1. 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?

2. 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);

3. 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;

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.