Writing a research proposal
All students applying to do a research degree in the School of Public Health are required to submit a 1-2 page (maximum of 2 pages) research proposal with their application form. This proposal must also be discussed with and signed by an academic member of the School, and/or your preferred supervisor, in accordance with the application procedures for candidature in a research degree.
The following are some guidelines to help you prepare your research proposal. Much of this is based on information from a detailed document produced by the University of Sydney's Learning Centre: Writing a thesis Proposal (PDF)
In order to achieve its purpose, your proposal must fulfil the following general requirements:
- Establish a context for your research and demonstrate the need for it
- Show that your study will meet this need, and how it will do so, that is the method(s) you will use
More specifically, your research proposal should have the following elements:
Introduction
- Nature of the problem
- Why the issue/problem is important
- How your research would contribute to the solution of the problem
Research question or hypothesis
For example, what is the relationship between two or more concepts, variables, phenomena, events, etc.
Brief review of the relevant literature
This should be an integrated statement that explains why these studies or theories are important for your research, and where your research fits in relation to the literature (maximum of half a page).
A description of the procedure
This can include:
- A description of the theoretical or conceptual framework
- Sources of evidence
- Research design and method
- Analytical techniques
- A timetable for conducting and completing the study
The first step in preparing a research proposal is to prepare a rough draft. Start by writing preliminary answers to the following questions:
- What is the tentative title? (The title may change as your research progresses)
- Why do you want to do this research? (What do you think you will be able to say when your research is complete?)
- What steps will you have to take to accomplish what you want to do? Can you put those steps into sequential order?
- What resources will you need to conduct the study?
- What assistance from other people will you need? eg skills of a supervisor, other staff members.
- Will Ethics Approval be required?
(adapted from Mauch JE and Birch JW, Guide to the successful thesis and dissertation, New York, Marcel Dekker, 1989 (2nd edn): 57-58)
In the Introduction the following questions can serve as a guideline. Remember to move from the general to the specific:
|
Question |
Purpose of Information |
|---|---|
|
What is the public health issue? |
Orientate the reader by giving some general background to the topic |
|
Why is the issue important? |
Justify your research by explaining to the reader why this is an important area of research |
|
What do we know about the topic in general? |
Provide the reader with a context for your research by giving a brief summary of past research |
|
What are some of the weaknesses in our knowledge about the topic? |
Justify your research by showing gaps, weaknesses etc. |
|
What are you going to do about these gaps? |
Give the reader a general statement about the purpose of your research |
The University of Sydney's Learning Centre provides valuable advice and assistance on writing research proposals.
Another helpful guide for formulating a research proposal is: Designing a Study (PDF). While this covers more than the requirements for a research proposal application the content may be useful for you:
- Developing and refining a research idea
- Developing hypotheses and research questions
- Study strategy (type of design)
- Methods
- Data analysis
- Ethical considerations
- Study procedure
- Budget and administration