| Author: | Stephen J. Turnbull |
|---|---|
| Organization: | Faculty of Engineering, Information, and Systems at the University of Tsukuba |
| Contact: | Stephen J. Turnbull <turnbull@sk.tsukuba.ac.jp> |
| Date: | May 24, 2019 |
| Copyright: | 2019, Stephen J. Turnbull |
| Topic: | Research |
If you continue from undergraduate school to graduate school, you will encounter many instances where you need to write research proposals:
Not all cases of the above require a research proposal, but any of them might.
It's important to recognize that the purpose, and therefore the structure and writing style, of each case is different. For example, in applying for kenkyusei or graduate programs, it is more or less a writing sample, for your proposed advisor to consult in evaluating your ability to succeed in a graduate program (immediately, in the case of graduate school application, and after further preparation, in the case of kenkyusei application).
A research proposal consists of several parts:
Motivation, capability, and other qualifications are generally described in a cover letter. Certificates, course transcripts, and other documents will be attached, of course, but the cover letter should also describe these topics. The research plan will be a separate, self-contained document, and is discussed elsewhere.
Motivation, first of all, is your reason for doing the research. This motivation can stem from several sources. Some have to do with you, and others have to do with the research. You may do research because you can do it. For example, it may follow on to earlier research you've done, so you have the skills to do it. It may be in honor of a teacher or scholar whose work you respect. It may be instrumental, in the sense that it advances a social or personal goal you have. It might be some news, a book, or a movie that interested you. All of these are good enough resaons to do the research.
But remember, this is a proposal: you are asking somebody for something, and in return you're going to do the research (or any work you do on contract). So you need to motivate others to want your proposal completed, and to offer you the support you want. That support might be financial, or simply admission to graduate school. You need to think about what that supporter wants, and motivate your proposal by connecting it to their needs or interests.
Evidence of capability is specific to your proposal. If it's a theoretical research, you first need to demonstrate a knack for abstraction: the skill of choosing an important set of variables and relations, and forming them into a model. Then, of course, logical and/or mathematical ability is needed to analyze the model. To some extent these skills are demonstrated by the way you write the proposal. If it's well-organized, the model is clearly described (usually better in words), and definitions are precise, you have already taken a big step to demonstrating capability.
Other evidence includes past products (such as reports, graduation theses, and work as a research assistant), grades in relevant coursework, and other qualifications (standardized tests, for example).
In case of empirical work, the evidence of capability should include knowledge of the data to be acquired as well as any appropriate statistical and data analytical techniques. Data knowledge is on a case-by-case basis. Analytical capability is typically demonstrated by coursework.
Other qualifications are specific to the support you are applying for. If you are an international student applying to a graduate program, these would include qualifications in English and the host country language. They also include not being from a department, school, or company on lists of threats to national security or potential violations of national or international law (e.g., when applying for a program whose content contains knowledge with military applications). These will be listed in the call for proposals.
Another kind of evidence is the letter of recommendation. Unfortunately, most such letters have little effect, and as the applicant you're not really in a position to tell your recommender what to do. If you are invited to help write a letter (and when someday you're in a position to write one yourself!), remember the following points: