Writing a research proposaland completing an RC/REG form

Documentation

� Handout for this session: ‘Research proposal’

� RC/REG form

� GRS Website: student page: Notes for guidance – sub group meetings

� Research proposal = general to any research study

� RC/REG includes a summary of a research degree proposal that is written specifically for the subgroup that considers registration at the University of Sunderland

� You may or may not have written the general research proposal that outlines the study which you will pursue for your degree

� But you are expected to write the summary of the proposal that appears on the RC/REG

Research proposal� When choosing a research topic, you

should consider:– will it motivate you?– is it worthwhile?– is it feasible? (think about time limit)– is it original?

� The notes from the session led by Dr. Elizabeth Atkinson (Research Paradigms) will be useful to you when you write your proposal

For example:

� What are your key research questions?

� What methods will you use?

� What is the most significant research conducted in the field so far?

� How will your research contribute to this literature?

Research proposal includes:

� Aims

� Rationale for the research question(s)

� Methodology (with justification)

� Intended analysis

� Timescale

The proposal for a research degree should demonstrate that your

research programme:

– is viable

– has one or more clear research questions

– is of sufficient scope and significance to be potentially worthy of the standard of the degree

– can be completed within the time limit

� The proposal should also demonstrate that you:

– understand the issues and theories relating to your research topic

– are familiar with the current literature

– can justify the approach and proposed methodology

Proposal as guide

� Refer to it regularly to:– remind yourself of your aims and research

question(s)

– remind yourself of the planned timescale

� Review thoroughly at annual monitoring review meetings

The registration process

� Within 4 months of start date

� Via submission of RC/REG form which is considered at a subgroup meeting (usually in the GRS meeting room)

� Present at meeting:– you– Director of Studies– Chairperson (member of URC from outside

academic area)– member of staff with expertise in your area

(but not a supervisor)– academic area leader– Secretary (member of GRS staff)– and possibly co-supervisor(s)

Registration meeting

� Director of Studies is there, but the panel will direct questions to you

� Not a grilling - the panel will be supportive, checking to see that what you are proposing is sound and do-able and has the potential to reach the standard of the degree for which you are registering

Registration meeting

� Lasts about one hour

� Starts with 5-10 minute verbal presentation by you covering: rationale, aims, methodology and, in the case of a PhD, originality

� Not expected to use powerpoint

� Panel may ask for clarification on any part of form but will focus on section 2.3 (summary of research proposal)

Approval of registration involves a consideration of:

� Your suitability to undertake the research� Whether the proposed research

programme is viable and worthy of the award

� Your proficiency in English language� Supervision arrangements� Facilities available� Suitability of the proposed research

training� Whether ethical approval is needed

Possible outcomes:

� Approval

� Approval subject to panel’s recommendations being taken into account (quite common). In this case, the recommendations are followed up at first annual review

� If recommended changes are substantial, the meeting is reconvened within 2 months to consider a revised RC/REG

At end of meeting:

� Secretary to meeting produces notes of main comments and any issues to be followed up

� Signed by student and Director of Studies

Then...

� RC/REG goes to University Research Degrees Sub Committee for approval.

Once approved, the research programme is fully registered and approved by the University

RC/REG form

� Students complete sections 1 and 2 in consultation with supervisory team

� Section 1: details of student� Section 2: programme of work

(summary of research proposal)

� Sections 3-6 completed by your supervisors

Section 2

� Sections 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3 must not exceed one side of A4 in length, i.e. you will have to summarise your fuller proposal

But remember there will be further discussion during the registration meeting

Section 2

� 2.1 Title: clear and concise (it is possible to change it)

� 2.2 Aims: one or more clear objectives

� Section 2.3:– about 500 words– expect to produce several drafts

Section 2.3: proposed plan of work

� subsections:a rationale for research aims (with

reference to previous literature, important work should be cited)

b methodologyc statement of original contribution (for PhD)d plan of work including timescalee up to 6 key references (as cited in a)

Section 3: Research training

� Discuss this with your supervisors before they complete this section. It will include, for example:– University generic core courses– Subject specific training provided by

academic area (e.g. Master’s modules)– Participation in research seminars– Conference attendance– Introduction to teaching and learning for

visiting lecturers

Sections 4-6

� Section 4: Details of your supervisory team including role of co-supervisor(s)

� Section 5: Period of time for completion of programme, and ethics

� Section 6: Recommendation of supervisors (signatures)

Examples of section 2 from RC/REG forms