Research Project Proposal Writing: Key Information, Assessment Task, and Learning Outcomes

Section 1: Key information

Outline

Production of a project proposal to enable students to undertake a substantial study in semester 2. The proposal will include an evaluation of relevant literature, ethics and a relevant COSHH/ risk assessment of the proposed laboratory or non-laboratory based study.

You will formally write up your research project. The research project report should include the following sections:

Graphical abstract (not included in the word count)

A single image should be included that is designed to give the reader an immediate understanding of the message of your independent research project.

The graphical abstract should include the following:

• A clear start and end, “reading” from top to bottom or left to right.
• Provide a visual indication of the biological context of the results.
• Be unique and not repeated from images you have provided in your results section.
• Emphasize the new findings from your research project.
• Do remember to label your diagram.

Impact statement (500 words)

Should summarise in non-technical terms how the expertise, knowledge, analysis, discovery, or insight presented in your thesis could be used. Looking at the economic and societal impacts try to address:

Who might benefit from the research?
How might they benefit from this research?

Information on how to write an impact statement visit https://www.fasttrackimpact.com/

Introduction (2500 words)

Provide your reader with background information that puts the project into context and allows readers outside the field to understand the purpose and significance of the study. You should include a critical review of the relevant literature from peer reviewed journal papers and should include appropriate referencing. You should define the problem addressed, state why it is important and note any relevant controversies or disagreements in the field. In this section include your hypothesis, aims and objectives should be clear.

Methods (2000 words)

This section should provide enough detail to allow suitably skilled investigators to fully replicate your study and should cite original articles where the protocols are described, It should be presented in a research paper format and should include the following:

• Detailed information on how raw data was processed, including a detailed description of all statistical tests undertaken.
• Specify the equipment used and model as well as any software or chemical used.
• Details of specific methods that someone else can follow.
• For non-laboratory based projects, include specific details of the tye of study you will undertake e.g. Meta analysis, systematic review, bioinformatics analysis etc.

Results (3000 words)

To be presented in research paper format, with a critical use of the data using the appropriate statistical methods to describe the results of the experiments. Figures and tables should be correctly labelled, presented with informative figure legends and be clearly referenced in the main body of the text. Only present analysed/ processed data i.e. raw data/ unprocessed is not to be included.

Discussion (4000 words)

Should include a detailed interpretation of the results and the conclusions that can be drawn from the research. You should state if your aims/ objectives were met and explain how the results relate to your aims/ objectives were met. Relate and discuss what is know in the literature compared to your research results. Include any future work and limitations.

If you don’t understand any of the information above then please contact your project supervisor in the first instance. You can contact them via email, at the end of lectures or when you meet with them as part of your regular project meetings.

If you have a special requirement such as a variation of assessment need please contact the disabilities team. 

Mapping to module Learning outcomes    

The intended learning outcomes are that on completion of this module the student should be able to:

1. Demonstrate compliance with ethical, legal and safety requirements associated with research within their profession

2. Evidence independent research investigation, including maintenance of detailed experimental records

3. Demonstrate problem solving skills by reflecting on experimental problems and proposing solutions

4. Record, analyse and report experimental data in clear, concise and understandable formats

5. Critically evaluate experimental findings with reference to published literature and draw appropriate conclusions.