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Thesis Proposals: A Declaration of Honest Intentions Michael J. Prince HSD Graduate Work Conference

Thesis Proposals: A Declaration of Honest Intentions Michael J. Prince HSD Graduate Work Conference. Introduction. The purpose of this session is to explore with you the art and craft of developing a graduate thesis proposal at UVic Based on my experience in HSD since 1987. Topics.

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Thesis Proposals: A Declaration of Honest Intentions Michael J. Prince HSD Graduate Work Conference

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  1. Thesis Proposals: A Declaration of Honest IntentionsMichael J. PrinceHSD Graduate Work Conference Prince: Thesis Proposals

  2. Introduction • The purpose of this session is to explore with you the art and craft of developing a graduate thesis proposal at UVic • Based on my experience in HSD since 1987 Prince: Thesis Proposals

  3. Topics • What is a Thesis Proposal? • The Functions of a Proposal • Pre-Proposal Steps • Ingredients of Proposals • Three Types of Proposals • Proposal Meetings with your Committee • Questions & Discussion Prince: Thesis Proposals

  4. What is a Proposal? • “ An action plan that justifies and describes the proposed study.” • “An effort by all concerned to provide an initial ‘road-map’ for the program of research.” • “A serious statement of intent to look into a question or phenomenon and a plan about how to conduct the search.” Prince: Thesis Proposals

  5. Functions and Uses of a Proposal • To demonstrate your ability in this undertaking, including familiarity of the knowledge in the field. • To convince readers that the research is worth doing (valuable) and is do-able (feasible). • To enable the Committee to offer advice. • To serve as an agreement or contract between you and your Committee on the direction and design. • To act as a guide for you while doing the research and writing. Prince: Thesis Proposals

  6. Pre-Proposal Steps • Developing/exploring your interests • Familiarize yourself with other proposals • Locate faculty who have similar interests and discuss your ideas • Choosing a Thesis Supervisor • Forming a Supervisory Committee • Work on your proposal in consultation with Supervisor and perhaps other Committee members Prince: Thesis Proposals

  7. Proposal Ingredients • Title • Introduction – topic/problem statement, and rationale or significance • Key research questions/goals/purposes • Literature review • Theory/conceptual framework • Data collection and data analysis methods • Schedule for doing the work • Working Bibliography • Appendices Prince: Thesis Proposals

  8. Types of Proposals • The Sketch: up to 10 pages. Focus on the topic, goals and questions, and research design. • The Blueprint: often 25 – 35 pages. Some literature review, fuller discussion of theory and methods, ethical considerations, personal stance, schedule, and bibliography. • The Foundations: Can be two or three chapters of thesis (75 -100 pages). The Introduction, Methodology, and Literature Review chapters. Prince: Thesis Proposals

  9. Whatever the type, a good proposal should: • Address in a clear, feasible and persuasive way the questions of what?, why?, how?, and when? Prince: Thesis Proposals

  10. Proposal Meetings with your Committee • Circulate written proposal in advance of meeting with adequate time. • Consult Supervisor on crafting an agenda for the meeting and decide who will take notes of key points from the discussion (you or Supervisor). • Briefly present proposal. Invite comments from Committee members. • Decision can be to approve as is; approved with some minor changes; deferred until some major additional work is done. Prince: Thesis Proposals

  11. Proposal Meetings • A second (and maybe third) meeting may or may not be needed to finalize approval of proposal. • Sound out Committee members on their preferences of how often to be consulted, on what (sections, chapters, entire drafts), in what format (hard copy, electronic) and where • Once approved, Committees realize aspects of the proposal may shift as research proceeds. Major changes ought to be approved by the Committee. Prince: Thesis Proposals

  12. Discussion • General questions? • Points of clarification or elaboration? • Experiences you wish to share. • Other points of discussion. Prince: Thesis Proposals

  13. Like a Victorian Marriage… • “Scholarship, like a Victorian marriage, requires an early declaration of intentions.” • “Further elaboration, like an extended courtship, can better reveal these honest intentions.” M. Sproule-Jones, 1993. Prince: Thesis Proposals

  14. A Proposal has a Past and a Future “Before, a joy propos’d; behind, a dream. All this the world well knows, yet none knows well….” W. Shakespeare, Sonnet 129. Prince: Thesis Proposals

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