Writing the research proposal for your upcoming dissertation is a huge step in properly preparing for one of the biggest and most important pieces of academic work that you will ever do. But it can be really difficult to know where to start. Written here, therefore, are the 5 steps to composing a fantastic dissertation research proposal.
Obviously when you conduct your research, you are going to have to be reading around. This, reading extensively, is the cornerstone to creating a fantastic dissertation and, thus, the proposal. You need to know what is out there to know what you are going to be researching and how you’re going to do it.
Plenty of other people will have written similar proposals on similar topics to the whole which you intend to tackle. It is a good idea to try and get in touch with some of these people to see if they would be willing to share their own work in this instance, a sample of their dissertation research proposal, or perhaps the entire thing, if they would be so kind and get inspiration from what you read.
By asking questions while you read around and sample the work of fellow students, you’ll be critically analysing as you go along. As well as practicing key skills that you’ll need when completing your dissertation, you’ll also be dredging up all sorts of interesting and unique ideas from the sorts of questions you’re asking.
Sometimes the most valuable use of your time is talking through what you intend to write your research proposal with other people. Even speaking it aloud to yourself can help you organise your thoughts. But talking things through with other people - friends, family any willing volunteers, really means that they can ask you questions you may not have thought about. This can only improve matters, and it might even prepare you for your viva later down the line!
The most important thing to remember as you a composing your dissertation research proposal is to try and enjoy it! You are going to be doing this work for a long time, so you might as well take your time and learn to love it. This will also show your work, and your readers will be able to sense your passion in your writing.