Description
Research proposal is a paper not shorter than 15 pages, written previous to starting the fieldwork.
Research proposal must deal with the following issues:
Motivation and justification of the research question
Knowledge of the area of research (literature survey)
Theoretical motivation of the research question
Further specification of the research question.
Motivation of the methodologies used and implications of the proposed methods for addressing the research question.
Depending on the methodologies used, it may be necessary to define and explain the operationalization of the employed concepts.
Motivation of the proposed fieldwork methodologies and research techniques and their implications for the research process.
Preliminary plan for data analysis following field research.
Work plan, time schedule, and budget.
These issues can be integrated within the research proposal as follows:
I Introduction
Research motivation, research framework and (preliminary) research question.
Justification of choice of research subject.
General conditions: description of the situation in the research area on basis of a literature survey.
Short social scientific description of the area. Aspects related to the subject will be addressed here.
II Problem definition and theoretical foundation
On the basis of a literature survey, theories and theoretical debates related to the research topic are addressed, as are the following points:
General definition of the problem
Exposition of the conceptual model on the basis of the literature survey
Description of specific questions and hypotheses. These should be related to the research population and the selected methods and techniques
III Definition and operationalization of concepts
In this section the concepts used in the general and specific research questions should be defined and operationalized It should be clear that, in most cases, decisions regarding the research population and the relevant methods and techniques should precede the operationalization
IV Methods and techniques of research
Decisions about which techniques will be deployed in the research and justification thereof.
Possible sample. To what extent is a sample necessary and possible? How can research units be selected? Are the research units accurately defined? Are observations and interviews held once or several times and why?
Data analysis. In the proposal the student should explain what analytical methods will be used for the processing of data.
V Organization of the research
Both a time schedule and a budget are required.
The time schedule should cover the entire research period, comprising all three phases: preparation, field research, report on field research.
The budget should be submitted with the research proposal. Commonly, it includes travel expenses, accommodation, insurance, cost of maintenance, materials, interpreter etc.
Methods of instruction
Individual supervision.
Literature
Dependent on research topic and area.
Examination
The research proposal is graded by the individual MA supervisor. If the above listed requirements are satisfied, the proposal will receive a passing grade (6-10).
Only students who receive a passing grade for their research proposal may start with their fieldwork.
Time-table
October-December, by individual appointment with the supervisor.