PhD Success: Craft a Convincing Research Proposal

We begin by looking at the role the research proposal plays in the PhD process. We explain it's importance both from the prospective student's as well as the professors' point of view. Finally, we give a brief overview of its main components.

Next up, we delve into each of the necessary components in the research proposal. First off, we discuss how to formulate a preliminary title, before moving on to the background of the topic and state of the art in your field.

The following components in the research proposal define the core of your research. Here, we pay special attention to formulating a precise research object and subject, as well as a clear research aim, which you can further break down into manageable and coherent research tasks.

The strategy for achieving your research aim is defined in this step. Here, we explain how to operationalize your aim by crafting deep, yet manageable research questions and hypotheses. In this stage, you are also expected to suggest a preliminary methodology with clear success criteria.  

We look at the last sections of the research proposal and argue why it's necessary to have clarity about the expected final product of your dissertation. This includes not only its structure, but also what contributions will come of out it and who will benefit from them.

Finally, we take a real research proposal from one of our successful students, and we discuss not only what is written in each section, but also our personal experience working with the student, and how they approached the task.