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How to Make a Research Paper Title with Examples

What is a research paper title and why does it matter?

A research paper title summarizes the aim and purpose of your research study. Making a title for your research is one of the most important decisions when writing an article to publish in journals. The research title is the first thing that journal editors and reviewers see when they look at your paper and the only piece of information that fellow researchers will see in a database or search engine query. Good titles that are concise and contain all the relevant terms have been shown to increase citation counts and Altmetric scores .

Therefore, when you title research work, make sure it captures all of the relevant aspects of your study, including the specific topic and problem being investigated. It also should present these elements in a way that is accessible and will captivate readers. Follow these steps to learn how to make a good research title for your work.

How to Make a Research Paper Title in 5 Steps

You might wonder how you are supposed to pick a title from all the content that your manuscript contains—how are you supposed to choose? What will make your research paper title come up in search engines and what will make the people in your field read it? 

In a nutshell, your research title should accurately capture what you have done, it should sound interesting to the people who work on the same or a similar topic, and it should contain the important title keywords that other researchers use when looking for literature in databases. To make the title writing process as simple as possible, we have broken it down into 5 simple steps.

Step 1: Answer some key questions about your research paper

What does your paper seek to answer and what does it accomplish? Try to answer these questions as briefly as possible. You can create these questions by going through each section of your paper and finding the MOST relevant information to make a research title.

Step 2: Identify research study keywords

Now that you have answers to your research questions, find the most important parts of these responses and make these your study keywords. Note that you should only choose the most important terms for your keywords–journals usually request anywhere from 3 to 8 keywords maximum.

Step 3: Research title writing: use these keywords

“We employed a case study of 60 liver transplant patients around the US aged 20-50 years to assess how waiting list volume affects the outcomes of liver transplantation in patients; results indicate a positive correlation between increased waiting list volume and negative prognosis after the transplant procedure.”

The sentence above is clearly much too long for a research paper title. This is why you will trim and polish your title in the next two steps.

Step 4: Create a working research paper title

To create a working title, remove elements that make it a complete “sentence” but keep everything that is important to what the study is about. Delete all unnecessary and redundant words that are not central to the study or that researchers would most likely not use in a database search.

“ We employed a case study of 60 liver transplant patients around the US aged 20-50 years to assess how the waiting list volume affects the outcome of liver transplantation in patients ; results indicate a positive correlation between increased waiting list volume and a negative prognosis after transplant procedure ”

Now shift some words around for proper syntax and rephrase it a bit to shorten the length and make it leaner and more natural. What you are left with is:

“A case study of 60 liver transplant patients around the US aged 20-50 years assessing the impact of waiting list volume on outcome of transplantation and showing a positive correlation between increased waiting list volume and a negative prognosis” (Word Count: 38)

This text is getting closer to what we want in a research title, which is just the most important information. But note that the word count for this working title is still 38 words, whereas the average length of published journal article titles is 16 words or fewer. Therefore, we should eliminate some words and phrases that are not essential to this title.

Step 5: Remove any nonessential words and phrases from your title

Because the number of patients studied and the exact outcome are not the most essential parts of this paper, remove these elements first:

 “A case study of 60 liver transplant patients around the US aged 20-50 years assessing the impact of waiting list volume on outcomes of transplantation and showing a positive correlation between increased waiting list volume and a negative prognosis” (Word Count: 19)

In addition, the methods used in a study are not usually the most searched-for keywords in databases and represent additional details that you may want to remove to make your title leaner. So what is left is:

“Assessing the impact of waiting list volume on outcome and prognosis in liver transplantation patients” (Word Count: 15)

In this final version of the title, one can immediately recognize the subject and what objectives the study aims to achieve. Note that the most important terms appear at the beginning and end of the title: “Assessing,” which is the main action of the study, is placed at the beginning; and “liver transplantation patients,” the specific subject of the study, is placed at the end.

This will aid significantly in your research paper title being found in search engines and database queries, which means that a lot more researchers will be able to locate your article once it is published. In fact, a 2014 review of more than 150,000 papers submitted to the UK’s Research Excellence Framework (REF) database found the style of a paper’s title impacted the number of citations it would typically receive. In most disciplines, articles with shorter, more concise titles yielded more citations.

Adding a Research Paper Subtitle

If your title might require a subtitle to provide more immediate details about your methodology or sample, you can do this by adding this information after a colon:

“ : a case study of US adult patients ages 20-25”

If we abide strictly by our word count rule this may not be necessary or recommended. But every journal has its own standard formatting and style guidelines for research paper titles, so it is a good idea to be aware of the specific journal author instructions , not just when you write the manuscript but also to decide how to create a good title for it.

Research Paper Title Examples

The title examples in the following table illustrate how a title can be interesting but incomplete, complete by uninteresting, complete and interesting but too informal in tone, or some other combination of these. A good research paper title should meet all the requirements in the four columns below.

Tips on Formulating a Good Research Paper Title

In addition to the steps given above, there are a few other important things you want to keep in mind when it comes to how to write a research paper title, regarding formatting, word count, and content:

• Write the title after you’ve written your paper and abstract
• Include all of the essential terms in your paper
• Keep it short and to the point (~16 words or fewer)
• Avoid unnecessary jargon and abbreviations
• Use keywords that capture the content of your paper
• Never include a period at the end—your title is NOT a sentence

Research Paper Writing Resources

We hope this article has been helpful in teaching you how to craft your research paper title. But you might still want to dig deeper into different journal title formats and categories that might be more suitable for specific article types or need help with writing a cover letter for your manuscript submission.

In addition to getting English proofreading services , including paper editing services , before submission to journals, be sure to visit our academic resources papers. Here you can find dozens of articles on manuscript writing, from drafting an outline to finding a target journal to submit to.

6 Important Tips on Writing a Research Paper Title

When you are searching for a research study on a particular topic, you probably notice that articles with interesting, descriptive research titles draw you in. By contrast, research paper titles that are not descriptive are usually passed over, even though you may write a good research paper with interesting contents. This shows the importance of coming up with a good title for your research paper when drafting your own manuscript.

Importance of a Research Title

The research title plays a crucial role in the research process, and its importance can be summarized as follows:

Why do Research Titles Matter?

Before we look at how to title a research paper, let’s look at a research title example that illustrates why a good research paper should have a strong title.

Imagine that you are researching meditation and nursing, and you want to find out if any studies have shown that meditation makes nurses better communicators.  You conduct a keyword search using the keywords “nursing”, “communication”, and “meditation.” You come up with results that have the following titles:

• Benefits of Meditation for the Nursing Profession: A Quantitative Investigation
• Why Mindful Nurses Make the Best Communicators
• Meditation Gurus
• Nurses on the Move: A Quantitative Report on How Meditation Can Improve Nurse Performance

All four of these research paper titles may describe very similar studies—they could even be titles for the same study! As you can see, they give very different impressions.

• Title 1 describes the topic and the method of the study but is not particularly catchy.
• Title 2 partly describes the topic, but does not give any information about the method of the study—it could simply be a theoretical or opinion piece.
• Title 3 is somewhat catchier but gives almost no information at all about the article.
• Title 4 begins with a catchy main title and is followed by a subtitle that gives information about the content and method of the study.

As we will see, Title 4 has all the characteristics of a good research title.

Characteristics of a Good Research Title

According to rhetoric scholars Hairston and Keene, making a good title for a paper involves ensuring that the title of the research accomplishes four goals as mentioned below:

• It should predict the content of the research paper .
• It should be interesting to the reader .
• It should reflect the tone of the writing .
• It should contain important keywords that will make it easier to be located during a keyword search.

Let’s return to the examples in the previous section to see how to make a research title.

As you can see in the table above, only one of the four example titles fulfills all of the criteria of a suitable research paper title.

Related: You’ve chosen your study topic, but having trouble deciding where to publish it? Here’s a comprehensive course to help you identify the right journal .

Tips for Writing an Effective Research Paper Title

When writing a research title, you can use the four criteria listed above as a guide. Here are a few other tips you can use to make sure your title will be part of the recipe for an effective research paper :

• Make sure your research title describes (a) the topic, (b) the method, (c) the sample, and (d) the results of your study. You can use the following formula:

[ Result ]: A [ method ] study of [ topic ] among [ sample ] Example : Meditation makes nurses perform better: a qualitative study of mindfulness meditation among German nursing students

• Avoid unnecessary words and jargons. Keep the title statement as concise as possible. You want a title that will be comprehensible even to people who are not experts in your field. Check our article for a detailed list of things to avoid when writing an effective research title .
• Make sure your title is between 5 and 15 words in length.
• If you are writing a title for a university assignment or for a particular academic journal, verify that your title conforms to the standards and requirements for that outlet. For example, many journals require that titles fall under a character limit, including spaces. Many universities require that titles take a very specific form, limiting your creativity.
• Use a descriptive phrase to convey the purpose of your research efficiently.
• Most importantly, use critical keywords in the title to increase the discoverability of your article.

Resources for Further Reading

In addition to the tips above, there are many resources online that you can use to help write your research title. Here is a list of links that you may find useful as you work on creating an excellent research title:

• The University of Southern California has a guide specific to social science research papers: http://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/title
• The Journal of European Psychology Students has a blog article focusing on APA-compliant research paper titles: http://blog.efpsa.org/2012/09/01/how-to-write-a-good-title-for-journal-articles/
• This article by Kristen Hamlin contains a step-by-step approach to writing titles: http://classroom.synonym.com/choose-title-research-paper-4332.html

Are there any tips or tricks you find useful in crafting research titles? Which tip did you find most useful in this article? Leave a comment to let us know!

• Hairston, M., & Keene, M. 2003. Successful writing . 5th ed. New York: Norton.
• University of Southern California. 2017. Organizing your social sciences research paper: choosing a title . [Online] Available at: http://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/title

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Thank you for the excellent article and tips for creating a research work, because I always forget about such an essential element as the keywords when forming topics. In particular, I have found a rapid help with the formation of informative and sound titles that also conforms to the standards and requirements.

I am doing a research work on sales girls or shop girls using qualititative method. Basicly I am from Pakistan and writing on the scenario of mycountry. I am really confused about my research title can you kindly give some suggestions and give me an approperaite tilte

Hi Zubair, Thank you for your question. However, the information you have provided is insufficient for drafting an appropriate title. Information on what exactly you intend to study would be needed in order to draft a meaningful title. Meanwhile, you can try drafting your own title after going through the following articles our website: https://www.enago.com/academy/top-10-tips-on-choosing-an-attractive-research-title/ , https://www.enago.com/academy/writing-a-good-research-title-things-to-avoid/ , https://www.enago.com/academy/write-irresistible-research-paper-title/ We would be happy to give you feedback and suggest changes if required. Did you get a chance to install our free Mobile App? https://www.enago.com/academy/mobile-app/ . Make sure you subscribe to our weekly newsletter https://www.enago.com/academy/subscribe-now/ .

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Thank you for this. It helped me improve my research title. I just want to verify to you the title I have just made. “Ensuring the safety: A Quantitative Study of Radio Frequency Identification system among the selected students of ( school’s name ).

(I need your reply asap coz we will be doing the chap. 1 tomorrow. Thank u in advance. 🙂 )

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Hi Joan, Thank you for your question. We are glad to know that you found our resources useful. Your feedback is very valuable to us. You can try drafting your own title after going through the following articles on our website: https://www.enago.com/academy/top-10-tips-on-choosing-an-attractive-research-title/ , https://www.enago.com/academy/writing-a-good-research-title-things-to-avoid/ , https://www.enago.com/academy/write-irresistible-research-paper-title/

We would be happy to give you feedback and suggest changes if required. Did you get a chance to install our free Mobile App? https://www.enago.com/academy/mobile-app/ . Make sure you subscribe to our weekly newsletter https://www.enago.com/academy/subscribe-now/ .

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I need help. I need a research title for my study about early mobilization of the mechanically ventilated patients in the ICU. Any suggestions would be highly appreciated.

Thank you for posting your query on the website. When writing manuscripts, too many scholars neglect the research title. This phrase, along with the abstract, is what people will mostly see and read online. Title research of publications shows that the research paper title does matter a lot. Both bibliometrics and altmetrics tracking of citations are now, for better or worse, used to gauge a paper’s “success” for its author(s) and the journal publishing it. Interesting research topics coupled with good or clever yet accurate research titles can draw more attention to your work from peers and the public alike. You can check through the following search results for titles on similar topics: https://www.google.com/search?q=early+mobilization+of+the+mechanically+ventilated+patients+in+the+icu&rlz=1C1GCEU_enIN907IN907&oq=&aqs=chrome.0.69i59.4920093j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 .

We hope this would be helpful in drafting an attractive title for your research paper.

Please let us know in case of any other queries.

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Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Paper

• Choosing a Title
• Purpose of Guide
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• Independent and Dependent Variables
• Glossary of Research Terms
• Reading Research Effectively
• Narrowing a Topic Idea
• Broadening a Topic Idea
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The title summarizes the main idea or ideas of your study. A good title contains the fewest possible words needed to adequately describe the content and/or purpose of your research paper.

Importance of Choosing a Good Title

The title is the part of a paper that is read the most, and it is usually read first . It is, therefore, the most important element that defines the research study. With this in mind, avoid the following when creating a title:

• If the title is too long, this usually indicates there are too many unnecessary words. Avoid language, such as, "A Study to Investigate the...," or "An Examination of the...." These phrases are obvious and generally superfluous unless they are necessary to covey the scope, intent, or type of a study.
• On the other hand, a title which is too short often uses words which are too broad and, thus, does not tell the reader what is being studied. For example, a paper with the title, "African Politics" is so non-specific the title could be the title of a book and so ambiguous that it could refer to anything associated with politics in Africa. A good title should provide information about the focus and/or scope of your research study.
• In academic writing, catchy phrases or non-specific language may be used, but only if it's within the context of the study [e.g., "Fair and Impartial Jury--Catch as Catch Can"]. However, in most cases, you should avoid including words or phrases that do not help the reader understand the purpose of your paper.
• Academic writing is a serious and deliberate endeavor. Avoid using humorous or clever journalistic styles of phrasing when creating the title to your paper. Journalistic headlines often use emotional adjectives [e.g., incredible, amazing, effortless] to highlight a problem experienced by the reader or use "trigger words" or interrogative words like how, what, when, or why to persuade people to read the article or click on a link. These approaches are viewed as counter-productive in academic writing. A reader does not need clever or humorous titles to catch their attention because the act of reading research is assumed to be deliberate based on a desire to learn and improve understanding of the problem. In addition, a humorous title can merely detract from the seriousness and authority of your research. 
• Unlike everywhere else in a college-level social sciences research paper [except when using direct quotes in the text], titles do not have to adhere to rigid grammatical or stylistic standards. For example, it could be appropriate to begin a title with a coordinating conjunction [i.e., and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet] if it makes sense to do so and does not detract from the purpose of the study [e.g., "Yet Another Look at Mutual Fund Tournaments"] or beginning the title with an inflected form of a verb such as those ending in -ing [e.g., "Assessing the Political Landscape: Structure, Cognition, and Power in Organizations"].

Appiah, Kingsley Richard et al. “Structural Organisation of Research Article Titles: A Comparative Study of Titles of Business, Gynaecology and Law.” Advances in Language and Literary Studies 10 (2019); Hartley James. “To Attract or to Inform: What are Titles for?” Journal of Technical Writing and Communication 35 (2005): 203-213; Jaakkola, Maarit. “Journalistic Writing and Style.” In Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Communication . Jon F. Nussbaum, editor. (New York: Oxford University Press, 2018): https://oxfordre.com/communication.

Structure and Writing Style

The following parameters can be used to help you formulate a suitable research paper title:

• The purpose of the research
• The scope of the research
• The narrative tone of the paper [typically defined by the type of the research]
• The methods used to study the problem

The initial aim of a title is to capture the reader’s attention and to highlight the research problem under investigation.

Create a Working Title Typically, the final title you submit to your professor is created after the research is complete so that the title accurately captures what has been done . The working title should be developed early in the research process because it can help anchor the focus of the study in much the same way the research problem does. Referring back to the working title can help you reorient yourself back to the main purpose of the study if you find yourself drifting off on a tangent while writing. The Final Title Effective titles in research papers have several characteristics that reflect general principles of academic writing.

• Indicate accurately the subject and scope of the study,
• Rarely use abbreviations or acronyms unless they are commonly known,
• Use words that create a positive impression and stimulate reader interest,
• Use current nomenclature from the field of study,
• Identify key variables, both dependent and independent,
• Reveal how the paper will be organized,
• Suggest a relationship between variables which supports the major hypothesis,
• Is limited to 5 to 15 substantive words,
• Does not include redundant phrasing, such as, "A Study of," "An Analysis of" or similar constructions,
• Takes the form of a question or declarative statement,
• If you use a quote as part of the title, the source of the quote is cited [usually using an asterisk and footnote],
• Use correct grammar and capitalization with all first words and last words capitalized, including the first word of a subtitle. All nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs that appear between the first and last words of the title are also capitalized, and
• Rarely uses an exclamation mark at the end of the title.

The Subtitle Subtitles are frequently used in social sciences research papers because it helps the reader understand the scope of the study in relation to how it was designed to address the research problem. Think about what type of subtitle listed below reflects the overall approach to your study and whether you believe a subtitle is needed to emphasize the investigative parameters of your research.

1.  Explains or provides additional context , e.g., "Linguistic Ethnography and the Study of Welfare Institutions as a Flow of Social Practices: The Case of Residential Child Care Institutions as Paradoxical Institutions." [Palomares, Manuel and David Poveda.  Text & Talk: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Language, Discourse and Communication Studies 30 (January 2010): 193-212]

2.  Adds substance to a literary, provocative, or imaginative title or quote , e.g., "Listen to What I Say, Not How I Vote": Congressional Support for the President in Washington and at Home." [Grose, Christian R. and Keesha M. Middlemass. Social Science Quarterly 91 (March 2010): 143-167]

3.  Qualifies the geographic scope of the research , e.g., "The Geopolitics of the Eastern Border of the European Union: The Case of Romania-Moldova-Ukraine." [Marcu, Silvia. Geopolitics 14 (August 2009): 409-432]

4.  Qualifies the temporal scope of the research , e.g., "A Comparison of the Progressive Era and the Depression Years: Societal Influences on Predictions of the Future of the Library, 1895-1940." [Grossman, Hal B. Libraries & the Cultural Record 46 (2011): 102-128]

5.  Focuses on investigating the ideas, theories, or work of a particular individual , e.g., "A Deliberative Conception of Politics: How Francesco Saverio Merlino Related Anarchy and Democracy." [La Torre, Massimo. Sociologia del Diritto 28 (January 2001): 75 - 98]

6.  Identifies the methodology used , e.g. "Student Activism of the 1960s Revisited: A Multivariate Analysis Research Note." [Aron, William S. Social Forces 52 (March 1974): 408-414]

7.  Defines the overarching technique for analyzing the research problem , e.g., "Explaining Territorial Change in Federal Democracies: A Comparative Historical Institutionalist Approach." [ Tillin, Louise. Political Studies 63 (August 2015): 626-641.

With these examples in mind, think about what type of subtitle reflects the overall approach to your study. This will help the reader understand the scope of the study in relation to how it was designed to address the research problem.

Anstey, A. “Writing Style: What's in a Title?” British Journal of Dermatology 170 (May 2014): 1003-1004; Balch, Tucker. How to Compose a Title for Your Research Paper. Augmented Trader blog. School of Interactive Computing, Georgia Tech University; Bavdekar, Sandeep B. “Formulating the Right Title for a Research Article.” Journal of Association of Physicians of India 64 (February 2016); Choosing the Proper Research Paper Titles. AplusReports.com, 2007-2012; Eva, Kevin W. “Titles, Abstracts, and Authors.” In How to Write a Paper . George M. Hall, editor. 5th edition. (Oxford: John Wiley and Sons, 2013), pp. 33-41; Hartley James. “To Attract or to Inform: What are Titles for?” Journal of Technical Writing and Communication 35 (2005): 203-213; General Format. The Writing Lab and The OWL. Purdue University; Kerkut G.A. “Choosing a Title for a Paper.” Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Physiology 74 (1983): 1; “Tempting Titles.” In Stylish Academic Writing . Helen Sword, editor. (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2012), pp. 63-75; Nundy, Samiran, et al. “How to Choose a Title?” In How to Practice Academic Medicine and Publish from Developing Countries? A Practical Guide . Edited by Samiran Nundy, Atul Kakar, and Zulfiqar A. Bhutta. (Springer Singapore, 2022), pp. 185-192.

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Writing the title and abstract for a research paper: Being concise, precise, and meticulous is the key

Milind s. tullu.

Department of Pediatrics, Seth G.S. Medical College and KEM Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

This article deals with formulating a suitable title and an appropriate abstract for an original research paper. The “title” and the “abstract” are the “initial impressions” of a research article, and hence they need to be drafted correctly, accurately, carefully, and meticulously. Often both of these are drafted after the full manuscript is ready. Most readers read only the title and the abstract of a research paper and very few will go on to read the full paper. The title and the abstract are the most important parts of a research paper and should be pleasant to read. The “title” should be descriptive, direct, accurate, appropriate, interesting, concise, precise, unique, and should not be misleading. The “abstract” needs to be simple, specific, clear, unbiased, honest, concise, precise, stand-alone, complete, scholarly, (preferably) structured, and should not be misrepresentative. The abstract should be consistent with the main text of the paper, especially after a revision is made to the paper and should include the key message prominently. It is very important to include the most important words and terms (the “keywords”) in the title and the abstract for appropriate indexing purpose and for retrieval from the search engines and scientific databases. Such keywords should be listed after the abstract. One must adhere to the instructions laid down by the target journal with regard to the style and number of words permitted for the title and the abstract.

Introduction

This article deals with drafting a suitable “title” and an appropriate “abstract” for an original research paper. Because the “title” and the “abstract” are the “initial impressions” or the “face” of a research article, they need to be drafted correctly, accurately, carefully, meticulously, and consume time and energy.[ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ] Often, these are drafted after the complete manuscript draft is ready.[ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 9 , 10 , 11 ] Most readers will read only the title and the abstract of a published research paper, and very few “interested ones” (especially, if the paper is of use to them) will go on to read the full paper.[ 1 , 2 ] One must remember to adhere to the instructions laid down by the “target journal” (the journal for which the author is writing) regarding the style and number of words permitted for the title and the abstract.[ 2 , 4 , 5 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 12 ] Both the title and the abstract are the most important parts of a research paper – for editors (to decide whether to process the paper for further review), for reviewers (to get an initial impression of the paper), and for the readers (as these may be the only parts of the paper available freely and hence, read widely).[ 4 , 8 , 12 ] It may be worth for the novice author to browse through titles and abstracts of several prominent journals (and their target journal as well) to learn more about the wording and styles of the titles and abstracts, as well as the aims and scope of the particular journal.[ 5 , 7 , 9 , 13 ]

The details of the title are discussed under the subheadings of importance, types, drafting, and checklist.

Importance of the title

When a reader browses through the table of contents of a journal issue (hard copy or on website), the title is the “ first detail” or “face” of the paper that is read.[ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 13 ] Hence, it needs to be simple, direct, accurate, appropriate, specific, functional, interesting, attractive/appealing, concise/brief, precise/focused, unambiguous, memorable, captivating, informative (enough to encourage the reader to read further), unique, catchy, and it should not be misleading.[ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 9 , 12 ] It should have “just enough details” to arouse the interest and curiosity of the reader so that the reader then goes ahead with studying the abstract and then (if still interested) the full paper.[ 1 , 2 , 4 , 13 ] Journal websites, electronic databases, and search engines use the words in the title and abstract (the “keywords”) to retrieve a particular paper during a search; hence, the importance of these words in accessing the paper by the readers has been emphasized.[ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 12 , 14 ] Such important words (or keywords) should be arranged in appropriate order of importance as per the context of the paper and should be placed at the beginning of the title (rather than the later part of the title, as some search engines like Google may just display only the first six to seven words of the title).[ 3 , 5 , 12 ] Whimsical, amusing, or clever titles, though initially appealing, may be missed or misread by the busy reader and very short titles may miss the essential scientific words (the “keywords”) used by the indexing agencies to catch and categorize the paper.[ 1 , 3 , 4 , 9 ] Also, amusing or hilarious titles may be taken less seriously by the readers and may be cited less often.[ 4 , 15 ] An excessively long or complicated title may put off the readers.[ 3 , 9 ] It may be a good idea to draft the title after the main body of the text and the abstract are drafted.[ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]

Types of titles

Titles can be descriptive, declarative, or interrogative. They can also be classified as nominal, compound, or full-sentence titles.

Descriptive or neutral title

This has the essential elements of the research theme, that is, the patients/subjects, design, interventions, comparisons/control, and outcome, but does not reveal the main result or the conclusion.[ 3 , 4 , 12 , 16 ] Such a title allows the reader to interpret the findings of the research paper in an impartial manner and with an open mind.[ 3 ] These titles also give complete information about the contents of the article, have several keywords (thus increasing the visibility of the article in search engines), and have increased chances of being read and (then) being cited as well.[ 4 ] Hence, such descriptive titles giving a glimpse of the paper are generally preferred.[ 4 , 16 ]

Declarative title

This title states the main finding of the study in the title itself; it reduces the curiosity of the reader, may point toward a bias on the part of the author, and hence is best avoided.[ 3 , 4 , 12 , 16 ]

Interrogative title

This is the one which has a query or the research question in the title.[ 3 , 4 , 16 ] Though a query in the title has the ability to sensationalize the topic, and has more downloads (but less citations), it can be distracting to the reader and is again best avoided for a research article (but can, at times, be used for a review article).[ 3 , 6 , 16 , 17 ]

From a sentence construct point of view, titles may be nominal (capturing only the main theme of the study), compound (with subtitles to provide additional relevant information such as context, design, location/country, temporal aspect, sample size, importance, and a provocative or a literary; for example, see the title of this review), or full-sentence titles (which are longer and indicate an added degree of certainty of the results).[ 4 , 6 , 9 , 16 ] Any of these constructs may be used depending on the type of article, the key message, and the author's preference or judgement.[ 4 ]

Drafting a suitable title

A stepwise process can be followed to draft the appropriate title. The author should describe the paper in about three sentences, avoiding the results and ensuring that these sentences contain important scientific words/keywords that describe the main contents and subject of the paper.[ 1 , 4 , 6 , 12 ] Then the author should join the sentences to form a single sentence, shorten the length (by removing redundant words or adjectives or phrases), and finally edit the title (thus drafted) to make it more accurate, concise (about 10–15 words), and precise.[ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 9 ] Some journals require that the study design be included in the title, and this may be placed (using a colon) after the primary title.[ 2 , 3 , 4 , 14 ] The title should try to incorporate the Patients, Interventions, Comparisons and Outcome (PICO).[ 3 ] The place of the study may be included in the title (if absolutely necessary), that is, if the patient characteristics (such as study population, socioeconomic conditions, or cultural practices) are expected to vary as per the country (or the place of the study) and have a bearing on the possible outcomes.[ 3 , 6 ] Lengthy titles can be boring and appear unfocused, whereas very short titles may not be representative of the contents of the article; hence, optimum length is required to ensure that the title explains the main theme and content of the manuscript.[ 4 , 5 , 9 ] Abbreviations (except the standard or commonly interpreted ones such as HIV, AIDS, DNA, RNA, CDC, FDA, ECG, and EEG) or acronyms should be avoided in the title, as a reader not familiar with them may skip such an article and nonstandard abbreviations may create problems in indexing the article.[ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 9 , 12 ] Also, too much of technical jargon or chemical formulas in the title may confuse the readers and the article may be skipped by them.[ 4 , 9 ] Numerical values of various parameters (stating study period or sample size) should also be avoided in the titles (unless deemed extremely essential).[ 4 ] It may be worthwhile to take an opinion from a impartial colleague before finalizing the title.[ 4 , 5 , 6 ] Thus, multiple factors (which are, at times, a bit conflicting or contrasting) need to be considered while formulating a title, and hence this should not be done in a hurry.[ 4 , 6 ] Many journals ask the authors to draft a “short title” or “running head” or “running title” for printing in the header or footer of the printed paper.[ 3 , 12 ] This is an abridged version of the main title of up to 40–50 characters, may have standard abbreviations, and helps the reader to navigate through the paper.[ 3 , 12 , 14 ]

Checklist for a good title

Table 1 gives a checklist/useful tips for drafting a good title for a research paper.[ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 12 ] Table 2 presents some of the titles used by the author of this article in his earlier research papers, and the appropriateness of the titles has been commented upon. As an individual exercise, the reader may try to improvise upon the titles (further) after reading the corresponding abstract and full paper.

Checklist/useful tips for drafting a good title for a research paper

Some titles used by author of this article in his earlier publications and remark/comment on their appropriateness

The Abstract

The details of the abstract are discussed under the subheadings of importance, types, drafting, and checklist.

Importance of the abstract

The abstract is a summary or synopsis of the full research paper and also needs to have similar characteristics like the title. It needs to be simple, direct, specific, functional, clear, unbiased, honest, concise, precise, self-sufficient, complete, comprehensive, scholarly, balanced, and should not be misleading.[ 1 , 2 , 3 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 13 , 17 ] Writing an abstract is to extract and summarize (AB – absolutely, STR – straightforward, ACT – actual data presentation and interpretation).[ 17 ] The title and abstracts are the only sections of the research paper that are often freely available to the readers on the journal websites, search engines, and in many abstracting agencies/databases, whereas the full paper may attract a payment per view or a fee for downloading the pdf copy.[ 1 , 2 , 3 , 7 , 8 , 10 , 11 , 13 , 14 ] The abstract is an independent and stand-alone (that is, well understood without reading the full paper) section of the manuscript and is used by the editor to decide the fate of the article and to choose appropriate reviewers.[ 2 , 7 , 10 , 12 , 13 ] Even the reviewers are initially supplied only with the title and the abstract before they agree to review the full manuscript.[ 7 , 13 ] This is the second most commonly read part of the manuscript, and therefore it should reflect the contents of the main text of the paper accurately and thus act as a “real trailer” of the full article.[ 2 , 7 , 11 ] The readers will go through the full paper only if they find the abstract interesting and relevant to their practice; else they may skip the paper if the abstract is unimpressive.[ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 13 ] The abstract needs to highlight the selling point of the manuscript and succeed in luring the reader to read the complete paper.[ 3 , 7 ] The title and the abstract should be constructed using keywords (key terms/important words) from all the sections of the main text.[ 12 ] Abstracts are also used for submitting research papers to a conference for consideration for presentation (as oral paper or poster).[ 9 , 13 , 17 ] Grammatical and typographic errors reflect poorly on the quality of the abstract, may indicate carelessness/casual attitude on part of the author, and hence should be avoided at all times.[ 9 ]

Types of abstracts

The abstracts can be structured or unstructured. They can also be classified as descriptive or informative abstracts.

Structured and unstructured abstracts

Structured abstracts are followed by most journals, are more informative, and include specific subheadings/subsections under which the abstract needs to be composed.[ 1 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 13 , 17 , 18 ] These subheadings usually include context/background, objectives, design, setting, participants, interventions, main outcome measures, results, and conclusions.[ 1 ] Some journals stick to the standard IMRAD format for the structure of the abstracts, and the subheadings would include Introduction/Background, Methods, Results, And (instead of Discussion) the Conclusion/s.[ 1 , 2 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 17 , 18 ] Structured abstracts are more elaborate, informative, easy to read, recall, and peer-review, and hence are preferred; however, they consume more space and can have same limitations as an unstructured abstract.[ 7 , 9 , 18 ] The structured abstracts are (possibly) better understood by the reviewers and readers. Anyway, the choice of the type of the abstract and the subheadings of a structured abstract depend on the particular journal style and is not left to the author's wish.[ 7 , 10 , 12 ] Separate subheadings may be necessary for reporting meta-analysis, educational research, quality improvement work, review, or case study.[ 1 ] Clinical trial abstracts need to include the essential items mentioned in the CONSORT (Consolidated Standards Of Reporting Trials) guidelines.[ 7 , 9 , 14 , 19 ] Similar guidelines exist for various other types of studies, including observational studies and for studies of diagnostic accuracy.[ 20 , 21 ] A useful resource for the above guidelines is available at www.equator-network.org (Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research). Unstructured (or non-structured) abstracts are free-flowing, do not have predefined subheadings, and are commonly used for papers that (usually) do not describe original research.[ 1 , 7 , 9 , 10 ]

The four-point structured abstract: This has the following elements which need to be properly balanced with regard to the content/matter under each subheading:[ 9 ]

Background and/or Objectives: This states why the work was undertaken and is usually written in just a couple of sentences.[ 3 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 12 , 13 ] The hypothesis/study question and the major objectives are also stated under this subheading.[ 3 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 12 , 13 ]

Methods: This subsection is the longest, states what was done, and gives essential details of the study design, setting, participants, blinding, sample size, sampling method, intervention/s, duration and follow-up, research instruments, main outcome measures, parameters evaluated, and how the outcomes were assessed or analyzed.[ 3 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 17 ]

Results/Observations/Findings: This subheading states what was found, is longer, is difficult to draft, and needs to mention important details including the number of study participants, results of analysis (of primary and secondary objectives), and include actual data (numbers, mean, median, standard deviation, “P” values, 95% confidence intervals, effect sizes, relative risks, odds ratio, etc.).[ 3 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 17 ]

Conclusions: The take-home message (the “so what” of the paper) and other significant/important findings should be stated here, considering the interpretation of the research question/hypothesis and results put together (without overinterpreting the findings) and may also include the author's views on the implications of the study.[ 3 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 17 ]

The eight-point structured abstract: This has the following eight subheadings – Objectives, Study Design, Study Setting, Participants/Patients, Methods/Intervention, Outcome Measures, Results, and Conclusions.[ 3 , 9 , 18 ] The instructions to authors given by the particular journal state whether they use the four- or eight-point abstract or variants thereof.[ 3 , 14 ]

Descriptive and Informative abstracts

Descriptive abstracts are short (75–150 words), only portray what the paper contains without providing any more details; the reader has to read the full paper to know about its contents and are rarely used for original research papers.[ 7 , 10 ] These are used for case reports, reviews, opinions, and so on.[ 7 , 10 ] Informative abstracts (which may be structured or unstructured as described above) give a complete detailed summary of the article contents and truly reflect the actual research done.[ 7 , 10 ]

Drafting a suitable abstract

It is important to religiously stick to the instructions to authors (format, word limit, font size/style, and subheadings) provided by the journal for which the abstract and the paper are being written.[ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 13 ] Most journals allow 200–300 words for formulating the abstract and it is wise to restrict oneself to this word limit.[ 1 , 2 , 3 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 22 ] Though some authors prefer to draft the abstract initially, followed by the main text of the paper, it is recommended to draft the abstract in the end to maintain accuracy and conformity with the main text of the paper (thus maintaining an easy linkage/alignment with title, on one hand, and the introduction section of the main text, on the other hand).[ 2 , 7 , 9 , 10 , 11 ] The authors should check the subheadings (of the structured abstract) permitted by the target journal, use phrases rather than sentences to draft the content of the abstract, and avoid passive voice.[ 1 , 7 , 9 , 12 ] Next, the authors need to get rid of redundant words and edit the abstract (extensively) to the correct word count permitted (every word in the abstract “counts”!).[ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 13 ] It is important to ensure that the key message, focus, and novelty of the paper are not compromised; the rationale of the study and the basis of the conclusions are clear; and that the abstract is consistent with the main text of the paper.[ 1 , 2 , 3 , 7 , 9 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 17 , 22 ] This is especially important while submitting a revision of the paper (modified after addressing the reviewer's comments), as the changes made in the main (revised) text of the paper need to be reflected in the (revised) abstract as well.[ 2 , 10 , 12 , 14 , 22 ] Abbreviations should be avoided in an abstract, unless they are conventionally accepted or standard; references, tables, or figures should not be cited in the abstract.[ 7 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 13 ] It may be worthwhile not to rush with the abstract and to get an opinion by an impartial colleague on the content of the abstract; and if possible, the full paper (an “informal” peer-review).[ 1 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 11 , 17 ] Appropriate “Keywords” (three to ten words or phrases) should follow the abstract and should be preferably chosen from the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) list of the U.S. National Library of Medicine ( https://meshb.nlm.nih.gov/search ) and are used for indexing purposes.[ 2 , 3 , 11 , 12 ] These keywords need to be different from the words in the main title (the title words are automatically used for indexing the article) and can be variants of the terms/phrases used in the title, or words from the abstract and the main text.[ 3 , 12 ] The ICMJE (International Committee of Medical Journal Editors; http://www.icmje.org/ ) also recommends publishing the clinical trial registration number at the end of the abstract.[ 7 , 14 ]

Checklist for a good abstract

Table 3 gives a checklist/useful tips for formulating a good abstract for a research paper.[ 1 , 2 , 3 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 17 , 22 ]

Checklist/useful tips for formulating a good abstract for a research paper

Concluding Remarks

This review article has given a detailed account of the importance and types of titles and abstracts. It has also attempted to give useful hints for drafting an appropriate title and a complete abstract for a research paper. It is hoped that this review will help the authors in their career in medical writing.

Financial support and sponsorship

Conflicts of interest.

There are no conflicts of interest.

Acknowledgement

The author thanks Dr. Hemant Deshmukh - Dean, Seth G.S. Medical College & KEM Hospital, for granting permission to publish this manuscript.

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Maximize search-ability and engage your readers from the very beginning

Your title is the first thing anyone who reads your article is going to see, and for many it will be where they stop reading. Learn how to write a title that helps readers find your article, draws your audience in and sets the stage for your research!

How your title impacts the success of your article

Researchers are busy and there will always be more articles to read than time to read them.  Good titles help readers find your research, and decide whether to keep reading. Search engines use titles to retrieve relevant articles based on users’ keyword searches. Once readers find your article, they’ll use the title as the first filter to decide whether your research is what they’re looking for. A strong and specific title is the first step toward citations, inclusion in meta-analyses, and influencing your field. 

What to include in a title

Include the most important information that will signal to your target audience that they should keep reading.

Key information about the study design

Important keywords

What you discovered

Writing tips

Getting the title right can be more difficult than it seems, and researchers refine their writing skills throughout their career. Some journals even help editors to re-write their titles during the publication process! 

• Keep it concise and informative What’s appropriate for titles varies greatly across disciplines. Take a look at some articles published in your field, and check the journal guidelines for character limits. Aim for fewer than 12 words, and check for journal specific word limits.
• Write for your audience Consider who your primary audience is: are they specialists in your specific field, are they cross-disciplinary, are they non-specialists?
• Entice the reader Find a way to pique your readers’ interest, give them enough information to keep them reading.
• Incorporate important keywords Consider what about your article will be most interesting to your audience: Most readers come to an article from a search engine, so take some time and include the important ones in your title!
• Write in sentence case In scientific writing, titles are given in sentence case. Capitalize only the first word of the text, proper nouns, and genus names. See our examples below.

Don’t

• Write your title as a question In most cases, you shouldn’t need to frame your title as a question. You have the answers, you know what you found. Writing your title as a question might draw your readers in, but it’s more likely to put them off.
• Sensationalize your research Be honest with yourself about what you truly discovered. A sensationalized or dramatic title might make a few extra people read a bit further into your article, but you don’t want them disappointed when they get to the results.

Examples…

Format: Prevalence of [disease] in [population] in [location]

Example: Prevalence of tuberculosis in homeless women in San Francisco

Format: Risk factors for [condition] among [population] in [location]

Example: Risk factors for preterm births among low-income women in Mexico City

Format (systematic review/meta-analysis): Effectiveness of [treatment] for [disease] in [population] for [outcome] : A systematic review and meta-analysis

Example: Effectiveness of Hepatitis B treatment in HIV-infected adolescents in the prevention of liver disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Format (clinical trial): [Intervention] improved [symptoms] of [disease] in [population] : A randomized controlled clinical trial

Example: Using a sleep app lessened insomnia in post-menopausal women in southwest United States: A randomized controlled clinical trial

Format  (general molecular studies): Characterization/identification/evaluation of [molecule name] in/from [organism/tissue] (b y [specific biological methods] ) 

Example: Identification of putative Type-I sex pheromone biosynthesis-related genes expressed in the female pheromone gland of Streltzoviella insularis

Format  (general molecular studies): [specific methods/analysis] of organism/tissue reveal insights into [function/role] of [molecule name] in [biological process]  

Example: Transcriptome landscape of Rafflesia cantleyi floral buds reveals insights into the roles of transcription factors and phytohormones in flower development

Format  (software/method papers): [tool/method/software] for [what purpose] in [what research area]

Example: CRISPR-based tools for targeted transcriptional and epigenetic regulation in plants

Tip: How to edit your work

Editing is challenging, especially if you are acting as both a writer and an editor. Read our guidelines for advice on how to refine your work, including useful tips for setting your intentions, re-review, and consultation with colleagues.

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Writing Effective Research Paper Titles: Advice and Examples

Are you ready to submit your research paper for publication but haven't settled on a title yet? Do you have a title but aren't sure if it will be the right one for the journal editor or research database search engines? This article will help you fine tune or create an effective research paper title for your work.

Now that you have finished your research and analysis, and you're ready to take the final step before sending your work to journal editors and reviewers. The first thing journal editors and search engine results will see and show is your research paper title. Creating an effective research paper title is highly important to getting your paper in front of the right people. It is also going to be the only part of your paper that is available to everyone for free, and it will be what search engines use to index and show your work in search results. You therefore must design a clear and persuasive title that accurately represents your work.

When writing an effective research paper title, you want to ensure that the title includes all the relevant aspects of your work. Showcase those aspects in a way that entices the audience to read more. Be sure to use the nomenclature common in your field of study, because that will help your work show up in more search results and it will grab the attention of journal editors looking for articles that clearly represent the industry. If you are studying landslides, for example, you will want to include keywords relating to soil composition or grain size; if you are working on a study about organ transplants, then include the specific feature or procedure that affected successful transplants. Identify what parts of your research are going to interest your intended audience.

There are two key pieces of information that people will need to see in your paper title: the subject and the objective. Because you are already familiar with your study and its purpose, creating an effective research paper title is simply a matter of whittling down the words that describe the important aspects of your paper. The advice below will help you take steps to identify key areas of your research, organize the information, and trim it down to the right size for a title.

Develop a topic statement

To get started, consider a topic statement of your paper that includes the subject and scope of the study. The first step in building a topic statement is to ask yourself the following questions:

• What is your research paper about? "My paper is about gene therapy and how it can improve cognitive function in dementia patients."
• What was the subject of your study? "I used data from 40 dementia patients from 10 states in the US."
• What method did you use to perform your research? "I performed a randomized trial."
• What were the results? "My study showed that gene therapy improved cognitive function in those who received the treatment."

Once you have answered those questions (such as in the example answers above), make a list of the keywords you used. For this example, those keywords would include the following:

• gene therapy
• cognitive function
• 40 dementia patients
• improved cognitive function
• 10 states in the US
• randomized trial

Then, create your topic statement using those keywords. It might read something like this:

"This study is a randomized trial that investigates whether gene therapy improved cognitive function in 40 dementia patients from 10 states in the US. The results show improved cognitive function in those who received the treatment."

This statement has 36 words — too long for a title. However, it does contain the main required elements: the subject and the objective. It also includes a summary of the results, which can be used to increase the persuasive nature of the title. If you are writing this down on paper, it may be helpful to underline or circle the keywords you used in the statement, as this will help you visually see how the keywords work together in your statement.

Trim the statement

The next step is to remove all unnecessary words to create a working title. Unnecessary words include elements that make the sentences complete sentences. Also remove words that are not central to your study or that would not be used in a research database search.

" This study is a randomized trial that investigates whether gene therapy improved cognitive function in 40 dementia patients from 10 states in the US. The results show improved cognitive function in those who received the treatment ."

Next, take those words and move them around to form a new phrase. This may take a few tries to get it right, but it is worth the time.

"A randomized trial investigating whether gene therapy improved cognitive function in 40 dementia patients from 10 states in the US showed improved cognitive function."

This sample now has 24 words. We still need to get it down to the ideal 15 or fewer total words, with just the exact information journal editors will want. One way to do this is to use the keywords at the beginning and end of your title. Remove any irrelevant facts that other researchers will not be searching for. For example, the method you used is not usually the most searched-for keyword.

" A randomized trial investigating whether gene therapy improved cognitive function in 40 dementia patients from 10 states in the US showed improved cognitive function. "

The final result may be something like this:

"Investigating the impact of gene therapy on cognitive function in dementia patients"

The resulting title has 13 words, had the main action at the beginning, and the main subject of the study at the end. This is a good example of how to create an effective research paper title that will increase journal editors' and reviewers' interest, and it may even help your paper receive more citations down the road.

Main tips to remember

If you are working on your first research paper title, the process can seem intimidating. Even with the process outlined above, creating the best research paper title possible for your work can be difficult and time consuming. Be sure to set aside a good amount of time to developing your title so that you don't feel rushed. Some writers go through 20 or more iterations before they arrive at a title that achieves effectiveness, persuasiveness, and clarity of purpose all in one.

In addition to the above process, keep the following main tips in mind when writing an effective research paper title:

• Write your paper and abstract first, then work on your title. This will make the process much easier than trying to nail a title down without a full, finished paper to start from.
• Keep your title short! Do not include more than 15 words.
• Do not use a period at the end of your title.
• Be sure that the keywords you use truly represent the content of your paper.
• Do not use abbreviations in your title.
• Include all essential key terms from your paper. This ensures your paper will be indexed properly in research databases and search engines. If you are unsure of the best keywords to use, talk to an academic librarian at your institution. They can help you identify keyword and search trends in your research field.

Examples of research paper titles

The lists below illustrate what effective and ineffective research paper titles look like. Use these examples to help guide your research paper title.

Effective titles

• Nurses on the Move: A Quantitative Report on How Meditation Can Improve Nurse Performance
• Correction of the ion transport defect in cystic fibrosis transgenic mice by gene therapy
• Landslide mapping techniques and their use in the assessment of the landslide hazard
• HLA compatibility and organ transplant survival: Collaborative Transplant Study

Ineffective titles

• Meditation Gurus
• The landslide story
• Landslide hazard and risk assessment
• Pharmacodynamics of oral ganciclovir and valganciclovir in solid organ transplant recipients

No matter what kind of field you are doing research in, you have the opportunity to create an amazing and effective research paper title that will engage your readers and get your paper in front of the journal editors and reviewers you want. By taking the time to go through the title development process, you will finish your work with a title that matches the work outlined in your research paper.

Header photo by Stokkete .

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Title, Abstract and Keywords

The importance of titles.

The title of your manuscript is usually the first introduction readers (and reviewers) have to your work. Therefore, you must select a title that grabs attention, accurately describes the contents of your manuscript, and makes people want to read further.

An effective title should:

• Convey the  main topics  of the study
• Highlight the  importance  of the research
• Be  concise
• Attract  readers

Writing a good title for your manuscript can be challenging. First, list the topics covered by the manuscript. Try to put all of the topics together in the title using as few words as possible. A title that is too long will seem clumsy, annoy readers, and probably not meet journal requirements.

Does Vaccinating Children and Adolescents with Inactivated Influenza Virus Inhibit the Spread of Influenza in Unimmunized Residents of Rural Communities?

This title has too many unnecessary words.

Influenza Vaccination of Children: A Randomized Trial

This title doesn’t give enough information about what makes the manuscript interesting.

Effect of Child Influenza Vaccination on Infection Rates in Rural Communities: A Randomized Trial This is an effective title. It is short, easy to understand, and conveys the important aspects of the research.

Think about why your research will be of interest to other scientists. This should be related to the reason you decided to study the topic. If your title makes this clear, it will likely attract more readers to your manuscript. TIP: Write down a few possible titles, and then select the best to refine further. Ask your colleagues their opinion. Spending the time needed to do this will result in a better title.

Abstract and Keywords

The Abstract is:

• A  summary  of the content of the journal manuscript
• A time-saving  shortcut  for busy researchers
• A guide to the most important parts of your manuscript’s written content

Many readers will only read the Abstract of your manuscript. Therefore, it has to be able to  stand alone . In most cases the abstract is the only part of your article that appears in indexing databases such as Web of Science or PubMed and so will be the most accessed part of your article; making a good impression will encourage researchers to read your full paper.

A well written abstract can also help speed up the peer-review process. During peer review, referees are usually only sent the abstract when invited to review the paper. Therefore, the abstract needs to contain enough information about the paper to allow referees to make a judgement as to whether they have enough expertise to review the paper and be engaging enough for them to want to review it.

Your Abstract should answer these questions about your manuscript:

• What was done?
• Why did you do it?
• What did you find?
• Why are these findings useful and important?

Answering these questions lets readers know the most important points about your study, and helps them decide whether they want to read the rest of the paper. Make sure you follow the proper journal manuscript formatting guidelines when preparing your abstract.

TIP: Journals often set a maximum word count for Abstracts, often 250 words, and no citations. This is to ensure that the full Abstract appears in indexing services.

Keywords  are a tool to help indexers and search engines find relevant papers. If database search engines can find your journal manuscript, readers will be able to find it too. This will increase the number of people reading your manuscript, and likely lead to more citations.

However, to be effective, Keywords must be chosen carefully. They should:

• Represent  the content of your manuscript
• Be  specific  to your field or sub-field

Manuscript title:  Direct observation of nonlinear optics in an isolated carbon nanotube

Poor keywords:  molecule, optics, lasers, energy lifetime

Better keywords:  single-molecule interaction, Kerr effect, carbon nanotubes, energy level structure

Manuscript title:  Region-specific neuronal degeneration after okadaic acid administration Poor keywords:  neuron, brain, OA (an abbreviation), regional-specific neuronal degeneration, signaling

Better keywords:  neurodegenerative diseases; CA1 region, hippocampal; okadaic acid; neurotoxins; MAP kinase signaling system; cell death

Manuscript title:  Increases in levels of sediment transport at former glacial-interglacial transitions

Poor keywords:  climate change, erosion, plant effects Better keywords:  quaternary climate change, soil erosion, bioturbation

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How to Write a Good Research Paper Title

Table of contents

• 1 Characteristics of a Good Title
• 2.1 Start with a Working Title
• 2.2 Prioritize Important Terms
• 2.3 Use Active Verbs
• 2.4 Avoid Clickbait Techniques
• 2.5 Keep It Short But Informative
• 2.6 Limit Vague Statements
• 2.7 Mention the Study Design
• 2.8 Avoid Abbreviations
• 2.9 Check for Similiar Titles
• 2.10 Don’t Be Too Technical and Forgetting Your Audience
• 3.1 Good and Bad Titles for a Research Paper
• 3.2 How to Title Research Paper in Your Field
• 4 Our Take on Crafting Research Paper Titles

While working on a scientific academic paper, writing a good research paper title is probably the least of your concerns. However, it becomes an “issue” down the drain when it comes to combining all the necessary elements of a great-sounding title in one heading.

The PapersOwl team wanted to help you figure it out, so we’ve created this guide on writing a catchy, topic-relevant title. Here’s what you’ll learn after going through this guide:

• We will delve into the essential attributes that make a research paper title effective and attention-grabbing, helping you understand what constitutes a good title.
• Give you practical tips on how to optimize your research paper heading in alignment with established academic guidelines.
• We will walk you through a process outlining the steps you should take to create a heading.
• Real-world examples of research paper headings will show how you can successfully encapsulate the essence of their respective papers.
• Here, you will find strategies and considerations for phrasing your paper title to resonate with a specific research discipline.

Let’s take it one step at a time, so we’ll dive into the elements of a great heading to show you what your heading should sound like first.

Characteristics of a Good Title

To write a perfect research paper title, you’ll need to know about the different types of headings first:

• Interrogative
• Humorous or colloquial

The key point for all these types is to make a catchy title that captures the tone and the essence of the topic with relevant keywords . If you decide to name a research paper with the interrogative approach, you can use the phrasing of a question-type heading to entice the readers to look for an answer.

Suggestive headings are a bit different as they indicate that a reader will have to keep reading to get an answer to the outlined thesis, only without phrasing it as a question. This is where things get interesting and start depending on the topic more because a humorous or colloquial title can’t always be used.

You should use these only if the title of the research topic allows it to be phrased in a common language and colloquial. Finally, the combined approach takes something from all these types and often makes the best option for general topics. You can take a look at our list to see what we mean by these characteristics:

Tips for Crafting the Perfect Title

If you are wondering about how to write a title for a research paper, you’ll find a lot of common knowledge tips for writing research paper titles. You may hear that it needs to be on-point, short, yet catchy and that it has to be interesting enough without compromising on keywords.

We also recommend that you keep in mind the formatting guidelines, including the APA format or another requested format. Still, we think it’s better to give you a more detailed set of tips to follow, so here’s our list of the most useful steps to take:

Start with a Working Title

The first tip we’ll give you is not to waste too much time wondering how to title a research paper. You should start with a working title that can be edited, revised and changed afterward.

Make sure to finish writing your paper first, and only then can you truly dedicate your time to creating a perfect title. By that time, you’ll already get a few ideas along the way, so try to think about how each new chapter may contribute as inspiration for the final title of the research project.

Prioritize Important Terms

It’s no secret that good research paper tiles simply need to include important and relevant terms in the paper. Since you won’t be able to make it a mile-long heading, it’s important to start with those terms first and try to build the rest around them.

We recommend writing down a few key terms for your research and topic in the heading first and then brainstorming ideas on how to make it sound catchy and fill up the gaps afterward.

Use Active Verbs

If you look at the good research paper title examples, you’ll notice a common denominator. Most of these headings have active verbs, which means you shouldn’t use verbs like “Study on” or “Analysis of”.

Instead, you can use active verbs like “Evaluating”, “Examining”, “Establishing”, “Interpreting”, and so on.

Avoid Clickbait Techniques

One of the most important things is not to make the title of the research paper sound like clickbait. Sure, it’s important to make it sound catchy and enticing, but avoid using the same format as clickbait news or journals.

The biggest difference between these two types of headings is that clickbait often doesn’t contain that much information on what seems to be the key thesis of the topic. It only serves to attract more readers and clicks.

However, your scientific paper’s title has to be on point with relevant topic keywords.

Keep It Short But Informative

This one is worth its weight in gold since there’s usually a certain word count limit for the research paper title. It may not be enforced strictly, but it’s still important to make the title short and concise to avoid topic confusion for the readers.

You can aim for around 10 to 12 words, just like with our example of a good title listed in the table above. Make sure to use a few relevant terms about your research first, and then fill in the gaps to create a title.

Limit Vague Statements

As we dive into the research paper title format more and more, you’ll notice that some titles feature vague statements. These are among the worst mistakes you can make, even though it initially may seem like vague titles are more enticing.

In reality, these are not news articles, so you’ll have to make a title catchy in another way and keep the heading specifically related to your research.

Mention the Study Design

If you have enough room in your title, you can also mention the study design. This means you can lay out a few details about the nature of your research methodology or variables used to explain certain scientific occurrences.

There’s no need to overdo it; you can simply create a catchy title and add something like “Using the (method name) method”, so it reveals something topic-related and represents your research.

Avoid Abbreviations

When coming up with the research paper name, it’s crucial to avoid abbreviations. Of course, this doesn’t reflect on the measurement units or similar pieces of data, but it’s better to steer away from these titles for research papers altogether.

Things can get a bit complex here since abbreviations may not be considered wrong if previously defined, but that would also consume too much space. So, make it simple and avoid using any acronyms or abbreviations within the title itself, but rather in the content sections.

Check for Similiar Titles

Sadly, this happens a lot more often than you would imagine, especially if you are a student working on research that’s commonly used as a subject. You may run into a problem if previous generations of students have used too similar or possibly even the same titles.

So, it’s best to check all this beforehand, and it goes the same way for scientific studies outside the academic frame. Also, when looking for custom research papers for sale , it’s important to make sure that the headings aren’t copied in any way.

Don’t Be Too Technical and Forgetting Your Audience

Finally, we have to encourage you to always keep in mind the tone of your research when naming a research paper. If the tone allows, you can get into the technical details, but make sure not to overdo it if that doesn’t suit the tone of the paper.

Try to think about the audience and who will read the research. This is the best way to not only create catchy research paper titles but also to ensure the use of the right voice. It’s also important to use the right style, depending on whether you are required to use the MLA guidelines or another format.

Examples of Research Paper Titles

After going through the technicalities, it’s time to give you a sample of title headings to show you what we mean in practice. We’ll also be giving you good and bad research title examples with a focus on the mentioned tips and steps for crafting a great title.

Good and Bad Titles for a Research Paper

We know it’s difficult to come up with a title for a research paper at first, but looking at the examples might help differentiate between good titles for research papers and bad ones. For instance, differentiating between vague and solid titles gets easier when you look at these few examples:

Vague: “A Study On Birds”

Improved: “Analyzing Migration Patterns of North American Sparrows”

Here’s another example of a vague title – “A Study on Facebook,” so you can see it’s pretty vague and short. An improved version would be “The Effects of Social Media on Psychological Health and Well-Being.”

It also comes in handy to differentiate between overly technical titles and acceptable titles with a glimpse of technical details. For example, the title “The Effect of 2,4-Dinitrophenol on ATP Synthase Activity in Mitochondria” can be simplified for wider audiences if needed.

You can use something like “Understanding the Impact of 2,4-Dinitrophenol on Cellular Energy Production” to make the title a bit catchier and acceptable for a wider audience.

How to Title Research Paper in Your Field

If you are still having some doubts even after going through all these tips, we completely get you. It’s not so easy to form a title for a research paper in practice, so we’ll put some of our skills to use to give you a few creative examples to lean on when figuring out your heading:

Titles for psychology research papers:

• Natural Methods For Fighting Stress Quickly and Effectively
• How to Make People Do What You Want: 5 Most Effective Methods
• A Full Guide on How Not to Be Influenced by Society
• Correlation Between Aggressive Adult Behaviour And An Unhappy Childhood
• How to Change Your Attitude to Life: Natural Methods That Really Work

Education and related topics:

• How to Get As and Work at the Same Time: Time-Management Tips for Students
• A Guide on How to Craft a Good Essay if You Have Only 1 Hour
• You Mean Nothing to Society if You Don’t Have a Degree
• Steps that Should be Taken to Improve the System of Education
• Great Tricks for Motivating Students

Heading examples for business papers:

• How to Start Your Own Business Without a Large Investment
• Benefits of Being Self-Employed You Have Never Thought Of
• 10 Great Business Ideas for Those Who Have No Money
• The Most Common Mistakes Beginning Businessmen Do
• The Secret Behind a Successful Business

Ideas for papers from the technology sphere:

• The Greatest Innovations in Technology in the Last 5 Years
• The Most Useful Technologies in Medicine
• Original Technologies that Will Change the Future
• The Role of Information Technology in Everyday Life
• The Benefits of Living in a Highly-Technological World

You can also rely on a research paper proofreading service to help out with some minor details that could make a change both for the title and the paper itself.

If you are facing issues with the research paper title ideas, we recommend that you save it for last and finish your work first before crafting a title.

This usually helps as you’ll have more inspiration after you’ve gone in-depth with the topic, and the heading may come naturally to you. If not, you can always refer to the PapersOwl team and have it crafted by our experts.

Our Take on Crafting Research Paper Titles

To summarize, everyone can tell you how it is to make a title for a research paper by making it sound catchy and topic-relevant. However, we have outlined all the necessary details in-depth through this guide so you can truly craft an admirable title for a research project.

The key is to know your audience, avoid vague titles and short word forms, and keep an active voice with a focus on relevant terms. So, we hope that this guide will serve as a pathway toward a perfect scientific title for your project.

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How to Write a Title for Your Research Paper – The 10 Most Common Mistakes

The title of your research paper is your shop front. If it doesn’t appeal to your reader they won’t read further. Here are 10 common mistakes I see researchers make when they choose a title for their research paper. Make sure to not be one of them!

How many references did you discard after reading the title the last time you made a literature search? And how often have you wasted time because the paper you retrieved wasn’t about what it seemed to promise? Exactly… 

And think about this: When a journal editor assesses your paper, they are also likely to read the title first. So, that’s your chance to make a first impression. Surely, you don’t want to confuse, or — even worse — annoy them.

How to write a title for a research paper: Mistakes to avoid

In the Researchers’ Writing Academy, our academic writing online course, we teach researchers how to write an effective title for a research paper and give feedback. Here are the ten most common mistakes I found researchers make in the titles of their research papers:

1. The title doesn’t describe the main result of the paper

Different from headlines in magazines and newspapers, the title of a research paper isn’t as much a teaser. Your reader wants to know what exactly you added to the field. It isn’t enough to just give them hint about the general topic area.

For this, it is important to know your main message. In fact, this is crucial for the whole paper writing process and is one of the very first steps of the system for writing papers that we teach inside the Researchers’ Writing Academy .

You might also be interested to know that papers with titles that describe the result are more likely to get picked up by the press or discussed on social media .

2. The title contains too much detail

This happens either when people want to cram in too much information, or when they are unclear about their main message. Sometimes authors also try to convey several key messages instead of focusing on the main one.

Does writing for a high-impact journal feel intimidating? Partly because you’ve never received proper academic writing training?

In this free online training, Dr Anna Clemens introduces you to her template to write papers in a systematic fashion — demystifying the process of writing for journals with wide audiences.

3. The title is too long

Long titles take longer to read and comprehend. A study found that papers get more views and citations if the title contains fewer than 95 characters.

4. The title is unspecific

If you provide a title that isn’t very specific, your reader won’t know if your article provides what they are looking for. Here, it counts to maintain a balance between being general enough for your target audience (see mistake 9) and specific enough to convey your key result (see mistake 1). Being specific in your title is also important for indexing purposes. So, make sure to provide the most important keyword(s) of your paper in the title.

5. The title contains question marks, hyphens and colons

By phrasing your title as a question, you merely present your research question instead of your key message. If people include a colon or hyphen in their title they often present too much detail (mistake 2) or they chose a title too broad and general (mistake 4). If you need more convincing, the study I cited earlier also found that papers receive fewer citations if they contain question marks, hyphens or colons.  

6. The title is too noun-heavy

You only have seconds to tell potential readers what your study is about. So, it’s important to make it easy for them. If your title is full of nouns, it will take your reader longer to read and comprehend than if it contains a verb. Chances are your reader will just give up without even considering opening your paper. However, not all journals permit using active verbs (“Eating spinach strengthens the teeth” – I made this up). Therefore, be sure to check the journal guidelines (see also mistake 10).

7. The title contains unnecessary filler words

The goal is to make your title as short as possible (see mistake 2). Don’t waste the space with phrases such as “an observation of” or “a study of” or filler words such as “on…” (as in “On the energy efficiency of solar cells…”). Tell the reader instead what you observed or what your study found (see mistake 1). Be specific about your result (see mistake 4).

8. Using acronyms in the title

A general rule is to always spell out acronyms. If your reader doesn’t know what an acronym means they are more likely to discard your paper. Nobody wants to do extra research. That said, it’s worth knowing your target audience. Perhaps there are some abbreviations or acronyms that you can expect the readership of the journal to know?

9.  The level of jargon doesn’t match the target audience

This is linked to the previous point (mistake 8). Always consider the audience of the journal you intend to publish in. If it is read by biologists, geologists, chemists and physicists all the same, you need to make sure they can all understand your title. Just be careful to not make your title too general, it should still reflect your specific result (see mistake 2).

10.  The title doesn’t adhere to the journal guidelines

Something I always suggest my clients to do before they start writing is to check the journal guidelines. Most journals have either strict rules or recommendations on how long a title should be and what they should or shouldn’t contain. For example, Nature doesn’t permit any acronyms, punctuation, technical terms  or active verbs .

There you have it. If you want to see examples of good research paper titles and get customised feedback on your title, join us inside the Researchers’ Writing Academy ! Check if this online course is a good fit for you by taking the free training class. 👇

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Top 125 Project Proposal Title Ideas [Updated]

In the realm of project proposals, the title serves as the first impression. It’s the gateway to grabbing the attention of stakeholders, funders, and decision-makers. Think of it as the cover of a book – it needs to be engaging, descriptive, and enticing. In this blog, we’ll delve into the art of crafting project proposal title ideas that resonate and captivate.

Elements of a Good Project Proposal Title

Table of Contents

• Clarity and Specificity: Your title should convey the essence of your project succinctly. Avoid vague language and opt for clarity. For instance, instead of “Environmental Conservation Initiative,” consider “Reviving Our Ecosystems: A Community-Led Conservation Project.”
• Relevance to Project Content: Ensure that your title accurately reflects the core objectives and outcomes of your project. Misleading titles can lead to confusion and disinterest among your audience. Make it a reflection of what your project truly stands for.
• Engaging and Memorable: A memorable title can leave a lasting impact. Employ techniques such as alliteration, puns, or intriguing phrases to make your title stand out. Remember, you want it to stick in the minds of your audience long after they’ve read it.

How Do You Title A Project Proposal?

Titling a project proposal involves crafting a concise, descriptive, and engaging title that accurately represents the content and objectives of the proposed project. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to title a project proposal effectively:

• Understand the Project: Begin by thoroughly understanding the goals, objectives, and key components of your project. Consider the target audience, the problem you aim to solve, and the unique aspects of your proposed solution.
• Identify Keywords: Identify keywords and phrases that are central to your project. These could include specific themes, objectives, target demographics, or desired outcomes. These keywords will form the foundation of your title.
• Be Clear and Specific: Ensure that your title clearly communicates the essence of your project. Avoid vague or ambiguous language and strive for clarity. A clear title helps readers quickly understand what the project is about.
• Consider Audience Perspective: Put yourself in the shoes of your audience – whether they’re potential funders, stakeholders, or decision-makers. What would resonate with them? Tailor your title to their interests, priorities, and concerns.
• Highlight Benefits or Impact: If possible, incorporate elements that highlight the potential benefits or impact of your project. This could involve showcasing how your project addresses a specific need, solves a problem, or contributes to positive change.
• Be Concise and Memorable: Keep your title concise while ensuring it captures the essence of your project. Aim for brevity without sacrificing clarity. Additionally, consider making your title memorable by using techniques such as alliteration, wordplay, or evocative language.
• Review and Refine: Once you’ve drafted a title, take the time to review and refine it. Ask for feedback from colleagues, mentors, or peers to ensure that the title effectively represents your project and resonates with the intended audience.
• Test for Effectiveness: If possible, test different title options to gauge their effectiveness. You can do this by conducting informal surveys, gathering feedback from focus groups, or analyzing engagement metrics if the proposal is being shared online.
• Finalize and Implement: Once you’re satisfied with your title, finalize it and incorporate it into your project proposal. Ensure consistency by using the same title throughout the proposal document and any accompanying materials.

By following these steps, you can create a compelling and impactful title for your project proposal that grabs attention, communicates effectively, and sets the stage for success.

Top 121 Project Proposal Title Ideas: Category Wise

Environment and sustainability.

• “Greening Our Communities: Sustainable Solutions for a Greener Future”
• “Clean Water Initiatives: Ensuring Access for All”
• “Renewable Energy Revolution: Powering Tomorrow with Sustainable Solutions”
• “Preserving Biodiversity: Protecting Our Natural Heritage”
• “Urban Farming for Sustainable Living: Cultivating Greener Cities”
• “Waste Management Innovations: Turning Trash into Treasure”
• “Eco-Friendly Transportation: Paving the Way for Cleaner Commutes”
• “Climate Change Resilience: Adapting to a Changing World”
• “Ocean Conservation: Safeguarding Our Marine Ecosystems”
• “Reforestation for a Greener Planet: Planting Trees, Preserving Life”

Education and Youth Development

• “Empowering Youth Through Education: Building Tomorrow’s Leaders”
• “Digital Literacy for All: Bridging the Digital Divide”
• “STEM Education Initiatives: Inspiring the Next Generation of Innovators”
• “Girls’ Education Empowerment: Unlocking Potential, Creating Opportunities”
• “Community Learning Centers: Providing Accessible Education for All”
• “Career Readiness Programs: Preparing Youth for the Future of Work”
• “Arts and Culture Education: Nurturing Creativity, Celebrating Diversity”
• “Youth Mental Health Awareness: Breaking the Stigma, Building Resilience”
• “Inclusive Education for Children with Disabilities: Fostering Equality in Learning”
• “Environmental Education Initiatives: Fostering Stewardship for the Planet”

Health and Well-being

• “Promoting Mental Health Wellness: Supporting Resilience, Preventing Crisis”
• “Healthy Communities, Healthy Lives: Promoting Wellness for All”
• “Access to Healthcare for Underserved Populations: Bridging the Gap”
• “Nutrition Education and Food Security: Nourishing Bodies, Enriching Lives”
• “Preventive Healthcare Initiatives: Empowering Individuals to Take Control of Their Health”
• “Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment: Breaking the Cycle of Addiction”
• “Maternal and Child Health Care: Ensuring Safe and Healthy Beginnings”
• “Elderly Care and Aging-in-Place Programs: Supporting Dignity, Independence”
• “Community Health Worker Programs: Strengthening Healthcare Delivery Systems”
• “Health Equity Initiatives: Addressing Disparities, Advancing Justice”

Technology and Innovation

• “Digital Inclusion Initiatives: Connecting Communities, Closing the Gap”
• “Smart Cities, Smart Solutions: Harnessing Technology for Urban Development”
• “Innovations in Renewable Energy: Pioneering Solutions for a Sustainable Future”
• “Blockchain for Social Good: Transforming Lives, Empowering Communities”
• “Artificial Intelligence for Social Impact: Leveraging AI for Positive Change”
• “Open Data Initiatives: Promoting Transparency, Empowering Citizens”
• “Virtual Reality in Education: Enhancing Learning Experiences, Expanding Horizons”
• “Telemedicine Programs: Bringing Healthcare to Remote Areas”
• “Tech for Good Hackathons: Collaborating for Positive Change”
• “Digital Skills Training for Employment: Building Tomorrow’s Workforce”

Community Development

• “Community Gardens: Cultivating Connections, Nourishing Communities”
• “Affordable Housing Initiatives: Building Homes, Building Hope”
• “Small Business Incubators: Fostering Entrepreneurship, Fueling Growth”
• “Community-Based Tourism: Showcasing Local Culture, Empowering Residents”
• “Social Enterprise Accelerators: Supporting Businesses with Purpose”
• “Community Health Clinics: Providing Quality Care, Promoting Wellness”
• “Civic Engagement Programs: Empowering Citizens, Strengthening Democracy”
• “Disaster Preparedness and Response: Building Resilient Communities”
• “Arts and Culture Festivals: Celebrating Diversity, Fostering Unity”
• “Community Libraries: Promoting Literacy, Enriching Lives”

Economic Development

• “Microfinance Initiatives: Empowering Entrepreneurs, Alleviating Poverty”
• “Skills Training for Employment: Unlocking Potential, Creating Opportunities”
• “Rural Development Projects: Revitalizing Communities, Sustaining Livelihoods”
• “Tourism Development Strategies: Driving Growth, Preserving Heritage”
• “Green Jobs for Sustainable Development: Fostering Employment, Protecting the Planet”
• “Supporting Women-Owned Businesses: Promoting Equality, Fueling Growth”
• “Financial Literacy Programs: Empowering Individuals, Building Stability”
• “Investing in Infrastructure: Connecting Communities, Driving Progress”
• “Youth Entrepreneurship Programs: Cultivating Innovation, Igniting Ambition”
• “Social Impact Investing: Generating Returns, Creating Change”

Arts and Culture

• “Public Art Installations: Transforming Spaces, Inspiring Communities”
• “Cultural Exchange Programs: Celebrating Diversity, Fostering Understanding”
• “Music and Performing Arts Education: Nurturing Talent, Enriching Lives”
• “Heritage Preservation Projects: Protecting the Past, Enriching the Future”
• “Community Theater Initiatives: Empowering Voices, Creating Connections”
• “Literacy through Storytelling: Promoting Reading, Building Bonds”
• “Art Therapy Programs: Healing Through Creativity, Restoring Hope”
• “Film Festivals for Social Change: Sparking Dialogue, Inspiring Action”
• “Street Art Murals: Beautifying Neighborhoods, Spreading Messages of Hope”
• “Cultural Heritage Tourism: Showcasing Tradition, Supporting Communities”

Human Rights and Social Justice

• “Gender Equality Initiatives: Empowering Women, Advancing Rights”
• “Access to Justice Programs: Ensuring Equality, Upholding Rights”
• “Anti-Discrimination Campaigns: Promoting Inclusion, Fighting Prejudice”
• “Child Protection and Advocacy: Safeguarding Childhood, Securing Futures”
• “Refugee Integration Programs: Building Bridges, Offering Hope”
• “Racial Equity Initiatives: Dismantling Barriers, Promoting Justice”
• “LGBTQ+ Rights Advocacy: Championing Equality, Celebrating Diversity”
• “Community Policing Partnerships: Fostering Trust, Enhancing Safety”
• “Humanitarian Aid Projects: Providing Relief, Restoring Dignity”
• “Prisoner Rehabilitation Programs: Supporting Reentry, Promoting Rehabilitation”

Disaster Response and Relief

• “Emergency Shelter Solutions: Providing Refuge, Restoring Stability”
• “Disaster Risk Reduction Strategies: Building Resilience, Saving Lives”
• “Food Security in Crisis Zones: Providing Sustenance, Offering Hope”
• “Medical Relief Missions: Delivering Care, Alleviating Suffering”
• “Psychosocial Support for Survivors: Healing Hearts, Rebuilding Lives”
• “Water and Sanitation Interventions: Ensuring Hygiene, Preventing Disease”
• “Search and Rescue Operations: Saving Lives, Offering Hope”
• “Disaster Preparedness Training: Equipping Communities, Saving Lives”
• “Post-Disaster Reconstruction Projects: Rebuilding Communities, Restoring Hope”
• “Technology for Disaster Response: Innovating Solutions, Improving Outcomes”

Food Security and Agriculture

• “Sustainable Agriculture Initiatives: Cultivating Resilience, Nourishing Communities”
• “Food Waste Reduction Strategies: Saving Resources, Feeding the Hungry”
• “Community Gardens for Food Security: Growing Together, Eating Well”
• “Livestock Management Programs: Supporting Farmers, Ensuring Sustainability”
• “Climate-Resilient Crop Development: Adapting to Change, Ensuring Stability”
• “Aquaponics and Hydroponics Projects: Growing Food, Conserving Resources”
• “Access to Markets for Smallholder Farmers: Empowering Producers, Enhancing Livelihoods”
• “Nutrition Education for Healthy Families: Fostering Wellness, Preventing Malnutrition”
• “Seed Banks for Biodiversity Conservation: Preserving Heritage, Ensuring Future”
• “Agroforestry for Sustainable Land Use: Balancing Ecology, Economics”

Wildlife Conservation

• “Protecting Endangered Species: Safeguarding Biodiversity, Ensuring Survival”
• “Anti-Poaching Initiatives: Combating Illegal Wildlife Trade, Preserving Ecosystems”
• “Habitat Restoration Projects: Restoring Balance, Reviving Ecosystems”
• “Community-Based Conservation Programs: Engaging Locals, Sustaining Wildlife”
• “Wildlife Corridor Protection: Connecting Habitats, Preventing Fragmentation”
• “Ecotourism for Conservation: Promoting Sustainability, Supporting Wildlife”
• “Marine Protected Areas: Saving Our Seas, Preserving Marine Life”
• “Conservation Education and Awareness Campaigns: Inspiring Action, Empowering Change”
• “Innovations in Wildlife Tracking and Monitoring: Enhancing Conservation Efforts”
• “Rewilding Initiatives: Restoring Nature’s Balance, Securing Futures”

Clean Energy and Climate Change

• “Solar Energy Access for All: Harnessing the Power of the Sun, Lighting the Way Forward”
• “Wind Power Revolution: Blowing Away Fossil Fuels, Embracing Renewables”
• “Energy Efficiency Initiatives: Saving Power, Saving the Planet”
• “Carbon Capture and Storage Solutions: Mitigating Climate Change, Preserving Our Future”
• “Green Transportation Innovations: Driving Towards a Sustainable Future”
• “Community-Based Climate Action Plans: Local Solutions, Global Impact”
• “Renewable Energy Microgrids: Powering Resilience, Empowering Communities”
• “Climate-Resilient Infrastructure Development: Building for Tomorrow, Today”
• “Sustainable Agriculture Practices for Climate Adaptation: Cultivating Resilience, Ensuring Food Security”
• “Climate Justice Advocacy: Fighting for Equity, Demanding Change”

Mental Health and Well-being

• “ Mental Health Awareness Campaigns : Breaking the Stigma, Building Support”
• “Mindfulness Programs for Stress Reduction: Finding Calm, Nurturing Resilience”
• “Peer Support Networks for Mental Health: Connecting Hearts, Healing Minds”
• “Therapeutic Art and Music Programs: Healing Through Creativity, Nurturing Wellness”
• “Mental Health First Aid Training: Equipping Communities, Saving Lives”

Tips for Generating Project Proposal Title Ideas

• Brainstorming Techniques: Engage in brainstorming sessions where you jot down any words, phrases, or ideas related to your project. Mind mapping, word association, and free writing can help stimulate creativity and uncover hidden gems for your title.
• Utilizing Keywords and Phrases: Identify key terms and phrases relevant to your project’s theme and incorporate them into your title. This not only enhances searchability but also reinforces the focus of your proposal.
• Considering Target Audience and Stakeholders: Understand your audience and tailor your title to resonate with their interests and priorities. Speak their language and address their concerns to establish a connection from the outset.
• Researching Existing Titles for Inspiration: Explore existing project proposals, articles, or publications within your field for inspiration. Analyze what works well and adapt elements that align with your project’s vision.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Being Too Generic: Generic titles fail to capture attention or convey the uniqueness of your project. Avoid clichés and opt for specificity.
• Using Jargon or Complex Language: Keep your title accessible to a broad audience by avoiding technical jargon or convoluted language. Aim for clarity and simplicity.
• Lack of Clarity or Ambiguity: Ambiguous titles leave room for interpretation, which can lead to confusion or misunderstanding. Ensure that your title leaves no room for doubt regarding the nature and purpose of your project.

Crafting an effective project proposal title is an art form that requires careful consideration and creativity. By incorporating elements of clarity, relevance, and engagement, you can create a title that not only grabs attention but also sets the stage for the success of your project.

Remember, your title is more than just a few words – it’s the first step towards making a meaningful impact. So, dare to be bold, be memorable, and let your title (from different project proposal title ideas) speak volumes about the essence of your project.

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How to Write an Effective Dissertation Title

Importance of an Effective Dissertation Title   

7 Key Elements of an Effective Dissertation Title    

8 Practical Tips for Crafting Your Dissertation Title    

Conclusion    

Additional Resources    

An effective dissertation title is a vital component of your academic work, encapsulating the essence of your research in a clear, concise, and compelling manner.

The title is the first impression your dissertation makes on readers, including advisors, committee members, and potential future employers. It should provide a snapshot of your study, reflecting its scope, objectives, and significance.

Crafting an effective title requires careful consideration and a deep understanding of your research. This article explores the key elements of a successful dissertation title and offers practical tips for creating one that captures attention and accurately represents your work.

Importance of an Effective Dissertation Title

The title of your dissertation serves several important functions:

First Impression: It is the first thing readers see, setting the tone for the entire document.

Clarity: It provides a clear and concise summary of the research topic.

Scope: It indicates the scope and focus of the study.

Keywords: It includes important keywords that help others find your research in databases and search engines.

Interest: It engages readers, encouraging them to read further.

7 Key Elements of an Effective Dissertation Title

1. clarity and precision.

A good dissertation title should be clear and precise, leaving no room for ambiguity. It should accurately reflect the content and scope of your study. Avoid vague or overly broad terms that can confuse readers. Instead, use specific language that precisely describes the focus of your research.

For example:

Vague Title: "Social Media and Education"

Clear Title: "The Impact of Social Media on High School Students' Academic Performance"

The clear title specifies the subject (high school students) and the aspect of interest (academic performance), giving readers a clear idea of what to expect.

While it's important to be descriptive, a dissertation title should also be concise. Aim for a balance between providing enough information and keeping the title short. Generally, a title should be between 10 to 15 words. Long, complex titles can be overwhelming and difficult to remember.

Long Title: "An Investigation into the Various Factors Affecting the Academic Performance of High School Students with a Focus on the Role of Social Media Platforms"

Concise Title: "The Role of Social Media in High School Students' Academic Performance"

The concise title still conveys the essential information but in a more readable format.

3. Descriptive and Informative

Your title should describe what your dissertation is about and inform readers about the main focus of your research. It should highlight the key variables or concepts and indicate the relationship between them.

Descriptive Title: "The Influence of Teacher-Student Relationships on Academic Motivation and Achievement"

Informative Title: "Exploring the Influence of Teacher-Student Relationships on High School Students' Academic Motivation and Achievement"

The informative title not only describes the topic but also provides specific details about the study population and the variables being examined.

4. Keywords

Including relevant keywords in your dissertation title is crucial for searchability. Keywords are terms that capture the main topics of your research and help others find your work through database searches and search engines. Think about the terms other researchers might use to find studies like yours and incorporate those into your title.

Keyword-Rich Title: "Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Depression: An Analysis of Treatment Efficacy in Adolescent Patients"

This title includes keywords like "Cognitive Behavioral Therapy," "Depression," "Analysis," "Treatment Efficacy," and "Adolescent Patients," making it easily searchable.

5. Specificity

A specific title helps narrow down the focus of your research and gives readers a precise idea of what to expect. Avoid general terms and broad statements. Instead, pinpoint the exact aspect of your research that you are addressing.

General Title: "Environmental Issues and Public Policy"

Specific Title: "The Impact of Environmental Regulations on Air Quality in Urban Areas"

The specific title clearly identifies the environmental issue (air quality) and the context (urban areas).

6. Relevance

Ensure that your title is relevant to the content of your dissertation. It should accurately represent the research questions, objectives, and findings. Misleading titles can confuse readers and diminish the credibility of your work.

Irrelevant Title: "Social Media Trends in Modern Society"

Relevant Title: "The Role of Social Media in Political Campaign Strategies: A Case Study of the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election"

The relevant title accurately reflects the focus and scope of the study.

7. Avoiding Jargon

While it’s important to use precise terminology, avoid jargon and overly technical language that might not be accessible to all readers. Your title should be understandable to a broad audience, including those who might not be experts in your specific field.

Jargon-Laden Title: "An Examination of the Efficacy of CBT on MDD in Adolescents"

Clear Title: "Assessing the Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Major Depressive Disorder in Adolescents"

The clear title avoids acronyms and technical terms, making it more accessible.

8 Practical Tips for Crafting Your Dissertation Title

1.     start with your research question.

Your research question is a great starting point for developing your title. It encapsulates the core of your study and can help you identify the key elements that should be included in your title.

Research Question: "How does social media use affect the academic performance of high school students?"

Title Derived from Research Question: "The Impact of Social Media Use on High School Students' Academic Performance"

2.     Reflect Your Methodology

If your dissertation employs a specific methodology , consider including it in your title to give readers insight into how your research was conducted.

Title with Methodology: "A Qualitative Study on the Role of Teacher-Student Relationships in Academic Motivation"

3.     Highlight Your Study Population

Clearly indicating your study population can add specificity to your title and help readers understand the context of your research.

Study Population in Title: "The Effects of Online Learning on College Students' Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic"

4.     Incorporate Key Variables

Identify the key variables or concepts in your study and include them in your title to make it descriptive and informative.

Key Variables in Title: "The Relationship Between Sleep Quality and Academic Performance Among University Students"

5.     Use a Subtitle

If your research is complex, consider using a subtitle to provide additional details without making the main title too lengthy.

Main Title with Subtitle: "Teacher Burnout: Causes and Consequences in Urban Public Schools"

6.     Avoid Redundancy

Ensure that your title is free from redundant words or phrases. Every word should add value and contribute to the overall clarity and informativeness of the title.

Redundant Title: "A Study on the Impact of Climate Change on Coastal Erosion: An Examination of Environmental Changes"

Concise Title: "The Impact of Climate Change on Coastal Erosion"

7.     Get Feedback

Before finalizing your title, seek feedback from your advisor, peers, or other academics. They can provide valuable insights and help you refine your title to ensure it is clear, precise, and engaging.

8.     Revise and Refine

Crafting the perfect title often requires several drafts. Don’t hesitate to revise and refine your title multiple times until you find the best fit. It’s worth investing the time to ensure your title accurately reflects your research and grabs the reader’s attention.

Writing an effective dissertation title is a crucial step in the research process. It requires a careful balance of clarity, brevity, and informativeness to capture the essence of your study and engage your readers. By focusing on key elements such as specificity, relevance, and the inclusion of keywords, you can craft a title that accurately represents your research and facilitates its discovery by others.

Remember to start with your research question, reflect your methodology, highlight your study population, and incorporate key variables. Use a subtitle, if necessary, avoid redundancy, and seek feedback from others. Through revision and refinement, you can develop a dissertation title that not only sets the stage for your research but also leaves a lasting impression on your audience.

Investing the time and effort to create a powerful title will pay off by attracting readers and ensuring that your work is accessible, understandable, and impactful within the academic community.

Additional Resources

For more focused guidance on crafting an effective dissertation title, consider these additional resources that offer specific advice on writing titles and refining your research focus:

Books and Guides:

"Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches" by John W. Creswell and J. David Creswell. This book provides a comprehensive overview of research design, including tips on formulating research questions and titles. It covers various methodologies and offers practical advice for structuring and naming your research projects.

"How to Write a Lot: A Practical Guide to Productive Academic Writing" by Paul J. Silvia. Silvia’s book provides practical advice on improving your academic writing productivity. It includes tips on developing clear and effective titles and abstracts that accurately reflect the content of your research.

Lined and Blank Notebooks: Available for purchase from Amazon , we offer a selection of lined and blank notebooks designed for students to capture all dissertation-related thoughts and research in one centralized place, ensuring that you can easily access and review your work as the project evolves.

The lined notebooks provide a structured format for detailed notetaking and organizing research questions systematically

The blank notebooks offer a free-form space ideal for sketching out ideas, diagrams, and unstructured notes.

By exploring these resources, you can gain a deeper understanding of how to craft a dissertation title that effectively communicates the essence of your research, captures the interest of your readers, and adheres to academic standards.

As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases.

How to Write an Abstract for Your Dissertation

Writing a powerful dissertation introduction.

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Research proposals

How to write an effective proposal.

What's it for?

A research proposal explains the nature and extent of your planned or future research. It is written for an academic reader e.g. for your supervisor or an academic with a similar disciplinary background. By thinking through your entire research project from beginning to end, it may also highlight core issues with the feasibility of the project.

W hat's in it ?

There are some disciplinary differences regarding exactly what is included in the proposal. For example, disciplines such as Psychology may include a prominent hypothesis statement, others in the Social Sciences including Education, may expect a set of research questions that the study will answer. However, all research proposals should cover the four basic elements below.

• The research topic addresses a significant problem and, therefore, advances the state of knowledge in that field.
• Identification of an appropriate methodology and underlying theory to address the problem, including data collection methods and equipment (if required).
• Details of how the collected data will be analysed in such a way that useful conclusions can be drawn.
• An organised plan for any proposed work, including a timeframe.

Possible macro-structures

The structure of your research proposal will vary depending on the requirements of your discipline. Nevertheless, certain structural elements will be expected by your reader and these may be presented in the following order. Check with the Research Coordinator in your area for specific requirements.

Identifies the title of the project, your full name, the institution, department, and supervisor details. The title should be brief and descriptive and may use a colon (:) to separate the topic from the focus (i.e. Stormwater Harvesting: Managing the hazards of surface water pollution by run-off ).

Lists the sections of the Research Proposal (headings and indented sub-headings) and corresponding page numbers.

Outlines the essence of the research project. It describes the purpose and motivation for the study, the problem, the data collection methodology and analysis, significant results and implications of the research.

Provides background information for the research (i.e. the problem being addressed) and is typically structured from general information to narrow or focused ideas with your research question/s or hypotheses at the narrow end.

The Introduction should be about 10% of your proposal.

Imagine you are writing for a general reader rather than an expert audience. The Introduction includes a brief review of relevant literature or knowledge in the field, so that you are able to present a gap in existing knowledge and, therefore, the significance and originality of your research.

Finally, articulate the scope of your research (or what you will not be doing) to limit your task. Your research question/s should encapsulate the primary question/s you aim to solve.

Synthesises the literature in your field. Some disciplines will expect to see this in the Introduction but others will want it placed in this ‘stand-alone’ section (especially in more Humanities-based fields). Again, it could be structured from broad to narrow, so literature on the more general aspects of your topic could come first, narrowing down to published work on your particular area of interest. You might end this section by including a short summary of the main themes you have identified from the literature.

Includes a description and rationale for the methods of data collection and analysis, and the materials you will use in your research. Use subheadings if possible ( i.e. Data Collection, Data Analysis, Ethical Considerations etc.) and write with a future aspect, ( i.e. The research will initially examine water treatment processes in... )

Details any results that you may already have resulting from previous Honours or Masters’ research work, or perhaps from a pilot study. It is important to relate these results to the critical framework of your intended new research project.

Lists the stages of the research project in timeline, spreadsheet or tabular format, and the deadlines for completion of these stages or tasks. You should include any anticipated challenges to completion.

Outlines the proposed chapters of the thesis and the content of each chapter in several lines or a paragraph, including a Table of Contents.

Relates the expected outcomes of your research to the aims expressed in the Introduction so that the need for the study and the contribution to knowledge is clear.

Provides all the resources cited in your resource proposal using a referencing format favoured by your faculty or discipline. Do not list resources that are not directly referred to in your Proposal.

Writing the Research Proposal

How much should i write.

A research proposal is usually quite a bit longer than other written academic genres. In the Humanities, it could be around 10,000 words or even longer (excluding the Reference List); whereas those from more Science-oriented disciplines may be shorter.

What should I begin with?

Similar to other academic genres, writing the research proposal is a process. If you are proposing a ‘recycled’ topic that builds on previous assignments already written on the same topic, you might spend some time re-reading these. However, if you are starting a ‘fresh’ project you might consider two key questions:

• What am I really interested in finding out about my research topic?
• How am I going to do this in practice? Brainstorm responses to these questions under a strict time limit – say 30 minutes.

Then leave this ‘free-writing’ for at least 24 hours before reviewing it for a possible more polished second draft.

How should I approach the literature?

Reviewing the academic literature on your topic is one of the most critical stages of your research proposal. This section goes beyond a simple summary of everything written on a subject. Instead, it is a critical synthesis of materials that illuminates selected academic literature on your topic. Your coverage of the literature should reflect the argument or perspective that you have set out in your research question/s.

Try the following techniques for dealing with the literature:

• Develop a theme or series of themes from your broad reading, referencing the work of relevant authors who support your position or who provide counter-arguments against your point/s.
• Limit excessive quoting. Too many direct quotations will dilute your authority over the topic.
• Avoid beginning paragraphs with “Jones argues …”; “Smith states …” This approach risks losing a sense of your writer’s authority to the work of others. Instead, provide an overview of the paragraph in a topic sentence written in your own writer’s voice.

Adapted from Rudestam and Newton (2015) as cited in Paltridge and Starfield (2020). Thesis and dissertation writing in a second language: A handbook for students and their advisers. Routledge.

Tips for writing

• Avoid language that is overly hesitant or tentative (i.e. ‘It seems that…’, ‘It is hoped that …’). Instead, use confident language when you feel able to (i.e. ‘It is clear that…’, ‘I assert that …’).
• Break up large blocks of text into smaller sections using sub-headings and bullet-points.
• Anticipate possible problems with, or limitations of, your research. Address these issues directly for your own benefit as well as to improve the entire proposal.
• Make your proposal is easy for readers to skim read. Never assume your readers will read your work in a ‘logical’ order. Use sub-headings and restate key ideas to guide the reader through your writing.
• Find copies of other Research Proposals in your field and study the way they:
• devise titles.
• structure their proposal.
• use discipline-specific language.
• Take a note of anything else you notice. You might ask your potential supervisor/s for models of previously submitted proposals or search for relevant examples online (look for examples from reputable .edu or .org. web addresses)

Remember, your research proposal should demonstrate:

• the feasibility and logical foundations of your project
• a well-focussed research question, set of research objectives, or hypothesis
• the width and depth of the academic literature on your topic
• understanding of current issues or debates on your topic
• justification of your project through the literature
• a match between the methodology and / or methods and your research question/s

Adapted from Cadman (2002) as cited in Paltridge, B. and Starfield, S. (2020). Thesis and dissertation writing in a second language: A handbook for students and their advisers. Routledge.

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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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Home » How To Write A Research Proposal – Step-by-Step [Template]

How To Write A Research Proposal – Step-by-Step [Template]

Table of Contents

How To Write a Research Proposal

Writing a Research proposal involves several steps to ensure a well-structured and comprehensive document. Here is an explanation of each step:

1. Title and Abstract

• Choose a concise and descriptive title that reflects the essence of your research.
• Write an abstract summarizing your research question, objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes. It should provide a brief overview of your proposal.

2. Introduction:

• Provide an introduction to your research topic, highlighting its significance and relevance.
• Clearly state the research problem or question you aim to address.
• Discuss the background and context of the study, including previous research in the field.

3. Research Objectives

• Outline the specific objectives or aims of your research. These objectives should be clear, achievable, and aligned with the research problem.

4. Literature Review:

• Conduct a comprehensive review of relevant literature and studies related to your research topic.
• Summarize key findings, identify gaps, and highlight how your research will contribute to the existing knowledge.

5. Methodology:

• Describe the research design and methodology you plan to employ to address your research objectives.
• Explain the data collection methods, instruments, and analysis techniques you will use.
• Justify why the chosen methods are appropriate and suitable for your research.

6. Timeline:

• Create a timeline or schedule that outlines the major milestones and activities of your research project.
• Break down the research process into smaller tasks and estimate the time required for each task.

7. Resources:

• Identify the resources needed for your research, such as access to specific databases, equipment, or funding.
• Explain how you will acquire or utilize these resources to carry out your research effectively.

8. Ethical Considerations:

• Discuss any ethical issues that may arise during your research and explain how you plan to address them.
• If your research involves human subjects, explain how you will ensure their informed consent and privacy.

9. Expected Outcomes and Significance:

• Clearly state the expected outcomes or results of your research.
• Highlight the potential impact and significance of your research in advancing knowledge or addressing practical issues.

10. References:

• Provide a list of all the references cited in your proposal, following a consistent citation style (e.g., APA, MLA).

11. Appendices:

• Include any additional supporting materials, such as survey questionnaires, interview guides, or data analysis plans.

Research Proposal Format

The format of a research proposal may vary depending on the specific requirements of the institution or funding agency. However, the following is a commonly used format for a research proposal:

1. Title Page:

• Include the title of your research proposal, your name, your affiliation or institution, and the date.

2. Abstract:

• Provide a brief summary of your research proposal, highlighting the research problem, objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes.

3. Introduction:

• Introduce the research topic and provide background information.
• State the research problem or question you aim to address.
• Explain the significance and relevance of the research.
• Review relevant literature and studies related to your research topic.
• Summarize key findings and identify gaps in the existing knowledge.
• Explain how your research will contribute to filling those gaps.

5. Research Objectives:

• Clearly state the specific objectives or aims of your research.
• Ensure that the objectives are clear, focused, and aligned with the research problem.

6. Methodology:

• Describe the research design and methodology you plan to use.
• Explain the data collection methods, instruments, and analysis techniques.
• Justify why the chosen methods are appropriate for your research.

7. Timeline:

8. Resources:

• Explain how you will acquire or utilize these resources effectively.

9. Ethical Considerations:

• If applicable, explain how you will ensure informed consent and protect the privacy of research participants.

10. Expected Outcomes and Significance:

11. References:

12. Appendices:

Research Proposal Template

Here’s a template for a research proposal:

1. Introduction:

2. Literature Review:

3. Research Objectives:

4. Methodology:

5. Timeline:

6. Resources:

7. Ethical Considerations:

8. Expected Outcomes and Significance:

9. References:

10. Appendices:

Research Proposal Sample

Title: The Impact of Online Education on Student Learning Outcomes: A Comparative Study

1. Introduction

Online education has gained significant prominence in recent years, especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This research proposal aims to investigate the impact of online education on student learning outcomes by comparing them with traditional face-to-face instruction. The study will explore various aspects of online education, such as instructional methods, student engagement, and academic performance, to provide insights into the effectiveness of online learning.

2. Objectives

The main objectives of this research are as follows:

• To compare student learning outcomes between online and traditional face-to-face education.
• To examine the factors influencing student engagement in online learning environments.
• To assess the effectiveness of different instructional methods employed in online education.
• To identify challenges and opportunities associated with online education and suggest recommendations for improvement.

3. Methodology

3.1 Study Design

This research will utilize a mixed-methods approach to gather both quantitative and qualitative data. The study will include the following components:

3.2 Participants

The research will involve undergraduate students from two universities, one offering online education and the other providing face-to-face instruction. A total of 500 students (250 from each university) will be selected randomly to participate in the study.

3.3 Data Collection

The research will employ the following data collection methods:

• Quantitative: Pre- and post-assessments will be conducted to measure students’ learning outcomes. Data on student demographics and academic performance will also be collected from university records.
• Qualitative: Focus group discussions and individual interviews will be conducted with students to gather their perceptions and experiences regarding online education.

3.4 Data Analysis

Quantitative data will be analyzed using statistical software, employing descriptive statistics, t-tests, and regression analysis. Qualitative data will be transcribed, coded, and analyzed thematically to identify recurring patterns and themes.

4. Ethical Considerations

The study will adhere to ethical guidelines, ensuring the privacy and confidentiality of participants. Informed consent will be obtained, and participants will have the right to withdraw from the study at any time.

5. Significance and Expected Outcomes

This research will contribute to the existing literature by providing empirical evidence on the impact of online education on student learning outcomes. The findings will help educational institutions and policymakers make informed decisions about incorporating online learning methods and improving the quality of online education. Moreover, the study will identify potential challenges and opportunities related to online education and offer recommendations for enhancing student engagement and overall learning outcomes.

6. Timeline

The proposed research will be conducted over a period of 12 months, including data collection, analysis, and report writing.

The estimated budget for this research includes expenses related to data collection, software licenses, participant compensation, and research assistance. A detailed budget breakdown will be provided in the final research plan.

8. Conclusion

This research proposal aims to investigate the impact of online education on student learning outcomes through a comparative study with traditional face-to-face instruction. By exploring various dimensions of online education, this research will provide valuable insights into the effectiveness and challenges associated with online learning. The findings will contribute to the ongoing discourse on educational practices and help shape future strategies for maximizing student learning outcomes in online education settings.

About the author

Muhammad Hassan

Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

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1000+ FREE Research Topics & Title Ideas

If you’re at the start of your research journey and are trying to figure out which research topic you want to focus on, you’ve come to the right place. Select your area of interest below to view a comprehensive collection of potential research ideas.

Research Topic FAQs

What (exactly) is a research topic.

A research topic is the subject of a research project or study – for example, a dissertation or thesis. A research topic typically takes the form of a problem to be solved, or a question to be answered.

A good research topic should be specific enough to allow for focused research and analysis. For example, if you are interested in studying the effects of climate change on agriculture, your research topic could focus on how rising temperatures have impacted crop yields in certain regions over time.

To learn more about the basics of developing a research topic, consider our free research topic ideation webinar.

What constitutes a good research topic?

A strong research topic comprises three important qualities : originality, value and feasibility.

• Originality – a good topic explores an original area or takes a novel angle on an existing area of study.
• Value – a strong research topic provides value and makes a contribution, either academically or practically.
• Feasibility – a good research topic needs to be practical and manageable, given the resource constraints you face.

To learn more about what makes for a high-quality research topic, check out this post .

What's the difference between a research topic and research problem?

A research topic and a research problem are two distinct concepts that are often confused. A research topic is a broader label that indicates the focus of the study , while a research problem is an issue or gap in knowledge within the broader field that needs to be addressed.

To illustrate this distinction, consider a student who has chosen “teenage pregnancy in the United Kingdom” as their research topic. This research topic could encompass any number of issues related to teenage pregnancy such as causes, prevention strategies, health outcomes for mothers and babies, etc.

Within this broad category (the research topic) lies potential areas of inquiry that can be explored further – these become the research problems . For example:

• What factors contribute to higher rates of teenage pregnancy in certain communities?
• How do different types of parenting styles affect teen pregnancy rates?
• What interventions have been successful in reducing teenage pregnancies?

Simply put, a key difference between a research topic and a research problem is scope ; the research topic provides an umbrella under which multiple questions can be asked, while the research problem focuses on one specific question or set of questions within that larger context.

How can I find potential research topics for my project?

There are many steps involved in the process of finding and choosing a high-quality research topic for a dissertation or thesis. We cover these steps in detail in this video (also accessible below).

How can I find quality sources for my research topic?

Finding quality sources is an essential step in the topic ideation process. To do this, you should start by researching scholarly journals, books, and other academic publications related to your topic. These sources can provide reliable information on a wide range of topics. Additionally, they may contain data or statistics that can help support your argument or conclusions.

Identifying Relevant Sources

When searching for relevant sources, it’s important to look beyond just published material; try using online databases such as Google Scholar or JSTOR to find articles from reputable journals that have been peer-reviewed by experts in the field.

You can also use search engines like Google or Bing to locate websites with useful information about your topic. However, be sure to evaluate any website before citing it as a source—look for evidence of authorship (such as an “About Us” page) and make sure the content is up-to-date and accurate before relying on it.

Evaluating Sources

Once you’ve identified potential sources for your research project, take some time to evaluate them thoroughly before deciding which ones will best serve your purpose. Consider factors such as author credibility (are they an expert in their field?), publication date (is the source current?), objectivity (does the author present both sides of an issue?) and relevance (how closely does this source relate to my specific topic?).

By researching the current literature on your topic, you can identify potential sources that will help to provide quality information. Once you’ve identified these sources, it’s time to look for a gap in the research and determine what new knowledge could be gained from further study.

How can I find a good research gap?

Finding a strong gap in the literature is an essential step when looking for potential research topics. We explain what research gaps are and how to find them in this post.

How should I evaluate potential research topics/ideas?

When evaluating potential research topics, it is important to consider the factors that make for a strong topic (we discussed these earlier). Specifically:

• Originality
• Feasibility

So, when you have a list of potential topics or ideas, assess each of them in terms of these three criteria. A good topic should take a unique angle, provide value (either to academia or practitioners), and be practical enough for you to pull off, given your limited resources.

Finally, you should also assess whether this project could lead to potential career opportunities such as internships or job offers down the line. Make sure that you are researching something that is relevant enough so that it can benefit your professional development in some way. Additionally, consider how each research topic aligns with your career goals and interests; researching something that you are passionate about can help keep motivation high throughout the process.

How can I assess the feasibility of a research topic?

When evaluating the feasibility and practicality of a research topic, it is important to consider several factors.

First, you should assess whether or not the research topic is within your area of competence. Of course, when you start out, you are not expected to be the world’s leading expert, but do should at least have some foundational knowledge.

Time commitment

When considering a research topic, you should think about how much time will be required for completion. Depending on your field of study, some topics may require more time than others due to their complexity or scope.

Additionally, if you plan on collaborating with other researchers or institutions in order to complete your project, additional considerations must be taken into account such as coordinating schedules and ensuring that all parties involved have adequate resources available.

Resources needed

It’s also critically important to consider what type of resources are necessary in order to conduct the research successfully. This includes physical materials such as lab equipment and chemicals but can also include intangible items like access to certain databases or software programs which may be necessary depending on the nature of your work. Additionally, if there are costs associated with obtaining these materials then this must also be factored into your evaluation process.

Potential risks

It’s important to consider the inherent potential risks for each potential research topic. These can include ethical risks (challenges getting ethical approval), data risks (not being able to access the data you’ll need), technical risks relating to the equipment you’ll use and funding risks (not securing the necessary financial back to undertake the research).

If you’re looking for more information about how to find, evaluate and select research topics for your dissertation or thesis, check out our free webinar here . Alternatively, if you’d like 1:1 help with the topic ideation process, consider our private coaching services .

Psst... there’s more!

This post was based on one of our popular Research Bootcamps . If you're working on a research project, you'll definitely want to check this out ...

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• Title, Abstract & keywords

Q: How I can formulate a title for my research paper?

My research methodology is about the customers' perception of service quality of immigrant orientated restaurant in Cape Town. How can I frame a suitable title for this?

Asked by Akssana Tito on 02 May, 2016

It is important to invest time and effort in thinking about an appropriate title for your research paper. The title is the part of the paper that is read first, and often decides whether the reader will go on to read the entire article. Thus, the title should give a precise and clear description of the contents of your paper. 

To begin with, create a working title for your paper. It is important to create a working title at the beginning as it will help you maintain your focus and give a clear sense of direction to your study.

To create the working title, you should consider the following:

• The purpose of the study
• The type of study or article type
• The methodology or approach

The final title should be created at the end after you have written the entire manuscript. At this point, you can ask yourself exactly what the focus of your manuscript is and what key words you would want in the title.

Here are a few suggestions to help you write an appropriate title:

• Ensure that the title clearly indicates what your research is about.
• Keep it brief, informative, and attractive.
• Include relevant descriptive keywords that readers are most likely to search for.
• Avoid using jargon as it might make the title too complicated and difficult to understand.

This article provides a step-by-step guide to framing an appropriate title for your paper . 

Answered by Editage Insights on 30 Mar, 2017

• Upvote this Answer

public knowledge and practice regarding the use of antibiotic 

Answered by lolo alabri on 10 Mar, 2019

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Frequently asked questions

What is a research project.

A research project is an academic, scientific, or professional undertaking to answer a research question . Research projects can take many forms, such as qualitative or quantitative , descriptive , longitudinal , experimental , or correlational . What kind of research approach you choose will depend on your topic.

Frequently asked questions: Writing a research paper

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.

Formulating a main research question can be a difficult task. Overall, your question should contribute to solving the problem that you have defined in your problem statement .

However, it should also fulfill criteria in three main areas:

• Researchability
• Feasibility and specificity
• Relevance and originality

Research questions anchor your whole project, so it’s important to spend some time refining them.

In general, they should be:

• Focused and researchable
• Answerable using credible sources
• Complex and arguable
• Feasible and specific
• Relevant and original

All research questions should be:

• Focused on a single problem or issue
• Researchable using primary and/or secondary sources
• Feasible to answer within the timeframe and practical constraints
• Specific enough to answer thoroughly
• Complex enough to develop the answer over the space of a paper or thesis
• Relevant to your field of study and/or society more broadly

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.

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 …

Your research objectives indicate how you’ll try to address your research problem and should be specific:

Research objectives describe what you intend your research project to accomplish.

They summarize the approach and purpose of the project and help to focus your research.

Your objectives should appear in the introduction of your research paper , at the end of your problem statement .

The main guidelines for formatting a paper in Chicago style are to:

• Use a standard font like 12 pt Times New Roman
• Use 1 inch margins or larger
• Apply double line spacing
• Indent every new paragraph ½ inch
• Include a title page
• Place page numbers in the top right or bottom center
• Cite your sources with author-date citations or Chicago footnotes
• Include a bibliography or reference list

To automatically generate accurate Chicago references, you can use Scribbr’s free Chicago reference generator .

The main guidelines for formatting a paper in MLA style are as follows:

• Use an easily readable font like 12 pt Times New Roman
• Set 1 inch page margins
• Include a four-line MLA heading on the first page
• Center the paper’s title
• Use title case capitalization for headings
• Cite your sources with MLA in-text citations
• List all sources cited on a Works Cited page at the end

To format a paper in APA Style , follow these guidelines:

• Use a standard font like 12 pt Times New Roman or 11 pt Arial
• If submitting for publication, insert a running head on every page
• Apply APA heading styles
• Cite your sources with APA in-text citations
• List all sources cited on a reference page at the end

No, it’s not appropriate to present new arguments or evidence in the conclusion . While you might be tempted to save a striking argument for last, research papers follow a more formal structure than this.

All your findings and arguments should be presented in the body of the text (more specifically in the results and discussion sections if you are following a scientific structure). The conclusion is meant to summarize and reflect on the evidence and arguments you have already presented, not introduce new ones.

The conclusion of a research paper has several key elements you should make sure to include:

• A restatement of the research problem
• A summary of your key arguments and/or findings
• A short discussion of the implications of your research

Don’t feel that you have to write the introduction first. The introduction is often one of the last parts of the research paper you’ll write, along with the conclusion.

This is because it can be easier to introduce your paper once you’ve already written the body ; you may not have the clearest idea of your arguments until you’ve written them, and things can change during the writing process .

The way you present your research problem in your introduction varies depending on the nature of your research paper . A research paper that presents a sustained argument will usually encapsulate this argument in a thesis statement .

A research paper designed to present the results of empirical research tends to present a research question that it seeks to answer. It may also include a hypothesis —a prediction that will be confirmed or disproved by your research.

The introduction of a research paper includes several key elements:

• A hook to catch the reader’s interest
• Relevant background on the topic
• Details of your research problem

and your problem statement

• A thesis statement or research question
• Sometimes an overview of the paper

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Position Title

Agasthyamalai sustainability project for integrated restoration of ecosystems (aspire)- project phd and research assistant positions, description.

The districts in southern Tamil Nadu are unique by having all five landscapes described in ancient Sangam literature as the “Ainthinai”: mullai (forest), kurinji (mountains), marutham (farmland), paalai (arid land), and neithal (seashore). ASPIRE is an inclusive restoration effort involving stakeholders across diverse ecosystems in the Agasthyamalai landscape across the Tamiraparani basin, covering the Aithinai landscapes.  In this first-of-a-kind initiative, our team will traverse across the landscape from the high-elevation evergreen forests in the Western Ghats to the semi-arid grasslands in the plains. Numerous wetlands, riparian zones along the Tamiraparani River, and smaller green spaces like temple gardens are an integral part of the holistic approach that we aspire to establish. ASPIRE will evaluate and promote biodiversity-positive agriculture as well as build capacity for regenerative agricultural practices. In addition, we will chronicle the existing climate-smart practice towards soil health and biodiversity while supporting local livelihoods. Our work across diverse landscapes will be tied together by a novel climate literacy program that will engage students, communities, and stakeholders to enable them to understand the urgent need to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

ASPIRE builds on nearly four decades of work in the landscape led by ATREE’s Agasthyamalai Community Conservation Centre. As part of our ongoing effort, we are hiring enthusiastic and dedicated researchers for the following aspects:

• Forest Restoration :

The primary goal of this project is to develop and implement effective strategies to restore critical ecosystems, enhancing their ecological integrity and resilience. Key objectives include conducting comprehensive field assessments of forest degradation in selected sites within the Western Ghats and developing a rigorous restoration framework tailored to the specific conditions and challenges of the region.

• Biodiversity Positive Agriculture :

The project aims to develop and implement agricultural methods for enhancing crop yields and biodiversity enrichment. The research will involve comprehensive field studies to assess current agricultural practices and their impacts on biodiversity. The candidate will work closely with local farmers to test and refine techniques that incorporate native species, improve soil health, and reduce the need for chemical inputs.

• Restoration of  Wetland-Grassland Ecosystem s:

Grasslands and scattered wetlands in Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, and Thoothukudi districts are crucial for biodiversity and support diverse communities. However, traditional knowledge and practices in grassland and wetland management have been overlooked, affecting both ecosystems and community livelihoods. Building on ATREE’s successful track record in developing wetland management plans and working with pastoral communities in grassland, this project aims to reintegrate traditional wisdom and modern science into restoration strategies. By involving local communities and other stakeholders we aim to enhance sustainable practices and biodiversity conservation.

• Climate literacy :

This project seeks to enhance climate literacy among communities and other stakeholders to cope with the mounting challenges posed by climate extremes. Farmers and pastoralists in the landscape have historically developed adaptive mechanisms to mitigate the impacts of climate variability and change. The local insights will be integrated with scientific knowledge to empower communities. Recognizing the critical role of education in shaping attitudes and behaviors towards environmental stewardship, the project aims to engage the younger generation in understanding and mitigating climate change impacts.

 Position 1: Project PhD Positions:

Number of Positions: Two (Forest Restoration and Biodiversity Positive Agriculture)

Advisors: Drs. Seshadri K. S., M.Soubadra Devy and T. Ganesh

Funding: Fully funded for 3 years.

Qualifications

• If the candidates have not qualified for GATE/NET, they have to qualify for ATREE’s exam. 
• MSc in Ecology, Environmental  Science, Botany, Agriculture, or a related field with at least 3 years of relevant experience.
• Experience in sustainable agriculture or biodiversity conservation will be given preference.
• Demonstrated ability to work in teams and undertake fieldwork. 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and familiarity with GIS and statistical software are advantageous.
• Proficiency in English is required; communication in Tamil is highly desirable.
• The ability to drive a four-wheeler in rural/remote settings will be an advantage.
• A flair for natural history and the ability to think critically are desirable qualities. 

Responsibilities 

• Complete the coursework at ATREE as stipulated by Manipal University
• Conduct field research in remote and challenging environments.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of researchers, stakeholders, and communities.
• Assist in providing timely reports.
• Assist or independently generate funds for research and conference travel.
• Publish findings in peer-reviewed journals. 

Position 2: ​​Research Assistant positions:

Number of positions: Four

• Forest Restoration

Biodiversity Positive Agriculture

• Wetland-Grassland Ecosystems

Climate Literacy

Responsibilities

​​ Forest Restoration

• Assist in writing reports, publications, and grant proposals to communicate project outcomes and secure future funding.
• Conduct field research in human-dominated agroecosystems.
• Assist in writing reports, publications, and grant proposals to communicate project outcomes and secure future funding. 

Grassland-Wetland

• Research to document and integrate traditional knowledge and practices related to pastoralism and wetland management.
• Collect and analyze data on ecosystem health, biodiversity, and community livelihood impacts.
• Co-design and implement wetland and grassland restoration plans in collaboration with local communities, stakeholders, and community institutions
• Design and deliver engaging climate literacy workshops, seminars, and outreach events for diverse audiences.
• Forge partnerships with local schools, businesses, and organizations to integrate climate education into their curricula and operations.
• Stay informed about local climate impacts, vulnerabilities, and opportunities for mitigation and adaptation strategies.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of climate literacy programs to ensure continuous improvement and impact measurement.
• Master’s degree or equivalent in Environmental Science, Ecology, or Natural Resources.
• Master’s degree in Ecology education/ sustainability studies, with a strong background in conservation education (Climate Literacy).
• Experience in designing and delivering educational programs, particularly focused on environmental issues for communities and children.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Proficiency in speaking and writing Tamil is preferred to facilitate effective communication with local stakeholders.

How to Apply

Interested individuals can apply using the ‘Apply Now’ button.

Please direct your questions regarding this position to [email protected]

• Only candidates who are shortlisted for the interview will be contacted.

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Research/Study Research/Study

Inside Project 2025's attack on reproductive rights: Contraception

Special Programs Abortion Rights & Reproductive Health

Written by Charis Hoard & Jasmine Geonzon

Research contributions from Audrey McCabe

Published 06/24/24 1:30 PM EDT

At least 34 of the over 100 partner organizations of Project 2025, a comprehensive transition plan to guide the next GOP presidential administration, have spread misinformation about contraceptive methods or championed limiting access to contraception, largely on religious grounds. 

Helmed by the right-wing think tank The Heritage Foundation, Project 2025 lays out conservative policy priorities for if Donald Trump were to return to the White House. The guidelines set in its “ Mandate for Leadership ” include numerous attacks on reproductive rights policy, including a proposal to rewrite Title X, which helps fund low-cost contraception, sexually transmitted infection testing, and prenatal care to low-income communities.

In a review of Project 2025 coalition partners, we found that dozens have expressed their disapproval of and intent to restrict contraceptive care access. 

Some organizations, such as the American Family Association, have falsely referred to emergency contraception like Plan B as “abortifacients” and called for contraception to be made available only to married couples. 

Organizations including The Heritage Foundation have falsely claimed birth control has detrimental impacts on future fertility. 

Many of these groups have criticized the removal  of moral exemptions to the Affordable Care Act’s mandate requiring employers to provide coverage of birth control and pushed for continued religious exemptions. 

Some coalition partners have also fearmongered about the safety of contraception, calling this crucial health care “one of the great scourges … of all time.”

Below are details on the anti-contraception arguments made by 34 Project 2025 partner organizations. For the full report on Project 2025's attack on reproductive rights, click  here .

Select a Partner Organization

The heritage foundation, alliance defending freedom, american association of pro-life obstetricians and gynecologists, the american conservative, american cornerstone institute, american family association, america first legal, american legislative exchange council, american principles project , americans united for life, california family council, center for family and human rights , center for renewing america, claremont institute, concerned women for america , discovery institute, eagle forum, ethics and public policy center, family policy alliance, family research council , first liberty institute, the frederick douglass foundation, the heartland institute, independent women’s forum , intercollegiate studies institute, dr. james dobson family institute, liberty university, media research center, national center for public policy research, students for life of america, susan b. anthony pro-life america, tea party patriots, texas public policy foundation, turning point usa.

The Heritage Foundation’s Emma Waters falsely claimed that hormonal birth control could harm the future fertility of those who use it because “birth control actually tells your body that it’s pregnant all the time.” “For women who have been on birth control for a long time, it can impact your fertility. There are cases of women who have been on birth control for a decade or more, and then they go off of it and are ready to start a family with their partner and then find that it’s a lot harder than they thought,” Waters said. “What happens is birth control actually tells your body that it’s pregnant all the time. And so rather than functioning in a normal state of the potential to become pregnant and then not, it just tells your body that it’s constantly pregnant. And so then after a decade or more of that, when you’re actually trying to get pregnant, it doesn’t work right for your body because it’s like, ‘Oh, well we’ve been in this state for a decade. You want us to do something different now?’” According to Cleveland Clinic, most hormonal birth control methods have not been found to harm future fertility. [The Heritage Foundation, Heritage Explains , 7/19/23 ; The Washington Post, 3/21/24 ; Cleveland Clinic, 1/16/23 ]

Alliance Defending Freedom counsel Rory Gray defended a Minnesota pharmacist who refused to dispense emergency contraception, asserting that the religious views of the pharmacist means he “cannot provide or facilitate the use of any potential abortion-causing drugs.” As CNN reported, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has clarified that emergency contraception “does not prevent a fertilized egg from implanting in the womb and does not cause an abortion.” Gray suggested that the “devout Christian” pharmacist was being denied his “constitutionally protected freedom to act consistent with his beliefs at work.” [CBS News, 3/19/24 ; CNN, 12/23/22 ]

In 2014, ADF announced that it would represent the anti-abortion group March for Life in a lawsuit over the ACA’s preventive services mandate. According to the Charlotte Lozier Institute, the mandate would force March for Life to act in contradiction to its anti-abortion mission by making it provide insurance coverage for “drugs and devices that can prevent or dislodge the implantation of a human embryo after fertilization” such as emergency contraception and IUDs. Kevin Theriot, senior counsel at the ADF, said that the group’s “legal fight for March for Life is a fight for the rights of pro-life organizations everywhere.” [Alliance Defending Freedom, 9/4/14 ; The Charlotte Lozier Institute, 7/18/14 ]

The American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists has falsely claimed that “the IUD has been well documented to act after fertilization, causing embryo death” and that “IUDs clearly can cause the death of embryos both before and after implantation.” According to the Guttmacher Institute, IUDs do not cause “embryo death” after fertilization, but instead prevent implantation of a fertilized egg, which is not considered an abortion by medical standards. “A contraceptive method, by definition, prevents pregnancy by interfering with ovulation, fertilization or implantation. Abortion ends an established pregnancy, after implantation,” Guttmacher wrote. “This scientific definition of pregnancy—which reflects the fact that most fertilized eggs naturally fail to implant in the uterus—is also the legal definition, and has long been accepted by federal agencies … and by U.S. and international medical associations.” [American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 1/15/20 ; Guttmacher Institute, 12/9/14 ]

In a 2013 NPR story, AAPLOG’s Donna Harrison falsely suggested that ella, a brand of emergency contraception, “kills embryos before they implant, and it kills embryos after they implant." Harrison, who currently leads the Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine (the organization suing the FDA over mifepristone), also stated that ella’s chemical similarity to mifepristone, sometimes referred to as RU-486, means that “an equal dose of ella and RU-48 … cause equal actions.” According to ella, its pill only prevents ovulation from occurring; ella “can not cause an abortion and it will not have any effect in a case where an egg has already been fertilised.” [NPR, 2/21/13 ; ella, accessed 4/12/24 ]

A 2018 report from Reproductive Freedom for All (formerly NARAL Pro-Choice America) detailed some of the misinformation spread by AAPLOG, including the well-debunked false claim “that Plan B emergency contraception causes abortion.” The Guttmacher Institute explained in 2014 that studies produced after Plan B’s FDA approval “have led to the conclusion that [Plan B] does not cause changes to the endometrium (uterine lining) that would hamper implantation.” The FDA updated Plan B’s label to reflect this research in 2022. [Reproductive Freedom for All, accessed 4/5/24 ; Guttmacher Institute, 12/9/14 ; Reuters, 12/23/22 ]

A 2023 piece from the right-wing magazine The American Conservative argued that there is “an undeniable connection between free-and-easy birth control and the unraveling of American order.” Reacting to news of the FDA green-lighting the first contraceptive pill allowed to be sold over the counter, the author fearmongered, “The FDA’s move here will make children, trafficking victims, and anyone else with limited agency more available for sex than ever before.” It also cited the contraception-protecting the Supreme Court decision protecting contraception in Griswold v. Connecticut as an example of “which terrible SCOTUS precedent should be overturned next.” [The American Conservative, 7/15/23 ]

Another piece from the magazine warned readers, “Don’t believe it when people say Plan B isn’t abortifacient.” The piece said the medication’s prevention of a fertilized egg implanting in the uterus is akin to abortion “for people who believe life begins at conception.” [The American Conservative, 12/8/11 ]

In an opinion piece for The Washington Times, American Cornerstone Institute’s founder and former Trump official Ben Carson called the Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Supreme Court decision that allows employers to decline to cover contraception on religious grounds “fortunate.” Carson praised the court, writing that the court majority “still thinks that religious beliefs and personal choice have a valid place in American society,” and argued, “Legally requiring the side opposed to a form of birth control to be financially responsible for its distribution to any employee who wants it is distinctly un-American and abusive to the concept of freedom of religion.” [The Washington Times, 7/8/14 ]

An article published by the American Family Association falsely conflated contraceptive methods like the IUD and Plan B pill as “abortifacients.” The article hit science educator Bill Nye for supposedly suggesting he “thinks fertilized eggs aren’t humans,” noting that his “argument that personhood begins at the point of implantation … would serve as an argument to support the use of abortifacients (pills, like Plan B morning-after pill, or devices like the IUD – designed to stop a fertilized egg from attaching to the womb).” [American Family Association, 2/19/18 ; Guttmacher Institute, 12/9/14 ]

NPR's Terry Gross said then-conservative radio host Bryan Fischer advocated for making “contraception available only to married couples” during his time as director of issues analysis for the American Family Association. In an article he wrote for U.S. News & World Report, Fischer said Plan B’s over-the-counter availability has “created a predator’s paradise,” claiming that “a predator, thanks to this dangerous decision, can now take advantage of a vulnerable teenage girl and then send her into the local Walgreen's to cover his own criminal tracks.” Fischer has been credited for shifting Republican Party officials, particularly Mitt Romney during his 2012 presidential run, further right on issues like contraception, which were previously seen as uncontroversial. [NPR, 6/14/12 ; U.S. News & World Report, 5/3/13 ]

America First Legal in March celebrated “a massive victory in our lawsuit against the Biden admin for attempting to provide birth control to minor children without parental consent.”  America First Legal provided counsel for a parent who argued that the availability of birth control to minors through the federal program Title X “nullifies his right to consent to his children's medical care, infringing on his state-created right.” [Twitter/X, 3/15/24 ; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, Deanda v. Becerra , accessed 3 /12/24 ]

America First Legal provided counsel in a lawsuit that challenges the ACA provision guaranteeing insured Americans’ access to preventive services without a copay. The plaintiffs represented by America First Legal argued that the ACA’s contraceptive mandate goes against their religious beliefs because it includes medications enabling “homosexual behavior, drug use, or sexual activity outside of marriage between one man and one woman.” [NPR, 8/9/22 ; Protect Our Care, 3/31/23 ]

American Legislative Exchange Council said the ACA’s contraceptive mandate “dilutes [the] fundamental right” to “religious profession and worship.” [American Legislative Exchange Council, 11/13/15 ]

American Principles Project President Terry Schilling raised concern over the possibility of the Biden administration requiring anti-abortion employers provide contraception in their health coverage plans. Fox News reported that the Biden administration is considering repealing a moral exception to the coverage rule but maintaining a religious exemption. Schilling “said it is unclear how far the Biden administration would be able to use its proposed rule against organizations who oppose contraception on moral grounds as opposed to religious grounds” and quoted him saying,  “ It is frightening to consider how this rhetorical loophole could and likely will be abused. ”  [Fox News, 1/31/23 ]

In a piece about college campuses beginning to dispense the Plan B pill via vending machines, Schilling claimed that “we’ve been teaching kids that the worst possible sexually transmitted disease” is “pregnancy, as if the worst thing in the world anyone could get as a surprise is a baby.” Schilling argued, “Most of us weren’t planned, and some of us weren’t even wanted, but these factors don’t change the status of our human dignity.” [Washington Examiner, 6/6/23 ]

In 2012, The New York Times wrote that Charmaine Yoest, then-president and CEO of Americans United for Life, “believes that embryos have legal rights and opposes birth control, like the IUD, that she thinks ‘has life-ending properties.’” The Times also reported that Yoest does not support increasing access to contraceptives as a means of reducing abortion rates. [The New York Times Magazine, 11/2/12 ]

In 2015, Reuters quoted then-Americans United for Life staff counsel Mailee Smith as saying “IUDs are a life-ending device.” Reuters reported that Americans United for Life supported a “religious challenge to contraceptives coverage under President Barack Obama's healthcare law” and that Smith argued, “The focus of these cases is that requiring any life-ending drug is in violation of the Religious Freedom Act.” [Reuters, 12/1/15 ]

In a profile of the organization, The Washington Post described Americans United for Life’s attorneys as aiming “to be a resource for state legislatures on seemingly every issue under the ‘pro-life’ banner: access to abortion, contraception, stem cell research, bioethics, assisted suicide and end-of-life decisions.” [The Washington Post, 5/31/19 ]

Last year, the California Family Council released an article arguing that the FDA is “playing games with women’s health” by saying that Plan B “cannot cause abortions.” The piece read, “Women deserve to know exactly what a drug they are taking is capable of. Some women may innocently think they’re not ending a human life, but merely preventing ovulation.” [California Family Council, 1/4/23 ]

In a 2014 essay for Crisis Magazine, Center for Family and Human Rights President Austin Ruse wrote, “Contraception is one of the great scourges not just of our time but of all time.” Ruse described his decades-long experience “fighting contraception” and fearmongered about a “few hundred stories about the evils of contraception.” [Crisis Magazine, 2/28/14 ]

Writing for The Federalist, Center for Renewing America policy director Paige Hauser identified “the advent of the birth control pill and the legalization of abortion” as “major fault lines,” along with no-fault divorce, in stoking the sexual revolution in a piece titled “Mike Johnson is right: No-fault divorce destroys kids, sex, and society.” [The Federalist, 11/13/23 ]

In 2020, the Claremont Institute’s Center for Constitutional Jurisprudence filed an amicus brief in support of a Catholic organization attempting to reverse a court decision that would require the group to provide birth control to employees. Claremont’s John Eastman and Tom Caso wrote in the brief that the First Amendment “reflects the founding generation’s view that the duty one owes to the Creator is both prior to and higher than any duty owed to government.” [The Claremont Institute, 3/12/20 ]

An article from the Claremont Institute condemned a sex education video shown at a middle school in Idaho, complaining that presentations about contraception “included information about the abortifacient Plan B.” [The Claremont Institute, 1/19/23 ]

A recent article published by the Claremont Institute criticized Plan B, saying a “deep and widespread misunderstanding of pregnancy risk, ovulation, and overall fertility” has led the public to change its view of the medication “from a last resort in true emergencies into a ‘better safe than sorry’ precautionary measure.” The author also chastised “the transformation of Plan B into a TikTok accessory or a vending-machine trinket.” [The Claremont Institute, 2/20/24 ]

In 2019, Concerned Women for America issued a call to action condemning a piece of state legislation that would make birth control available over the counter at pharmacies in Iowa. An op-ed released by the organization criticized contraception, drawing attention to “potentially long-lasting detrimental health effects,” and suggested that the “collateral damage of SF 513 [the legislation] could be women’s health.” [Concerned Women for America, 3/31/19 ]

CWA attacked a mandate in the ACA requiring employers to provide employees with contraception-covering health plans as “bureaucratic overreach” and stated, “The Obama Administration failed to respect the conscience rights of religious employers.” [Concerned Women for America, 11/15/18 ]

The Discovery Institute published a piece titled “Birth control pretext for destroying religious liberty.” In it, Wesley J. Smith, senior fellow at the Discovery Institute’s Center on Human Exceptionalism, argued against the ACA's contraceptive mandate, arguing that “once a legal precedent is established, one day there could be a free abortion rule, a free IVF rule, or a free sex-change operation rule.” [Discovery Institute, 4/1/23 ]

Another piece from Smith reads, “To a disturbing degree, healthcare public policy is becoming a means of imposing a secularist, anti–sanctity-of-life ideology on all of society.” Smith lamented what he called a “culture of death” in the medical field and mentioned “studies that indicate” Plan B “might act as an abortifacient.” [Discovery Institute, 7/22/16 ]

In response to a House bill offering federal birth control protections, an Eagle Forum blog claimed that “the left has expanded the term ‘contraception’ to include abortion-inducing drugs.” The Right to Contraception Act (H.R. 8373) “forces all medical professionals to dispense contraceptive drugs regardless of their beliefs,” the blog said, adding, “Now, the left has expanded the term ‘contraception’ to include abortion-inducing drugs. Pills such as RU-486, Plan B, and mifepristone were only created within the last few decades to terminate a pregnancy.” According to Scientific American, when the Supreme Court failed to defer to the medical standard that pregnancy begins after implantation it gave anti-choice legislatures the ability to legally declare contraception methods like Plan B abortifacients. [Eagle Forum, 7/21/22 ; Scientific American, 6/8/22 ]

In 2012, Eagle Forum founder and anti-feminist activist Phyllis Schlafly called the ACA's contraception mandate “draconian.” “If the Obama Administration's contraceptive mandate remains intact, then liberals will continue to demand that Americans pay for objectionable items and services that are not really medical care,” Schlafly said. “We call on all Americans to urge President Obama to back down from this draconian mandate.” [Eagle Forum, 3/1/12 ]

Writing for an anti-abortion journal, Ethics and Public Policy Center fellow Alexandra DeSanctis characterized oral contraception as a “supposed panacea” that medical professionals prescribe “with little concern for its many side effects.” “Those who draw attention to the negative effects of birth control are typically dismissed as at best over-zealous religious conservatives or at worst crusaders to ban birth control,” she wrote, adding, “But within the past decade, conversation has begun to shift, and it seems as if a new generation might be waking up to the harms of both the sexual revolution and the pill that enabled it.” [Human Law Review, 9/7/23 ]

Ethics and Public Policy Center fellow David Gortler wrote a Newsweek column titled “Over-the-counter birth control pills won’t improve America’s public health.” In the article, Gortler also argued that “no prescription-grade hormone has ever been proposed as a long-term, daily, OTC product” and tied the use of birth control to various types of cancer and mental health disorders. “If approved by the FDA, making hormonal contraceptives available without medical supervision will be another in a list of recent unscientific federal public health decisions,” Gortler claimed. [Newsweek, 6/29/23 ]

The Family Policy Alliance has amplified claims that the ACA’s contraception mandate forced religious organizations to cover “abortion-inducing drugs.” “When the Obama Administration attempted to force nuns to provide contraception and Christian-owned company Hobby Lobby to cover abortion-inducing drugs, it became clear that more work needed to be done in the area of religious freedom,” the group’s website reads. [Family Policy Alliance, accessed 4/3/24 ]

FPA has also expressed support for organizations that had “deep moral concerns” about providing contraceptive care in employer-issued insurance plans. In March 2023, the organization launched an initiative to fight the Biden administration’s enforcement of the ACA’s contraception mandate, claiming that the rule “completely undermines the moral fabric of many faithful organizations, including overtly pro-life groups, that serve women, children, and the public.” [Family Policy Alliance, 3/30/23 ]

The Family Research Council amplified Sen. Ted Cruz’s (R-TX) claim that birth control pills can “cause abortions.” The organization also claimed that emergency contraception pills like Plan B and ella can induce abortions. “Not all forms of birth control cause abortions. However, some do, including the notorious ‘morning-after pill’ Plan B and a newer, lesser-known FDA-approved drug called Ella (also known as ulipristal acetate or Ella-One)," an FRC blog read. “The FDA misleadingly labels Ella a more effective ‘Emergency Contraception.’ Like Plan B, Ella can cause an abortion by preventing a fertilized egg (embryo) from implanting in the uterus.” [Family Research Council, 10/15/20 ; ella, accessed 4/12/24 ]

FRC's Mary Szoch: “Birth control has led to the objectification of women — to women being used as mere tools for men’s gratification.”  Birth control “has also led to the devaluing, and even hatred of, the natural consequence of sex — children,” Szoch continued in a quote posted to FRC’s X account. [Twitter/X, 1/6/24 ]

In 2013, First Liberty Institute filed a federal lawsuit against CVS Pharmacy for terminating a Texas nurse practitioner who sought “a religious accommodation from prescribing any medication that could intentionally end the development or life of an unborn child.” [First Liberty Institute, 1/11/23 ]

First Liberty Institute has stated its opposition to contraceptive care access and abortion on the basis of religious freedom and in 2014 filed a lawsuit on behalf of two nonprofit ministries seeking an exemption from the ACA’s contraception mandate. In a case summary on its website, the nonprofit legal firm argued that the mandate was forcing “nonprofit ministries to violate their conscience and provide insurance coverage for abortion-inducting drugs.” [First Liberty Institute, accessed 4/3/24 ]

In an amicus brief filed to the Supreme Court, the foundation alleged, citing Justice Clarence Thomas, that “modern abortion advocacy arose out of the birth control movement, which was ‘developed alongside the American eugenics movement.’” [U.S. Supreme Court, Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization , Brief of Amicus Curiae, accessed 4/3/24 ; U.S. Supreme Court, Box v. Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky, Inc. , 5/28/19 ]

The Heartland Institute’s Ashley Bateman fearmongered about the safety of hormonal contraceptives, claiming that they have been found to act as a “chemical abortifacient” by “[preventing] implantation of a fertilized egg.” [The Federalist, 7/21/23 ; Guttmacher Institute, 12/9/14 ]

Independent Women’s Forum’s Hadley Heath Manning on birth control: “Despite its benefits to society, and particularly to women, widespread use of contraception has in my view come with a cost, facilitating a culture of cheap sex.” “This, along with the relatively high typical-use failure rates of the most traditionally popular forms of birth control, has disproportionately harmed women,” Heath Manning wrote in a New York Times guest essay. She did not mention that birth control’s effectiveness is directly tied to correct use of the medication. [The New York Times, 9/13/14 , 6/24/23 ]

The IWF filed amicus briefs to the Supreme Court that sided with religious groups’ efforts to oppose the ACA’s contraception mandate. [Ms., 8/17/24 ]

Th Intercollegiate Studies Institute published a book review asserting that “the sexual free-for-all made possible by abortion (and perhaps contraception) harms both men and women.” The review also states that widespread access to abortion and contraceptive care has “turned sex into a kind of sport, detached from its natural consequences of pregnancy, childbirth, and (one hopes) family life.” [Intercollegiate Studies Institute, 5/30/23 ]

The Dr. James Dobson Family Institute sought an exemption to the ACA's contraceptive mandate, arguing that it violated the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. [Alliance Defending Freedom, 3/28/19 ]

Liberty University sought an exemption from the ACA's contraception mandate, arguing that the mandate was a violation of its religious freedoms. [United Press International, 12/2/13 ]

Media Research Center defended a group that spread misinformation about birth control pills on TikTok. After TikTok removed posts from a group marketing a “detox vitamin regime” to “wean” oneself off hormonal birth control, Media Research Center speculated that the platform was shilling for the pharmaceutical industry and its various ploys to exploit women. “Think about it, women needing to detox from a drug [oral birth control] may make them stay on it longer to avoid having to wean themselves off,” the site wrote. “That brings in more money for big pharma. Similarly, when women are on ‘the pill,’ they could become more depressed, then boom, more money for anti-depressants and therapies. Women may fall in love with less masculine men, which makes society weaker. Women may not be able to get pregnant on their own as a result of the drug, so ... more money goes to IVF.” [NewsBusters, 3/27/24 ; Cleveland Clinic, 7/7/22 ]

Media Research Center on National Network of Abortion Funds passing out emergency contraceptives at an Olivia Rodrigo concert: “If you don’t think this is a blatant and targeted attack to not only brainwash young girls into thinking abortion is normal and casual but also to continue killing babies, your eyes must be shut.” [NewsBusters, 3/15/24 ]

A 2012 National Center for Public Policy Research blog argued that the ACA's contraception mandate was “unconstitutional” and “defies the religious liberty predicate that this nation is founded upon.” The blog also asserted that the mandate “threatens our long-held belief that all Americans may worship and serve God free from governmental interference.” [National Center for Public Policy Research, 2/1/12 ]

Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life of America, said IUDs and birth control pills should not be legal. During a 2017 interview with MSNBC host Joy Reid, Hawkins claimed that IUDs “put women at risk and they kill children.” According to The Washington Post, fearmongering by anti-choice organizations has caused an increase in patients coming to doctors believing misconceptions about the safety of birth control, despite the low prevalence of rare adverse side effects. [Reveal News, 10/8/22 ; The Washington Post, 3/21/24 ]

On its website, SFLA falsely claims that some forms of birth control — including birth control pills, IUDs, and emergency contraceptives — are “abortifacient.” The organization has also amplified the debunked claim that Plan B, a pill used to prevent ovulation from occurring, is “capable of ending the life of a conceived human.” [Students for Life of America, accessed 4/2/24 , accessed 4/2/24 ; CNBC, 12/24/22 ; Guttmacher Institute, 12/9/14 ]

Dr. Ingrid Skop, director of medical affairs at Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America’s research arm, claimed that a birth control drug called Opill was an “abortifacient” — it is not — and she was tapped by the state of Texas to be an “expert witness” in a lawsuit filed by Texas women denied abortions due to the state’s abortion bans. [ABC News, 7/20/23 ; Ms. Magazine, 8/17/23 ; Guttmacher Institute, 12/9/14 ]

In 2016, an SBA-PLA spokesperson confirmed that the organization opposed certain forms of contraception, including IUD coils and the morning after pill. According to The Telegraph, Susan B. Anthony List, the lobbying branch of SBA-PLA, is “opposed to some kinds of birth control – namely, IUD coils and the morning after pill – because in both instances, there’s a chance they could prevent a fertilised egg from implanting. It’s a strict reading of Roman Catholic teaching that would make many practising Catholics uncomfortable.” [The Telegraph, 9/26/16 ]

A 2014 press release from the organization suggested that “IUDs and so-called ‘morning after pills’ have been shown to occasionally prevent newly created embryos from implanting in the uterine wall, therefore facilitating early abortion.” The statement decried “the most popular emergency contraceptives,” claiming they “can cause the death of embryos.” [Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, 1/16/14 ; Guttmacher Institute, 12/9/14 ]

Tea Party Patriots’ website on its opposition to the ACA's contraception mandate: “This is about everyone’s right to practice their religion without the government stepping in and telling them what to do.” In 2014, the group organized a rally in front of the Supreme Court to voice its support for craft supplies chain Hobby Lobby, the company that took its fight for a religious exemption from the ACA’s contraception mandate to the court. Co-opting the language used by reproductive rights activists, the Tea Party Patriots called the event the “Freedom of Choice” rally. [Mother Jones, 3/25/14 ]

A policy analyst associated with the Texas Public Policy Foundation voiced opposition to the ACA's contraceptive mandate, arguing that it was an “attempt to narrow the definition of religious liberty.” The Texas Public Policy Foundation described the mandate as “an attempt to narrow the definition of religious liberty, and if successful would further confine dissent over these kinds of issues to houses of worship, effectively banning it from the public square.” [Politico, 7/23/2013 ; First Things, 2/14/13 ]

Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk: “Birth control, like, really screws up female brains, by the way.” He continued: “Every single one of you need to make sure that your loved ones are not on birth control. It increases depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation.” Kirk seemed to blame birth control for women being less conservative. “Abortion’s obviously part of it, but they’ve been sold a lie through culture, through media, through even some of their parents that you basically have to go pursue this corporate trajectory, and that men are always the problem, and suppress your biological impulses,” he said. Kirk also claimed that birth control “creates very angry and bitter young ladies and young women.” [The Arizona Republic, 3/3/24 ]

Turning Point USA host Alex Clark has repeatedly spread misinformation about the safety of birth control, describing it as “poison.” Clark has also fearmongered about birth control causing cancer and has argued that birth control can “induce an abortion” and cause fertility issues. [Media Matters, 2/14/23 ]

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Computer Science > Computation and Language

Title: building on efficient foundations: effectively training llms with structured feedforward layers.

Abstract: State-of-the-art results in large language models (LLMs) often rely on scale, which becomes computationally expensive. This has sparked a research agenda to reduce these models' parameter count and computational costs without significantly impacting their performance. Our study focuses on transformer-based LLMs, specifically targeting the computationally intensive feedforward networks (FFN), which are less studied than attention blocks. We consider three candidate linear layer approximations in the FFN by combining efficient low-rank and block-diagonal matrices. In contrast to many previous works that examined these approximations, our study i) explores these structures from the training-from-scratch perspective, ii) scales up to 1.3B parameters, and iii) is conducted within recent Transformer-based LLMs rather than convolutional architectures. We first demonstrate they can lead to actual computational gains in various scenarios, including online decoding when using a pre-merge technique. Additionally, we propose a novel training regime, called \textit{self-guided training}, aimed at improving the poor training dynamics that these approximations exhibit when used from initialization. Experiments on the large RefinedWeb dataset show that our methods are both efficient and effective for training and inference. Interestingly, these structured FFNs exhibit steeper scaling curves than the original models. Further applying self-guided training to the structured matrices with 32\% FFN parameters and 2.5$\times$ speed-up enables only a 0.4 perplexity increase under the same training FLOPs. Finally, we develop the wide and structured networks surpassing the current medium-sized and large-sized Transformer in perplexity and throughput performance. Our code is available at \url{ this https URL }.

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SME definition

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) represent 99% of all businesses in the EU. The definition of an SME is important for access to finance and EU support programmes targeted specifically at these enterprises.

What is an SME?

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are defined in the EU recommendation 2003/361 .

The main factors determining whether an enterprise is an SME are

• staff headcount
• either turnover or balance sheet total

These ceilings apply to the figures for individual firms only. A firm that is part of a larger group may need to include staff headcount/turnover/balance sheet data from that group too.

Further details include

• The revised user guide to the SME definition (2020) (2 MB, available in all EU languages)
• Declaring your enterprise to be an SME (the form is available in all languages as an annex in the revised user guide)
• The SME self-assessment tool which you can use to determine whether your organisation qualifies as a small and medium-sized enterprise

What help can SMEs get?

There are 2 broad types of potential benefit for an enterprise if it meets the criteria

• eligibility for support under many EU business-support programmes targeted specifically at SMEs: research funding, competitiveness and innovation funding and similar national support programmes that could otherwise be banned as unfair government support ('state aid' – see block exemption regulation )
• fewer requirements or reduced fees for EU administrative compliance

Monitoring of the implementation of the SME definition

The Commission monitors the implementation of the SME definition and reviews it in irregular intervals. Pursuant to the latest evaluation, the Commission concluded that there is no need for a revision.

On 25 October 2021, we informed stakeholders by holding a webinar with presentations on the SME evaluation's results and next steps.

Supporting documents

• Study to map, measure and portray the EU mid-cap landscape (2022)
• Staff working document on the evaluation of the SME definition  (2021)
• Executive summary on the evaluation of the SME definition  (2021)
• Q&A on the evaluation of the SME definition  (2021)
• Final report on evaluation of the SME definition  (2018) (10 MB)
• Final report on evaluation of the SME definition (2012)  (1.8 MB)
• Executive summary on evaluation of the SME definition (2012)  (345 kB)
• Implementing the SME definition (2009)  (50 kB)
• Implementing the SME definition (2006)  (40 kB)

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• university of new orleans
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• professor earns $345,000 grant to monitor vegetation in coastal louisiana

CAMPUS NEWS: JUNE 27, 2024

Coastal grant, professor earns $345,000 grant to monitor vegetation in coastal louisiana.

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Professor Maddie Foster-Martinez’s research will focus on determining vegetation establishment in coastal Louisiana areas.

University of New Orleans professor Maddie Foster-Martinez is the recipient of a two-year $345,000 grant from the RESTORE Act Center of Excellence - The Water Institute . Through funding from fines and penalties in the wake of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, these grants fund research that directly supports planning and implementation of Louisiana’s Coastal Master Plan. Foster-Martinez’s research will focus on determining vegetation establishment with custom-built sensors.

Foster-Martinez is an assistant professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Science and Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and is a member of the Pontchartrain Institute for Environmental Sciences at the University of New Orleans. Her research focuses on coastal wetlands and leveraging vegetation for climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Two of the main strategies to reverse land loss in coastal Louisiana are river diversions and pumping sediment to create marshes in shallow water, according to Foster-Martinez. For both strategies, the presence of marsh plants is critical in how much land is built and how long it lasts, she said.

“For both types, we don't know exactly what conditions make it possible for marsh plants to first start growing, but if we could figure that out, then our models to predict land building over time could be much more accurate,” Foster-Martinez said. “And we could do a better job of creating the right conditions for marsh plants to first establish.”

Foster-Martinez and her research team will make detailed measurements at three sites across Louisiana, two in natural deltas and one in a marsh creation. They will use customized sensors at each location to determine how much vegetation is being established.

“We know that a big increase in water level is occurring globally and will amplify within our lifetimes, in addition to more hurricane activity,” Foster-Martinez said. “It's important to understand how our coastal marshes function, so we can make informed decisions with accurate modeling. Our current models are quite good, but we can always do better. This project pushes us in that direction.”

The Water Institute was selected by the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) to serve as the state’s Center of Excellence. In this role, the institute administers a competitive grants program, in collaboration with CPRA, to support research that can help answer questions and provide guidance in the state’s $50 billion, 50-year Coastal Master Plan.

To select the projects, the Center of Excellence coordinated an external peer-review process where three independent subject matter experts, including Center of Excellence External Review Board members, evaluated each proposal. Representatives from CPRA also evaluated the proposals to help determine how well each proposal applied to advancing the Coastal Master Plan work.

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