Iinternet finance & traditional commercial banks-China as an example

2.0 Proposal
During the second trimester of your programme of study there will be lectures, seminars and workshops to support the development of your research skills. See MPR module site on GCULearn for outline schedule. You will have opportunity to present the foundations of your Proposal as a poster for feedback from academic staff. Details will be available on GCULearn. Feedback from the poster will help you to further consolidate your research ideas into an assessed Project Proposal which will form the basis of your Project. In your third trimester you will undertake the Project that you have proposed.
2.1 Proposal Marking Criteria and Content
The Proposal should be 1,000 -1,500 words. Marking criteria as follows:
Introduction 20%
Literature Review 30%
Methodological Framework 30%
Planning and Critical Analysis 10%
Structure, Presentation and Writing Style 10%
Proposal Grade Form is located in Appendix A. The following sections provide further guidelines concerning the structure and content of individual elements of the Proposal.
2.1.1 Proposal Introduction 20%
The purpose of the Proposal and outline of Proposal structure should be succinctly set out. In this opening section you should detail the underlying rationale for the project. Think about this as the reasons that explain your choice of topic and its importance. Provide background to the subject area and the focus of the Project. The discussion should lead to the development of one clear aim.
Include a list of objectives which you are proposing to achieve with the research There should be between 3 and 6 objectives, although more or less is acceptable depending on the nature of the Project. Remember this is the plan for the rest of the work you will do towards producing your Project. The objectives should relate to what you are going to do.
The reader should have no doubt or uncertainty about the boundaries of the final Project. If the scope is restricted to a particular country, region, industry, time period then this should be made explicit. If you need to carry out further analysis to establish the scope of the research, then this should be highlighted here.
2.1.2 Proposal Literature Review 30%
The literature review demonstrates the main theories which are relevant to the topic of research. This is done by identifying the main texts and authors in the area (in books and journals) and discussing the key issues. The review of the existing literature should compare and contrast the relevant writers in the field of interest and link these to your proposed area of research. You should be able to show that you have undertaken sufficient reading on the respective topic to be able to justify the choice of topic and to demonstrate where the contribution will be located within the main body of theory and current knowledge, incorporating relevant core concepts, frameworks and theory. This section should reflect:
Expertise of the body of theory including the implications of recent developments
Engagement with and critical exploration of core concepts
Progressive argument/idea development
Citation of sources
Although textbooks are a valuable resource when doing research, contemporary issues are more likely to be discussed in the academic journals relating to the field. It is expected that recent developments, theories, or studies will be contained in journal articles and you should evidence that you have accessed these.
2.1.3 Proposal Methodological Framework 30%
Ensure theoretically underpinned presentation, discussion and justification of the proposed methodological framework to be adopted in the study. Each design choice must be identified, discussed and defended regarding suitability for study. Overall, the methodological framework should demonstrate appropriateness to the study aim and objectives and be capable of practical implementation.
This section presents, discusses and justifies the proposed methodological framework and the design choices made (e.g. Research Philosophy; Approach; Strategy; Time Horizon; Data Collection Tools, Sampling and Data Analysis). Robust theoretical underpinning is essential.
2.1.4 Proposal Planning and Critical Analysis 10%
Firstly, based on a Gantt Chart there should be a detailed timetabled research plan scheduling all aspects of the research. This should include time anticipated to conduct background research, data gathering tool design, data collection, data analysis and Project writing. This is best achieved by working backwards from the final submission of the Project. Remember the proposal provides the plan for the research you will conduct so the Gantt chart should provide detail of the activities you will conduct during the course of the research.
Include consideration of ethical issues and ethics consent.

Finally, a discussion of any anticipated challenges in the conduct of the study and potential limitations of the study is required to show that the researcher is aware and informed and thus better able to manage the research process. A good proposal will not only show awareness but also highlight potential options to overcome challenges and minimise limitations.
2.1.5 Proposal Structure, Presentation and Writing Style 10%
Proposal word count between 1,000 and 1,500 words. Formal, academic and mature style with good grammar which is free from spelling errors and carelessness.
See Appendix B for Guide to Presentation; Appendix C for Guide to Layout of Proposal; Appendix D for Template of Proposal Front Cover. Appendices can be accessed in the MPR module site on GCULearn. Harvard Referencing is outlined in section 4.
2.2 Changes to Proposal
It will be assumed that the topic for your Project will be the same as for your Proposal. It is not advisable to substantially change the nature of your proposal but if you wish to slightly adapt your approach, you should discuss and agree changes with your Supervisor. Agreed changes should be notified by e-mail to the Module Leader using the Topic Selection form (Appendix E and available in the MRP module site on GCULearn). Altering your Project topic after Supervisors have been allocated to students complicates the process and potentially reduces the time you have to dedicate to completion of your Project. Therefore, students opting to make such changes do so at their own risk. Note that in this instance, extension to the submission deadline will not be granted and allocated Supervisor will remain unchanged.