Key Components for Crafting a Winning Competitive PhD Research Proposal

I am writing this article for all aspiring PhD applicants seeking a fully funded opportunity to advance their academic careers. Writing a research proposal is the first step. This article will be in two parts: one to help you craft your research proposal and another to guide you through your oral presentation.

This guide is inspired by my own successful, competitive (fully funded) PhD research proposal at The Social and Economic Research Institute, and I will share what I included to help other aspiring master's graduates craft their own and feel confident in doing so. The key is to be both a critical thinker and a confident writer.

Do not apply for a PhD simply because you feel the need to do so. Only pursue it if you are genuinely interested in the topic and its content. You must feel inspired by the subject in order to thrive and endure this long journey. I suggest everyone to read the PhD topics advertised on [FindAPhD](https://www.findaphd.com/phds/united-kingdom/?g0w900) and find the topic that interests you the most before crafting your proposal.

Unfortunately, many applicants overlook crucial elements in their proposals, which can be the difference between success and failure. That’s why I am creating this guide for all my followers who frequently ask questions on this topic.

If you find this content helpful, feel free to share it in your posts, comment, pass it on to others, or even print it if necessary. I thank God for the grace and wisdom He has given me to achieve this milestone and share it with all of you. I also extend my gratitude to all the tutors who supported me along the way.

Time to reflect!

It’s always good to take a moment and reflect on what you need and what interests you the most, isn’t it?

Well, congratulations!

It's fantastic to see you've made it to this point. Now, let’s dive into the research proposal and get you fully equipped to succeed!

Do this first!

Key Components/Sections for Crafting a Winning Competitive PhD Research Proposal

Title page

Include a title page that specifies what you are applying for (PhD/GTA/DBA), the project title, your name, and your applicant code or application number. Then you can have content list, list of figures or tables. Any Keywords and abbreviations. Make sure to number all pages and organise your document well.

Proposed Project title - Section 1

(no more than 12 words)

It's up to the proposer to change the PhD project title, but in most cases, it's a good idea to check with the Director of Studies or PhD supervisor associated with the advertised PhD topic. Remember the title should be no more than 12 words.

Research context and justification - Section 2

Provide a brief background of your topic of study; define your topic if necessary, and discuss how it has evolved over time. Include the benefits, reasons, and latest trends, as well as relevant figures and statistics. Incorporate as much literature as possible, focusing on comparing and synthesising information. Mention why is it important? Any monetary impact? What is the story of your research topic? Does your research stem from a question that has arisen from your practice, from policy or from previous research you have read? What is your overarching aim? What are your research questions?

Make it clear that you understand the wider context within which the research sits

Referencing current/recent literature, explain the importance of the research area – ensure your references are accurate

Research Gap - Section 3

Do a lot of reading on the topic so you can start to identify your research gap, methodology, contribution to knowledge etc. What are the issues that needs to be addressed? Summarise, critically review and point out the gaps in the literature for further research. When you identify the research gap, be sure to cite the relevant authors. Gaps lead to your research question and what your study will potentially add to the literature. State very clearly the gap to which your proposal will respond – what is the gap in knowledge, and how your proposed research seeks to respond to this gap.

Research Aim, Questions & Objectives - Section 4

Keep it clear, concise, and straightforward. Clearly outline the aims, questions, and objectives of your research. Break the aim down into objectives or research questions that your research will address (e.g., examine, compare, understand, assess, identify, determine, calculate).The research focus should be a clear and concise.

?Outline the overarching aim of your research

“This project will explore....”

“The purpose of this research project is to examine...”

Theories and Literature Review - Section 5

What is the current literature saying about your topic? This is a very important section where you can elaborate on your research gap as well. Add key pieces seminal reading related to your topic. Key perspectives around that topics. How its shaped your understanding of your field? For more details on conducting a critical literature review, please refer to the following resources: https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/12-critical-elements-i-always-check-first-marker-roo-h-ramanna-ba2oe/?trackingId=sCj3ts7YQUa1niaHg2Rrdg%3D%3D and https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/dissertation-structure-level-7-sheffield-hallam-3-roopal-lddve/?trackingId=nVpJUnJ5TDiLrRll6T2J5Q%3D%3D. How the article relates to my study? Talk about theory and put in the context of the research.How does your proposed research speak to policy debates, theory and current literature on your topic? How does your proposed research take this work forward? What are you doing that is different or new?

Research Methodology and Justification with Timeline - Section 6

Justify the choice of methodology. Justify your philosophical stance and research methodology using the research onion framework, ensuring you cover all its sections in your proposal. Additionally, propose any new ideas for research locations or sites for fieldwork, and consider using a Miro board to visually represent your ideas if needed. Be sure to critically justify your choices with relevant literature for added strength.

For example, if you select WeWork in London as your research site, provide a detailed rationale supported by literature/online resources for why that location and site are appropriate for your study.

For more details on research methodology, please refer to the following resources: https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/12-critical-elements-i-always-check-first-marker-roo-h-ramanna-ba2oe/?trackingId=sCj3ts7YQUa1niaHg2Rrdg%3D%3D and https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/dissertation-structure-level-7-sheffield-hallam-4-roopal-a92lf/?trackingId=nVpJUnJ5TDiLrRll6T2J5Q%3D%3D

You can include a research timeline spanning four years, outlining how you plan to divide your tasks on a monthly or yearly basis. Present this information in a table format or as a Gantt chart. Feel free to message me if you would like a sample snapshot.

Is your study qualitative, quantitative or mixed? Why? What data collection tools do you plan to use? Why? How will you analyse the data? What ethical issues need to be taken into account and how might you deal with them?

Be clear what your proposed research approach will be – qualitative, quantitative, mixed or multimethods

Explain/justify (briefly) your choices – why is this approach the most appropriate

Try to support your proposed methods with reference to methodological literature

Show that you have considered how this proposed methodology will be realistic/manageable in the time you have

Contribution to Knowledge/Potential Impact & Significance of Research - Section 7

The final and important part of your proposal is to highlight the new contributions your research might make, along with its potential impact and significance. You can also articulate your vision for the future implications of your findings. Any practical impact of the research? What is the potential contribution of your proposed research? How does it take knowledge forward? How might it change practice? How could it inform policy?

Every PhD must make a contribution to knowledge

It is important that you try to outline within the proposal what kind of contribution your study will seek to make – we understand this is tentative at this stage

“Where existing research falls short of... this project will contribute to this emerging field by...”

“This project seeks to contribute deeper understanding of...”

“My project has the potential to impact on policy and practice by...”

References & Appendices - Section 8

Adding correct references for all citations in the body of your research and arranging them in alphabetical order according to APA 7th style, or any reference style preferred by the university, is very important. Be sure to check this with your project supervisor. You may use appendices if necessary, but do not include any essential information there. Additionally, ensure that you cite the appendices with numbers in the main body, as many people often overlook this. Use APA (https://libguides.shu.ac.uk/referencing)

1. Keep to the word limit (1500 words) – your reader is busy!

2. Have fun with the title – we read a lot of proposals; a good title can make your project stand out.

3. Try to convey your passion for the topic – tell us why this topic matters and why it matters to you.

4. Clarity is the most important quality of academic writing. Check your sentence structure, paragraphing and proof-read!

5. Use section headings to guide your reader through the text – you can use the ones on the slide.

6. Make sure you have some up-to-date references – show you are keeping up with the field, and ensure your references are accurate.

7. What you write in your proposal is not fixed in stone – the aim is to show you have gone through the process of thinking through a manageable and worthwhile research project.

Intakes happen every October, February and May each year..

Some helpful resources:

Dive in - https://lnkd.in/eTED2SVr

FindAPhD - https://lnkd.in/dP8FgqFa

?? Doctoral programmes and projects - https://lnkd.in/eaH33a6u

?? Doctoral funding and scholarships - https://lnkd.in/eGvdvRu6

?? How to apply for a research degree - https://lnkd.in/eGB7bZnQ

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