Dissertation Proposal Outline
A dissertation proposal is an academic document that is written to give readers more information about a proposed dissertation topic.
A dissertation proposal is submitted to a university dissertation committee to get approval for research to obtain a doctoral degree.
A dissertation proposal provides an outline of what is to come in the research and the final dissertation paper.
The following is a dissertation proposal outline:
Dissertation Proposal Outline
Chapter 1: Introduction
This chapter states the problem that you will be studying and discusses the significance of the research. It includes:
Overview
The overview should contain:
- Two to three paragraphs that describe the general problem, question, or theory driving the research.
- A justification for justifies the need for the study. Briefly convey how it is situated within the values and provides a framework to help the reader understand the rest of the chapter and the dissertation.
Body
The body should contain:
- A transition from the Overview.
- A description of relevant theories and constructs
- a brief overview of the literature to be covered in the next chapter
- A detailed discussion about central questions underlying in the dissertation.
- An organization with headings and subheadings, which are used as signposts to guide the reader through the chapter
The Present Research
This part should contain
- One to four paragraphs, depending on the level of detail.
- Description of the study and an explanation on how it will answer the central questions motivating the research.
- Briefly mention the research questions and hypotheses.
Conclusion
The conclusion contains a single paragraph that summarizes the chapter and provides a bridge to the next chapter.
Chapter 2: Literature Review
The literature review provides a review and critique of the key literature that is relevant to your study.
This chapter includes:
Opening paragraph
This part should contain:
- A description of the Review section, in terms of scope and the topics to be covered.
- Be specific.
- Guidance for the reader to the chapter ahead.
Body
The body should contain:
- A discussion of the significance of the research and how the dissertation fits within the values and the literature of Counseling Psychology.
- A review of the relevant literature by way of descriptive summaries and critiques of research findings and theoretical papers.
- An organization with headings and subheadings as appropriate.
- An overview of the literature pertaining to the central variables of your study.
- Summary of the most relevant aspects of the literature and your critical observations as they pertain to the proposed study.
- Explanation on how each aspect of the literature relates back to the main purpose of the study.
- A transition between the literature review and your research questions.
Statement of the problem
This part contains:
- The research questions that will be pursued in the dissertation.
- Justification for each research question.
- A bridge between the literature review and the method section.
Chapter 3: Methodology
This chapter includes:
- Design Statement: In a short paragraph, describe the design of the study, including dependent and independent variables, if applicable. If multiple designs for your study exist, provide a rationale for your choice.
- Participants: Describe the sample, including approximate sample size and significant characteristics. Discuss sample size considerations appropriate for your design.
- Measures: For quantitative studies, describe the conceptual and operational measures used in the study and your rationale for each instrument, including a discussion of advantages and disadvantages. You should discuss reliability and, as well as the appropriateness and acceptability of all measures.
- Procedures: Describe how the study will be done, namely, the exact sequence of events.
- Data Analysis: you should copy research from prior sections and give details about the specific analysis for each.