Writing a research proposal is one of the most important tasks facing academics, researchers and postgraduate students. Yet there is a good deal of misinformation and a great lack of guidance about what constitutes a good research proposal and what can be done to maximise one's chances of writing a successful research proposal.
Denicolo and Becker recognise the importance of developing an effective research proposal for gaining either a place on a research degree programme or funding to support research projects and set out to explore the main factors that that proposal writers need to attend to in developing successful proposals of their own.
Developing Research Proposals will help readers to understand the context within which their proposal will be read, what the reviewers are looking for and will be influenced by, while also supporting the development of relevant skills through advice and practical activities.
Prologue #
- Serendipity #
- Intended Readers #
- Overview of the Rook #
- The Task Before You #
- What is a Research Proposal? #
- A Pervasive Task Defined #
- A Celebration of Difference #
- First Steps in Meeting the Needs of Your Readership #
- Finding out about Research Degree Opportunities #
- Finding out about Research Funding Opportunities #
- General Preliminary Explorations #
- Skills Inventory #
- When is a Research Proposal Required and Why? #
- Motivation #
- Sources of Funding #
- Gaining a Richer View of Funders' Requirements #
- Gaining Financial Awards for Study #
- Identifying Potential Supervisors/Advisors #
- Securing a place on a Higher Degree by Research Programme #
- Sections Within a Proposal - What Funders or Research Degree Reviewers are Looking For #
- Main Features of Proposals #
- What Are the Key Aspects of Proposal Preparation? #
- Pre-Preparation #
- The Title, Abstract and Covering Letter #
- The Body of the Proposal - Audience and Style #
- Developing your Proposal Draft #
- Language Register, Voice and Verb Tense #
- The Conceptual Framework #
- Stages in the Production of Proposal - Advance Planning #
- The Constraints of Time #
- What Should be Included in the Introduction, Rationale and Literature Review? #
- Orientating Your Reader to Your Purpose #
- The Introduction #
- The Rationale #
- Preparing for the Literature Review #
- The Literature Review Itself #
- The Process of Searching the Literature #
- Constructing your Argument #
- What is the Significance of the Aims, Objectives, and Research Questions/Hypotheses? #
- Level of Specificity Required #
- Clarification of Terms - Aims and Objectives #
- Research Questions and Hypotheses #
- Paradigms #
- Why Paradigm Identification is Important #
- The Link between Aims/Objectives and Research Questions/Hypotheses #
- What Should be Included in the Methodology/Research Implementation Sections? #
- Consistency between Purpose and Procedures #
- Clarification of 'Shorthand' Terms #
- Methodology - Approach and Justification #
- Consistency and Justification #
- Research using Positivist Approaches #
- Presenting and Analysing Quantitative Results #
- Research using Interpretivist Approaches #
- Presenting and Analysing Qualitative Results #
- Using the Right Language #
- Ethical Considerations #
- Evaluation Plan #
- What Financial Considerations Are Required? #
- The Ground Rules of Budgeting #
- The Financial Demands of a Research Degree Project #
- Financial Considerations for all Researchers #
- Types and Styles of Budgets for Funding Applications #
- Key Elements of the Budget: Personnel #
- Key Elements of the Budget: Operating Costs #
- The Budget after Submission of the Proposal #
- What Planning and Organisation Details Are Required? #
- Establishing Goals and Deadlines #
- Project Planning and Time Management #
- Implementation Plans #
- Research Governance #
- People Management #
- Schedules and Timelines #
- Who Are The Other Potential Contributors To and Referees For Your Project? #
- Building Professional Relationships #
- Building on Overviews of Requirements #
- Making Contacts and Seeking Help #
- Developing Collaborations and Partnerships #
- The Review Process #
- What Reviewers are Seeking from Proposals #
- Reality Check - Grit your Teeth! #
- Where Does it End? Reactions, Reflections and Anticipations #
- After Submission #
- Receiving Feedback from Reviewers #
- Reasons for Rejection #
- Responding to Feedback #
- Back to the Beginning #
- The Continuous Cycle of Proposal Writing #
Appendix 1 Funding Sources #
Appendix 2 Resources #
Glossary #
Index
"Denicolo and Becker demonstrate how to do a 'polished' research proposal including detailed illustration on preparation and finally writing it. Suitable for master's and doctoral degree studies including a range of practical advice and reflection points. This book will help a great deal to become a successful researcher."
- Mrs Paivi Valtonen, Education, Grimsby Institute of Further and Higher Education
"This will be a useful book for undergrad and post grad students or early career researchers who are taking their first steps into research. It is clearly laid out in a step by step approach"
- Mrs Heather Hunter, Health Professions (Physiotherapy), University of Plymouth
"This is avery interesting and informative book, which is an essential read for those starting out on their dissertation."
- Mr Michael Ravey, Inst f. Health & Social Care Research, Salford University
"Although this excellent book is written with PG students in mind I have decided that there are enough sections that will be relevant to UG Dissertation students that will give them a 'taste' of the skill of proposal writing, improve the proposals made for UG dissertations and help set a standard should any wish to continue their studies at a higher level. The book is readable, direct and friendly in style."
- Mrs Lynn Vickery, Urban Environment and Leisure studies, London South Bank University
"Very helpful for MA students who all must do a dissertation, also useful for potential Research students"
- Dr Stephen Skuce, Religion , Cliff College
"I found this book very helpful when preparing a PhD proposal. The summary boxes in each chapter and the activities to complete really helped to go from stage to stage of the proposal process."
- Ms Jackie Fox, discipline of occupational therapy, National University of Ireland, Galway