Posted: May 30th, 2015

The Proposal Template

The Proposal Template

 

Specialism

Marketing

Dissertation Supervisor

<Insert text>.

Title

Note on Content:

• (max. 25 words – recommended 15 words)
• A title should summarise the main idea of the proposal simply and, if possible, with style. You may want to use a title and a subtitle, separated by a colon (e.g. ‘Brown Eggs: What they are Made of and How to Eat Them’)

<Insert text>.

 

Introduction

Note on Content:

• (max. 200 words)
• A statement of your research question, possibly including a central question and three or four aspects or sub-questions (approx. 30–100 words depending on number of research questions).
• Explain why this question is interesting (approx. 100 words).

<Insert text>.

 

Relation to previous research (Theoretical Framework)

Note on Content:

• (max. 500 words).
• Discussion of the relation between your proposed research and previous research. When expanded in the dissertation this will be referred to as a Literature Review.

<Insert text>.

 

Proposed methods

Note on Content:

• (max. 500 words).
• A precise statement of the methods you propose to use.
• Justify the choices you make. Explain why this method is being used in preference to others.
• Discuss the specifics of the method(s) you will use. Be clear about data sources and what will count as data in your research project.
• (In your methods section you may need to make some reference to other exemplary studies and will certainly need to refer to the literature on research methods.)

<Insert text>.

 

Reflections

Note on Content:

• (max. 500 words).

Include reflections on:

• Potential practical and empirical obstacles (e.g. access).
• Conceptual and theoretical problems and difficulties.
• Ethics (both in the narrow and the broader senses).
• Your position as a researcher in a political field, and reflection on how this will impact on your study.

<Insert text>.

 

Timetable

Note on Content:

• (max. 100 words, or a one page diagram)
• Provide dates and major steps or milestones.
• This should be presented in bullet points or as a pictorial diagram.
• Make sure that you include other commitments such as holidays, and allowing time for tutors to approve your research proposal.

<Insert text>.

 

References

Note on Content:

• A full list of works referred to in the text referenced correctly.
• Quality is more important than quantity, demonstrating engagement with relevant literature.
• The Internet should not be the only source of references.

<Insert text>.

 

Appendices (optional)

Note on Content:

• Containing materials distracting from, but relevant to, the body of the proposal, for example, draft questionnaires, interview questions, other tables, lists, etc.
• Do not overdo it. Only include things that really are relevant. You won’t get extra marks for this.

<Insert text>.