I'm currently working on a research proposal exploring possible links between bereavement and vulnerability to gang involvement/exploitation. Any advice on writing a proposal (general or specific to the subject matter) would be greatly appreciated!

I would be particularly grateful for input around the design of the field research, especially with regards to scale and sampling.

Contact your local social services, community safeguard groups, school pastoral leader (handles welfare and abuse) and Police force, they will be able to give ideas who to contact. Beware it is a subject that people won't want to talk about.

Your topic is great and interesting; path analysis will also make your project robust. I think I should be of help.