1. JSGS Professional Workshop Series
PREPARING PROPOSALS
JSGS Professional Workshop Series
Copyright ©Heather McWhinney, 2016

2. JSGS PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOP SERIES
LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR THE WORKSHOP
To review with you the JSGS proposal guidelines.
To assess the strengths and weaknesses of a a student model.
To use the model to determine the best way to approach your own proposal.
To discuss common pitfalls of student proposals.

3. WHAT IS AN ACADEMIC PROPOSAL?
JSGS PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOP SERIES
WHAT IS AN ACADEMIC PROPOSAL?
An academic proposal is a step in the dissertation process. According to Locke et al.,
“ A proposal sets forth the exact nature of the matter to be investigated and a detailed account of the methods to be employed. In addition, the proposal usually contains material supporting the importance of the topic selected and the appropriateness of the research methods.”
Source: Locke, L., Spirduso, W.W. and S.J. Silverman. (2007). Proposals That Work: A Guide for Planning Dissertations and Grant Proposals. 5th Ed. Los Angeles: Sage, p. 3.

4. JSGS PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOP SERIES
WHAT IS THE FUNCTION OF A PROPOSAL?
A proposal functions in three ways:
as a communication tool,
as an action plan, and
as a contract.
Source: Locke, L., Spirduso, W.W. and S.J. Silverman. (2007) Proposals That Work: A Guide for Planning Dissertations and Grant Proposals, 5th Ed. Los Angeles: Sage, p. 3.

5. JSGS PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOP SERIES
THE PROPOSAL AS A COMMUNICATION TOOL
The proposal communicates your research plans to your proposal committee. Committee members will use the document to do the following:
provide guidance,
offer feedback, and
authorize approval.
Source: Locke, L., Spirduso, W.W. and S.J. Silverman. (2007). Proposals That Work: A Guide for Planning Dissertations and Grant Proposals. Los Angeles: Sage, p. 3.
The objective in writing a proposal is to describe what you will do, why it should be done, how you will do it and what you expect will result.

6. JSGS PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOP SERIES
THE PROPOSAL AS AN ACTION PLAN
Your proposal is a step-by-step action plan for your research. It does the following:
anticipates problems,
includes contingency plans,
provides a blueprint for your work, and
provides expectations on which you will be evaluated.
Source: Locke, L., Spirduso, W.W. and S.J. Silverman. (2007) Proposals That Work: A Guide for Planning Dissertations and Grant Proposals. Los Angeles, Sage, p. 3.

7. JSGS PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOP SERIES
WHAT ARE YOUR PROPOSAL OBJECTIVES?
To articulate what needs to be done.
To describe what you will do.
To justify why it should be done.
To describe how you will do it.
To indicate what findings you expect.

8. JSGS PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOP SERIES
CONSIDER YOUR AUDIENCE AND PURPOSE
What are the backgrounds of committee members?
Are they likely to be amenable to your research?
What kinds of things will prejudice your readers against your proposal?
What is the purpose of your research?
What problem are you trying to solve/address?
What are your specific research objectives/questions?

9. JSGS PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOP SERIES
JSGS THESIS AND DISSERTATION PROPOSAL
PARTS
LENGTH
DESCRIPTION
1. Title
Describes topic and attracts interest
2. Table of Contents
1-2 pages
Lists main headings and visuals (not required)
3. Abstract
1/4 to 1/3 page
Summarizes research question, method, expected findings, implications (not required)
4. Introduction
Creates a research space (CARS): establishes research territory; identifies and occupies niche; (Swales & Feak, 2012). Introduces theoretical framework and assumptions; defines terms; shows why research matters.
5. Problem Statement
Elaborates on the niche: states and describes problem; articulates research questions, and/or objectives and approach. Briefly introduces methods.

10. JSGS PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOP SERIES
JSGS THESIS AND DISSERTATION PROPOSAL (2)
PARTS
LENGTH
DESCRIPTION
6. Background/Existing State of Knowledge
2-4 pages
Shows empirical and theoretical work done in area and how it relates to your topic. Elaborates on CARS model; explores the research territory and the research space. Tells the story of your research. Organized thematically.
7. Methodology
3-4 pages
Describes the methods, subjects, location, data collection methods, procedures and data analysis; links these with the problem statement/research questions/goals. Tells why you chose these methods and rejected others. Addresses bias.
8. Policy Implications
1 page
Indicates how the research problem (or potential solution) connects with public policy. What policy change could come from your research?
JSGS MASTER’S THESIS PROPOSAL

11. JSGS PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOP SERIES
JSGS THESIS AND DISSERTATION PROPOSAL (3)
PARTS
LENGTH
DESCRIPTION
9. Potential Difficulties
1 page
Describes any roadblocks that you foresee and how you will work through them. Discusses limitations.
10. Draft Table of Contents
1-2 pages
Outlines the proposed table of contents for the thesis in enough detail that the structure of the is apparent.
11. Timeline
In table form, indicates milestones achieved and those to come to complete the work. Organized by date.
12. References
As needed
Includes all references in the text in Chicago style.

12. JSGS PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOP SERIES
COMMON PITFALLS OF STUDENT PROPOSALS
General
Fail to show the potential impact of the research.
Fail to show the topic is new and innovative.
Have internal contradictions.
Contain plagiarized parts.
Are not objective.

13. JSGS PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOP SERIES
COMMON PITFALLS OF STUDENT PROPOSALS (2)
Writing Style
Imprecise and unclear,
Wordy and redundant,
Too much passive voice,
Too many zombie nouns,
Poor flow and coherence.

14. JSGS PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOP SERIES
COMMON PITFALLS OF STUDENT PROPOSALS (3)
Presentation and Organization
Use headings inconsistently.
Poorly organized within sections.
Fail to use enough sub-headings, lists and visuals.

15. JSGS PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOP SERIES
COMMON PITFALLS OF STUDENT PROPOSALS (4)
Problem Statement and Objectives
Do not identify critical problem.
Do not articulate objectives and research questions.
Do not present research questions in serial order.
Objectives and research design are incompatible.

16. JSGS PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOP SERIES
COMMON PITFALLS OF STUDENT PROPOSALS (5)
Theoretical Framework
Fail to identify key constructs.
Fail to reveal assumptions.
Fail to address alternative frameworks.

17. JSGS PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOP SERIES
COMMON PITFALLS OF STUDENT PROPOSALS (6)
Literature Review/Background
Inadequately synthesize the literature.
Fail to identify gaps in or to critique the research.
Do not discuss seminal works.
Do not articulate relationship between the proposal and literature.

18. JSGS PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOP SERIES
COMMON PITFALLS OF STUDENT PROPOSALS (7)
Methods
Fail to establish links between the methods and the problem statement and research questions or objectives.
Exclude information on how the sample will be selected.
Fail to address potential bias and plans to deal with it.

19. JSGS PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOP SERIES
FINAL KEY CONSIDERATIONS
Choose a topic that interests you!
Consider ethics early.
This training program from the Panel of Research Ethics of the Government of Canada ( is recommended. Take it before you apply for ethical approval.
res?cx= %3Aqzntrpfrv4u&cof=F

20. JSGS PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOP SERIES
FINAL KEY CONSIDERATIONS (2)
Follow JSGS guidelines closely; check your proposal against them. If you want to do things differently from them, check with your supervisor.
Use your supervisor’s time wisely.
Remember the “everything takes twice or three times as long as I thought it would” rule.

21. JSGS PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOP SERIES
REFERENCES
Locke, L., Spirduso, W.W. and S.J. Silverman. (2007). Proposals That Work: A Guide for Planning Dissertations and Grant Proposals. 5th Ed. Los Angeles: Sage. Swales, J.B. & C.M. Feak (2012). Academic Writing for Graduate Students. 3rd. Ed. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press.

22. JSGS PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOP SERIES
JOHNSON SHOYAMA GRADUATE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY
The Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy (JSGS) is a provincial centre for advanced education, research and training in policy and administration. Located on two university campuses, the school:
offers six programs - Master of Public Administration (CAPPA accredited), Master of Public Policy (CAPPA accredited), PhD in Public Policy, Master of International Trade (online), Master of Health Administration (online) and various Masters’ Certificates;
offers Executive Education programs that are in high demand with mid-level to senior executive public servants;

23. JSGS PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOP SERIES
JOHNSON SHOYAMA GRADUATE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY (2)
employs 17 core faculty, including three Canada Research Chairs and one Centennial Research Chair, with +100 years of combined applied public policy, administration and governance experience in industry, government departments, NGOs and advisory committees;
serves as the national headquarters for VALGEN, a $5.4M Genome Canada funded research network that examines the barriers to commercialization of new agri-food technologies and products; and
offers extensive opportunities for students to engage with the policy community and the public through various seminars, symposiums and conferences.