Writing a PhD Research Proposal is no joke. It is dreaded by many students and the time it takes to complete can be exhausting. We all need as much help as we can get when writing a proposal. There are so many stereotypes when it comes to writing a proposal. Some of these are true, but most aren’t. We are going to look at some of the most common stereotypes and figure out if any of them have validity.
1. The thesis statement is everything
Yes, you do need a strong thesis statement, but this is not the make or break factor. Everything you do after coming up with a thesis statement still counts. In order for your research proposal to be a success, you have to consider every single aspect. Even if you have an amazing thesis statement, but the rest of the work is mediocre, it’s still a fail. People focus so much time on this one section and leave the rest to suffer.
2. The length of a novel
A research proposal is a lot of work. This leads people to believe that it needs to be the size of a novel. It usually needs to be around 2500 words, which isn’t much if you think about it. Do words to page count and it becomes clear that it isn’t that much. The challenge is really the research and prep that goes into your proposal. If you can get your facts prepared, the rest is not as time-consuming.
3. Impossible task
We often hear about the fear surrounding this impossible task. Writing a PhD Research Proposal is hard work, but it is very possible. You can also expect to do well in this project. Believe that the work you have put in will present itself when you do this proposal. When you overthink, you also overreact. It’s just human nature. Once you shift your thinking, the entire process becomes more manageable.
4. The topic is making or break
This is probably the stereotype that is the closest to being a fact. If you are looking for research topics in education, you might find that a lot has been done already. Coming up with a unique topic isn’t as easy as one would think. A research proposal is going to be challenging, but a strong topic could help you move forward. The entire proposal should be seen as a whole. Every element is crucial.
5. Academic tone
We all know that a research proposal is an academic paper. What we then assume is that the tone should be firm and academic as well. The truth is, there is no such tone anymore. Everything we write today is done in a conversational tone. Opening the doors for thoughts and communication. The same applies here. You need to stick to good grammar and spelling. Have your facts right and the rest should be fine.
Are you busy with your PhD Research Proposal?
What are some of the stereotypes you have come across? There are so many and a lot of these are just made up. If there is no validity to it, you can assume it to be false. Writing a research proposal is all about how you approach it. Plan ahead and work hard. This is what will get you the results you want. Also, remember that this is not the end of the world. You give the process your best and you leave the rest up to fate. No one does a project and does not want good results.
