How to Write a Great PhD Research Proposal You'll need to write a research proposal if you're submitting your own project plan as part of a PhD application. A good PhD proposal outlines the scope and significance ‘of your topic and explains how you plan to researchit. I's helpful to think about the proposol lke ths: if the rest of your application explains ‘your ability to do a PhO, the proposal demonstrates the actual PhO you plan to do. Of ‘course, being able to effectively plan and explain a research project is one of the key qualifications for being able to complete one, which is why the proposal is such an important part of the PhD application process. ‘Thankfully, the secret to writing a good research proposal isnt complicated. i's simply ‘2 case of understanding what the proposal is fr, what it needs to do and how itneeds tobe put together. How to write your research proposal in under 60 seconds What is a PhD research proposal? First things first, do you need a research proposal for your PhD? It depends on the kind of project you want to do: + tt your PhO is advertised by a university, you probably wont need to submit ‘research proposal fori. The broad ims and objectives for your PhD will ‘lreody be defined: you ust need to prove you're the right person todo it + But i youre proposing your own research topic to research within a universitys PhD programme, you will need to write a proposal frit (the clue isin the word proposing’) ‘As a rule, advertised 2hDs ore very common in STEM subjects, whereas Arts, Humanities and Social Science students are more likely to propose thelr own PhDs. Some PhD programmes actualy wait and ask students to develop their research proposal during the degree (usually after theyve completed some inital training). This is normal in the USA, but its becoming more common for some UKRI-funded UK PhDs, For the purposes of this guide we're going to assume that you do need to write 0 good research proposal for your PhD application, So let's explore what’ involved in that 39Pick the right programme for you There are lots of choices, let us help you to make the right one. Sign up tour weekly newsletter for the latest advice and guidance from our toam of experts What should a PhD research proposal include? I's natural to be a ite intimidated at the thought of structuring a PhD proposal, particularly f youve never written anything lke this before, But here's the thing: o research proposal isnt a fiendish test designed to catch you out ‘and stop you ever doing a Pho. I's actually much more boring than that Alla research proposal really is is o document that demonstrates three things: + Your PhD is worthwhile + Your PRD is feasible + You ote capable of completing it at this university ‘Or to put it even more simply: the PhD is worth doing, i's doable and you ean do it. Demonstrate your PhD is worthwhile (the what and the why) ‘A successful PhD project has to make a significant original contribution to knowledge. Irit doesnt, it won't meet the criteria for a doctoral degree and will probably fail the Your PhD proposalitselt doesn't have to meet those criteria (or pass a vival) but it does need to indicate that your PhO project eventually wil, Ios th by first demonstrating that your research topic is originall That means. nobody else has studied this same topic (or one very similar) before, There are all sorts of ways a PhO can be original, You might examine new date or primary sources, to look at existing material from a fresh perspective, or deal with the impact of new events. it doesn't matter how your project is original, so long as your proposalis really specific about what makes it original You also need to explain why your proposed research will be academically significant. ‘To do this properly, youll need to acknowledge relevant existing scholarship and ‘explain how your research will relate to it You don't need to be exhaustive at this point, but you should be able to show how your PhD will contribute to its field and ~ ideally ~ indicate some of the gaps in knowledge it will aim to fil. The final step in demonstrating your PhO is worthwhile is to suggest what will become possible as a result of your research. How could other researchers use or build upon ‘your results? What might closing those gaps in academic knowledge mean for ‘audiences outside the unviversity? Demonstrate your PhD is feasible (the how) itisrt enough just to show that your research is worth doing: it also needs to actually be doable. ‘The length of a full-time PhD is around three to four years in most countries (it's longer in for a PhD in the USA. but you don't spend all that time doing research). Three years may seem like @ long time, but researching o PhO is a lot of work and youl probably spend at least some of your time on other activities lke teaching, conference presentations or even publication. So, one of the things your proposal needs to do is demenstrate that your project is teasible: that i its within the scope of a PhO. 49The most important eriteria for this is to be clear about what you plan to do. It should be obvious from your proposal what the scope of your project is ~ what is and isn't included within it You also need to outline how you plan to go about your research. Where will you start ‘and what order do you expect to proceed in? Is the logic for that obvious? If not it's probably a good idea to explain it Finally, ou need to explain the methodology you plan to use. This could include techniques for collecting data and sources, theoretical perspectives for analysing them ~ or both. You may also need to detail specific equipment you expect to use or fieldwork youll need to undertake (Including trips to archives of other external resources). None of this needs to be exact or completely final, The key word here is ‘plan’ ~ but you do need to have one. Demonstrate that you can complete it att (the who and the where) So far wove thought about the project itself what makes it worth doing and how its ‘going to get done. aut your proposal also needs to address the who and the where: why are you the right person to carry out this research, and why do you want to do it at this particular university? ‘The fist part of this is easier then it probably looks. Weiing © good research proposal demonstrates enthusiasm for your project much more convincingly than simply saying youre very interested init (a classic case of ‘show, dont tel) You also don't need to repeat your grades and academic achievements (other parts ‘of your HD application wil cover those). Insteod, try to underine experionces that relat to this project Has @ particular module of Mastarscissorstion topic prepared you with useful subject knowledge or methodological sis? 30, highlight. It's also fine, within reason, to be honest about the skis you donthave and to identity ‘your training needs. This shows yaute being practical about your project and thinking seriously about what it will require. Just make sure you can realistically acquire the skills and training you need within the time available (this goes back to the feasibility) Showing your project is © good ft for the university is also relatively simple. There should already be some reasons why youve chosen this university for your PhD so ‘make sure you explain what they ato. Pethaps there's a particular supervisor you's lke Loworé with, or facilities and resources your research could use. The key ist ‘emphasise the fit between the project and the university ~ so don't just say you want to research there because it’s highly ranked. PhD research proposal structure Hopetully the above sections have given you a few ideas for the things your proposal needs to include. Let's be honest though, the scariest thing about a proposal i deciding what to include: i's actually writing it. But, ifwe flip that on its head, we remember that alla research proposal really isis a piece of writing that follows a pretty standard format. And that's « lot less scary. Research proposal structure Because proposals for PhO all have to do the same things, they mostly follow a similar structure, Yours will probably go something like this: + Title ~ Keep it simple and descriptive: the clever alliteration and quotes can ‘come later when you write up your thesis. For now, you just want the person reading this to know exactly what your research is about and, perhaps, which prospective supervisor to send it to. + overview - start by detinina your research auestion (the what) and 59‘explaining how it contributes to current work in your feld (the why). This is ‘also a good place to reference one or two pieces of scholorship: the full literature review can wait until your PhD begins, but you should show that you have some understanding of relevant academic research ‘+ Methodology ~ Make sure the reader understands the practical and / or theoretical approaches youl take to your research. What data will you collect, how will ou collect it and how will you analyse it? ideally refer to relevant research methods and mociels. I's also 0 good idea to provide some sort of roadmap for how youll go about things. Don't worry, you ean ‘change it later (and you wil) + Outcomes and impact - What wil exst aso result of your research (other than just another Pho on aalibrary shel) and what wilt make possible? You Our guide explains how te contact a potential PhD supervisor to discuss your proposal or ideas with them before applying. Read mor Last Updated: 01 December 2022 Find out what Ph opportunities are currently available with our SS ‘Applying for a PhD - Information, Guidance & Advice Getting read to apply fora PRD? Our guides rp research proposal, ferences and enty test for doctoral programmes Bead more> PhD Application advice for International students A cchecklist of the things youll need to do when making on international PhD application, rom meeting the entry requirements to sorting out your visa Read more> a9