Research plan
Besides describing the grounding of the study, approach and methodological solutions the research
plan contain also the planned schedule, and the funding of the studies. The research plan can be
refined and complemented as the work progresses and the plan can be used when applying for
funding. The research plan of a doctoral dissertation consists of a title page, maximum of five text
pages (spacing 1, 5 and font size 11) and a list of references. The structure and contents of the plan
are the following:
(1) Background of the study (description of the topic, its grounding, significance);
(2)Theoretical approach (Concepts and possibly theories, theoretical perspectives, methodological
premises, previous research pertaining to the topic);
(3) Research problem/questions (The aim of the study and research questions/problems, if
applicable, hypotheses);
(4) Research methods (context and design, methods, data, collection and analysis of data. In case of
a dissertation study consisting of a collection of separate publications data, the collection of data and
analysis must be presented per publication, for example, in a table);
(5) Ethical issues (Ethical issues related to methods and data collection, in conducting the research,
recruitment of the participants, getting an informed consent and protecting the anonymity of the
participants, getting research permits, the storage and handling of the data.
(6) Implementation of the research, including the following, presented concisely for example in a
table: timetable of the study, financing, if the study will be accomplished part-time or full-time (as in
detail as possible), Mobility plan and publication plan: timetable of publishing the results (in case of
articles, give also their planned titles);
(7) Expected impact of research (expected scientific and social impact as well as the applicability and
usability of the results);
(8) List of references (apply American Psychological Association style).
The title page of the research plan contains following information: Name of the doctoral dissertation
research, name of the author, form of the doctoral dissertation (monograph or a collection of 3-5
separate publications, e.g. articles), language of the doctoral dissertation, area of research
strength of the faculty, supervisors (supervisor-in-charge first), member of the follow-up group (not a
supervisor), estimated year of accomplishing the doctoral degree
The detailed template:
The research plan of a doctoral dissertation consists of a title page, maximum of five text pages and a
list of references. Use line spacing 1,5 and font size 11.
The title page contains following information:
Name of the doctoral dissertation research
Name of the author
Form of the doctoral dissertation (monograph or a collection of 3-5 separate publications, e.g. articles)
Language of the doctoral dissertation
Area of research strength of the faculty
Supervisors (main supervisor first)
Member of the Dissertation Support Group (not a supervisor)
Estimated year of accomplishing the doctoral degree
The structure and contents of the plan are the following:
1.
Background of the study
Grounds:
 Justification and description of the topic
 Significance and motivation of the study
Theoretical background:
 Concepts and possibly theories, theoretical perspectives, methodological premises
Previous research pertaining to the topic (in brief)
2.
Research problem/questions
The aim of the study and research questions/problems (if applicable, hypotheses)
3.
Research methods
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4.
Ethical issues
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5.
Methodological solutions: design of the study (especially if the study is experimental or an
intervention study), methods, data, collection and analysis of data. In case of a dissertation
study consisting of a collection of separate publications data, the collection of data and
analysis must be presented per publication, for example, in a table.
Potential contact to a larger research project
Ethical issues related to methods and data collection.
Ethical issues in conducting the research ( e.g. minors as research participants)
Recruitment of the participants, getting an informed consent and protecting the anonymity of
the participants, getting research permits.
The storage and handling of the data
Implementation of the research
Including the following, presented concisely for example in a table.
Timetable of the study: Presenting how the data collection, analysis and writing the results will
progress
Financing: a plan how the study will be financed (For example, where funding will be applied), if the
study will be accomplished part-time or full-time (as in detail as possible)
Mobility plan: potential international mobility during the study, visits and conferences.
Publication plan: timetable of publishing the results (in case of articles, give also their titles)
6.
Expected impact of research
Including, for example, the following:
 Expected scientific and social impact
 The applicability and usability of the results
7.
List of references (apply American Psychological Association style)