How do I develop a research proposal?

We surveyed 60 postgraduate students in the early stages of their thesis journeys. The three most frequent areas of concern identified by these novice researchers were:

• What is my research area?
• Have I chosen a realistic topic to study?
• How do I write my research aims and objectives?

Anyone who has ever started (and finished!) a thesis, or dissertation, feels a range of potentially conflicting emotions. Eager, but with a sense of trepidation. Enthusiastic, while also uneasy. Excited, yet somewhat anxious. Such sentiments are a normal part of the human condition. We fear the unknown. We are wary of walking on new ground where we have not trodden before. This is why educational institutions recommend you start your research journey with a map. In other words, a research proposal that sketches out the route.

A research proposal is a written document, separate to your thesis. In your proposal, you pose a question and set out how you plan to answer it in a structured way. To ensure your proposal is credible, you need to ascertain what you want to do, say why you want to do it and explain how you plan to do it. All within the time available.

Recently we at Thesis Upgrade worked with a student, Alex Scofield, who was preparing to write a dissertation for his MSc in Human Resource Management. “I spent hours drinking coffee, trying to work out how to start. I was overthinking the purpose of my research. Agonising about my topic. Chopping and changing my research questions”, he said. A friend advised Alex to use Thesis Upgrade’s publication, Developing Your Research Proposal, as his roadmap.

The book describes the information and tools you need to successfully write a coherent proposal. Whether it is choosing a topic, identifying a problem to research, defining your research statement, or formulating questions and hypotheses, this guide can help. It also assists you with planning your approach, designing a project plan and bringing your ideas together into a robust proposal document.

“Initially, I was not able to decide on a topic to study, or to set clear aims and objectives. My problem was not knowing how to turn my research idea into a proposal with clear objectives and rigorous hypotheses,” said Alex. “I bought the book online for less than the price of a cup of coffee. It was only €1.99! It helped me get organised, scope my project, generate key ideas and structure the main content in my proposal”, he continued. As a result, Alex wrote a great research proposal. “I was really stuck at the start”, he confided, “but Thesis Upgrade’s book helped me draft a realistic project plan and develop a great research proposal. Even my supervisor said I wrote an excellent proposal!”

Like Alex, make your supervisor proud! Download our digital resources to help you develop a robust, and feasible, research proposal. Buy now for immediate use.