Writing a Research

Proposal

Presented by STUDENT LEARNING SUPPORT English · Academic Skills · Maths

In conjunction with BURCS

Level 4 HSS · learningsupport@bond.edu.au

The Scope

The scope of a research proposal is to:

•Summarize your proposed area of research. This may be formulated through research questions

•Outline and justify your research area

•Discuss your methodology

•Create a road map and plan for yourself and your supervisor

The Content

•Introduction

•Preliminary literature review

•Justification for the research

•Contribution to the research

•Limitations of the proposed research

•Proposed methodology

•Thesis outline

•Proposed timetable for completion

How should it be

structured?• Between 10-20 pages in length for a Ph.D

•A suggestion is to divide it into the 5 sections below. These often become part of the thesis content of chapter 1.

•Title

•Abstract

•Contribution to the research

•Preliminary literature review

•Proposed methodology

Writing the Research Proposal

Title

The research proposal should have a title. This should communicate your area of interest and summarize precisely what your research is about.

Abstract

The abstract should say what the research topic is and why it is important.

It should also identify the research method.

Preliminary Literature

Review

•Research the major current relevant literature on your topic

•Highlight main studies, & outline main theories

•Convince your supervisor that you have a sound basis for your study

Contribution to the

Research

This section should explain what & how your research will “add” to the body of knowledge in the world.

State the objectives clearly: To clarify...

To establish...

To determine whether...

Proposed Methodology

•Show how you plan to investigate your research

•Identify phases of your research

•Include a proposed timeline and aim to stick to it. State a suggested end date. Work backwards from there. “Begin with the end in mind” (Covey, 1991)

•Visualize your graduation day (it helps!)