Writing a good proposal

Learning objectives:

1. How to develop a useful research idea

1. How to go from a good research idea to a

‘workable’ research question

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Developing the Research Question:
Possible Inspirations or Sources
•Personal knowledge, interests or experience

•Existing Literature

•A puzzle or problem

•Replication

•Testing of Theory

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Steps: Developing a Research
Question(s)

Research area or topics

Clarify & refine the topic (idea) into one that is feasible

Turn the idea into research questions & objectives

Select appropriate research questions (interesting,

important, feasible)

Refine and develop, ensure you are clear of objectives

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 Practical Advice on Developing and Refining
the Research Question(s)
• Capability: is it feasible?
- Is the topic something with which you are fascinated?
- Do you have the necessary research skills?
- Is the research achievable within the available time?
- Will the project still be current (useful) when you finish?
- Do you have the financial resources?
- Are you reasonably certain of being able to gain access to data?

• Appropriateness: is it worth while?

- Does the topic meet the standards set by the examiners?
- Does the topic contain issues that have a clear link to theory?
- Are you able to state your research questions & objectives clearly?
- Will your proposed research be able to provide fresh insights into the topic?
- Are your findings likely to be symmetrical, i.e. similar value whatever the outcome?
- Does your research topic relate clearly to the idea you identified?
- Does the research topic match your career goals?

Source: Saunders et al., (2009, p.24)

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Adapted
Research Proposal – What we would like
to see it?
• Structure their argument
• Demonstrate the scope of the literature
• Demonstrate their understanding of the literature
• Present the debates that are taking place in that
literature
• Identify potential areas for further investigation
• Identify what role/position the research question may
fill
• Justify how it may make a contribution
•
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Good Research Proposal: Demonstration
from an Illustration
• Show the good proposal (in a different file)

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Research Proposal: Practical Help

• Practical Importance: Policy Relevance

• Academic Importance: reference to the literature and
debates in the area
• Identify the gaps: empirical gaps and theoretical gaps
• Brief plans for the data collection