Thesis Proposal

1. sadiMDes
2016
Myungjin Kim

2. Itinerary
• Thesis Proposal Feb 17th
• Thesis Timeline Mar 2nd
• Research Direction Mar 9th
• Research Data Collection Apr 13th
• Data Feedback Apr 27th

3. Iternary
• Thesis Proposal Feb 17th
• Thesis Timeline Mar 2nd
• Research Direction Mar 9th
• Research Data Collection Apr 13th
• Data Feedback Apr 27th

4. Guide for Writing Thesis Proposals
________ New South Wales University Sidney, Australia
The aim of the thesis proposal is to
convince your school :

5. Guide for writing thesis proposals
AIMS
• Need for the research, which is significant and important
contribution to the field
• The topic is feasible in terms of funding, equipment, and data
• The research can be completed in the expected time period
• Ethical issues have been considered
• Topic matches your interests and capabilities
________ New South Wales University Sidney, Australia

6. Guide for writing thesis proposals
The thesis proposal help you
• Focus your research aims
• Clarify its importance and the need
• Describe the methods
• Predict problems and outcomes
• Plan alternatives and interventions
________ New South Wales University Sidney, Australia

7. Guide for writing thesis proposals
ORIGINALITY
• Provide evidence to support or disprove a concept,
theory or model
• Contribute new data and information, new or improved solution
• Analysis procedure or a new improved research methodology
• Results in a new or improved concept, theory or model
________ New South Wales University Sidney, Australia

8. PROJECT REVIEW 1 Hr
DISCOVER AMPATHIZE
proposal prototypeAims
Whom
Originality
Quick prototype
Feedback
Improvement

9. D*school workshop 1 Hr
• 10 min x 2 : interview I
• 10 min x 2 : interview II
• 10 min : define the problems
• 15 min : ideation sketches
• 10 min : feedback
• 30 min: sketches & prototyping

10. http://www.psu.edu
what
how
why when
where

11. IN PROPOSAL I
• What you intend to study _ scope and research questions
• How you intend to study your topic _ methodology
• Why this topic needs to be studied _ significance
• When you will complete this work _ timeline
• Where you will conduct this work
_____________________________ Penn State University

12. IN PROPOSAL II
• Title
• Abstract
• Introduction / background
• Problem Statement
• Purpose / Aims / Rationale
• Review of Literature (existing theory / research)
• Methodology
• Significance / Implications
• Plan of work / Timeline
• Bibliography
_____________________________ Penn State University

13. PROPOSAL BODYSTORMING
Conscious &
Sub-conscious :
Keywords
Drawing / sketches
Props /
quick mock-ups
Jot down
Do?
Feel?
Know?
Flow
Connect
Path
Interact
Significance
Interpretation
Meaning
MotivATION
Modes
Mapping
Paradigm
Find
ex) categorize / jump / cause and effect / group / pro vs. con

14. PROPOSAL ADVICE I
• Remember that the proposal is not a contract that determines
what your thesis will demonstrate. You will likely modify and
refine your scope, argument, and methods.
• Remember that your proposal is not meant to limit your
ideas, but to help you think in practical terms about how you
intend to research and write your thesis.
_____________________________ Penn State University

15. PROPOSAL ADVICE I
• Ask colleagues to form a writing group that you can use to
exchange ideas, drafts, and experiences. As lonely as it may
seem sometimes, writing is a social activity.
• Consult with your advisor ask to see past successful
proposals. Using other proposals to help you generate
ideas in not plagiarizing!
_____________________________ Penn State University

16. PROPOSAL ADVICE III
• Understand that the proposal will be negotiated--be prepared
to revise!
• Think of the proposal as an introduction to your thesis or
dissertation.
• Remember that the proposal is not a binding contract.
• Remember that your proposal is not meant to limit ideas, but
to help you think practically.
• Ask colleagues to form a writing group.
• Talk to your advisor!
_____________________________ Penn State University

17. PROPOSAL FORMAT
• Proposal will be presented as a written report
• The proposal is presented in a seminar
• Not once but a number of drafts with your advisors
_____________________________ Penn State University

18. PROPOSAL TIMELINE
• Establish a writing schedule.
• Begin by free-writing.
• Keep a small notebook with you to write down relevant
thoughts.
• Say parts of your writing into a recording device.
• Compose different parts in different computer files or on
different index cards.
• Start with more “clear cut” sections first.
_____________________________ Penn State University