What Makes a Good Research Proposal and Why Could it Fail

written by: Andrew Sanchez; article published: year 2006, month 07;



In: Categories » Education and reference » Science and research » What Makes a Good Research Proposal and Why Could it Fail

WHAT MAKES A GOOD PROPOSAL?

  • Relevance, either to the work of the funding body or to the student’s course.
  • The research is unique, or offers new insight or development.
  • The title, aims and objectives are all clear and succinct.
  • Comprehensive and thorough background research and literature review has been undertaken.
  • There is a good match between the issues to be addressed and the approach being adopted.
  • The researcher demonstrates relevant background knowledge and/or experience.
  • Timetable, resources and budget have all been worked out thoroughly, with most eventualities covered.
  • Useful policy and practice implications.

REASONS WHY RESEARCH PROPOSALS FAIL

  • Aims and objectives are unclear or vague.
  • There is a mismatch between the approach being adopted and the issues to be addressed.
  • The overall plan is too ambitious and difficult to achieve in the timescale.
  • The researcher does not seem to have conducted enough in-depth background research.
  • Problem is of insufficient importance.
  • Information about the data collection is insufficiently detailed.
  • Information about the data analysis method is insufficiently detailed.
  • Timescale is inappropriate or unrealistic.
  • Resources and budget have not been carefully thought out.
  • This topic has been done too many times before – indicates a lack in background research.

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