(‌‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‍‍‍‍‌‍‍ PARTS to be developed: Research Background, Research Ratio

(‌‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‍‍‍‍‌‍‍ PARTS to be developed: Research Background, Research Rationale, Aims, Objectives (4 SMART OBJ), Literature Review, Research Philosophy, Research Approach, Research Strategy, Ethical Consideration, Conclusion.) You are required to devise a 3,000-word, written research proposal on a topic chosen by you and approved by your tutor. You should select a topic that enables you to add to the body of knowledge or make an original contribution to knowledge in your subject area. The research proposal forms the foundation on which your dissertation project will be built. It may relate closely to the design work you generate in term 4. It therefore needs to have a clear structure and to rigorously conform to postgraduate, academic standards and enables you to propose practice as a research method and/or outcome of your research inquiry. You should do the following: o Select a topic of interest and current/emerging importance relating to fashion o It is helpful to do a mind map of the topic, drawing out every possible aspect of it, to help you identify an area for focused, innovative research. o Read a wide range of academic articles from journals (these show current/recent research on your topic/related topics; books; and other relevant sources. It is important to use credible, academic sources as much as possible, although you may draw on some industry reports or other sources where relevant). o Keep a list of what you have read, using Harvard Referencing style – this may form the basis of your literature review, reference list and bibliography. o Keep a file of images that you will use within the proposal to illustrate important points – and their sources. o You may also need to conduct a contextual review, visiting exhibitions, stores, museums etc. to better understand your topic, taking photographs/sketching/making notes. o As you read more, you should identify what has already been said/done already and where you can add to the knowledge of a topic, or make an original contribution to knowledge of the topic. o Write review of the literature, structuring it in a clear and logical manner to support the points you are trying to establish. Cite all sources of ideas/knowledge accurately in the text. o Your research question will begin to form and can then be articulated. It relates to the aim of your research. o When you have established your aim, you must then consider how to achieve it. There will be objectives that you must reach in order to do so. The primary research methods to be used to achieve others of these – in the dissertation phase – must be identified and justified in the research proposal. Table of Contents. This must make the proposal easy for the reader to navigate. Make sure that all pages are numbered and accurately referenced in the table of contents. Note*. The word count (3,000 words)‌‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‍‍‍‍‌‍‍ includes Chapter 1 to Chapter 4 Chapter 1. Introduction (approx. 500 words) ? § . Research Background. This should set out the nature of the proposal, introduce the topic to be investigated and ? § . Research Rationale. This should give justification (rationale) to the proposed research. ? § . Aim. There should only be 1 aim for the research indicating what you intend to find out with your research project. ? § . Objectives. Write 3 to 5 objectives that will enable you to fulfil the aim. Your objectives should refer to specific research activities accompanied with measurable outcomes, which you expect to help you achieve your research Aim. Chapter 2. Literature Review (approx. 1,400 words) ? Literature Review* – Show that you have begun to read around the subject area. Discuss the contribution of other authors to your research topic: what have other authors said about your topic? You should discuss relevant theoretical concepts and frameworks you will use to underpin your project. The literature should be critically analysed and reasoned. The Literature Review must be structured according to the critical path outlined in the Objectives. Therefore, §. should relate to objective one, §. should relate to objective two, etc. Chapter 3. Methodology (approx. 700 + 200 words) This chapter should focus on primary research (700 words) and ethical issues (200 words) ? § . Research Philosophy ? § . Research Approach ? § . Research Strategy ? § . Ethical Issues. Show that you have considered the ethical issues that might arise with the proposed research and adhered to MMU’s Code of Ethics. Chapter 4. Conclusion/Summary (approx. 200 words) ? In the Research Proposal this would be ‘expected conclusions’, as the full research itself has not yet been done. You are also required to outline any issues which could have an impact on the intended outcomes of your project. Chapter 5. Bibliographical Acknowledgments ? § . References. All material that you have referred to must be included and you must use the Harvard method of citation referencing. ? § . Bibliography. Includes details of any books, articles, and journals that you have read but not used in the body of the proposal. You must adhere to the conventions of the Harvard method of referencing. ? § . Image References. Lists according to the Harvard method of referencing all visuals used in the proposal (graphs, diagrams, pie-charts, images, etc.) LAYOUT • Make sure the layout is clear and that it meets professional standards. • Divide the paper into chapters and paragraphs. • Use double line spacing, justify the margins (alignment to the left and to the right), insert page numbers. • Use visuals such as graphs, diagrams, pictures and reference them according to the conventions of th‌‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‍‍‍‍‌‍‍e Harvard method of referencing.