Research Proposal

[Zanela123]

Have any of you written a research proposal before?  The answer is probably yes.  But me? Nope.

I have to write one soon; any tips/general guidelines?  Would much appreciate it!

[fuzzylogician]

Best advice for any kind of templatic writing: find people who have *received* whatever award/grant/fellowship/thing you are applying for -- or at least someone who has applied before -- and ask to see their application. Use your connections. Your advisor will know people and whatever it is you're applying for, it's highly unlikely that you are the first one to try it. I don't know what this research proposal is for, but I bet other students in your program have written similar things in the past. Don't be shy, but later on remember this stage in your life and pay the generosity forward. Once you have something to work with, stick to the winning template. Have as many other experienced profs read it as possible. And find out if there are any institution internal deadlines beyond just the official one. Plan accordingly. It will take longer to write than you think it will. 

[juilletmercredi]

What kind of proposal? A grant? A fellowship application? A dissertation proposal? How long is it supposed to be?

I've written all of those kinds of proposals of different lengths (ranging from 3 pages to 20-30) and different tips hold for different types.

Edited July 24, 2016 by juilletmercredi

[Zanela123]

 

3 hours ago, juilletmercredi said:

What kind of proposal? A grant? A fellowship application? A dissertation proposal? How long is it supposed to be?

I've written all of those kinds of proposals of different lengths (ranging from 3 pages to 20-30) and different tips hold for different types.

dissertation proposal!!

[rising_star]

For a dissertation proposal, I would ask your advisor/committee what they're expecting in terms of length, format, etc. because this varies widely by department and even by advisor. And then, in terms of guidelines, I'd say give them what they expect, don't try to innovate, and don't promise more than you can deliver. The diss proposal is often described as a contract in the same way that a course syllabus is so don't bite off more than you can chew. Good luck!

[AP]

On 7/24/2016 at 6:45 PM, Zanela123 said:

 

dissertation proposal!!

Well, in theory, no one has written a dissertation proposal until you have to write the one and only!  And then, you will continue to write similar projects so it's worthwhile taking advantage of writing this one.

The dissertation proposal is your opportunity to tell all faculty in the department what your project is, what your big questions are, and that they should vouch for you. I wrote it imagining my friends' advisors reading it and trying to figure out what they would say. So your audience is within your discipline.

I defended back in March and I remember having no clue of what to do in early January. Talk to your advisor, they know what they want (more or less) so you can get a sense of what to do and what not to do. In my department there are guidelines but no one ever follows them so it's highly advisable talking to our supervisors. Also, I'm sure you have applied for grants by now. I used a grant application as my base document and expanded from there. I also went back to my book notes for Quals. The dissertation proposal is your opportunity to tell all faculty in the department what your project is and you want them to vouch for you. I wrote it imagining my friends' advisors reading it and trying to figure out what they would say. 

Good luck!

[Zanela123]

On 2016-08-13 at 11:21 AM, AP said:

Well, in theory, no one has written a dissertation proposal until you have to write the one and only!  And then, you will continue to write similar projects so it's worthwhile taking advantage of writing this one.

The dissertation proposal is your opportunity to tell all faculty in the department what your project is, what your big questions are, and that they should vouch for you. I wrote it imagining my friends' advisors reading it and trying to figure out what they would say. So your audience is within your discipline.

I defended back in March and I remember having no clue of what to do in early January. Talk to your advisor, they know what they want (more or less) so you can get a sense of what to do and what not to do. In my department there are guidelines but no one ever follows them so it's highly advisable talking to our supervisors. Also, I'm sure you have applied for grants by now. I used a grant application as my base document and expanded from there. I also went back to my book notes for Quals. The dissertation proposal is your opportunity to tell all faculty in the department what your project is and you want them to vouch for you. I wrote it imagining my friends' advisors reading it and trying to figure out what they would say. 

Good luck!

Thanks so much AP!