Proposed Research Project Outline Template - for CDU HDR admission application

Q: What is the purpose of this Proposed Research Project Outline Template?

It guides applicants in structuring an HDR admission project outline with the correct headings, content expectations, and indicative word counts for review.

Q: How should applicants work with the agreed principal supervisor before admission?

Applicants should develop the outline in collaboration with the principal supervisor, typically sending a draft for review, feedback, and improvements before finalizing.

Q: What should applicants do if a section does not apply to their project?

Applicants must still include all sections and briefly state that the section is not applicable, including examples such as not collecting data from human participants.

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by Theodora

Guidance document for applicants preparing an HDR admission project outline, specifying required headings, indicative word counts, and how to align the outline with agreed supervision arrangements. The template emphasizes collaborative development with the principal supervisor, including sending an initial draft, receiving feedback, and finalizing before approval. Applicants must include all sections, clearly stating brief non-applicability, and plan project elements such as title, research field, methods, ethics, resources, IP, impact, translation, and end-user engagement.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time10 min

AccessFree to download

Instructions/Overview

Project Title

General Field of Research

Agreed Principal Supervisor

Brief Description of the Proposed Research

Brief Description of Methods / Methodology

Your Experience / Skills with the Methods

Ethical Considerations

Resource Implications

Fieldwork and/or Travel Requirements

Intellectual Property Considerations

Research Impact

Research Translation

End-user Engagement, Collaboration, and HDR Internship Ideas

Proposed Research Project Outline Template Proposed Research Project Outline Template (for CDU HDR admission applica􀆟on) (1500–1700 words total / approx. 3–4 pages) {INSTRUCTIONS/ OVERVIEW This document is intended to guide applicants preparing their HDR admission project outline in terms of the headings, content and indica􀆟ve word count. This outline should be developed in collabora􀆟on with your agreed principal supervisor. Before admission, your supervisor must formally agree to supervise you and meet with you (in person or online) before approval. Usually, you would send a draft of this outline to your agreed supervisor with your initial ideas . The supervisor may review, provide feedback, and suggest improvements before you work together on the ﬁnal version. Word counts per sec􀆟on are indica􀆟ve only. If admited, you will develop a more detailed research proposal with your supervisor during the conﬁrma􀆟on of candidature process (ﬁrst 6–10 months of enrolment) . Please include ALL sec􀆟ons in your outline, even if they are not applicable, as they help reviewers assess your project—including what does not apply. For sec􀆟ons that do not apply, state this brieﬂy (e.g.,“My research will not involve collec􀆟ng data from human par􀆟cipants”) . If you are using this document as the basis of your outline, pleasdeeletethe instruc􀆟ons and the dot points below each heading} 1. Project Title (~10–15 words) • Write a concise, speciﬁc, and descrip􀆟ve 􀆟tle. • Ensure it reﬂects the main focus of your research. • Help readers understand your topic quickly. 2. General Field of Research (~50 words) • State the broad research area and relevant discipline(s) . • Op􀆟onally, iden􀆟fy relevant Field of Research (FoR) and/or Field of Educa􀆟on (FoE) codes from the ABS classiﬁca􀆟on lists. • Brieﬂy men􀆟on your previous qualiﬁca􀆟ons/ experience in this area. | 3. Agreed Principal Supervisor (<25 words)
• State the name, 􀆟tle, and aﬃlia􀆟on of your agreed principal supervisor.
• Conﬁrm they have agreed to supervise you.
• Describe any mee􀆟ngs or discussions you have had with them. | | --- | | 4. Brief Descrip􀆟on of the Proposed Research (~300–350 words)
• Summarise the research problem or ques􀆟on.
• Explain the background and ra􀆟onale—why the topic maters.
• State the key objec􀆟ves or aims.
• Describe the poten􀆟al contribu􀆟on to the ﬁeld. | | 5. Brief Descrip􀆟on of Methods / Methodology (~200–250 words)
• Outline your overall research design (qualita􀆟ve, quan􀆟ta􀆟ve, mixed methods, experimental, theore􀆟cal, etc. ) .
• Describe key methods or techniques.
• Iden􀆟fy any frameworks or analy􀆟cal approaches.
• Explain how these methods address the research aims.
• Outline your experience with these methods and note any you will need training in. | 6. Your Experience / Skills with the Methods (~150–200 words) • Describe relevant research training, courses, or prior project work. • Iden􀆟fy speciﬁc technical, analy􀆟cal, or ﬁeld skills. • State your proﬁciency with your proposed methods and methodology • List any training needs for the project. 7. Ethical Considera􀆟ons (~150–200 words): Research Ethics and Integrity • State whether the research will involve or impact people or animals. • Describe poten􀆟al ethical risks or sensi􀆟vi􀆟es. • Explain par􀆟cipant recruitment, consent, and data privacy considera􀆟ons. • Iden􀆟fy relevant ethics approval requirements (e.g., HREC applica􀆟on) . 8. Resource Implica􀆟ons (~100–150 words) • State whether the project is lab-based. • List required equipment, so􀅌ware, and facili􀆟es. • Iden􀆟fy any specialist staﬀ or technical support needs. • Es􀆟mate costs and poten􀆟al funding sources (note: HDR students at CDU have access to some faculty funds for research costs—discuss with your supervisor) . | 9. Fieldwork and/or Travel Requirements (~100–150 words)
• State whether the project will involve ﬁeldwork or travel.
• List the loca􀆟ons a

FAQs

What is the purpose of this Proposed Research Project Outline Template?

It guides applicants in structuring an HDR admission project outline with the correct headings, content expectations, and indicative word counts for review.

How should applicants work with the agreed principal supervisor before admission?

Applicants should develop the outline in collaboration with the principal supervisor, typically sending a draft for review, feedback, and improvements before finalizing.

What should applicants do if a section does not apply to their project?

Applicants must still include all sections and briefly state that the section is not applicable, including examples such as not collecting data from human participants.

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by Theodora

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