A research proposal is a document written by a researcher that outlines their proposed research. It is typically used to help secure grant funding, or to persuade potential sponsors or supervisors of the value of the proposed research. The research proposal should include an introduction to the research topic, a literature review of relevant sources, a description of the research methodology, and a discussion of the expected results. It should also include a timeline for completion of the research, as well as a budget for the project.