问（2007-1-12): I'm a student at XXX University. I'm applying for your research graduate program. As my interest is in your area, could I submitt my research proposal on relevant topic to you for advice?
庄主答（2007-1-12): The current version of your 6-page proposal is basically a (lengthy) introductory part of a standard proposal. What’s missing is the main body of the proposal that should include:
- the research hypothesis/question that differs from your aims and objectives in that the hypothesis/question is more specific and testable with measurable concepts and their relationship, whereas the general aims/objectives merely outline the scope and direction of the study;
- the relevant literature review that focuses on (i.e., exclusively deals with) the previous studies on the concepts and relationship specified in the hypothesis/questions, i.e., what we have already known (so that we don’t need to invest too much here again) and what we have not known (therefore the current study is needed);
- the methodology that explains how you are going to measure the concepts and test the relationship.
后记：新年伊始，正值学校研究生申请截至期前夕，询问研究计划的来信一封接一封。按学校规定，申请文件需用英文，为了便于其他同学参考，所以有关留学问答的帖子均不翻成中文。望其他读者见谅。
