1. Research Proposal
Introduce Aoife 1

2. What’s it for? What does it do?
Let’s see if we all agree about what a research proposal is. What’s it for? What’s it’s function? A range of similar documents – the similarity and differences will help us refine our understanding of its potential functions.
Manifesto: it IS about intentions. There are opportunities to state your personal position and beliefs. BUT not to the extent that your convictions overshadow the possibility of new findings/changed view. And don’t promise more than you can deliver
Mind-map: it IS exploratory BUT it needs to be carefully written. Paradox – a clear explanation of something that is speculative!
Contract: with who? With your self (but don’t get held to it if your research changes). With your supervisors/institution (to some degree)
pitch/business plan: also used in funding applications, so it is about persuading someone to come on board.
Blueprint: only for some…
Phd: common mistake: too long

3. Its purpose
To convince the reader of the ORIGINALITY, RIGOUR and SIGNIFICANCE of your project…
AND that you’re the right person to do it
through what you say - but also about how you say it
So it is an opportunity to demonstrate the full range of skills that you will need to undertake your project – including knowledge, critical skills, but also the ability to structure your thoughts, the project and your writing.
We’ll look at the assessment criteria that are applied to proposals in a moment….
What goes into it?

4. elements of proposal methodologies context aims/RQs
thesis outline/time plan
methodologies
outcomes/contribution
bibliography
What elements go into it?
What do each of these do? How do these fit together?
What’s the best order for these?

5. …in a Guildhall doctorate (from handbook)
During the first 3 months of full-time study (or 6 months of part-time study), students are required to construct a more defined research proposal, in consultation with their supervisors. The revised proposal should be between 1,000 and 3,000 words (depending on the doctoral route being undertaken), plus appendices if necessary.

6. The purpose of the revised proposal is to enable the student to clarify the project with the guidance of the full supervision team.
Although the revised proposal is not assessed and the research may evolve over the duration of the programme, the student’s progress will be monitored against the research proposal during supervision, via the Annual Progress Report and at the upgrade stage.

7. challenges How much do I need to explain? How much reading do I do?
I don’t want to make grand claims I can’t deliver
Common concerns from students when they are writing research proposals….
Trying to be focussed – but my mind is all over the shop!
How can I be convincing about a speculative project?

8. Thomson and Walker (eds. 2010)
How to customise for practice as research/ artistic research?

9. Research questions must match research methods and methodologies
Methodology
Methods 1.

10. What does a method allow you to access?
Outcome / data