42+ SAMPLE Research Work Plan

What is a Research Work Plan?

A research work plan is an integrated, comprehensive, and well-coordinated written document which is generally used for the successful development plan of a specific research project, thesis work, PhD research work, and/or other outputs of in-depth analysis and discovery. It also illustrates beneficial explanations of initial ideas and concepts on a particular research project in a concise and systematic manner. It is a research management tool with the aim of guiding different individuals and professionals such as peers, college students, graduate students, educators, academic researchers, science researchers, medical practitioners, potential research collaborators, and many others to facilitate logical and organized planning when achieving success. Also, it is important to be added in one’s overall research and development plan.

According to a report, there’s a growth of 4.2% between 2013 and 2018 in the research and development industry. It is anticipated to accelerate even more due to the rise of new statistical techniques in the research field like AI research. Thus, all kinds of college and university students and working professionals like academic researchers, medical researchers, biological researchers, project managers, team supervisors, teachers, clinical professionals, and content marketing strategists should effectively create a compelling and well-detailed research work plan.

Different Types of Research Work Plans

“Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success.” These words are said by a famous painter named Pablo Picasso. In all aspects of our personal life and professional work, it is integral to create effective plans to succeed. Also, you need to have a clear insight and understanding about the different types of research work plans that you will utilize for your research and development matters. Here we will explain to you about the different types of research work plans:

1. Field Research Plan 

Are you conducting research work for the paleontological field? When preparing your research plan, develop the proposed project background by writing the overview of the field research to be performed at the site, identifying the goals and objectives of the research, pertinent research and fossil discoveries near or at the site, and significance of the project. Include a map of the site which will demonstrate the area(s) of interest and describe the geology and paleontology in detail. Write the name and qualifications of the lead researcher and field supervisor, as well as the names, assigned roles and experience of other research team members. For the research design, organize the research methodology, work schedule and analysis. Define the research methods such as the survey and/or sampling research, tools and equipment to be used, data collection techniques, specimen collecting strategy and data recording. For the work schedule, set the start and end date of field research work and total field days. For the analysis, determine the location where fossils collected will be taken for in-depth study if necessary, create the overview of laboratory research methodology and schedule for careful analysis. Define the site considerations which include safety, access, structures and vegetation.

2. PhD Research Work Plan

Organize the primary sections of your research work plan such as the courses, characterization of the medical problem, assessment of the issue, assessment of the injuries or infection, in-depth imaging of the medical issue or disease, and preparation of the thesis and defense. Finalize the description of your project. For the medical problem characterization, include some details and explanation from conference articles and journal articles. For the assessment of the injuries or infection, include some information and analysis of the literature study, data collection, implementation of algorithms, conference articles and journal articles. Literature study, technical testing, data collection, implementation of algorithms, conference articles and journal articles. It is important to write a cohesive PhD research work plan to consciously structure key ideas, methods, strategies and techniques in clinical trials and studies.

3. COVID-19 Safety Research Work Plan

Creating a comprehensive plan for COVID-19 safety research work is important to prepare and outline the goals, objectives, methods, evaluation, results, discussion, conclusion, and recommendations properly, especially managing safety and risk assessments. Prior to creating this plan, you need to strictly work with your research team, academic supervisor, medical experts, and the management authorized in implementing health guidelines and protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic. Include project details in your plan such as the main contact, phone number, e-mail address, faculty, school, research unit, research location(s), member of research staff and students/others involved, project summary, and third party involvement or any collaborating organization or research partners during the safety research project.

4. Social Cohesion Research Work Plan

Define the work plan by explaining the shared values, shared challenges, and other major issues to consider in the social cohesion research work. Then, design a research framework, and a research inventory. Explain the roles and responsibilities of your interdepartmental partnerships like a data working group and a research working group. After that, address the concerns regarding the identification of resources for the research projects and identification of relative priorities. Thus, you need a comprehensive social cohesion research work plan so that you are able to accomplish your research work in your departments and agencies in an orderly manner.

Basic Components of a Research Work Plan 

In this section, you will learn how to construct a well-written and systematic research work plan. But you need to learn about the different kinds of components of a research work plan. Include the following elements for you to create a professional piece of writing:

Title and Abstract: What is the title of your research work plan? Create a compelling and thought-provoking title of your research work plan. Then, write a one page abstract which include objectives, interest and originality of the scientific contribution and potential application fields.Table of Contents: Set a clear and systematic outline of your research work plan by indicating the primary sections and main headings, subsections and subheadings and pages of the contents of the research work plan. Introduction of the Research Topic: Identify the research problem or object of analysis to be researched. State the art of the research problem or phenomenon under research while referring to the most recent publications available in the literature concerning the phenomenon. Specify your objectives and the original contribution at which you aim while solving the research problem. Describe the theoretical framework/s that are relevant like a listing of literature. Indicate the hypothesis, assumptions or background ideas which support the objectives of your research work. Research Methodology: Include the short revision of the methodologies adopted in the research field. Justify the adopted methodological approach. Then, list and justify the tools and resources that will be required in the research. Work Plan: Structure the work contents in which the research work is broken down. Group the anticipated research activities in stages and content blocks, as well as the dependencies between work contents and the achievement indicators that can be accomplished in identifiable time periods. Determine the dates in which the research work contents are done. Conclusion: After accomplishing the content of the research work plan, end your document with a simple concluding paragraph. Restate your research topic and your thesis. Construct a summary of the fundamental points of your research work. Then, relate the relevance or results of the key points of your work References: Write comprehensive opinions and comments of the literature references, especially on the significance of the references to the objectives of the research work. Cite the references that you used for your overall research work plan.

How to Write a Research Work Plan

If you are one of the beginning researchers currently working in the later stages of PhD work and post doctorate degree work, or perhaps you are one of the independent researchers in your field, it is important that you have the right skills and expertise in confronting the situation where you are expected to be able to develop your own research projects and make them work. Aside from setting your own style and mode of work and doing your best in reaching a successful execution of practice-based research work, you need to rely on the appropriate development and execution of a well-designed research work plan. Below are some easy-to-follow tips that indicate how to write a clear and structured research work plan:

Step 1: Develop the Introduction, Focus of Research, Goals and Methodology

Provide the background and motivation for your research work. Explain basic knowledge necessary for the project. Highlight the scientific or economic need of your research work. Then, explain the primary question you want to answer while associating it with the current state of research and emphasize its significance in this context. What are your research goals and objectives? State your goals and objectives and show what you want to accomplish and clarify your research contribution to the subject. After that, specify research methodology and techniques that will be utilized for your research work: field work, laboratory work, modeling technique, interdisciplinary collaboration, etc. 

Step 2: Summarize the Research Work 

The second step is summarizing the research work conducted. Since the start of your research work, you need to record and define the key points of your research work. Showcase the purpose, statistical techniques, analysis and evaluation process, experiments, data collection, discussion and interim results. Include a system that will guide you in tracking the steps leading to research work achievement. 

Step 3: Set a Research Timeline 

Set a research blank timeline to help guide the execution of the research work plan. Construct a detailed time plan and show which research work has to be completed and when it will be done. Include other responsibilities or obligations that must be performed in your research project.

Step 4: Add Other Details

Give a clear and concise overview of subjects or steps of your research work you intend to publish. Suggest some meetings or conferences you plan to attend that will guide you in the presentation of your research work. Then, list down the facilities or infrastructures like the software you will need to accomplish your research work. Define the research papers and other publications like journal articles you have already cited in the research work plan.

Step 5: Proofread and Prepare the Overall Plan

Review your entire research work plan and make sure that you fully indicate all the key points in your research work plan. Provide the link between the specific research goals, objectives, resources, strategies and methods used for achieving the objectives, and the evaluation of the researchers involved in the research work plan. If you realize that you forget some sections that require more information, it is essential to edit and revise the document as soon as possible.

FAQs

What are the major components of a research work plan?

The key components that should be included in a research work plan are title, abstract, table of contents, introduction of research topic, research methodology, work plan, conclusion, citation and references, and presentation and publication of research findings.

What are the advantages of a research work plan?

The advantages of a research work plan is to provide clarity and focus in reaching definite research goals and strategic planning objectives, to facilitate critical thinking, logical analysis, and in-depth reflection, to set ownership and accountability, and to determine measures of success in a specific research work.

What are some examples of research work plans?

Some examples of research work plans are research project work plan, PhD research work plan, research data management work plan, research work action plan, transport research work plan, monthly project research work plan, research work group plan, half yearly research work plan, research trainee work plan, research team work plan, research work continuity plan, social cohesion research work plan, strategic research work plan, field research work plan, research community work plan, research safe work plan, and more.

How to manage and monitor a research work plan?

When managing and monitoring a research work plan, clearly identify the research goals and objectives, analyze indicators, data collection methods, and timeline, and look for the right roles and responsibilities of key individuals in your research and development team.

Robert J. Sawyer said: “The heart and soul of good writing is research; you should write not what you know but what you can find out about.” If  you are a college student who needs to complete a thesis work, a graduate student who needs to achieve a PhD or doctoral degree, or a novice researcher who needs to complete a research work, writing a clear and well-integrated research work plan is an impressive method to guide you in executing your overall research work with flying colors. To assist you in research work plan writing, you can learn and apply the tips aforementioned in this article. Plus, we have included several research work plan samples, PhD research work plan examples, research data management work plan templates, social cohesion research work plan examples, field research work plan templates, research community work plan examples, research safe work plan templates and many others that you can download.