Scribd
Upload
38 views3 pages

Guidance On Proposal Writing For Research and Project Management Skills (HCP, CJM)

This document provides guidance on writing a research proposal for a Masters level project. It outlines the context and purpose of the proposal, discusses key components to include, and provides length guidelines. The proposal must convince the reader that the proposed research is important and worthwhile and that the student is capable of completing it. It should include sections on background/motivation, objectives, proposed work methods, and a concise summary. The document advises students to refine their topic and write the proposal during Semester 2, with guidance from supervisors, in order to progress to their dissertation work.

Uploaded by

Asif Nadeem
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
38 views3 pages

Guidance On Proposal Writing For Research and Project Management Skills (HCP, CJM)

This document provides guidance on writing a research proposal for a Masters level project. It outlines the context and purpose of the proposal, discusses key components to include, and provides length guidelines. The proposal must convince the reader that the proposed research is important and worthwhile and that the student is capable of completing it. It should include sections on background/motivation, objectives, proposed work methods, and a concise summary. The document advises students to refine their topic and write the proposal during Semester 2, with guidance from supervisors, in order to progress to their dissertation work.

Uploaded by

Asif Nadeem
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

Guidance on proposal writing for Research and Project Management Skills (HCP, CJM)

These notes are based on the Semester 1 lecture on Research Design and Writing a Research Proposal as presented by Dr. Merchant.

Context of RPMS
During Semester 2 students are expected to undertake: Detailed scoping of research project Preparation of project proposal somewhat before end of S2 Written submission (60% of mark) Presentation at PG conference (10% of mark) Progression to dissertation requires a satisfactory proposal Deadlines: 10 March for proposal. PG conference is 20-22 March

Wider context
All research needs to be designed On several scales Project scale: ultimate question, strategy for answer Task scale: how to go about the next step Research design happens before the start And designs need to be consciously updated throughout research phase Research needs to be funded / approved / commissioned Therefore proposals need to be written

What is research design?


Giving structure to you research Defining useful and achievable ends (objectives) What question(s) will I answer? Useful Address a gap in current knowledge Give basic descriptive information about a phenomenon never previously characterized Attempt to explain a phenomenon whose characteristics are poorly understood or predicted Demonstrates new or improved technique for obtaining information from data Achievable Demonstrably realistic chance of success Useful also implies not done before For MSc projects, similar is OK or even good This means you must do a significant literature review before finalising your objectives Practical tip for defining objectives: write questions that you will answer by your project Make the question(s) Specific Clear

Short then recast the questions as statements of objectives Devising realistic and efficient means (methods) How can I best answer the question(s)? Need to identify Data Can I collect it, measure it, download it, order it in time to work on it? Can the data support an answer to the question(s)? Are the data adequately extensive, complete, precise, appropriate, sampled? Models Theories Analysis and interpretative techniques Ethical aspects

Proposal writing
Proposal writing logically happens after your research design activities and before research project starts Purpose: To persuade someone that project should go ahead A suggested proposal structure is as follows: Title Short but descriptive Summary Background / Motivation General importance of area of study Current status, gaps in understanding Opportunity or new ideas to address gaps Specific statement of objectives Statement of proposed work Sequence of tasks needed to achieve results (Gannt chart) Techniques and data to be used Measures of success Conclusion References and notes These sections are expanded below: Background and motivation This is the section that persuades the reader that something is worth doing You write this section on the basis of your baseline literature review. So, when doing your literature review think about: Importance? Societal need and/or scientific challenge Limitations of existing understanding and why you think you can advance the field What precise questions (objectives) should I set myself?

Statement of proposed work This is the section that persuades the reader that you are the right person to do something Present your work plan systematically Include timeline of tasks, Gantt chart or similar Give evidence that you can do what you propose May involve some preliminary work! Explain how you will tackle each step Adequacy of data? Theory? Analysis tools? Etc State how you will assess your success Summary and conclusion The summary is the most important section It appears FIRST and is written LAST It is the hardest section to write properly allow one or two full days for to 2/3 of a page! It must summarize the importance, the objectives and the methods and do so clearly, briefly and elegantly The conclusion brings reader back to big picture after all the details in the statement of work Length guidelines (based on word processed document, 12 pt font on A4. Margins no narrower than 2.5cm) Title 1 line of text (max) Summary <1 page Background / Motivation 2 or 3 pages Statement of proposed work 3 or 4 pages Conclusion <0.5 page References and notes 1 page Grand total: No more than 8 sides

What to do during Semester 2


Refine your area of study for project, write the proposal and prepare the presentation During block 3 Talk to supervisor(s) Review literature Focus down on your precise objectives Make sure you have data or a timely plan to get it Outline method and approach During block 4 Make the detailed project plan Write the proposal (allow at least 5 full days for this) Thereafter do enjoyable and fruitful research!

You might also like