This document provides guidance on writing a good PhD research proposal. It discusses that the proposal should define a clear research question and approach, highlight the originality and significance of the research, and explain how it contributes to existing literature. The proposal persuades potential supervisors of the importance and feasibility of the research project. It also assesses a candidate's expertise and ability to complete the PhD within 3-6 years. The document recommends including a title, overview of research context and questions, literature review, methodology, timeline, and resources in the proposal. Overall, the proposal outlines and makes a case for the proposed research project.
This document provides guidance on writing a good PhD research proposal. It discusses that the proposal should define a clear research question and approach, highlight the originality and significance of the research, and explain how it contributes to existing literature. The proposal persuades potential supervisors of the importance and feasibility of the research project. It also assesses a candidate's expertise and ability to complete the PhD within 3-6 years. The document recommends including a title, overview of research context and questions, literature review, methodology, timeline, and resources in the proposal. Overall, the proposal outlines and makes a case for the proposed research project.
This document provides guidance on writing a good PhD research proposal. It discusses that the proposal should define a clear research question and approach, highlight the originality and significance of the research, and explain how it contributes to existing literature. The proposal persuades potential supervisors of the importance and feasibility of the research project. It also assesses a candidate's expertise and ability to complete the PhD within 3-6 years. The document recommends including a title, overview of research context and questions, literature review, methodology, timeline, and resources in the proposal. Overall, the proposal outlines and makes a case for the proposed research project.
This document provides guidance on writing a good PhD research proposal. It discusses that the proposal should define a clear research question and approach, highlight the originality and significance of the research, and explain how it contributes to existing literature. The proposal persuades potential supervisors of the importance and feasibility of the research project. It also assesses a candidate's expertise and ability to complete the PhD within 3-6 years. The document recommends including a title, overview of research context and questions, literature review, methodology, timeline, and resources in the proposal. Overall, the proposal outlines and makes a case for the proposed research project.
Writing a Good PhD Research Proposal 17/01/2020 13:24
Find A PhD (/) > Advice (/advice/) > Finding a PhD (/advice/,nding/) > PhD Advice Applications (/advice/,nding/phd-applications.aspx) > Writing a Research Proposal (/advice/) (/advice/,nding/writing-phd-research-proposal.aspx) Finding a PhD (/advice/findin g/) Writing a Good PhD Research PhD Applications Proposal (/advice/findin g/phd- What is a PhD proposal? applications.as px) A PhD proposal is a an outline of your proposed project that is designed to: Overview (/advice/,nding/ phd- De,ne a clear question and approach to answering it applications.asp x) Highlight its originality and/or signi,cance
Writing a Explain how it adds to, develops (or challenges) existing
Research literature in the ,eld Proposal (/advice/6nding /writing-phd- Persuade potential supervisors and/or funders of the research- importance of the work, and why you are the right person to proposal.aspx) undertake it Contacting Potential Research proposals may vary in length, so it is important to check with Supervisors (/advice/,nding/ the department(s) to which you are applying to check word limits and contacting-phd- guidelines. Generally speaking, a proposal should be around 3,000 words supervisors.aspx ) which you write as part of the application process.
The PhD Interview What is the research proposal for? (/advice/,nding/ phd- Potential supervisors, admissions tutors and/or funders use research interview.aspx) proposals to assess the quality and originality of your ideas, your skills in PhD Interview critical thinking and the feasibility of the research project. Please bear in Questions (/advice/,nding/ mind that PhD programmes in the UK are designed to be completed in phd-interview- three years (full time) or six years (part time). Think very carefully about questions.aspx) the scope of your research and be prepared to explain how you will PhD Personal complete it within this timeframe. Statements (/advice/,nding/ phd-personal-
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statement.aspx) Research proposals are also used to assess your expertise in the area in which you want to conduct research, you knowledge of the existing CVs for PhD Applications literature (and how your project will enhance it). Moreover, they are used (/advice/,nding/ to assess and assign appropriate supervision teams. If you are phd-cv.aspx) interested in the work of a particular potential supervisor – and Academic Cover especially if you have discussed your work with this person – be sure to Letters (/advice/,nding/ mention this in your proposal. We encourage you strongly to identify a academic-cover- letters.aspx) prospective supervisor and get in touch with them to discuss your proposal informally BEFORE making a formal application, to ensure it is Choosing References of mutual interest and to gain input on the design, scope and feasibility (/advice/,nding/ of your project. Remember, however, that it may not be possible to phd- references.aspx) guarantee that you are supervised by a speci,c academic.
PhD Eligibility Crucially, it is also an opportunity for you to communicate your passion (/advice/,nding/ phd- in the subject area and to make a persuasive argument about what your eligibility.aspx) project can accomplish. Although the proposal should include an outline, PhD Graduate it should also be approached as a persuasive essay – that is, as an Entry Tests opportunity to establish the attention of readers and convince them of (/advice/entry- tests/phd-entry- the importance of your project. tests.aspx)
Quali,cation Is the research proposal ‘set in stone’?
Equivalencies (/advice/,nding/ No. Good PhD proposals evolve as the work progresses. It is normal for phd- quali,cation- students to re,ne their original proposal in light of detailed literature equivalencies.as reviews, further consideration of research approaches and comments px) received from the supervisors (and other academic staff). It is useful to view your proposal as an initial outline rather than a summary of the ‘,nal product’.
Structuring a Research Proposal
Please check carefully with each department to ,nd out whether a speci,c template is provided or required. In general, however, the following elements are crucial in a good research proposal:
Title
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This can change, but make sure to include important ‘key words’ that will relate your proposal to relevant potential supervisors, funding schemes and so on. Make sure that your title goes beyond simply describing the subject matter – it should give an indication of your approach or key questions.
Overview of the research
In this section you should provide a short overview of your research and where it ,ts within the existing academic discourses, debates or literature. Be as speci,c as possible in identifying in_uences or debates you wish to engage with, but try not to get lead astray into a long exegesis of speci,c sources. Rather, the point is to sketch out the context into which your work will ,t.
You should also use this section to make links between your research and the existing strengths of the department to which you are applying. Visit appropriate websites to ,nd out about existing research taking place in the department and how your project can complement this.
If applying to multiple departments, be sure to tailor a unique proposal to
each department – readers can tell if a proposal has been produced for ‘mass consumption’!
Be sure to establish a solid and convincing framework for your research
in this section. This should include:
research questions (usually, 1-3 should succe) and the reason
for asking them the major approach(es) you will take (conceptual, theoretical, empirical and normative, as appropriate) and rationale signi,cance of the research (in academic and, if appropriate, other ,elds)
Positioning of the research (approx. 900 words)
This section should discuss the texts which you believe are most important to the project, demonstrate your understanding of the research issues, and identify existing gaps (both theoretical and
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practical) that the research is intended to address. This section is
intended to ‘sign-post’ and contextualize your research questions, not to provide a detailed analysis of existing debates.
Research design & methodology (approx. 900 words)
This section should lay out, in clear terms, the way in which you will structure your research and the speci,c methods you will use. Research design should include (but is not limited to):
The parameters of the research (ie the de,nition of the subject
matter) A discussion of the overall approach (e.g. is it solely theoretical, or does it involve primary/empirical research) and your rationale for adopting this approach Speci,c aims and objectives (e.g. ‘complete 20 interviews with members of group x’) A brief discussion of the timeline for achieving this
A well developed methodology section is crucial, particularly if you
intend to conduct signi,cant empirical research. Be sure to include speci,c techniques, not just your general approach. This should include: kinds of resources consulted; methods for collecting and analyzing data; speci,c techniques (ie statistical analysis; semi-structured interviewing; participant observation); and (brief) rationale for adopting these methods.
References Your references should provide the reader with a good sense of your grasp on the literature and how you can contribute to it. Be sure to reference texts and resources that you think will play a large role in your analysis. Remember that this is not simply a bibliography listing ‘everything written on the subject’. Rather, it should show critical re_ection in the selection of appropriate texts.
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