Developing effective research proposals / Keith F. Punch.

Previous ed.: 2000.

1 Introduction
1.1 Research proposals: purpose and use of this book
1.2 Background to this book
1.2.1 Empirical research: data
1.2.2 Quantitative and qualitative data
1.2.3 Relaxing the quantitative-qualitative distinction
1.2.4 Social science and social science areas
1.2.5 Relationship of this book to Introduction
to Social Research
1.3 A view of research
1.4 Chapter outline
1.5 Review concepts
2 The Proposal: Readers, Expectations and Functions
2.1 What is a research proposal?
2.2 Readers and expectations
2.3 Functions and purpose of the proposal
2.4 Prestructured versus unfolding research
2.5 The research proposal as a plan
2.6 Research questions or research problems?
2.7 A simplified model of research
2.8 Review concepts and questions
3 A General Framework for Developing Proposals
3.1 An overall framework
3.2 A hierarchy of concepts
3.3 Research areas and topics
3.4 General and specific research questions
3 5 Data collection questions
3.6 Research questions and data: the empirical criterion
3.7 Three tactical issues
3.7.1 The importance of the pre-empirical stage
3.7.2 Questions before methods
3.7.3 Do I need hypotheses in my proposal?
3.8 Review concepts and questions
The Role of Theoiy and Dealing with the Literature
4.1 The perspective behind the research
4.2 The role of theory
4.2.1 Description versus explanation
4.2.2 Theory verification versus theory generation
4.3 Prestructured versus unfolding
4.4 The literatiure
4.4.1 Relevant literature
4.4.2 Relationship between study and literature
4.4.3 Using the literature
4.5 Reviewing literature
4.6 Review concepts and questions
Methods
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Quantitative data, qualitative data or both?
5.3 Design
5.3.1 Strategy
5.3.2 Framework
5.3.3 Sample
5.3.4 Data collection: instruments, procedures
5.3.5 Data analysis
5.4 The question of methodological expertise
5.5 Ethical issues
5.6 Review concepts and questions
Writing the Proposal
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Proposal headings
6.2.1 Abstract and title
6.2.2 Introduction: area, topic and statement of purpose
6.2.3 Research questions: general and specific
6.2.4 Conceptual framework, theory and hypotheses
6.2.5 The literature
6.2.6 Methods
6.2.7 Significance
6.2.8 Limitations and delimitations
6.2.9 Ethical issues: consent, access and participants' protection
6.2.10 References
6.2.11 Appendices
6.3 Qualitative proposals
6.4 Academic writing
6.4.1 Strategies to help with academic writing
7.1 Introduction
7.2 General tactical issues
7.3 Departmental guidelines
7.4 Getting started
7.4.1 Area, topic and research questions
7.4.2 Supervision and supervisors
7.4.3 The 'two-pager'
7.4.4 The ideas paper
7.4.5 Working deductively
7.5 The value of discussion
7.6 The value of writing it down
7.7 Three common dilemmas
7.7.1 Several topics at once
7.7.2 Getting to closure versus getting to closure too quickly
7.7.3 Focus on context, background and literature
versus focus on research questions
7.8 The importance of clarity
Examples of Proposals
8.1 Quantitative proposal: education Nola Purdie
8.2 Qualitative proposal: education Ron Chalmers
8.3 Mixed-method proposal: social medicine Claire Chinnery
8.4 Quantitative proposal: management/business Tim Mazzarol
8.5 Qualitative proposal: niursing Kay Price
8.6 Other proposals in the literature