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Research Proposal for Phd Application Biotechnology: Background

Literature Writing

Dr. Nancy Agens, Head,

Technical Operations, Pubrica

sales@pubrica.com

I. INTRODUCTION

Preparing a concrete research proposal is an

integral step ofthe PhD application process

in Biotechnology. A well-structured research

proposal highlights the significance of the

study, defines the research problem, outlines

the methodologies, and discusses the

implications of the possible outcomes.The

process of preparing a research proposal

involves critical thinking and excellent

communication of ideas. The review

committee at the university evaluates the

potential of the candidates and the feasibility

of the study based on the proposal.

II. SECTIONS OF A RESEARCH

PROPOSAL

The format, requirements,and guidelines for

preparing a research proposal depend on the

institute and one can obtain this information

from the official sources. Broadly, a

research proposal consists of the following

sections:

i. Introduction which encompasses the

background of the study bringing out

the significance, knowledge gaps,

and the research problem statement

ii. Specific objectives of the study(can

include development of new

methodologies to advance the

Biotechnology field)

iii. Review of literature associated with

the research topic

iv. Approaches and design of

methodologies to address the

research questions

v. Timelines, resources, budgets

vi. Expected outcomes, their

implications, and how the study

advances the field

vii. Citations

Apart from the scientific framework,

parameters like timelines, resources, and

budgets proposed for the project also decide

the feasibility of conducting the research,

and therefore must be realistic and

attainable.An ideal research proposal will

also be flexible in its execution. In addition,

the applicant must keep in mind that the

scope of the research project should

preferably align with the ongoing work in

the department.

III. STRUCTURE OF A RESEARCH

PROPOSAL

Writing a research proposal poses several

challenges and students sometime require

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guidance in translating their ideas to a solid

proposal andassistancewhen faced with

limited timeto develop the proposal.Using

our research proposal writing services,

students can collaborate with research

proposal writers who provide help in writing

and editing high quality proposals

customised to their requirements. The hired

research proposal writers are subject matter

experts in the fields of Biotechnology,

Medicine, and Life sciences with a PhD

degreeand excellent scientific writing skills.

Our research proposalservice provides high

quality contentensuring plagiarism

correction and guidance for developing all

the sections of a proposal.

IV. BACKGROUND LITERATURE

WRITING

In this section, we focus on how to

effectively write background literature for a

research proposal. Background literature is

one of the foremost and important sections

of a proposal that establishes the context of

the research problem. A well-written

background section will generateinterest

about your research problem in the

reader,who thereafter will be invested in the

later sections of the proposal.

The background section in a proposal should

cover the following points

Introduce the research topic

Historical or landmark developments

in the field of research topic

Progress and evolution of the field

Current trends in the field

Gaps in the existing knowledge,

unmet needs, and missing links

Developing and stating the research

problem (problem statement)

Justification of the need for the study

Significance of the study and

contribution to scientific knowledge

A key aspectof writing this section is the

organisation of literature.To achieve this,

one can adopt the funnel approach (Hofstee,

2006) by first covering the broader literature

of the field and later tapering the focus to

studies relevant to the specific topic of

interest.The progress in the field should be

presented in a logical and connected manner

without deviating from the research topic of

interest in Biotechnology. One can compare

the different schools of thoughts and

theories on the topic and discuss the

advantages and limitations and put forth

your point of view supported by evidence.

Fig 1.The funnel approach for reviewing

background literature

V. IMPORTANCE OF IDENTIFYING

RESEARCH GAPS

Reviewing relevant publications from the

past 3-5 years will help determine the recent

trends as well as understand the gaps in

research from the limitations and future

directions, as discussed by the authors. The

identification of knowledge gaps in the field

provides originality and innovation to the

proposal. An in-depth understanding of the

research topic enables the researcher to

ascertain the importance of these knowledge

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gaps and convert them into significant

research problems that required further

investigation to advance the field. This

provides a sound rationale for the study and

later paves way for laying down the

objectives of the study and designing

methodologies to test the hypotheses. Often

times in Biotechnology field, the prospective

PhD student will be taking forward an

existing project in the lab. In this context,

the background literature will cover the

latest findings from the laboratory and

discuss the missing links and future

directions to take it forward which will be

addressed in the proposed study. This will

also help in demonstrating expertise and

experience in the field in your proposal

which will work to your advantage.

The applicant should consider the following

points while writing the background

literature

The background literature section

should not be exhaustive and instead

should discuss only relevant studies

close to the research topic.

One needs to critically review the

literature and discuss the relevance

of the findings, as opposed to plainly

state the results of the studies by

other research groups. This would

highlight the critical thinking ability

of the candidate which will be

evaluated by the review committee.

In summary, a research proposal is the

cornerstone for academic research, and the

background literature section, in particular,

documents how the research study advances

the field and adds a paradigm to the existing

scientific literature. A compelling research

proposal with a well-researched background

of the study can provide an edge to thePhD

application and increase the chances of

selection. We offer the best research

proposal writing service (includes

writing/editing/proofreading) that provide

expert guidance in preparing a strong

background literaturesection highlighting the

recent trends and knowledge gaps which can

definitely strengthen your Biotechnology

research proposal.

REFERENCES

1. https://www.monash.edu/rlo/graduate-research-

writing/write-the-thesis/writing-a-research-

proposal

2. https://canvas.hull.ac.uk/courses/779/pages/writin

g-the-review

3. Libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/researchproposal

4. https://www.biotecnika.org/2019/11/how-to-

write-good-phd-proposal-phd-application/

5. Sudheesh, K., Duggappa, D. R., &Nethra, S. S.

(2016). How to write a research proposal? Indian

J Anaesth, 60(9), 631-634. doi: 10.4103/0019-

5049.190617

6. Hofstee, E. (2006). Constructing a good

dissertation: A practical guide to finishing a

Masters, MBA or PhD on Schedule. Sandton:

EPE

7. https://orsp.umich.edu/research-proposals-

background-or-significance