Writing a PhD research proposal
Key things to remember
How do you write a research proposal? How do you structure it? How much detail should you go into?
Keep reading, because in this blogpost, I’m going to break all that down.
If we’ve not met before, hi I’m Dr. Elizabeth Yardley, and here on my Degree Doctor blog, I help PhD students get out of their own way!
One of the things that really can hold people up is the research proposal itself, the thing you submit with your application saying, “Here’s the research I want to do, and here’s how it’s going to happen…”.
I’ve known people to delay applying for their PhD for literal years because they couldn’t get their proposal together.
Let’s make sure this isn’t a stumbling block for you and you can get onto that doctoral programme sooner rather than later.
Before we get into it, if you’ve found this blogpost, you’re probably writing a research proposal right now - if so, you’ll find my Research Proposal Starter Kit helpful - click here to grab yours!
Research Proposal Starter Kit!
Okay, research proposals. Most important thing first: always refer to your university’s specific guidance. Each institution has its own preferences and quirks, so their rules override anything I say here. This is a general structure that should work for most, but check your university’s instructions first.
Now, let’s get into the four main sections of a research proposal!
(1) Introduction
This section is all about what your research is and why it matters.
Start with a working title – and keep it flexible. Research can evolve, so don't lock yourself in. Your title should clearly specify the group of people you're focusing on, their experiences, and the broader context
“This research explores [group of people]’s experiences of [issue/interest] within [broader context].”
For example:
This research explores international students' experiences of mental health challenges within UK higher education.
This research explores middle-aged men’s experiences of job insecurity within the tech industry.
This research explores caregivers’ experiences of managing work-life balance within rural communities.
Explain where the idea for your research came from. Is it based on previous studies, or is there a real-world issue driving it? You also need to make the research problem crystal clear. Don’t assume your reader will know – spell it out, and back it up with evidence.
Next, outline your aims, objectives, and research questions. The aims are what you want to achieve, objectives are the steps you'll take, and research questions are the guideposts keeping you on track. Here are some more detailed blogposts about aims and objectives and research questions.
Finally, consider who will benefit from your research and how it could make a difference. This helps show the potential impact of your work. So, to take the example of international students' experiences of mental health challenges within UK higher education - you might write, “This research could benefit policymakers and educational institutions by shedding light on the mental health challenges faced by international students. Understanding these challenges could lead to the development of better mental health support services, creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for international students."
Or in relation to middle-aged men’s experiences of job insecurity in the tech industry, “This research could benefit employers, careers consultants, and policymakers by providing insights into middle-aged men’s experiences of job insecurity in the fast-evolving tech industry. Understanding these experiences could lead to better support systems, including retraining programs, helping this group navigate career uncertainty.”
(2) Academic Foundations
This section covers where your research fits into the academic landscape.
First, lay out your research philosophy. This is your general approach to the project, your research paradigm [are you using critical realism, feminist theory, or something else?]. Where are you coming at this topic from? What’s your angle? What’s your perspective?
Next up, the literature review. Depending on what your university asks for, this can be a brief overview or a more detailed review of what’s already been done in your area.
If they want a comprehensive literature review, you’ll need to provide an exhaustive summary of current knowledge, theories, and major research in your area of interest.
If they want an outline literature review, you’ll need to demonstrate familiarity with the key literature and provide a plan for a more detailed review if your proposal is accepted.
The key is to identify the gap in the literature – what hasn't been explored yet? State this clearly, and explain how your research will fill that gap. I go into more detail about this in the Research Proposal Guide, so if you want me to walk you through this step by step, go check that out.
(3) Methodology
Now for the “how”. How will you do the research, and why? Start with your sample. Who or what will you include? How many people or cases, where, and when? The more specific, the better.
Next, explain how you'll collect and analyse your data, and – crucially – why these methods are the best choice. Always link your methods back to your research aims and philosophy. For example, if you’re using interviews, explain why they are the right way to explore your topic in depth.
So, to use one of our examples, if you’re researching caregivers’ experiences of managing work-life balance in rural communities, you might choose to conduct focus groups with 15-20 caregivers from rural areas across the UK. You might justify this by writing, “Focus groups allow for a shared discussion of common struggles, fostering a collective understanding. This aligns with a community-based participatory research approach, which seeks to empower participants and give them a voice in shaping the research." So, can you see how you’ve not only said what you’re doing there but why you’re doing it?
Lastly, address ethical considerations. How will you ensure participants' safety and confidentiality? And don’t forget about your own well-being, especially if you’re researching sensitive topics.
(4) Project Management
Finally, is your project realistic? Show that you’ve thought through the practicalities: how long will the research take, and what resources will you need? Break your timeline down into stages – use a Gantt chart if you can – and account for delays or potential risks.
Risk management is key here. What could go wrong, and how will you handle it? Whether it’s delays in recruitment or challenges with ethics approval, have a plan in place. This shows that you’ve thought ahead and can manage the project effectively.
Don’t forget to include a reference list – it’s an easy thing to overlook! Make sure it’s in the format your university wants.
Be sure to check out my Research Proposal Guide for more in depth step by step help as you write your research proposal, link below!
