WRITING A RESEARCH PROPOSAL: Essential Steps for an Effective Proposal A Course for Master 2 EFL Students in Didactics of Foreign Languages

Abstract

The chief objective of the Research Skills course is to equip students with a clear, practical, and step-by-step guide to preparing and presenting their research projects, beginning with the development of a research proposal as the foundation of their work. The lessons are carefully structured to address learners’ needs, through guiding students from selecting a clear and focused research title to compiling a properly formatted reference list. The course introduces students to the essential principles of designing a research project, selecting appropriate research methods, and understanding the key components of a strong proposal. It guides them in identifying research problems, recognizing gaps in the literature, formulating research questions and hypotheses, as well as in establishing measurable objectives. Special attention is given to reviewing prior studies, building a theoretical framework, and applying effective digital reading strategies, with the understanding that this focus does not replace print-based reading strategies but aims to raise students’ awareness of digital reading practices, as they increasingly rely on digital devices during the course.