You can explain your proposed areas of research in a statement of 500-1000 words. This is an important part of your application and you can contact your proposed supervisor for feedback to help you finalise your statement. We recommend that you include the following:
- Research question: Your proposed research topic together with your draft research question. To find your research question, you can think what you need to know in order to achieve your aim and objectives
- Reasons why: A summary of the factors which prompted you to conduct research in your chosen topic. What will you personally gain from doing a research project?
- Bibliography: A list of any relevant literature in developing your research aspirations and motivation. Check the latest publication from your potential supervisor. Use the literature review to demonstrate that you have a fair sense of current trends in the research area
- Advancing knowledge: How your project could advance the knowledge in your chosen field
- Research location: Where you will conduct your research from
- Data: Primary and secondary, sources, sample size, target populations and their locations
- Methods and analysis: Describe how you plan to analyse the data to answer your research questions. What method will it help you to obtain and treat data? Try to give as many details as you can about the overall plan
Your outline will not bind you to a specific research topic or project. If you are accepted to study on a PhD/MPhil programme with us, you may refine the scope of your project, hone your research question(s), your hypotheses and the research methods with the help of your designated supervisory team. It may also be the case that your research questions and/or focus will change as your studies progress.
How to write a research statement when applying for a PhD?