Where to begin (writing a research proposal)

Elementary

Let's first familiarize ourselves with the components of IMRAD.

I - Introduction

M - Method

RAD - Results and Discussion

These are the basic components of publishable research. 

There are, of course, unmentioned parts.

It ends with a Conclusion, and the entire set is preceded by an Abstract.

The introduction contains it the following important elements:

• The Hook, the opening part of the introduction, should catch the reader's attention and make them want to continue reading.
• Strategies include a puzzling question, a quote, or a description of an interesting event.
• Backgrounder - I use this wording instead of Background because not all submission formats use this as a heading. However, the content remains important. This informs the reader of information that they need to better understand what you are talking about
• An excellent example is my own dissertation experience. My topic is very interdisciplinary. It includes media and social science because I'm studying Boys Love on TV. So, we can only expect the media experts to know a little of the social sciences part and vice versa. More so, expect that only some of your readers will fully know your topic. This section bridges that issue.
• The problem statement group. I say group because there's a unique relationship among them. This group comprises the Literature review, Research question, and Framework.

For the sake of completeness, I'm mentioning that Methods can have its own subheadings depending on the complexity of the research. In particular, an Ethics Declaration should be declared if the research can touch on a sensitive subject of study.

Praxis

The above lists a sequential order of layout for publishable material. It does not mean that it was produced in the same sequence. Let's trace the actual process of how it is done.

1. Gather and familiarize with literature.
• I also collate the details of my pieces of literature onto an organized spreadsheet, but that's my personal strategy.
2. Compose the framework and problem statement.
3. Write the backgrounder.
4. Write the Literature Review.
5. Write your Method.

This sequence ensures that you have a certain degree of expertise within the field that you are studying. Part of this is your knowledge of the existing literature. Who are the currently published people who say something on the topic? Are their articles engaging each other? Complementing? Debating? Extending? 

A good illustration is attending a high-end gala. It would be weird if you did not know who the movers and shakers were in the event. 

It's the same thing with a proposal. How is it that you are proposing, yet you only have the basics? You need to know what's being discussed in the community.

If you have this, it proves in the proposal that you are ready to undertake your mission to prove your own thesis/dissertation (which is a synonym for argument).

As I say good luck to any of my readers, I also include this day's relevant Magic: the Gathering card. Just check out the quote (flavor text).

(Source: https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=414344)