Planning and writing your Research Proposal:

Caroline MalthusTe Puna Ako Learning Centre

Introducing you …

• Name• Programme• A question I have

about research proposals is…

This session:

• What does a research proposal look like?• Why is it necessary?• How is a research proposal usually

evaluated?• How can we write key sections of a

proposal?

What is the purpose of a proposal?

• Let me do the study?• Plan, then do• Provide a road map• Opportunity for advice• Check quality /

rigour / do-ability• Avoid costly mistakes• Convince lecturers and

you

Standard requirements:• Title • Outline• Literature Review• Methodology• Methods of data collection

and analysis• Ethical Issues• Timeline• Resources• Outcomes• Reference list

• Title• Research question• Aim and objectives• Rationale and context• Methodology• Methods• Plan of work• Resources / Support• Outcomes• Reference list

Getting started:• Title– Clear– Concise– Understandable

• Introduction / Project outline:– What?– Why is this research

needed?

Background to the study / outline / overview

• What ?• Why ?• Who?• How ?• When?

• Building on previous work or theory

Aims and Objectives

The purpose of this research is to…

• Clarity

• Useful and do-able tasks

• Scope and specificity

• Sub-questions

Why do a number of major IT projects fail to produce the outcomes expected?

What is the educational achievement of children of Korean immigrants who came to Auckland between 1990 and 2005?

Background to the field / Literature review

• Scene setting – what’s known about the topic?• Generate interest• Show what has been done• Relevant theory and current issues• Descriptive and Critical• Identify gaps / justify your study• Don’t assume your reader knows your field

Methodology / Method

• Methodology• Methods (appropriate to methodology)– Collection + analysis of data

• Validity / Reliability• Rigour / Bias / Sampling• Reflexivity• ETHICS– Confidentiality / Anonymity / Fairness / Honesty– Storage of data

Practicalities

• When / Time lines• Problems / issues• Resources

– Costing – Materials

• Outcomes / Outputs / Significance

• References• Writing up – include

drafts and revisions

Planning your project:

Your role as the researcher?Proposal reviewer role?

Exercise: What are the criteria for evaluating research proposals?

Range of perspectives

Burden and Balance

Problems may not be where you think they are…

Look out for the unexpected: positive and negative

• Listen to your supervisors…

Use support available - Experts in the field- Other researchers- Ethics committees- Learning centre

• Accept that a variety of feedback and rewrites are part of the process

References:Collis, J., & Hussey, R. (2003). Business research

(2nd ed.). Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.Dunbar, K. (2010). Research plan. Retrieved from

http://www.victoria.ac.nz/lals/research/research-students/kirsten-dunbar.aspx

Hart, C. (2005). Doing your masters dissertation. London: Sage.

O’Leary, Z. (2010). The essential guide to doing your research project. London: Sage.

Phelps, R., Fisher, K., & Ellis, A. (2007). Organizing and managing your research: A practical guide for postgraduates. London: Sage.

Kia kaha! all the best for a successful project