Preparing your research outline
As part of the application process you are asked to present an outline of your proposed research project. The purpose
of these notes is to give you some guidance as you prepare your outline
The research outline
The purpose of the research outline is twofold. Firstly it will enable the university to assess whether your proposed area
of research will be suitable for MPhil or doctoral level study to which you are applying. Secondly it will enable the
university to be sure that it can provide appropriate supervisory support to help you to complete your research.
At the same time the research outline will not be a fully worked-out proposal. The purpose of the first year of your
programme and the mandatory taught module (RSDP4001) is to help you to refine your ideas for research and to think
about how you will develop your competencies to undertake that research.
Format for the research outline
The research outline will be a written document of between 3 and 5 pages (A4), and 900-1500 words in length, and
should be written in an appropriate academic style.
It should address the following key areas:
The research area and research question:
This section should identify what you want to research with specific reference to the research question, or questions,
you will address. You should seek to be as clear and as specific as possible in stating your research problem.
Significant prior research
You are not expected to have completed a full literature review but you should identify major research and important
theoretical contributions, themes or issues in the area. You should also reference key authors who have informed your
current thinking or who have contributed to the understanding of the topic.
The importance of the research for theory and/or practice
This section addresses the question of whether the research is worth doing. Accordingly, you should indicate concisely
why there is a need for the research either from an academic perspective or a professional/practice perspective.
Your interest in the topic
Any research undertaken at Masters or doctoral level will present a challenge and it is important that you have a deep
and enduring interest in the focus of the research. Accordingly this section should briefly outline your motivation and
interest in undertaking research in the area selected.
Possible research approach or research methodology
This section relates to how you propose to approach the research. It is important to provide an indication of the
intended methodology. For example, will a qualitative or quantitative methodology be appropriate? Will data be
obtained using questionnaires, interviews, simulations, or will you use existing data?
The contribution you wish to make
In addition to showing that the research is important for theory and/or practice, doctoral research should make a
contribution to that theory and practice. In terms of theory, for example, this could be developing a new model to
understand the relationships between variables or developing our understanding of a new phenomenon. With regard to
practice, the contribution could be to improve processes in organisations or to develop techniques to help managers. If
possible it would be helpful for you to outline what you think would be your contribution.
Ethical Issues
Are there likely to be any ethical issues associated with your research? If so, how will you address these?
Any other relevant information
Finally you should provide any other information you consider relevant to support your application relating to the
research area.
