Writing your Master's dissertation proposal

Writing Development Centre
University Library
facebook.com/NUlibraries
@ncl_wdc
The Writing Development Centre
Contact: wdc@ncl.ac.uk
Writing Your Master’s
Dissertation Proposal

University Library
@ncl_wdc
Slides will be uploaded:
Slides will be made available after the session at:
http://www.slideshare.net/WDCNewcastle

University Library
@ncl_wdc
Session outline
 The research proposal – what is it?
 Choosing your research project
 Functions and purpose of the research proposal
 Sections of the research proposal
 Common problems

University Library
@ncl_wdc
What is a research proposal?
 Phase: Very important first stage of the overall
research process
 Process: Planning and designing the research
(including placing it in context and linking it to
relevant literature)
 Product: The finished document (often assessed
in own right)
 Plan: The proposed plan for the execution of the
research
Punch (2006)

University Library
@ncl_wdc
Choosing a good research topic
 Choose something you are capable of undertaking
 Make sure you have the required skills, or can develop them in the time available
 Consider financial and time constraints
 Ensure that you can gain access to the data you need to collect
 It is important that the issues within the research can be linked to theory
 Knowledge of the relevant literature is important (but you don’t need to read
everything!)
 Clearly define your research questions and objectives
 Consider whether your research will provide fresh insights into the topic
 Choose a topic that interests you

University Library
@ncl_wdc
Functions and purpose of the
proposal
 To explain
 To persuade

University Library
@ncl_wdc
Functions and purpose of the
proposal
 Explanation
 What is the general research area?
 What is the research topic?
 What is the purpose of the research (what is it trying to find out or
achieve)?
 Is there a particular perspective behind my research (theoretical
framework/conceptual framework)?
 What are the general research questions?
 What are the specific research questions?
 How does the research propose to answer these questions? What
research methods will you use?
 What research instruments will you use?
 How will you analyse the data?

University Library
@ncl_wdc
Functions and purpose
 Persuasion
 Is there a need for the research – is it significant or important?
 Is the research grounded in the existing literature?
 Is the research doable by one person in the time available?
 Is the topic viable (in terms of data, sources, supervisors,
equipment)?
 Is the methodology suited to the purpose of the research/the stated
aims and objectives?
 Have you considered ethical issues and sought approval if
necessary?
 Does the topic match your interests and capabilities?

University Library
@ncl_wdc
The dissertation proposal as product
 Sections of the research proposal
 Common problems

University Library
@ncl_wdc
Sections (suggested)
 Introduction / Statement of intent
 Background (literature review/theoretical framework)
 Focus
 Research questions or hypotheses
 Methodology
 Timetable
 Chapter outline
 References

University Library
@ncl_wdc
Introducing the study
 The introduction
 identifies and defines key concepts
 specifies area of concern
 arouses interest (e.g. indication of the importance of
the study to theory or practice)
 communicates information that is essential to the
reader’s comprehension of what follows

University Library
@ncl_wdc
Background
 The background section
 establishes the lineage of the research problem by means of a
review of previous research and, where relevant contemporary
practice
 may introduce conceptual/theoretical framework (though this may
be a separate section)
 answers the questions:
 What do we already know or do?
 What do we need to know or do?

University Library
@ncl_wdc
Focus
 This section:
 states the aim/purpose of the research
 convinces the reader that you are asking the right question(s) and
that the answer is worth finding

University Library
@ncl_wdc
Formulating research questions or
hypotheses
 Questions (exploratory studies, qualitative research)
 Hypotheses (where existing knowledge/theory permits the
formulation of reasonable predictions)

University Library
@ncl_wdc
Quantitative research: Formulating
research questions
 Three tests:
 Is the question free of ambiguity?
 Is a relationship among variables expressed?
 Does the question imply an empirical test?
 Can you improve this question?
 Is there a relationship between self-esteem and reading
achievement in children?

University Library
@ncl_wdc
A clearer, less ambiguous question
Is there a relationship between scores on
the Children’s Test of Self-Esteem and
scores on the reading element of the
Scholastic Achievement test?

University Library
@ncl_wdc
Questions in qualitative proposals
 Usually more generalised; e.g.:
 What expectations do trainee teachers have of their trainers at the
beginning of the training programme?
 How do these expectations change in the course of the year?

University Library
@ncl_wdc
Problems with research questions
 The problem is not of sufficient importance or is unlikely to
produce any new or useful information
 The proposed research is based on a hypothesis that rests
on insufficient evidence, is doubtful or unsound
 The problem is more complex than the researcher appears
to realise
 The research as proposed is too broad, with too many
variables
 There is no clear research aim

University Library
@ncl_wdc
Methodology
 IMPORTANT: The quality of the data depends on the
appropriate selection of methods.
 This section includes:
 Identification and description of the target population and
sampling methods to be used (quantitative research)
 Presentation of instruments, equipment and/or techniques for
measurement (quantitative research)
 Presentation of procedures for collecting and recording data
 Explanation of data analysis procedures to be used
 Explanation of the coding process and system (qualitative
research)
 Development of plans for contingencies such as sudden
unavailability of subjects
 Explanation of limitations or restrictive weaknesses
 Ethical considerations

University Library
@ncl_wdc
Common problems with
approach/methodology
 The proposed methods are unsuited to the stated
objective
 The description of the approach is lacking in
clarity
 The statistical aspects of the approach have not
been given sufficient consideration
 The sample size (number of observations) is too
small
 The coding system is not effective.

University Library
@ncl_wdc
Further reading
Creswell, J.W. (2009) Research Design 3rd edition. Thousand
Oaks, Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE
Locke, L.F., Spirduso, W.W. and Silverman S.J. ( 2007)
Proposals that Work 5th edition. Thousand Oaks, CA and
London: SAGE
Punch, K.F. (2006) Developing Effective Research Proposals
2nd edition. London and Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE

University Library
@ncl_wdc
Level 2, Robinson Library
Undergraduate - Masters - PhD
Our team of expert tutors offers:
- Individual tutorials
- Workshops
- Online resources
Visit us online to book: http://www.ncl.ac.uk/students/wdc/
HASS – SAgE - FMS

University Library
@ncl_wdc
Develop your academic skills
 Take effective notes
 Think critically
 Interpret essay questions
 Understand assessment
criteria
 Read efficiently
 Argue convincingly
 Plan assignments
 Manage your time
 Express ideas confidently
• Revise effectively
• Critically review literature
• Structure essays
• Use drafting & editing
techniques
• Make the most of lectures
& seminars
• Manage your dissertation
or PhD thesis
• Avoid plagiarism
• Improve your exam
technique

Notice and Take Down Policy
Newcastle University seeks to observe the highest standards of compliance with the law and the rights of rights
holders, while publishing research and teaching resources to support our students and staff and contribute to
academic practice.
If you are a rights holder and are concerned that you have found material on our website or legitimately under our
name elsewhere, for which you have not given permission, or is not covered by a limitation or exception in laws of
the UK or other countries (as relevant), please contact us in writing stating the following:
your contact details
the full bibliographic details of the materials
the exact URL or other location where you found the material
proof that you are the rights holder and a statement that, under penalty of perjury, you are the rights holder or are
an authorised representative
Contact details
Email: noticeandtakedown@ncl.ac.uk
Web: http://www.ncl.ac.uk/info/legal/takedown.html

Writing your Master's dissertation proposal

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

What's hot

What's hot (20)

Similar to Writing your Master's dissertation proposal

Similar to Writing your Master's dissertation proposal (20)

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (20)

Writing your Master's dissertation proposal