How To Write A Dissertation Proposal For A Research Paper?
Dissertation proposal isn’t mandatory in all universities, but is the standard way to begin the process of dissertation. A dissertation proposal, in principle, is the document submitted to a university committee to get approval for research to obtain a doctoral degree. As such, the proposal deals with providing an outline about what is to come in the research and the final paper.
Dissertation proposal provides the earliest plan for the research. It discusses the aims and objectives of the investigation concerning its field of study and background context, the methods that will be employed in the process, the results that are expected at the end, the significance it hopes to have in the field.
Dissertation proposal has the definitive outline of an actual dissertation, i.e., it contains similar headings and sub-headings and information on how to tackle the problem and expected limitations in the process.
The proposal begins with an introduction of the topic, its background and context to the field of study. A chapter on the literature review follows it containing a brief overview of the literature that will be required to be inquired by the researcher for identifying a valid gap in the existing knowledge concerning to the specific area before venturing into doing the research.
A typical research proposal contains approximately 3000 words, and characteristically does the following:
- Defines the research question and the precise approach to answering it;
- Highlights the originality and significance of the study;
- Explains how the research would add to or develop the current literature in the existing field.
It is an important element of the dissertation which can be used for requesting funds/ financial support for conducting the project, certification and for publishing.
The function of a research proposal is to predefined the processes involved in conducting the research by answering all the critical questions and convince the committee to approve the project and sometimes, get funds.
Usually, research proposal contains the following headings:
Background & Introduction
The introduction establishes the area of the research and its background and context to the field of study. It introduces the research problem.
Research Objectives And Significance
This section explains the value the research will add or hopes to add to the existing body of knowledge in the field in which the research will be conducted. Herein, the researcher will have to elaborate on how the findings can make a difference and what is the importance of carrying out the research work.
Literature Review
The research gives a brief overview of the literature on the existing body of knowledge within the field of study that they must investigate to proceed with their research.
Definition Of Terms
The research proposal comprises a list of definitions for terms and concepts that are jargon’s and specific to their academia.
Research Methodology
Methodology chapter deals with the proposed approach to the investigation and why specific processes are more suited to the question that will be investigated. Here, the researcher answers questions regarding. How they will accomplish the project, like the methods that will be used for getting the data and analyzing it.
Statistical Data, a rough outline of topics and sub-topics
A sketch of the timeline the project would take
Limitations
The research must provide an outline of all the limitations that may befall the project and the methods they will use to avoid or mitigate the limitations they anticipate.
References, Bibliography & Citation
This section provides all the references cited while writing the proposal. Appendix, if any, is attached in the end.
The research proposal must follow specific guidelines as mentioned by their university. In the case of no available guidelines, the researcher may opt to use any standard styles for academic writing like APA, AMA, etc.
Links, References, Related Posts
– The Research Proposal – The Blueprint Of Your Dissertation
– The Comprehensive Checklist for Research Proposal Writing
– Top Tips For Writing PhD Research Proposal In Finance
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