Planning and writing your Research Proposal: Caroline Malthus Te 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 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 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 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 linesTime 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 (2 nd ed.). Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Dunbar, K. (2010). Research plan. Retrieved from students/kirsten-dunbar.aspx 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