Research Proposals: A Practical Guide, 3rd Edition
3rd Edition
0335253571
·
9780335253579
© 2026 | Published: November 26, 2025
“I’d recommend this book to anyone who has a great research idea but isn’t sure how to turn it into a convincing proposal. Denscombe has produced a clear guide full of helpful tips that take you through the stages of creating, structuring and s…
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INTRODUCTION
PART 1: WHAT IS A GOOD RESEARCH PROPOSAL?
1. THE STRUCTURE AND LOGIC OF RESEARCH PROPOSALS
2. SUCCESSFUL RESEARCH PROPOSALS
3. SELLING AN IDEA
PART 2: SEVEN STEPS TO WRITING A GOOD RESEARCH PROPOSAL
4. AIMS: WHAT IS IT ALL ABOUT?
5. LITERATURE REVIEW: WHAT DO WE ALREADY KNOW?
6. RESEARCH QUESTIONS: WHAT DO WE NEED TO FIND OUT?
7. METHODS: HOW WILL WE GET THE NECESSARY INFORMATION?
8. RESOURCES: WHAT WILL IT COST AND HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?
9. ETHICS: IS THE RESEARCH SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE?
10. OUTCOMES: WHAT WILL BE PRODUCED?
APPENDICES
REFERENCES
INDEX
PART 1: WHAT IS A GOOD RESEARCH PROPOSAL?
1. THE STRUCTURE AND LOGIC OF RESEARCH PROPOSALS
2. SUCCESSFUL RESEARCH PROPOSALS
3. SELLING AN IDEA
PART 2: SEVEN STEPS TO WRITING A GOOD RESEARCH PROPOSAL
4. AIMS: WHAT IS IT ALL ABOUT?
5. LITERATURE REVIEW: WHAT DO WE ALREADY KNOW?
6. RESEARCH QUESTIONS: WHAT DO WE NEED TO FIND OUT?
7. METHODS: HOW WILL WE GET THE NECESSARY INFORMATION?
8. RESOURCES: WHAT WILL IT COST AND HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?
9. ETHICS: IS THE RESEARCH SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE?
10. OUTCOMES: WHAT WILL BE PRODUCED?
APPENDICES
REFERENCES
INDEX
“I’d recommend this book to anyone who has a great research idea but isn’t sure how to turn it into a convincing proposal. Denscombe has produced a clear guide full of helpful tips that take you through the stages of creating, structuring and submitting your research proposal. This latest, updated edition really stands out in demonstrating how artificial intelligence can be used ethically to support the development of a distinctive application.”
Rosalind Edwards, Professor of Sociology, University of Southampton, UK
“This book provides a useful guide through the key decisions involved in developing a research proposal. It offers useful insight to research students at all levels, including those applying for small research grants. The chapter on outcomes is a particular strength, helping researchers to consider and plan impact from the design stage.”
Stephanie Kilinç, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, Teesside University, UK
“An essential resource that lays out the principles for success for first-time researchers. This third edition is brought fully up to date to include important developments, such as the use of AI tools.”
Ellen Annandale, University of York, UK
This book provides a clear and concise vision of why research proposals are necessary, what proposals need to include and how to write a successful proposal. It offers practical advice on how to deal with the seven basic questions that any research proposal needs to answer:
This third edition includes a new ‘AI Assist’ feature which draws on the potential of artificial intelligence to provide easily available support and inspiration when it comes to the task of writing a research proposal.
Research Proposals is perfect for master’s students planning a dissertation, undergraduate students approaching their final year project and PhD students applying for acceptance onto a doctoral programme.
Martyn Denscombe is Emeritus Professor at De Montfort University, UK. He is the author of The Good Research Guide: Research Methods for Small-Scale Social Research Projects, 7e (2021) and Ground Rules for Social Research: Guidelines for Good Practice, 2e (2009), both published by Open University Press.
Rosalind Edwards, Professor of Sociology, University of Southampton, UK
“This book provides a useful guide through the key decisions involved in developing a research proposal. It offers useful insight to research students at all levels, including those applying for small research grants. The chapter on outcomes is a particular strength, helping researchers to consider and plan impact from the design stage.”
Stephanie Kilinç, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, Teesside University, UK
“An essential resource that lays out the principles for success for first-time researchers. This third edition is brought fully up to date to include important developments, such as the use of AI tools.”
Ellen Annandale, University of York, UK
This book provides a clear and concise vision of why research proposals are necessary, what proposals need to include and how to write a successful proposal. It offers practical advice on how to deal with the seven basic questions that any research proposal needs to answer:
- What is it all about?
- What do we already know?
- What do we need to find out?
- How will we get the necessary information?
- What will it cost and how long will it take?
- Is the research socially acceptable?
- What will be produced?
This third edition includes a new ‘AI Assist’ feature which draws on the potential of artificial intelligence to provide easily available support and inspiration when it comes to the task of writing a research proposal.
Research Proposals is perfect for master’s students planning a dissertation, undergraduate students approaching their final year project and PhD students applying for acceptance onto a doctoral programme.
Martyn Denscombe is Emeritus Professor at De Montfort University, UK. He is the author of The Good Research Guide: Research Methods for Small-Scale Social Research Projects, 7e (2021) and Ground Rules for Social Research: Guidelines for Good Practice, 2e (2009), both published by Open University Press.