CW1: Proposal
Assignment Brief
In preparation for writing and submitting the final Dissertation (CW2), for CW1 you are to produce a 1500-
word proposal for a music-related research project. 
In accordance with the learning outcomes, you are required to present the proposal using the following
structure: 
SECTION ONE: Frame a research topic (550-600 words)
• A brief overview of the topic
• Establish a single research question (this differs from the dissertation title) and develop a series of subquestions to be explored throughout the dissertation
• How will you collate your research? If you intend to conduct interviews or distribute questionnaires (not
mandatory – perfectly acceptable to rely on books and articles) please outline the questions you intend to
ask. 
• Does the research question provide a clear idea of what the research project is about/hopes to address?
• What do you foresee being the outcome of the research project?
SECTION TWO: Construct a literature review (600-700 words)
Suggested literature review outline:
For a third-year study, it is recommended to review at least five pieces of academic literature.
Literature review Introduction 
• Briefly introduce the topic of the eventual essay you plan to write
• What type of literature are you reviewing? 
• The scope of your literature 
Literature review main body 
• Made clear the name of the author/s, the title of the publication, and when it was published?
• Given an indication of the kind of audience, the material is intended for? (e.g. university students studying
the subject, specialists or experts, general readers, or other)
• What are the main arguments or points of the text? (This is the most important thing in your review.)
• Provided an idea of the academic discipline the reviewed text fits into (e.g. music analysis, film studies,
music history, philosophy, etc. etc.)?
• Discuss the text’s usefulness to your particular research?
Literature review conclusion 
• Summarise your ideas (consider the links to your final essay)
• Summarise the important aspects of the existing body of literature
Literature review guidance video made by Teaching Fellow & Dissertation Module Leader Dan Green
SECTION THREE: Critically reflect on the ethical considerations of the chosen research topic (150-200
words)
• Outline how data will be collected
• Explain any potential ethical considerations or, conversely, fully justify how your research does not infringe
any ethical guidelines 
SECTION FOUR: Construct and implement a realistic research timetable (150-200 words)
It is useful to work out how many weeks you have until you need to submit your completed dissertation and
draw a chart showing these weeks. Block out the weeks when you know you will be unable to work, and
mark in other main commitments you have that will take time during this period. Then allocate research
tasks to the remaining time.
It is very important to be realistic about how long each task is likely to take. Some focused thought at the
beginning, then at the planning stage of each phase, could save hours later on.  Write down the resources
needed for each stage. It could be a time in the library; the resource of your working hours; or the use of
equipment or room space that needs to be booked in advance.
Examples of Submissions from Previous Years
Example #1 Proposal.pdf
Example #2 Proposal.pdf
Example #3 Proposal.pdf