Best examples of research proposal introduction examples for 2024–2025

Short, strong examples of research proposal introduction examples

Let’s start with what you really came for: concrete openings you can borrow from and reshape. Each example of a research proposal introduction is trimmed to the first paragraph or two, so you can see how writers launch into their topic without getting buried in details.

Example 1: Education research proposal introduction (online learning)

Since 2020, U.S. college students have spent more time learning online than at any other point in history, yet many institutions still rely on pre‑pandemic teaching models. Recent data from the National Center for Education Statistics suggest that more than half of undergraduates took at least one online course in 2023, but course completion rates in fully online programs remain significantly lower than in face‑to‑face settings. This research proposal investigates how structured peer interaction in synchronous video sessions affects engagement and completion rates in introductory psychology courses at a large public university.

Why this works:

• Starts with a clear time frame and trend.
• Cites a credible data source (you could actually link to NCES).
• Ends with a focused statement of what the study will investigate.

You can adapt this example of an introduction by swapping in your own topic, data point, and population.

Example 2: Public health research proposal introduction (mental health)

Anxiety and depressive symptoms among U.S. adults have remained elevated since the COVID‑19 pandemic, with young adults reporting the highest levels of psychological distress. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly one in five U.S. adults lives with a mental illness, yet many do not receive timely care due to cost, stigma, or limited access to providers. This proposal examines whether brief, app‑based cognitive behavioral interventions can reduce self‑reported anxiety symptoms among college students at a mid‑sized urban university over a 12‑week period.

Why this is one of the best examples of research proposal introduction examples for health topics:

• Opens with a current, ongoing concern.
• Uses a trustworthy source you can actually cite, such as NIMH.
• Ends with a clear population, method type, and time frame.

Example 3: Business/management research proposal introduction (remote work)

Remote and hybrid work arrangements have shifted from temporary crisis responses to long‑term organizational strategies. A 2024 Gallup report indicates that most U.S. remote‑capable employees now work in hybrid arrangements, yet many managers still struggle to maintain team cohesion and performance across locations. This study proposes to explore how different patterns of hybrid scheduling (fixed vs. flexible in‑office days) influence employee engagement, perceived fairness, and turnover intentions in a Fortune 500 technology company.

This example of a research proposal introduction shows how to:

• Anchor your topic in a recent report or statistic.
• Name the key variables (scheduling pattern, engagement, fairness, turnover intentions).
• Specify a setting without revealing confidential details.

Example 4: STEM research proposal introduction (climate and urban heat)

As global temperatures rise, urban areas are experiencing more frequent and intense heat waves, with disproportionate impacts on low‑income communities. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that neighborhoods with fewer trees and more paved surfaces can be up to 7°F hotter than greener areas in the same city. This research proposal will analyze how different urban tree‑planting strategies affect surface temperatures and energy use in residential neighborhoods in Phoenix, Arizona, using satellite imagery and on‑the‑ground temperature sensors.

Why this belongs among the best examples of research proposal introduction examples in STEM:

• Connects a global issue (climate) to a specific, local case.
• Brings in a concrete figure (7°F) from a source like the EPA.
• Briefly signals a mixed‑methods approach (satellite data plus sensors).

Example 5: Social science research proposal introduction (social media and body image)

Social media platforms have become a primary source of appearance‑related content for teenagers, raising concerns about their impact on body image and self‑esteem. Recent surveys from the Pew Research Center show that a majority of U.S. teens use TikTok and Instagram daily, and many report feeling pressure to look a certain way online. This study proposes to investigate the relationship between daily exposure to appearance‑focused content on TikTok and body dissatisfaction among high school students in three suburban school districts.

This example of an introduction shows how to:

• Frame a widely discussed issue without sounding like a news article.
• Narrow from “social media and teens” to “appearance‑focused content on TikTok.”
• Specify a realistic scope (three school districts, not “all teens everywhere”).

Example 6: Nursing/clinical research proposal introduction (telehealth)

Telehealth visits increased dramatically during the COVID‑19 pandemic and remain a regular part of outpatient care in many health systems. While telehealth can expand access, questions remain about its impact on chronic disease management, particularly for older adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlights that adults 65 and older are more likely to live with multiple chronic conditions, yet they may face barriers to using digital tools effectively. This proposal will examine how telehealth follow‑up visits compare to in‑person visits in managing blood pressure among older adults with hypertension in a large Midwestern health system.

Among our examples of research proposal introduction examples, this one illustrates how to:

• Point to a long‑term trend, not just a short‑term spike.
• Connect a specific population (older adults with hypertension) to a delivery model (telehealth vs. in‑person).
• Set up a clear comparison your methods chapter can later explain.

Example 7: Education policy research proposal introduction (AI in classrooms)

Since the public release of large language models in late 2022, K–12 teachers have reported both excitement and concern about students using artificial intelligence tools for schoolwork. Early surveys from 2024 suggest that many educators are still unsure how to integrate AI into instruction while maintaining academic integrity. This research proposes to study how middle school English teachers in three U.S. districts are currently using, restricting, or ignoring AI writing tools in their classrooms, and how these practices influence students’ writing confidence and originality.

This newer topic reflects 2024–2025 trends and belongs in any set of real examples of research proposal introduction examples focused on education.

How to reverse‑engineer these examples into your own introduction

Looking at the best examples of research proposal introduction examples is helpful, but the real payoff comes when you can build your own. Underneath all the different topics, they follow a similar pattern:

• Start with a broad but current context.
• Narrow to a specific problem or gap.
• Hint at who, where, and how you’ll study it.

Instead of memorizing a template, try thinking in three moves.

Move 1: Open with a focused, timely context

Notice how each example starts with something bigger than the individual study: a trend, statistic, policy change, or social concern. The goal is not to write a mini‑textbook. The goal is to answer, in a sentence or two: “Why is this topic on anyone’s radar in 2024–2025?”

You might:

• Use a recent statistic from a reliable source like CDC, NIH, or Harvard Graduate School of Education.
• Mention a policy shift, new technology, or demographic change.
• Refer to a widely recognized challenge in your field.

In the telehealth example of a research proposal introduction, the writer doesn’t start with a definition of telehealth. They start with a clear observation: visits increased dramatically and are still common.

Move 2: Zoom in on the problem or gap

Once your reader knows the general territory, they need to see what is not yet known, not yet working, or not yet studied. In the strongest examples of research proposal introduction examples, this part is usually one short paragraph.

You can:

• Point out inconsistent findings in past studies.
• Note that most prior work focused on one group, leaving another under‑studied.
• Explain that a new tool, policy, or technology hasn’t been evaluated yet.

For instance, in the hybrid work example, the gap is not “we don’t know anything about remote work.” The gap is narrower: managers struggle with specific scheduling patterns, and we lack clear evidence about how those patterns affect engagement and turnover.

Move 3: Land on your proposed study

The last part of the introduction is where you say, in plain language, what your study will do. All the real examples of research proposal introduction examples above end by naming:

• The population or setting (e.g., high school students in three suburban districts).
• The main variables or focus (e.g., appearance‑focused content and body dissatisfaction).
• The general approach (e.g., comparing telehealth and in‑person visits, analyzing tree‑planting strategies with satellite data).

You do not need to cram your entire methods chapter into the introduction. A single, clear sentence like “This study will examine…” or “This proposal investigates…” is enough at this stage.

Field‑specific tips with mini examples

Because expectations vary by discipline, here are a few shorter examples of research proposal introduction examples tailored to common fields.

Education: Literacy interventions

Reading proficiency by third grade is strongly associated with later academic success, yet recent state test data show that many students continue to read below grade level after the pandemic. While schools have adopted a range of literacy interventions, less is known about how structured peer‑tutoring programs influence reading fluency for multilingual learners. This proposal will investigate the impact of a 10‑week peer‑tutoring intervention on reading fluency among third‑grade multilingual learners in two urban elementary schools.

Psychology: Sleep and academic performance

College students consistently report sleep deprivation, and recent surveys suggest that many average fewer than six hours of sleep on weeknights. Prior research has linked sleep duration to cognitive performance, but fewer studies have examined how irregular sleep schedules affect day‑to‑day academic functioning. This study proposes to examine the relationship between sleep regularity and quiz performance in an introductory statistics course at a large public university, using daily sleep diaries and weekly quiz scores.

Public policy: Food insecurity on campus

Food insecurity among college students has gained increased attention as more institutions recognize that basic needs affect academic success and retention. National surveys estimate that a significant share of undergraduates experience some level of food insecurity during the academic year, yet campus‑based supports vary widely. This research proposal will explore how awareness and use of campus food pantry services relate to academic performance and persistence among first‑generation students at a regional public university.

These shorter samples round out our set of real examples of research proposal introduction examples and show how flexible the basic pattern can be.

Common mistakes that weaken an introduction

When students compare their drafts to the best examples of research proposal introduction examples, they often spot the same issues:

• Starting with a dictionary definition instead of a meaningful context.
• Writing three paragraphs of background with no clear research focus.
• Making claims like “no research has ever studied this” without checking.
• Being so vague that the reader can’t tell what will actually be measured or observed.

A quick test: read your first two paragraphs aloud to a friend outside your field. If they cannot answer, in simple language, “What are you studying, with whom, and why now?”, your introduction probably needs tightening.

FAQ: Short answers about proposal introductions

How long should a research proposal introduction be?
For most undergraduate and master’s‑level proposals, the introduction runs one to three pages, depending on your discipline and total proposal length. Doctoral proposals often include a longer introduction that blends into the literature review, but even then, the opening paragraphs should look similar to the examples of research proposal introduction examples above.

Do I need citations in my introduction?
Yes. Even a short proposal introduction usually includes at least a few citations to show that your claims about trends, prevalence, or past findings are grounded in real research. Using sources like the CDC, NIH, or major research universities can strengthen your credibility.

Can I start with a quote or story?
You can, but use this sparingly. Many of the best examples of research proposal introduction examples start with a clear statement of the issue rather than a dramatic anecdote. If you do use a short story or scenario, follow it quickly with concrete information and a clear research focus.

What is an example of a strong final sentence in an introduction?
Here are a few styles you can adapt:

• “This study will examine how…”
• “This proposal investigates the relationship between…”
• “The purpose of this research is to assess whether…”

Each of these mirrors the endings you saw in the earlier examples of research proposal introduction examples.

Should my introduction include my research questions or hypotheses?
Often, yes. Many instructors prefer that you end the introduction by either stating your main research question(s) or leading directly into a short section that lists them. Check your department’s guidelines, but in most cases, it is better to be explicit rather than leave your reader guessing.

If you keep a few of these real examples of research proposal introduction examples nearby while you draft, you’ll have a concrete model to lean on instead of trying to invent the perfect opening from scratch. Think of them as training wheels: helpful at first, but easy to remove once you’ve found your own academic voice.