Postgraduate Research and Communication Skills FIRST- CUT PROPOSAL Name: Student ID: Date of submission: Your MSc Programme Name of allocated/chosen Supervisor: Title: Research Question: Study Area Review: Aims: Objectives: Deliverables: Project Type: Professional Project Claim Research Methodology: Resources Audit: Ethical Approval Request: Declaration A (i) I have studied the Ethical Approval section in Learning Unit 2. (ii) I have established that my study does not require additional human participation. (iii) I agree to re-apply for approval if the nature or goals of my project change.  Declaration B Project Goals involving human participation: ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ (i) I have studied the Ethical Approval section in Learning Unit 2. (ii) My study involves human participation through o observation o questioning. (iii) Participants will be selected without coercion (see Part 1). (iv) I will obtain informed consent (see Part 2) from each participant using Form C. (You can download a copy of this document from the module website.) (v) I have arrangements in place for the protection of personal data (see Part 3). (vi) I agree to re-apply for approval if the nature or goals of my project change.  Declaration C My project does not fulfil the conditions for automatic Ethical Approval and I am applying separately to the Ethics Committee.  EXPLANATION OF TYPICAL TERMS USED IN RESEARCH PROPOSALS Title: Write a title which briefly describes the research problem and your approach to it. Key words or phrases: to give a clear and concise description of the scope and nature of the report, such as the main variables to be considered. Problem definition: Correctly defining the problem is the crucial first step in the research process. If the research problem is defined incorrectly, the research objectives will also be wrong. Problems must be stated in terms of underlying causes- they must be structured in a way in which they can lead to a solution. It is critical that the statement be useful for development and evaluation of potential solutions. Research Question: Indicate what you want to know most and first out of your research. Study Area Review: Explain the technical/discipline area you will be working, the problem area that you will be addressing in your research, and where would you locate your intended work in relation to previous researchers. Aims:They representthe changes you hope to achieve as a result of your work. Objectives: Are the activities you undertake and the methods you propose to bring these changes about. Evidence of requirements: Outlining the scope and range of facts/data the researcher has in support of the validity of the project. Such requirements would typically include conceptual, empirical, market demands, etc. Deliverables: Defining your intended outcomes (be as specific as possible). It is part of good project planning. Deliverables are linked to your aims. Milestones: A milestone is the end of a stage that marks the completion of a work package or phase. A deliverable is the outcome of a milestone. Project/Research Type: The nature of your research? For example, descriptive, exploratory, diagnostic, analytical, applied empirical (i.e. experimental), case study, etc. Research Methodology: Methods and techniques used in undertaking the research. There are two basic approaches, quantitative and qualitative. Quantitative involves the generation of data, through experiments or simulation, in quantitative form, which can then be analysed. Qualitative is concerned with subjective assessment of opinions, behaviour, impressions via, for example, interviews. Resource Audit: Information on the hardware, software and research resources you will be using during the course of your research, be specific i.e. give the name of any software and the titles of appropriate journals (although you will be adding to this list during your project). Ethical Approval: Explain what contact you will have with end users and all other stakeholders. Ethical issues in research typically include participants' interests and rights, informed consent of participants, avoiding deception, confidentiality, possible impact and consequences, etc. Context Description: Refers to typical factors and constraints that may influence the research process and/or its outcomes (e.g. timing, resources).