1. Follow guidelines of  Attached proposal outline2. The formal proposal must provide a clear and lucid description of a question, project or problem and a proposed method of answering the question,

Masters Thesis Proposal Outline

Abstract

• The abstract is a brief summary of your thesis proposal

• Length should not exceed 200 words

Introduction

• This section sets the context for your proposed project and must capture the reader’s interest

• Explain the background of your study starting from a broad picture narrowing in your research question

• Review what is known about your research topic as far as it is relevant to your thesis

• Cite relevant references

• What is the general topic area?

• Why this topic is relevant/important?

• What is the specific scope of your research interest?

Literature Review

• The literature review should be a well-organized overview of the research most closely related to your work

• This might likely include the dominant debuts, theoretical approaches, methodological research designs that have been used to understand your topic

• You are trying to demonstrate two things:

  • You are familiar with the research that has been done in this area and can explain to fellow scientists who might be familiar with this specific literature

  • You have found a gap in the literature… something that has not been well researched (or not been researched utilizing a certain theoretical prospective or methodological design)

Research Questions

• A concise formulation of your specific research question/s

Approach/Methods

• This section contains an overall description of your approach, materials, and procedures

  • What methods will be used?

  • How will data be collected and analyzed?

  • What materials will be used?

• Include calculations, technique, procedure, equipment

• How will you get access?

• How many cases will you include?

• Describe how the cases will be selected (random, etc)

• Other considerations specific to your research

• Detail limitations assumptions, and range of validity

• Do not include results and discussion of results here

Work Plan including Time Table

• Describe in detail what you plan to do until completion of this project

• List the stages of your project in a table format

• Indicate deadlines you have set for completing each stage of the project, including any work you have already completed.

• Discuss any particular challenged that need to be overcome

• Use a gantt chart to format your time table

References