How to prepare a research project proposal

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How to prepare your application for a research project in Social Sciences at Bangor University

The purpose of your proposal is to show that you have a relevant theme, a viable project and the competence to carry it out. The information is vital when we evaluate your proposed study and decide if we have the right staff expertise to supervise you.

The format and length of the proposal is likely to vary according to the type of project. Typically a proposal is no less than 1500 words (3-4 pages) long and will cover the following points.

Title

This should be concise and descriptive

Background

You should explain the context for your research, the issues it is concerned with, and the reasons why the research is important and original. You may need to describe how it builds on your previous academic work or professional experience. You must include references to the existing research and scholarly literature in your field of research.

Statement of the problem or research questions

Clearly formulate the problem you propose to research. This should be expressed as an answerable question, or set of questions. The problem should be substantial but manageable within the timescale of a research degree and it should have originality.

Design of the project

Describe how the project will be structured and where it will take place. Key design decisions (say between experimental, comparative, longitudinal or case study approaches) should be justified according the way in which you have defined the research problem. If your project will be testing hypotheses you should state them here.

Methodology

In this section describe your approach to collecting and analyzing data. A proposal may plan to use existing data, gather primary data or do both. Explain the procedures and techniques you plan to use: the nature of the data; the methods of data sampling and collection; sources of information. Here you will demonstrate your knowledge of alternative social scientific methods and make the case that your approach is the most suitable for your research question. Consider questions of access to data sources and the skills that you will need to carry out the research.

Resources and ethical clearance

Will your research comply with the agreed international standards for good practice in social research? Using published ethical guidelines show that you are aware of the specific documents and clearances you will need.

Project management

You should map out a schedule for your project, from the start date onwards, showing when you expect to conduct periods of fieldwork (if applicable) and the time required for data analysis and writing up your results.

References

You should include a list of the references cited in your proposal, using Harvard notation. This will be useful for potential supervisors to evaluate your knowledge of the research topic.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

When you have prepared a draft of your proposal show it to a teacher or researcher and ask for advice on how to improve it. You can also ask staff in the School of Social Sciences with interests in the same research area as your own for their feedback.

The Research Experience: Initial Stages

To start out as a research student is to embark on an exciting and challenging journey. In graduate education in the UK, a candidate for a research degree is treated as a junior colleague who will grow quickly out of a pupil-teacher relationship into a professional who can make an independent contribution within the research community.

Bangor University and the School of Social Sciences offer an induction programme for new research students at the beginning of the academic session. This is a vital opportunity to meet not just with your supervisor but with other members of staff and current research students. (If you start at any other time of the year you will have induction meetings with key people as well as your supervisor).

Every research student is allocated a supervisor before they register and they will both meet regularly. The responsibility of the supervisor is to offer expert guidance and support for their research students. The style of supervision can vary but the early meetings are crucial for establishing an effective working relationship. Interaction in the first few months will be around the definition of the project, advice on literature and sources, development of research skills and research planning. You will need to follow a timetable of work agreed with your supervisor and take the initiative in raising questions and making suitable arrangements for contact. At about six months from the start, and at six-month intervals after that, the School will arrange a ‘supervisory committee’ of several members of staff to monitor and provide feedback on your project.

New research students are expected to have already acquired the essential skills to begin their research, usually through a specialized master’s course. However, your training needs will be assessed and it is expected that you will be complete additional courses alongside your research. The courses will help you to develop the skills and competencies that you need to become accepted as a professionally trained researcher in your subject.

It is important for research students to participate in the wider research community. You will have contact with other students through shared working spaces, courses and networking with researchers who have similar interests. The School of Social Sciences also provides a series of open research seminars for all staff and postgraduate students. The School of Social Sciences is well connected to the Wales ESRC Doctoral Training Centre and to national and international research networks such at the Wales Institute of Social & Economic Research Data & Methods and the Welsh Centre for Crime and Social Justice.

Teresa Crew from Llandudno is in the second year of a PhD in Sociology at Bangor…

“My PhD looks at the experiences of graduates in North Wales in terms of the employment and postgraduate study opportunities available to them. Previous graduate studies have often had a UK-wide focus, offering little explanation of regional variation; therefore I chose to use North Wales as a case study. To date I have observed that there may be regional assets or ‘regional capital’ that graduates need to draw upon or acquire when accessing postgraduate opportunities in North Wales. The study is ongoing, but I expect to show that Welsh language skills may be an example of ‘regional capital’.

My advice to anyone thinking of pursuing a Postgraduate course is to choose a topic that can sustain your interests and one that you feel has unanswered questions that you can maybe answer. Match this topic with your supervisors, as a good supervisor is worth their weight in gold! Make the most, too, of the various opportunities that come your way. I recently attended a BBC Media Training course, which proved particularly insightful in the way that it made me think about the key messages of my study and how to present them in a succinct manner.

A PhD is a valuable qualification in terms of future employment opportunities and it is a fantastic way of building networks and personal development. Even in my second year, I am finding that my PhD is already presenting developmental opportunities. I recently attended a conference/workshop for early career researchers where I had the opportunity to present my research to the leading academics in my field and to receive valuable feedback. This conference has led to possible collaborations with other PhD students as well as further opportunities to present my work. Later this year I will be presenting my study to the Society for Research into Higher Education conference.”