Research Proposal

by


Research Proposal and Literature Review

Project title here

Student number here

 

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

Abstract. 2

  1. Introduction.. 2
  2. Background to the study.. 3
  3. The literature review… 3
  4. Methodology and analysis. 4
  5. Conclusion.. 4
  6. Bibliography.. 4

Appendix       Data Sources (example). 5

 

 

Abstract

 

A project should normally have an abstract. You do not need to provide an abstract for your Research Methods coursework, but you will need to do so for your dissertation

 

1.                  Introduction

Maximum 200 words

 

Here your aim is to create interest in your proposal by writing a snappy summary of the topic area you plan to investigate. This can include a brief review of the most relevant literature. The introduction should be concise, interesting and written to be comprehensible to a well-informed but non-specialist reader.

 

Actions: the introduction should contain:

 

  • A statement of the conceptual framework (1 sentence):

 

Examples
This project is a case study of the effect of the introduction of the minimum wage in the UK on the prevalence of teenage crime rates.
This project examines the determinants of the price of cement in Thailand.
This project investigates whether innovative firms in the UK are more or less innovative than other OECD economies.

 

  • Brief reference to the literature (2-3 sentences)
    • Synopsis of what has been said.
    • Areas of agreement and disagreement.
    • May incorporate references to key papers using Harvard APA (7th edition).
  • Gaps in knowledge that your project will address (2-3 sentences)
    • What is the main research question that your project asks?
    • What key concepts does your project examine?
    • What is the expected answer to your research question (e.g. “the minimum wage increases teenage crime rates”)?

 

2.                  Background to the study

Maximum 300 words

 

This section should offer a brief overview of the project topic to help the reader understand the nature of the problem.

 

  • This section should be one or two paragraphs that explain the background, context, and history relating to the research subject.
  • A graph or table may be helpful to explain patterns or trends.
    • One graph or table is generally sufficient.
    • This should be numbered, have an explanatory title, appropriate axis labels, and the units of measurement must be stated. The source of the data should be given using the Harvard APA system.

 

3.                  The literature review

 

Maximum 700 words

 

This builds on the very brief treatment of the literature on the subject given in the introduction and allied to the proposed research. The main objective is to show that:

 

  • You understand the subject sufficiently to have undertaken an effective literature search.
  • Adequate research on the subject has been undertaken, which provides sufficient knowledge upon which to base your own research.
  • You are using the literature to justify research questions, approaches etc.

We suggest that you should be able to demonstrate these key points from 5-10 research papers or reports. It should discuss the content of each paper with respect to:

 

  • Research questions
  • Theoretical frameworks
  • Data used
  • Analytical methods
  • Results and conclusions

 

This should be organized thematically (i.e. by examining the way each paper covers the issues in the bullet points above).

 

  • All citations must be complete and correct.
  • All sources must be listed in the reference section.

 

4.                  Methodology and analysis

 

Maximum 600 words

 

In this section you state exactly what it is that you plan to do and why. Focus on how you plan to carry out your investigation and analyze the results. Note that SPSS and other software are not methodology; they are tools you use to perform named statistical analysis, regression, modeling etc. It is more important to state the latter than what software you intend to use to perform it. In the corresponding section of your dissertation you will provide enough details for somebody else to be able to carry out the research using only your instructions. The methodology chapter should include a detailed plan of how you intend to test your hypothesis.

 

The proposal should give some indication of the data required to undertake the project. If this is secondary data, you should give details of the series that you intend to use, their characteristics, and location. This information might be best provided in tabular form in an appendix (see example below).

 

 

5.                  Conclusion

 

Maximum 200 words

 

Your conclusion is essentially a short statement about the feasibility of the project and its contribution to knowledge.

 

6.                  References

 

The reference section must list all items cited in the text in Harvard APA format, including the sources of data used in tables or charts.

 

Details of Harvard APA can be found at:https://library.port.ac.uk/w165.html

 

Appendix

Timeline of project deliverables (possibly Gantt chart)

 

Appendix 1     Data Sources(example)

 

Table 1            Data Sources

Series Description Source
UK RPI CHAW: RPI: all items Retail Price Index (January 1987 = 100) http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/datasets-and-tables/data-selector.html?table-id=2.1&dataset=mm23, accessed 16 September 2019
Burglary Burglary in a Dwelling (Offences, Apr09-Mar19))(Portsmouth Local Authority http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=276855&c=portsmouth&d=13&e=3&g=411706&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1316189771719&enc=1, accessed 16 September 2019.

 

Appendix 2     Grade criteria

 

Your assessments are evaluated relative to the criteria outlined below. These provide a consistent reference point to distinguish between different levels of achievement. You should always take the criteria into consideration when preparing for any assessment.

 

Table 2 Grade criteria
Grade Criteria
70+ As below plus: Excellent work – able to express an original reasoned argument in a lucid manner by reviewing & critiquing a wide range of material. | Original, critical thinking based on outstanding insight, knowledge & understanding of material. | Material contributes to current understanding & is of potentially publishable quality in terms of presentation and content. | Wide reaching research showing breadth & depth of sources.
60-69 As below plus: Clear, balanced coherent critical & rigorous analysis of the subject matter. | Detailed understanding of knowledge & theory expressed with clarity. | Extensive use of relevant & current literature to view topic in perspective, analyze context & develop new explanations and theories.
50-59 As below plus: Detailed review and grasp of pertinent issues & a critical contextual overview of the literature. | Thorough knowledge of theory and methods & uses this to underpin arguments and conclusions. | Confidence in understanding and using literature.
40-49 Demonstrates grasp of key concepts & an ability to develop & support an argument in a predominately descriptive way with valid conclusions drawn from the research. | Familiarity with key literature which is cited and presented according to convention. | Logical & clear structure, well organized with good use of language and supporting material.
30-39 FAIL Some knowledge of relevant concepts & literature but significant gaps in understanding and/or knowledge. | Little attempt at evaluation, conclusions vague, ambiguous & not based on researched material. | Limited or inappropriate research. | Deficits in length, structure, presentation &/or prose
0-29 FAIL. No serious attempt to address the question or problem, and/or manifests a serious misunderstanding of the requirements of the assignment. Acutely deficient in all aspects.