Short Research Proposal Structure / The components of a short research proposal/ Guide to research and dissertation/ First Phase of a Research

Suggested Format

Formative assignment (feedback from seminar tutor):

Research Proposal

(500 words)

                             

 

Title of Topic/Project Proposal

 This needs to be well defined, precise and clearly written. It may well contain phrases such as; ‘An investigation into ...’

                            ‘A critical analysis/appraisal of ...’

                            ‘An investigation to establish/analyse the impact of ...’

                            ‘A comparison between ...’

 

1.0 Introduction (2-3 short sentences)

     1.1 Identify a specific researchable topic area:

 Academic significance of topic area, the business context where the problem resides (your thinking so far)

     1.2 The importance of the problem (what you know about the importance of your topic, so far)

USE YOUR READING FROM ‘The Relevance Tree’ to explain what you know about the importance of the topic so far).

Cite previously published statistics. State how many people/ businesses are affected by it, etc. Explain the general and specific academic areas to show that you know where the problem is situated (the context of the study) and the general significance and impact of the problem on business operations in general.

 

1.3 Aim of the research project

 

Research aim (state the aim of the study / this is a restatement of the research problem, if you can.

 

End this part with:

 

Therefore, the aim of the proposed study is

‘to investigate …’,

‘to research ...’

‘to analyse/evaluate/compare …’,

 ‘to critically evaluate ...’, or

‘to survey or to assess …’

 

2.0 Research Objectives and Research Question(s) (2 or 3 ideas you have now)

 

The main research question - this is a restatement of the project/topic title.

 

Subsidiary questions (1-2 ideas) that help to answer your main research question - you can take these ideas from your Relevance Tree.

 

3.0 Literature Review (1-2 short paragraphs)

KEY WORDS (if you have them) and a short summary of one or two academic articles that you have read relating to the area of the research. A few sentences about something that have read that is about your topic.