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Developing Research Proposals
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Developing Research Proposals

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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

 

A very good book for beginner researchers, or students planning a small scale research project. Some sections are more relevant to PhD proposals, however there are lots of areas of useful information for other researchers new to their fields of knowledge.

Mr David Leask
Education , University of Manchester
November 5, 2012

This book touches upon interesting issues in writing a proposal. It is not tailored enough to the requirements my graduate school uses, nor does it give information on methodology.

Dr Hilde Tobi
Research Methodology Group, Wageningen University
September 27, 2012

Useful text covers essentials of research proposals, well written

Mr Andrew Holmes
Centre for Life-Long Learning, Hull University
June 27, 2012

Useful book for those preparing bids or preparing course based proposals
Relevant to all career researchers, not just early, and those preparing their first postgraduate research proposal
Summary boxes are useful to readers whilst I found that the activities although aimed at individual readers could also be used in class based delivery of post graduate research courses
Welcome addition to the series ‘success in research’ that takes practical and realistic perspective on preparing research bids which can be a dispiriting endeavour

Mr Kevin Hugill
School of Health, Central Lancashire University
June 26, 2012

An straightforward uncomplicated book. Helps unravel how research proposals are constructed

Mr Stefan Brown
Department of Health and Social Care, Royal Holloway, University of London
June 21, 2012

I liked this text as it was user-friendly and I'm sure it will help students to plan their research projects effectively.

Mrs Kathleen Tate
Teacher Education, Burnley College
June 16, 2012

This is a topic on which guidance is often sought and this book will be of assistance to numerous neophyte researchers.

Dr Stephen Goss
Metanoia Institute, Centre for Practice Based Research, Middlesex University
May 29, 2012

An excellent text that provides useful practical elements to develop research skills. Recommended to students.

Mrs Jackie Chivers
Adult Continuing Education, Swansea University
May 21, 2012

Denicolo and Becker demonstrate how to do a ‘polished’ research proposal including detailed illustration on preparation and finally writing it. Suitable for master’s and doctoral degree studies including a range of practical advice and reflection points. This book will help a great deal to become a successful researcher.

Mrs Paivi Valtonen
Education , Grimsby Institute of Further and Higher Education
May 4, 2012

This will be a useful book for undergrad and post grad students or early career researchers who are taking their first steps into research. It is clearly laid out in a step by step approach

Mrs Heather Hunter
Health Professions (Physiotherapy), University of Plymouth
May 2, 2012

Sample Materials & Chapters

Chapter One