Developing Research Proposals
- Pam Denicolo - Consultant on Doctoral Education and Training
- Lucinda Becker - Reading University, UK
Success in Research
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.
Supplements
A collection of free tips, exercises and resources from all books in the Success in Research series
This is a fabulous text that is pitched at the right level, yet accessible to all undergraduate and postgraduate level students. The information is clear and well laid out and the book is easy to navigate.
essential reading for part time masters students undertaking research methods module
This textbook covers well the basic elements for tailoring and designing a professional research proposal. However, it should be combined with other textbooks as it is not extensive.
Strongly recommended.
A very clear and step-by-step approach to writing research proposals.
Very useful when undertaking research for the first time. I would recommend it to any new researcher.
Proposals are so strange to students new to research. They cannot understand the need of justification but jump straight in to wanting to do things. This text will help understand the need to plan
Excellent book that clearly takes the students through the process of planning a research proposal.
a useful addition to research methods module reading list
I am recommending this as supplemental reading to PhD students in the first part of their doctoral research. It is as very helpful tool to aid thinking about exactly how to develop their proposals. I also am recommending it to colleagues seeking to become research active.
Important book for classes with applied research projects for students and advanced Master's.
Very handy text to provide straightforward advice on developing good quality research proposal.
