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WringaThesisProposal’ PartOne:GengStarted · Graduate!Wri+ng!Help!|!StudentLearning!Services!!!...
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Graduate Wri+ng Help | Student Learning Services library.usask.ca/student learning Wri$ng a Thesis Proposal Part One: Ge5ng Started Copyright ©Heather McWhinney, 2017 Graduate Wri;ng Help Specialist, Student Learning Services
Transcript of WringaThesisProposal’ PartOne:GengStarted · Graduate!Wri+ng!Help!|!StudentLearning!Services!!!...
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Wri$ng a Thesis Proposal Part One: Ge5ng Started Copyright ©Heather McWhinney, 2017 Graduate Wri;ng Help Specialist, Student Learning Services
Graduate Wri+ng Help | Student Learning Services
library.usask.ca/student learning
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this presenta+on (Part One), you should be able to:
o See the proposal as a persuasive document that makes claims about your research.
o Avoid piHalls commonly made by students in thesis proposals.
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Overview of Presenta$on (Part One)
o Defini+on of a proposal
o The role of the proposal in the thesis/disserta+on process
o Standard parts of the proposal
o Common weaknesses of proposals
o Tips for wri+ng a proposal
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What Is an Academic Proposal?
An academic proposal is a step in the disserta+on or thesis process. According to Locke, Spirduso and Silverman,
“ … [a] proposal … sets forth both the exact nature of the maSer to be inves+gated and a detailed account of the methods to be employed. In addi+on, the proposal usually contains material suppor+ng the importance of the topic selected and the appropriateness of the research methods to be employed.”
Locke, L., Spirduso, W.W., & Silverman, S.J. (2014). Proposals that work: A guide for planning disserta;ons and grant proposals (6th ed.). Los Angeles, CA: Sage, p. 3.
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The Thesis Proposal at the University of Saskatchewan
o The proposal marks the first step in the prepara+on of the thesis.
o Not all departments at the U of S require proposals.
o For some departments, the proposal is short and informal; for others it is long and detailed.
o Many departments require a proposal and regular yearly updates and commiSee mee+ngs on thesis work.
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Think About the Kind of Thesis You Will Write
There are different types of theses (or disserta+ons):
o A “standard” thesis, which follows the typical IMRD format (introduc+on, methods, results and discussion/conclusion).
o A “manuscript-‐style thesis”: a series of manuscripts suitable for publica+on.
o Other types of theses, which may have chapters or a more personal and crea+ve narra+ve structure.
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The Proposal as a Communica$on Tool
The proposal communicates your research plans to your advisory commiSee. Your commiSee members will use the document to do the following:
o Provide guidance.
o Offer feedback.
o Approve the thesis.
Locke, L., Spirduso, W.W., & Silverman, S.J. (2014). Proposals that work: A guide for planning disserta;ons and grant proposals (6th ed.). Los Angeles, CA: Sage, p. 3.
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The Proposal As an Ac$on Plan
Your proposal is typically also a step-‐by-‐step ac+on plan for your research, which:
o An+cipates problems.
o Includes con+ngency plans.
o Provides a blueprint for your work.
o Outlines expecta+ons on which you will be evaluated.
Locke, L., Spirduso, W.W., & Silverman, S.J. (2014). Proposals that work: A guide for planning disserta;ons and grant proposals (6th ed.). Los Angeles, CA: Sage, p. 3.
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The Proposal as a Contract
Your proposal is a contract between you and the University of Saskatchewan. It typically commits you to do the following:
o Research your problem in the way you have set out.
o Conduct your research in an ethical manner.
o Meet +melines set out in the proposal.
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Reducing the Anxiety
o Make a list of all the things you think you’ll need help with.
o Talk to others – your supervisor, professors, fellow students, librarians.
o Take detailed notes from all your mee+ngs with others.
o Figure out what you need to learn – e.g., cita+on styles, cita+on management systems and data analysis techniques.
o Look at models of previous theses and proposals – ask your supervisor and commiSee members for models.
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Reducing the Anxiety (con&nued)
o ASend thesis/disserta+on defenses if possible.
o Decide if the project will involve ethics approval. hSp://research.usask.ca/for-‐researchers/ethics/index.php
o Prepare a detailed work plan, working backwards from your expected date of comple+on.
o Plan to work on your proposal at the same +me each day.
o Start with the part that you will find easiest to write.
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Your Audience – the CommiNee
Think clearly about your audience. Consider the following:
o Who are your commiSee members? Get to know them before the proposal mee+ng. Influence the selec+on of the commiSee.
o What are their backgrounds?
o What do they know about your research area?
o Are they likely to be amenable to your study?
o What do they consider to be successful proposals and theses?
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Standard Parts of a Proposal o Title and Sub-‐Title
o Table of Contents
o Abstract
o Introduc+on
o Literature Review
o Methods
o Expected Findings
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Standard Parts of a Proposal (con&nued) o Research Significance
o Research Limita+ons and Constraints
o Real World Implica+ons
o Research Communica+on
o Dran Table of Contents of Thesis
o Timeline
o Budget
o References
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Numbering Headings in a Proposal 1. Main Heading (Sec+on One)
1.1 Second-‐level heading
1.2 Second-‐level heading
1.2.1 Third-‐level heading
1.2.2 Third-‐level heading
1.2.2.1 Fourth-‐level heading
2. Main Heading (Sec+on Two)
2.1 Second-‐level heading
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Common Weaknesses of Proposals
o Poor organiza+on: longer sec+ons fail to start with a roadmap for readers.
o Claims not presented in a logical order.
o The wri+ng is unclear and wordy, and sentences are too long.
o Not up-‐to-‐date with the literature.
o Problems with cita+ons and references.
o Contradic+ons among parts of the proposal.
o No case made for the student’s research.
o Not innova+ve or interes+ng.
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Tips for Wri$ng Your Proposal
o Pay aSen+on to the order in which you present ideas.
o Pay aSen+on to the development of your paragraphs.
o Use content bridges to link sentences and paragraphs.
o First impressions count: pay aSen+on to the +tle, abstract and introduc+on.
o Be consistent – e.g., headings, font size, use of numbers and spellings.
o Present material in visuals if they can make explana+ons simpler.
o Ensure your references are correct.
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Recommended Resources
Mauch, J.E., Park, M. (2003). Guide to the successful thesis and disserta;on : A handbook for students and faculty (5th ed.). New York, NY: CRC Press.
Swales, J.M., & Feak, C.B. (2012). Academic wri;ng for graduate students: Essen;al tasks and skills (3rd ed.). Ann Arbor MI: University of Michigan Press.
The Graduate Wri+ng Center of the Centre of Excellent in Wri+ng. Wri;ng thesis and disserta;ons proposals. hSp://pwr.la.psu.edu/resources/graduate-‐wri+ng-‐center/handouts-‐1/Wri+ngProposals.pdf/
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Summary
o Before you start wri+ng, research not only your topic but also the proposal and thesis processes and your audience.
o The proposal should persuade your commiSee that your research maSers and that your methods are the right ones for answering your ques+on.
o Each part of a proposal has par+cular requirements and piHalls. Think carefully about these before comple+ng your proposal.
