2012 NIU

PHD/MASTER RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Due at the end of Semester 2 of study.

Format:
PhD: 12,000 20,000 words, approximately 24-40 pages (roughly 500 words/page)
Master: 8,000 16,000 words, approximately 16-32 pages
Margins 2 cm all around
Printed on A4 paper, double-sided
Submit two (2) copies to the Research and Postgraduate Section
1. Proposal report
2. Similarity report (generated by Turnitin)


Contents:

PROJECT TITLE
ABSTRACT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
identify and describe the chosen field of research
explain motivation for research in that field
give clear descriptions of the research aims, an outline of theoretical issues and introduce the
hypothesis
Problem statement
define carefully the aim and path of proposed research
give a concise description of the issues that need to be addressed/solved
Objective and scope
state the general and specific objectives
describe the areas to be covered in the study/research

LITERATURE REVIEW
indicate any theoretical implications of the research in relation to previous work
include up to date references and be based on as wide and thorough a search of sources
thorough account on previous and current work in the field with ample citations and LR
assess current state of the field, e.g.
discuss assumptions generally made and their validity
limitations generally accepted and their necessity
major open problems and prospects for their solutions
relative strengths and weaknesses of the major lines of work pursued to date

METHODOLOGY
identify appropriate techniques and methods to be used
identify the data requirements
identify the measurement metrics and give criteria by which you will measure success

EXPECTED RESULTS
preliminary results
describe research work you have already undertaken
report any results obtained
discuss their significance
set out plan of action

PROJECT SCHEDULE (Gantt Chart)

REFERENCES