The research proposal is the first important milestone of studies. The aim of the research proposal is to provide information about the intended research project, in terms of content and methodology, in order to assess both the feasibility of the project and the work progress during the first year of studies. While universities do not insist on a definite format, we encourage candidates to adhere to the guidelines present below.

A typical research proposal consists of the following parts:

1. A working title of the topic area: This should do more than just convey the key words associated with the proposed research.

2. General overview of area: By way of introduction, this should take the form of a relatively brief abstract of the general area of study and signify the discipline(s) within which it falls.

3. Detailed Literature Review: In this section, you should develop your proposal to demonstrate that you are aware of the debates and critical issues raised in relevant bodies of literature. It is important to be able to demonstrate familiarity with major lines of argument that have been developed in your area, and to demonstrate an understanding of the ideas and findings of key researchers working on your topic. References to key articles and texts should be there to establish that you appreciate their relevance to your research area. A PhD is an original piece of research and so you should demonstrate that you proposed area has not been studied before. Therefore, you need to identify your niche, which will lead on to the thesis preparation.

4. Key Research Questions: Since you need to demonstrate that the topic can be completed within the normal time allowed, you need to demonstrate that it is manageable and so focus on key questions within your niche area. You must state the key issues that your research intends to address. What empirical phenomena or theoretical debates are driving your research proposal? Try to be specific. If your research is being driven by empirical phenomena (e.g. ecommerce, global branding, etc.), what aspects of these phenomena are you trying to explain? If your research proposal is being driven by theoretical debates, which specific points in these debates are you going to focus on?

5. Methodology: You need to demonstrate an awareness of the methodological tools available to you and show some understanding of which would be suitable for your research. It may be that qualitative methods, including the analysis of interviews, are appropriate. Alternatively, your approach may involve forecasting or statistical, financial or econometric modelling, in other cases you may be combining methodologies. You need to specify the approach you feel will be most appropriate.

Clarify your method of investigation, e.g.:

• Questionnaires
• Personal interviews
• Focus groups
• Laboratory experiments
• Mathematical modelling
• Design techniques, etc.

Indicate your sampling methodology, e.g.:

• Size of sample
• Population
• Experimental and control groups
• Prevention of bias, etc.

6. Timescale/research planning: You need to demonstrate an awareness of the need for planning and the timescale of the research.

7. Conclusions: Finally, although no indication of the research findings can be presented, it is often beneficial to conclude the research proposal by indicating how you envisage the contribution that your research will make to debates and discussions in your particular subject area. This means providing an indication of the original contribution that you feel your research will make, suggesting how it may fill gaps in existing research, and showing how it may extend understanding of particular topics. You should avoid making any substantial changes to the broad direction of your research after admission into the program. It is natural for ideas to evolve and change, so you will not be forced to adhere to the specifics of your proposal. However, the proposal is the foundation of your working relationship with your supervisors and thus it cannot be radically altered without discussion and consultation with your supervisors.

8. Bibliography: You should include a short list of references to key articles and texts included in the application.

The research proposal is not only judged on content, it is also judged on form. Your research proposal must look professional. It should be typed and it should be written in good syntax and grammar. It should be well structured, with section headings clearly indicated. In terms of length, a research proposal should typically be between 4,000 – 8,000 words.

Another way of looking into things, you can read the following checklist and proceed with it gradually for the ease of implementation.

Research Proposal Checklist

Format and references

Is the paper in APA-style?

Are there at least 8-10 references?

Are the references properly cited?

Are all references cited in the text found in the reference section and vice versa?

Abstract

Is the abstract 100-120 words long?

Is the abstract clear and understandable?

Does it summarize the paper well, including information from each major section of the paper?

Introduction

Do the first couple of paragraphs set up the topic well?

Is there an interesting beginning to draw the reader in?

Does it give and clear and thorough presentation of previous research?

Is there a clear rationale for the hypotheses presented?

Are the hypotheses clearly stated and testable?

Are the hypotheses original and interesting?

Will the study you are doing add to what we already know about your topic?

Is it in future tense?

Are there appropriate subheadings?

Are all questionnaires and scales described well (with the actual questionnaire, if created by you, in an appendix)?

Is it clear exactly what happens to participants from the beginning to the end of the study?

Is it clear where the participants will be found?

Could someone reading your method section replicate your study exactly?

Does your method clearly test your hypotheses?

Are your operational definitions clearly defined?

Expected Results

What comparisons would you make on your data?

How would these comparisons test your hypotheses?

What do you expect to find, in words and in terms of main effects, interactions, and correlations?

Discussion

What would it mean if you did get your expected results?

What implications would these results have for other areas?

Why would these results be important?

What are limitations of your study and ideas for further research?