Developing Effective Research Proposals

by Keith F Punch

• ISBN13: 9781412921251
• ISBN10: 1412921252
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2006-10-27
• Publisher: SAGE Publications Ltd

Summary

Successful research requires effective and thorough preparation. In this expanded and updated Second Edition of Developing Effective Research Proposals , author Keith F. Punch offers an indispensable guide to the issues involved in proposal development and in presenting a well-considered plan for the execution of research. Dealing with both qualitative and quantitative approaches to empirical research across the social sciences, the Second Edition comprehensively covers the topics and concerns relevant to the subject and is organized around three central themes: What is a research proposal, who reads proposals and why; How can we go about developing a proposal?; and What might a finished proposal look like?

Table of Contents

Preface	xi
Introduction	1	(8)
Research proposals: purpose and use of this book	1	(1)
Background to this book	2	(4)
Empirical research: data	2	(1)
Quantitative and qualitative data	3	(1)
Relaxing the quantitative--qualitative distinction	4	(1)
Social science and social science areas	5	(1)
Relationship of this book to Introduction to Social Research	6	(1)
A view of research	6	(1)
Chapter outline	7	(1)
Review concepts	8	(1)
The Proposal: Readers, Expectations and Functions	9	(10)
What is a research proposal?	9	(1)
Readers and expectations	10	(2)
Functions and purpose of the proposal	12	(1)
Prestructured versus unfolding research	13	(1)
The research proposal as a plan	14	(1)
Research questions or research problems?	15	(1)
A simplified model of research	16	(2)
Review concepts and questions	18	(1)
A General Framework for Developing Proposals	19	(11)
An overall framework	19	(1)
A hierarchy of concepts	20	(1)
Research areas and topics	21	(1)
General and specific research questions	22	(2)
Data collection questions	24	(1)
Research questions and data: the empirical criterion	25	(1)
Three tactical issues	26	(3)
The importance of the pre-empirical stage	26	(1)
Questions before methods	27	(1)
Do I need hypotheses in my proposal?	27	(2)
Review concepts and questions	29	(1)
The Role of Theory and Dealing with the Literature	30	(15)
The perspective behind the research	31	(1)
The role of theory	32	(4)
Description versus explanation	33	(2)
Theory verification versus theory generation	35	(1)
Prestructured versus unfolding	36	(2)
The literature	38	(2)
Relevant literature	38	(1)
Relationship between study and literature	39	(1)
Using the literature	40	(1)
Reviewing literature	40	(3)
Review concepts and questions	43	(2)
Methods	45	(14)
Introduction	45	(1)
Quantitative data, qualitative data or both?	46	(1)
Design	47	(7)
Strategy	48	(1)
Framework	49	(1)
Sample	50	(2)
Data collection: instruments, procedures	52	(2)
Data analysis	54	(1)
The question of methodological expertise	54	(1)
Ethical issues	55	(2)
Review concepts and questions	57	(2)
Writing the Proposal	59	(16)
Introduction	59	(2)
Proposal headings	61	(9)
Abstract and title	63	(1)
Introduction: area, topic and statement of purpose	63	(1)
Research questions: general and specific	64	(1)
Conceptual framework, theory and hypotheses	65	(1)
The literature	65	(1)
Methods	66	(2)
Significance	68	(1)
Limitations and delimitations	69	(1)
Ethical issues: consent, access and participants' protection	69	(1)
References	69	(1)
Appendices	69	(1)
Qualitative proposals	70	(2)
Academic writing	72	(3)
Strategies to help with academic writing	73	(2)
Tactics	75	(12)
Introduction	75	(1)
General tactical issues	75	(1)
Departmental guidelines	76	(1)
Getting started	77	(4)
Area, topic and research questions	78	(1)
Supervision and supervisors	78	(2)
The `two-pager'	80	(1)
The ideas paper	80	(1)
Working deductively	81	(1)
The value of discussion	81	(1)
The value of writing it down	82	(1)
Three common dilemmas	83	(3)
Several topics at once	83	(1)
Getting to closure versus getting to closure too quickly	84	(1)
Focus on context, background and literature versus focus on research questions	85	(1)
The importance of clarity	86	(1)
Examples of Proposals	87	(54)
Quantitative proposal: education	88	(9)
Nola Purdie
Qualitative proposal: education	97	(12)
Ron Chalmers
Mixed-method proposal: social medicine	109	(11)
Claire Chinnery
Quantitative proposal: management/business	120	(8)
Tim Mazzarol
Qualitative proposal: nursing	128	(10)
Kay Price
Other proposals in the literature	138	(3)
Appendix 1: Disentangling the Terms `Perspective', `Strategy' and `Design'	141	(3)
Appendix 2: Questions to Guide Proposal Development	144	(3)
Notes	147	(4)
Glossary	151	(7)
References	158	(3)
Index	161