Steps in Thesis Proposal Writing

Thesis proposal should have the following elements in this order.

Title page
Abstract
Table of contents
Introduction
o Problem statement
o Objectives of the study
o Significance of the study
Review of related literature
o Theoretical framework
Hypotheses
Methodological Design
o Description and design of the methodology
o Identification of the population and sampling method
o Conceptualization of the key variables
o Operationalization of the key variables
o Detail of the instrument for data collection
Technique(s) for data analysis and Interpretation
Implications of research
Work plan including time table
References
Selected Bibliography
Title page

contains short, descriptive title of the proposed thesis project (should be

fairly self-explanatory)
and author, institution, department, research / mentor, mentor's institution,
and date of delivery

Abstract
the abstract is a brief summary of your thesis proposal
its length should not exceed 200 words
present a brief introduction to the issue
make the key statement of your thesis
give a summary of how you want to address the issue
include a possible implication of your work, if successfully completed
Table of contents
list all headings and subheadings with page numbers
indent subheadings

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 on your research question
review what is known about your research topic as far as it is relevant to
your thesis
cite relevant references
the introduction should be at a level that makes it easy to understand for
readers with a general science background, for example your classmates
Problem Statement
problem statement of your thesis proposal establishes the ground for the
approval of your thesis proposal. It introduces the research issues in detail
and depth
state your thesis in a couple of sentences.
this statement can take the form of a hypothesis, research question,
project statement, or goal statement
the thesis statement should capture the essence of your intended project
and also help to put boundaries around it.
Objectives of the study

begin with The purpose of this study is to change, interpret,

understand, evaluate, or analyze the problem.
State your thesis goal completely. Remember, it should be some form of
investigative activity.

Significance of the Study

Focus on the benefits of your study not the research problem.

Place yourself in the position of responding to someone who says so
what? Provide a persuasive rationale for your argument by answering the
following questions: Why is your study important? To whom is it important?
What can happen to society, or theory, or a program if the study is done or
not done?

Review of Related Literature

Locate and briefly describe those studies and theories that support and
oppose your approach to the problem. In other words, place the proposed
study in context through a critical analysis of selected research reports.
Be sure to include alternative methodological approaches that have been
used by others who studied your problem.

Theoretical Framework

The theoretical framework is the viewpoint or angle from which you are
approaching your topic. Here, you state your essential and necessary
ideas on the subject.
State various hypothetical approaches on your subject matter, and
suggest
a.Which one do you propose to use in your research and why?
b.Where, tentatively do you stand on the topic?
If there are different theories on your topic or in your field, which ones will
you use in your theoretical framework for your thesis?
Which trends do you wish to pursue from the literature review?
Do you have any fresh and bright propositions of a descriptive,
interpretative, or pragmatic kind?
Which pieces of research seem to have been most successful, the most
promising and which less so?
What are the major lines of criticism that can be leveled at previous work?
What major omissions, gaps or neglected emphases can be identified?

Hypotheses
State clearly and succinctly what you expect the results of your study to
show.
Focus more on the substantive nature of what you expect to find and less
on how you will test for those expectations.
Hypotheses should be in an affirmative statements, propositions, and not
in question form.
Methodological Design
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, and calibration
graphs
detail limitations, assumptions, and range of validity
citations should be limited to data sources and more complete
descriptions of procedures
do not include results and discussion of results here
describe the population of your study and explain the sampling method
you would apply for data collection
also provide some details on the unit of analysis with rationale
what are the key variables and how you conceptualize them; what
definitions are provided in the literature
operationalize the key variable(s) to collect data on them

give details of the instrument you plan to use for data collection

Technique(s) of Data Analysis and Interpretation

selecting an appropriate method of hypothesis testing
use of SPSS or CAQDAS for data analysis and hypothesis testing
present any results you already have obtained
discuss how they fit in the framework of your thesis
Implications of Research
what new knowledge will the proposed project produce that we do not
already know?
why is it worth knowing, what are the major implications?
Work plan including time table
describe in detail what you plan to do until completion of your senior thesis
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 challenges that need to be overcome
List of references
cite all ideas, concepts, text, data that are not your own
if you make a statement, back it up with your own data or a reference
all references cited in the text must be listed
use footnotes
list all references cited in the text in alphabetical order using the following
format for different types of material:
o Atherton, C. R. (2007). Research Methods in Communication: An
Introduction. Toronto: Heath and Company.
put the last name of author, year of publication and page number while
citing any literature, e.g. (Atherton, 2007, p.20).
include footnotes wherever necessary. For websites, it is better to use
footnotes with date of retrieval.