Research Proposal Proforma (ECMS)
Faculties/Schools/Disciplines may adapt this form to better suit their needs, but the numbered headings shown
here are to be included in any adaptation.
Total number of pages contained in this proposal (excluding References)
Name
School (Discipline)
Please structure your Research Proposal based on the headings provided below. Use a clear and legible font
(e.g. Arial Narrow, Times New Roman, or Times) and size 12 font.
1
Project (research topic) title
Provide a short descriptive title of no more than 250 characters
2
Project (research topic) summary
In no more than 100 words, intelligible to a reader who is not a specialist in this field, summarize the aims,
proposed methods, significance and expected outcomes.
3
Project (research topic) details
This statement should be brief (no more than 5,000 words) but comprehensive, following the headings provided
below. Please number the pages. You are urged to avoid the use of jargon and to express your arguments
clearly and concisely.
3.1
Introductory background
This section should provide a 3 stage general introduction to the project: (1) the current state
of the research area under investigation leading to (2) a general statement about the gap in
knowledge or problem to be addressed; (3) a specific statement of intention to address the
gap or solve the problem. You may add an optional fourth stage outlining the structure of the
remainder of proposal document.
3.2
Literature Review
This section should provide a more detailed analysis of relevant literature that clearly reveals
the present state of play in the research area and builds to reveal a gap(s) in current
knowledge or a problem(s) that requires solution. This section may include the hypothesis to
be addressed.
3.3
Aims/Objectives of the project
This section makes an unambiguous statement of the aims or purpose of the proposed study.
This can be in the form of a question or questions that will be addressed by the study. It
should then present details of these aims; this usually requires breaking down the overall aim
or purpose into smaller objectives that must be met in order to achieve the overall result.
3.4
Methods
This section outlines the methods and procedures to be followed in order to achieve the aims
of the study. This section may include a discussion of the sources to be consulted that will
inform the selection and use of these methods.
3.5
Significance/Contribution to the discipline
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This section lists the expected research outcomes. In applied sciences and mathematics, it
also identifies potential real world applications for the outcomes.
4
Budget
Please provide a listing of anticipated costs for your research project under such headings as Equipment,
Fieldwork, Attendance at Conference(s). Also provide details on who will cover the costs of the research and
whether the project is contingent on funding support from elsewhere. If you plan to submit an application to a
funding agency to support your project, indicate to which agency you will apply and when you will do so.
5
Research plan and timeline and contents of thesis/submission
Please provide a plan of stages of your research development and thesis writing with a timeline of agreed goals
for each year of candidature and details of the proposed contents of your thesis or research submission. A
GANTT chart should be used to illustrate the various stages and activities of the research, in terms of a schedule
to meet the project milestones.
6
Skills training and professional development
Skills training and professional development form the Development Component of the Structured Program. The
Development Component will be formulated in conjunction with the individual supervisors in response to the
specific professional or academic needs identified in the candidates background.
Please provide details of the training and development expected to be undertaken during the course of
candidature. The types of training and development are negotiated with (or deemed advisable by) the supervisor
or School.
7
Other requirements
Please specify any other disciplinary requirements to be fulfilled for Completion of the Core Component, for
example:
Departmental seminar: attendance and oral presentation of research
Ethics clearance
References
Please provide a list of the scholarly references cited in the proposal in an appropriate and consistent referencing
style.
9
Plagiarism Declaration
You will be required to make a declaration regarding Plagiarism on the Completion of the CCSP form at
the time of submission of your Research Proposal. Please note the following:
CONSEQUENCES OF PLAGIARISM AND COLLUSION
The penalties associated with plagiarism and collusion are designed to impose sanctions on offenders that reflect
the seriousness of the Universitys commitment to academic integrity. Penalties may include: the requirement to
resubmit Research Proposals, thesis drafts and/or submitted theses after they have been revised to remove all
instances of plagiarism; the creation of a period of provisional candidature for the purpose of conducting a review
process involving a period of targeted learning and writing development; termination of candidature following
plagiarism; imposition of a financial penalty.
PLAGIARISM AND COLLUSION
Plagiarism is using another persons ideas, designs, words or works without appropriate acknowledgement.
Collusion is the act of another person assisting in the production of a Research Proposal or examinable thesis
without explicit acknowledgement by the candidate or the express requirement, or consent, or knowledge of the
examiner.
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