Stream 1 | Research Proposal Development
✦ Overview
The Proposal Development stream is designed to help doctoral candidates lay a solid foundation for their research journey. A well-developed proposal is more than a formality — it is a strategic blueprint that guides the entire research project. This stream offers structured, step-by-step guidance to help participants refine their research questions, design appropriate methodologies, and present a compelling case for their study. Through interactive group sessions and personalised mentoring, candidates will gain the clarity and confidence needed to move forward with institutional approval and academic rigor.
✦ Learning Objectives
By the end of this experience, participants will be able to:
- Understand the key components of a doctoral research proposal and their function.
- Develop clear, feasible, and researchable questions or hypotheses.
- Conduct and synthesise a comprehensive literature review to identify research gaps.
- Design a coherent and appropriate research methodology, including data collection strategies and ethical considerations.
- Draft and revise a structured proposal document based on expert and peer feedback.
- Prepare effectively for proposal presentation and defence at departmental or institutional review panels.
✦ Monthly Sessions
Scheduled sessions will focus on these as core discussion topics:
- Introduction to Proposal Writing
Learn the essential components of a strong research proposal, including research aims, rationale, and framing your research questions. - Literature Review
Explore methods for conducting a systematic review, synthesising literature, and identifying research gaps. - Methodology Design
Understand qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods designs. Build a framework that aligns with your research aims and complies with ethical standards. - Drafting the Proposal
Learn techniques for structuring and writing your proposal. Start developing your first draft. - Refining and Finalising
Work through multiple iterations with your mentor’s feedback, improving clarity and coherence. - Presentation and Defense Preparation
Prepare for panel review or oral defense, including presentation skills and anticipating critical questions.