university of nottingham phd thesis format

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How to write a research proposal

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Considering a PhD? You may need to submit a research proposal.

A well-written research proposal will help us assess your suitability for graduate-level research and whether we can support your proposed area of study.

Know your subject

Your research area and the opportunity you are applying for will determine whether you need to produce a research proposal. For example, if you are applying for a specific project such as a studentship, you may not need one. Check the relevant course page for details.

Proposals for arts and social sciences are typically based on an original research question that interests you. 

For e ngineering, science and health sciences, you should base your proposal on research already being carried out by supervisors at the University. It is important you contact them before you submit your application.

The aim is to show that you understand the fundamental principles of conducting research and the factors to consider when designing a research study. The work you undertake during the course of your PhD may differ to your original proposal. 

Cover the essentials

We don't expect you to have all the answers, but a successful proposal should:

• clearly define your intended topic 
• demonstrate that you understand your research area
• indicate that you have started to develop an original and interesting research question
• show that you understand how to conduct research
• look professional – ensure your proposal is well-structured, clear and legible, and free of any spelling or grammatical errors
• focus on quality rather than quantity

Structure your proposal

This should be clear, concise and describe the theme of your proposal. 

Include a short summary of your proposal, stating the problem or question you plan to address.

Background summary

Identify the study area your proposed thesis falls into, explaining its significance, likely impact and how it will contribute to the field. 

Explain the key aims of your research and the questions you will address in order to achieve them.

Methods and timescale 

Detail how you intend to carry out your research. Will you collect data using libraries, archives, field studies or interviews for example? How you will analyse the data you collect? A schedule of key activities can help demonstrate that your research is achievable within the timeframe of your PhD.

Bibliography

List the publications and sources you have cited in your proposal. You can also include sources you have read in preparation.

Get advice before you submit

We recommend that you discuss your proposal with a member of staff who has expertise in your field. This can also help you identify a potential supervisor. School, department or research centre websites related to your area of study are a good place to start looking. You can also  contact us directly .

You can make minor changes to your proposal once you have been accepted for a research degree. However, since your proposal forms the foundation of your working relationship with your supervisor, major changes aren't typically expected. 

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University of Nottingham Thesis Template for PhD Degree

This is a thesis template for PhD degree of the University of Nottingham.

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Dissertation and thesis support

Find out how the library can support you with your dissertation, final year research project or thesis.

Choose your level of dissertation or thesis:

Undergraduate dissertation or final year research project.

A dissertation is a type of academic report, but unlike many other assignments you might have, you choose the subject, and it usually has a larger word limit (5,000 - 10,000 words) so can be the biggest piece of writing that you do for your degree.  With a dissertation you choose your topic, you select the methodology used, and you usually have to undertake a literature review.  Many students find this very challenging - don't worry though, we can help:

• Carey, M. 2013.,  The social work dissertation: using small-scale qualitative methodology . 2nd ed. Maidenhead: Open University Press.
• Fisher, C. M., and Buglear, J., 2007.,  Researching and writing a dissertation: a guidebook for business students . 2nd ed. Harlow: Prentice Hall.
• Harrad, S., 2008.  Student projects in environmental science. Chichester: John Wiley.
• Naoum, S. G., 2013.  Dissertation research & writing for construction students . 3rd ed. London: Routledge.
• Smith, K., Todd, M.J., Waldman, J., 2009.   Doing your undergraduate social science dissertation . London: Routledge.
• Walliman, N., and Appleton, J. V., 2009.  Your undergraduate dissertation in health and social care: the essential guide for success . Los Angeles: Sage.
• Walliman, N., and Buckler, S., 2008.  Your dissertation in education. London: SAGE.
• plus many more available via  Library OneSearch about dissertations, research methods, literature reviews, etc.

Useful links:

• Writing an undergraduate dissertation - Royal Literary Fund
• Literature reviews - an interactive presentation about what a literature review is, and how to go about writing one

Still need help?

• Attend  one of our workshops about dissertation research, literature reviews, proofreading, etc.
• Book an appointment to talk to a member of staff.
• Talk with your dissertation or research project supervisor.

Postgraduate Masters Dissertation or Research Project

Not everybody has to do a dissertation or research project at undergraduate level, but a Masters degree usually has some sort of extended individual project.  If you have done a project like this before, there are some differences from undergraduate level, not least a longer word count (between 12,000 and 20,000 words).  The structure is much the same as an undergraduate dissertation, but you will be expected to investigate your topic in greater detail, and develop your research methodology skills further.

• Biggam, J., 2015.   Succeeding with  your master's dissertation: a step-by-step handbook. 3rd ed.  Maidenhead: McGraw Hill.
• Hart, C., 2005.   Doing your masters dissertation: realizing your potential as a social scientist. London: Sage.
• Jesson, J., Matheson, L., Lacey, F. M., 2011.   Doing your literature review: traditional and systematic techniques .  London: Sage.
• Murray, L., and Lawrence, B., 2000.  Practitioner-based enquiry: principles for postgraduate research .  London: Falmer Press.
• Parija, S. C., and Kate, V., 2018.  Thesis writing for Master's and PhD Program .  Singapore: Springer Nature.
• Wallace, M., and Wray, A., 2016.   Critical reading and writing for postgraduates .  3rd ed. Los Angeles: Sage.
• Dissertation Guide - Royal Literary Fund
• Attend  one of our workshops about dissertation research for taught postgrad students, literature reviews, proofreading, etc.

PhD or Professional Doctorate Thesis

Undertaking a thesis at postgraduate research level requires you to undertake a literature review and conduct original research. The NTU Doctorate Plus programme is here to support you throughout this process with input from a wide range of teams including your Research Support Librarians. Why not take a look at our  Research Students page to see what help is available from the library?

Consult the  Researcher Development Brochure to see the full range of workshops available to postgraduate researchers including academic writing, research methodologies and practical support for working with long documents, such as your PhD thesis.

• Churchill, H. & Sanders, T., 2007.  Getting your PhD : a practical insider's guide . London: SAGE.
• Dunleavy, P., 2003. Authoring a PhD : how to plan, draft, write, and finish a doctoral thesis or dissertation.  Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
• Hayton, J., 2015.  PhD : an uncommon guide to research, writing & PhD life . James Hayton PhD: James Hayton.
• Lee, N.-J., 2009.  Achieving your professional doctorate . Maidenhead: Open University Press.
• Murray, R., 2016.  How to write a thesis.4th ed . Maidenhead: Open University Press.
• Phillips, E. and Pugh, D., 2015.  How to get a PhD: a handbook for students and their supervisors. 6th ed. Maidenhead: Open University Press.
• plus many more available via  Library OneSearch about research methods, literature reviews, etc.
• Theses by previous NTU research students – view these online in the thesis collection in  IRep .
• Research Development Gateway – this NOW learning room provides a wide range of resources to support your skills development as you undertake your thesis.
• Attend one of our  workshops for more advice on getting started with your literature review, keeping up-to-date and managing your references.
• Book an appointment with your  Research Support Librarian .
• Talk with your supervisory team.

Get in touch

If you have any questions, contact us at [email protected] or by phone on +44 (0)115 848 2175.

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How To Write a Research Proposal for PhD (Tips & Guide 2024)

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Dr Kin Boon TANG Director of PhD Programme

email: [email protected]

Research proposal tips: How to write a research proposal?

A typical research proposal will be somewhere between 1,000-2,000 words. While we do not insist on a definite format for admission onto the doctoral programme, we encourage students to keep the following in mind while writing a PhD research proposal:

The introduction

The proposal should begin by explaining the subject area in which the research is to be located and providing an indication of the key theoretical, policy or empirical debates it plans to address.

Review of literature

The proposal should then present a brief review of the literature you plan to contribute to in conducting your own research. You need to demonstrate a familiarity with the relevant academic literature and theories relating to your research proposal, and an awareness of the major lines of argument that have been developed in your chosen research field. You then need to discuss the research questions you plan to address.

Be as specific and focused as possible

Motivation for pursuing the topic

Research methods

Empirical research

Most doctoral work involves empirical research. The successful completion of doctoral work in the time allotted thus often depends on the ability to obtain the data needed. If your proposed research involves empirical work you should provide an indication of how you might collect any relevant data.

Feasibility of data collection

You should give special attention to the feasibility of data collection. Your proposal may contain interesting and highly relevant research questions, and it may be well grounded in the literature, but it may not be a practical research enterprise. You must balance the scope of your proposal against the practical problems of data gathering.

Contributions and practical implications

Presentation and writing style

Room for change?

Common mistakes to avoid when writing a research proposal

Vague objectives.

One of the most common mistakes is not clearly defining the objectives of your research. Your objectives should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).

Lack of literature review

A research proposal without a comprehensive literature review may seem uninformed. The literature review demonstrates your familiarity with existing work in the field and how your research will contribute to it.

Poorly defined research methodology

Your research methodology should be clearly defined and appropriate for your research question. A common mistake is not adequately explaining why the chosen methodology is suitable and how it will be implemented.

Unrealistic scope

It's important to ensure that your research proposal is realistic and manageable. A common mistake is proposing a project that is too broad or ambitious for the time and resources available.

Ignoring ethical considerations

Inadequate attention to practical implications.

Research is not just about theory. Your proposal should clearly state the practical implications and potential applications of your research.

Poor presentation

Even if your research idea is sound, poor spelling, grammar, and formatting can create a negative impression. Be sure to proofread your proposal and adhere to any formatting guidelines.

Not following guidelines

Each institution or funding body has its own guidelines for research proposals. Failing to follow these can lead to your proposal being rejected. Always ensure you understand and adhere to these guidelines.

What is the ideal length for a research proposal? 

The ideal length of a research proposal can vary depending on the requirements of the specific programme. However, a typical research proposal is usually between 1,000-2,000 words.

Can I change my research topic after the proposal has been accepted? 

Changes to the research topic after the proposal has been accepted are generally discouraged as it may affect the scope and direction of your research. However, minor adjustments may be permissible with the approval of your supervisor.

What kind of support is available to me as I write my research proposal? 

At UNM, you are always free to ask for any required guidance from your supervisor, attend workshops or seminars offered by the university, and make use of resources available in the library or online. You may also ask for feedback from peers or academic advisors.

What are the most common reasons for a proposal being rejected?

Common reasons for a proposal being rejected include a lack of clear objectives, a poorly defined research methodology, unrealistic scope, ignoring ethical considerations, inadequate attention to practical implications, poor presentation, and not following guidelines.

How detailed should the methodology section of the proposal be? 

The methodology section should ideally be detailed enough to demonstrate that you have a clear and feasible plan for conducting your research. Additionally, it should explain what methods you will use, why these methods are suitable, and how you plan to implement them.

What happens if my proposal is not accepted? Can I resubmit it? 

If your proposal is not accepted, you will typically receive feedback on why it was rejected. You can use this feedback to improve your proposal and resubmit it. However, do check with your specific programme for policies on resubmission.

Who should I contact if I have questions during the proposal writing process? 

If you have questions during the proposal writing process, you may want to reach out to your supervisor or advisor. 

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