Title page

Like your dissertation or thesis, the proposal will usually have a title page that includes:
 The proposed title of your project
 Your name
 Your supervisor’s name
 Your institution and department
TipIf your proposal is very long, you may also want to include an abstract and a table of
contents to help your reader navigate your work.

Introduction
The first part of your proposal is the initial pitch for your project. Make sure it succinctly
explains what you want to do and why.
Your introduction should:
 Introduce your topic
 Give necessary background and context
 Outline your problem statement and research questions
To guide your introduction, include information about:
 Who could have an interest in the topic (e.g., scientists, policymakers)
 How much is already known about the topic
 What is missing from this current knowledge
 What new insights your research will contribute
 Why you believe this research is worth doing

Literature review
As you get started, it’s important to demonstrate that you’re familiar with the most important
research on your topic. A strong literature review shows your reader that your project has a
solid foundation in existing knowledge or theory. It also shows that you’re not simply
repeating what other people have already done or said, but rather using existing research as a
jumping-off point for your own.
In this section, share exactly how your project will contribute to ongoing conversations in the
field by:
 Comparing and contrasting the main theories, methods, and debates
 Examining the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches
 Explaining how will you build on, challenge, or synthesize prior scholarship

Research design and methods

Following the literature review, restate your main objectives. This brings the focus back to
your own project. Next, your research design or methodology section will describe your
overall approach, and the practical steps you will take to answer your research questions.
Building a research proposal methodology

Research type  Qualitative or quantitative?

 Original data collection or primary and secondary source analysis?
  Descriptive, correlational, or experimental research design?
Population and  Who or what will you study (e.g., high school students in New York; local
sample newspaper archives 1976-80)?
 How will you select your subjects (e.g., probability sampling, non-
probability sampling)?
 When and where will you collect your data?
Research methods  What data collection tools and procedures will you use
(e.g., surveys, interviews, observational studies, experiments)?
 Why?
Practicalities  How much time will you need?
 How will you gain access to your population?
 How will you address any obstacles you face?

Contribution to knowledge
To finish your proposal on a strong note, explore the potential implications of your research
for your field. Emphasize again what you aim to contribute and why it matters.
For example, your results might have implications for:
 Improving best practices
 Informing policymaking decisions
 Strengthening a theory or model
 Challenging popular or scientific beliefs
 Creating a basis for future research

Reference list
Last but not least, your research proposal must include correct citations for every source you
have used, compiled in a reference list. To create citations quickly and easily, you can use
our free APA citation generator.

Research schedule
Some institutions or funders require a detailed timeline of the project, asking you to forecast
what you will do at each stage and how long it may take. While not always required, be sure
to check the requirements of your project.
Here’s an example schedule to help you get started. You can also download a template at the
button below.
Example research schedule

Research phase Objectives Deadline

1. Background research and  Meet with supervisor for initial discussion 20th January
literature review  Read and analyze relevant literature
 Use new knowledge to refine research questions
 Develop theoretical framework
2. Research design planning  Design questionnaires 13th February
 Identify channels for recruiting participants
Example research schedule

Research phase Objectives Deadline

 Finalize sampling methods and data analysis methods

3. Data collection and  Recruit participants and send out questionnaires 24th March
preparation  Conduct semi-structured interviews with selected participants
 Transcribe and code interviews
 Clean data
4. Data analysis  Statistically analyze survey data 22nd April
 Conduct thematic analysis of interview transcripts
 Draft results and discussion chapters
5. Writing  Complete a full thesis draft 17th June
 Meet with supervisor to discuss feedback and revisions
6. Revision  Complete 2nd draft based on feedback 28th July
 Get supervisor approval for final draft
 Proofread
 Print and bind final work
 Submit

Budget
If you are applying for research funding, chances are you will have to include a detailed
budget. This shows your estimates of how much each part of your project will cost.
Make sure to check what type of costs the funding body will agree to cover. For each item,
include:
 Cost: exactly how much money do you need?
 Justification: why is this cost necessary to complete the research?
 Source: how did you calculate the amount?
To determine your budget, think about:
 Travel costs: do you need to go somewhere to collect your data? How will you get
there, and how much time will you need? What will you do there (e.g., interviews,
archival research)?
 Materials: do you need access to any tools or technologies?
 Help: do you need to hire any research assistants for the project? What will they do,
and how much will you pay them?

Frequently asked questions about research proposals

How do I write a research objective?
What’s the difference between research aims and objectives?
What is a PhD?
What is a master’s?
What is critical thinking?
What’s the difference between a research plan and a research proposal?
How to Write an Abstract | Steps & Examples
Published on February 28, 2019 by Shona McCombes. Revised on November 11, 2022
by Eoghan Ryan.

An abstract is a short summary of a longer work (such as a thesis,  dissertation or research

paper). The abstract concisely reports the aims and outcomes of your research, so that readers
know exactly what your paper is about.
Although the structure may vary slightly depending on your discipline, your abstract should
describe the purpose of your work, the methods you’ve used, and the conclusions you’ve
drawn.
One common way to structure your abstract is to use the IMRaD structure. This stands for:
 Introduction
 Methods
 Results
 Discussion
Abstracts are usually around 100–300 words, but there’s often a strict word limit, so make
sure to check the relevant requirements.
In a dissertation or thesis, include the abstract on a separate page, after the title
page and acknowledgements but before the table of contents.
Table of contents
1. Abstract example
2. When to write an abstract
3. Step 1: Introduction
4. Step 2: Methods
5. Step 3: Results
6. Step 4: Discussion
7. Keywords
8. Tips for writing an abstract
9. Frequently asked questions about abstracts

Abstract example
Hover over the different parts of the abstract to see how it is constructed.
Example: Humanities thesis abstract
This paper examines the role of silent movies as a mode of shared experience in the US
during the early twentieth century. At this time, high immigration rates resulted in a
significant percentage of non-English-speaking citizens. These immigrants faced numerous
economic and social obstacles, including exclusion from public entertainment and modes of
discourse (newspapers, theater, radio).
Incorporating evidence from reviews, personal correspondence, and diaries, this study
demonstrates that silent films were an affordable and inclusive source of entertainment. It
argues for the accessible economic and representational nature of early cinema. These
concerns are particularly evident in the low price of admission and in the democratic nature
of the actors’ exaggerated gestures, which allowed the plots and action to be easily grasped
by a diverse audience despite language barriers.
Keywords: silent movies, immigration, public discourse, entertainment, early cinema,
language barriers.

When to write an abstract

You will almost always have to include an abstract when:
 Completing a thesis or dissertation
 Submitting a research paper to an academic journal
 Writing a book or research proposal
 Applying for research grants
It’s easiest to write your abstract last, right before the proofreading stage, because it’s a
summary of the work you’ve already done. Your abstract should:
 Be a self-contained text, not an excerpt from your paper
 Be fully understandable on its own
 Reflect the structure of your larger work

Step 1: Introduction
Start by clearly defining the purpose of your research. What practical or theoretical
problem does the research respond to, or what research question did you aim to answer?
You can include some brief context on the social or academic relevance of your dissertation
topic, but don’t go into detailed background information. If your abstract uses specialized
terms that would be unfamiliar to the average academic reader or that have various different
meanings, give a concise definition.
After identifying the problem, state the objective of your research. Use verbs like
“investigate,” “test,” “analyze,” or “evaluate” to describe exactly what you set out to do.
This part of the abstract can be written in the present or past simple tense but should never
refer to the future, as the research is already complete.
 This study will investigate the relationship between coffee consumption and
productivity.
 This study investigates the relationship between coffee consumption and productivity.

Step 2: Methods
Next, indicate the research methods that you used to answer your question. This part should
be a straightforward description of what you did in one or two sentences. It is usually written
in the past simple tense, as it refers to completed actions.
 Structured interviews will be conducted with 25 participants.
 Structured interviews were conducted with 25 participants.
Don’t evaluate validity or obstacles here—the goal is not to give an account of the
methodology’s strengths and weaknesses, but to give the reader a quick insight into the
overall approach and procedures you used.

Step 3: Results
Next, summarize the main research results. This part of the abstract can be in the present or
past simple tense.
 Our analysis has shown a strong correlation between coffee consumption and
productivity.
 Our analysis shows a strong correlation between coffee consumption and productivity.
 Our analysis showed a strong correlation between coffee consumption and
productivity.
Depending on how long and complex your research is, you may not be able to include all
results here. Try to highlight only the most important findings that will allow the reader to
understand your conclusions.

Step 4: Discussion
Finally, you should discuss the main conclusions of your research: what is your answer to the
problem or question? The reader should finish with a clear understanding of the central point
that your research has proved or argued. Conclusions are usually written in the present
simple tense.
 We concluded that coffee consumption increases productivity.
 We conclude that coffee consumption increases productivity.
If there are important limitations to your research (for example, related to your sample size or
methods), you should mention them briefly in the abstract. This allows the reader to
accurately assess the credibility and generalizability of your research.
If your aim was to solve a practical problem, your discussion might include
recommendations for implementation. If relevant, you can briefly make suggestions for
further research.

Keywords
If your paper will be published, you might have to add a list of keywords at the end of the
abstract. These keywords should reference the most important elements of the research to
help potential readers find your paper during their own literature searches.
Be aware that some publication manuals, such as APA Style, have specific formatting
requirements for these keywords.

Tips for writing an abstract

It can be a real challenge to condense your whole work into just a couple of hundred words,
but the abstract will be the first (and sometimes only) part that people read, so it’s important
to get it right. These strategies can help you get started.

Read other abstracts

The best way to learn the conventions of writing an abstract in your discipline is to read other
people’s. You probably already read lots of journal article abstracts while conducting
your literature review—try using them as a framework for structure and style.
You can also find lots of dissertation abstract examples in thesis and dissertation databases.
Reverse outline
Not all abstracts will contain precisely the same elements. For longer works, you can write
your abstract through a process of reverse outlining.
For each chapter or section, list keywords and draft one to two sentences that summarize the
central point or argument. This will give you a framework of your abstract’s structure. Next,
revise the sentences to make connections and show how the argument develops.

Write clearly and concisely

A good abstract is short but impactful, so make sure every word counts. Each sentence
should clearly communicate one main point.
To keep your abstract or summary short and clear:
 Avoid passive sentences: Passive constructions are often unnecessarily long. You can
easily make them shorter and clearer by using the active voice.
 Avoid long sentences: Substitute longer expressions for concise expressions or single
words (e.g., “In order to” for “To”).
 Avoid obscure jargon: The abstract should be understandable to readers who are not
familiar with your topic.
 Avoid repetition and filler words: Replace nouns with pronouns when possible and
eliminate unnecessary words.
 Avoid detailed descriptions: An abstract is not expected to provide detailed
definitions, background information, or discussions of other scholars’ work. Instead,
include this information in the body of your thesis or paper.
If you’re struggling to edit down to the required length, you can get help from expert editors
with Scribbr’s professional proofreading services.

Check your formatting

If you are writing a thesis or dissertation or submitting to a journal, there are often specific
formatting requirements for the abstract—make sure to check the guidelines and format your
work correctly. For APA research papers you can follow the APA abstract format.
Checklist: Abstract

 The word count is within the required length, or a maximum of one page.
 The abstract appears after the title page and acknowledgements and before the table of
contents.
 I have clearly stated my research problem and objectives.
 I have briefly described my methodology.
 I have summarized the most important results.
 I have stated my main conclusions.
 I have mentioned any important limitations and recommendations.
 The abstract can be understood by someone without prior knowledge of the topic.

Frequently asked questions about abstracts

What is the purpose of an abstract?
How long is a dissertation abstract?
When should I write the abstract?
Can you cite sources in an abstract?
Where does the abstract go in a thesis or dissertation?

Dissertation Table of Contents in Word | Instructions & Examples

Published on May 15, 2022 by Tegan George. Revised on January 4, 2023.

The table of contents is where you list the chapters and major sections of your
thesis, dissertation, or research paper, alongside their page numbers. A clear and well-
formatted table of contents is essential, as it demonstrates to your reader that a quality paper
will follow.
The table of contents (TOC) should be placed between the abstract and the introduction. The
maximum length should be two pages. Depending on the nature of your thesis, paper,
or dissertation topic, there are a few formatting options you can choose from.
Table of contents
1. What to include in your table of contents
2. What not to include in your table of contents
3. Creating a table of contents in Microsoft Word
4. Table of contents examples
5. Updating a table of contents in Microsoft Word
6. Other lists in your thesis, dissertation, or research paper
7. Frequently asked questions about the table of contents

What to include in your table of contents

Depending on the length of your document, you can choose between a single-level,
subdivided, or multi-level table of contents.
 A single-level table of contents only includes “level 1” headings, or chapters. This is
the simplest option, but it may be too broad for a long document like a dissertation.
 A subdivided table of contents includes chapters as well as “level 2” headings, or
sections. These show your reader what each chapter contains.
 A multi-level table of contents also further divides sections into “level 3” headings.
This option can get messy quickly, so proceed with caution. Remember your table of
contents should not be longer than 2 pages. A multi-level table is often a good choice
for a shorter document like a research paper.
Examples of level 1 headings are Introduction, Literature Review, Methodology, and
Bibliography. Subsections of each of these would be level 2 headings, further describing the
contents of each chapter or large section. Any further subsections would be level 3.
Tip: A subdivided table of contents is usually the best fit for most people. It provides a bit
more context than a single-level table, but doesn’t get as long and complicated as a multi-
level table.
In these introductory sections, less is often more. As you decide which sections to include,
narrow it down to only the most essential.
Including appendices and tables
You should include all appendices in your table of contents. Whether or not you include
tables and figures depends largely on how many there are in your document.
If there are more than three figures and tables, you might consider listing them on a separate
page. Otherwise, you can include each one in the table of contents.
 Theses and dissertations often have a separate list of figures and tables.
 Research papers generally don’t have a separate list of figures and tables.

What not to include in your table of contents

All level 1 and level 2 headings should be included in your table of contents, with level 3
headings used very sparingly.
The following things should never be included in a table of contents:
 Your acknowledgements page
 Your abstract
 The table of contents itself
The acknowledgements and abstract always precede the table of contents, so there’s no need
to include them. This goes for any sections that precede the table of contents.

Creating a table of contents in Microsoft Word

To automatically insert a table of contents in Microsoft Word, be sure to first apply the
correct heading styles throughout the document, as shown below.
1. Choose which headings are heading 1 and which are heading 2 (or 3)!
2. Set the style for each heading level.
a. For example, if all level 1 headings should be Times New Roman, 12-point
font, and bold, add this formatting to the first level 1 heading.
3. Automatically apply this formatting for all your level 1 headings, using the Styles
section on the home tab.
a. Highlight the level 1 heading.
b. Right-click the style that says “Heading 1.”
c. Select “Update Heading 1 to Match Selection.”
4. Allocate the formatting for each heading throughout your document by highlighting
the heading in question and clicking the style you wish to apply.
Once that’s all set, follow these steps:
1. Add a title to your table of contents. Be sure to check if your citation style or
university has guidelines for this.
2. Place your cursor where you would like your table of contents to go.
3. In the “References” section at the top, locate the Table of Contents group.
4. Click the arrow next to the Table of Contents icon and select “Custom Table of
Contents.”
a. Here, you can select which levels of headings you would like to include. You
can also make manual adjustments to each level by clicking the Modify button.
5. When you are ready to insert the table of contents, click “OK” and it will be
automatically generated, as shown below.
Table of contents examples
The key features of a table of contents are:
 Title
 Clear headings and subheadings
 Corresponding page numbers
Check with your educational institution to see if they have any specific formatting or design
requirements.
Updating a table of contents in Microsoft Word
Write yourself a reminder to update your table of contents as one of your final tasks before
submitting your dissertation or paper. It’s normal for your text to shift a bit as you input your
final edits, and it’s crucial that your page numbers correspond correctly.
It’s easy to update your page numbers automatically in Microsoft Word. Simply right-click
the table of contents and select “Update Field.” You can choose either to update page
numbers only or to update all information in your table of contents.

Other lists in your thesis, dissertation, or research paper

In addition to a table of contents, you might also want to include a list of figures and tables, a
list of abbreviations, and a glossary in your thesis or dissertation. You can use the following
guides to do so:
 List of figures and tables
 List of abbreviations
 Glossary
It is less common to include these lists in a research paper.

Frequently asked questions about the table of contents

What should be included in a dissertation table of contents?
How do I create a table of contents?
Where do you place your table of contents?
Contents

Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………..3
Scope………………………………………………………………………………………...4
Problem Statement…………………………………………………………………………..5
Goals………………………………………………………………………………………...5
Research Questions……………………………………………………………………….....6
Research Hypotheses………………………………………………………………………..7
Reader's Guide………………………………………………………………………………7
Literature Review…………………………………………………………………………………….8
Experiments………………………………………………………………………………….9
Case Studies…...…………………………………………………………………………….10
Longitudinal Studies…...……………………………………………………………………11
Methodology…………………………………………………………………………………………13
Participants………………………………………………………………………………….14
Population…………………………………………………………………………..15
 Sampling……………………………………………………………………………16
Materials…………………………………………………………………………………….18
Interview Questions…...……………………………………………………………19
Survey Questions…...………………………………………………………………21
Data Collection……………………………………………………………………………...23
Data Analysis………………………………………………………………………………..25
Testing of Assumptions…………………………………………………………….26
Results……………………………………………………………………………………………….28
Research Question 1………………………………………………………………………...29
Research Question 2………………………………………………………………………...31
Research Question 3………………………………………………………………………...33
Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………………...34
Discussion…………………………………………………………………………………………....35
Interpretation of Results……………………………………………………………………..36
Limitations…………………………………………………………………………………..38
Avenues for Future Research………………………………………………………………..39
Recommendations…………………………………………………………………………………....41
Reference List………………………………………………………………………………………..43
Appendix A. Protocols…………………………………………………………………………….....46
Appendix B. Interview Transcripts…………………………………………………………………..49
Appendix C. Calculations…………………………………………………………………………....52
Appendix D. Informed Consent……………………………………………………………………...54