Research to date: Abstract 500 word summary of the
nature of the research in clearly understood terms
Research Aims
This is a broad statement
indicating the general purpose of your research project and what you expect to
achieve. The aim is therefore aspirational in nature. A typical research degree
will have just one aim.
Research Objectives
These describe what you intend
your research project to accomplish. Research objectives are therefore
operational in nature. Objectives often start with verbs such as explore,
understand, develop, evaluate etc. A typical research degree will have four to
six research objectives.
A background to the project (Literature Review)
This is the context
of the research and should include a review of related academic literature – it
is NOT the final literature review, which will be built on over the course of
the research
An outline of the methodology and approach to be used
For example: data
collection, analysis, sampling, etc.
Ethical, health and safety issues
An outline of any
ethical issues or health and safety risks associated with the research and how
they will be addressed
A proposed timescale for the work
Outline a plan for
completing the work within the period of registration, identifying all major
milestones of the work and indicating how long each will take
Contribution to new knowledge
A summary of how the
research will contribute to new knowledge in its field
Reference: A reference list and bibliography
