This document provides guidelines for writing a thesis proposal, including specifications for formatting, required sections, and content. The proposal should be 20-25 pages excluding references, using Times New Roman 12-point font with 1.5 line spacing. Key sections include an introduction outlining the problem statement and study justification, a literature review summarizing relevant studies and identifying gaps, objectives and hypotheses, research methodology detailing the study design and population, and a work plan and budget. The proposal provides a plan for conducting independent research to fulfill degree requirements.

1. Writing Thesis Proposal
GUIDELINES FOR
Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Rafiq
Cardiology MD Candidate

2. Introduction

3. Introduction
It is very important that the proposal should be a
stand-alone self-explanatory document describing
the steps of the study.

4. The main weaknesses are:-
1. Unfocussed proposal titles leading to
internal/inconsistence and therefore rejected by Postgraduate Studies.
2. Unclear statement of the problem
3. Incoherent literature review
4. Unclear study design, choice of research methods and data
analysis.
Introduction

5. Writing specifications of a proposal:
• Font: Times New Roman
• Size: 12
• Line spacing: 1.5
• Number of pages excluding references: 20-25
• Referencing style: Harvard (author, date)
• Number of references: 20-30
Introduction

6. • Font:
Times New Roman

7. Size:
12

8. Line spacing:
1.5

9. • Number of pages:
20-25

10. • Referencing style:
Harvard (author, date)
Harvard Reference Generator (UKEssay, 2019)

11. • Number of references:
20-30

12. The standard sections of a thesis proposal:
Cover page
1. Introduction
2. Review of literature
3. Objectives and Hypothesis of the study
4. Research Methodology
5. Budget (if possible)
6. Work Plan “Time table”
7. References
8. Annexes
Introduction

13. Cover page

14. Not page numbered

15. Words are singled-spaced
Prevalence of Ischemic Heart Disease and Diabetes Mellitus in Cardiac
Center Al-Thawra Modern General Hospital

16. i. Not page numbered.
ii. Words are singled-spaced
iii. Items arranged on the following sequence:
Cover page

17. Title of the study:
o Font size:18
o A precise summary of the study including research problem, target population and study
sitting.
o Should be catchy, self-explanatory, brief (10-15 words)
o Can have a subtitle for further explanation
o Usually a phrase, but can be a question.
o Correct grammar and capitalization of first letter of words.
o No abbreviations
o Avoid “a study to assess or assessment of …”
o The Arabic title should be similar to the English
Cover page

18. o Font size:
18
Cover page

19. A precise summary of
the study including
research problem,
target population and
study sitting.
Cover page

20. Brief (10-15 words)
Prevalence of Ischemic Heart Disease Patients with Concomitant
Affected by Diabetes Mellitus in The Cardiac Center Al-Thawra
Modern General Hospital During The Period Between from 2015 to
2020
Prevalence of Ischemic Heart Disease and Diabetes Mellitus in Cardiac
Center Al-Thawra Modern General Hospital 2015 - 2020
Cover page

21. Capitalization of first letter of words
Prevalence of Ischemic Heart Disease and Diabetes Mellitus in Cardiac
Center Al-Thawra Modern General Hospital 2015 - 2020
Cover page

22. Subtitle for further
explanation
Cover page

23. No abbreviations
Prevalence of IHD & DM in Cardiac Center TMGH
Prevalence of Ischemic Heart Disease and Diabetes Mellitus in Cardiac
Center Al-Thawra Modern General Hospital
Cover page

24. • Then follows the writing:
“A research proposal submitted to (Name of the department,
Name of faculty) in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the
award of the (specify, eg. Master degree in……, or Doctor of
Philosophy degree in …..].”
• Full names of student followed by highest qualification in
standard abbreviation in brackets.
• Name of supervisors, followed by affiliation, name of
department and faculty.
Cover page

25. 1. Introduction

26. 1. Introduction
1 Background of the study
2 Problem statement
3 Justifications of the study

27. 2. Review of Literature

28. o Summary of relevant and current literature,
including theoretical framework and robust studies
o Be analytical, describe agreement and
controversies of researchers and gaps in previous
research e.g. geographical, new risk factors
2. Review of Literature

29. o Starts from international level then Arab region
ending up about the situation in Yemen.
o Don't waste your time or pages on history of a
topic
o At least 80% of the cited literature must be 80%
within the 5 years prior to the research.
2. Review of Literature

30. 3. Objectives and Hypothesis of
the study

31. o Simple (not complex)
o Specific (not vague).
o Presents what is planned to achieve
o Separate section following the introduction
3. Objectives and Hypothesis of the study

32. ❖General objective
❖Specific Objectives
3. Objectives and Hypothesis of the study

33. Specific objectives should be SMART:
❑Specific
❑Measurable
❑Applicable (can be done)
❑Relevant to the study topic
❑Time bound within the study frame.
o Starts with action verb: e.g. to identify, to describe,
to assess, to explore, to find out, to determine, to
examine…etc..
3. Objectives and Hypothesis of the study

34. 4. Research Methodology

35. It is the most important part of the protocol
❑ Study design
o Descriptive, analytical or experimental studies
❑ Study setting
o Where and when
❑ Study population and sample of the study
❑ Inclusion and exclusion criteria
4. Research Methodology

36. ❑ Sample Size calculation.
❑ Sampling technique
❑ Study variables
❑ Data collection technique and tools
❑ Pilot study
❑ Validity and rideability of tools
❑ Data processing and analysis
❑ Ethical consideration
4. Research Methodology

37. 5. Budget

38. • Includes items, units and total cost.
• Can cover personal, material and equipment,
transportation, communication, printing and
production of materials cost?
5. Budget (optional)

39. 6. Work Plan

40. 6. Work Plan “Time table”

41. 7. References

42. ➢ Provide full citations
➢New page at the end of the document.
➢Single spaced
➢Alphabetically listed
➢Harvard style system
7. References

43. Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Rafiq
Cardiology MD Candidate