Help with PhD research proposal please!

[psychstudent90]

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Hi everyone,

I am currently working on a PhD research proposal for my application, and am feeling a bit stumped. I have recently consulted with my potential supervisors, and they have provided me with a little information, which I now have to use to write a 1000 word research proposal.

The sections are as follows: project (research topic) title; project (research topic) summary; introductory background; research questions; aims/objectives of the project; significance/contribution to the discipline; theoretical framework and methods; timeline and references.

I am stumped by the significance/contribution to the discipline section, as I feel I have covered all that is necessary in the introductory background. For my PhD, I am going to be developing and validating a suite of measures of patient reported psychosocial and physical outcomes to track adult cancer survivors. The 'introductory background' section is so far 317 words.

In my introduction, I begin by stating how common cancer is and how many people survive it. Following this, I spend approximately 100 words detailing some of the physical and psychosocial issues associated with cancer survivorship. I then go on to say that research is needed to understand how cancer affects survivors psychosocially and physically, and how they respond to treatment. I mention that there are a number of measures that assess QoL in cancer survivors and cancer patients, but none that specifically assess cancer survivor's self-reported psychosocial and physical outcomes, highlighting the need for my proposed study.

I'm pleased with my introduction, but now do not know what to write for the section 'significance/contribution to the discipline'. The instructions for this section say 'in this section you should justify the project from a review of literature on the topic: discuss the texts which you believe are most important to the project, demonstrate your understanding of the research issues, and identify existing gaps in the literature that the research is intended to address. This section is intended to ‘sign-post’ and contextualise your research questions, not to provide a detailed analysis of existing debates. You should also use this section to make links between your research and the existing strengths of the School/Discipline to which you are applying. Visit appropriate websites to find out about existing research taking place in the School and how your project can complement this.'

I'm just feeling a bit stumped - how do you suggest I proceed? Do I need to make the introductory background less comprehensive?

Many thanks in advance!

 

[deleted343839]

I mention that there are a number of measures that assess QoL in cancer survivors and cancer patients, but none that specifically assess cancer survivor's self-reported psychosocial and physical outcomes, highlighting the need for my proposed study.

That's a tough sell. I'm not sure how many people would agree with that statement. But if your potential supervisors do, that's all that matters for the time present.

Anyway, in a "significance" paragraph or section you explain how your work will fill some important gap in the literature, resolve a controversy, establish a novel line of inquiry, etc. How will your work enable you to answer unresolved questions (bearing in mind that there are a number of books, peer-reviewed journals, and ongoing studies devoted to this general topic), and why is it important to approach the topic from this angle?

 

[PsyDr]

Review measures for other illnesses (e.g., baristric surgery). Then indicate the need in cancer.

But you should really be doing this on your own

 

[WisNeuro]

But you should really be doing this on your own

Seconded.

 

[CheetahGirl]

I agree. You should consult your program or fellow classmate/cohort for guidance. Programs differ w/ their requirements and some dissertations are more complex than others. (What was that lowest bar Raven study?!?! Or was is a Sparrow?)

With that, I was going to reply with one statement: Look for gaps in the literature and how you intend to fill that gap with your unique research.

Good luck!

 

[cara susanna]

I agree. You should consult your program or fellow classmate/cohort for guidance. Programs differ w/ their requirements and some dissertations are more complex than others. (What was that lowest bar Raven study?!?! Or was is a Sparrow?)

With that, I was going to reply with one statement: Look for gaps in the literature and how you intend to fill that gap with your unique research.

Good luck!

Raven 🙂

 

[WisNeuro]

Definitely an albatross.