Writing a Dissertation Proposal

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Writing a Dissertation Proposal

• Rev Dr Stephen Skuce

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• Writing a Dissertation Proposal
• A research project should in some way enlarge our
  understanding of a subject or problem. In simple
  terms, research is about asking a good question,
  finding an answer, and arguing your case.
  Preparing a dissertation proposal is the first
  step in your research project and it is very
  important to get off on the right track.

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• Initial proposal
• During your 1st year you should make an initial
  attempt at writing the proposal following the
  directions below, and discuss with colleagues and
  staff. This could be the subject of your
  dissertation tutorial at the Spring/Nov Research
  Conferences.

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• Final proposal
• A revised version of your proposal should be
  submitted to the Postgraduate Administrator by 31
  August, 2011.

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• The research proposal (ca. 1000 words) should
  cover the following
• Dissertation title
• You must provide a dissertation title that
  reflects your research focus. You may want to
  return to this after having worked through the
  other sections below.

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• Research Focus
• You must identify a clear research focus,
  stating
• which particular topic of research you intend to
  pursue stating the main research question(s)
  and/or hypotheses you intend to address, and why
  these are worthy of investigation.
• what major fields of research you will be
  investigating e.g. the classical fields of
  biblical studies, theology and ethics, church
  history or the interdisciplinary fields of
  practical theology, such as missiology,
  evangelism, or church leadership etc.

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• Indicative Bibliography
• You must provide a sample of around 10 key books
  that you consider essential to, and
  representative of, your proposed field and topic
  of research. This is to help you with your
  initial research and confirm that there are
  enough sources for you to answer the question you
  have asked.

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• Research Method(s)
• You must provide an overview of the research
  methods you think most applicable to the proposed
  field and topic of research stating what key
  sources you intend to use, what evidence you hope
  to collect, and what methods of analysis you may
  employ.

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• Theological Reflection
• What form of theological engagement will
  accompany the research project as a whole?
• Literary-Critical Studies
• What kind of critical and analytical engagement
  will you have with primary and secondary sources
  in your field(s) of research?

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• Empirical Studies
• What kind of social scientific methods of
  research (if any) do you intend to pursue action
  research case study surveys ethnography?
  Explain where any field work is to be carried
  out, with whom, and over what period. Explain how
  the evidence is to be collected, recorded,
  analysed and presented.

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• Stages of Research
• You must give some thought to how the proposed
  research might be accomplished in the normal
  timeframe. This is especially important if there
  is field work to be accomplished. Essentially,
  you are to provide a very brief project plan
  showing what you hope to achieve through specific
  datable goals.

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• Personal Statement
• You must provide a brief comment on why you are
  in a strong position to do this particular topic
  of research at this particular time e.g. how it
  may relate to work you are already doing, skills
  and experiences gained, or hopes for the future.

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• Elements of Research
• Key milestones in developing your dissertation

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• Annotated Bibliography
• Identification of the key books/sources for your
  dissertation together with brief notes for each,
  stating how this material directly addresses or
  relates to your research question/hypothesis, and
  how you intend to appropriate critically them for
  advancing the argument of your own dissertation.
  Annotations of about 100 words usually include
  one or more of the following
• a description of the content and focus of the
  book or article
• an account of the source's usefulness to your
  research
• an evaluation of its methods, arguments,
  conclusions, or reliability and
• a record of your reactions to the source.
• You will be expected to submit an annotated
  bibliography in November 2011 for discussion with
  your dissertation tutor.

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• Detailed Outline
• The overall structure or table of contents for
  your dissertation, outlining chapter titles,
  headings and subheadings, with brief but detailed
  notes indicating the content of each section and
  its place in your unfolding argument.

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• Supervisor
• You can suggest to the college a dissertation
  supervisor who will work with you, in a light way.

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FIRST YEAR FIRST YEAR
Complete Online Research Skills module One Before writing your first assignment
November research conference. Tutorial at conference to explore research question Formulate research question in conversations with MA programme leader throughout the first year
Complete Online Research Skills module Two After completing your first assignment
Submission of a research proposal August 31 before the start of the second year

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SECOND YEAR SECOND YEAR
Contact Dissertation Supervisor You will be assigned a supervisor as soon as your proposal has been approved by the MA programme leader.
Use Online Research Skills module Three As reference for refining your proposal and as a reference throughout your research and writing
November Dissertation Conference Tutorial at conference to explore research question Present you proposal to your peers
YEAR THREE (WRITING UP) YEAR THREE (WRITING UP)
Keep your supervisor informed of your work
Due Date March 31
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• Field Work
• Plan carefully where any field work is to be
  carried out, with whom, and over what period of
  time.
• Final Submission. 31st March, in the appropriate
  year.

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