On today’s documents needed to apply for a scholarship as part of your relocation plan, we’ll be dealing with tips on how to write a research proposal for your Masters and Ph.D. A research proposal is one of the essential documents required to be submitted to the admission committee of the school you are applying to; whether it is for a Masters by research or Ph.D. That’s why you need to know how to skillfully draft one as it is the key to your getting accepted into your preferred university. So we will go ahead by giving you some tips on How to Write a Research Proposal for your Masters, and Ph.D. Degree program.
WHAT IS A RESEARCH PROPOSAL?
This is a clear and concise summary of your proposed research. It sets out the main matters you plan to address. It also defines the extensive area of study within which your research falls, thereby referring to the recent state of knowledge and discusses on the topic. You could say that it exemplifies the ingenuity of your proposed research. Clear enough?
WHY IS THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL IMPORTANT?
This document is the most crucial of documents that you submit as part of the application process just like the Recommendation Letter, Personal Statement and Motivation Letter. It provides you an opening to establish that you have the potential for graduate-level research, for instance, by indicating that you have the proficiency to convey complicated ideas in a clear, concise, and critical manner. Research proposals are famous for helping students match their research interest with a suitable supervisor.
HOW MANY PAGES SHOULD MY RESEARCH PROPOSAL BE?
2,000 – 3,500 words (4-7 pages) long. Please note that certain funding bodies might have different word limits, so get your facts clear about the school you are applying to.
ELEMENTS OF THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL
It doesn’t matter the kind of scholarship program you are applying for, every research proposal should generally comprise the following information:
• Title
This should give a clear inkling of your proposed research method or key issue.
• Setting and Rationale
In your setting/background and rationale, you should include:
- The issues of your proposed research
- Specify your discipline
- A brief literature review
- An overview of key debates and outcomes in the field
• Research Questions
Your proposal should set out the prominent objectives and concerns that will guide your research. That’s why before you commence writing your proposal, you should take time to reflect on the key questions that you are seeking to answer. Various research proposals are too vague, so analyzing your key research questions is a great way to make sure that your project is adequately workable. In other words, it is possible to complete it within the normal period for an MPhil or Ph.D. degree. Make sure you compose these questions clearly, giving an explanation as to what problem are to be examined and why they are worth examining.
• Connotation of Research
Surely, you need to explain why your research is important (for instance, try explaining how your research builds amplifies the recent state of knowledge in the field or giving reasons why it is timely to research your proposed topic).
• Plan of Work and Time Schedule
Also include an outline of the many stages and matching timelines for formulating and enforcing the research, including writing up your thesis.
- For full-time study, your research should be completed within three years, with writing up completed in the fourth year of registration.
- For part-time study, your research should be completed within six years, with the writing-up completed by the eighth year.
• Bibliography
Finally, your proposal should contain a short bibliography recognizing the most relevant works for your topic. They are:
- A list of references to key articles and texts discussed within your research proposal.
- A selection of sources appropriate to the proposed research.