1. Research Project or Thesis Proposal MT, MA and PhD
Graduate Student Seminar
October 23, 2013

2. Introductory Note
There are many ways of conceiving an MT, MA or a PhD thesis or research project proposal
This presentation is based on our experience over the years as former graduate students, and as professors

3. Scope of this presentation
The:
What
Who
When
How
of the MT, MA or PhD thesis or research project proposal in CTL

4. What is a thesis proposal?
An academic document, in which the graduate student exposes his/her plans for the research project or thesis
A contract between the student, the supervisor, and the other Committee member(s), stating that the student’s plans would normally lead, upon completion, to the approval of a thesis or research project (based on relevance, originality, feasability)
A plan that might be adjusted and modified throughout the process of the thesis completion

5. Who is responsible for the thesis or research project proposal?
The thesis proposal is:
conceived and written by the graduate student only
oriented and corrected by the supervisor
oriented and approved by the thesis committee (MT: no committee is required, MA: supervisor + 1 other member / PhD: supervisor + 2 other members)
further approved by the Department Head, and by the School of Graduate Studies

6. When is it expected?
A thesis committee should be formed early if possible to support your thesis proposal writing journey. At the latest, the committee should be formed when your proposal is approved.
After completion of all required courses, and in the case of the PhD thesis proposal, after completion of the Comprehensive Examination
In the case of the PhD, no later than the end of second year of full-time residence
It is immediately followed by the submission of the Ethical Review Protocol

7. How to proceed?
Identify your area of specialization and a research question (discuss with your advisor)
Contact your potential supervisor (most suitable specialist in that area)
Prepare a short preliminary draft of your thesis proposal under the guidance of your potential supervisor
Identify other potential members of your thesis committee (based on the complementarity of their expertise and on their compatibility)
Submit this short preliminary draft to the potential committee members, and set up a first meeting to form your committee.
Then work on drafts of your proposal with the support of your committee members until they approve it.

8. How long should it be? MT Research Project: 20 to 30 pages
MA Thesis Proposal: pages
PhD Thesis Proposal: pages
+ Ethical Review Protocol

9. What should it include? Methodology Expected results Timetable
Bibliography
Appendices
Ethical Review Protocol
Front page
Abstract
Table of contents
Introduction
Research question(s)
Rationale
Literature review & Conceptual / Theoretical framework

10. Front page Title Name Program Date How to reach you
Any instructions for the readers?

11. One-page Abstract Research question Importance
Conceptual / Theoretical framework
Methodology
Expected results

12. Table of contents
Abstract i
Introduction
Research question
Rationale
Literature Review &
Conceptual /Theoretical framework....7
Methodology
Expected results
Timetable
Bibliography
Appendices
Ethical Review Protocol

13. Introduction What is your research question?
Why is it relevant and original?
What contribution do you want to make to your field of inquiry?
How do you intend to proceed?
Give an overview of your thesis proposal

14. Research Question(s)
Topic
Problem
Issue
Concern

15. Rationale Originality Theoretical and social relevance
Pedagogical implications

16. Literature Review & Conceptual / Theoretical Framework
Establish links with your research questions
Present and discuss existing knowledge (theories, concepts)
Point to gaps
Elaborate a conceptual framework
Remember to provide a definition for any new concept you are introducing

17. Methodology
Disciplinary orientation (links with your research question)
Methods
Overall research design
Participants
Procedures
Data collection
Instruments
Data processing
Data analysis

18. Expected Results Expected contribution of your thesis
Expected limitations of your thesis

19. Timetable Establish a tentative timetable
Plan for up to two months for the approval of the Ethical Review
Always plan 2-4 weeks for feedback from your supervisor and your thesis committee
Plan 9 weeks between approval of your completed Ph.D. thesis by your thesis committee and the oral examination

20. Bibliography List quoted references only
Follow the American Psychological Association (APA) Guidelines
Consider using RefWorks or Zotero to manage your references

21. Appendices
Put in the appendices any document that is relevant to your thesis proposal, but that would be too long or too specific to be explained in detail

22. Ethical Review Protocol
Wait for approval from your thesis committee before completing your Ethical Review Protocol
Append your Ethical Review Protocol, as well as your questionnaires, interview schedules, tests, etc.

23. Further Readings
Graduate Supervision, Guidelines for Students, Faculty, and Administrators, University of Toronto School of Graduate Studies --
Intellectual Property Guidelines for Graduate Students and Supervisors, University of Toronto School of Graduate Studies

24. Further Readings
Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Paper - The purpose of this guide is to provide advice on how to develop and organize a research paper in the social sciences.

25. What else?
Attend sessions given by OISE Student Services, Education Commons, CTL
Do you have any questions?
Would you like to make suggestions?