CHAPTER 11 Crafting a Research Proposal

The purposes of a proposal To make clear the aim of the proposed research and establish its importance To specify how the research will be undertaken, and the time and other resources that will be needed to achieve it To justify these choices, and establish your credibility and competence as a researcher To demonstrate the feasibility of what you propose To serve as a vehicle for feedback from client and/or sponsor To prevent future disagreements over intended activities, outcomes, and resources

Proposal requirements A proposal needs to communicate clearly what you are interested in researching, why you feel the research is worth doing, and how you propose to address the issue... and why!

A proposal as an argument The start of a generic argument map for a proposal

Research aim It is important to specify a research aim which the research project can deliver. Your proposal needs to establish that this aim is worth achieving, and that the project will allow you to achieve it.

Questions, objectives, hypotheses From your aim you derive specific research questions to answer, or achievable (SMART if possible) research objectives to pursue, or hypotheses (usually derived from theory) to test.

Theoretical context Your proposal needs to demonstrate that you are familiar with the relevant literature, and that your choice of approach is informed by this knowledge

Proposed research approach You need to describe the approach you will take in some detail, and show how this will answer your questions/achieve objectives/test hypotheses. You need to convince your reader(s) that the approach is both appropriate and feasible. As part of establishing feasibility you will need fairly detailed resource and time planning.

Stakeholders and ethics Your proposal needs to show that you have considered key stakeholder needs, and have the support of any who could hinder your research. You need to show that you have considered ethical issues

In summary: A project proposal can usefully be seen as an argument to convince your supervisor and/or client that the project you propose is feasible and worthwhile... and as a marketing document, selling your services as a researcher or consultant... and as a communication – clarity of both thought and expression is essential