INITIAL CONSIDERATIONS Is the research commissioned or not commissioned? Is the research funded or non-funded, i.e. is there a need to bid for funding? Is the research for an award or not for an award? Is there a research brief? What kind of research it is (e.g. ‘pure’, applied, evaluative)? Who is the research for? Is the research empirical/non-empirical?

WHAT TO INCLUDE IN A RESEARCH PROPOSAL (1) Name(s) of the researcher(s); Working title; Abstract; Introduction, brief description of the research; Indication of the field(s) of the research; The kind of research (e.g. ‘pure’/applied/evaluative); Statement of the problem; The significance of the research (who will be interested, what will be important);

WHAT TO INCLUDE IN A RESEARCH PROPOSAL (2) The originality of the research; The context and background of the study (why it is important, what is topical about the research; what are the circumstances in which the research is set); The purposes, aims and objectives of the research; The researcher’s own background and interest in the field; The background of the research; Literature review; The contents and nature of the research;

WHAT TO INCLUDE IN A RESEARCH PROPOSAL (3) Some initial research questions/hypotheses; Ethical issues; Methodology to be used; Possible data collection instruments; Sampling; Possible data analysis and reporting; Possible outcomes of the research; Dissemination of results; Time frames, sequence and structure; Bibliography.

ADDITIONAL INCLUSIONS FOR FUNDED RESEARCH (1) Research experience/training/department of the researcher(s), including CVs of all applicants; Previous grants awarded; Financial details: Staff time required (e.g. per week and for how many weeks); Travel and subsistence; Consumables and reprographics; Equipment; Consultants & additional staffing (e.g. research assistants); Exceptional items and conferences; Dissemination.

ADDITIONAL INCLUSIONS FOR FUNDED RESEARCH (2) Applications made to other bodies for funding; How the research fits in with the research/mission/ categories supported by the funding institution; Tasks of researchers/staff; Detailed timetable and costings at each stage; Monitoring and quality assurance procedures for each stage; Potential impact of the research; Possible proposal reviewers, and their details. Supporting statement from Head of Department/ Head of Centre.