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Developing Research Proposals
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Developing Research Proposals

First Edition
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March 2012 | 160 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd

Writing a research proposal is one of the most important tasks facing academics, researchers and graduate students. Yet there is a good deal of misinformation and a great lack of guidance about what constitutes a good research proposal and what can be done to maximize one's chances of writing a successful research proposal.

Pam Denicolo and Lucinda Becker recognize the importance of developing an effective research proposal for gaining either a place on a research degree program or funding to support research projects and set out to explore the main factors that that proposal writers need to attend to in developing successful proposals of their own.

Developing Research Proposals will help readers to understand the context within which their proposal will be read, what the reviewers are looking for and will be influenced by, while also supporting the development of relevant skills through advice and practical activities.

This book:

  • Explores the nature and purpose of different kinds of proposals
  • Focuses on the actual research proposed
  • Discusses how best to carry out and structure the literature review
  • Examines the posing and phrasing of research questions and hypotheses
  • Looks at how methods and methodology should be handled in a proposal
  • Discusses the crucial issues of planning, strategy and timing in developing targeted proposals

The authors draw together the key elements in the process of preparing and submitting a proposal and concludes with advice on responding to the results, successful or not, and their relevance to future proposals.


 
Prologue
Serendipity

 
Intended Readers

 
Overview of the Rook

 
The Task Before You

 
 
What is a Research Proposal?
A Pervasive Task Defined

 
A Celebration of Difference

 
First Steps in Meeting the Needs of Your Readership

 
Finding out about Research Degree Opportunities

 
Finding out about Research Funding Opportunities

 
General Preliminary Explorations

 
Skills Inventory

 
 
When Is a Research Proposal Required and Why?
Motivation

 
Sources of Funding

 
Gaining a Richer View of Funders' Requirements

 
Gaining Financial Awards for Study

 
Identifying Potential Supervisors/Advisors

 
Securing a Place on a Higher Degree by Research Programme

 
Sections Within a Proposal - What Funders or Research Degree Reviewers Are Looking for

 
Main Features of Proposals

 
 
What Are the Key Aspects of Proposal Preparation?
Pre-Preparation

 
The Title, Abstract and Covering Letter

 
The Body of the Proposal - Audience and Style

 
Developing Your Proposal Draft

 
Language Register, Voice and Verb Tense

 
The Conceptual Framework

 
Stages in the Production of Proposal - Advance Planning

 
The Constraints of Time

 
 
What Should Be Included in the Introduction, Rationale and Literature Review?
Orientating Your Reader to Your Purpose

 
The Introduction

 
The Rationale

 
Preparing for the Literature Review

 
The Literature Review Itself

 
The Process of Searching the Literature

 
Constructing Your Argument

 
 
What Is the Significance of the Aims, Objectives, and Research Questions/Hypotheses?
Level of Specificity Required

 
Clarification of Terms - Aims and Objectives

 
Research Questions and Hypotheses

 
Paradigms

 
Why Paradigm Identification Is Important

 
The Link between Aims/Objectives and Research Questions/Hypotheses

 
 
What Should Be Included in the Methodology/Research Implementation Sections?
Consistency between Purpose and Procedures

 
Clarification of 'Shorthand' Terms

 
Methodology - Approach and Justification

 
Consistency and Justification

 
Research Using Positivist Approaches

 
Presenting and Analysing Quantitative Results

 
Research Using Interpretivist Approaches

 
Presenting and Analysing Qualitative Results

 
Using the Right Language

 
Ethical Considerations

 
Evaluation Plan

 
 
What Financial Considerations Are Required?
The Ground Rules of Budgeting

 
The Financial Demands of a Research Degree Project

 
Financial Considerations for All Researchers

 
Types and Styles of Budgets for Funding Applications

 
Key Elements of the Budget: Personnel

 
Key Elements of the Budget: Operating Costs

 
The Budget after Submission of the Proposal

 
 
What Planning and Organisation Details Are Required?
Establishing Goals and Deadlines

 
Project Planning and Time Management

 
Implementation Plans

 
Research Governance

 
People Management

 
Schedules and Timelines

 
 
Who Are the other Potential Contributors to and Referees for Your Project?
Building Professional Relationships

 
Building on Overviews of Requirements

 
Making Contacts and Seeking Help

 
Developing Collaborations and Partnerships

 
The Review Process

 
What Reviewers Are Seeking from Proposals

 
Reality Check - Grit Your Teeth!

 
 
Where Does It End? Reactions, Reflections and Anticipations
After Submission

 
Receiving Feedback from Reviewers

 
Reasons for Rejection

 
Responding to Feedback

 
Back to the Beginning

 
The Continuous Cycle of Proposal Writing

 
Appendix 1 Funding Sources

 
Appendix 2 Resources

 
Glossary

 
Index

 

Supplements

Success in Research free tools

A collection of free tips, exercises and resources from all books in the Success in Research series

This book has been added to my list of essential reading for my dissertation students during the summer, to enable them to put together a valid and appropriate research proposal - excellent stuff!

Mrs Fiona Porter
Dept of Social Sciences & Humanities, Bradford University
March 13, 2013

Some parts of the book look more useful than others for my student group.

Dr Carol Bugge
Nursing , Stirling University
March 6, 2013

This text-book has been recommended to students and colleagues, because it is well explained, giving simple guidance to novice and expert researcher, ways of developing a good research proposal.

Mr Moses Murandu
School of Health & Wellbeing, Wolverhampton University
January 24, 2013

Accessible & useful for part time Level 7 students writing proposals in an unfamiliar discipline

Ms Alison Devine
Clinical Education, Edge Hill University
January 24, 2013

This is an excellent resource for those students currently engaged in developing research proposals.

Mr Lee Curran
Criminal Justice, St Helens College
January 23, 2013

An excellent book to support students in developing their research proposal, something which many can struggle with. Clearly laid out and explained and particularly useful Appendix of funding organisations to consider.

Mrs Janet Harvell
Early Years, Bridgwater College
January 8, 2013

Good text which our students will find very useful. Simple and straight forward.

Dr Kate D'Arcy
Dept of Applied Social Sciences, Bedfordshire University
December 17, 2012

A very useful and accessible book for new researchers.

Dr Pam Jones
Education , Swansea Metropolitan University
November 29, 2012

Important book for the becoming researchers.

Professor Anne Soderlund
Dep of Physiotherapy, School of Health, Care and Social Welfare
November 28, 2012

This will be recommended as an essential text for undergraduate as well as postgraduate groups. It has been introduced to current students during Research Design classes for Masters and MBA's in the School of Business. It will become a very important text for scaffolding learners in their move from taught modules to the independent research study module. The research proposal is an important 'road map' for students as they work independently. This is a good text, clearly written, and set out. Students have commented on the ease of accessibility. The text will appear in next years Module reference sheets, and has been included in current Module Handbook's, and on the Module webpage.

Mr Yaqub Murray
School of Business, Royal Agricultural College
November 25, 2012

Sample Materials & Chapters

Chapter One


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