This document provides guidance on writing a thesis proposal. It discusses including an introduction that establishes the need for and significance of the research. The methodology should describe how the research will be conducted. A timeline laying out the plan of work should also be included. Feedback from colleagues and advisors is encouraged to refine the proposal. The proposal should convince the school that the topic is feasible and can be completed on schedule.

1. sadiMDes
2016
Myungjin Kim

2. Itinerary
• Thesis Proposal Feb 17th
• Thesis Timeline Mar 2nd
• Research Direction Mar 9th
• Research Data Collection Apr 13th
• Data Feedback Apr 27th

3. Iternary
• Thesis Proposal Feb 17th
• Thesis Timeline Mar 2nd
• Research Direction Mar 9th
• Research Data Collection Apr 13th
• Data Feedback Apr 27th

4. Guide for Writing Thesis Proposals
________ New South Wales University Sidney, Australia
The aim of the thesis proposal is to
convince your school :

5. Guide for writing thesis proposals
AIMS
• Need for the research, which is significant and important
contribution to the field
• The topic is feasible in terms of funding, equipment, and data
• The research can be completed in the expected time period
• Ethical issues have been considered
• Topic matches your interests and capabilities
________ New South Wales University Sidney, Australia

6. Guide for writing thesis proposals
The thesis proposal help you
• Focus your research aims
• Clarify its importance and the need
• Describe the methods
• Predict problems and outcomes
• Plan alternatives and interventions
________ New South Wales University Sidney, Australia

7. Guide for writing thesis proposals
ORIGINALITY
• Provide evidence to support or disprove a concept,
theory or model
• Contribute new data and information, new or improved solution
• Analysis procedure or a new improved research methodology
• Results in a new or improved concept, theory or model
________ New South Wales University Sidney, Australia

8. PROJECT REVIEW 1 Hr
DISCOVER AMPATHIZE
proposal prototypeAims
Whom
Originality
Quick prototype
Feedback
Improvement

9. D*school workshop 1 Hr
• 10 min x 2 : interview I
• 10 min x 2 : interview II
• 10 min : define the problems
• 15 min : ideation sketches
• 10 min : feedback
• 30 min: sketches & prototyping

10. http://www.psu.edu
what
how
why when
where

11. IN PROPOSAL I
• What you intend to study _ scope and research questions
• How you intend to study your topic _ methodology
• Why this topic needs to be studied _ significance
• When you will complete this work _ timeline
• Where you will conduct this work
_____________________________ Penn State University

12. IN PROPOSAL II
• Title
• Abstract
• Introduction / background
• Problem Statement
• Purpose / Aims / Rationale
• Review of Literature (existing theory / research)
• Methodology
• Significance / Implications
• Plan of work / Timeline
• Bibliography
_____________________________ Penn State University

13. PROPOSAL BODYSTORMING
Conscious &
Sub-conscious :
Keywords
Drawing / sketches
Props /
quick mock-ups
Jot down
Do?
Feel?
Know?
Flow
Connect
Path
Interact
Significance
Interpretation
Meaning
MotivATION
Modes
Mapping
Paradigm
Find
ex) categorize / jump / cause and effect / group / pro vs. con

14. PROPOSAL ADVICE I
• Remember that the proposal is not a contract that determines
what your thesis will demonstrate. You will likely modify and
refine your scope, argument, and methods.
• Remember that your proposal is not meant to limit your
ideas, but to help you think in practical terms about how you
intend to research and write your thesis.
_____________________________ Penn State University

15. PROPOSAL ADVICE I
• Ask colleagues to form a writing group that you can use to
exchange ideas, drafts, and experiences. As lonely as it may
seem sometimes, writing is a social activity.
• Consult with your advisor ask to see past successful
proposals. Using other proposals to help you generate
ideas in not plagiarizing!
_____________________________ Penn State University

16. PROPOSAL ADVICE III
• Understand that the proposal will be negotiated--be prepared
to revise!
• Think of the proposal as an introduction to your thesis or
dissertation.
• Remember that the proposal is not a binding contract.
• Remember that your proposal is not meant to limit ideas, but
to help you think practically.
• Ask colleagues to form a writing group.
• Talk to your advisor!
_____________________________ Penn State University

17. PROPOSAL FORMAT
• Proposal will be presented as a written report
• The proposal is presented in a seminar
• Not once but a number of drafts with your advisors
_____________________________ Penn State University

18. PROPOSAL TIMELINE
• Establish a writing schedule.
• Begin by free-writing.
• Keep a small notebook with you to write down relevant
thoughts.
• Say parts of your writing into a recording device.
• Compose different parts in different computer files or on
different index cards.
• Start with more “clear cut” sections first.
_____________________________ Penn State University