how to write a thesis proposal

THESIS

• A thesis is a statement in an essay that you plan to support, discuss or prove.

• Not all thesis statements can be empirically proven, but many of them represent an argument

Why Thesis is written

• Researchers are expected to review the field and attempt to add an element of original research to it

• This may simply mean that they adapt someone else's research plan for the situation they want to investigate; in this way they can extend the knowledge about an area.

How to Write a Thesis Proposal

Information to Contain

• Sufficient information to show …–You have an important research idea.–You have a good grasp of the relevant literature.–You have a good idea of the major issues.–Your methodology is sound.

Questions to Address

•What you plan to accomplish.•Why you want to do it.•How you are going to do it.

The Writing

•Title•Abstract•Introduction•Literature review•Methods•Results•Discussions

Title

•Concise•Descriptive.

Abstract

•A brief summary of 150-300 words.–The research question.–The rationale for the study.–The hypothesis.–The method.–The main findings.

Introduction

•Provide the necessary background for your research problem.

–Begin with a general statement of the problem area.–Focus on a specific research problem.–Be followed by the rationale or justification for the proposed study.

•Key elements–State the research problem.–Provide the context to show its necessity/ importance.–Briefly describe the major issues of your research.–Specify the phenomenon you want to study.

–State your hypothesis or theory.–Set the boundaries of your proposal in order to provide a clear focus.–Provide definitions of key concepts, if necessary.

Literature Review

•May be incorporated into the Introduction section.•Functions

–Ensure that you are not “reinventing the wheel.”

–Give credits to those laying the groundwork.–Demonstrate your knowledge of the

problem

–Demonstrate your understanding of the theoretical and research issues related to your research question.–Show your ability to critically evaluate relevant literature information.–Indicate your ability to integrate and synthesize the existing literature.

–Provide new theoretical insights or develop a new model as the conceptual framework for your research–Convince readers that your proposed research will make a significant contribution.

•Make use of subheadings to bring order.•Focus, unite, and cohere your discussion.•Cite influential papers.•Keep up with recent developments.•Evaluate critically cited papers.•Depend on first sources.

Methods

•Show how you plan to tackle your research problem.•Contain sufficient information for the reader to determine if it is sound.•Demonstrate your knowledge of alternative methods and show that your approach is most appropriate

Results

•Of course, you do not have results at the proposal stage.•You need to have some idea about what is expected.

Discussions

•Mention the limitations and weaknesses of the proposed research.