Developing Effective Research Proposals

by Keith F Punch

Overview

With brand new chapters on ethics and mixed methods, this indispensable guide continues to provide readers with everything they need to develop effective and successful research proposals.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781473916388
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	04/18/2016
Edition description:	Third Edition
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	6.60(w) x 9.40(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Keith F. Punch is a social research expert and was Winthrop Professor in the Graduate School of Education, the University of Western Australia, and is now Professor Emeritus in the University of Western Australia.

Table of Contents

	List of Figures	viii
	List of Boxes and Tables	ix
	Preface	x
1	Introduction	1
1.1	Research proposals - purpose and use of this book	1
1.2	Background to this book	3
1.2.1	Empirical research - data	3
1.2.2	Quantitative and qualitative data	3
1.2.3	Relaxing the quantitative-qualitative distinction	4
1.2.4	Social science and social science areas	5
1.2.5	Relationship of this book to Introduction to Social Research	6
1.3	A view of research	7
1.4	Outline of chapters	8
1.5	Review concepts	8
	Notes	9
2	The Proposal - Readers, Expectations and Functions	10
2.1	What is a research proposal?	10
2.2	Readers and expectations	11
2.3	Functions and purpose of the proposal	13
2.4	Pre-structured versus unfolding research	14
2.5	The research proposal as a plan	15
2.6	Research questions or research problems?	16
2.7	A simplified model of research	17
2.8	Review concepts and questions	19
	Notes	19
3	A General Framework for Developing Proposals	21
3.1	An overall framework	22
3.2	A hierarchy of concepts	23
3.3	Research areas and topics	24
3.4	General and specific research questions	25
3.5	Data collection questions	27
3.6	Research questions and data--the empirical criterion	27
3.7	Three tactical issues	29
3.7.1	The importance of the pre-empirical stage	29
3.7.2	Questions before methods	30
3.7.3	Do I need hypotheses in my proposal?	30
3.8	Review concepts and questions	32
	Notes	32
4	Some Issues	34
4.1	The perspective behind the research	35
4.2	The role of theory	37
4.2.1	Description versus explanation	38
4.2.2	Theory verification versus theory generation	40
4.3	Pre-structured versus unfolding	41
4.4	The relevant literature	42
4.5	Quantitative, qualitative or both?	45
4.6	Review concepts and questions	46
	Notes	48
5	Methods	50
5.1	Introduction	50
5.2	Quantitative data, qualitative data, or both?	51
5.3	Design	52
5.3.1	Strategy	53
5.3.2	Framework	54
5.3.3	Sample	54
5.3.4	Data collection (instruments, procedures, ethical issues)	57
5.3.5	Data analysis	60
5.4	The question of methodological expertise	60
5.5	Review concepts and questions	62
	Notes	63
6	Writing the Proposal	65
6.1	Introduction	65
6.2	Proposal headings	66
6.3	Qualitative proposals	75
	Notes	78
7	Tactics	79
7.1	Introduction	79
7.2	General tactical issues	80
7.3	Departmental (or University) guidelines	80
7.4	Getting started	82
7.4.1	The 'two pager'	83
7.4.2	The ideas paper	83
7.4.3	Working deductively	84
7.5	The value of discussion	84
7.6	The value of writing it down	85
7.7	Three common dilemmas	85
7.7.1	Several topics at once	86
7.7.2	Getting to closure versus getting to closure too quickly	87
7.7.3	Focus on context, background and literature versus focus on research questions	88
7.8	The importance of clarity	89
7.9	Examples of proposals	90
	Notes	109
Appendix 1	Disentangling the terms 'perspective', 'strategy' and 'design'	111
Appendix 2	Questions to guide proposal development	114
	References	119
	Index	123

Editorial Reviews

‘It has much to offer people writing proposals for any purpose. The book's great asset is an open mind on many of the hobby horses ridden so vehemently by unidimensional researchers. Rather than becoming embroiled in, for example the quantitative versus qualitative debate, it sensibly argues for research questions themselves to govern the choice of method. A proposal may, perfectly legitimately, mix methods from both paradigms... It is an invaluable companion manual for supervisors, research students, and even professionals who write proposals for money. A small amount spent on it will enhance the chance of greater returns in the future' — British Journal of Healthcare Computing and Information Management

From the Publisher

It provides a clear and easy-to-follow guide to putting together a proposal with detailed discussion of the topics that need to be included. The structure of the book reflects the proposal development process, from developing the general framework to writing different elements of the proposal. It begins with a helpful discussion of the reviewer, their expectations and the functions that the proposal needs to fulfill, which has relevance across all types of research proposal.

SRA Researcg Matters 2018 - Sarah Kitchen

This third edition is a 'must have' for demystifying the proposal writing process. It includes mixed-method approaches and provides additional insights, tips, strategies, and examples that are indispensable. Just wish I had this book when I was struggling with my first proposal!

Julia Jahansoozi

This book is incredibly useful for graduate students attempting to work out the ‘rules of the game’ of research proposal writing. Especially helpful are the exercises that can support students with tricky aspects such as developing research questions.

Barbara Read