First, you may want to discuss the selection of cases, events, persons, processes, outcomes, texts, etc. 
Why  have  you  chosen  a  specific  case  or  set  of  cases,  a  particular  data  set,  or  a  particular  group  of 
interviewees or texts? Why are they the best sources to use? Second, you should discuss how you will 
obtain the relevant empirical material. Primary research materials are diverse, including historical or 
archival  documents,  data  about  organisations,  bureaucracies  and  individuals,  interviews  and 
observational  data  whether  from  participant  observation  or  non-participant  observation,  surveys  and 
ethnographies.  Existing  statistics  and  survey  data  are  also  invaluable  sources  for  some  research 
projects.  You  should  discuss  your  choice  of  research  methods  in  some  detail  (archival  research, 
collecting  published  documents,  interviewing,  ethnography,  focus  groups,  participant  observation,
Writing a DPhil Research Proposal