A presentation on how to write a research proposal for Masters and PhD students or grant applicants

1. How to write a research
proposal
Dr. Franco Zappettini
Honorary Research Associate
Royal Holloway, University of London, UK
Part-time Lecturer of English, University of Genoa, Italy

2. What is research? Why do we do it?
]

3. What is research? Why do we do it?
 Research (n).
 a. the systematic investigation of data in order to establish facts and reach
new conclusions.
[Adapted from Oxford Concise Dictionary]

4. What is research? Why do we do it?
 Research (n).
 a. the systematic investigation of data in order to establish facts and reach
new conclusions.
[Adapted from Oxford Concise Dictionary
]
 We conduct research to contribute to the fostering of new knowledge
either in theoretical forms or through practical applications

5. What is a research project?
 A systematic effort to learn more about a selected topic, problem or issue.
In contrast to general study, a research project is a more focused, time-
limited exercise with an identifiable purpose and a largely pre-planned set
of research procedures.
 Usually it includes preparing some kind of written proposal as well as a
report describing the results of the research.
Thomas and Hodges, 2010

6. A research proposal is…
 a summary of the research project you intend to carry out
 But also an opportunity to demonstrate that you have the 4Cs:
 i.e. you are capable of thinking critically and communicating your ideas
clearly, concisely and coherently

7. When do you need to write a research
proposal?
 Postgraduate studies
 Master’s dissertation (MSc, MA, MJur..)
 Mphil degree
 PhD degree
 if applying for a research grant
 If applying for a study scholarship or a sponsorship

8. How to structure a research proposal:
Title
 Start with a tentative/working title for your intended research
 Keep it brief and relevant
 Should convey clearly the subject of your investigation
 Can be adjusted/revised later

9. How to structure a research proposal:
Introduction
 It sets out the background and context to the issues or questions that you
intend to address: What is the motive for your project?
 It outlines the general area of study within which your research falls,
referring to the current state of knowledge and any recent debates on the
topic.
 A good opportunity to convince the reader that:
 you have thought about the issues involved and are able to provide more than a
broad description of the topic you are planning to research
 you have done sufficient preliminary reading in your area of interest (lit rev)
 you enter in dialogue with other scholars in the field and participate to an
academic debate

10. How to structure a research proposal:
Introduction
 A good opportunity to:
 Use your lit rev to show how your research project fits into the wider field (PhD)
 Demonstrate originality by showing how your research will contribute to the
advancement of knowledge in your field (Phd)
 show the ability to design the collection and analysis of data in the context of lit
rev (e.g. replicate existing study with new data) (Masters)
 Demonstrate the significance ((theoretical or practical), timeliness and
originality of your intended research and its impact on the wider society.
 Address the ‘so what’ question

11. How to structure a research proposal:
Aims and objectives
 State clearly the aims and objectives of your research
 Aims are broader outcomes of the research of your research project
(what): discover, explain, evaluate, explicate, infer, explore, assess, etc.
 normally one aim
 Objectives are steps to be taken to accomplish the aims (how) to measure,
to test, to identify
 Can be phrased as specific research questions and subquestions (primary and
secondary qs) or as a hypothesis
 NB different academic fields might have different requirements need to check

12. How to structure a research proposal:
Aims and objectives
Adapted from Thomas and Hodges, 2010
Research aim
A statement indicating the general aim or purpose of a research project. Usually a
research project will have only one broad aim
Research objectives
Specific statements indicating the key issues to be focused on in a research project.
Usually a research project will have several specific research objectives
Research questions
An alternative to research objectives, where the key issues to be focused on in a
research project are stated in the form of questions
Research hypotheses
A prediction of a relationship between two or more variables, usually predicting the
effect of an independent variable on a dependent variable.

13. How to structure a research proposal:
Aims and objectives
 Aim: To investigate factors associated with partner violence
 Objective 1: To examine whether alcohol consumption is associated with increased
partner violence.
 Objective 2: To examine whether labour force status (employment, unemployment, not in
the labour force) is associated with variations in the incidence of partner violence.
Objective 3: To explore differences between couples with an extended history of partner
violence and couples with only a brief, recent history of partner violence
 Question 1: Is alcohol consumption associated with increased partner violence?
 Question 2: Is labour force status (employment, unemployment, not in the labour force)
associated with variations in the incidence of partner violence?
 Question 3: Are there differences between couples with an extended history of partner
violence and couples with only a brief, recent history of partner violence?
 Hypothesis 1: Higher consumption of alcohol will be associated with more incidents of
partner violence.
Adapted from Thomas and Hodges, 2010

14. How to structure a research proposal:
Aims and objectives
 Keep aims and objective focused. Narrow them down like a funnel starting
from your lit rev
 Be realistic about what you can achieve. Don’t be overambitious!
 Time management: Make sure your project is feasible within the duration of
your degree. Have a time table indicating the sequence of research
phases and the time that you will probably need for each phase. Be clear
about each step you need to take to take your aims.
 Be flexible and be prepared to switch to plan B. You might need to adjust
your aims and methodology e.g. if your data is not available

15. How to structure a research proposal:
Methodology
 Methodology encompasses the procedures, techniques and tools that will
be used to collect, analyse and generate research information or evidence
 Your choice of methodology defines how you will operationalise your
objectives
 Often methodology is defined by discipline and literature review
 Qualitative vs quantitative; positivist vs interpretivist; numeric vs non numeric
 The world is governed by consistent rules vs eracitus you cannot step in the
same river twice
 Clear ethic consent

16. How to structure a research proposal:
Methodology
 survey questionnaires (e.g. in person, postal, telephone, Internet)
 in-depth, one-to-one discussions or semi-structured interviews
 diary keeping
 focus groups.
 For gathering information about events:
 personal observation and/or direct participation (using memory and/or note taking)
 filming or video taping of events in either natural settings or a laboratory or clinic setting.
 For gathering information from or about items:
 photographing, video taping or drawing the item
 obtaining copies of paper-based records or digital files, government statistics, previous
research literature, etc.
 obtaining copies of archival material (e.g. diaries, letters, old newspaper articles)

17. How to structure a research proposal:
Bibliography
 include a bibliography of relevant works for your topic identified and
discussed in your lit rev

18. Reviewing your proposal
 Does it follow the ‘4 Cs’ rule:
 Is it CLEAR written and articulated? Does it make sense, does it all gel together or
is it vague and confusing?
 Is it CONCISE? (i.e does it provide all necessary information clearly and briefly?
 Is it COHERENT? (i.e. is it focused? Does it tell the reader a plausible story about
what you want to do, why you want to do it and how you will do it?)
 Does it demonstrate CRITICAL thinking? (Does it engage with the lit rev and does
it contribute to the advancement of the knowledge in the field? Is it original?)

19. Reviewing your proposal
 Talk to your peers/other postgraduate; ask them for some feedback
 Ask a friend to read and to comment on your proposal impartially and
critically
 Proof-read it! Don’t be let down by poor grammar
 Have you tried the elevator pitch?
 Would you be able to explain it to a lay audience in 300 words? Often if what
you are doing is clear to you, you should be able to explain it to others in few
simple words

20. References
 Thomas, D. R. & Hodges, I. D. (2010). Designing and managing your
research project: Core skills for social and health research London, : SAGE
Publications Ltd

21. Questions?