For example, instead of studying “The impact of social media on education in Africa”, focus on “How social media use affects academic performance among university students in Kenya.”
Tip: Narrow your focus. A specific, manageable topic is easier to research, analyze, and complete on time.
2. Ignoring the Research Gap
A good proposal doesn’t just describe a topic — it identifies a gap in existing research that your study will address. Without this, your proposal may seem repetitive or unnecessary.
Tip: Review existing studies in your field and identify what hasn’t been explored yet. Then position your research as the bridge that fills that gap.
3. Weak Research Objectives
Objectives guide your entire study. Vague or unrealistic objectives make it difficult to collect relevant data or draw meaningful conclusions.
Tip: Write clear, measurable objectives that align directly with your topic. Use action words like analyze, determine, evaluate, and compare.
4. Poorly Defined Methodology
Your methodology shows how you plan to conduct your study. Some students overlook this, giving very little detail — which leaves supervisors with questions.
Tip: Clearly describe your approach: research design, population, sample size, tools, and analysis method (e.g., SPSS or Excel). This shows that your plan is practical and achievable.
5. Neglecting Formatting and Referencing
Even the best ideas can lose credibility if the proposal looks unorganized or lacks proper references.
Tip: Follow your institution’s required format and citation style (APA, MLA, Harvard, etc.). Always include recent and credible sources.