The proposal enables an appropriate framework to be set up to address a suitable research problem and provides a strategy for doing a thesis or dissertation. The proposal is a major part of the whole research project, and should not be seen as something to be skipped over. The proposal allows weaknesses and deficiencies of the project to be identified and strengthened, and although unforeseen problems do arise during research, they should be less numerous and less serious if the proposal was well thought through. The proposal should be developed with the guidance of your supervisors or advisors. At the proposal stage, other personnel are likely to be appointed to your supervision.
Supervisory arrangements vary between countries, and between institutions and departments.
These people should have fields of interest that are related to your research, and may variously be academic members of your department, or of departments in allied disciplines within the university, or professionals from outside the university. An external assistant supervisor may be appointed if your project is part of a larger research program being conducted between academic members of your department and an associated industry or research organization. Your research proposal would usually be submitted to your department for perusal and approval. They should consider the appropriateness of the topic and problem, the academic soundness of the proposal, the suitability of the methods, the realism of the action plan for the work, and the supervisory arrangements. The suggestions and rulings of such a committee should be taken seriously, as you will be unable to undertake the proposed study without its approval.