Structure\/Content of the Thesis and Research Paper Proposal
\nFormat
\nThe thesis and research paper proposal should:
\n\uf0d8 Not exceed 3,000 words (i.e. 12 to 15 pages) in length (excluding cover page,
\nabstract, table of contents, and bibliography). It is imperative to abide by these
\nrequirements as the proposal is also an exercise in concision.
\n\uf0d8 Be double-spaced.
\n\uf0d8 Be typed, using Times New Roman 12 pt font.
\n\uf0d8 Be properly referenced using the APA referencing format (see page 15).
\nCover page
\n\uf0d8 Thesis \/ research paper title.
\n\uf0d8 Student name, student number.
\n\uf0d8 Date.
\n6
\n\uf0d8 Keywords: 2 on concepts, 2 on methods, 1 on the field of observation.
\n\uf0d8 Department, University.
\nShort summary\/abstract (100 words)
\nThe abstract for a research proposal typically provides the following information:
\n\uf0d8 What is the subject\/topic\/issue at hand?
\n\uf0d8 What is the conceptual\/theoretical framework guiding the study and the central
\nresearch problem\/question?
\n\uf0d8 What are the proposed methodology and research techniques to be employed
\n(thesis dependent)?
\n\uf0d8 What are the expected\/anticipated finding(s) and their implications?
\nTable of Contents
\nIntroduction (1 to 2 pages)
\nStatement of:
\n\uf0d8 context\/rationale for the proposed study;
\n\uf0d8 central research problem; and
\n\uf0d8 research objectives.
\nLiterature review (4-5 pages)
\nThe primary aim of this section is to provide evidence that you understand the
\nbroader issues associated with the topic selected. The text should be presented
\nin an essay format. In this part of the research proposal, it is important to define
\nthe key concepts that will be used to guide the research, including how they are
\ncontested and where they are located within the broad theoretical paradigm in
\nwhich the project is situated.
\nIn the literature review you are not stating your opinion. Instead, the aim is to
\ndemonstrate your familiarity with the literature relating to the topic selected
\nthrough a cohesive argumentation. The structure should be based on an \u2018inverted
\ntriangle\u2019 model \u2013 i.e. from the general to the specific.
\nThe discussion in the first part of this section should summarize the key
\npoints\/concepts\/ideas\/arguments in the relevant literature and the implications of
\nthese claims vis-\u00e0-vis the topic selected. The types of issues that need to be
\naddressed include:
\n\uf0d8 What is the argument(s) being made, or the position taken, by various authors
\nwriting in the domain to be investigated?
\n\uf0d8 What assumptions underpin these positions\/arguments?
\n7
\n\uf0d8 What is the basis for the arguments presented? (i.e. is it an exercise in
\npontification or is it based on evidence? If it is based on evidence, what type?);
\nand
\n\uf0d8 What, if any, are the implications of argument(s) presented? What are the
\nconnections with your own research probl\u00e9matique?
\nThe discussion in the concluding part of this section should:
\n\uf0d8 clearly set out the conceptual\/theoretical framework to be used for the study;
\nand
\n\uf0d8 show how the central research question and\/or hypotheses to be investigated
\nemerge from the existing literature;
\n(i.e. Proponents of perspective X claim\/argue\/assert that \u2026. In contrast,
\nproponents of perspective Y claim\/argue\/assert that \u2026These competing views
\ngive rise to question\/hypothesis Z).
\nNote: The central research question must be clearly stated at the end of the
\nliterature review.
\nMethodology (4 to 5 pages)
\nIn this section, it is important that you:
\n\uf0d8 establish how the proposed research methodology will not only produce valid
\ndata but also facilitate an analysis that will provide congruent answers to the
\nquestions posed at the outset;
\n\uf0d8 address some of the strengths and weaknesses of your approach and to
\nspecify what your method tends to reveal that other methods may conceal;
\nand
\n\uf0d8 identify the sources of information or data that will be used for the study and
\nprovide any information you have about the quality or availability of such data.
\nNote: It is crucial that the student demonstrates how using the proposed
\nmethodology will produce evidence that is related to the \u201cworking thesis\u201d.
\nIf your proposed thesis research involves human subjects (e.g. as interviewees or
\nas participants in a small group experiment), you must obtain approval from the
\nappropriate ethics board before you will be permitted to begin collecting your data.
\nThis is also the case for students who wish to do fieldwork for their theses (see
\nwww.uottawa.ca\/research\/ethics).
\nConclusion (1 to 2 pages)
\nThe research proposal should conclude with a brief discussion outlining why
\naddressing the proposed research problem is important, of value, beneficial, etc.
\nAttention also should be given to how or why the findings contribute to the
\nadvancement of knowledge in the domain studied and how they might be
\n8
\napplicable (\u201cgood for democracy\u201d, \u201cgood for government\u201d, inadequate \u2013 need to
\ngive considered thought to this matter.)
\nThesis or Research Paper Plan (1-1.5 pages)
\nListing of chapter titles and brief summary (i.e. 3-4 sentences maximum) of
\nchapter content.
\nResearch Timeline (1 page)
\nProvide an estimated timetable for completing the work outlined in the proposal.
\nThis is not to be considered as a contractual obligation. Rather, it is intended as a
\nreasonable expectation of what is to be accomplished.
\nThe process of applying for ethics clearance may take a fair amount of time. If
\napplicable, students should include this phase in their planning when they
\nprepare their research timetables.
\nBibliography\/References:
\nThis should include work cited in the proposal and other relevant work in the area
\nof study (<\/p>\n
You should also prepare a 20-minute power point presentation with speaker notes about the same research proposal )<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Structure\/Content of the Thesis and Research Paper Proposal Format The thesis and research paper proposal should: \uf0d8 Not exceed 3,000 words (i.e. 12 to 15 pages) in length (excluding cover page, abstract, table of contents, and bibliography). It is imperative to abide by these requirements as the proposal is also an exercise in concision. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"disciplines":[45],"paper_types":[],"tagged":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.writemyessays.app\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/questions\/23638"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.writemyessays.app\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/questions"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.writemyessays.app\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/questions"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.writemyessays.app\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.writemyessays.app\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23638"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.writemyessays.app\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/questions\/23638\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.writemyessays.app\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23638"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"disciplines","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.writemyessays.app\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/disciplines?post=23638"},{"taxonomy":"paper_types","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.writemyessays.app\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/paper_types?post=23638"},{"taxonomy":"tagged","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.writemyessays.app\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tagged?post=23638"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}