Many believe writing the thesis proposal to be the toughest part of the whole thesis process. On the other hand, the building of the thesis plan is not linear. It is common to work on a plan for numerous months, and to write 15-20 drafts. In general, I think that proposals must be in the 20 page range. It is recommended that a thesis plan must have the following parts:

  I.    Introduction

Summary of the larger puzzles and issues

Locating your work in a larger issue

Main research question

II.    Problem Statement

What is the issue?

What are the specific questions?

What is the context and background?

Why does this matter?

III.    Conceptual Framework

How do you look at this puzzle?

What is the theoretical framework (what is this a case of?)?

What are the key constructs?

What are specific terms you are using and how do you define them?

Model of what you think is going on

IV.    Methods

What do you plan to do and why?

How do this link to the questions and the CF?

V.    Bibliography

Make a list of all your source materials, making sure to properly format them in whatever academic style is required.   

VI.    Appendices

Survey drafts

Pilot data

Timeline