1. The Dissertation/ResearchThe Dissertation/Research
ProposalProposal
Guidelines are adapted fromGuidelines are adapted from
Yildirim’s “Student Handbook forYildirim’s “Student Handbook for
Ph.D. Program”.Ph.D. Program”.

2. What is the purpose of a proposal?What is the purpose of a proposal?
 To describe the purpose of the intendedTo describe the purpose of the intended
studystudy
 To describe how the intended study isTo describe how the intended study is
grounded in the literaturegrounded in the literature
 To describe the importance of the intendedTo describe the importance of the intended
studystudy
 To describe the limitations of the studyTo describe the limitations of the study
 To describe a step by step plan forTo describe a step by step plan for
conducting the studyconducting the study

3. What should be contained in theWhat should be contained in the
proposal?proposal?
IntroductionIntroduction
 Succinct statement of theSuccinct statement of the research problemresearch problem
The rationale and background of the problem citing related literatureThe rationale and background of the problem citing related literature
and research studies that lead logically into the problem statementand research studies that lead logically into the problem statement
 Clear statement of the research questions that flow logically from theClear statement of the research questions that flow logically from the
statement of the problemstatement of the problem

4. Introduction (Continued)Introduction (Continued)
 Statement as to why this problem is worthyStatement as to why this problem is worthy
of study (Significance of the study)of study (Significance of the study)
 Arguments for significance should be madeArguments for significance should be made
on three grounds( practice, policy andon three grounds( practice, policy and
knowledge). In what ways does theknowledge). In what ways does the
research hold the potential to influenceresearch hold the potential to influence
practice, policy and knowledge?practice, policy and knowledge?
 Provide definition of terms.Provide definition of terms.

5. Review of the LiteratureReview of the Literature
 Purpose of the lit. review is to demonstratePurpose of the lit. review is to demonstrate
that you have knowledge of the topic thatthat you have knowledge of the topic that
you are investigating; that you areyou are investigating; that you are
knowledgeable of the major trends inknowledgeable of the major trends in
previous research; that you understand theprevious research; that you understand the
polemics in the field and that youpolemics in the field and that you
understand and can demonstrate theunderstand and can demonstrate the
relevance of the previous works to the focusrelevance of the previous works to the focus
of your dissertationof your dissertation

6. Review of Literature (Continued)Review of Literature (Continued)
 What should be in the lit. review? Cover theWhat should be in the lit. review? Cover the
major theories, positions and studies thatmajor theories, positions and studies that
inform your study.inform your study.
 Be analytical- it isBe analytical- it is notnot a summary of whata summary of what
you have read.you have read.
 Identify themes, conclusions, andIdentify themes, conclusions, and
implications.implications.
 DO NOT QUOTE EXTENSIVELYDO NOT QUOTE EXTENSIVELY

7. Literature Review (Continued)Literature Review (Continued)
 Organize the review by using subheadings.Organize the review by using subheadings.
 Provide a summary at the end of the reviewProvide a summary at the end of the review
that synthesizes from an analyticalthat synthesizes from an analytical
perspective what you have read.perspective what you have read.

8. Theoretical FrameworkTheoretical Framework
 The purpose of the theoretical framework isThe purpose of the theoretical framework is
to describe the models on which theto describe the models on which the
research will be based.research will be based.
 From this framework you will develop yourFrom this framework you will develop your
research questions and workableresearch questions and workable
hypotheses.hypotheses.

9. HypothesesHypotheses
 Should be workable, testable and flowShould be workable, testable and flow
logically from your theoretical framework.logically from your theoretical framework.

10. MethodMethod
 The method section describes in detail andThe method section describes in detail and
with in-depth specificity how you plan to getwith in-depth specificity how you plan to get
the answers to your research questions andthe answers to your research questions and
hypotheses.hypotheses.
 It must convince the reader that the way youIt must convince the reader that the way you
plan to get the data is reasonable, reliableplan to get the data is reasonable, reliable
and valid.and valid.

11. Method ContinuedMethod Continued
 What is the overall design?What is the overall design?
 What is the context for the study?What is the context for the study?
 What are the data sources?What are the data sources?
 What instruments will be used to collect the data? How willWhat instruments will be used to collect the data? How will
you safeguard their reliability and validity?you safeguard their reliability and validity?
What procedures and or strategies will be used to collectWhat procedures and or strategies will be used to collect
the data?the data?
 What pilot work, if any will be done, to ensure that theWhat pilot work, if any will be done, to ensure that the
study procedures and instruments are reliable and valid?study procedures and instruments are reliable and valid?
 What analytical strategies will be used with the data?What analytical strategies will be used with the data?

12. MethodMethod
 Can you demonstrate a clear link betweenCan you demonstrate a clear link between
your research questions/hypotheses andyour research questions/hypotheses and
your method section?.your method section?.