Overview
i need to write a 1500 word research proposal for my up coming dissertation. These are the guide lines that were given to me as instructions to use for this.
The research proposal should set out the primary research question, aim and objectives, literature review and a proposed methodology. Therefore, it should do the following:
- Elaborate a research question with its aims and objective
- Present the methodology with which the aim of the research will be examined
- Assess, in the literature review, the latest studies on the topic
- Explore different sources and structure ideas
Structure:
Introduction – This should give justification and background to the proposed research. [Approx. 300 word]
Aim and Objectives – There should only be 1 aim for the research and 3 to 5 objectives that will enable you to fulfil the aim. [Approx. 100 word]
Literature Review – The literature should be contextualise your topic, be critically analysed and must support the achievement of aim and objectives. [Approx. 700 word]
Methodology – Show how you are going to achieve the objectives you have set out. This should focus on primary research. [Approx. 300 word]
Conclusion/Summary – This would be ‘expected conclusions’, as the full research itself has not yet been done. [Approx. 100 word]
References – All material that you have referred to must be included and you must use the Harvard method of citation referencing.
The research proposal is a statement of intent through which you communicate the preliminary research conducted on your topic and explain the what, why and how of your research.
_Introduction
_Research Aim and Objectives
NEED TO INCLUDE AT LEAST 3 FIGURES.
Possible title of the research proposal:
“Everything has been done before: The role of referencing in shaping innovation and success in fashion.”
Core arguments:
- Nothing is fully original anymore
- Designers use references (fashion, music, art) making it a key creative tool
- Some do it WELL → success + profit
- Some do it BADLY → failure
- Therefore: Referencing is not the problem — execution is.
Key Themes to Cover:
- Originality vs Postmodernism
- “Nothing is new”
- Fashion cycles
- Referencing in Fashion
- Use of archives, music, art
- Cultural remixing
- Success & Profit
- How referencing drives commercial success
- Consumer familiarity
- Failure of Referencing
- When it doesn’t work
- Forced or weak concepts
- Referencing is not a limitation but it is a fundamental tool for constructing identity and cultural relevance.
- Data & Trend Forecasting
- WGSN
- Analytics shaping design
Case Studies to Include:
- Virgil Abloh (good refrences and successful)
- Martine Rose(good references and successful
- Jaden Smith at louboutin (chaotic refrencing makes no sense)
- Duran lantink at Jean Paul Gaultier (heavy referencing but not successful)
Additional Case Studies (Music & Visual Culture)
Include analysis of contemporary creatives such as:
- Fake Mink
- Dopesolitary
Focus on:
- How they use referencing across music, visuals, and identity
- How internet culture influences their work
- How referencing builds a recognisable aesthetic
Purpose of including them:
- To show referencing exists beyond fashion
- To position fashion within wider creative industries
- To support argument that referencing drives cultural relevance
Because these are niche/underground:
Need to support them with theory, possibly:
- Postmodernism
- Remix culture
- Visual culture theory
Methodology:
- Qualitative research
- Case studies
- Visual analysis
- Comparative analysis
- Primary research that I can do and then send to you (interviews)
Outcome:
- Show that referencing can drive both creativity and profit
- But success depends on execution
What I need is just a research proposal on how I will eventually write the disseretation. I will upload a checklist that was given to me so it can help with knowing what needs to be included.