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Chapter 5 Crafting a Research Proposal. Zina O’Leary. The Role of a Research Proposal. A research proposal offers an opportunity to clarify your thinking, bed down ideas and articulate thoughts in a way that will provide a blueprint for future action.
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Chapter 5Crafting a Research Proposal Zina O’Leary
The Role of a Research Proposal • A research proposal offers an opportunity to clarify your thinking, bed down ideas and articulate thoughts in a way that will provide a blueprint for future action. • It is also a means for ‘selling’ your project and getting it off the ground. Zina O’Leary (2009) The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. London: Sage
The Role of a Research Proposal • Your proposal should convince assessors of the merits of: • your research question-you have clearly articulated the question and successfully argued that it is worth exploring • your proposed methods- you have clearly proposed a logical, practical, ethical means for answering your research question • you as the researcher-you have shown a requisite level of skill, knowledge, and potential. Zina O’Leary (2009) The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. London: Sage
Proposal Requirements • Proposals differ in requirements, but most will ask you to articulate some combination of the following: • title • summary/abstract • aims/objectives • research question/hypothesis • introduction/background/rationale • literature review • theoretical perspectives • methods: limitations/delimitations • ethical considerations • timelines • budget/funding • references. Zina O’Leary (2009) The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. London: Sage
Writing Your Proposal • Writing a winning proposal requires you to follow guidelines as close to the letter as possible. • Writing purposively involves good planning, knowing your subject, finding a voice, writing tightly yet sufficiently, writing for the non-expert, and being prepared to redraft. Zina O’Leary (2009) The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. London: Sage
Obstacles • Obstacles can involve: • proposals that do not fit a committee’s requirements • proposals with emergent designs. • In both cases, being knowledgeable, confident and open will enhance chances of success. Zina O’Leary (2009) The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. London: Sage
Changes Post Approval • Even though it may seem painful, if you want or need to change direction/ method you are well advised to keep your approval body informed. Zina O’Leary (2009) The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. London: Sage