1. Proposal Writing
Academic Development Training Course for University Teachers
Salahaddin University-Erbil
August-September 2016
Prof.Fatimah R.Hasan Bajalani

2. Introduction
Proposal : a research contract that spells out the details of your research plan.
The thesis proposal helps you focus your
research aims, clarify its importance and the
need, describe the methods, predict problems and outcomes, and plan alternatives and interventions.

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4. Before you write a proposal
What do you want to do, how much will it cost, and how much time will it take?
How does the proposed project relate to the sponsor's interests?
What difference will the project make to: your students, your field, your patients, the state, the nation, the world, or whatever the appropriate categories are?
What has already been done in the area of your project?
How do you plan to do it?
How will the results be evaluated or analyzed?
Why should you, rather than someone else, do this project?

5. Components of a PhD Proposal
Choosing an original topic
Introduction
Problem Statement/Background
Purpose
Significance
Methodology
Literature review

6. Components of a PhD Proposal
Hypotheses
Definition of basic terms
Scope and limitations
Procedure

7. Routine Information
This can be a full cover page or a quarter page header.
• Name
• Address, telephone and details
• Degree for which you are a candidate
• Supervisor’s and co-supervisor’s names
• Thesis proposal title
• Date

8. Choosing an original title
Interesting
Solves a Problem in the community
Sources available
Novel/original
Adds to knowledge

9. 1.Introduction
If you are required to write an introduction, write it so it captures the reader’s interest in this overview. It does not have to be perfect.
You can write this section last. Your best overview of your project most likely will come after you have written the other sections of your proposal.

10. 2. Problem Statement/Background
First formulate a research question. Next restate the question in the form of a statement.
The type of study determines the kinds of question you should formulate, such as:
- Is there something wrong in society, theoretically
unclear or in argument, or historically worth studying?
-Is there a program, drug, project, or product that
needs evaluation?
- What do you intend to create or produce and how
will it be of value to you and society?

11. Problem Statement/Background
Capture the reader’s interest and convince him/her of the significance of the problem.
Give at least three reasons why the problem you have chosen is important to you and society, and specify at least two concrete examples of the problem.

12. 3. Purpose
Begin with “The purpose of this study is to…” change, interpret, understand, evaluate, or analyze the problem.
State your goal completely. Remember, it should be some form of investigative activity.

13. Work in groups and brainstorm: - choose an original title
Group work/Practice
Work in groups and brainstorm:
- choose an original title
- write the problem
- write the purpose.
Peer Review

14. 4. Significance
Focus on the benefits of your study not the research problem.
Place yourself in the position of responding to someone who says “so what?” Provide a persuasive rationale for your argument by answering the following questions:
-Why is your study important?
-To whom is it important?
-What can happen to society, or theory, or a
program if the study is done or not done?

15. 5. Methodology
Describe your proposed methods in sufficient detail so that the reader is clear about the following:
• What kind of information will you be using?
• From what sources will the information be
obtained?
• What resources will you require?
• What methodology will you be using?
• Why have you selected this approach?
• What ethical and safety issues have you identified
and how do you propose to proceed?

16. Work in groups and brainstorm: - Write the significance of the study.
Group work/Practice
Work in groups and brainstorm:
- Write the significance of the
study.
- Write the methodology.
Peer Review

17. 6. Literature Review
The literature review should explain the relation of your topic and research aims to significant literature and recent (and current) research in your field.
The form of the literature review may vary according to the nature of the field: experimental, philosophical, theoretical, comparative, etc., but its purpose will be the same in all fields.

18. Literature Review
The literature review should demonstrate your awareness of significant similar or relevant research.
Locate and briefly describe those studies and theories that support and oppose your approach to the problem in context through a critical analysis of selected research reports.

19. Literature Review
• Identify major omissions, gaps or neglected emphases in these studies?
If there are various theories on your topic or in your field, which one(s) will you use in your
conceptual framework for your thesis?

20. Group work/Practice
Search for three relevant studies to your title. You will present and discuss them tomorrow.

21. 7. Hypotheses
State clearly and briefly what you expect the results of your study to show.
Focus more on the nature of what you expect to find and less on how you will test for those expectations.

22. Work in groups and brainstorm: -write the hypotheses. Peer Review
Group work/Practice
Work in groups and brainstorm:
-write the hypotheses.
Peer Review

23. 8. Definition of Terms
Describe for the reader the exact meaning of all terms used in the problem, purpose and methodology sections. Include any terms that, if not defined, might confuse the reader.
State the clearest definition of each term using synonyms, analogies, descriptions, examples etc. Define any theoretical terms as they are defined by proponents of the theory you are using.

24. Group work/Practice
Search for three basic terms you will use and deal with in your study. You will present them tomorrow.

25. 10. Scope & Limitations
Disclose any conceptual and methodological limitations.
Use the following questions to identify the limitations of your study: What kind of design, sampling, measurement, and analysis would be used “in the best of all possible worlds”? How far from these ideals is your study likely to be?

26. 11. Procedure
Describe in detail all the steps you will carry out to choose subjects, construct variables, develop hypotheses, gather and present data, such that another researcher could replicate your work.
Remember the presentation of data never speaks for itself, it must be interpreted.

27. In groups comment on the last components of your proposal. Peer Review
Group work/Practice
In groups comment on the last components of your proposal.
Peer Review

28. Research program timetable: milestones
This will usually be from the date you began your degree to when you expect to submit the completed thesis/dissertation.
The time-line can be formatted as a table or a list. Include when you will start and finish important aspects of your research, such as:
-literature research,
-required training or attending courses,
-stages of experiments or investigations,
-beginning and completing chapters,
-reviews and seminars you will give,
-and completing the thesis.

29. Tentative thesis chapter outline
You should check with your supervisor if this is a required section of the thesis proposal.
Present the chapter outline as a draft contents page with brief notes of expected content or stages.
Follow the standard sections relevant to your type of research. Look at past theses in your area and discuss your ideas with your supervisor.

30. Recommended Readings
Francis, J. Bruce .The Proposal Cookbook: A Step by Step Guide to Dissertation and Thesis Proposal Writing
Allen, G.R. (1976) The graduate student`s guide to theses and dissertations: A practical manual for writing and research.San Francisco, CA, Jossey-Bass.
Cryer, P. (1996) The research student`s guide to success. Buckingham, Open University Press.
Davis, G.B. & Parker, C.A. (1979) Writing the doctoral dissertation: A systematic approach. Woodbury, NY, Barrons Educational Series.
Laws, K. (1995) Preparing a Thesis or Dissertation Proposal. University of Sydney.
Phillips, E.M. & Pugh D.S. (1987) How to get a Ph. D.: A handbook for students and their supervisors. 2nd Ed. Buckingham, Open University Press.
Postgraduate Board, Student Guild (1998) Practical aspects of producing a thesis at the University of New South Wales. 3rd Ed. Available from the Student Guild, First Floor East Wing, Quadrangle Building, The University of New SouthWales.
Karathwohl, D.R. (1988) How to prepare a research proposal. Guidelines for funding and dissertations in the social and behavioural sciences. 3rd Ed. New York, Syracuse University Press.

31. Contact Information
Fatimah R.Hasan Al Bajalani,  PhD
Professor in Applied Linguistics/
English Language Teaching and Curriculum
Design
Director of Curriculum Development
Salahaddin University-Erbil, KRG
   
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