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    Research Proposal Structure Doctoral

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    Pearl Kimberly Quidor Lavarez
    This document outlines the sections and content required for a research proposal for a PhD or MPhil degree. It discusses that the proposal should describe the research aim, objectives or questions, provide a literature review of existing research on the topic, and explain the proposed research design and methodology. Specifically, it states the proposal should include an introduction outlining the research topic and significance, the aim and objectives or questions, a literature review summarizing and evaluating previous studies on the topic, and a research design section describing the proposed methods and techniques for data collection, analysis, ensuring quality and addressing ethics.

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    Research Proposal Structure Doctoral

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    Pearl Kimberly Quidor Lavarez
    922 views6 pages
    This document outlines the sections and content required for a research proposal for a PhD or MPhil degree. It discusses that the proposal should describe the research aim, objectives or questions, provide a literature review of existing research on the topic, and explain the proposed research design and methodology. Specifically, it states the proposal should include an introduction outlining the research topic and significance, the aim and objectives or questions, a literature review summarizing and evaluating previous studies on the topic, and a research design section describing the proposed methods and techniques for data collection, analysis, ensuring quality and addressing ethics.

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    This document outlines the sections and content required for a research proposal for a PhD or MPhil degree. It discusses that the proposal should describe the research aim, objectives or questions, provide a literature review of existing research on the topic, and explain the proposed research design and methodology. Specifically, it states the proposal should include an introduction outlining the research topic and significance, the aim and objectives or questions, a literature review summarizing and evaluating previous studies on the topic, and a research design section describing the proposed methods and techniques for data collection, analysis, ensuring quality and addressing ethics.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    922 views6 pages

    Research Proposal Structure Doctoral

    Uploaded by

    Pearl Kimberly Quidor Lavarez
    This document outlines the sections and content required for a research proposal for a PhD or MPhil degree. It discusses that the proposal should describe the research aim, objectives or questions, provide a literature review of existing research on the topic, and explain the proposed research design and methodology. Specifically, it states the proposal should include an introduction outlining the research topic and significance, the aim and objectives or questions, a literature review summarizing and evaluating previous studies on the topic, and a research design section describing the proposed methods and techniques for data collection, analysis, ensuring quality and addressing ethics.

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    of 6

    Lez Rayman-Bacchus /Research/ 2012 December

    Research Proposal for Research Degrees


    (PhD/MPhil)
    A proposal means outlining what investigation you would like to do in the near future
    (that is, 12-24 months following the writing of this proposal). There should not be any
    Case Description or Analysis in a Proposal; case description and analysis should be
    written after you have done the research, and have something to analyse.
    The model of research proposal presented here is based on the idea that research follows
    a logical developmental process. In this process the researcher begins by identifying a
    clear focus (Aim and Objectives or Research Question(s), followed by a review of existing
    published knowledge around that focus (Literature Review). This establishes for the
    researcher what is known and importantly what is not known. S/he then explains how
    they intend to investigate some aspect of the unknown (Research Design or
    Methodology). This is followed by Conclusions, and list of References.

    The Proposal
    The Proposal should be organised as explained below. Follow the format presented here
    using the same main headings, and in the same order as shown here. All sections must
    be completed. Suggested word count is 1500 - 2000.

    Introduction
    a.
    b.
    c.
    d.

    Introduction to the Proposal [outline the sections of the proposal for the reader]
    Research Aim and Objectives
    Rationale of research: why you want to do it, why it interests you
    Background: significance of the topic and issues [practical or theory] relevant to the
    study. Identify (and cite) the debates.
    e. Potential contribution to knowledge. Findings should be significant, with implications
    for existing theory, methodology, practice, or some combination. More on what is a
    contribution to knowledge here.

    Research Aim and Objectives or Research Question(s)


    Specify as clearly as possible the focus of your research, written as an Aim and
    subordinate Objectives or as one or more Research Questions.
    Think of a Research Aim as an orange, and the objectives as the segments. You would not
    try to put the whole orange in your mouth. Rather you would divide the orange into
    segments and eat each segment. In a similar way think of the Research Aim as a broad
    statement, which you need to divide into segments [subordinate objectives] in order to
    carry out the study.
    If your research is driven by policy debates, describe the specific aspects of these
    debates on which your research will focus. If your research is driven by theoretical
    debates, or apparent omissions or inconsistencies in the existing literature (theoretical or
    empirical), what aspects of these debates will you address? If your research focus is on
    the nature of practice in some field (e.g., business management or science research),
    then what aspects of practice will you explore (e.g., managerial behaviour or scientific
    discovery?
    In thinking about Aim and Objectives it may be useful to keep in mind the purpose of
    most research. Research is normally undertaken for differing (and sometimes
    overlapping) intellectual reasons:
    Exploratory: provides initial insight to a new situation, issue or phenomenon.
    Descriptive: classifies phenomena questions on who, what, where, when and
    how]

    Lez Rayman-Bacchus /Research/ 2012 December


    Explanatory: seeks to explain a causal relationship that is meaningful why
    questions
    Evaluative: seeks to assess or measure impact [assumes a causal relationship]
    More on formulating research aims and objectives, and research questions, here.
    [word count: 200 300]

    Literature Review
    Following the stated Aim or Research Question, you must review the published literature,
    where you show what has already been proposed, claimed, or established. The literature
    you review should normally comprise theoretical and empirical studies, policy and
    industry reports, and articles published in the quality periodicals and newspapers.
    Summarise and evaluate the usefulness of these previous studies in relation to your
    stated aim or research question.
    It is important you show awareness of the most important and relevant theories, models,
    empirical studies and methodologies. A good literature review will compare and contrast
    theories and empirical results, pointing out agreement and disagreement, gaps and
    overlaps of argument. A poor literature review often simply provides summarised lists of
    theories and empirical studies, with little or no attempt to compare, contrast or evaluate
    these theories and empirical studies.
    Make clear how well these published studies address your research focus, by examining
    the extent to which they provide insight to, or answer, each of your research objectives
    or questions. The identification of omissions or weaknesses in the published literature
    leads to the opportunity and justification for your study. In addition, identifying
    weaknesses and omissions within the published knowledge base represents your
    contribution to knowledge; a contribution that you will seek to elaborate and establish
    more firmly through carrying out your own empirical research.
    Depending on your intended research design (next step) you may convert the identified
    weaknesses and omissions into hypotheses. A hypothesis is a simple but testable
    statement that proposes that one factor (call it A) causes another factor (call it B) to
    behave in a certain way.
    [Word count: 600 - 750

    Research Design
    Following your review of the literature, outline how you plan to go about collecting
    empirical data that will build the understanding required to fulfil your research aim, or
    test the hypotheses you have developed from your review of the literature. Describe how
    you will carry out your study, referring to frameworks and concepts found in the research
    methods literature.
    Specifically this section must describe your overall Approach and specific
    Methods/Techniques of collecting data. You must also explain how you will analyse the
    data collected (Methods/Techniques of Data Analysis), what measures you are taking to
    ensure the quality of your research design (Research Quality issues), and show an
    awareness of ethical considerations around academic research (Research Ethics issues).
    The proposal requires that you have made firm arrangements with your target (e.g., the
    organisation or community you propose to study or work with) for access to data prior to
    writing the proposal, rather than describing that you plan to seek access to your target
    after the proposal is written.

    Lez Rayman-Bacchus /Research/ 2012 December

    a. Overall Approach. This will be either Qualitative or Quantitative, or some combination


    of the two. Describe your particular Approach, e.g., ethnographic case study, survey,
    or experiment; and why the chosen Approach is appropriate for the study.
    b. Methods/Techniques of Data Collection .The overall Approach is broken down into
    specific methods/techniques of data collection. For example a Qualitative Approach
    can be broken down into semi-structured interviewing and observation, while a
    Quantitative Approach is broken down into questionnaires, experiments, and others.
    Describe your chosen methods/techniques and explain why they are appropriate
    techniques for achieving your research objectives or testing your hypotheses.
    c. Methods/Techniques of Data Analysis. How will you analyse the data collected?
    Describe the methods/techniques of data analysis, for example the procedures you
    will use for analysing text or quantitative data or patterns (e.g., statistical analysis).
    d. Research Quality issues. Explain how you will ensure that you collect the right data to
    address the research questions or hypotheses, or that the data you collect is reliable.
    This requires some discussion about the validity and reliability of your data, and what
    triangulation techniques have been employed to strengthen the validity and reliability
    of your data. Your findings should also be generalisable rather than only valid for the
    particular phenomenon you studied. You are encouraged to check the meaning and
    relevance of these terms in any research methods textbook (see References).
    e. Research Ethics issues. Does your proposed research topic raise any ethical issues?
    For example, does your research design present any possible danger to your subjects
    (physical, emotional, professional)? If so what will you do to avoid that?
    [500 700 words]

    Conclusions
    Summarise your proposal, including your potential contribution to knowledge.
    [200 250 words]

    References
    According to Harvard style
    Name (year), Article title, Journal name, vol xs: page no.
    Name (year), Book name, Publisher, Place of publication.
    Include some Research Methods sources. Indicative:
    Bryman A & Bell E (latest edition) Business Research Methods, Oxford University Press
    Bryman A & Cramer D (latest edition) Quantitative Data Analysis with SPSS, Routledge.
    Burton D (ed.) (2000), Research Training for Social Scientists, Sage Publications Inc.
    Collis, J. and Hussey, R. (2003), Business Research. A Practical Guide for Undergraduate
    and Postgraduate Students (2edn.), London: Palgrave Macmillan.
    Creswell, J.W. (latest edition), Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed
    Methods Approaches, Sage.
    Cuba L and Cocking J (1994), How to write about the social sciences, Harper Collins.
    Curran J. & Blackburn R (2001) Researching the Small Enterprise, Sage
    Easterby-Smith M., Thorpe R., Jackson P., Lowe A., (latest edition), Management
    Research: Theory and Practice, Sage.
    Girden, E.R (2001), Evaluating Research Articles: From Start to Finish. (2nd ed), Sage
    Publications, London, UK.
    Gomm, R. (2003), Social Science Research Methods, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

    Lez Rayman-Bacchus /Research/ 2012 December


    Holborn, G. (1999), Legal Research Guide, Butterworths.
    Jankowicz AD (2000), Business Research Projects, Thomson Learning.
    Johnson P and Duberley J (2000), Understanding Management Research, Sage.
    Punch K F (2000), Developing Effective Research Proposals, Sage.
    Robson C. (2002), Real World Research: A Resource for Social Scientists and Practitionerresearchers, Blackwell Publishers Ltd.
    Ryan B, Scapens RW and Theobald M (2002) Research Methodology in Finance &
    Accounting, Thomson
    Saunders M, Lewis P and Thornhill A (latest edition) Research Methods for Business
    Studies, Financial Times Management
    Smith M (2003) Research Methods in Accounting, Sage.
    Stott, D. (1999), Legal Research, Cavendish.
    Usunier J-C (1998) International and Cross-Cultural Management Research, Sage
    Yin RK (latest edition) Case Study Research Design and Methods, Sage
    Zikmund W.G., Babin B.J., Carr J.C, Griffin M. (latest edition),
    Business Research Methods, Cengage Learning.

    Formulating Aim and Objectives: general conditions


    Aims
    1. Are broad statements of desired outcomes, or describe the general intentions of
    the research, the focus of your research proposal.
    2. Emphasize what is to be accomplished, not how it is to be accomplished.
    3. Identify the scope of the project outcomes.
    4. Should reflect the aspirations and expectations of the research topic.

    Once aims have been established, the next task is to formulate the objectives. Generally,
    a project should have no more than one or two aim statements, and should include a
    number of objectives consistent with the aim[s].

    Objectives
    1. Are the steps you are going to take to answer your research aim or question
    2. Are a specific list of tasks needed to accomplish the goals of the project
    3. Must be clear and achievable
    4. May describe an intention to provide an immediate project outcome (such as a
    new model)
    5. Make accurate use of concepts and be sensible and precisely described
    6. May emphasize how aims are to be accomplished

    Lez Rayman-Bacchus /Research/ 2012 December


    7. Are usually numbered so that each objective reads as an 'individual' statement to
    convey your intentions
    Aims and Objectives should not:
    1. Be too vague, ambitious or broad in scope; aims are often over-optimistic of what
    the project can achieve.
    2. Repeat each other in different terms
    3. Be a list of things related in an unspecified way to your research topic
    4. Discuss details of your job or research topic
    Example research questions and potential hypotheses
    These need to be testable
    1. Does X have a positive or negative impact on Y?
    2. Does X vary by level in Y? [e.g. Does job satisfaction vary by level in the
    organization]
    3. Does X lead to Y or Z?

    Contribution to Knowledge
    In thinking about what could be your contribution to knowledge, consider:

    The importance of the question. Why is the question worth asking?

    The significance of the findings. Why do these findings matter?

    What are their implications for theory, methodology, practice?

    What are the limitations to generalization of the findings?

    Making a 'significant contribution' means adding to existing knowledge or to the


    discourse around a phenomenon.
    Research work is part of an ongoing discourse among many researchers, each critiquing
    the available evidence and providing fresh argument and evidence that contributes to
    knowledge and understanding.
    Research involves questioning the accepted wisdom (the obvious), examining and
    analysing phenomena from a different perspective, and investigated through a variety of
    techniques. Research seeks to create new understanding of the world, using new ideas
    and approaches, rather than describing it using existing frames and tools.
    As more evidence is presented, existing explanations are re-evaluated. In this way
    knowledge is constantly reconfirmed, elaborated, revised, or overturned.
    Knowledge claims may be small and still contribute to the discourse.
    Potential Contributions:

    Re-contextualization of an existing theory or method, applying a technique in a new


    context, testing theory in a new setting, showing the applicability of a model to a new
    situation, and evaluating the result and any implications.

    Lez Rayman-Bacchus /Research/ 2012 December

    Corroboration and elaboration of an existing model (e.g. evaluating the effects of a


    change of condition; experimental assessment of one aspect of a model).

    Falsification or contradiction of an existing model, or part of one.

    Drawing together two or more existing ideas and showing that the combination
    reveals something new and useful.

    Developing and testing a new concept, showing that something is feasible and
    valuable (or not) and why.

    Implementation of someones framework or principle to some field of practice,


    showing how it work and its limitations.

    Empirically-based characterization of a phenomenon (e.g. detailed, critical, analytic


    account of the evolution of an idea; detailed analytic characterization of a crucial
    case study or a novel chemical compound, or a new planet).

    Providing a taxonomy of observed phenomena.

    Well-founded critique of existing theory or evidence (e.g. correlating the results of a


    number of existing studies to show patterns or omissions).

    End

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