Writing A Research Proposal
Writing A Research Proposal
Writing A Research Proposal
AOA7001
Research Methodology in Literary Studies
A typical research proposal:
• is read by academics with an interest in your field. Please
check on the faculty/Department website for your area
of study to ensure there is a member of staff with
relevant expertise.
• ranges from 1,000 to 3,000 words.
• is judged both on content and proposal format.
A postgraduate research proposal should:
• clearly define the topic you’re interested in and show
you understand your research area.
• show you have started to identify and develop an
original and interesting research question.
• demonstrate you understand how to conduct research.
• look professional – it should be typed, in good English,
well-structured with suitable headings and clear and
legible.
• include a bibliography, listing the books, articles and
websites you have referred to.
Research proposal guidelines
• Project title
Provide a working title for your research that includes
keywords and communicates simply what your research is
about.
Research objectives
• What are you trying to achieve with your research? What is the
purpose? As discussed earlier, this comes back to the original
reason why you're applying for a research degree. Are you
addressing a gap in the current research? Do you want to look at
a theory more closely and test it out? Is there something you're
trying to prove or disprove? To help you clarify this, think about
the potential outcome of your research if you were successful –
that is your aim. Make sure that this is a clearly focused
statement.
• Now that you have your question clarified, it is time to explain the why.
Why are you choosing to research problem 'x' or issue 'y'? Here you
need to demonstrate an understanding of the current research climate
for your area of interest (current status of the research topic).
• A review of relevant literature and theories relating to your proposed
research area that shows you understand the major lines of argument
that have been developed and the ideas and findings of key researchers
working on your topic.
• Providing context for your research topic through a literature review
also shows the assessor that you understand what is currently being
discussed about your topic and what has already been published.
Demonstrate you have a strong understanding of the key topics,
important studies, notable researchers etc in your area of research and
how these have contributed to the current landscape.
Significance of the study
• You can still make changes to your proposal once you have
been accepted for a research degree, however as it is the
foundation of your working relationship with your
supervisor, it cannot be radically altered without
discussion and consultation.
What is a Literature Review?
As far as the literature review process goes, ultimately the goal for
students is to complete their review in the allocated time and to ensure
that they can maintain currency in their field of study for the duration of
their research.
How do I write a literature review?
Ask yourself questions like these:
1.What is the specific thesis, problem, or research question that my
literature review helps to define?
2.What type of lit review am I conducting? Am I looking at issues of
theory? Methodology? Policy? Quantitative research? Qualitative research
(e.g. studies)?
3.What is the scope of my lit review? What types of publications am I
using (e.g. journals, books, archival documents, popular media)?
4.How good was my information seeking? Has my search been wide
enough to ensure that I have found all the relevant material? Narrow
enough to exclude irrelevant material? Is the number of sources I’ve used
appropriate for the length of my paper/thesis?
5.Have a critically analysed the literature I use? Do I follow through a set
of concepts and questions, comparing items to each other in the ways they
deal with them? Instead of just listing and summarizing items, do I assess
them, discussing their strengths and weaknesses?
6. Have I cited and discussed studies contrary to my perspective?
7. Will the reader find my lit review relevant, appropriate, and useful?
Ask yourself questions like these about each book or article
you include in the literature review: