Example Outlines for Five Types of Proposals
The following five proposal outlines are modified from those listed by the Southern Connecticut State University School of Graduate Studies in their Revised Thesis Proposal Requirements and Guidelines dated May 1999.
AN OUTLINE OF AN INVESTIGATIVE OR EXPERIMENTAL STUDY
A.Title of proposed thesis
B.Abstract – optional
C.Introduction
1.Statement of purpose(s)
2.Literature review - Relationship of study to related research and analysis of pertinent research
3.Statement of need or relevance of the study
D.Methodology
1.Experimental design (include methods and materials)
2.Subjects to be used, if appropriate
3.Measures used (surveys, interviews, psychological instruments,protocols, etcetera)
4.Plan for the analysis of data
E.List of References
AN OUTLINE OF A DESCRIPTIVE OR HISTORICAL STUDY
A.Title of proposed thesis
B.Abstract –optional
C.Introduction
1.Statement of purpose(s)
2.Literature review - Relationship of study to related research and analysis of pertinent research
3.Statement of need or relevance of the study
D. Methodology
1.Research plan
2.Proposed chapter development with discussion of major subheadings
E.List of References
AN OUTLINE OF AN INTERPRETIVE, ANALYTICAL OR CRITICAL STUDY
A.Title of proposed thesis
B.Abstract – optional
C.Introduction
1.Summary of the argument and its significance as a contribution to knowledge
2.Review of the criticism and scholarly literature on the subject
D.Methodology Description of the analytical, critical, or interpretative methods and the theoretical approaches that will be used
E.List of References
AN OUTLINE OF A CREATIVE STUDY*
A.Title of proposed thesis
B.Abstract – optional
C.Introduction
1.A clear, concise description of the nature and themes of the final creative product
2.An explanation of why a creative thesis was chosen and why the specific form and genre were selected
D.Methodology A brief discussion of the major elements of the craft that will be used and how they will be used to achieve certain aims or effects.
E.List of References* Examples of research creative methods: Art Project, Music Recital, or Curriculum Development
AN OUTLINE OF A QUALITATIVE STUDY*
Title of proposed thesis Abstract – optional Introduction
1.Statement of purpose and/or a description of the phenomenon to be studied including its significance to the field of study and research questions.
2.Review of relevant research as appropriate to methodology used(include researcher's perspective)
Methodology
1.Sample selection
2.Data gathering technique
3.Data analysis methods
4.Limitations
5.Ethical considerations
E. List of References*Examples of research using qualitative methods: phenomenological, ethnographic,grounded theory, philosophical investigations
The following five proposal outlines are modified from those listed by the Southern Connecticut State University School of Graduate Studies in their Revised Thesis Proposal Requirements and Guidelines dated May 1999.
AN OUTLINE OF AN INVESTIGATIVE OR EXPERIMENTAL STUDY
A.Title of proposed thesis
B.Abstract – optional
C.Introduction
1.Statement of purpose(s)
2.Literature review - Relationship of study to related research and analysis of pertinent research
3.Statement of need or relevance of the study
D.Methodology
1.Experimental design (include methods and materials)
2.Subjects to be used, if appropriate
3.Measures used (surveys, interviews, psychological instruments,protocols, etcetera)
4.Plan for the analysis of data
E.List of References
AN OUTLINE OF A DESCRIPTIVE OR HISTORICAL STUDY
A.Title of proposed thesis
B.Abstract –optional
C.Introduction
1.Statement of purpose(s)
2.Literature review - Relationship of study to related research and analysis of pertinent research
3.Statement of need or relevance of the study
D. Methodology
1.Research plan
2.Proposed chapter development with discussion of major subheadings
E.List of References
AN OUTLINE OF AN INTERPRETIVE, ANALYTICAL OR CRITICAL STUDY
A.Title of proposed thesis
B.Abstract – optional
C.Introduction
1.Summary of the argument and its significance as a contribution to knowledge
2.Review of the criticism and scholarly literature on the subject
D.Methodology Description of the analytical, critical, or interpretative methods and the theoretical approaches that will be used
E.List of References
AN OUTLINE OF A CREATIVE STUDY*
A.Title of proposed thesis
B.Abstract – optional
C.Introduction
1.A clear, concise description of the nature and themes of the final creative product
2.An explanation of why a creative thesis was chosen and why the specific form and genre were selected
D.Methodology A brief discussion of the major elements of the craft that will be used and how they will be used to achieve certain aims or effects.
E.List of References* Examples of research creative methods: Art Project, Music Recital, or Curriculum Development
AN OUTLINE OF A QUALITATIVE STUDY*
Title of proposed thesis Abstract – optional Introduction
1.Statement of purpose and/or a description of the phenomenon to be studied including its significance to the field of study and research questions.
2.Review of relevant research as appropriate to methodology used(include researcher's perspective)
Methodology
1.Sample selection
2.Data gathering technique
3.Data analysis methods
4.Limitations
5.Ethical considerations
E. List of References*Examples of research using qualitative methods: phenomenological, ethnographic,grounded theory, philosophical investigations