How To Write A Research Proposal 101: The What, Why & How (With Examples)

Summary

This video explains the essential components of a research proposal for academic projects like dissertations and theses. It covers the what, why, and how of crafting a convincing proposal, emphasizing the need for clarity in defining your research topic, justifying its value, and outlining a practical methodological approach. Viewers are guided through the process of identifying a unique and valuable topic, addressing research aims, and providing a high-level research design. The video offers actionable tips and resources for successfully navigating the proposal writing process.

Takeaways

• 😀 A research proposal is a formal document explaining your research topic, its significance, and how you plan to investigate it.
• 😀 The purpose of a research proposal is to convince your supervisor or university that your study is suitable and feasible.
• 😀 Your proposal should clearly articulate the research topic, ideally expressing it through research aims, objectives, and questions.
• 😀 It is essential to justify why your research topic is unique and valuable, highlighting its contribution to existing literature or its practical applications.
• 😀 A proposal should not simply rehash existing research; it must bring something new and valuable to the table.
• 😀 When explaining 'why' your research is worth pursuing, emphasize its potential value, both academically and practically (e.g., commercial benefits).
• 😀 The 'how' of your research proposal refers to the methodological approach, detailing whether the research will be qualitative or quantitative, and the data collection methods (e.g., surveys, interviews).
• 😀 Your methodology section should demonstrate that you’ve thought through the practicalities of your research and are prepared to tackle potential challenges.
• 😀 Even if you do not have a fully detailed research design, you must provide a high-level overview of your approach to ensure it is manageable and feasible.
• 😀 Following university guidelines for the proposal format is critical, as different institutions may have specific requirements regarding the level of detail and content structure.

Q & A

What is a research proposal?

A research proposal is a formal, structured document that explains what you plan to research, why it is worth researching, and how you plan to investigate it. It serves to convince your supervisor or university that your study is suitable for your degree program and feasible within time and resource constraints.

Why is it important to have a convincing research proposal?

The proposal is meant to sell your research idea to those approving it. If it does not convince them, you may need to revise and resubmit, which can delay your project or reduce the time available for conducting your research.

What are the three key components that should be included in a research proposal?

A research proposal should cover the 'what' (your research topic), the 'why' (justification for the topic and its value), and the 'how' (methodology for conducting the research).

How should you articulate your research topic?

Your research topic should be specific and clear, indicating exactly what you plan to research and in what context. A well-articulated topic leaves no ambiguity about what is being investigated.

Can you provide an example of a well-articulated research topic?

Yes, an example of a well-articulated research topic is: 'An investigation into the factors that impact female Gen Y consumers' likelihood to promote a makeup brand to their peers in a British context.' This is specific, including the target demographic, the focus of the study, and the context.

What is the importance of justifying your research topic?

Justifying your research topic is crucial to show how it fills a gap in the existing literature and how it will contribute something new. It also needs to highlight the value or impact the research will have once the findings are made.

Why is originality important in a research proposal?

Originality is important because a research topic that merely rehashes existing studies will not be approved. Your research needs to be fresh and offer new insights into the topic.

What should you consider when justifying the value of your research?

You should explain how your research will provide practical or theoretical value, such as informing marketing strategies, policy decisions, or contributing to academic literature.

What questions should you address in the methodology section of a research proposal?

You should address key questions such as: Will you use a qualitative or quantitative approach? Will your study be cross-sectional or longitudinal? How will you collect and analyze data? What methods will you use, such as interviews, surveys, or statistical analysis?

How detailed should the methodology be in the proposal stage?

While you don't need a fully fleshed-out research design at the proposal stage, you should provide a high-level view of your approach to demonstrate its feasibility. This helps the institution assess whether the methodology is practical.