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How to Write a Research Proposal

Vak
2011-2012

Admission requirements

Bachelor. Admission to the Master BW

Description

To write a research proposal the student must be able to formulate the hypothesis and research questions, which are central to the proposal. Furthermore, the student must be able to write a research design.

The student will start to read the course documents and will try to formulate a research question and a hypothesis. The groups will then focus on writing the introduction of the proposal.
Next the groups will write the scientific background of their proposal, and a research design. The experiments, the data analysis, and the writing of the papers will be planned. Expected outcomes, and significance of the results should be indicated. A list of evaluation criteria is delivered separately on blackboard, to guide the process of writing. This list is also of importance in evaluating the proposals of the other groups on the last day of the course. The groups will also prepare the presentation of the proposal during the final joint meeting. Every student must participate in the presentation of the proposal.

Course objectives

  • The student can formulate an introduction and a hypothesis of a research proposal

  • The student can write a research design

  • The student can present a research proposal

  • The student is able to evaluate other research proposals

Timetable

The course lasts 2 weeks and is full time.
The course will start with a first introductory lecture organized by the tutor(s).
The students will divide into groups of 3-4 students and those groups will be tutored separately in the course of the 2 weeks.
At the end of the course students will present their proposal in a final joint meeting.
1-3 Guest lectures will be provided in the course of the two weeks.

Mode of instruction

Lectures and tutorials

Assessment method

The presentations of the research proposals and the process of judging the research proposals are assessed by the tutor. Students will receive a “pass” or “no pass”.

Reading list

Website for background information: The Foundation Center’s Proposal Writing Short Course