How to write a research proposal
Before you apply for postgraduate research, you'll need to write a research proposal. The purpose of your
proposal is to outline your project and develop an argument for the research topic you are proposing.
Here are some elements you might like to include in your research proposal:
Element
Introduction
Description
Provide a brief overview of your research project. Include your aims and objectives,
and outline the question your research will address.
Outline a specific theoretical foundation for your research project. Prove you are
Background
familiar with major theoretical and empirical contributions by other researchers and
frame your own research question in this context. Remember to cite landmark
studies in your field.
Significance
Explain why your project is unique and how the new knowledge generated by your
research project will contribute to existing knowledge in this field.
Outline how you plan to conduct your research project including your sources,
Methodology
research methods and how you plan to analyse and report data. Be clear about the
boundaries and conditions of your research. Discuss the potential limitations of your
methodology and show that you have thought about the ethical issues involved.
References
You may like to cite similar studies to yours or landmark studies in your field.