Crafting a Full Proposal for Thesis: An Instructional Perspective

Abstract

This conceptual article serves as a detailed guide for developing the three critical chapters of a thesis - Introduction, Review of Literature, and Research Methodology, emphasizing desk review as the main method of exploration. It aims to equip researchers with a structured approach to effectively communicate their insights and contributions. As the present researcher experienced numerous critical issues while guiding the early-stage, young researchers in academia rightly shaping their manuscripts, the idea of writing this article emerged strongly to address this universal reality. Based on personal experience and life-long learning in this discipline, the present scholar has devised instructional insights to craft an academic research proposal in three chapters. The first chapter should provide a thorough introduction to the research topic, presenting the background, clearly stating the research problem, and setting out specific objectives, research questions, and hypotheses. In the second chapter, an extensive literature review should be performed covering conceptual and theoretical perspectives, relevant policies, empirical studies, best practices, and case studies. This comprehensive review should lead to the development of a conceptual framework that underpins the research. By synthesizing existing knowledge, the literature review should establish a solid foundation for the study, ensuring it is both theoretically grounded and contextually relevant. The third chapter should outline the research methodology, detailing the philosophical underpinnings, research design, strategies, and methods for data collection and analysis. It should address issues of validity, reliability, and ethical considerations, ensuring the methodological rigor of the study. By following the principles outlined in this guide, researchers can enhance the academic rigor and practical impact of their work, ensuring it is methodologically sound and theoretically informed. At the same time, it is not a blue-print, it is just a tentative guide, needful changes may apply as per the requirements across the disciplines and departments of study.