Why do you need to write a proposal?

• You have a problem that you want to solve. • Research Questions • Business-related problems • (e.g. Improving the sales, persuade someone to

invest in your business)

Calvin Luk

Before writing the proposal (WHO)

• Think about the 5W2H (Who, What, Why, Where, When and 2 How?) • Think about who is your reader? (WHO?) • Research proposals: Funding agency? Scientists? Policy-makers? • Business proposals: Clients? Investors?

• This would determine what you would like to put into the proposals as you want to present in a way that your readers will get the key ideas.

Calvin Luk

Before writing the proposal (WHAT)

• Think about your research question (WHAT) • Research proposals • What do you want to study? • Define your topic • Start thinking from a general area that you’re interested in. • Then develop that into a focused research question to be answered.

Calvin Luk

Process of Defining a Research Question

Define a Research Question

Literature Review

Possible Methods/ Solutions

Calvin Luk

Before writing the proposal (WHY)

• Think about why they need to choose you or fund your research? (WHY) • Importance/Significance of your research question.

• Is your topic related to real life? • Is your topic related to societal problems or influence policy? • Is your topic going to be useful/interesting? • Can your idea fill a gap in existing research? • Will this study generate new knowledge? • Will the study promote advance understanding?

Calvin Luk

Before writing the proposal (WHERE)

• Is your research topic limited to a certain geographical region? (WHERE) • Not so much for basic science research (universal) • Social science research – Hong Kong only? China? Asia? Globally?

Calvin Luk

Before writing the proposal (WHEN)

• Any Timeline/Timeframe for your proposal? (WHEN) • Your proposed solution is feasible in a specific timeframes.

• Can this be done in 3-year time if you are asking for a 3-year funding?