Chapter 5 Crafting a Research Proposal Zina O’Leary

The Role of a Research Proposal A research proposal offers an opportunity to clarify your thinking, bed down ideas and articulate thoughts in a way that will provide a blueprint for future action. It is also a means for ‘selling’ your project and getting it off the ground. Zina O’Leary (2009) The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. London: Sage

The Role of a Research Proposal Your proposal should convince assessors of the merits of: your research question - you have clearly articulated the question and successfully argued that it is worth exploring your proposed methods - you have clearly proposed a logical, practical, ethical means for answering your research question you as the researcher - you have shown a requisite level of skill, knowledge, and potential. Zina O’Leary (2009) The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. London: Sage

Proposal Requirements Proposals differ in requirements, but most will ask you to articulate some combination of the following: title summary/abstract aims/objectives research question/hypothesis introduction/background/rationale literature review theoretical perspectives methods: limitations/delimitations ethical considerations timelines budget/funding references. Zina O’Leary (2009) The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. London: Sage

Writing Your Proposal Writing a winning proposal requires you to follow guidelines as close to the letter as possible. Writing purposively involves good planning, knowing your subject, finding a voice, writing tightly yet sufficiently, writing for the non-expert, and being prepared to redraft. Zina O’Leary (2009) The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. London: Sage

Obstacles Obstacles can involve: proposals that do not fit a committee’s requirements proposals with emergent designs. In both cases, being knowledgeable, confident and open will enhance chances of success. Zina O’Leary (2009) The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. London: Sage

Changes Post Approval Even though it may seem painful, if you want or need to change direction/ method you are well advised to keep your approval body informed. Zina O’Leary (2009) The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. London: Sage