Literature Review & A Research Proposal

Some researchers have argued against doing a literature review before you start writing your research question and deciding which research method(s) to use. They suggest that reading previous research could unconsciously limit your thinking to only those ideas and avenues of understanding that others have followed.

DQ1:  How would you answer these researchers?  That is, what are the advantages of doing a literature review early in the research process?
What is the purpose of doing the literature review as an early step in the process?

DQ2: One of the purposes of writing a research proposal is often to get funding (a research grant) to conduct the research. What might be some additional purposes? Are there any reasons to do a research proposal if you are not going to be applying for a grant? Explain your answer.

There are many reasons listed for why a research proposal might be declined. One such reason is because the writer failed to provide the proper context for the research question.

DQ3. Explain what you think this means. Provide a few ways the writer can avoid making the mistakes listed in the How to Write a Research Proposal article by Wong from International Network on Personal Meaning website.