PhD research proposal | 5 *essential* elements to make it AWESOME

When you are applying to do a PhD some institutions require that you submit a PhD research proposal. Here we're going to go over the five essential elements that make up a killer PhD research proposal that any PhD admissions panel would love.
0:00 - introduction
3:19 - literature review. This is where you share any major breakthroughs or theories that currently exist. You need to demonstrate that you know what is going on in your proposed research field.
6:29 - knowledge gap. This is where you have to talk about any special insight you have and become crystal-clear on your research question.
10:02 - research methods and how you are going to do it. What special equipment do you have to get the research question answered.
11:40 - why you. What combination of skills makes you uniquely qualified to answer this research question. Also consider the research environment and supervisor that you bring to the table that will catalyse your research efforts.
15:08 - timing and budget. Here you need to propose key milestones and show that you understand how to manage the risks associated with research.
18:22 - Outro
Link to publish, perish or podcast: podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast...
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[@nattynoodlenutkin]

I hope you are well! I just want to say a HUUUUUGE thank you for this video. I used it to help me get started and structure the research proposal for my application (humanities, but the main points still apply). I received my offer yesterday 😃. It’s so lovely of you to be sharing what you have learned to help all of us. Good luck to everyone else applying for their PhD’s! ❤️

[@DrAndyStapleton]

That is awesome! Well done on your offer! I'm pleased to have played my small part in it!

[@rosengulwa9405]

Congratulations

[@natalielandry1037]

Hi Andy! Well done on this video! The only thing I would add (from a life sciences/health sciences perspective) is that in the methods section, you might want to include a "Study Limitations" or "Potential Pitfalls" section. It's important to identify areas where things might (and likely will) go wrong, and to even provide alternative methods, if things should go awry.

[@SeverSava]

Great add! Thanks for this! :)

[@beverleygilmour1747]

Hi Andy - I can't say a big enough thank you. There is so much content out there that I have been putting off getting started on my Ph.D. Journey but then I stumbled upon your videos, and the clear and engaging manner that you have done these has inspired me to go forwards with a much more broader mindset. I am going to research the relationship between the human consciousness and the Near-death experience, so I really have to make my proposal not just academically exciting but also of a social value. I will take time to now watch all your videos - once again thank you Andy.

[@ajsethi9576]

Halfway through writing my research proposal - appreciate this a ton. Thanks mate :)

[@alwaysjung]

Thanks so much!! Your help and tips are extremely helpful and I am so thankful to have come across your videos!~

[@charlienieves4320]

I appreciate the informative video delivered in a grounded and sound conversation. I’m about to begin my Doctoral journal. Your channel answers questions I have yet to create. Thanks for helping clear the path and opening my vision to all the possibilities the journey will offer. Well done - Andy!

[@TheMsFoxy85]

This is awesome! I propose the first week in November. Keep the videos coming.

[@lwist4309]

Thanks a million. This video is really worth watching many a time. It is just wow and awesome! Keep it up.

[@user-oy4ht7oc7w]

Wow thank you SO MUCH FOR THIS!! I’m at a point where my proposal has 80% of these elements but is missing those important 20% umph. So glad I clicked into this.

[@StyleGoalsHarmony_]

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. You always give great advice and you seem like a nice person. Enjoy your day

[@messness]

Thanks a ton! This is such a comprehensive explanation!

[@turkialmalki4395]

Dear Andy, I've been watching tons of videos on KZbin and reading articles; After all of that ur vids are the best. Thanks!

[@PrakashMatthew]

Amazing! Thank you so much for such wonderful guidance.

[@jessedinju5637]

Hi Andy, thank you for the simple and methodical guide towards writing my PhD Proposal.

[@JulesMarz]

Thank you so for the video tutorial, Andy. I'm writing my research proposal on the relation between technological infrastructure and geosocial formations in South America's Lithium Triangle. Thanks again!

[@dilfuzakarimova5321]

Wow , so much motivation in this video. Must be because it is clearly explained and positively delivered. Thanks a lot.

[@ABCD80000]

Thank you so much Andy! I would like you to make a detailed video about Methodology and methods for research proposal. All the best

[@stevecox7075]

Thank you so much for this wonderful video. It was enormously helpful!

[@kainaatnadeem7165]

Thankyou. YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH OF A HELP YOU ARE. WORDS ARE NOT ENOUGH TO THANKYOU

[@aliciawise3331]

What amazing points! I'm submitting a research proposal for my grad school applications (Psychology) and this is extremely helpful (: Thanks a bunch!

[@TheSuperrespect13]

Super insightful content explained really well so that anyone can tune in!!! Thank you!!!

[@chrisogonas]

Thanks for putting this excellent resource together.

[@michaelroussi7292]

Hi Andy, your videos are inspiring and spot on. I have been thinking and trying to get into PhD in Australia for the past 12 months after completing my LLM MBA at UNSW, but my journey has been frustrating and disappointing due to academic politics, lack of integrity, and a toxic environment. Now I have decided not to pursue PhD anymore.

[@lottiecaldwell8627]

Thanks so much for this - the clearest advice I've found. Really useful content.

[@Pandora234able]

I feel so much more comfortable on my proposal! I’m always doing a lot of your five tenets so I’m well on my way.

[@thedesignchanel1]

Falling short of words You videosgave boost to ny idea to do phd . Thank you Andy

[@nurulhasan3953]

I'm about to write mine with the instructions you told us. Thanks

[@kennethbaptiste]

Wonderful. Thank you Sir.

[@jonathantan8354]

Very insightful. Thanks Andy!

[@philbrk8750]

I don't do comments often. Maybe 5-10 in total up to now. But I want to thank you for that extremely helpful video. If I didn't stumble across it I would probably not have landed the position. Thank you a lot, really.

[@marysomers146]

Hey Andy! Hoping to do a PhD in the U.K. and appreciate your engaging manner and in-the-know content. Must correct you on one point, however: Most of us Americans aren’t quite so brash and are as reluctant to “toot our own horn” as anyone else! Look forward to watching your other videos. Thank you for sharing your insight!

[@parietal100]

Great discussion Andy. When I did my first PhD proposal what you covered was severely tested. I had one advantage as I didn’t need the funding generally required for a student.

[@malikam2001]

Hi I would like to thank you for the amazing content that you've present in these videos, I am a new PhD student in the social science field, and I would like to hear from you about some writing the methodology chapter, and how to present my research at the end of the first year to the PhD supervisory panel. Thank You

[@ssketchup72]

Awesome. Thanks a bunch of flowers.

[@Arezoo.darvish]

Thank you Andy, it was helpful.

[@debasisrath6466]

Thank you very much. Very useful contents shared.

[@NomadicMScott]

Thank you for this!

[@ASH-ss6yg]

Thank you so much professor...this things help me alot..may god bless you ❤

[@miriar9247]

Love it! I wish I had this video 7 years ago 😢

[@Bronu282]

Thank you so much Andy for this video i am presently preparing a 2000 word research proposal in view of a DBA and i am an online student. I felt a bit lost and i would like to be accepted for the DBA your video is giving me great information and i intend to watch all your videos on writing a research proposal. Thanks so much and i love your channel.

[@DURGESH-gy8hb]

Understood , clearly defined thanks

[@grantruddiman3393]

Dear Andy, Thank you for the very informative, structured, confident and 'calming' presentation. I'm on a DBA Program - One of those full-time workers who will attempt to conduct research on a part-time basis weekly over the coming two or so years; one year behind me; but you've given me some GREAT pointers as I'm in the midst of drafting my Research Proposal. I've watched several of your other videos, and you're truly an inspiration, guiding me and I'm sure others through the maze we all face at the start of our PhD/DBA journey... Sincere appreciation.

[@DrAndyStapleton]

Thanks Grant! Best of luck with the rest of your research!

[@dashamesquita8300]

I found the video very useful. Thank you.

[@adnanmagsi9496]

Hello Andy! One of the best guidelines on research proposal I have ever been receiving. A big thank you Andy. Love❤. Sarim.

[@DrAndyStapleton]

You are very welcome

[@javlontursunov6527]

Man you saved my day !

[@husnainmushtaq6318]

Absolutely excellent 👌

[@mgr001]

Dr Andy, thank you.

[@bsrattesfay3947]

thanks a lot Andy!!!!

[@kiwiopklompen]

thanks - super helpful.

[@aldgio85]

Thanks you for explanation. My PhD also is about solar cells.

[@Track2Training]

Good discussion on topic 👏👍👏👍👍

[@bashirahmadrasheedy1081]

just to say, Thank you Sir.

[@troyt3530]

Great video. Could you please make a video about the details of Ph.D. program in Aus? What should I do to graduate within 3 years?

[@jeromelubabalojacobs8872]

Thank you so much.

[@elizavetaermolaeva7275]

Your content is amazing! extremely helpful

[@DrAndyStapleton]

I appreciate that!

[@sinaazadeh6163]

Well explained andy. tnx

[@VictoriaSobocki]

Great video, thanks for sharing!

[@DrAndyStapleton]

My pleasure, Victoria!

[@Kelly-jh6wz]

Like your videos a lot!

[@manasoulsings]

Thank you Sir, I'm about to start my PhD here in Nigeria. I needed to have a clear mind on the basics! Guess I'd have to watch all your videos! Thanks Sir!

[@DrAndyStapleton]

Best of luck!Be sure to watch all of my videos! I cover some of the most important things that other people miss out

[@effywang5690]

thank you for your valuable insights! universities in the US require a sop instead of research proposal for admission. what do you think about writing a good sop?

[@samschweickhardt]

Thank you for this!

[@DrAndyStapleton]

You're so welcome!

[@sunnylee5030]

hello, may I ask a question that talking about personal strength(the WHY YOU part), which part should I put it into? Because I suppose the personal statement or CV had include my academic experience and relevant skill.

[@ivyz2711]

really good

[@DrAndyStapleton]

Thanks!

[@econgravy]

Does age have an influence on the admission committee; in other words, if I’m over 40, will this position me in an unfavorable position? And thanks for the awesome channel.

[@aditisiddharth6472]

I have to do this in 500 words for my dphil! Wish me luck!

[@DrAndyStapleton]

Good luck - you can do it!

[@javlontursunov6527]

please make a video on motivational letter

[@michelezerulo4766]

Hi ! Is it the same a research proposal than a research statement ?

[@hamid7270]

👍👍

[@ZNaim-ez8my]

i am not sure about the budget. how can i estimate it in other country's perspective?

[@talvinderkour3973]

Hi Andy... Thanku somuch fr the guidance.. I need ur help in writing proposal. How could I communicate with u.. Please suggest

[@mahmudaislam5428]

Hi Andy I spent last 3 weeks writing a research proposal. The professor seemed not very convinced. He said, it is well written but I don't see how it can make a novel contribution. The proposal with the short literature review could not point the knowledge gaps. What do I do now? Just feeling hopeless 😭

[@darthregulus]

I passed it! 🎉

[@DrAndyStapleton]

A massive congratulations!

[@acid5-nitroizoftalic987]

Is it possible for a PhD student to apply for grants? I tried finding something but every grant I found was for at least post-docs. My research proposal had a standard structure (in Romania you first find a team that works in a field that you are interested in and they tell you what you have in lab to work with, what's the direction their's research is going, based on that you write a research proposal and the admission is held with all the departments at the same time). I worked on my BSc and bsc thesis with the same team on the same topic so I also had some preliminary results. The structure was motivation and impact, the current state of knowledge, scope and objectives, experimental plan and methods, expected results, preliminary results and potential original contributions.

[@sirmclovin9184]

I do not think that is a thing, because you are generally not viewed as an independent academic without a PhD. It sucks, but that's how the system works.

[@acid5-nitroizoftalic987]

@@sirmclovin9184 so the only way for a PhD to have funding is if the supervisor or the departament have funding or grants. This somewhat makes sense, but it's also kinda sad. Because you might want to make something that is not part of the project. And sometimes the projects end before you finish your research.

[@sirmclovin9184]

@@acid5-nitroizoftalic987 There is also scholarships, but they are also tied to your enrollment and usually hard to get.

[@negaraaa]

what if my MA research is unrelated to my PhD and i don't have much relevant experience

[@howtowriteyourphdthesiswit2613]

I think PhD proposal is a requirement for admission to the university...Can you please tell me which university does not require PhD proposal?

[@DrAndyStapleton]

When I applied to do my PhD at an Australian university I was not required to do any formal PhD proposal. Instead, I worked with my supervisor to come up with a suitable project which was then submitted together.

[@howtowriteyourphdthesiswit2613]

@@DrAndyStapleton right, consulting supervisor about proposal and finally you have to submit to the university I guess, but Australia has a strange system, my friend even did not attend her VIVA and her PhD was evaluated based on her Thesis...In my view this kind of system can open the possibility of someone else write the PhD thesis and then the so called candidate pay the Money and then submit as of hers.... anyway... thanks...

[@bapikarmakar9459]

How to write a research article

[@apurva845]

After doing my Masters Analytical Chemistry in India I started working in pharma I want to do PhD will professors accept me for PhD ?

[@user-bn5bz9fb1g]

My friend I finished master in physical chemistry in Nigeria can I get admission in India to do my PhD in computational chemistry?

[@rajubhya4780]

hy sir kindly help me for easy fully funded scholorship in phd chemistry from uk universities

[@meseletsegaye3998]

What is mean research

[@rakanahmadal-alwan5159]

I encourage you not to say ''BEST" research proposal. Nothing is the best when it comes to writing, research, etc...

[@SeverSava]

I would suggest to use "amazing"! :P

[@amousawie]

if you are the author of the proposed work, and you are having to answer why they should give this opportunity to you, then look for another university, because you are the pioneer and they will steel your work.

[@ushadhanesha5240]

500 words sketch

[@derekxiaoEvanescentBliss]

P r o p s a l

[@lucygodwin7590]

Supervisor are not cooperative just giving comments not assisting

[@TheMeemkim]

Thank you Andy