POIR8040
Research Methods in International Relations
Due Date: 02/06/2023
*It is useful to think of the research project proposal as an exercise to target a specific field in IR and
World Politics to pursue future postgraduate research.
*Your due date is: 03/06/2022 but you are advised to begin as soon as possible.
ABSTRACT
In this section, students must summarize their research project (What? Why? How?).
RESEARCH QUESTION/PROBLEM
This section should include a brief historical background against which the research question/problem
proposed is framed. This section introduces the reader to your topic and provides the rationale for
the research project.
The research problem and research question should be clearly stated. Additional research questions
are acceptable only if they clearly relate to one another and constitute a coherent whole.
Avoid ambiguous language and value judgements.
RESEARCH OBJECTIVE(S)
The research objective(s) defines the focus of the research.
RESEARCH PROJECT PROPOSAL
The research project proposal is a formal, synthesized and effective research plan that enables
students to put into practice the foundations of research methods in International Relations.
The research project proposal must be carefully designed, backed up by academic sources and
demonstrate a solid understanding of how the proposed research design and method(s) align
with the proposed objectives.
A successful research project proposal must include the following sections:
• Abstract
• Research question/problem
• Research objective(s)
• Literature review
• Research method
• Limitations
• References
Word Limit: 2800 (min) – 3200 (max)
–Excluding References and Bibliography
40%
Tip: write this section last. It should be broad and speak to a general audience.
Tip: think of this section as made up of three sub-sections: context + problem + question
Drawing from the research question(s)/problem, this section summarizes what you aim to achieve in
this project (main objective).
Specific objectives can also be included, if applicable/relevant.
LITERATURE REVIEW
This section engages with prior research in the chose field of study. It summarizes, categorizes and
analyzes academic sources such as books, refereed journal articles, theses, etc. In doing so, the
literature review foregrounds the strengths and weaknesses of current research in the field (e.g., what
has been studied thus far? And, how is the proposed research significant vis-à-vis prior studies?).
6-12 references should be included in the literature review.
RESEARCH METHOD
This section answers the following questions:
• What sort of sources/data does the research rely on?
• Which theoretical and methodological techniques will be used to interpret and analyze such
sources/data?
Example: “Through a comparative case study of A and B, this study will examine the question of…”
LIMITATIONS
Every research study has limitations and it is central to clearly state them so that the reader can
understand the research in relation to those limitations.
Acknowledge the limitations of your research (case study limitations; access to data; resource viability;
time constraints; methodological constraints; etc.).
REFERENCES
This is where you cite all sources consulted for the purpose of writing this research project proposal.
Use Harvard or Chicago 16 or 17eds.
Tip: only focus on the most salient/significant research sources. Be succinct and concise when
writing the literature review.
Tip: consider the theories and methods that have been used so far in prior research.