FREE 10+ Postgraduate Research Proposal Samples in PDF | DOC

After we formally graduate from the university, some of us would want to take a step forward into higher-level learning as a postgraduate student. This would apply to some courses such as those in business school, medical school, engineering, law, fine arts and etc. Higher learning has more chances of better job opportunities and higher pay. One requirement of a postgraduate degree is a postgraduate research proposal, which is an important document that can help you develop your knowledge and experience within your field. Read more about postgraduate research proposal in our article below and don’t forget to check out our free postgraduate research proposal samples as well:

10+ Postgraduate Research Proposal Samples

1. Postgraduate Research Proposal

2. Postgraduate Admission Research Proposal

3. Postgraduate Tentative Research Proposal

4. Postgraduate Medical Research Proposal

5. Postgraduate Dissertation Research Proposal

6. Postgraduate Applicant Research Proposal

7. Postgraduate Study Research Proposal

8. Postgraduate PhD Research Proposal

9. MPhil Postgraduate Research Proposal

10. Doctorate Postgraduate Research Proposal

11. Masters Postgraduate Research Proposal

What Is a Postgraduate Research Proposal?

Initially, postgraduate research proposal is a document proposing a research project, and as part of their application for admission to a research degree. It is also relevant to students who are applying to external bodies for postgraduate research funding. A university application for postgraduate study is most likely to include a research proposal or a personal statement, even if you are applying for a funded project defined by the prospective supervisor. With a postgraduate research proposal this will enable you to develop research skills as well as invaluable transferable skills which you can apply to academic life, your current employment or a variety of professions outside of the academia.

How To Write a Postgraduate Research Proposal?

A postgraduate research proposal allows you to gain newer perspective and experience within your field by completing a major research project under the supervision of an academic. The research proposal is crucial to your application because it forms a basis for making a judgement about your sustainability for postgraduate research particularly:

• knowledge of literature: it shows the ability to understand the elements which is the forefront of the field of study or area of professional practice.
• research methods and methodological appreciation: understanding of the application of various techniques of research and advanced academic enquiry
• writing quality
• qualifications and experience: appropriate qualifications or experiences which suggest high expectation to succeed with this study

When writing your proposal, well-presented and clearly written proposals are more likely to stick in the reviewer’s mind. So let us begin with the basic components that makes up a postgraduate research proposal:

I. Introduction

Provide a background information in the form of a literature review which sets the context for your research to help the reader understand the questions and objectives. Identify any gap in the knowledge or questions which have to be answered, specify your aims and objectives, including a brief description of the methodology and how will your research be beneficial and to whom. The introduction is your opportunity to demonstrate that your research has not been done before and that the proposed project will add something new to the existing body of literature.

II. The Body or Main Text

In this section you should be able to identify the following:

• statement of the problem which describes the context for the study and it also identifies the general analysis approach. It is important in a proposal that the problem stand out—that the reader can easily recognize it.
• purpose of the study in which you are to define and delimit the specific area of the research and its central concepts.

III. The Design: Methods and Procedures

It is important to present the proposed research methodology such as techniques, sample size, target populations, species choice, equipment and data analysis, and explain why it is the most appropriate methodology to effectively answer the research question. Justify the methodology by explaining what alternatives have been considered and why these have been disregarded. Also point out how your project fits with the research environment of your prospective institution and why this institution is the best place to conduct your research, in particular if this will provide you with access to unique expertise, pieces of equipment or data. Some examples of research methods are: sampling, instrumentation, data analysis and data collection.

IV. Significance of the Study

Define how this research will refine, revise, or extend existing knowledge in the area under investigation. Also you can also briefly include a small section to present how your research interests, previous achievements, relevant professional experience and qualifications will support the completion of your research project.

V. Conclusions

Summarize all that there is to your postgraduate research proposal and come up with a conclusion that can help a reviewer identify the important information. Make sure these are concise, clear and informative.

FAQs

A postgraduate research proposal is a stepping stone that can help you fulfill your aspirations of completing an effective postgraduate research, that can benefit your future as a professional in your field of expertise.