Production of a PhD research proposal

Research method

• Assessment 1: Production of a PhD research proposal. The specification is available from ‘Assessment 1’ below (Worth 60% of the module marks).

Title of the Assignment: Assessment 1: Production of a PhD Proposal

The learning outcomes that are assessed by this coursework are:

LO2: Write a research proposal which demonstrates an understanding of the research process and its application to a given research problem.

LO3: Identify and critically discuss professional, legal, managerial and ethical problems associated with the development and execution of a research project

Tasks to be undertaken:

To develop a research proposal in a subject of your choosing that would take a PhD student 3 years to complete

The content of the proposal should follow the following format (indicative):

Title plus author information

• Summary – Statement of the problem and succinct outline of proposed research
• Background – Review of the literature
• Proposed work ◦ Aims and Objectives ◦ Rationale ◦ Methodology ◦ Programme of Work – Work Packages
• Professional, legal and ethical issues associated with the proposed research
• Relevance to Beneficiaries – Identify and evaluate potential economic and social impact, as well as possible (commercial or scientific) risks problems of the proposed research
• Research Management Plan
• Justification of Resources
• Gantt chart showing the project management, timing and deliverables of each work package

Deliverables to be submitted for assessment:

YOU MUST USE LATEX FOR YOUR PROPOSAL – maximum length is 6 A4 pages (including references) with a minimum margin of 2cm in all sides, with the Gantt chart provided an additional 7th A4 page