Description
Write a research proposal, of no more than 2,000 words in length (+10% max and excluding the time frame section), for a research project you could feasibly conduct as your project next year:
The proposal must outline an empirical research project which involves the collection and/or analysis of data, as opposed to a library-based study using only published academic material. It is envisaged that this proposal will be used as the basis for your project but this is not mandatory and you may write a proposal for something entirely different if you so wish.
Your proposal should be structured in a clear fashion and include the following:
• An introduction (~200 words) which outlines the topic and the specific research question(s) the project will address.
• A literature review (~600 words) which briefly outlines key academic work related to the topic/question(s) and demonstrates the significance of your project in relation to existing theory and research.
• A research design (~1200 words) outlining how the project will be conducted in such a way as to address the research aims/questions set. In doing so, you should offer a clear justification for your choices in terms of the research question(s) being asked, any theoretical framework which underpins the study and the practicalities of carrying out the research. The key points you should address here are:
o The broad methodological framework underpinning the research;
o How you will identify and select cases for your study;
o What methods of data collection will you use;
o What methods of data analysis will you use; and
o Key ethical/safety issues and how you will mitigate them
• A time frame (max 150 words) outlining when key elements of the project will be carried out. This does not count towards the total word limit for the assignment.
Academic references should be used as appropriate to support your work. In particular, you are expected to draw upon academic publications to inform your introduction/literature review as well as methodological literature to inform your methodology section. Failing to do this is an excellent way of missing marks, especially not using methodological literature which is a very common issue I have seen in the past.
