Show that you understand the current state of research on your topic.
The length of a research proposal can vary quite a bit. A bachelor’s or master’s thesis proposal can be just a few pages, while proposals for PhD dissertations or research funding are usually much longer and more detailed. Your supervisor can help you determine the best length for your work.
One trick to get started is to think of your proposal’s structure as a shorter version of your thesis or dissertation , only without the results , conclusion and discussion sections.
Download our research proposal template
Writing a research proposal can be quite challenging, but a good starting point could be to look at some examples. We’ve included a few for you below.
Like your dissertation or thesis, the proposal will usually have a title page that includes:
The first part of your proposal is the initial pitch for your project. Make sure it succinctly explains what you want to do and why.
Your introduction should:
To guide your introduction , include information about:
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As you get started, it’s important to demonstrate that you’re familiar with the most important research on your topic. A strong literature review shows your reader that your project has a solid foundation in existing knowledge or theory. It also shows that you’re not simply repeating what other people have already done or said, but rather using existing research as a jumping-off point for your own.
In this section, share exactly how your project will contribute to ongoing conversations in the field by:
Following the literature review, restate your main objectives . This brings the focus back to your own project. Next, your research design or methodology section will describe your overall approach, and the practical steps you will take to answer your research questions.
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To finish your proposal on a strong note, explore the potential implications of your research for your field. Emphasize again what you aim to contribute and why it matters.
For example, your results might have implications for:
Last but not least, your research proposal must include correct citations for every source you have used, compiled in a reference list . To create citations quickly and easily, you can use our free APA citation generator .
Some institutions or funders require a detailed timeline of the project, asking you to forecast what you will do at each stage and how long it may take. While not always required, be sure to check the requirements of your project.
Here’s an example schedule to help you get started. You can also download a template at the button below.
Download our research schedule template
Research phase | Objectives | Deadline |
---|---|---|
1. Background research and literature review | 20th January | |
2. Research design planning | and data analysis methods | 13th February |
3. Data collection and preparation | with selected participants and code interviews | 24th March |
4. Data analysis | of interview transcripts | 22nd April |
5. Writing | 17th June | |
6. Revision | final work | 28th July |
If you are applying for research funding, chances are you will have to include a detailed budget. This shows your estimates of how much each part of your project will cost.
Make sure to check what type of costs the funding body will agree to cover. For each item, include:
To determine your budget, think about:
If you want to know more about the research process , methodology , research bias , or statistics , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.
Methodology
Statistics
Research bias
Once you’ve decided on your research objectives , you need to explain them in your paper, at the end of your problem statement .
Keep your research objectives clear and concise, and use appropriate verbs to accurately convey the work that you will carry out for each one.
I will compare …
A research aim is a broad statement indicating the general purpose of your research project. It should appear in your introduction at the end of your problem statement , before your research objectives.
Research objectives are more specific than your research aim. They indicate the specific ways you’ll address the overarching aim.
A PhD, which is short for philosophiae doctor (doctor of philosophy in Latin), is the highest university degree that can be obtained. In a PhD, students spend 3–5 years writing a dissertation , which aims to make a significant, original contribution to current knowledge.
A PhD is intended to prepare students for a career as a researcher, whether that be in academia, the public sector, or the private sector.
A master’s is a 1- or 2-year graduate degree that can prepare you for a variety of careers.
All master’s involve graduate-level coursework. Some are research-intensive and intend to prepare students for further study in a PhD; these usually require their students to write a master’s thesis . Others focus on professional training for a specific career.
Critical thinking refers to the ability to evaluate information and to be aware of biases or assumptions, including your own.
Like information literacy , it involves evaluating arguments, identifying and solving problems in an objective and systematic way, and clearly communicating your ideas.
The best way to remember the difference between a research plan and a research proposal is that they have fundamentally different audiences. A research plan helps you, the researcher, organize your thoughts. On the other hand, a dissertation proposal or research proposal aims to convince others (e.g., a supervisor, a funding body, or a dissertation committee) that your research topic is relevant and worthy of being conducted.
If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.
McCombes, S. & George, T. (2023, November 21). How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates. Scribbr. Retrieved June 27, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/research-process/research-proposal/
Other students also liked, how to write a problem statement | guide & examples, writing strong research questions | criteria & examples, how to write a literature review | guide, examples, & templates, what is your plagiarism score.
Welcome to the Money blog, your place for personal finance and consumer news and tips. Leave a comment on any of the stories we're covering below.
Tuesday 2 July 2024 02:17, UK
Olive oil has become the latest staple to undergo "bleak" anti-theft measures.
The cooking product was spotted encased in netting and tagged with an alarm in an unspecified Tesco store, leading one customer to ask: "What has the world come to?"
It is just the latest product to be subject to supermarket security measures that have surprised customers, after an out-of-hours smoke machine was introduced in another Tesco store last month.
Neither security features are part of a universal policy and have been implemented only in individual stores, Sky News understands.
"All 'anti-shoplifting' measures are theatre," said one shopper on X, beneath a photo of the olive oil.
"This is so bleak," said another, while a third joked the oil "has to wear fishnets now".
We revealed earlier this year that there had been a 110.5% increase in the price of olive oil since January 2021.
High temperatures and droughts in Spain, the world's leading producer and exporter, have dented the harvest - a problem only worsened by global inflationary pressures.
Separately, a bacterial disease called Xylella Fastidiosa has attacked and killed century-old olive trees, severely diminishing yields in southern Europe.
And heightened prices have led organised criminal gangs to steal the "liquid gold".
Read more on what's behind exploding olive oil prices here...
We feature a lot of data on the changing prices of houses in the UK, but how do they compare to the rest of the world?
New data shows the UK ranked 37th for house price growth out of 56 countries analysed by Knight Frank for the Global House Price Index.
At 1.6% up over the year to the end of March, the UK underperformed (with the global average at 3.6%) but outstripped its European neighbours.
Only 11 countries saw prices fall, eight of which were European, with France (-5.2%) and Germany (-3.9%) feeling the effects of slower economic growth and high recent inflation.
Across all 56 markets, 82% saw annual price growth in the first quarter of the year - the strongest showing since the last quarter of 2022.
"Many markets are suffering from a lack of properties to sell as well as slow new-build delivery, leading to relatively healthy demand pushing prices to new highs," said Liam Bailey, Knight Frank's global head of research.
"In the longer term, however, only lower debt costs will sustain price growth."
With a 52% price increase, Turkey was at the top of the table by a huge margin - 36 percentage points - but there's more to this figure than meets the eye.
Consumer Price Index inflation in Turkey has risen 50% in the year to March, meaning in real terms house prices have actually fallen by 9.9%.
Recently we reported on how Barcelona had cracked down on tourism by planning to abolish short-term holiday lets .
The Spanish city has now gone further in its war on overtourism by banning the display and sale of "offensive" souvenirs.
It says sexist and homophobic messages on some souvenirs are tarnishing Barcelona's image.
The ERC's deputy spokesperson Jordi Coronas said the ban included products such as "penises with the Barcelona brand, T-shirts with sexist or homophobic comments, or simply comments that, when displayed on these products, devalue Barcelona".
Ahead of our Q&A, switching service Uswitch provided us with a list of what it considers the cheapest energy tariffs on the market right now.
It's worth reading the advice from Which? in our Q&A below (see 15.02 post) before deciding to switch from a standard variable tariff (that's what most households are on) - but if you're aware of the risks, then cheaper energy is available...
A big thanks to all those who submitted a question for our Q&A on the day the energy price cap fell - and sorry if we didn't get to yours.
A big thanks also to Emily Seymour, Which? energy editor, and Kate Mulvany, a principal consultant at Cornwall Insight, for tackling 10 of your questions so thoroughly.
Scroll down to read through their answers.
Does the UK have a secure enough energy supply in your view and what would it take for blackouts to occur this or any other winter?
Kate Mulvany, a principal consultant at Cornwall Insight, says..
The outlook for the upcoming winter appears promising, with strong gas reserves across Europe providing a healthy buffer to seasonal demand.
While a very cold winter would increase the need for gas for heating across Europe, the UK's ability to secure gas and electricity from multiple sources keeps the risk of disruption to the flow of energy relatively low.
Quite a few things would need to go wrong at the same time for there to be an increased risk of a widespread blackout.
However, short-term blackouts would still be possible - as indeed at any time of year - due to storms or other weather incidents, as well as through localised network issues.
It's worth mentioning that ministers have claimed the UK faces blackouts without new gas-fired power stations...
The bigger risk for homes in the UK is the pressure on energy bills. Although electricity and gas supplies appear healthy, affordability remains a concern, as seen in recent winters - particularly 2022-23.
What's the best deal currently on the market in your view and does it come with any risks?
Emily Seymour, Which? energy editor, says...
As we said in one of our previous answers, there isn't a "one size fits all" for the best deals out there as it will all depend on individual circumstances.
However, there are some tariffs available that are cheaper than the current price cap and might be worth considering.
When Which? last checked, Ecotricity and Ovo both had fixed deals available for cheaper than the July price cap.
However, Ecotricity's deal requires a smart meter - or you to agree to have one fitted - and Ovo's is only available if you also buy annual boiler cover, so you'll need to weigh up if this is right for you. Both also come with exit fees if you want to leave early.
Tracker tariffs change in price relative to the price cap every three months when the price cap is reset to offer slightly cheaper rates than you'd be paying otherwise, and could be worth considering. They're currently available from E.ON Next , Scottish Power and Fuse Energy .
Consumers can use switching services - like Which? Switch Energy - to keep an eye on the best fixed deals available and compare deals to see what's cheapest for them.
We'd always recommend checking the exit fees on fixed deals so you're not tied into a tariff if something better becomes available.
Why doesn't the government de-link the price of fossil fuel-generated electricity from that generated from renewable sources? Surely cheaper energy would be the result?
The current government has explored various methods to decouple wholesale gas and electricity prices through a programme called the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (REMA).
However, each option identified presented potential drawbacks for customers, as well as benefits.
For example, one proposed solution was to set different prices for electricity generated by renewable sources compared to that generated by more carbon-intensive methods, such as burning gas.
A significant challenge is that the country cannot yet generate all its electricity from renewable sources 24/7.
During shortfalls, such as on a winter evening with low wind, non-variable renewable generation methods would still need to be used, meaning customers would still see the impacts of gas prices in those of electricity.
If I do not qualify for pension credit but receive housing benefit on top of my state pension, will I qualify for extra heating allowance/cold weather payment?
For the Warm Home Discount, Cold Weather Payment and Winter Heating payment, you should receive any discounts automatically if you're eligible.
For the Warm Home Discount, each energy supplier also has its own eligibility criteria, which are approved by the energy regulator Ofgem, so you should check with your provider to see whether you meet its requirements.
If you were born before 25 September 1957, it's also likely you'll be able to get Winter Fuel Payments of between £100 and £300 for winter 2023-24.
The payments are to help pay for your gas or electric heating in winter. You should get this automatically and should contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre if you think you're eligible but haven't received anything.
Energy companies are obliged to help you if you tell them you are struggling to pay and will not disconnect you if you miss a bill payment.
If you are struggling with your bills, let your provider know and explain that you want to establish a payment plan that you can afford.
Discuss your options with them, as they may include a review of your payments, a reduction in your payments or a payment break, more time to pay, and access to hardship funds.
Will energy prices ever return to levels seen before COVID - if not, why not?
Kate Mulvany, a principal consultant at Cornwall Insight, says...
At this point in time, we are not expecting a return to pre-COVID prices.
This is primarily due to the significant rise in the wholesale prices of electricity and gas following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The cost of the fuel - the wholesale cost or the commodity cost - is the largest part of the energy bill.
Although some non-wholesale components of energy bills may decrease, the main factor driving prices is the cost of commodities.
The UK's heavy reliance on imported electricity and natural gas exacerbates this issue.
Therefore, increasing investment in domestic renewable and low-carbon energy sources is crucial to reduce this dependency.
Additionally, implementing measures to decouple electricity and gas prices in the wholesale market could help lower bills.
Why does Ofgem allow the price cap to be so high when we know how high the profits of energy companies are which in turn causes so much hardship for UK families?
The price cap limits the unit rates and standing charge levels that suppliers can charge domestic customers across many circumstances.
Some parts of the energy price cap are directly regulated by Ofgem, while others, such as wholesale energy costs, reflect market conditions.
The price cap includes various elements such as wholesale energy costs, network costs (the cost of moving gas and electricity around the country), operating costs, environmental and social policy costs, and the allowable profit for suppliers.
The role of energy suppliers is to purchase electricity from generators and sell it to customers, managing customer service, billing and other retail functions.
Ofgem's formula for the price cap includes an allowance for suppliers to make a profit, which is overall a relatively small percentage of the total price cap amount.
Headlines about energy companies' profits can refer to companies involved throughout the energy industry, not just suppliers.
For example, companies that extract and transport gas or which generate electricity might not have prices directly regulated by Ofgem.
There is global competition for energy, and so attempts for the UK to control wholesale costs might have an impact on security of supply.
Since the cap limits unit rates and standing charge levels, but not the total bill, there has been increasing support for a social tariff, which would offer discounted deals to vulnerable households.
Social tariffs for energy are not a new policy; they have been implemented before and are currently used in other sectors, such as telecommunications and broadband.
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Shijun wang, shaogang yu, xuanyang lai, and xiaojun liu, phys. rev. research 6 , 033010 – published 1 july 2024.
We investigate high harmonic generation (HHG) of an atom in the presence of squeezed vacuum of a single harmonic mode. Based on a fully quantum time-dependent Schrödinger equation, we derive an analytical formula for the harmonic amplitude. Our simulations of the HHG spectrum with this formula show that the harmonic amplitude of the corresponding squeezed mode can undergo significant changes with different parameters of the squeezed vacuum. Using the time-frequency analysis method, the physics underlying the effects of the vacuum quantum fluctuation (VQF) on the harmonic generation is revealed, which is found to be consistent with the explanation of Fermi's golden rule. Our work establishes a profound connection between harmonic generation and VQF, and may provide an unconventional approach to manipulating harmonic emission.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.6.033010
Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article's title, journal citation, and DOI.
Published by the American Physical Society
Vol. 6, Iss. 3 — July - September 2024
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Schematic view of HHG from intense laser-atom interaction in a squeezed vacuum of a harmonic mode. The motion of an electron in a strong driving laser field (red curve) is depicted by the green curve [ 25, 26 ], and the emission of harmonics resulting from the electron's transition back to the atomic core is represented by the blue curve. Due to the influence of the quantum fluctuation of the squeezed vacuum (gray shadow) on the electron transition probability, the harmonic amplitude of the corresponding squeezed mode emitted at time t r is weak but becomes strong at t r ′ .
(a), (b) TDSE simulations of the HHG spectra of an atom in a squeezed vacuum of the first-order harmonic mode with the squeezing angle θ k = 0.9 π and the ninth-order harmonic mode with θ k = 0.27 π , respectively, as a function of the squeezing parameter r k . Considering a realistic scenario, the wavelengths of the driving light are 800 nm and 3600 nm, respectively. For more details, see the text. In (b), to better illustrate the change of the amplitude of the ninth-order harmonic, only a part of the harmonic orders are shown. (c) and (d) The amplitude of the first- and ninth-order harmonics in the corresponding single-mode squeezed vacuum state with different r k as a function of θ k . In our simulation, the driving light has a peak intensity of I = 1.15 × 10 14 W / cm 2 with a trapezoidal profile (up- and down-ramped over two cycles, constant over six cycles).
The wavelet time-frequency profile of the harmonic of the corresponding squeezed mode with r k = 0 (solid black curve) and r k = 0.5 (dashed red curve). The gray dashed curves with respect to the right axis denote the | μ k ( t ) | of the squeezed mode. (a) and (b) present the squeezed vacuum of the first-order harmonic mode with θ k = 0.9 π and 1.9 π , respectively. (c) and (d) present the squeezed vacuum of the ninth-order harmonic mode with θ k = 0.27 π and 1.27 π , respectively.
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Step 1: Explain your methodological approach. Step 2: Describe your data collection methods. Step 3: Describe your analysis method. Step 4: Evaluate and justify the methodological choices you made. Tips for writing a strong methodology chapter. Other interesting articles.
Action research is often used in education, healthcare, and social work. Experimental Research Methodology. This is a research methodology that involves the manipulation of one or more independent variables to observe their effects on a dependent variable. Experimental research is often used to study cause-and-effect relationships and to make ...
Research methods are specific procedures for collecting and analyzing data. Developing your research methods is an integral part of your research design. When planning your methods, there are two key decisions you will make. ... To situate your research in an existing body of work, or to evaluate trends within a research topic. Case study: Either:
As we mentioned, research methodology refers to the collection of practical decisions regarding what data you'll collect, from who, how you'll collect it and how you'll analyse it. Research design, on the other hand, is more about the overall strategy you'll adopt in your study. For example, whether you'll use an experimental design ...
Research methodology is the systematic process of planning, executing, and evaluating scientific investigation. It encompasses the techniques, tools, and procedures used to collect, analyze, and interpret data, ensuring the reliability and validity of research findings.
Revised on 10 October 2022. Your research methodology discusses and explains the data collection and analysis methods you used in your research. A key part of your thesis, dissertation, or research paper, the methodology chapter explains what you did and how you did it, allowing readers to evaluate the reliability and validity of your research.
The purpose of a research methodology is to explain the reasoning behind your approach to your research - you'll need to support your collection methods, methods of analysis, and other key points of your work. Think of it like writing a plan or an outline for you what you intend to do. When carrying out research, it can be easy to go off-track ...
A research design is a strategy for answering your research question using empirical data. Creating a research design means making decisions about: Your overall research objectives and approach. Whether you'll rely on primary research or secondary research. Your sampling methods or criteria for selecting subjects. Your data collection methods.
Provide the rationality behind your chosen approach. Based on logic and reason, let your readers know why you have chosen said research methodologies. Additionally, you have to build strong arguments supporting why your chosen research method is the best way to achieve the desired outcome. 3. Explain your mechanism.
Definition, Types, and Examples. Research methodology 1,2 is a structured and scientific approach used to collect, analyze, and interpret quantitative or qualitative data to answer research questions or test hypotheses. A research methodology is like a plan for carrying out research and helps keep researchers on track by limiting the scope of ...
Methodological studies - studies that evaluate the design, analysis or reporting of other research-related reports - play an important role in health research. They help to highlight issues in the conduct of research with the aim of improving health research methodology, and ultimately reducing research waste. We provide an overview of some of the key aspects of methodological studies such ...
Qualitative research methodologies examine the behaviors, opinions, and experiences of individuals through methods of examination (Dawson, 2019). This type of approach typically requires less participants, but more time with each participant. It gives research subjects the opportunity to provide their own opinion on a certain topic.
1. Understanding the options. Before we jump into the question of how to choose a research methodology, it's useful to take a step back to understand the three overarching types of research - qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods -based research. Each of these options takes a different methodological approach.
Conclusion: Choosing an optimal research methodology is crucial for the success of any research project. The methodology you select will determine the type of data you collect, how you collect it, and how you analyse it. Understanding the different types of research methods available along with their strengths and weaknesses, is thus imperative ...
A research methodology gives research legitimacy and provides scientifically sound findings. It also provides a detailed plan that helps to keep researchers on track, making the process smooth, effective and manageable. A researcher's methodology allows the reader to understand the approach and methods used to reach conclusions.
Methodology in research is defined as the systematic method to resolve a research problem through data gathering using various techniques, providing an interpretation of data gathered and drawing conclusions about the research data. Essentially, a research methodology is the blueprint of a research or study (Murthy & Bhojanna, 2009, p. 32).
Definition: Methodological framework is a set of procedures, methods, and tools that guide the research process in a systematic and structured manner. It provides a structure for conducting research, collecting and analyzing data, and drawing conclusions. The framework outlines the steps to be taken in a research project, including the research ...
Other interesting articles. If you want to know more about statistics, methodology, or research bias, make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples. Statistics. Normal distribution. Skewness. Kurtosis. Degrees of freedom. Variance. Null hypothesis.
Most frequently used methods include: Observation / Participant Observation. Surveys. Interviews. Focus Groups. Experiments. Secondary Data Analysis / Archival Study. Mixed Methods (combination of some of the above) One particular method could be better suited to your research goal than others, because the data you collect from different ...
The methodology is perhaps the most challenging and laborious part of the dissertation. Essentially, the methodology helps in understanding the broad, philosophical approach behind the methods of research you chose to employ in your study. The research methodology elaborates on the 'how' part of your research.
Research is the careful consideration of study regarding a particular concern or research problem using scientific methods. According to the American sociologist Earl Robert Babbie, "research is a systematic inquiry to describe, explain, predict, and control the observed phenomenon. It involves inductive and deductive methods.".
Abstract. Research is driven by a desire to solve real-world problems. All studies are conducted with some real-world application in mind. While pure theoretical knowledge is the goal of business ...
This book is a definitive, comprehensive understanding to social science research methodology. It covers both qualitative and quantitative approaches. ... His research interests focus on social work, community wellbeing, climate justice, international migration and poverty and social inequality.. He is currently Member of International Advisory ...
research methodology, underscored the limitations in the qualitative research literature on student engagement in an online setting. Guided by the framework of engagement theory, ... were commenting, to work on my assignments and to look for feedback from the professor, who gave feedback every week." Olivia*, a sophomore majoring in Homeland ...
A critical aspect of this approach involved recruiting a CEC to work alongside the research team at each stage of the research process. Ongoing community engagement and participation allowed us to focus on a community-identified priority area - data collection in primary care - which the research team may not have considered in isolation.
A scientific research team studied how the barium-139 nucleus captures neutrons in the stellar environment in an experiment at Argonne National Laboratory's (ANL) CARIBU facility using FRIB's Summing Nal (SuN) detector. The team's goal was to lessen uncertainties related to lanthanum production. Lanthanum is a rare earth element sensitive to intermediate neutron capture process (i ...
Research proposal examples. Writing a research proposal can be quite challenging, but a good starting point could be to look at some examples. We've included a few for you below. Example research proposal #1: "A Conceptual Framework for Scheduling Constraint Management".
The current government has explored various methods to decouple wholesale gas and electricity prices through a programme called the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (REMA).
We investigate high harmonic generation (HHG) of an atom in the presence of squeezed vacuum of a single harmonic mode. Based on a fully quantum time-dependent Schr\\"odinger equation, we derive an analytical formula for the harmonic amplitude. Our simulations of the HHG spectrum with this formula show that the harmonic amplitude of the corresponding squeezed mode can undergo significant ...