Research Proposal¶
How to Write a Research Proposal in the UK?
Before writing a dissertation, it is usually required to prepare a Research Proposal of 1500 to 2000 words. The Research Proposal serves as a condensed version of your dissertation, acting as an outline to help you organize your thoughts, identify the direction, steps, literature, and research methods for your main paper. The content of the proposal includes what you want to research, why you want to research it, and how you plan to conduct the research.
Firstly, the research direction of the Research Proposal should be as narrow and specific as possible, focusing on a small and well-defined topic. This selection of a research topic will prepare you for your subsequent dissertation.
Structure of a Research Proposal:
Abstract:
Write a concise summary of approximately 300 words, including the research problem, basic principles of the research, hypotheses (if any), methods, and main findings. The method description can include design, procedures, samples, and any instruments used.Introduction:
Provide the background of the research field, specify what you will research, explain why you want to conduct the research, identify the problems within the research field, state the research objectives, and describe the research methods you plan to use.Methodology:
This section is crucial as it primarily focuses on the research methods you will use. It carries significant weight and requires supporting evidence, such as references. The key aspect is to highlight the limitations of the research methods used and any difficulties encountered during the research.
Generally, this section should cover the following aspects:
Research Philosophy
Research Approach
Research Strategy and Research Design
Data Collection and Analysis Method
Research Ethics
Reliability and Validity
Limitations
The research methods can be categorized as:
a) Qualitative Analysis: This refers to the analysis of data obtained within a specific scope, such as age, gender, education level, etc. Data can be collected through questionnaires, surveys, books, journals, etc.
b) Quantitative Analysis: This refers to numerical analysis, including averages, proportions, fluctuations, probabilities, etc. Data can be obtained through questionnaires, books, online sources, etc.
When writing this section, provide specific definitions for research methods, including qualitative and quantitative methods. Explain their scope of use, rationale for using these methods, advantages and disadvantages, the type of data to be obtained, and the problems they can help analyze.
Literature Review:
Include a substantial amount of literature relevant to your thesis. Literature refers to previously researched and documented content that serves as evidence for your arguments and helps validate or disprove your research hypotheses. This section not only tests your reading comprehension but also assesses your ability to organize the information. Literature sources can include books, news articles, journals, papers, websites, etc.Results and Discussion:
A research proposal generally does not include actual results as the investigation has not yet taken place. However, you can mention the methods you plan to use for data collection and the statistical procedures you intend to employ to answer your research questions or test your hypotheses. It is important to discuss the potential impact of your research, present the strengths and limitations of your research question, and address any constraints such as time or financial limitations.Conclusion and Recommendations:
Provide a summary and offer recommendations based on the content discussed in the proposal.References:
Include a list of references in alphabetical order.Appendix:
Attach interviews, questionnaires, proofs, or any other relevant materials as appendices.