economic research proposal sample

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Course info, instructors.

• Prof. Esther Duflo
• Prof. Benjamin Olken

Departments

As taught in.

• Developmental Economics
• Microeconomics

Learning Resource Types

Development economics, research proposal.

The maximum length of the write-up should be 3 pages single-spaced (but less is fine). The goal of this research proposal is to give you a “jump start” on working on a topic that you could (ideally) work on for your second-year paper (or a future paper for your dissertation). If you are in the second year, it is okay for you to talk about the topic that you will be working on for your second-year paper. It should be development though… (but as you know development is a big tent). 

You can co-author the proposal with any student(s) in the program. However, we would like to  see as many proposals as people in the class. 

Note that the deadline is the last possible date that we are allowed to accept assignments under end  of term regulations, so we will not be able to provide extensions. Please therefore budget your time wisely. 

The proposal should include 

•  A clear statement of your research question       
• Brief motivation of your research question       a. Why is this question important?        b. What is the policy implication?        c. What (if any) economic theory it is testing? 
• (Short) Review of the relevant theoretical and/or empirical literature. 
• Description of your proposed empirical strategy and proposed (realistic) data sources.        a. You can propose an RCT where you’d collect the data, as long as it is realistic for a PhD student (not necessarily in the scope of a second year paper).        b. If you project is empirical, write-out clearly and in detail what are the proposed        regression specifications.  
• Clear discussion of your contribution to the prior literature.       
• Clear discussion of what challenges you expect to encounter. 

Think of this project as the shell of a research paper that contains everything but your findings: you will motivate the question; place it in the literature; and lay out your data sources (if any) and your research design. We do not expect to see any preliminary results (for empirical papers) or fully fledged model (for theory paper).

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School of Economics

Writing a research proposal.

Developing a research proposal is a necessary part of the application process it:

• provides a basis for decision-making;
• helps to make sure that you get the most appropriate supervisor for your research.

Your research proposal does not commit you to researching in a specific area if your application is successful. 

Following a successful application, you need to provide a more comprehensive proposal which will be useful reference as your research develops.

How to write a research proposal

Organise your proposal should around a small set of ideas or hypotheses that you would like to investigate. Provide some evidence of relevant background reading if possible.

A typical research proposal might look something like this:

• Rationale for the research project, including: a description of the phenomenon of interest, and the context(s) and situation in which you think the research will take place; an explanation of why the topic is of interest to the author; and an outline of the reasons why the topic should be of interest to research and/ or practice (the 'so what?' question); a statement of how the research fits in with that of potential supervisor(s) in the School of Economics.
• Issues and initial research question. Within the phenomenon of interest: what issue(s) do you intend to investigate? (This may be quite imprecise at the application stage); what might be some of the key literatures that might inform the issues (again, indicative at the application stage); and, as precisely as you can, what is the question you are trying to answer?
• Intended methodology: How do you think you might go about answering the question? Do you have a preference for using quantitative methods such as survey based research, or for qualitative methods such as interviews and observation?
• Expected outcomes: how do you think the research might add to existing knowledge; what might it enable organisations or interested parties to do differently?
• Timetable: What is your initial estimation of the timetable of the dissertation? When will each of the key stages start and finish (refining proposal; literature review; developing research methods; fieldwork; analysis; writing the draft; final submission). There are likely to overlaps between the stages.

An initial research proposal that forms part of a PhD application should be between 600 and 1,000 words in length.

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• Knowledge Base
• Starting the research process
• How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates

How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates

Published on October 12, 2022 by Shona McCombes and Tegan George. Revised on November 21, 2023.

A research proposal describes what you will investigate, why it’s important, and how you will conduct your research.

The format of a research proposal varies between fields, but most proposals will contain at least these elements:

Introduction

Literature review.

• Research design

Reference list

While the sections may vary, the overall objective is always the same. A research proposal serves as a blueprint and guide for your research plan, helping you get organized and feel confident in the path forward you choose to take.

Table of contents

Research proposal purpose, research proposal examples, research design and methods, contribution to knowledge, research schedule, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about research proposals.

Academics often have to write research proposals to get funding for their projects. As a student, you might have to write a research proposal as part of a grad school application , or prior to starting your thesis or dissertation .

In addition to helping you figure out what your research can look like, a proposal can also serve to demonstrate why your project is worth pursuing to a funder, educational institution, or supervisor.

Research proposal length

The length of a research proposal can vary quite a bit. A bachelor’s or master’s thesis proposal can be just a few pages, while proposals for PhD dissertations or research funding are usually much longer and more detailed. Your supervisor can help you determine the best length for your work.

One trick to get started is to think of your proposal’s structure as a shorter version of your thesis or dissertation , only without the results , conclusion and discussion sections.

Download our research proposal template

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Writing a research proposal can be quite challenging, but a good starting point could be to look at some examples. We’ve included a few for you below.

• Example research proposal #1: “A Conceptual Framework for Scheduling Constraint Management”
• Example research proposal #2: “Medical Students as Mediators of Change in Tobacco Use”

Like your dissertation or thesis, the proposal will usually have a title page that includes:

• The proposed title of your project
• Your supervisor’s name
• Your institution and department

The first part of your proposal is the initial pitch for your project. Make sure it succinctly explains what you want to do and why.

Your introduction should:

• Introduce your topic
• Give necessary background and context
• Outline your  problem statement  and research questions

To guide your introduction , include information about:

• Who could have an interest in the topic (e.g., scientists, policymakers)
• How much is already known about the topic
• What is missing from this current knowledge
• What new insights your research will contribute
• Why you believe this research is worth doing

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As you get started, it’s important to demonstrate that you’re familiar with the most important research on your topic. A strong literature review  shows your reader that your project has a solid foundation in existing knowledge or theory. It also shows that you’re not simply repeating what other people have already done or said, but rather using existing research as a jumping-off point for your own.

In this section, share exactly how your project will contribute to ongoing conversations in the field by:

• Comparing and contrasting the main theories, methods, and debates
• Examining the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches
• Explaining how will you build on, challenge, or synthesize prior scholarship

Following the literature review, restate your main  objectives . This brings the focus back to your own project. Next, your research design or methodology section will describe your overall approach, and the practical steps you will take to answer your research questions.

To finish your proposal on a strong note, explore the potential implications of your research for your field. Emphasize again what you aim to contribute and why it matters.

For example, your results might have implications for:

• Improving best practices
• Informing policymaking decisions
• Strengthening a theory or model
• Challenging popular or scientific beliefs
• Creating a basis for future research

Last but not least, your research proposal must include correct citations for every source you have used, compiled in a reference list . To create citations quickly and easily, you can use our free APA citation generator .

Some institutions or funders require a detailed timeline of the project, asking you to forecast what you will do at each stage and how long it may take. While not always required, be sure to check the requirements of your project.

Here’s an example schedule to help you get started. You can also download a template at the button below.

Download our research schedule template

If you are applying for research funding, chances are you will have to include a detailed budget. This shows your estimates of how much each part of your project will cost.

Make sure to check what type of costs the funding body will agree to cover. For each item, include:

• Cost : exactly how much money do you need?
• Justification : why is this cost necessary to complete the research?
• Source : how did you calculate the amount?

To determine your budget, think about:

• Travel costs : do you need to go somewhere to collect your data? How will you get there, and how much time will you need? What will you do there (e.g., interviews, archival research)?
• Materials : do you need access to any tools or technologies?
• Help : do you need to hire any research assistants for the project? What will they do, and how much will you pay them?

If you want to know more about the research process , methodology , research bias , or statistics , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

Methodology

• Sampling methods
• Simple random sampling
• Stratified sampling
• Cluster sampling
• Likert scales
• Reproducibility

 Statistics

• Null hypothesis
• Statistical power
• Probability distribution
• Effect size
• Poisson distribution

Research bias

• Optimism bias
• Cognitive bias
• Implicit bias
• Hawthorne effect
• Anchoring bias
• Explicit bias

Once you’ve decided on your research objectives , you need to explain them in your paper, at the end of your problem statement .

Keep your research objectives clear and concise, and use appropriate verbs to accurately convey the work that you will carry out for each one.

I will compare …

A research aim is a broad statement indicating the general purpose of your research project. It should appear in your introduction at the end of your problem statement , before your research objectives.

Research objectives are more specific than your research aim. They indicate the specific ways you’ll address the overarching aim.

A PhD, which is short for philosophiae doctor (doctor of philosophy in Latin), is the highest university degree that can be obtained. In a PhD, students spend 3–5 years writing a dissertation , which aims to make a significant, original contribution to current knowledge.

A PhD is intended to prepare students for a career as a researcher, whether that be in academia, the public sector, or the private sector.

A master’s is a 1- or 2-year graduate degree that can prepare you for a variety of careers.

All master’s involve graduate-level coursework. Some are research-intensive and intend to prepare students for further study in a PhD; these usually require their students to write a master’s thesis . Others focus on professional training for a specific career.

Critical thinking refers to the ability to evaluate information and to be aware of biases or assumptions, including your own.

Like information literacy , it involves evaluating arguments, identifying and solving problems in an objective and systematic way, and clearly communicating your ideas.

The best way to remember the difference between a research plan and a research proposal is that they have fundamentally different audiences. A research plan helps you, the researcher, organize your thoughts. On the other hand, a dissertation proposal or research proposal aims to convince others (e.g., a supervisor, a funding body, or a dissertation committee) that your research topic is relevant and worthy of being conducted.

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Empirical Economics Research Proposal

Most of the traditional undergraduate curriculum engages students as consumers of empirical research. But in the senior year, many programs invite students to become producers of novel work. Many students find this transition difficult because the skill set required to be a critical reader are insufficient for being an effective researcher. In particular, as researchers students must learn how to generate interesting questions with clear connections to theory; where to find relevant data to answer the posed question; how to shrewdly revise the research question in light of data availability; and how to situate the original work within an existing literature. This assignment gives sophomores and juniors a chance to practice these skills in the context of a 5-page research proposal.

Expand for more detail

Activity Classification and Connections to Related Resources Collapse

Grade level, learning goals.

• generate an interesting research question with a clear connection to economic theory
• find and evaluate sources of data relevant to the proposed question
• place an original research idea in the context of an existing literature

Context for Use

Description and teaching materials.

• Literature by Major and
• Statistics and data .

Teaching Notes and Tips

• Students have a hard time generating questions that have connections to theory. For instance, they may propose "price discrimination" as their research "question." They need help coming up with an hypothesis that could be accepted or rejected. Ultimately, I sometimes give students a question related to the area of their interest. The degree of hand-holding can be reflecting in grading under "creativity of the proposed question."
• Based on past paper-writing experience, students often think they can whip together a 5-page paper in a day or two. By requiring that they hand in draft work early on in the term, you can avoid the inevitable mess that results when students realize that it takes a good bit of time to generate a research topic and identify relevant data sources.
• The genre of a research proposal is novel to most students. It takes many iterations to convince them that I really don't want them to actually do any analysis—just clearly plan and lay out the work.
• Students tend to think of the primary literature as a canon rather than as a discussion between colleagues. A few minutes discussing this when the assignment is given out can help situate students' thinking.
• Note that the assignment limits the extent of the literature review to 5 primary literature papers. This is important to making the assignment feasible. While the literature is invariably much larger and no senior should start their thesis without a comprehensive understanding of what has come before, 5 papers is sufficient to give students a feel for how to place their work in the context of prior understanding.
• How well does the student motivate the topic? (I encourage them to use a few well-chosen numbers to place the proposed topic in context or to frame the importance of the question. This use of quantitative reasoning may not always be relevant, however.)
• How well does the student situate the proposal in the context of existing work?
• Does the proposed question connect clearly from theory? Is it really true that theory speaks to the proposed analysis?
• How insightful/creative is the proposed question?
• Will the identified data allow the student to answer the proposed question? Is the sample size reasonably large? Is the dataset truly accessible?
• Is the paper well organized? Does it include clear transition sentences? Did I ever get "lost"?
• Is the paper clear of surface error?
• Intangibles: Is the paper well-written and easy to read?

References and Resources

See more Examples »

Writing your economics research proposal

If you are applying to the Economics postgraduate research programme, you will need to submit a research proposal with your application.

The nature of your proposal will depend on when you apply.

The role of the proposal

For entry into Year 1 of the programme, the proposal is used to:

• identify your broad areas of interest;
• see if you have consulted relevant literature beyond the standard textbooks;
• obtain an impression of your ability to think critically;
• assess what motivates you to pursue a research degree in economics.

Proposal guidelines

For entry into Year 1 of the programme, the research proposal is expected to include the following:

• The  research area  with which you would expect to be affiliated;
• The member(s) of staff you would like to provide supervision (this information is also requested in the online application form under ‘Proposed research supervisor’); You are strongly encouraged to contact a preferred supervisor in advance of submitting an application to get their input into developing your research proposal.
• A description of the area in which you expect your eventual research to be. This should describe possible research questions you might address, and describe why you find them interesting and relevant. In so doing, you should relate the possible research questions to the extant literature in this area of economics;
• You should identify and address any potential ethical considerations in relation to your proposed research. Please discuss your research with your proposed supervisor to see how best to progress your ideas in line with University of Manchester ethics guidance, and ensure that your proposed supervisor is happy for you to proceed with your application;
• A bibliography of any journal articles and books to which you have referred;
• No more than 1500 words.

If you are seeking entry into Year 2 you are expected to have more developed research ideas. Your proposal will be used to assess:

• the quality and originality of your ideas;
• whether you are able to think critically;
• if you have a grasp of the relevant literature.

It will also give us:

• important information about the perspectives you intend to take in your research area;
• how you fit into the Economic department’s research profile;
• an idea how to allocate a supervisory team.

For entry into Year 2 of the programme, the research proposal is expected to include the following:

• The member(s) of staff you would like to provide supervision (this information is also requested in the online application form under ‘Proposed research supervisor’); You are strongly encouraged to contact a preferred supervisor prior to submitting your application to get their input into your research proposal.
• A detailed description of the area in which you expect your eventual research to be. This should describe the specific research questions you plan to address, the research methods you expect to use, and the expected data source for any empirical work planned.

The proposal should also:

• Describe why you find these research questions interesting and relevant, and relate the specific research questions to the extant literature in this area of economics;
• You should identify and address any potential ethical considerations in relation to your proposed research. Please discuss your research with your proposed supervisor to see how best to progress your ideas in line with University of Manchester ethics guidance, and ensure that your proposed supervisor is happy for you to proceed with your application.
• Around 1500 words. In exceptional cases proposals significantly exceeding the word limit will be accepted.

If you need help and advice about your application, contact the Postgraduate Admissions Team.

Admissions contacts

University guidelines

You may also find it useful to read the advice and guidance on the University website about writing a proposal for your research degree application.

Visit the University website

Find a supervisor

Exploring our research areas will help you match your proposal idea with a suitable supervisor.

Current PhD students

Get inspiration from our current students and the research they decided to pursue.

Research Proposal Example/Sample

Detailed Walkthrough + Free Proposal Template

If you’re getting started crafting your research proposal and are looking for a few examples of research proposals , you’ve come to the right place.

In this video, we walk you through two successful (approved) research proposals , one for a Master’s-level project, and one for a PhD-level dissertation. We also start off by unpacking our free research proposal template and discussing the four core sections of a research proposal, so that you have a clear understanding of the basics before diving into the actual proposals.

• Research proposal example/sample – Master’s-level (PDF/Word)
• Research proposal example/sample – PhD-level (PDF/Word)
• Proposal template (Fully editable) 

If you’re working on a research proposal for a dissertation or thesis, you may also find the following useful:

• Research Proposal Bootcamp : Learn how to write a research proposal as efficiently and effectively as possible
• 1:1 Proposal Coaching : Get hands-on help with your research proposal

PS – If you’re working on a dissertation, be sure to also check out our collection of dissertation and thesis examples here .

FAQ: Research Proposal Example

Research proposal example: frequently asked questions, are the sample proposals real.

Yes. The proposals are real and were approved by the respective universities.

Can I copy one of these proposals for my own research?

As we discuss in the video, every research proposal will be slightly different, depending on the university’s unique requirements, as well as the nature of the research itself. Therefore, you’ll need to tailor your research proposal to suit your specific context.

You can learn more about the basics of writing a research proposal here .

How do I get the research proposal template?

You can access our free proposal template here .

Is the proposal template really free?

Yes. There is no cost for the proposal template and you are free to use it as a foundation for your research proposal.

Where can I learn more about proposal writing?

For self-directed learners, our Research Proposal Bootcamp is a great starting point.

For students that want hands-on guidance, our private coaching service is recommended.

Psst… there’s more!

This post is an extract from our bestselling short course, Research Proposal Bootcamp . If you want to work smart, you don't want to miss this .

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Smart tips for a tip-top economics research proposal.

Economics is a subject that most students shy away from attributing a wide array of factors. Some would argue that the statistics and calculations behind it are tedious and boring, unlike other disciplines. That is why a business student would prefer looking for a sample research proposal in economics on the internet to get his/her assignment done.

However, you’d be surprised to know that you do not need a research proposal in economics example to complete your homework. What do you need then? Scroll down to unveil the secret you’ve been missing all this while.

What Is A Research Proposal Economics?

It is a gateway to the real research paper that performs the following functions:

• Summing up the nature of the proposed economic research
• Describing its context and details
• Showing the existing knowledge of economics

Unlike other papers written in college, this one is relatively short and won’t take up much of your writing time. A sample research proposal in economics gives you a chance to analyze the subject matter and its intended research before committing to work on it.

Economics Research Proposal Outline

Knowing how to write such a paper does not need a brilliant mind. All you need is to understand its structure, including all the sections and what each of them entails. So, before you settle down to start writing your economics research proposal, pause to think about the following:

What is your research going to be about? What is the relevance of the topic to you and society at large? How are you going to perform the research?

Once these three are in order, the next stage is to carry on with the writing. To excel in this second stage, you need to know the structure of this kind of paper. Despite the variations among different institutions on the economics research proposal structure, here is a standard guide:

• Introduction:

It is the first chapter after the title page that contains the section below:

• Background information to the problem.
• Statement of the problem
• Objectives of the study
• The research questions
• Significance and scope of the study
• Limitations of the study

The introduction is also referred to as the ‘why’ part of the proposal. It should also develop interest on the part of the reader through its currency and relevance.

• Literature Review

Review the existing literature on the economics topic you are handling while showing the link between the two. It would help if you did this chronologically – from the earliest to the latest material. The literature review also involves identifying the gaps left by other researchers.

• Methodology Section

This chapter indicates the type of research design you intend to use in your study. It would be best to analyze your research problem economics’ theoretical tools such as production and cost, demand and supply, and customer behavior, among others.

Depending on the type of research data method you choose to use (primary or secondary), this section may vary in length and structure.

It provides a summary of the deliberations above. The conclusion refers back to the original question and restating your proposed solution.

Your proposal might be rejected if: It presents an irrelevant or outdated topic The stated objectives don’t coincide with the methods You are not well knowledgeable in the field of study you have chosen

Look at the following sample writing ideas for an economics research proposal:

Health Economics Research Proposal Writing Prompts

• What are the rationale and economic justification of health insurance?
• Economic consequences of COVID-19 on the health sector
• How technological innovations in health have helped save costs
• The economic impact of cancer care and treatment
• An economic analysis of the healthcare policies in the US

Agricultural Economics Research Proposal Ideas

• An economic perspective of prioritizing agricultural activities
• Agricultural impacts and economic costs of lockdowns
• A review of the agricultural policy decision-makers on the economy
• An inquiry into the current challenges in agricultural economic modeling of GMOs
• Views on research priorities in agriculture economics and funding for innovations

Business Major Research Proposal Economics Topics

• The role of banks in maintain an economic equilibrium
• Accounting for customer competencies in emerging business enterprises
• Why corporate social responsibility is a crucial feature of any business that wants to succeed
• How to develop competitive intelligence in a recession period
• Exploring the influence of social media on the thriving of businesses
• How agricultural economies compare concerning operationalization and practice of engagement across different contexts

Research Proposal Behavioral Economics Ideas

• A behavioral economics perspective on what motivates consumers to buy
• How behavioral economics helps to reduce substance abuse
• How the behavioral economics theory fits into the modern world business
• The implications of big data on behavioral economics
• Ways in which discounting helps to shape behavioral economics
• Online purchase behavior economics in the 21st century
• Discuss the implications of pricing and the decoy effect

By now, you should be confident when your instructor presents with you an economics research paper. These guidelines should give you the mileage you need to write a research paper proposal example for your peers.

For professional writing assistance, our economics writers are on standby to help you. Contact us today!

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Examples of research proposals

How to write your research proposal, with examples of good proposals.

Research proposals

Your research proposal is a key part of your application. It tells us about the question you want to answer through your research. It is a chance for you to show your knowledge of the subject area and tell us about the methods you want to use.

We use your research proposal to match you with a supervisor or team of supervisors.

In your proposal, please tell us if you have an interest in the work of a specific academic at York St John. You can get in touch with this academic to discuss your proposal. You can also speak to one of our Research Leads. There is a list of our Research Leads on the Apply page.

When you write your proposal you need to:

• Highlight how it is original or significant
• Explain how it will develop or challenge current knowledge of your subject
• Identify the importance of your research
• Show why you are the right person to do this research
• Research Proposal Example 1 (DOC, 49kB)
• Research Proposal Example 2 (DOC, 0.9MB)
• Research Proposal Example 3 (DOC, 55.5kB)
• Research Proposal Example 4 (DOC, 49.5kB)

Subject specific guidance

• Writing a Humanities PhD Proposal (PDF, 0.1MB)
• Writing a Creative Writing PhD Proposal (PDF, 0.1MB)
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• Essay on Wealth

Good Example Of Research Proposal On Economics

Type of paper: Research Proposal

Topic: Wealth , Distribution , Population , Information , Education , Finance , Study , Investment

Words: 1500

Published: 12/28/2020

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Distribution of Wealth

Research Question The distribution of wealth is an elemental component of the determination of the equality or inequality of wealth within a population. Wealth is equated with the net worth or the sum total of the assets less the liabilities. As such, the wealth is a significant indicator of the economic situation and the well-being in the US, which is the focus population for this research. For this reason, this research seeks to answer the question; what is the status of the wealth distribution in the United States?

Significance of the Study

The types of the assets, which the households hold can be different across the distribution of the net worth. For this reason, the division of the total net worth into parts could provide insights into the well-being of every segment of the distribution. Since certain business cycles vary with time, the variations could have differential impacts on the wealth of the various groups and can facilitate the evaluation of the changes of the well-being for various households. As such, this study is significant because it provides the insights into the elements of the distribution of wealth in the United States and the impact of the differences to the economy of the country. This study is also important because it provides some of the reasons contributing to the status of the wealth distribution in the country in terms of the equality or inequality in distribution. This study is significant because it evaluates the changes in the relative wealth or net worth with time. Last, this study is elemental because it provides insights into the effects of the equality or inequality in the wealth distribution in the United States to the ways of life of individuals in the country.

The study hypothesizes a variety of aspects with reference to the background information on the wealth distribution in the country. For this reason, the following are the hypotheses for the study:

Hypothesis 1

The gap in the distribution of wealth between different households on the United States has accumulated more extremely since the period of the Great Depression.

Hypothesis 2

The distribution of wealth among the households in the country is based on the socio-economic factors of the households. Hypothesis 3 Race, age, Hispanic origin, and educational attainment are among the leading factors for the gap in the wealth distribution in the country.

The study will encompass a mixed methods approach in the collection and analysis of the data. The quantitative and qualitative elements of the study will be essential in the combination of the results and the data in evaluating and discussing the research question and hypotheses. The qualitative aspect will encompass the phenomenological component while the quantitative will include the statistical data on the same, including the percentages of the wealth distribution and the changes in the percentages over time. Data collection methods using the qualitative approach will encompass the secondary research materials from past studies on the distribution of wealth. The qualitative data analysis will encompass such avenues as the documentation, examining of the relationships and displaying the required data, and authenticating conclusions. On the other hand, the quantitative data analysis will encompass such elements as the tabulations.

Expected Findings

The expected findings are based on the background information and the trends of the gap in the wealth distribution in the country over the past few years. First, there is an anticipated wealth inequality in the country based on the findings. That is, the wealth distribution in the United States is expected to be unequal among the households. Second, the unequal wealth distribution and the gap between the highest or the wealthiest household and the lowest earning household are expected to be more than 25%. The gap in the wealth distribution among the household has also increased since the experience of the Great Depression, which is expected to be fueled by the changing or fluctuating economic conditions both locally and globally. Last, the social class forms the most significant element contributing the gap. The race, the age, the social status, political influence, and the educational attainment are the social aspects related to the wealth distribution.

Limitations

The first limitation of the study is the use of information from secondary sources. In most cases, it is possible to find that the information presented in some of the sources has been doctored to fit the preferences of the authors. The element of bias often affects the credibility of the information especially in cases where the authors want the set of data acquired from the field to suit certain hypotheses and preconceived conclusions. Secondly, the distribution of wealth is diverse and varied in terms of its applicability. Populations have different definitions of the term wealth and limiting the scope to income does not help much. In this context, it points to the distribution of income and financial assets among the population in a certain nation or region. However, it is important to note that the limited scope in terms of the definition is unfit because the population has some intangible wealth that cannot be quantified in terms of financial assets (Schneider 2004). For instance, the presence of a well-developed security system is an incentive for the accumulation of wealth. However, such services and incentives are not considered when measuring the distribution of wealth yet they play a critical role in the presence of wealth within the population.

Literature Review

Salas-Fumás& Sanchez-Asin (2013) carried out a longitudinal study in which they explored the role played by the presence of entrepreneurs in the creation and eventual distribution of wealth in a population. The authors assert that that the entrepreneurial level of a population is determined by the manner in which the nations has distributed its wealth and it influences the distribution of wealth in later years. Entrepreneurship is determined by the consumption and saving patterns of the populations such that lesser consumption and incremental saving increases the rate of investment. As the investments increase, a larger section of the population has the opportunity to generate access income, which leads to changes in the investment and saving patterns. In the end, investment will increase and create an opportunity for more people to access wealth or income. The cyclical effect is regarded as the management function of entrepreneurs given the role they play in the distribution of wealth. According to Linda Levine (2012), the distribution of wealth or net worth among the various households in a population has been an issue in various congressional deliberations. It also covers the social welfare and taxations given that taxes affect the rate at which investment takes place and the quality of services that the society receives from the government. Determining the mean and the median of the net worth of every household over a certain number of years can be used in the analysis of the change in the distribution of wealth in the population. The mean and the median are the fundamental variables used to measure the changes in the distribution of wealth in the population. As such, they can be used in the prediction of poverty levels based on the growing or declining ability of the society to save and invest in the economy. Calomiris, Longhofer, & Miles (2012) argue that the characteristics of the demographics of a nation have an effect on the distribution of wealth. Particularly, the authors argue that nations that have a higher number of young people have the tendency to be constrained in terms of the application of credit. On the other hand, states that have a larger adult population are characterized by higher income and asset stability and there is a higher rate of credit applications due to the improved ability to repay the borrowed capital. As such, age has an effect on the distribution of wealth in the sense that nations with a larger adult population have a better distribution of wealth than one in which, there are a higher number of youth. They are often seeking a form of generating income unlike most of the adults who have a variety of assets and raise the net worth of the population. Schneider (2004) also agrees that the consumption of wealth in terms of assets such as housing and stock also has an effect on the rate at which investment trickles back into the society, which has an effect on the distribution of wealth in the end.

Calomiris, C. W., Longhofer, S. D., & Miles, W. (2012). The Housing Wealth Effect: The Crucial Roles of Demographics, Wealth Distribution and Wealth Shares. Levine, L. (2012). An Analysis of the Distribution of Wealth Across Households, 1989-2010. Salas-Fumás, V., & Sanchez-Asin, J. J. (2013). The management function of entrepreneurs and countries’ productivity growth. Applied Economics. doi:10.1080/00036846.2012.663476 Schneider, M. (2004). The distribution of wealth. Cheltenham, UK: E. Elgar Pub.

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• Departments and Institutes
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Research proposals

Writing a research proposal requires students to demonstrate a high level of knowledge and analytical thought. Students must choose a specific aspect of the course material to investigate, and ask an original question, which can increase their engagement and interest. This assesses students' understanding of the subject area, their capacity to perform a literature review, their evaluation of possible research tools, and their development of a research question. In addition, the course can require the student to carry out the project they propose, as another assessment task. Assessing the proposal as a separate task earlier in the year ensures the students are on a productive path, helps the students to plan their time, and can also deter academic misconduct by demonstrating authorship. Research-related assessments can support the students' later work on a dissertation.  This can be in terms of skills alone or both skills and content the research proposal informs the final-year dissertation.

Advantages of research proposals

Learning through research can lead to more engaged, critical and informed students than teaching by more didactic methods.

Learning about research methods can help students understand other courses more fully, and the 'nuts and bolts' of their discipline.

Becoming 'expert' in an area can increase students sense of autonomy in their learning, and can develop their confidence in articulating original arguments.

Developing a wider variety of types of writing and communication is useful for students' longer-term employability skills.

As a research proposal can be relatively short, it can be combined with peer feedback or presented in a different format such as a poster or an oral presentation.

Can be a good opportunity to introduce group work

Challenges of research proposals

Students more used to exams and essays may find a new format initially confusing.

Students may feel unsure of how to excel in this assessment method.

When students choose their own specific area to investigate, it carries the risk that the area will not be as productive as one pre-determined by their tutor as existing research literature on a topic may be sparse, for example.

How students might experience research proposals

Students may value the autonomy of creating a research proposal, and appreciate the insight it offers into their other courses, but experience anxiety at the novel assessment format. When students have undertaken specific, personal work, they can appreciate the opportunity of sharing their work with peers. LSE students in this situation report a sense of pride in their own and their cohort's work.

Reliability, validity, fairness and inclusivity of research proposals

As with any assessment, the learning outcomes of the course need to be well served by the method - setting clear criteria and communicating them with students. The weighting of the task also requires consideration. An essay may be a more substantial writing task, but a research proposal requires additional time to find relevant readings, and understand and evaluate research tools. If peers are expected to comment on one another's work, guidance on this should also be provided. As the projects will be varied, students may make more use of office hours or other one-to-one guidance from tutors. Students from educational backgrounds which do not prioritise 'original argument' may particularly struggle to understand what is required of them by an open-ended and personalised project. Putting students in contact with their relevant library liaison is another form of support for when they are locating material.

How to maintain and ensure rigour in research proposals

Research proposals should be marked and moderated in accordance with departmental practice. Criteria should be established in advance and shared with students. Research proposals can provide a chance to excel in one area and underperform in others (e.g. a strong original argument combined with weak use of sources) therefore a clear marking system should help keep students (and staff) working (and marking) in line with the expected outcomes. Individual markers should take steps to avoid the problems which affect batch marking, such as the 'halo' effect where one or two positive characteristics of a student overly influence the marker.

How to limit possible misconduct in research proposals

Possible misconduct is comparable to other written assessment methods. The requirement for students to select their own sub-topic to work on means that assistance from previous cohorts will be of less use. As it is a novel form of assessment, students will also be less able to find existing examples online. Requiring students to submit early stages of the project – for example, an area of interest, an early research question - will require students to demonstrate authorship (and also allow tutors to intervene in projects which appear off-topic). Final submissions can make use of Turnitin to check against other student submissions, and against other possible sources (for example, article abstracts).

LSE examples

SO221 Researching London: Methods for Social Research

AN298 Research Methods in Social Anthropology

MY428 Qualitative Text and Discourse Analysis

Further resources

Healey, M. and Jenkins, A. (2009) Developing undergraduate research and inquiry

https://www.heacademy.ac.uk/knowledge-hub/developing-undergraduate-research-and-inquiry

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