Developing Research Proposals: (Success in Research)

About the Book

Denicolo and Becker draw together the key elements in the process of preparing and submitting a proposal and concludes with advice on responding to the results, successful or not, and their relevance to future proposals.

Table of Contents:
Prologue Serendipity Intended Readers Overview of the Rook The Task Before You What is a Research Proposal? A Pervasive Task Defined A Celebration of Difference First Steps in Meeting the Needs of Your Readership Finding out about Research Degree Opportunities Finding out about Research Funding Opportunities General Preliminary Explorations Skills Inventory When Is a Research Proposal Required and Why? Motivation Sources of Funding Gaining a Richer View of Funders′ Requirements Gaining Financial Awards for Study Identifying Potential Supervisors/Advisors Securing a Place on a Higher Degree by Research Programme Sections Within a Proposal - What Funders or Research Degree Reviewers Are Looking for Main Features of Proposals What Are the Key Aspects of Proposal Preparation? Pre-Preparation The Title, Abstract and Covering Letter The Body of the Proposal - Audience and Style Developing Your Proposal Draft Language Register, Voice and Verb Tense The Conceptual Framework Stages in the Production of Proposal - Advance Planning The Constraints of Time What Should Be Included in the Introduction, Rationale and Literature Review? Orientating Your Reader to Your Purpose The Introduction The Rationale Preparing for the Literature Review The Literature Review Itself The Process of Searching the Literature Constructing Your Argument What Is the Significance of the Aims, Objectives, and Research Questions/Hypotheses? Level of Specificity Required Clarification of Terms - Aims and Objectives Research Questions and Hypotheses Paradigms Why Paradigm Identification Is Important The Link between Aims/Objectives and Research Questions/Hypotheses What Should Be Included in the Methodology/Research Implementation Sections? Consistency between Purpose and Procedures Clarification of ′Shorthand′ Terms Methodology - Approach and Justification Consistency and Justification Research Using Positivist Approaches Presenting and Analysing Quantitative Results Research Using Interpretivist Approaches Presenting and Analysing Qualitative Results Using the Right Language Ethical Considerations Evaluation Plan What Financial Considerations Are Required? The Ground Rules of Budgeting The Financial Demands of a Research Degree Project Financial Considerations for All Researchers Types and Styles of Budgets for Funding Applications Key Elements of the Budget: Personnel Key Elements of the Budget: Operating Costs The Budget after Submission of the Proposal What Planning and Organisation Details Are Required? Establishing Goals and Deadlines Project Planning and Time Management Implementation Plans Research Governance People Management Schedules and Timelines Who Are the other Potential Contributors to and Referees for Your Project? Building Professional Relationships Building on Overviews of Requirements Making Contacts and Seeking Help Developing Collaborations and Partnerships The Review Process What Reviewers Are Seeking from Proposals Reality Check - Grit Your Teeth! Where Does It End? Reactions, Reflections and Anticipations After Submission Receiving Feedback from Reviewers Reasons for Rejection Responding to Feedback Back to the Beginning The Continuous Cycle of Proposal Writing Appendix 1 Funding Sources Appendix 2 Resources Glossary Index

About the Author :
Working across a range of disciplines (Psychology, Health & Social Care and Pharmacy), Pam Denicolo, a Professor Emerita from the University of Reading,  a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences, and an Honorary Member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, has wide-ranging experience both of using a range of research approaches and methods and of teaching how to use them well to a broad range of students and professionals world-wide. She has served on executive boards and committees of national and international learned societies and organisations devoted to research and teaching. She continues to publish widely student support materials, books, and journal articles on research because she remains passionately committed to mentoring and coaching newer researchers and academics. Lucinda Becker is Professor of Pedagogy and an award-winning lecturer and tutor at the University of Reading. She has dedicated her professional life to creating independent learners who are confident in themselves intellectually, professionally and personally. Lucinda has written numerous study guides for students and works with undergraduates and postgraduates across the university. She is also a professional trainer and consultant, helping new graduates in engineering, science and law to become successful communicators and leaders.

Review :
This is a sound introduction to proposal writing, especially for those unfamiliar with the process. It is clearly presented and written in largely jargon-free language that will appeal to the neophyte... The work is useful as an introduction to the proposal-writing process.

Maryam Nazari
Online Information Review

This book is essential reading for those writing research proposals for a PhD application as well as those writing proposals to funding bodies. It is intended for those who are writing proposals for the first time but also for those who may have written proposals before, but never succeeded in getting funding... For me, this book is perfectly pitched. It is simple, but not simplistic. It offers practical advice, but also interrogates your thinking about the actual research design...This book is an excellent addition to any newer researcher′s bookshelf as well as for administrative staff and those in research offices who support academics writing proposals. You get a sense that the authors are true experts and genuinely want to support new and early academics in what is an increasingly competitive part of modern day academia.
Annika Coughlin
SRA News

Developing Research Proposals is a very accessible and authoritative guide, and part of Sage’s informative Success in Research Series... Overall, the authors have written a book providing a wealth of information and advice that would come in handy not only to those interested in maximizing their chances to get a research degree place or funding for project in a complex and demanding environment, but also to those interested in their personal development as researchers.
Andreea Moise
LSE Review of Books

essential reading for part time masters students undertaking research methods module This textbook covers well the basic elements for tailoring and designing a professional research proposal. However, it should be combined with other textbooks as it is not extensive.
Strongly recommended. Some parts of the book look more useful than others for my student group. This book is very much a step-by-step approach to preparing and producing a successful proposal. The book is most engaging though its activities and any aspiring researcher, whether they are using a quantitative or qualitative paradigm, will find this book useful. It nicely complements Keith Punch′s book: Developing Effective Research Proposals (Sage); I shall be using both in my guidance to research students. I am recommending this as supplemental reading to PhD students in the first part of their doctoral research. It is as very helpful tool to aid thinking about exactly how to develop their proposals. I also am recommending it to colleagues seeking to become research active. A Excellent book, I particularly like the glossary of terms at the back, which will be very useful to the students. This book touches upon interesting issues in writing a proposal. It is not tailored enough to the requirements my graduate school uses, nor does it give information on methodology. Good text which our students will find very useful. Simple and straight forward. This book is well structured and highly informative. Anyone would like to read it over and over. It is a good resources for the entire research project life cycle.

A very useful and accessible book for new researchers. Very handy text to provide straightforward advice on developing good quality research proposal. This is a topic on which guidance is often sought and this book will be of assistance to numerous neophyte researchers. Very helpful for MA students who all must do a dissertation, also useful for potential Research students systematic and a good springboard for the novice who needs to learn fast A very clear and step-by-step approach to writing research proposals.
Very useful when undertaking research for the first time. I would recommend it to any new researcher. Useful text covers essentials of research proposals, well written A very good book for beginner researchers, or students planning a small scale research project. Some sections are more relevant to PhD proposals, however there are lots of areas of useful information for other researchers new to their fields of knowledge. Useful book for those preparing bids or preparing course based proposals
Relevant to all career researchers, not just early, and those preparing their first postgraduate research proposal
Summary boxes are useful to readers whilst I found that the activities although aimed at individual readers could also be used in class based delivery of post graduate research courses
Welcome addition to the series ‘success in research’ that takes practical and realistic perspective on preparing research bids which can be a dispiriting endeavour
nice overvieuw
added is to our liboury collection This is an excellent resource for those students currently engaged in developing research proposals. Proposals are so strange to students new to research. They cannot understand the need of justification but jump straight in to wanting to do things. This text will help understand the need to plan This is avery interesting and informative book, which is an essential read for those starting out on their dissertation. This text-book has been recommended to students and colleagues, because it is well explained, giving simple guidance to novice and expert researcher, ways of developing a good research proposal. An straightforward uncomplicated book. Helps unravel how research proposals are constructed This will be recommended as an essential text for undergraduate as well as postgraduate groups. It has been introduced to current students during Research Design classes for Masters and MBA′s in the School of Business. It will become a very important text for scaffolding learners in their move from taught modules to the independent research study module. The research proposal is an important ′road map′ for students as they work independently. This is a good text, clearly written, and set out. Students have commented on the ease of accessibility. The text will appear in next years Module reference sheets, and has been included in current Module Handbook′s, and on the Module webpage. a useful addition to research methods module reading list Important book for classes with applied research projects for students and advanced Master′s. This book has been added to my list of essential reading for my dissertation students during the summer, to enable them to put together a valid and appropriate research proposal - excellent stuff! This will be a useful book for undergrad and post grad students or early career researchers who are taking their first steps into research. It is clearly laid out in a step by step approach An excellent text that provides useful practical elements to develop research skills. Recommended to students. An excellent book to support students in developing their research proposal, something which many can struggle with. Clearly laid out and explained and particularly useful Appendix of funding organisations to consider. This is a fabulous text that is pitched at the right level, yet accessible to all undergraduate and postgraduate level students. The information is clear and well laid out and the book is easy to navigate. I liked this text as it was user-friendly and I′m sure it will help students to plan their research projects effectively. A good author and a clear text to read. Although this excellent book is written with PG students in mind I have decided that there are enough sections that will be relevant to UG Dissertation students that will give them a ‘taste’ of the skill of proposal writing, improve the proposals made for UG dissertations and help set a standard should any wish to continue their studies at a higher level. The book is readable, direct and friendly in style. I will recommend this for my Masters Students as for some of them it has been a long time since they developed formal research proposals. Denicolo and Becker demonstrate how to do a ‘polished’ research proposal including detailed illustration on preparation and finally writing it. Suitable for master’s and doctoral degree studies including a range of practical advice and reflection points. This book will help a great deal to become a successful researcher. I really like this book. It is well structured and presents what can be quite a daunting topic for student researchers in a helpful step-by-step approach. The content is thorough but written in an accessible style. Accessible & useful for part time Level 7 students writing proposals in an unfamiliar discipline A really useful book, but not so relevant for student researchers. I found this book very helpful when preparing a PhD proposal. The summary boxes in each chapter and the activities to complete really helped to go from stage to stage of the proposal process. A gook book for my 4th Year nursing students who have to write a research proposal Important book for the becoming researchers. Many students find the writing of a research proposal daunting, however, this textbook provides helpful guidance for students who are confronted with writing a proposal for the first time.