Research proposal

• A research proposal is similar in a number of ways to a project proposal; however, a research proposal addresses a particular project: academic or scientific research. The forms and procedures for such research are well defined by the field of study, so guidelines for research proposals are generally more exacting than less formal project proposals.

Some thoughts

1. Be inclusive with your thinking. 2. Write down your ideas. 3. Don't be overly influenced by others-it's your research.

4. Try and set a realistic goal. 5. Set appropriate time lines. 6. Take a leave of absence when it will do the most good.

7. Try a preliminary study to help clarify your research.

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8. Read other proposals. 9. Prepare a comprehensive review of the literature.

10. Photocopy relevant articles.11. Proposal should be first 3 chapters of dissertation.

12. Focus your research. 13. Include a title on your proposal. 14. Organize around a set of questions.

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15. Some considerations for designing your research:

a. Design your research so the subjects benefit. b. Choose your methodology wisely. c. Consider combining methodologies. d. Carefully select location for your research. e. Avoid conducting research in conjunction with another agency.

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16. Use your advisory committee well.

a. Select faculty who will support you. b. Your major professor is your ally. c. Provide committee with well written proposal.

d. Plan the proposal meeting well.

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• 17. Begin writing with sections you know the best. 18. Rewrite your proposal into dissertation sections. 19. Use real names/places in early drafts of dissertation.

20. Print each draft on a different color paper. 21. Use hand drawings of graphics/tables for early drafts.

22. Make your writing clear and unambiguous. 23. Review other dissertations before you begin to write.

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24. Introduce tables in the text, present the table and then describe it.

25. Use similar or parallel wording whenever possible.26. Let your Table of Contents help you improve your manuscript.

27. Write real conclusions and implications - don't restate your findings.

28. Make your Suggestions for Further Research meaningful.

29. Chapter One should be written last.

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The Thesis/Dissertation Defense 30. Attend some defenses before it's your turn.

31. Discuss your research with others. 32. Don't circulate chapters to committee.33. The defense should be team effort - you and adviser.

34. Don't be defensive at your defense. 35. Organize your defense as an educational presentation.

36. Consider tape recording your defense. 37. Prepare an article on the outcomes of your research.

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• Research proposals contain extensive literature reviews and must offer convincing support of need for the research study being proposed. Doctoral dissertations begin with research proposal; the proposal must be accepted by a panel of experts (usually professors) before the actual research can begin.

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• In addition to providing rationale for the proposed research, the proposal must describe a detailed methodology for conducting the research--a methodology consistent with requirements of the professional or academic field. The links below offer explanations and examples of research proposals.

Objective of writing a proposal

• The objective in writing a proposal is to describe what you will do, why it should be done, how you will do it and what you expect will result. Being clear about these things from the beginning will help you complete your thesis in a timely fashion. A vague, weak or fuzzy proposal can lead to a long, painful, and often unsuccessful thesis writing exercise. A clean, well thought-out, proposal forms the backbone for the thesis itself. The structures are identical and through the miracle of word-processing, your proposal will probably become your thesis

Sample Proposal

• A Basic Proposal Outline: Introduction Topic area Research question Significance to

knowledge Literature review Previous research others & yours

Interlocking findings and Unanswered questions Your preliminary work on the topic The remaining questions and inter-locking logic Reprise of your research question(s) in this context

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• Methodology Approach Data needs Analytic techniques Plan

for interpreting results Expected results Budget Bibliography (or References)