Standard Thesis Proposal Template

Let us look at one of the most commonly used thesis proposal templates, briefly describing each of the constituents.

First of all, a thesis proposal is, as the name suggests, a proposal that will express the need to conduct a research based on, in simple terms, what is currently known and what may still be unknown which could be beneficial to one and all. Additionally, it also depicts various other points that are significant to the study that need acceptance as well as approval from the college / university before going ahead with a full-fledged research.

Most regular thesis proposal templates would constitute a title, the background, the research problem or topic, research methodology, significance of the study, references, time frame, budget and recommendations (for conducting the research).

The Title

The title, to begin with, could be one’s initial idea or the essence of the study, allowing for refinement, if need be, at later stages of the research. It should ideally be between 10 – 15 words in length.

The Background

The background sheds some light on the initial or basic research undertaken leading up to zeroing in on the research topic, thereby, justifying the need for undertaking the research. One would do well to summarize this within 2-3 pages.

Research question (problem and thesis statement)

A good thesis statement would depict the research question or the topic in a little more detail, clearly setting forth the primary aims and objectives of the research. Thesis writers should always aim at constructing a thesis statement of not more than 3-4 lines. Many a thesis proposal template may not dwell on this aspect i.e. the length of the thesis statement, but it is prudent to keep it as concise and open-ended as possible.

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Research methodology

This part would dwell on the approach to be adopted for the conduct of the research, considering certain factors such as the research type and level warranted (exploratory, expository, quantitative, qualitative etc.), the sample size, tools and techniques for data gathering and analysis and so on. This part can take up to 2 pages, based on the points that one is considering. One might find some other thesis proposal template suggesting 3-4 pages, sometimes, to gain approval for the budget.

Significance of the study

This part should clearly indicate the benefits or the usefulness of the study. Any research has to have two major uses: 1) the student or researcher should, at the end of the research, have had a truly learning experience and, 2) the result(s) and / or recommendations of the research should be acceptable as well useful on a wider scale. This part of the proposal has to be summed up in not more than one page.

References

List of references -available at the time of submitting the proposal- is so very crucial for verification of points put forth by the student / researcher for undertaking the research and should be presented in a standard format. No restriction for number pages here but it goes without saying that since the initial research is only brief, the references will also be not that many. Irrespective of the number, they still have to be enlisted in the thesis proposal.

Time frame of the study

Another important aspect that one will see in a good thesis proposal template is the time frame of the research. This will have to explain the most probable time required to undertake and complete the research, starting from the time taken for the initial research on the background information up to submission and defense of the thesis. Whatever the time frame suggested, the researcher would do well to stay as close to the deadlines as possible, since some theses, such as the doctoral theses, are prolonged (3-6 years) and need a stricter adherence to the time table planned, to stay within the budget allocated.

Budgetary requirements

This part will contain the details of total expenditure expected to be incurred taking into consideration all the aspects of conducting a research such as field work, surveys, paper work, mailing, internet usage, telephone calls and so on. It is important to identify and outline these expected costs in the thesis proposal itself since, not all costs are permitted to be tagged to the university or school that is funding the research. By doing so, the researcher is only helping himself / herself, as s/he will, post approval of the proposal, be able to conduct the research much more meticulously in order to stay within the approved budget. Although detailed, one should still strive for brevity (as it is only a proposal) and keep this part to about a page.

Recommendations

A thesis proposal will get value addition if one includes recommendations from academics. They could be professors or lecturers of the university / school and / or, could as well be, a known authority on the subject.

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