A Sample Structure for an Inquiry / Research Proposal

I thought this might be of interest to my students currently planning a piece of research or inquiry in terms of a possible structure:

Title of Inquiry

·      This is the working title of your inquiry. It may change over time, but defining the title will help you decide your focus and methods, and suggest possible literature.

Topic Outline

·      Aim of the inquiry (overall, if your inquiry was successful, what do you think it might achieve for you? This is aspirational, it is what you are trying to achieve);

·      Identify the Context of the Inquiry (what it will apply to, its currency in relation to contemporary practices or theories);

·      Rationale (why it is important? will anyone will benefit from what you find out? How is it relevant to your interests or career?);

·      Inquiry Question(s) (these are the specific and answerable questions that the inquiry is designed to address. Answering these questions successfully should enable you to succeed in your aim)

·      Theoretical Framework (What existing theories do you think apply to your inquiry, and how might these help you to gain an insight into your topic area?);

·      Methodological Framework (what methods of gathering and analysing data do you think you will use and for what reasons?);

·      Resources (briefly assess what resources you need in terms of time, access to individual’s who you might interview etc.);

·      Objectives (explain what you are actually going to do in the inquiry, e.g. what you will read, who you might speak to, and the timeline you think will keep you on track);

·      Ethical Implications (are there any likely ethical issues or problems that might arise in your inquiry process, especially relevant if you are gathering data from people, e.g. through interviews?);

 

Literature

·      What are the main current ideas in circulation that are current to your topic?

·       Where are these located (academic texts; journalistic work; within a practice setting)?

·      Who else has tackled your topic area, how did they do it, and what did they find out?