MRES CREATIVE INDUSTRIES PORTFOLIO GUIDE

MRes Creative Industries research proposal

Learn how to write a research proposal for your course

You'll need this guide if you're applying for MRes Creative Industries.

On this course, you can undertake in-depth study in an area of interest to you while developing your research skills. You'll spend one third of your time in the taught element of your course, covering your chosen subject and training in research methodology, and the remaining two-thirds producing your personalised research dissertation. You can study within any of the Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries' schools:

What to include in your proposal

A research proposal should be included as part of your online application. Your research proposal must include:

Suggested project title 

Titles are an important way of encapsulating a research project. They should convey as much information as possible in as few words as possible.

Research aims 

The research aims are the specific accomplishments the researcher hopes to achieve by conducting the study (usually expressed in one or two sentences).

Key literature 

Briefly discuss the body of academic literature that applies to the research, referring to your underpinning research question.

Anticipated research methods 

Please supply brief details of your intended research design, methods, and whether you expect you will create an artefact (a practical submission, such as a portfolio, photography, or model) as part of your research.

What we're looking for

Research questions/objectives/hypotheses 

Research questions employing the most basic ‘what’, ‘why’, ‘how’ approach could frame any problem or challenge and lend itself to three thematic chapters: 

  • What is the problem? 
  • Why does it happen? 
  • How should it be addressed?

Alternatively, if your focus is to assess how well a strategy or tactic is seen to be working, the following research questions may be appropriate: 

  • What is the strategy? 
  • What are its strengths and weaknesses? 
  • How can it be improved?

Alternatively, if expressed as objectives, these could be adapted to the following:

  • To examine the nature and key features of X. 
  • To assess its causes 
  • To establish how it can be addressed more effectively

If reframed as objectives they might alternatively appear as follows: 

  • To examine the main components of X 
  • To assess its strengths and weaknesses 
  • To establish how it can be delivered more effectively
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Contact us

Any questions? Contact the University Admissions Centre.

Phone: +44 (0)23 9284 5566

Email: portfolio-admissions@port.ac.uk