---
title: "Writing a Research Proposal: Question, Feasibility and Milestones"
description: "A proposal argues that a question is worth answering and that this group can answer it. The hard part is feasibility: naming the step most likely to fail, saying how it will be tested early, and what "
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/writing-a-research-proposal-question-feasibility-and-milestones-mt_RYEXqgkeEU
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/writing-a-research-proposal-question-feasibility-and-milestones-mt_RYEXqgkeEU.md
retrieved: 2026-09-12
---

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# Writing a Research Proposal: Question, Feasibility and Milestones

A proposal argues that a question is worth answering and that this group can answer it. The hard part is feasibility: naming the step most likely to fail, saying how it will be tested early, and what the project becomes if that test goes badly.

Subject: Science · Area: Chemistry · Ages 23 to 24
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/writing-a-research-proposal-question-feasibility-and-milestones-mt_RYEXqgkeEU

## Ready when they can

- States a research question narrowly enough that an experiment could settle it
- Identifies the riskiest step in a plan and schedules the experiment that tests it first
- Sets milestones that a reader outside the group could check
- Writes a fallback that keeps the project useful if the central idea fails

## Lesson: Propose work you can actually finish

A proposal argues that a question is worth answering and that your group can answer it. Start broad, then narrow to a question one experiment could settle. Name exactly what you will change, what you will measure, and what you will keep the same. If you cannot name those three, the question is still too broad.

Lay out the methods, materials, and order of steps so a reader believes the work fits your time and tools. Then admit what could go wrong: name the step most likely to fail and schedule the experiment that tests it first. A small early failure costs little and tells the truth, while the same failure found late can sink the project.

**Example.** Telescope committees face more proposals than nights in a year, so they ask the same questions you should ask yourself. Is the question stated clearly enough that the work could settle it. Can this team do it with the time and equipment requested. Are there checkpoints along the way. Read your draft the way that committee would.

**Tip.** Set milestones an outsider could check, and write the fallback that keeps the project useful if the central idea fails. Shrink to an answerable part, switch methods, or report the negative result as real knowledge. Plans that hide the risky step at the end read as untrustworthy.

**Recap.** Narrow the question, test the riskiest step first, and promise milestones a stranger can check.

## Practice

8 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Risk Assessment for a Reaction Nobody Has Run Here](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/risk-assessment-for-a-reaction-nobody-has-run-here-mt_CdotJQjdka)
- [Framing a Research Question](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/framing-a-research-question-mt_IEMPNTY48g)

## Opens up

- [Reporting Chemical Data: Statistics, Figures and Data Availability](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/reporting-chemical-data-statistics-figures-and-data-availability-mt_P3RFmE6LzI)