The research plan is a formal document that presents the research scope, methodology, and details regarding data collection and analysis. Research plans are crucial because they ensure that all parties involved (e.g., internal or external clients and research team members) are on the same page. When research plans are used as contracts between clients and research firms, they are called research proposals.

Step 1: Choose one of the following Research Objectives

Company	Research Objective
Sams Club	Will lowering membership fees increase the number of joining members? If so, by how much?
MOD Pizza	How is our brand perceived in midwest American cities compared to our top competitors?
Bath & Body Works	Should Bath & Body Works offer a skincare line that includes cleansers, exfoliators, and anti-aging treatments?

Step 2: Select a Research Method appropriate to the research objective you chose

(see Determining the Research Methodology in Chapter 2)

Step 3: Prepare a brief proposal for the client covering these components:

1. Study responsibilities
2. Objectives
3. Methodology
4. Deliverables (e.g., a final report or a data file)
5. Timeline
6. Investment