How to write aThesis proposal

What we will learn today?

• To answer why we should write a thesis?

• Define the protocol and proposal

• Describe the component of protocol and proposal

• Enumerate the steps of proposal writing

• Bridge the gap to start research and thesis writing

Theoretical aspects

What is a research?

Theoretically -An intellectual investigation to discover and

interpret human knowledge

A scientific researchSystematic collection, analysis and

interpretation of information/data to solve a problem

First thing first

Why it is a prerequisite for fellowship, masters and PhD programs ?

To use this excellent learning experience as a tool for ‘learning to learn’

• To familiarize the student with the steps of research,

• To promote critical and analytical thinking

• To provide an experience in scientific writing and

• To contribute to knowledge.

Writing a thesis is the

Stages in a research work

1. Planning I. Problem identificationII. Knowledge building about

the problemIII. Search for an un answered

question and selection of a question/Research question

IV. Problem statement/ Formulation of hypothesis

V. Finding the objectives and Preparing the instrument

VI. Methodology/Study design selection

VII. Proposal writing, Ethical clearance and funding issue

2. Data collection

3. Data processing-analysis, interpretation, drawing of inferences

4. Writing reports/ thesis/dissertation

5. Article publication/ presentation in seminar

Steps for thesis works

• Step 1- Start literature review

• Step 2 – Start working with guide/Supervisor

• Step 3 – Preparation, submission and approval of the proposal

(all these must be completed within 1/4th of the total time)

• Step 4 – Start data collection

• Step 5 – Start data management and start report writing

• Step 6 – Continue to finish report writing

( must be completed within 2/3rd of total time)

• Step 7 – Revision and correction of the report

• Step 8 – Final correction, editing and submission

(must be within 5/6th of total time)

• Step 10 -- Writing thesis derived articles

• Step 11 – Defending the thesis

• Step 12 – Finalizing and submission for the university

Protocol vs. proposal

• Protocol – A document describing a route map – For the purpose, rationale, objectives,

methodology and scientific plan of research work

• Proposal – A document written for obtaining fund and contains- – Protocol– Budget– Other administrative and supportive informations

To Whom ?

• Academic advisor- Protocol

• A financial authority – Proposal

• Committee – Protocol/proposal– IRB

• Ethical committee• Scientific committee

Why proposal ?

• To develop a focused project

• There must be a theme

• The theme must have an academic value

• There must be an empirical evidence in the proposal

What for ?To explain –

• What you want to study,

• How you will study this topic,

• Why this topic needs to be studied,

• When you intend to do this work,

• Where your study will take place?

General advice

• Keep a notebook to write down relevant thoughts

• Compose different parts in different files/index cards

• Start with more “clear cut” sections first

Specific advice

• Be prepared to revise!

• Think – it is beginning of your thesis/dissertation

• Proposal is not to limit ideas, but to help think practically

Selection of a theme

• Don’t be overenthusiastic – Don’t select completely new theme

• This is the job of expert/outstanding student

• This is a learning project – So be careful to select the topic

Essential fundamental criteria

• Academic value– Relevance to academic community

• Confers or refute any existing theory• Clarify existing knowledge• An insight of undiscovered area

• External validity– The level of generalizability of the anticipated

result

• Internal validity

• Argumentation – Academic love to debate

• Inductive reasoning – to arrive at a theory• Deductive analysis – to conclude on specific fact

Critical literature review is very essential

The real work

How to work for Thesis proposal?

Tips For Preparing the Proposal

• Give plenty of time– A good proposal needs around six months to

prepare

• Complete a thorough literature review

• Communicate with your guide /supervisor

• Talk with the experts

Elements of a protocol (A large fraction can be used for final thesis)

• Title page/ Cover page

• Abstract

• Table of contents(optional)

• Introduction

• Problem/thesis statement– Background– Rationale – Implications of research

• Research question/hypothesis

• Objectives

• Review of literature

• Approach/methods

• Preliminary/expected results and discussion

• List of references

• Work plan including time table

• Appendix

Step 1 Start literature search and review

• To select the problem

• To build up knowledge on the related issues

• To discuss with the supervisor/seniors /colleagues

• Selection and working with the title

Step 2Working with the Guide

• Mind maps on

– Development of the research instrument

– Planning for pretesting

– Development of protocol/proposal draft

– Time line for submission for protocol/proposal

Step 3Selection and working with the working title

• Select an working title

– Please do some exercise – 10 m

Start writing

Page Considerations

• Title Page and Abstract is not numbered.

• Introduction starts on a separate page, and is numbered page 1.

• Body not exceeding 20 pages

Title page

• Title – Brief, concise, complete, unequivocal, self explanatory

• Investigators particulars– Name, qualification, course name, department and institute

• Supervisors particulars – Name, qualifications, position, institution

Write the title in Title case or CAPITALIZE

PROPOSAL

To the Centre for Medical Education

Mohakhali, Dhaka

Submitted by Dr Md Abdul Wohab Khan

MBBS,FCPS ME – 7, Roll no – 7,

Contact – Cell +88-01711521064 E mail - drkhan1962@live.com

For

The fulfillment of requirement in Part III MMEd examination July 2012

Title:

Quality of Supervised Research Report in Relation to the Postgraduate Medical Qualifications in Bangladesh

Period of work: July 2011 to June 2012 Date Submitted: September 15, 2011 Supervisor: Professor Saiful Islam MBBS,FCPS,MMEd Chairman Pediatric surgery and Medical educationist BSMMU Signatures Guide: Researcher:

Abstract page

• A brief introduction on the issue – Purpose – Make a problem statement– Aims and objectives

• A summary of how you are going to solve the issue – Methodology/Study design

• A possible implication of result – Expected out-come and – Contribution of the study to the field

Should be within ~200 words

Table of contents(Optional)

• List of all headings and subheadings with page numbers

• Indent subheadings

Introduction• A short summary of the major questions behind and try to

capture readers interest

• Sets the context for the proposed project

• Explain the background ;starting from a broad picture narrowing in on your research question

• Review what is known about your research topic as far as it is relevant to your thesis

• Cite relevant references

Problem Statement(Thesis statement)

• Background-– A state of gap, uncertainty or dissatisfaction with

present knowledge is identified

• Rational-– Establish that it is important to have the solution

• Implication – Clearly and precisely state how the result help to

advance our knowledgeCite relevant references

• Thesis statement

– Last couple of sentences of problem statement that will eventually helps in formulating-

• Research question or hypothesis and• Aims and objectives

Literature review

• It is the research on research

• Describe, summarize, evaluate and clarify the informations so far known on the problem

• Build up theories on the problem

• Formulate the instruments and methods

Approach/methods

• Overall description of your approach, materials, and procedures– What methods will be used?– How will data be collected and analyzed?– What materials will be used?

• include calculations, technique, procedure, equipment, and calibration graphs

• Limitations, assumptions, and range of validity• Citations (limited to data sources and for more

complete descriptions of procedures)• Do not include results and discussion

Appendix

• Instruments

• Flow diagram with time frame

• Budget and resources required

• Administrative supportive documents

• Ethical clearance

• Patient consent form

• Declaration of conflict of interest

• Figures and tables

Plan of Work

0 m Schedule the date of presentation Thesis Proposal

• 0-10 m Literature review and knowledge building

• 0-3 m Writing Thesis Proposal, proposal presentation, Supervision Plan

• 3 m Submission and approval of Thesis Proposal to Thesis Committee.

• 3 m – 8m Data collection

• 8m - 9 m Data processing & Preparing Results & Interim report to supervisor

• 10 m Draft thesis writing and proofreading.

• 11m Final writing and Thesis Submission

Thesis work (plan) Activities in relation with time

July’ 11 Aug’ 11 Sept’ 11 Oct’ 11 Nov’ 11 Dec. 11 Jan.’ 12 Feb.’ 12 Mar’ 12 Apr.’ 12 May’ 12 Jun.12

Literature review

Writing Research proposal

Development of research instrument

Data collection

Data entry and analysis

Report writing and editing

Submission of report

Last but not the least

• Check grammar

• Check spelling

• Be careful on spell checker

• Simple wording better

• Make smaller sentence

• Try to write as you speak !

• Avoid unfamiliar word

• Avoid confusing phrasing

• Think !– You are writing for the

examiners

• Work till you are self confident and satisfied