- The research proposal, which must be written by the candidate with the supervisors’ assistance, should be 2-4 pages (single-spaced) including figures (optional) and usually no more than 10 references, and should be` submitted electronically.
- The purpose of this proposal is to allow assessment of the intrinsic scientific merit of the project and of the student’s understanding of the project. It must, therefore, contain sufficient detail to allow a decision to be reached.
- The research plan should be formulated on the basis of a full two year MD(Res) or three year PhD programme of research. It should not just describe the work that would lead up to the Early Stage Review at 9 months.
The structure of the research plan should be as follows:
a. Title of the research and name of the student and supervisors
b. Background to project
The background should be a survey of the literature directly relevant to your work. It will involve placing your research topic in the context of your field. It may refer to work that has been carried out in the laboratory before you arrived. This section should also provide the information from which you have formulated your hypothesis.
c. Hypothesis
You should add a concluding paragraph which provides a clear, succinct statement of the hypothesis on which your work will be based (one or two sentences at most).
d. Aims
The main goals of your research should be stated concisely, either as short sentences or bullet points.
e. Plan of Investigation
Describe the methods that you will adopt, in sufficient detail to allow both your understanding of them and their feasibility to be assessed. Detail whether these methods are currently available in the Division/Department/Section or how they are to be established. Evidence of pilot work should be incorporated into this section and will be particularly noted.
Approval Process
- In addition to supervisors, the student will have two independent assessors. These will be academics that have the appropriate knowledge base and expertise to judge your progress and offer you advice on your postgraduate project.
- These two assessors will be appointed on behalf of the NHLI Higher Degrees Committee; one suggested by the supervisor and the other by the Postgraduate Office. At least one must be from outside the broad research group.
- The assessor will read, assess and comment on the Research Proposal. In addition, the assessors may provide an external input on the project, with suggestions for specific experiments, methodologies or potential new directions for your research project. In this way, the assessors may provide a positive input into your project.
The assessment reports will be made available to both student and supervisors and will confirm that:
1.The candidate meets the required standard with reference to the following:
- appropriately qualified
- proficiency in written English
- abilities and background suitable to undertake the research project 2.The project and supervisor(s) meet the required standards with reference to the following:
- well-defined aims
- appropriateness of the plan of investigation
- comments on pilot work, if appropriate
- well-designed project such that the candidate has scope to carry out their own research even though they may be working in a large team with complementary projects
- (if truly part-time, the fraction of time that the candidate will be able to devote to their studies)
- necessary space and facilities can be provided
- sufficient funds are available for the expected duration of the programme. Where availability of funds has been confirmed by the signature of the supervisor/s, the liability for the provision of those funds will lie with the supervisor/s and not with the Institute
- supervision can be given for the expected duration of the programme (suitability and experience of supervisor(s))
It is important to note that this process is one of approval and not a pass/fail examination.
Research Proposals that are not approved at initial consideration may only require some modifications to be made in order for approval to be given at a later date. There is sometimes, but rarely, a need for the project to be entirely revised.
source:
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:YFJYCBe2AxYJ:ord.ntu.edu.tw/SP/download/1011219_125_4.doc+&cd=12&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=in