Writing a Dissertation Proposal

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Writing a Dissertation Proposal

1.    Research Question(s): Choosing a research question - particularly a thesis topic- is something quite personal.  You have to draw on your previous experience and knowledge and the kinds of directions you are interested in going in, as well as gaps in the field, etc.  With that in mind, all of the questions that you raise may be interesting, and what you would have to decide are which interests you most and which is the most doable or answerable.  Also, you would have to decide why the area you have chosen is important.

2.    Literature Review: What could you add to the existing literature?  (Not a put down, but a question that you need to ask.)  In other words, do you believe that the area you are interested in has not been pursued in the literature? Keep in mind that the purpose of a literature review is to find an existing gap in your area of investigation, so it is imperative that your review be thorough. 

3.    Your Proposal: In this section of your proposal, you should be precise as to how you propose to address your research question.  You should set up a worthwhile paradigm for investigating your research question.  Also, do you need to have a pedagogic orientation (or a pedagogic chapter) to your thesis?  What's the norm at your university? It is prudent to set up a worthwhile paradigm for investigating your research question(s).

4.    Methodology: State clearly how you intend to collect the data for your research.  In order to do this successfully, you will need to read pertinent articles and books on your topic.  For each and every method and procedure that you will be using, you should justify why a particular method or procedure is appropriate for your empirical study.

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