Research proposal specifications guide

Proposals should use the headings below and, as far as possible, adopt the guidelines set out below and be no more than four pages in length. The guidelines are intended to help you think about research ideas in practical terms.

1.1 Summary
Summarise the proposal in no more than 300 words. Please include total cost and timescale estimates.

1.2 Aim
Generally this would be no more than a couple of sentences, reflecting the broad aims of the entire project.

1.3 Objectives
These should be clear and concise, reflecting the policy aims and outcomes. They should also be practical, attainable and measurable.

2.1 Background to research
This should include a basic overview of the research problem(s) or research question(s) and why it is deemed necessary, with some reference to existing literature or policy work/initiatives. It should demonstrate the way in which the research being proposed will initiate, or build on existing research and policy work of the CRE and make a contribution to wider policy-related debates.

It should also highlight how it would seek to:

• Position the CRE externally
• Contribute to an evidence base to inform CRE work (for example, exploring attitudes towards ID cards)
• Identify trends
• Stimulate discussion and debate

The introduction can include sub-headings. It can end with a summary of the key research questions the project aims to address.

2.2 Proposed methodology and methods/research design
Clearly outline the methodology or methodologies proposed. For example, will it be primarily large survey-based research involving questionnaires for instance, quantitative involving statistical analysis, or smaller-scale qualitative work, such as interviews and focus groups? Or will the work be desk-based such as a literature review?

When outlining the design and method, some key questions to consider:

• How do you anticipate the research to be carried out?
• Will potential users of the research be involved in the research? Will this be consultative or will they be involved in the research process in an appropriate way? How much of it will involve monitoring and evaluation?
• If you require any CRE recourses, what would they be?
• What are any anticipated potential difficulties or ethical issues?
  Outline your anticipated time-scales, including any key dates that parts of the research need to be completed by, indicating how critical these dates are for the success of the project.

2.3 How method will meet objectives
This section will briefly highlight how the method outlined above will meet each distinct objective.

2.4 Costs and funding
This will address the breakdown of costs across the project, highlighting how the entire project will be funded. Are you proposing that the CRE fund the entire project or are there other potential or planned funders? If so, please outline who they are. Where appropriate, the cost breakdown should be split between different parts of the research design.

3.1 Outputs
This should cover tangible results, such as a published report, workshop or conference, and make reference to CRE involvement in dissemination.

3.2 Outcomes
How will the research position the CRE externally? Will the research feed into CRE priorities and strategy in a clear way? Will it be applicable and influential at a wider policy level?

3.3 Sustainability
This section should cover, where appropriate, how this research will be used once completed and whether this research will feed into further research or a broader research field. Consider if there a need to have a dissemination strategy in addition to specific outputs from this research and what would the CRE's role be in this strategy.

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