FIRST RESEARCH PLAN (RP I)

The student, either full or part time, must submit their first research plan before 15 June of the academic year in which they have been admitted.

The research plan will be submitted with the approval of the advisor. All plans are evaluated anonymously by a lecturer of the programme. Students will receive the assessment that corresponds to their plan. If the plan receives an unfavourable evaluation, the student must submit it again in December. A second unfavourable evaluation of the research plan will result in withdrawal from the doctoral programme.

Part-time students will submit a Progress Report in their second year with the approval of their advisor. This Progress Report will not be submitted for evaluation. This report will contemplate the RP submitted in the first year together with the advances, changes and modifications produced in the dissertation project.

The FIRST Research Plan should consider the following formal aspects:

  • It will have a minimum length of 8,000 and a maximum length of 12,000 words, not including bibliography and appendices.
  • Font: TNR 12, line spacing 1.5
  • Coherence between the different sections of the plan
  • Correct and careful writing style

The FIRST Research Plan must include at least the following headings:

Title

Author and advisor

  1. Abstract (300 words)
  2. Key words: minimum 3
  3. Origin and justification of the project::
    • Describe why the research came about and why it is being conducted.
    • Justify that the research topic is current, relevant and significant.
  4. Research goals and problems::
    • Define the situation that requires a study on this topic and in a specific context that generates a research problem
    • The goals must be clear, feasible and appropriate to the timetable and methodological process of the dissertation
  5. Literature review..
    • It should include around 30 references from indexed journals related to the research topic. These journals should be selected from JCR, SCOPUS or from the list of other journals selected in the corresponding line of research.
    • The theoretical framework must be adjusted to the research problem posed
    • The literature review should involve the most recent work on the research problem and anchor it in national and international studies
    • Use of citations for bibliographic references following APA style
  6. Research design::
    • Explain the type of research, approach or paradigm in which it is framed
    • Describe phases and tasks of the research process and the relationship between them

6.1  Sample:: Describe the number, types of participating subjects and their characteristics

6.2 Data collection instruments:Describe types of instruments envisaged

  1. Timing
  2. References (following APA standards)

Before submitting the RP for evaluation, the student must analyse the similarity and coincidence index via Turnitin through the "Doctorate class" the programme invites them to.

English