How to write a research proposal

An experience sharing
Assoc. Prof. GIANG THANH LONG
Director,
Institute of Public Policy and Management,
National Economics University

Presentation for the JDS Applicants

Hanoi, 22/1/2015

Presentation Contents
I. Steps to write a research proposal
(RP)
II. What do you expect an RP at master
level?
III. Concluding remarks
IV. Q&A

I. Steps to reach a research

proposal
1. General orientation
Basic principles
Follow strictly required formats for an RP, if
any
Know well to whom you will address RP
Consistent language used for RP
Consistent writing and citations
Most importantly, PLAGIARISM IS FULLY
REJECTED

I. Steps to reach a research

proposal
2. How to find a research topic?
Topic should not be too broad it is
required you read as many relevant
literatures as possible.
After general topic is defined narrow
down to some sub-topics.
Research questions, approaches, and
scopes should be clearly defined.

I. Steps to reach a research

proposal
3. Standard structure of an RP
Abstract (short and sharp)
Introduction of the topic
Main body of the RP
Short review of key literatures
Research questions and scopes
Tentative research method(s)
Data
Expected results
References

I. Steps to reach a research

proposal
4. How to write an Abstract?
This is the shortest, but key (and difficult)
part.
Should be 100-150 words.
No citations, no abbreviations.
Should address the main aim(s) of the
research, tentative method(s) and data
source(s), and expected results

I. Steps to reach a research

proposal
5. How to write an Introduction?
Explain the topic under a broad view.
Address clearly the main objective(s).
If possible, provide key contribution(s) of the
research.
Provide tentative outlines of the RP

I. Steps to reach a research

proposal
6. How to write the main body?
Short review of relevant literatures.
TENTATIVE research method(s) as simple as
possible

Data source(s) as available as possible

Expected results and policy implication(s) if
any.
Miscellaneous things
Math equations, if any, should be put in order.
Know how to use popular terms, such as ceteris
paribus, per se, ad hoc.

Most important, avoid (and never think about)

plagiarism even self-plagiarism!

I. Steps to reach a research

proposal

6. How to write the main body?

How to avoid plagiarism an example for literature

review
N Full citation of
Data and
Main questions Policy
Issues can be
o. study

& Main findings recommendations

-How cash
transfers could
help to reduce
elderly poverty?
- How much it
would cost to
reach a universal
system?

Methodolog
y
Giang Thanh Long
- VHLSS 2004
and Wade Donald
-MicroPfau. 2009. Aging,
simulation
Poverty, and the Role impact
of a Social Pension in evaluation
Vietnam,
Development and
Change, Vol. 40, No.
2: 333-360
Gassman Franziska
-Income and
and Christina
Expenditure
Behrendt. 2006.
Survey
Cash Benefits in
2001/2
Low-income
-MicroCountries: Simulating simulation
the Effects on
impact
Poverty Reduction for evaluation
Senegal and
Tanzania, Discussion
Paper 15, Social
Security Department,
International Labor

-How cash
transfers could
help to improve
income for
elderly and
reduce their
household
poverty?
- How it would be
able to reduce
child school dropout in elderly
households?

considered in
the research
-Focus on rural elderly - Behavioral
to have highest impact change when
on elderly poverty
receiving cash
reduction
transfer (stop
- It would be financially working? stop
feasible for Vietnam to receiving support
reach a universal
from children?
coverage
Poor elderly would
benefit greatly from
the cash transfers
Consider other
equivalent programs
for children and youth

Direct / indirect
impacts on other
elderly
households
members, esp.
children

I. Steps to reach a research

proposal
7. How to write References
Harvard:
http://www.library.hbs.edu/guides/citationguide.pdf
http://www.library.uq.edu.au/training/citation/harvard
_6.pdf

Chicago:
http://www.liu.edu/cwis/cwp/library/workshop/citchi.h
tm
http://library.osu.edu/sites/guides/chicagogd.php

II. What do you expect an RP at

master level?
It is application, rather than exploration of
(very) new things
Provide your logical way of analysis, rather
than try to find something complicated (and
then stuck to get out).
Be specific and focused, rather than
broad/wide.
Particularly, provide evidence for whatever
policies you want to focus on.

III. Concluding remarks

Do not ever think that an RP is something
difficult and luxury.
Be patient and focus on what you decide
to follow.
Explore as much as possible information
about research-related things from your
targeted universities you guess their
taste.
Ask alumni of the targeted universities if
you can.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR

ATTENTION!
QUESTIONS ARE WELCOME!