A PhD dissertation is much more complex than the project you submitted for your bachelor’s and master’s degree. It is deeper, richer, the most complex and lengthiest form of academic writing. We are not saying this to scare you, but to prepare you for what lies ahead of your PhD program. Meanwhile, it is okay if you don’t know how to write a PhD dissertation proposal; that’s why we are here.
What is a dissertation proposal?
A dissertation proposal is a brief but detailed rundown of your PhD project, highlighting the uniqueness and aims of the research. A PhD proposal will typically contain a direct and clear question, how you propose to answer the question and the significance of your research. It will also include how your research challenges, impacts, or adds to existing literature. Finally, you may need to do a dissertation proposal defense to convince the board that your research should be accepted.
There isn’t an exact answer to how long a dissertation proposal should be; it depends on the institution you’re sending it to. Therefore, you should always read and understand guidelines and ensure you have the correct information before writing and submitting. However, your proposal should not answer the research questions; the research work itself will do that.
The importance of a strong dissertation proposal
You need a strong dissertation proposal if you will be accepted into the program. The stage of writing a PhD dissertation proposal is an important one because it can make or mar your success. Your PhD proposal presents an outline for your intended research in the program.
Most PhD applicants are confused by the proposal-writing process because it requires much information. Plus, the wrong structure can lead to your proposal getting rejected. However, if you can access a good research proposal example, your work is halfway done.
Elements of a dissertation proposal outline
Your dissertation proposal should clearly and concisely present and demonstrate your ideas. Below are the things that should be included in your dissertation proposal:
- Your topic;
- Your supervisor’s details;
- The proposed research method;
- The aims and objectives of your dissertation research;
- A synopsis of the study;
- The background of the study;
- What your study is expected to contribute to the existing body of knowledge;
- An overview of your proposed methodology and techniques for conducting the research;
- Your work plan, including how long it’ll take you to finish the research;
- Details of what you’ll need to carry out the research work, including equipment and proposed budget;
- A list of references of sources consulted to write the proposal.
How to write strong dissertation research proposal
Below are the steps involved in writing a strong dissertation proposal:
- Step 1: Choose your first words, the research title – it should be self-explanatory, giving readers a brief insight into the work. It should be interesting enough to make potential supervisors want to keep reading.
- Step 2: State your supervisor’s name, department, and faculty.
- Step 3: Create an outline of your proposed research mode – that is, the type of research you will be doing. Examples of modes of research include field work, written research, and data studies.
- Step 4: List out the aims and objectives of the study, telling readers what exactly you hope to achieve with the research. This section should also reference your reason for applying for a PhD.
- Step 5: Present a brief synopsis or example of what the study is about – like a summarized version of the proposal.
- Step 6: Provide a detailed background of your research, including the current state of your field.
- Step 7: Explain what your research hopes to bring to the knowledge table; this is your expected research contribution.
- Step 8: Elucidate your proposed research methodology, sharing the techniques you’ll be using to conduct the research.
- Step 9: Give a detailed work timeline and plan showing how you intend to execute the research through the course of the PhD program. A work plan shows the feasibility of your research work and can influence whether or not your application will be accepted.
- Step 10: Show how much work you’ve put into the proposal with a list of all your required resources.
- Step 11: Mention all your sources in the bibliography, providing links where necessary.
In conclusion, thousands of people apply for and are awarded a PhD degree every year. That implies that the PhD program is a highly competitive one; only applicants with strong and convincing proposals are accepted. Meanwhile, if you’re unable to write one, you can always hire dissertation proposal help.
