Level 5 – Preparing Proposals

A research brief sets out what the research commissioner wants from a research supplier. Styles of research brief can vary from : a closed approach: very detailed requirements of aspects of the research process including suggested or prescriptive methods, budgets, detailed processes that must be adhered to; to an open approach: a more fluid approach with little or no detail over expected methods, budgets or processes. Research briefs

The research process Selecting research area Formulating research questions / hypotheses Selecting a research strategy Collecting data Analysing the data Report writing Here, key questions have to be answered before embarking on commissioning research

The research process starts with selecting and developing an area for research. Therefore, this is the first place to start when commissioning research and developing a research brief. Key questions to ask: what is the area for investigation? why is it worthy of investigation i.e. how will the research be used and will research help this? what has already been done in the area i.e. not repeating something that has already been done and can be used? how much time and money is available? Key questions

Outline of the research problem Context and background of the research problem: the need for research Research aims and objectives Suggested approaches Outputs and reporting requirements Timing and budget Proposal requirements Research brief outline

Brief structure TITLE: concisely state the topic of the required research RESEARCH OUTLINE: (definition) clearly outline the research problem being specific and precise. BACKGROUND/ CONTEXT: explains the rationale for undertaking the research and how it will be used e.g. the types of decisions and plans that will be made on the basis of the research.

Brief structure RESEARCH AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: states the specific expectations of what it is you want the research to tell you. SUGGESTED APPROACHES: outline of any specific approaches to the research design, methods and analysis that are expected. This is not a necessary step and sometimes it is more useful to leave this open to the supplier.

Brief structure OUTPUTS & REPORTING: state any expectations about outputs and reporting requirements – data tables and files, draft and final reporting, presentation requirements. TIMING & BUDGET: specify the timeframe the research needs to start and complete within. Outline any real constraints that exist and be realistic about whether the objectives that have been set can be met within that timeframe. Budgets are not always stated within a research brief. However, without a budget different researchers will interpret the brief differently and it can make comparisons more difficult.

Brief structure PROPOSAL STRUCTURE: sometimes it is useful to outline within the brief an expectation of what a proposal to the research brief should contain. It helps with consistency when trying to evaluate the research proposals and ensures that all researchers provide what is needed. REVIEW: once the research brief has been written, spend sometime reviewing it from the eyes of a supplier. Has everything been included that would enable someone to write a proposal that meets your requirements?

Imagine yourself as a research commissioner either for a public or voluntary sector organisation, or private company. Choose a topic that your organisation/ company requires either social or market research conducted on. Develop a research brief. Example of a Research Brief Exercise

Bryman, A. (2008) Social Research Methods. 3rd Ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press. David, M. and Sutton, C. (2011) Social Research : An Introduction. 2nd ed. London: Sage. McGivern, Y. (2009) The Practice of Market Research. 3 rd ed. Harlow: Pearson Education Ltd. References

This resource was created by the University of Plymouth, Learning from WOeRk project. This project is funded by HEFCE as part of the HEA/JISC OER release programme.Learning from WOeRk This resource is licensed under the terms of the Attribution-Non-Commercial-Share Alike 2.0 UK: England & Wales license ( The resource, where specified below, contains other 3 rd party materials under their own licenses. The licenses and attributions are outlined below: 1.The name of the University of Plymouth and its logos are unregistered trade marks of the University. The University reserves all rights to these items beyond their inclusion in these CC resources. 2.The JISC logo, the and the logo of the Higher Education Academy are licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution -non-commercial-No Derivative Works 2.0 UK England & Wales license. All reproductions must comply with the terms of that license. Author Laura Lake InstituteUniversity of Plymouth TitleResearch commissioning – preparing a research brief DescriptionPreparing research briefs Date CreatedJuly 2011 Educational Level Undergraduate (Level 5) Keywords UKOER, LFWOER, UOPCPDRM, Learning from WOeRK, Research Methods,Research proposals, research brief, commissioners, suppliers Back page originally developed by the OER phase 1 C-Change project ©University of Plymouth, 2010, some rights reserved