Structure/Content of the Thesis and Research Paper Proposal
Format
The thesis and research paper proposal should:
Not exceed 3,000 words (i.e. 12 to 15 pages) in length (excluding cover page,
abstract, table of contents, and bibliography). It is imperative to abide by these
requirements as the proposal is also an exercise in concision.
Be double-spaced.
Be typed, using Times New Roman 12 pt font.
Be properly referenced using the APA referencing format (see page 15).
Cover page
Thesis / research paper title.
Student name, student number.
Date.
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Keywords: 2 on concepts, 2 on methods, 1 on the field of observation.
Department, University.
Short summary/abstract (100 words)
The abstract for a research proposal typically provides the following information:
What is the subject/topic/issue at hand?
What is the conceptual/theoretical framework guiding the study and the central
research problem/question?
What are the proposed methodology and research techniques to be employed
(thesis dependent)?
What are the expected/anticipated finding(s) and their implications?
Table of Contents
Introduction (1 to 2 pages)
Statement of:
context/rationale for the proposed study;
central research problem; and
research objectives.
Literature review (4-5 pages)
The primary aim of this section is to provide evidence that you understand the
broader issues associated with the topic selected. The text should be presented
in an essay format. In this part of the research proposal, it is important to define
the key concepts that will be used to guide the research, including how they are
contested and where they are located within the broad theoretical paradigm in
which the project is situated.
In the literature review you are not stating your opinion. Instead, the aim is to
demonstrate your familiarity with the literature relating to the topic selected
through a cohesive argumentation. The structure should be based on an ‘inverted
triangle’ model – i.e. from the general to the specific.
The discussion in the first part of this section should summarize the key
points/concepts/ideas/arguments in the relevant literature and the implications of
these claims vis-à-vis the topic selected. The types of issues that need to be
addressed include:
What is the argument(s) being made, or the position taken, by various authors
writing in the domain to be investigated?
What assumptions underpin these positions/arguments?
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What is the basis for the arguments presented? (i.e. is it an exercise in
pontification or is it based on evidence? If it is based on evidence, what type?);
and
What, if any, are the implications of argument(s) presented? What are the
connections with your own research problématique?
The discussion in the concluding part of this section should:
clearly set out the conceptual/theoretical framework to be used for the study;
and
show how the central research question and/or hypotheses to be investigated
emerge from the existing literature;
(i.e. Proponents of perspective X claim/argue/assert that …. In contrast,
proponents of perspective Y claim/argue/assert that …These competing views
give rise to question/hypothesis Z).
Note: The central research question must be clearly stated at the end of the
literature review.
Methodology (4 to 5 pages)
In this section, it is important that you:
establish how the proposed research methodology will not only produce valid
data but also facilitate an analysis that will provide congruent answers to the
questions posed at the outset;
address some of the strengths and weaknesses of your approach and to
specify what your method tends to reveal that other methods may conceal;
and
identify the sources of information or data that will be used for the study and
provide any information you have about the quality or availability of such data.
Note: It is crucial that the student demonstrates how using the proposed
methodology will produce evidence that is related to the “working thesis”.
If your proposed thesis research involves human subjects (e.g. as interviewees or
as participants in a small group experiment), you must obtain approval from the
appropriate ethics board before you will be permitted to begin collecting your data.
This is also the case for students who wish to do fieldwork for their theses (see
www.uottawa.ca/research/ethics).
Conclusion (1 to 2 pages)
The research proposal should conclude with a brief discussion outlining why
addressing the proposed research problem is important, of value, beneficial, etc.
Attention also should be given to how or why the findings contribute to the
advancement of knowledge in the domain studied and how they might be
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applicable (“good for democracy”, “good for government”, inadequate – need to
give considered thought to this matter.)
Thesis or Research Paper Plan (1-1.5 pages)
Listing of chapter titles and brief summary (i.e. 3-4 sentences maximum) of
chapter content.
Research Timeline (1 page)
Provide an estimated timetable for completing the work outlined in the proposal.
This is not to be considered as a contractual obligation. Rather, it is intended as a
reasonable expectation of what is to be accomplished.
The process of applying for ethics clearance may take a fair amount of time. If
applicable, students should include this phase in their planning when they
prepare their research timetables.
Bibliography/References:
This should include work cited in the proposal and other relevant work in the area
of study (
You should also prepare a 20-minute power point presentation with speaker notes about the same research proposal )