How to Write a Thesis Proposal

How to Write a Thesis Proposal

Chances are, you have never written a thesis proposal. You are about to learn how. When you are ready to begin your thesis, you and your advisor will discuss possible topics for a good thesis, and ultimately you will pick one. But this is just the beginning. The next step is going off on your own to conduct some preliminary research on that topic, so that you may develop a good research question and a hypothesis. You and your advisor may meet again, so that the topic and question for study may be approved. Now, with some additional work on your part, you will be ready for the next step – that thesis proposal.

Components of a Thesis Proposal

Writing a thesis proposal is very much like mapping out a plan for your research project. Each of the following elements must be included:

1. You will need to make a clear statement of your research question and your hypothesis.
2. You will need to justify your research question as one that will build on, replicate or negate previous research, in order to contribute something meaningful to your field.
3. You will need to explain your research design and implementation and speak to the instruments you intend to use, even if you have not yet created those instruments.
4. You will need to establish a timeline for completion of the thesis

Writing the thesis proposal is very much like writing a research proposal for a dissertation or grant funding. So if you plan to go beyond your Master’s degree, this experience will serve you well.

Getting the Proposal Approved

Often, a thesis proposal is rejected the first time it is submitted. The reasons for this may be any of the following:

1. Failure to follow the exact guidelines for structure that your department requires.
2. Not enough initial background research
3. Grammar and composition errors
4. A design that is not complete enough
5. An advisor who wants to insert some of his/her own biases in the form of suggestions for research or design

It can be frustrating to get a rejection, but take it in stride, understanding that this is the first time you are going to write a thesis, and you have no experience with any of the steps, including the proposal.

Getting Help and Advice is Quite Common

Most students embarking on their thesis projects do seek help from others, and you should not feel embarrassed that you need some assistance. Sometimes, good writing services that cater to graduate students can be of invaluable help. They will have a content expert in you field – one who has a Ph.D. and is fully versed in how to write a thesis proposal. Whether you have not yet begun to writer your proposal, or whether you have one that has been rejected, such an expert can craft one for you that will be an exceptional piece of writing that you will be proud to submit.