Pitching Research®

Abstract

“Pitching Research” (Faff, 2015) is a research planning framework (based on a small set of organizing principles – namely, to be structured, brief, simple, methodical, clear, & focused). The framework challenges a (novice) researcher to effectively communicate their research ideas to an academic field expert. You have a total budget of 1,000 words ± 20%, to be allocated across 11 items. (A) Working Title – 10-12 words. (B) Research Question – 20-30 words (1-2 sentences). (C) Key Papers – 60-70 words (3 papers). (D) Motivation – 150-200 words (4-6 sentences or dot points). (E) Idea; (F) Data; & (G) Tools – 100-150 words each (3-6 dot points each). (H) Novelty; (I) “So What?”; & (J) Contribution – 50-100 words each (2-4 sentences each). (K) “Other Considerations” – 50-100 words (3 dot points). The current paper digs deeper on all these elements, gives practical guidance and, above all, is designed to be an enduring compass for all researchers on the “hazardous” journey of scientific discovery.

Keywords: new research ideas; pitching; template; research proposal; novice researcher advice; supervisor advice; research mentor advice; PhD coordinator advice

JEL Classification: G00; M00; B40; A20; B00; C00; D00; E00; F00; H00; I00; J00; L00; Q00; R00; Z00