How to write a research proposal
You will need to submit a research proposal with your PhD application. This is crucial in the assessment of your application and it warrants plenty of time and energy.
Your proposal should outline your project and be around 1,500 words.
Title
Your research proposal should include a working title for your project.
Overview of the research
In this section, you should provide a short overview of your research. You should also state how your research fits into the research priorities of your particular subject area.
Here you can refer to the research areas and priorities of a particular research grouping or supervisor.
You must also state precisely why you have chosen to apply to the discipline area and how your research links into our overall profile.
Positioning of the research
This should reference the most important texts related to the research, demonstrate your understanding of the research issues, and identify existing gaps (both theoretical and practical) that the research is intended to address.
Research design and methodology
This section should identify the information that is necessary to carry out the analysis and the possible research techniques that could deliver the information.
References
Your research proposal will be used to assess the quality and originality of your ideas, whether you are able to think critically and whether you have a grasp of the relevant literature. It also gives us important information about the perspectives you intend to take on your research area, and how you fit into the department's research profile overall. This is helpful when assigning a supervisor.
Flexibility
You will not be forced to follow the proposal exactly once you have started to study. It is normal for students to refine their original proposal, in light of detailed literature review, further consideration of research approaches and comments received from your supervisors (and other academic staff).
Pitfalls to avoid
We sometimes have to reject students who meet the academic requirements but have not produced a satisfactory research proposal, therefore:
- Make sure that your research idea, question or problem is very clearly stated and well-grounded in academic research.
- Make sure that your proposal is well focused and conforms exactly to the submission requirements described here.
- Poorly specified, jargon-filled or rambling proposals will not convince us that you have a clear idea of what you want to do.
The University uses electronic systems to detect plagiarism and other forms of academic malpractice and for assessment. All Humanities PhD programmes require the submission of a research proposal as part of the application process. The Doctoral Academy upholds the principle that where a candidate approaches the University with a project of study, this should be original. While it is understandable that research may arise out of previous studies, it is vital that your research proposal is not the subject of plagiarism.