The research proposal is an integral component to all research projects. This task can be viewed as quite difficult or overwhelming for those who are new to research.  Breaking the study down into smaller sections makes the overall task appear less daunting and become more manageable. Designing your research also provides an avenue for you to unpack your ideas and identify areas where there may be gaps in terms of understanding and development. In short, the research proposal is a means of planning and structuring your research.

In your capstone project you will need to demonstrate that you have a good understanding of what it is that you intend to research and most importantly – how you intend to go about it. The following headings should guide your thinking and are standard in most research proposals. However, if there are any additional headings you believe are integral to your research you may include them in the research proposal.

COMPONENTS OF A RESEARCH PROPOSAL

 ·        Title

 Provide a short title for your Capstone. If you can, give it a memorable/catchy title.

 e.g. Leading Torres Strait Islander academic Martin Nakata wrote a book called ‘Disciplining the savages: Savaging the Disciplines.’

 You need to also be careful not to use a title that is misleading i.e. the old classic ‘The catcher in the rye’ led some people to think it was about baseball. It wasn’t!

 ·        Introduction (approx. 100 words) 

 Provide a brief introduction to the capstone. Provide a brief background about your research topic without going directly into what you plan to do. Here you need to include some references!

 ·        Research Aim /Questions (approx. 50 words) 

 Describe the key aims of the capstone. What questions do you seek to answer?

 e.g.  This study aims to:

 1.      Identify successful strategies and practices for the supervision of Indigenous Australian doctoral candidates.

 2.      Establish a model of best practice for the supervision of Indigenous Australian doctoral students.

 Hint: Pay particular attention to the first word in each aim i.e. identify, establish, develop.

 ·        Significance(approx. 100 words) 

 Explain why your research will be significant. All research should anticipate some benefits. This could be through practical benefits such as creating new opportunities for people, or theoretical benefits such as new knowledge that can be shared with communities, scholars, and so on.

 ·        Literature Review (approx. 300 words) 

 Explain the types of literature you will be looking for – what topic areas will you be covering? List all sources that you believe are relevant to your Capstone Project.

  For example if you were to be researching the topic  “Capstone projects written by Indigenous Australian undergraduate students”  you would need to locate literature in the following areas – Indigenous Australian participation in higher education; capstone projects (including the benefits, processes and evaluation); and perhaps research projects written by Indigenous people throughout the world.

 Your literature review needs to convince the reader/examiner that you are well versed in what others have done in your field (in the broader sense).

 ·        Methodology (approx. 150 words) 

 Here you need to convince the reader that you have a clear process in terms of how you will go about your research.  You need to describe in detail the steps you will take in the capstone.  For instance:

 Ø  How will you collect your data? Will you be relying on publicly accessible information (such as literature or archival evidence), stories from the past that have been told to you, your own personal experiences, participants, etc....

 Ø  Here you also need to mention details relating to participants (if you plan to have any) including recruitment, numbers and demographic .

 Ø  Data collection – Will you be recording the data, if so how (audio, visual etc)?

 Note: Remember the AIATSIS and NHMRC Ethics Guidelines when writing your methodology.

 ·        Ethical Issues (approx. 75 words) 

 Describe any ethical dilemmas you may have in undertaking your Capstone. Will you be submitting an ethics application? Explain the reasons behind this decision. If you decide not to apply for formal ethics approval, how will you ensure that the research is carried out in an ethical manner?

 ·        Timeline (approx. 75 words) 

 Provide a detailed summary of your plan to undertake your Capstone project. Include in the timeline aspects such as:

 ·         The trip to Central Australia (if there are particularly things you would like to achieve or do while in Central Australia make a note of it).

 ·         Conducting a comprehensive literature review.

 ·         Data analysis.

 ·         Writing your Capstone. Here you need to break this down into timelines for each chapter in your capstone.

 ·        Expected Outcomes (approx. 75 words) 

 Here you need to mention details about the expected outcomes.  If for instance, you expect that the Capstone will be transformed in a report for your workplace and that this will lead to significant changes in your organisation then list that here. 

 ·        Communication of Results (approx. 75 words) 

 It is normal practice for research results to be disseminated to research participants and academic peers. Explain how you plan to communicate the results of your Capstone project.

 ·        References

Provide at least 10 references.

Note: A one mark per day penalty will apply for late submissions.

 You are required to each provide a 10 minute presentation on their Capstone Project. The research proposal (developed for assessment 1) should assist your presentation in terms of sharing key components of the research such as:

•  Background
• Aims
• Significance
• Methodology

You are required to provide an interesting and engaging presentation about your research in the allocated time period. Prepare your presentation as if you were giving a presentation at a conference.

Develop a 5,000 - 6,000 word Capstone Project based on your Research Proposal

Task -

This assessment task requires students to undertake a 5,000 - 6,000 word research project in an area that is of interest. Ultimately the choice of topic is up to you, though it is important to discuss your topic with the unit convenor. The research proposal developed in assessment 1 will assist you in the development of the capstone project. Using the headings from your proposal to complete the Capstone report.

Presentation -

The design of the project is important as it needs to flow smoothly from one section to the next. You should make it enticing for someone to read. Think about the overall layout of the project.  Be sure to use headings and break the project up into chapters. Include a title page, table of contents etc. Make it look as professional as you possibly can.

Style -

Please ensure that the following format is used:

• 12 point font (unless a heading)
• Double line space (to allow room for markers comments)
• Page numbers
• Times new roman, calibri, or arial font

Content –

Remember to adhere to the ethical guidelines provided by the NHMRC and AIATSIS. Make sure that the research is undertaken in a manner that is culturally and ethically appropriate.

References –

You are required to provide at least 40 - 50 references. This means you need to conduct a detailed literature review and demonstrate that you clearly understand what other people have written about similar topics. Please make sure you take the time to check that you have reference correctly – both in the main text and also in the reference list! 

Finally: This is your chance to undertake research in an area that is of interest to you. Learn lots but make sure you have fun while doing so!

Please note: Late submissions will incur a one mark per day penalty.