RESEARCH PROJECT PROPOSAL Template

 This template is to be used to outline your proposed research project study:

no other formats will be accepted. This form is due to be completed, saved
and uploaded via uploaded to WOLF by the due date for your cohort.

 This proposal should not exceed 2,500 words in length, excluding references;
and project schedule table. Note: extensive background information is not
required

 Wording in red is included either for purely illustrative purposes (i.e. to

help you think about your own choice of words) or offering guidance.
You should delete or overwrite these guidelines with your own words,
and change the font from red to black.

A. Research Proposal

Student Name:

Student ID:

Provisional Topic Title:

Proposal structurally approved by workshop tutor: Yes/No

(Your workshop tutor may wish to check that you had done sufficient work on the
proposal and that it is of “fit state” to be forwarded to your supervisor)

1. Aims/objectives/Research Questions:
Provide a brief introduction/context to your topic; state your aims, objectives
and plausible research questions (500 words)

2. Methodology:
Explain how you are going to answer your research questions i.e. explain
your methodology and methods, justify the methods to be employed and
critically review the methodology/approaches you are intending to take (700
words)

3. Brief Literature Review:

Explain how your research fits into existing published work. Do this by
locating and critically reviewing about 10-12 sources of information
(references) connected to the work you propose to do and show how your
research aims/questions intend to fill any gap or extend knowledge. Refer to
your research methods module and compare and contrast this information
 with what you intend to do and with your research approach. Approximately 8-
10 of these references must be academic publications, from refereed journals
which will be found in our online databases such as Ebsco. Do not use books
in this section. Refer to examples in the workshops. (1000 words)

4. Resources you need/Access to primary and secondary data:

Explain what resources you will need, what resources you have access to,
and what access to organisations have you secured for the primary data (300
words)

5. Project Schedule
Use the template below and fill in the due dates so that you and your
supervisor can map out your journey. Allocate 4-6 weeks each for stages 1
and 3. It is recommended that you prepare the final draft one month prior to
the submission date as your supervisor may wish to review it. You are
encouraged to meet with your supervisor regularly to gain feedback at stages
1 to 3, each supervisor will advise you on their preferred supervision pattern.

Step Description Due date

s
1 Preparation Stage
Week -1-2: Area of interest identified
Weeks 3-4: Topic selected/form submitted
Weeks 4-5: Topic refined to develop dissertation proposal
Weeks 5-8: Proposal written and submitted
2 Chapters 1-3 completed
Chapter 1 Draft Introduction completed
Chapter 2 Draft Literature Review completed
Chapter 3 Draft Research Methodology completed
3 Collection of data and information
Data analysis and Interpretation of data
Chap 4 Draft Results, Analysis and Discussion completed
Chapter 5 Draft Conclusions, Implications &
recommendations
4 Final Writing up
Structure, presentation and proof reading
5 Final Stage
Final proof reading, printing and binding
6 Submission of Project (WOLF and hard copy submission)

6. References
Please make sure you only include sources you have cited above and that
each source fully complies with Harvard referencing requirements. The
references should include at least 8-10 journal sources.
 RESEARCH PROJECT PROPOSAL
EVALUATION GRID/FEEDBACK SHEET
Student to fill in personal details below and having
read the ethical guidelines, confirm project is category A
(below) and upload along with the proposal form.

Student last name:

Student first name(s):
Student no:
Supervisor:

First submission Resubmission

Evaluation Summary Feedback

(As per ticked Box) (Check overleaf for possible further comment)

Excellent:
Compelling proposal, persuasively outlining a well thought
Approved to proceed
through, feasible and relevant research study.

Very Good:
Clear and specific about research question, project design and
Approved to proceed
research methods. These three elements are shown to be well
co-ordinated.
Good:
Well-defined research question. Sensible project design and
Approved to proceed
clear plans for conducting the research.

Competent:
Clear research question. Explicit ideas on design and methods
Approved to proceed
but there are some issues about the fit between question,
design and methods.
Borderline:
Identifies an interesting topic, but the research question is
Improvement required;
very broad and the details of the project are hazy.
resubmit to supervisor;
not yet approved.
Arrange meeting with Supervisor a.s.a.p.
Unsatisfactory:
The focus, purpose and method of the project are not made
Major improvement
clear to the reader.
required; resubmit to
supervisor; not yet
Arrange meeting with Supervisor a.s.a.p.
approved to proceed.

Application for Ethical Approval:

Is this a proposal for Category A or Category B project?
(to completed by student)

If it is Category A, do you recommend that approval is given?

(to be completed by the supervisor)

If No, please give reason(s)

Supervisor Feedback

In addition to the standardised feedback given on page one, and to comment and advice that
will be given in supervision meetings, Supervisors may choose to use the space below to offer
more detailed comments on the overall proposal and/or to suggest specific ways in which the
proposal should/could be improved to strengthen the foundations for the intended study.

Supervisor Signature: ___________________________________

Name (Please print) ___________________________________

Date: ______________________