AY5002 Theory and Method in Research Essay - Research Proposal

This assessment will build on the knowledge you have gained throughout the course, both  theoretical and methodological, and ask you to put them into practice by designing a  research project focusing on theoretical application and choice of method.  
For this essay you are asked to identify a research question and propose a project,  especially focusing on method and theory directly connected to the proposed research.

The essay should cover the following points:

1. Identify a research question. Motivate why you have chosen this question and  material. What is the background for the proposed research project, which gap does  it fill? 

2. Theoretical standpoint. What is the theoretical background to this project? How  has these questions been approached before, what is the research tradition? (This  means writing a short literature review.) Do you see any problems with this, or do  you agree?
What is your own theoretical standing? What will your own theoretical  approach be? What is your contribution to the field? 

3. Identify your material. Identify your empirical material. 

4. Methodology. How will you approach your material to answer your research  questions? With which method(s) will you undertake throughout your research?  How will the research be carried out? Why did you choose to approach the  material/theory/question this way? How is your methodology linked to your  theoretical standpoint?  

5. Sustain your choice of method. Is this the most suitable way to answer your  research question? What has been done in this area of research before? Could it  maybe be approached trough a different method, why did you choose the one over  the other, and what makes you think your chosen method is the most appropriate  approach?  

6. Motivate the project. What new knowledge will this project produce? What is the  need for this kind of research? Why is your project important?