C6.7 Research Proposal

How to Write a Research Proposal in the UK?

Before writing your dissertation, you will be required to submit a 1,500-2,000-word Research Proposal—a research plan that serves as a condensed version of your dissertation. Acting like an outline, it helps you clarify the ideas, direction, steps, literature, and research methods of your dissertation in advance, covering what you will research, why you will research it, and how you will conduct the research.

Firstly, the research direction of your Research Proposal should be as narrow and specific as possible. This means choosing a research topic with a focused, clear scope—it is primarily to prepare for your subsequent dissertation.

Structure of a Research Proposal

1. Abstract

   Write a brief summary of approximately 300 words. Include the research question, rationale for the study, hypotheses (if any), methodology, and key findings. The methodology description may cover the design, procedures, sample, and any instruments to be used.
2. Introduction

   Focus on the background of the research area, specify what you will research, why the research is necessary, existing issues in the field, the research aim, and how you will conduct the research (including the research methods to be adopted).
3. Methodology

   This section is crucial, carrying significant weight in the grading. It details the research methods you will use, and must include supporting evidence (i.e., references). Most importantly, you need to outline the limitations of your chosen methods, including potential difficulties you may encounter during the research.

Typically, this section should cover the following aspects:

1. Research Philosophy

2. Research Approach

3. Research Strategy and Research Design

4. Data Collection and Analysis Method

5. Research Ethics

6. Reliability and Validity

7. Limitations

Research methods include:

• Qualitative Analysis: Involves analyzing data from specific scopes, such as age, gender, and educational level. Data is usually collected through questionnaires, books, journals, or other sources.

• Quantitative Analysis: Focuses on averages, proportional relationships, volatility, probability, etc. Data can also be obtained via questionnaires, books, or online resources.

When writing this section in detail, you should: define the research methods (including qualitative and quantitative methods), explain their scope of application, justify why these methods are suitable for your research, outline their advantages and disadvantages, and clarify what data you will obtain and which research questions the data will address.

4. Literature Review

   This section requires extensive literature related to your research topic. Literature refers to previously published research that supports your arguments and helps verify whether your research hypotheses are correct. It tests both your reading and organizational skills—your literature review should demonstrate your understanding of theories related to the research question and your grasp of the topic. Literature sources typically include books, news articles, journals, dissertations, and websites.
5. Results and Discussion

   A research proposal generally does not include actual results, as the research has not yet been conducted. However, you can outline how you plan to collect data and the statistical procedures you will use to answer your research question or test your hypotheses.

It is important to address the implications of your research. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your research question, as well as limitations during the research process (such as time or financial constraints).

6. Conclusion and Recommendations

   Provide a summary and recommendations based on the content outlined in the proposal.
7. References

   A list of literature sources, arranged alphabetically.
8. Appendix

   Include supplementary materials such as interviews, questionnaires, or supporting documents.