Research Proposal

Produce a Research Proposal. The objective here is to identify and characterise a suitable research topic that you wish to investigate, to provide a rationale for why the proposed topic is of interest and worth analysing, and to outline the proposed approach to developing and conducting your research.

N.B. Please be reassured that as part of the normal process of conducting research, a topic often evolves from the original proposal. Hence, there will be some flexibility when moving into your final year and deepening your research as part of the Academic Dissertation. At this current stage, you are expected to write a proposal, rather than complete a full research project.

As part of your Research Proposal, you should:

· State clearly your proposed topic

· Provide a robust rationale (justification, explanation) for the proposed research, including the research question(s) you seek to answer; your main argument or approach; and your analytical and theoretical framework

· Specify key objectives of your proposed research

· Conduct and summarise your literature search, specifying key texts, the main arguments contained therein, and their relevance to your topic

· Outline an indicative methodology, explaining what methods/techniques may be suitable for investigating your topic

· Outline an indicative timeplan, explaining key elements and milestones of the proposed research

· List a preliminary bibliography.

Please see Appendix 1 for more specific information on the above points. It is important that your Research Proposal covers all the elements listed.

Word limit: 2000 words (60% of final mark)

Appendix 1 specifies word lengths relating to individual sections. Please note that the preliminary bibliography is excluded from the above word limit.

Assessment criteria

The criteria by which the mark will be given for this assignment are as follows:

· Clarity and suitability of the proposed topic

· Quality and relevance of the research rationale

· Clarity of the research objectives

· Quality and relevance of the literature search, including the suitability of the selected texts and the quality of the related summary provided

· Suitability of the proposed methodology

· Feasibility of the proposed time plan

· Clarity of writing style, and adherence to academic conventions (including bibliography).

Grading scheme

Appendix 1: Research Proposal Structure (for Coursework 1)

Title

Provide a clear title for your Research Proposal. Include a longer subtitle if it helps to further specify the proposed research.

Rationale (approx. 500 words)

Explain the topic you are proposing to research, and the reasons for your choice. State the research question you seek to answer, and your main argument and approach. Outline the main aims. Explain what motivates your interest in the topic. Importantly, refer to key theories and/or analytical perspectives as a way of contextualising your proposed research. Overall, the rationale serves to make a strong case for your proposal and to place it in the wider field of knowledge and/or practice to which you wish to contribute.

Objectives (approx 100 words)

List 3-6 main objectives of your research project. Objectives build on the underlying research aims by specifying step-by-step what the research seeks to achieve. Objectives should begin with an infinitive verb (‘to identify…’, ‘to investigate…’, ‘to evaluate…’, ‘to design…’, etc.), and should be action- and outcome-oriented.

Literature search and summary (approx. 1100 words)

Search and evaluate literatures relevant to your proposal. Identify what knowledge relating to your topic already exists, and what are current gaps. Follow the module guidelines on how to search, organise and summarise relevant sources. Make sure you use credible sources (academic journals, policy reports from reputable organisations or practice communities etc.) for your literature searches. Explain your literature search and summarise preliminary findings, showing how these inform your research proposal. Remember: research takes place in relation to an established field of knowledge or practice, by challenging earlier findings or expanding on them in new ways; it thus has to be grounded in relevant literature (academic, policy etc.).

Methodology (approx. 200 words)

Explain your proposed methodology; how this helps to address your research aims and objects; and how it relates to the wider body of theory or policy practice to which your project seeks to contribute. Outline specific methods and techniques suitable for carrying out the proposed research. Discuss the type of research data to be generated and what data analysis will be needed.

Time plan (apporx. 100 words)

Outline a time plan for the proposed research. Include key steps and milestones. In setting out an indicative time schedule, you can demonstrate that you have thought through the proposed research in sufficient detail to make it manageable and feasible within the context of your studies. You may illustrate your time plan using e.g. a Gantt chart.

Preliminary Bibliography

List the cited literature (see ‘literature search’, above) and any additional references in the bibliography section at the end of your proposal. In doing so, you must provide full details and follow academic conventions for listing bibliographical references. N.B. The bibliography is excluded from the word count.