Dissertations and research projects

Writing your research proposal

What is a research proposal used for?

Your research proposal is an important step in the dissertation process as it allows you to determine whether there is an evidence base for your project and a need for your research to be conducted. The proposal allows you to identify a specific area or research problem, and to reflect on the practical steps you will need to complete in order to finish the dissertation. Your proposal should therefore make your research project appear achievable with the time and resources you have available. In some departments, the proposal will also be used to match your dissertation to an appropriate supervisor.

What should I include in the proposal?

Your proposal includes many of the same sections as a dissertation, but of course it is read with the understanding that this is a proposed project and that details may change. Remember, the proposal is about demonstrating that you know what the dissertation process will involve and that you have started to reflect on the practicalities of completing such a project. 

Here are the key sections your proposal should include. Be sure to check this against your assessment criteria or module guide:

Working title
Your title should outline a clear topic area and your research approach. Some common techniques include using a question (‘For more tips on what makes an effective title, visit this online guide.

Background and research aims
Introduce your topic area, including definitions if helpful and appropriate. You should also include a bullet-point list of your research objectives (2-4 is a good number to include) or questions that you will aim to answer. It can also be helpful to include a short paragraph outlining what you hope to achieve and contribute to knowledge with your dissertation.

Literature review
You should conduct a short literature review of around 750-1000 word that includes the following three sections:

1. Background information on your topic - Define key terms, signpost any issues or debates in the literature, introduce the research problem or question in its broadest terms.
2. Trends in the literature - Highlight key trends in existing research – summarise the main theories or concepts in the literature in your area. Situate your project in relation to these.
3. Identify a gap or research problem - Provide more detailed information on a focused aspect of the topic that your research will address. Identify the gap or show specifically what your research hopes to contribute – either for your participants, a theoretical development or a new methodological approach.

Methodology
This will be a brief outline of your intended methods and procedure for data collection. This should be in the future tense and use cautious language where appropriate. Aim to include:

• your overall methodology (quantitative/qualitative) and research design (case study, pilot study, experimental design);
• your research methods and why they are appropriate for your proposed project ;
• identify a participant group and consider how they will be recruited, along with approach to sampling;
• how you intend to analyse the data and any tools/software required to complete this step;
• acknowledge that you will obtain ethical approval for the study and address any ethical considerations you must take at this stage.

Research schedule (optional – check with your module leader)
Outline key milestones in your project and identify short and medium-term deadlines. This could be presented in a table, as a monthly schedule or using a Gantt chart.

Bibliography
Make sure you include a list of the references used in your research proposal, in APA format. This will not be included in the word count for the proposal.