Research proposal

For the assignment to draw up a research proposal, a student must determine, on the basis of a more or less concretely defined question or problem, what type of research can answer it. On this basis, the student explains what the research entails, why it is needed and how it will be carried out. It is a step-by-step plan for conducting research and provides a clear overview of the aims, methods, expected results and time schedule of the research.

A research proposal as an assessment form offers students the opportunity to demonstrate their research skills and prove their ability to carry out the first steps of a research process professionally. The advantage of choosing only the proposal phase of an investigation, is that students have more time to focus on the specific skills needed for this. This teaches them an important basis for the investigations they will do in the future, and at the same time you can test them on this basis. Possibly, at a later stage or follow-up, you can have them conduct the investigation. 

Here are some steps to using a research proposal as a form of test:

  1. Provide clear guidelines so that students know what is expected of them and what the criteria are for assessment.
  2. Give students enough time to develop their research proposal so that they can focus on the quality and depth of the proposal.
  3. Assess the proposal based on specific criteria such as the quality of the hypotheses, theoretical framework, appropriateness of methods and realistic timing.
  4. Give students targeted and specific feedback on their research proposal to help them identify their strengths and weaknesses and improve their research skills.
  5. If necessary, assess the final outcome of the students’ research, comparing the expected results from the research proposal with the actual results.

For example, ask students to write a research proposal on a specific topic within their field of study, a current social or societal problem, the comparison of two different methods of performing a specific task or the comparison of results from other studies.

Want to know more?

See also: Research project, Research report.

VU Taxonomy?

Programme specific skills in applying knowledge and understanding
Written communication

What total group size?

More than three hundred
More than one hundred
Between fifty and one hundred
Up to fifty
Up to twenty five

What activity group size?

Individual
Small group (2-4 pers)
Medium Group (5-12 pers)
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