Doctoral Proposal Writing : A Guide for International Students

Cover
Half Title
Endorsements
Title Page
Copyright Page
Contents
Preface
	Why this book?
	Why the bear and the fish?
	What is unique about this book?
	Who is the author?
	Acknowledgements
	Reference
Foreword
	Dr Loice Natukunda
	Dr Andrew Hambler
PART I: Introducing the doctoral proposal
	Introduction
		Context
		What is a proposal?
		Why write a proposal?
		What makes a good proposal?
		Added benefits
		Types of doctoral thesis
		Outline of the rest of this book
		References
	1. The doctoral journey
		The doctoral opportunity and challenge
		Phases of a research project
		Benefits of undertaking a doctorate
		Reference
PART II: Selecting and presenting your topic
	2. Selecting your topic
		Introduction
		The creative process
		The importance of data
		Other topic selection strategies
		Qualities of a good topic
		Exercise
		Summary
		References
	3. Writing your front matter
		Introduction
		Writing your title
		Writing your aim
		Writing your objectives
		Writing your research questions
		Exercises
		Summary
PART III: Academic writing
	4. Structuring your proposal
		Introduction
		Essential and optional elements of a proposal
		Using section numbering
		Summary
		Reference
	5. Academic writing style
		Introduction: busting a common myth
		Use the third person, passive voice
		Some dos and don’ts
		Avoiding subjective writing
		Use hedging
		Summary
		Reference
	6. Using evidence
		Introduction
		Backing up specific claims
		Avoiding plagiarism and AI generation
		Quoting
		Summarising
		Summary
		References
	7. Paragraph writing
		Introduction
		Definition
		Length
		Structure
		Using transitional words
		Examples
		Summary
		Reference
	8. Argumentation
		Introduction
		Two styles
		Examples
		Argument planning
		Example
		Exercise
		Summary
		Reference
PART IV: Writing the rest of your proposal
	9. Writing the rest of your introduction
		Introduction
		Writing your background
		Example
		Writing your problem statement
		Example
		Additional parts
		Examples
		Summary
	10. Literature reviews
		Introduction
		General principles
		Obtaining evidence
		Deciding on your themes
		Including theory
		Including critical analysis
		Concluding your review
		Exercise
		Summary
		References
	11. Conceptual frameworks
		Introduction
		Examples
		Exercise
		Summary
		References
	12. Writing your methodology/method section
		Introduction: why the name confusion?
		Purpose and argumentation style
		Structure
		Philosophy
		Approach
		Strategy
		Data collection
		Validity, reliability and hypotheses
		Data analysis
		Ethics
		Limitations
		Common mistakes
		Evaluating methodology/methods sections: DECJAD
		Exercise
		Summary
		References
	13. Producing a schedule and a budget
		Gantt charts
		Research phases
		Accompanying narrative
		Providing a budget
		Exercise
		Summary
		Reference
	14. Referencing
		Introduction
		Citing
		Tables and figures
		Reference lists
		Summary
		References
PART V: After submitting your proposal
	Introduction
	15. Presenting and defending your proposal
		Introduction
		Developing a proposal presentation
		Recommended structure
		Delivering your presentation
		Handling questions after your presentation
		Summary
		References
	16. Writing another proposal
		Introduction
		Addressing feedback on your proposal
		Understanding the requirements for another proposal
		Turning your initial proposal into an extended one
		Summary
	17. Planning and managing your research
		Time management
		Stress management
		Summary
		References
	18. Managing your supervisory relationships
		Introduction
		Models of supervision
		Having appropriate expectations
		Preparing for supervisions
		Learning to be assertive
		Additional advice for successful supervisory relationships
		Summary
		References
	19. Next steps in your research
		Introduction
		Drafting your introduction chapter
		Doing and drafting your full literature review
		Drafting your methodology/methods chapter
		Requesting ethics approval
		Designing your data collection instrument
		Summary
		Bibliography
Index