Thesis and Dissertation Writing in a Second Language: a handbook for Supervisors

Application
Ask your student to consider their research proposal in relation to
Cadman’s set of criteria. Which part/s of the proposal could be
improved? How?

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Writing a research proposal
Applications
●
Ask your student to consider: What amount of freedom are they
allowed in choosing their topic in their area of study? How much
guidance will they receive in choosing and refining their topic?
When are they required to decide on their research topic? How
extensive is their research proposal expected to be?
●
Ask your student to choose one of the following chapters or articles,
read it and write a summary of the key points discussed in it. Ask
the student also to write about how these points relate to their own
research project. Ask the student to bring back their piece of writing
to discuss with you.
●
Mauch and Birch 1998: Chapter 4. This chapter discusses the
preparation of a research proposal, including choosing a topic
and assessing topic feasibility and practicability.
●
Madsen 1992: Chapter 4. This chapter discusses the statement
of research problems, writing a literature review, developing
research procedures, trial tables of contents, bibliographies and
ethical considerations in carrying out research. The resources
section of the book includes examples of a number of students’
research proposals.
●
Davis and Parker 1997: Chapter 6. This chapter includes dis-
cussion on the choice of a research topic, the form of a research
proposal, narrowing the scope and clarifying the purpose of a
research proposal, and checking the feasibility of research pro-
cedures.
●
Meloy 1994: Chapter 3. This chapter discusses students’ expe-
riences in writing a proposal for a qualitative study. It also
provides a list of guiding questions for developing a qualitative
research proposal.
●
Bell 1999: Chapter 2. This chapter discusses planning a
research project, selecting a topic, focusing the study and pre-
senting a project outline.
●
Elphinstone and Schweitzer 1998: Chapter 1. This chapter
(‘Getting Started’) is especially relevant to writing a research
proposal. Section headings in this chapter include ‘What is a
thesis?’, ‘Distinction between a Master’s and a Doctoral
degree’, ‘Choosing a thesis topic’, ‘Defining your thesis topic’,
‘Methodology and research design’, ‘The research proposal’,
‘Criteria for assessing a research proposal’ and ‘Checklist of
questions to be asked about a research proposal’.

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