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Research Proposal
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Research Proposal
Little Quick Fix

  • Zina O'Leary - The Australia and New Zealand School of Government


July 2018 | 124 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd

When it comes to research proposals, there's the good, the bad, and the messy; there are essential elements and students often forget them, miss them, or struggle to find a workable plan. 

Zina O'Leary's Research Proposal Little Quick Fix gives you a clever, beautiful workbook packed with real-life examples to keep you on track. Use it to: work through guided exercises; understand the elements of the proposal; and, put them together thoughtfully to create your very own research proposal—fast.

Little Quick Fix
 titles provide quick but authoritative answers to the problems, hurdles, and assessment points students face in the research course, project proposal, or design—whatever their methods learning is.

  • Lively, ultra-modern design; full-colour, each page a tailored design.
  • An hour's read. Easy to dip in and out of with clear navigation enables the reader to find what she needs—quick.
  • Direct written style gets to the point with clear language. Nothing needs to be read twice. No fluff.
  • Learning is reinforced through a 2-minute overview summary; 3-second summaries with super-quick Q&A
  • DIY tasks create a work plan to accomplish a task, do a self-check quiz, solve a problem, get students to what they need to show their supervisor.
  • Checkpoints in each section make sure students are nailing it as they go and support self-directed learning.
  • How do I know I’m done? Each Little Quick Fix wraps up with a finale checklist that allows the reader to self-assess they’ve got what they need to progress, submit, or ace the test or task.
 
1. What is the purpose of a research proposal?
 
2. How can I get the most benefit out of writing a research proposal?
 
3. What do I need to work out before I start writing the proposal?
 
4. How can I write so that my proposal is a winner?
 
5. What can go wrong and how do I overcome obstacles?
 
6. The DIY workbook

This semester is my first time having to go through the official research proposal process, and it was a little terrifying! So having this book (and the Little Quick Fix: Research Question) available was super helpful. It really helps you get over that initial "What the heck am I even going to DO?!?!

Amazon Reviewer

I found this source too simplistic, and missed some aspects I wanted to deep dive into a little more- such as the literature review.

Ms Laura Engfors
Psychology, University of South Australia - City West
April 11, 2022

The short format is extremely accessible to undergraduate students or graduate students designing their first research projects. Clear step-by-step explanation makes the process less intimidating until they get better through practice.

Dr Sage Graham
English Dept, University Of Memphis
August 10, 2020

A breif focused look at a key element in the research process.

Mr Keith Patrick
Westminster Business School, Westminster University
October 11, 2020

This little book offers excellent guidance for students and less experienced researchers on writing a research proposal. It is highly practical, but uncompromising in demanding clarity of thought in preparing the proposal. The step-by-step workbook contained with its pages offers a valuable pathway for students that explains each of the steps necessary to achieve a well-organised and convincing research proposal and makes the prospect less daunting.

Dr Eileen Hogan
School of Applied Social Studies , University College Cork (NUI)
November 15, 2019

It helps in a small part of the Course

Professor Ehab Yaseen
Faculty of Management Technology, German University in Cairo - GUC
November 23, 2020

Great for helping students to form ideas for their research proposals

Mrs Hazel Partington
School of Health, University of Central Lancashire
October 11, 2019

Excellent quick information to help UG and PG students

Mr Julian Ayres
School of Education and Community, Glyndwr University
September 23, 2019

Focused and accessible

Ms Paula Hearsum
School of Arts and Media, Brighton University
July 17, 2020

Zina O'Leary

Zina O’Leary is an internationally-recognized leader in research methodologies, and has a keen interest in the application of research to evidence-based decision-making. Zina is a Senior Fellow at the Australia and New Zealand School of Government where she coordinates research and project units for their Executive Masters and Executive Education Programs. Zina also has an extensive history as a consultant to both Government and the private sector and was the research coordinator for the Centre for Environmental Health Development at the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre. She is the author of Researching Real... More About Author