Working across a range of disciplines (Psychology, Health & Social Care and Pharmacy), Pam Denicolo, a Professor Emerita from the University of Reading, a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences, and an Honorary Member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, has wide-ranging experience both of using a range of research approaches and methods and of teaching how to use them well to a broad range of students and professionals world-wide. She has served on executive boards and committees of national and international learned societies and organisations devoted to research and teaching. She continues to publish widely student support materials, books, and journal articles on research because she remains passionately committed to mentoring and coaching newer researchers and academics.

Prologue
Serendipity
Intended Readers
Overview of the Rook
The Task Before You
What is a Research Proposal?
A Pervasive Task Defined
A Celebration of Difference
First Steps in Meeting the Needs of Your Readership
Finding out about Research Degree Opportunities
Finding out about Research Funding Opportunities
General Preliminary Explorations
Skills Inventory
When Is a Research Proposal Required and Why?
Motivation
Sources of Funding
Gaining a Richer View of Funders¿ Requirements
Gaining Financial Awards for Study
Identifying Potential Supervisors/Advisors
Securing a Place on a Higher Degree by Research Programme
Sections Within a Proposal - What Funders or Research Degree Reviewers Are Looking for
Main Features of Proposals
What Are the Key Aspects of Proposal Preparation?
Pre-Preparation
The Title, Abstract and Covering Letter
The Body of the Proposal - Audience and Style
Developing Your Proposal Draft
Language Register, Voice and Verb Tense
The Conceptual Framework
Stages in the Production of Proposal - Advance Planning
The Constraints of Time
What Should Be Included in the Introduction, Rationale and Literature Review?
Orientating Your Reader to Your Purpose
The Introduction
The Rationale
Preparing for the Literature Review
The Literature Review Itself
The Process of Searching the Literature
Constructing Your Argument
What Is the Significance of the Aims, Objectives, and Research Questions/Hypotheses?
Level of Specificity Required
Clarification of Terms - Aims and Objectives
Research Questions and Hypotheses
Paradigms
Why Paradigm Identification Is Important
The Link between Aims/Objectives and Research Questions/Hypotheses
What Should Be Included in the Methodology/Research Implementation Sections?
Consistency between Purpose and Procedures
Clarification of ¿Shorthand¿ Terms
Methodology - Approach and Justification
Consistency and Justification
Research Using Positivist Approaches
Presenting and Analysing Quantitative Results
Research Using Interpretivist Approaches
Presenting and Analysing Qualitative Results
Using the Right Language
Ethical Considerations
Evaluation Plan
What Financial Considerations Are Required?
The Ground Rules of Budgeting
The Financial Demands of a Research Degree Project
Financial Considerations for All Researchers
Types and Styles of Budgets for Funding Applications
Key Elements of the Budget: Personnel
Key Elements of the Budget: Operating Costs
The Budget after Submission of the Proposal
What Planning and Organisation Details Are Required?
Establishing Goals and Deadlines
Project Planning and Time Management
Implementation Plans
Research Governance
People Management
Schedules and Timelines
Who Are the other Potential Contributors to and Referees for Your Project?
Building Professional Relationships
Building on Overviews of Requirements
Making Contacts and Seeking Help
Developing Collaborations and Partnerships
The Review Process
What Reviewers Are Seeking from Proposals
Reality Check - Grit Your Teeth!
Where Does It End? Reactions, Reflections and Anticipations
After Submission
Receiving Feedback from Reviewers
Reasons for Rejection
Responding to Feedback
Back to the Beginning
The Continuous Cycle of Proposal Writing
Appendix 1 Funding Sources
Appendix 2 Resources
Glossary
Index