Research proposal seminar The shape of a research proposal 1.

Introduction the research question A brief statement of the problem or puzzle that your are trying to address What is a research question? What is a puzzle in political science? 2. Justifying the research topic significance Why is the research area important or significant? Does it represent a theoretical, real life, or other political question that requires investigating? 3. The hypothesis or contention underpinning your research What is being tested? The aim of the research what are you trying to ascertain or find out? 4. Situate the research proposal in the context of the academic literature This includes an overview of the main literatures relating to your research area. How these literatures feed into your research proposal and how you would propose to incorporate or interpret previous work in your own research. 5. Methodology Research Design How will I gather my research. The conduct of the research qualitative or quantitative? Will interviews or surveys be required if so how will they be conducted? 6. Anticipated findings What you think the research will find. This is informed speculation based on your preliminary analysis of the problem or puzzle you wish to address. 7. Conclusion To include a prcis of why the research is important, the aim and focus of the research and why it will make a contribution to political science (or whatever domain it will contribute to).