Kryachkov 2!indd

PROPOSAL

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Английский язык для магистратуры
W
riting a Research Proposal
LEAD-IN
A research proposal is a paper submitted by a degree applicant at the outset of their research; 
it aims at convincing the dissertation committee that the applicant has identified an academic 
problem of interest as well as a theoretical background and appropriate methodology to pursue it. 
Though requirements as to the contents and structure vary from university to university, it is pos-
sible to identify common elements. These include: 
1. Introduction, which includes a short statement of the problem you have identified, re-
search rationale, aims and objectives as well as the limitations of the proposed research;
2. A review of literature;
3. Methodology;
4. A brief outline of your project and the results anticipated.
Before going on to analyze each section individually, compare the proposed 
structure of Research Proposal with its Russian counterpart Обоснование выбора 
темы диссертации.
1. INTRODUCTION: RESEARCH PROBLEM AND RATIONALE
STAGE 1
The primary purpose of the section is to establish a framework for the research.
Ex. 1. In the table below, match each element in A with its functional description in B.
 
A
B
1.
Introductory 
paragraph(s)
a)
offers a breakdown of particular objectives the attainment of which 
will ultimately help you the main aim
2.
Research 
problem
b)
the researcher’s best “guess” about the outcome of research based 
on existing literature, research, or theory
3.
Research aims 
and objectives
c)
catches the attention of the reader and provides a background about 
the problem
4.
Rationale
d)
provides a clearer focus by indicating what the limits of the phenom-
ena you intend to examine are — particular sources, time span, spa-
tial limits
5.
Hypothesis 
(optional)
e)
what phenomenon is to be examined and what is the overall pur-
pose of the study — to describe/explain/test an hypothesis/write 
a history of…/etc.
6.
Limitations 
of proposed 
research
f )
Shows the importance and relevance of the research project.
Where does this research question come from? What has prompted 
the research: such things as government legislation, industrial 
change, need for improvement, search for new knowledge, policy 
change, or evaluation? This part convinces the audience that you 
are on to an important issue that is as yet inadequately understood; 
shows that the research will add up to the store of knowledge/fill 
some gap in knowledge 

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