Thesis Proposal Template

Abstract

The Abstract starts off your thesis proposal by introducing a summary of the complete proposal. This will explain the problem or issues you will address, investigate, or research. This section should be fairly brief, but should provide enough basic information to explain your proposed research and/or dissertation fully.

Introduction

1. Background

   The proposed issue of this thesis has been addressed previously by numerous scholars. These scholars include such individuals as NAMES OF SCHOLARS. Their assessment of this topic has shown…

   or

   The proposed topic of this thesis has been addressed previously by numerous researchers in the field. Their investigations have shown…

2. Significance of Research

Existing knowledge/significant prior research

Although you have briefly covered this in a general way above, this section allows you to delve in to the particular existing research which directly affects your topic. In other words, you may here introduce the idea you will be refuting, the author/historian you will be challenging, or the piece of information you feel needs a closer look or new angle. Your understanding of the existing knowledge on your subject should clearly demonstrate that there is a GAP in that body of knowledge, and your proposed thesis intends to fill that gap.

Thesis or project statement

Your thesis statement presents the argument you will make in your thesis/dissertation or asserts the specific question you will be asking or investigating with your research. This should relate to the previous section, by showing how you’ll be filling a gap in the existing body of knowledge or prior research.

Approach

1. Methods

   This thesis project will depend upon the following research methods for garnering results:

   • RESEARCH METHOD
     • DESCRIPTION OF METHOD
   • RESEARCH METHOD
     • DESCRIPTION OF METHOD
   • RESEARCH METHOD
     • DESCRIPTION OF METHOD
2. Bibliography of Sources

   LAST NAME, FIRST NAME. TITLE OF BOOK. CITY OF PUBLICATION: PUBLISHER, YEAR OF PUBLICATION. MEDIUM OF PUBLICATION.

3. Implications of Research

Potential outcomes

This section is probably unnecessary in an arts or humanities thesis proposal, but should be included in a scientific or active research based thesis. Here you will outline what you believe the results of your research will show. This goes hand in hand with your thesis, as you intend or expect to obtain certain results.

Limitations

Again, this section may be more applicable to a scientific thesis, but is potentially helpful in a humanities thesis, if applicable. Using this section, discuss any limitations which may affect your research or obstacles which your research may encounter. Address potential faults in your research methods and look at ways in which your research may miss certain points. Having a well-thought out Limitations section will demonstrate that you know the pitfalls and potential challenges with your chosen research methods, but will show that you have selected the best methods with regards to your project.

Contributions to knowledge

In this section, elaborate on what contributions your individual research or study will make to the body of knowledge as a whole in your field. Show once more how your thesis will help fill the existing gaps in knowledge or will show a particular topic from a new angle. If performing active research, explain how the intended results will contribute to the knowledge or how the results will change commonly held ideas.

Proposed dissertation chapters

• Introduction
• TITLE OF CHAPTER
• TITLE OF CHAPTER
• TITLE OF CHAPTER
• Conclusion