How to write a great DBA research proposal

A Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) research proposal defines the focus of your doctoral study. It shows how your professional experience and ideas can shape applied research that delivers growth in your field.

At Aston University, a strong proposal demonstrates how you think, how you approach problems, and how your work could contribute to better business practice and leadership.

As Aston University Programme Director Dr Geoff Parkes (a DBA graduate himself) explains, this stage “shows how your ideas and experience can evolve into something that genuinely adds value to business and academia.”

​​Hear directly from Aston’s academic team about what makes a strong research proposal and how to approach the process with confidence.

Why your proposal matters

Your proposal outlines a topic while demonstrating your readiness for doctoral-level thinking. The Executive Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) at Aston University is a research degree for experienced professionals who want to apply theory to practice. Your proposal bridges these two worlds. It explains the question you want to investigate, why it matters, and how you’ll explore it using rigorous, evidence-based methods.

According to Dr Parkes, “You should look upon a DBA as an investment, and like any investment, it starts with due diligence.” Reviewers want to see that you understand what the programme involves, how your professional context informs your topic, and that you can turn real-world challenges into meaningful research questions. A clear, purposeful proposal signals that you can think critically, design research independently, and add value to your organisation and wider professional community.

What to include in a research proposal

A successful DBA research proposal answers three questions: what you intend to study, why it’s worth studying, and how you’ll study it. It should be detailed enough to demonstrate your understanding of research design but concise enough to show focus.

Your proposal will normally include:

• A defined research question or problem. It should be narrow enough to investigate through your professional environment, but broad enough to contribute to a wider understanding.
• A concise literature review. Show that you’re aware of current theories and debates in your field, identify where your study fits, and highlight what hasn’t yet been explored. As Dr Parkes notes, academic inquiry “isn’t about inventing something completely new. It’s about building on what we know and making a clear contribution.” He also advises using tools such as Google Scholar to identify gaps: “Authors often flag ‘areas for future research’. Those are signals for where your DBA could add value.”
• A sound methodology. Explain the approach you’ll take—qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods—and why it’s appropriate for your question and context. Describe how you’ll gather and analyse data ethically and systematically.
• Practical relevance. Show how your study connects to real business challenges and what value the findings could bring to organisations or policymakers. “Good DBA proposals tell two stories,” says Dr Parkes. “One about contribution to knowledge, and another about contribution to practice, how you’ll use new insights in your workplace or industry.”
• Alignment with our research priorities. Demonstrate how your topic connects with Aston University’s areas of expertise and applied research culture.

A well-written proposal shows that you can combine professional insight with academic structure. It’s not expected to be perfect, but it should show potential for meaningful contribution to theory and to practice.

How to structure your DBA proposal

A clear structure makes your proposal easy to follow and demonstrates logical thinking. Start with a focused title and a short abstract that summarises the question, rationale, and approach.

• Introduction: Present your research question and explain why it matters in both professional and academic terms. Outline the problem or opportunity you’ve observed and why it deserves study at a doctoral level. Dr Parkes recommends showing exactly where your question sits in current scholarship. “That’s what makes it interesting from an academic perspective,” he says.
• Literature review: Summarise the main theories, frameworks, and previous research in your area. Show critical engagement rather than description, explain where existing knowledge falls short and how your work can extend it.
• Methodology: Describe how you’ll conduct your research. Explain the reasoning behind your chosen methods and why they suit your question. If you plan to use organisational data, interviews, or surveys, note how you’ll ensure reliability, validity, and ethical compliance.
• Expected contribution: End by explaining how your findings could inform practice, influence policy, or improve decision-making. Keep this realistic; reviewers value grounded impact over ambition.
• References: List credible, up-to-date academic sources to show that your proposal builds on recognised research.

This structure helps reviewers see that you understand the stages of scholarly inquiry, from question to method to potential outcome.

Connecting your proposal to Aston’s research priorities

At Aston University, our research is applied, interdisciplinary, and focused on solving real problems for business and society. When preparing your proposal, take time to explore our Research Strategy and Research Priorities.

“Shape the proposal around our research centres and academic expertise,” says Dr Parkes, “and show us the connection.” Aston is a large business school relative to the wider university, which means “most business topics are covered one way or another.” This breadth makes it easier for prospective students to find academic supervisors and align their projects with ongoing research.

Dr Parkes advises applicants to think about alignment as a way of building support for their ideas. The clearer the connection between your project and Aston’s expertise, the easier it is for us to see how we can help you succeed.

Common issues to avoid when developing a research proposal

Proposals often lose strength when they try to cover too much ground or lack a clear research question. Common pitfalls include:

• Choosing a topic that’s too broad to address within the DBA timeframe.
• Summarising literature without showing how it relates to your study.
• Using methods that don’t match the research question.
• Overlooking ethical considerations or access to data.
• Failing to show how the research connects to professional practice.

Dr Parkes recommends treating your proposal as a working document. It should be carefully planned, well-researched, and realistic, but open to refinement once you begin the DBA. He also reassures applicants that “we don’t expect you to arrive as experts; the first year gives you the tools to become a professional researcher on your topic.” Reviewers value focus, coherence, and genuine curiosity more than technical perfection.

Entry requirements and how to apply

Your research proposal is central to your DBA application. You’ll also need a master’s degree or equivalent qualification, at least five years of professional experience, and a topic that aligns with our research priorities.

Once submitted, our admissions team reviews your proposal and matches it with potential supervisors. If shortlisted, you’ll be invited to an interview to discuss your ideas and professional background. “In year one,” explains Dr Parkes, “you’ll have a process supervisor while you study research methods; after that, you’re allocated your subject supervisory team.”

Applicants usually submit an initial research proposal of about 1,000–1,500 words. Typically the thesis is in the region of 50,000–60,000 words culminating in an oral defence (viva) with internal and external examiners, although exact requirements vary by programme and year.

Next steps

Writing your Executive Doctor of Business Administration DBA (Online) proposal is one of the most valuable parts of preparing for doctoral study. It helps you define what matters most to you professionally and how academic research can strengthen that understanding. It also becomes the foundation for conversations with your supervisor once you join the programme.

Studying online with Aston University means flexible learning and dedicated support. As Senior Student Recruitment Advisor Peter Ludgate explains, students benefit from “support around the clock and largely asynchronous learning that lets you fit study around work and life.”

Cohorts are intentionally small (around 10 to 15 students) because, as Dr Parkes notes, “doctoral study is resource-intensive and works best when supervision is personal.”

To see what studying the DBA is really like, read An international student’s experience: Studying a Doctor of Business Administration DBA (Online) with Aston University.

Our webinar, How to write a great DBA proposal, offers practical advice from Aston University experts to help you shape a proposal that reflects your goals and research interests.

If you’d like feedback or advice before applying, you can book a call with our Student Advisors. Apply now to begin your Executive Doctor of Business Administration DBA (Online) with us.