Evaluating my research proposal

Strengths of my proposal
Consider your proposal in relation to each of the following points. Check off  each that applies
already. If you can’t do so, and if the item is relevant to your proposal, put more work into that aspect.

1	■ My written proposal meets the requirements set for my course and/or the assignment brief.
2	■ It has a strong structure, with clear
sections and headings.
3	■ I have selected a good topic (page 104).
4	■ I have included a well-worded title.
5	■ I have included a well formulated thesis/
hypothesis or research question (pages
139–42).
6	■ I have written a draft review of the
literature (whether or not I am required to submit this).
In the proposal, the following come across clearly and evidently:
7	■ my rationale for choosing this topic: it
is clear why I think the topic worthy of
research
8	■ what it is that I aim to find out
9	■ that I have a good understanding of my
field and where my research fits into it
10	■ how my research will build on previous
research and contribute to the field
11	■ that the proposed research would be
seen as belonging within my subject
discipline
12	■ the methodological and/or theoretical frameworks that inform the design of
my own research
13	■ the nature of my sources and/or raw materials and/or participants
14	■ that sources will be accessible to me
and/or available when needed
15	■ my methods for collecting the data or
information that I will need
16	
■ that my methods will be consistent with the methodology or theoretical framework (if relevant)
17	■ the ways I will work with participants,
and what materials I will use with them
18	■ that health and safety requirements
will be met (if relevant)
19	■ that it is reasonable to assume that
it will be a manageable task to collect and analyse the data/material required to prove the research hypothesis or answer my research question
20	■ that the scale of the research is
proportionate to the time available
21	■ that the research will meet ethical requirements
22	■ that I can do justice to the research
within the time available
23	■ that the proposed research can evidently be completed by the deadline
24	■ that the overall proposal is definitely
achievable.
Use of pilot (if required)
25	■ I have used the pilot to test my
methods.
26	■ I used the pilot to identify areas for
improvement.
27	■ I have fine-tuned, or changed, my
methods, to address the issues raised by the pilot.
28	■ I know that the improvements will
work.
29	■ I have included details of the pilot in
my proposal.