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:
o 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
o 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
o What methods will be used?
o How will data be collected and analyzed?
o 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