Developing research proposals / Pam Denicolo, Lucinda Becker.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Denicolo, Pam.

Contributor:

Becker, Lucinda M., 1963-

Series:

Success in research

Success in research.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Proposal writing for grants.

Proposal writing in research.

Physical Description:

xvii, 134 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

London ; Thousand Oaks, Calif. : Sage Publications, 2012.

Summary:

This guide is for researchers seeking to begin doctoral research and for those who are ready to move into the world of funded research. After an overview of the entire process of producing a proposal, the guide walks through steps of proposals as part of an application for a research degree program; proposals for finding student financial aid; and proposals for seeking funding for a specific research project. Later chapters cover key elements such as the literature review, research questions, budgeting, and receiving feedback from reviewers. Chapter learning features include activities, checklists, and reflection questions. Of special note is an extensive list of websites for UK funding sources, as well as student funding databases, charity search engines, funding guide sites, and grant databases for North America and Europe. The book also includes annotated lists of books on proposal construction, grant applications, and research methods. Pam Denicolo is affiliated with the UK Council for Graduate Education. Lucinda Denicolo teaches at the University of Reading, UK. Annotation ©2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Contents:

1 What is a research proposal? 1

A pervasive task defined 1

A celebration of difference 2

First steps in meeting the needs of your readership 4

Finding out about research degree opportunities 4

Finding out about research funding opportunities 5

General preliminary explorations 6

Skills inventory 7

2 When is a research proposal required and why? 10

Motivation 10

Sources of funding 12

Gaining a richer view of flinders' requirements 13

Gaining financial awards for study 16

Identifying potential supervisors/advisors 17

Securing a place on a higher degree by research programme 19

Sections within a proposal - what flinders or research degree reviewers are looking for 21

Main features of proposals 23

3 What are the key aspects of proposal preparation? 27

Pre-preparation 27

The title, abstract and covering letter 30

The body of the proposal - audience and style 32

Developing your proposal draft 33

Language register, voice and verb tense 35

The conceptual framework 36

Stages in the production of the proposal - advance planning 38

The constraints of time 40

4 What should be included in the introduction, rationale and literature review? 43

Orientating the reader to your purpose 43

The introduction 44

The rationale 44

Preparing for the literature review 45

The literature review itself 46

The process of searching the literature 48

Constructing your argument 49

5 What is the significance of the aims, objectives and research questions/hypotheses? 52

Level of specificity required 52

Clarification of terms - aims and objectives 53

Research questions and hypotheses 55

Paradigms 55

Why paradigm identification is important 56

The link between aims/objectives and research questions/hypotheses 59

6 What should be included in the methodology/research implementation sections? 61

Consistency between purpose and procedures 61

Clarification of 'shorthand' terms 62

Methodology - approach and justification 62

Consistency and justification 64

Research using positivist approaches 65

Presenting and analysing quantitative results 65

Research using interpretivist approaches 67

Presenting and analysing qualitative results 68

Using the right language 69

Ethical considerations 70

Evaluation plan 74

7 What financial considerations are required? 76

The ground rules of budgeting 76

The financial demands of a research degree project 77

Financial considerations for all researchers 78

Types and styles of budgets for funding applications 79

Key elements of the budget: personnel 81

Key elements of the budget: operating costs 83

The budget after submission of the proposal 84

8 What planning and organisation details are required? 87

Establishing goals and deadlines 87

Project planning and time management 88

Implementation plans 90

Research governance 91

People management 92

Schedules and timelines 93

9 Who are the other potential contributors to and referees for your project? 97

Building professional relationships 97

Building on overviews of requirements 98

Making contacts and seeking help 99

Developing collaborations and partnerships 100

The review process 102

What reviewers are seeking from proposals 103

Reality check - grit your teeth! 105

10 Where does it end? Reactions, reflections and anticipations 107

After submission 107

Receiving feedback from reviewers 108

Reasons for rejection 109

Responding to feedback 110

Back to the beginning 111

The continuous cycle of proposal writing 112.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

0857028669

9780857028662

9780857028655

0857028650

OCLC:

777373088

Publisher Number:

99959514264