How to write a research proposal
for a Dulwich Extended Project
Mr Huckle
jacob.huckle@dchigh-suzhou.cn
Room 201
What is the purpose of a research
proposal?
• To explain your initial ideas for your project,
how you will research your project and why
you want to complete this project.
Sections of a research proposal
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Proposed project title.
Abstract.
Relevant prior learning.
Motivations.
Key research questions.
Proposed research methodology and sources.
Proposed project title
• The best titles are phrased as questions
– E.g. ‘what are the causes…?’, ‘evaluate the effectiveness
of…’
– Instruction words: evaluate, analyse, assess, consider, …
• Be specific
– E.g. a poor, general question: ‘does space travel do more
harm than good?’
– E.g. a better, specific question: ‘assess the extent to which
the financial and political benefits of the NASA Space
Shuttle program (1972-2011) outweigh the financial and
environmental problems’
• Your question should allow you to access higher-level
thinking skills.
Abstract
• A short (100-200 words) summary introducing
your topic and your project.
• Refer to what you will study and why you want to
study it.
• You will go into more detail later, this is an
introductory overview.
• Write this in the detached third person and
future tense ‘this project will examine the causes
of the volcanic eruption in…’ not ‘I am examining
the causes of the volcanic eruption in…’
Relevant Prior Learning
• Explain what you have already learnt that will
help you with this project.
• Explain how your school studies up until now
will help you with this project.
• Remember, your project can be linked to your
previous studies but should not be repetition
of course work. THIS IS PLAGIARISM AND WILL
GET NO MARKS.
• Prior learning is both skills and knowledge.
Motivations
• Explain clearly why you want to complete the
Extended Project.
• Your reasons will be a mixture of:
– Personal interest
– Academic interest
– Future plans
• Show your passion and dedication.
Key questions
• List a few questions (approx. 3) that you will
answer in your project.
– E.g. ‘what were the financial costs of the space
shuttle program?’
– E.g. ‘what were the financial benefits of the space
shuttle program?’
Proposed research methodology and
sources
• Methodology = how you will research your
project.
• Explain what kind of research you will carry out.
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–
–
–
It may be reading sources online or in the library.
It may be designing an experiment.
It may be carrying out social research (questionnaires).
Etc.
• Give some examples of what your sources (where
you get your information from) will be and where
you will find your sources.
Demonstration of higher level thinking
skills.
You project should give you
opportunities to
demonstrate higher-level
thinking skills.
How will you do this?
What are these skills?
• Create = come up with new ideas, theories,
experiments, etc.
• Evaluate = consider the strengths /
weaknesses of an idea, the good and bad
points, come to a conclusion about something.
• Analyse = investigate a topic in detail, looking
at the causes, results, etc.
Do more than describe!
• Don’t just describe or explain something, try
to evaluate and analyse it.
What to do now
• Complete the Research Proposal form and
submit it to X by X.
• If you want to type your answers, download
the form from
– http://huckle-english.wikispaces.com
Architecture in Shanghai
• Modern architecture in Shanghai
• What has influenced the design of modern
architecture in Shanghai?
• Explain how Western and Chinese styles have
influenced modern architecture in Shanghai?
• Analyse whether Western styles have
influenced modern architecture in Shanghai
more than Chinese styles
Water Quality in Suzhou
• Is the water in very Suzhou polluted?
• Describe the water quality in Suzhou?
• Evaluate the extent to which the water quality
in Suzhou is worse than the water quality in
Hangzhou and the reasons for this.
The Beatles
• Discuss your opinions about the Beatles.
• Explain whether the Beatles is the best band
of all time or not.
• Did the Beatles influence pop music in the
1990s?
• How did the Beatles influence pop music in
the 1990s?
• Evaluate how far the Beatles influenced pop
music in the 1990s in Britain.