A dissertation proposal is the first step in writing a dissertation, which is a document that presents one’s research in support of one’s academic degree qualification. A dissertation proposal, like other research proposals, introduces and summarizes the researcher’s research goals and proposed methods of investigation. It’s a road map for future research. When completing the dissertation, it is not necessary to follow everything exactly as it was presented in the proposal; however, the more thorough, clear, and well-researched the proposal, the more smoothly the research will go, and the easier it will be for an academic adviser to provide effective guidance.
The dissertation proposal’s goal is to persuade your committee that there is a research question worth investigating and that you are well qualified to do so. An explicit research question, testable hypotheses, and a detailed plan for testing the hypotheses must all be included in every dissertation proposal. The research question should be presented in such a way that readers believe it will both enrich the field in general and be feasible to pursue. Consider the audience when writing a dissertation proposal, just as you would with any other piece of writing. You can assume that your readers are familiar with your field of study, but you should describe your research in such a way that the reader does not need to be an expert in your field to comprehend it.
Prior to writing a dissertation proposal, you must conduct preliminary research. It’s critical to find and read relevant literature that relates to the proposed research question. The proposal should demonstrate an understanding of the current state of the field on the topic. Some proposals have a separate section called a literature review that discusses previous research, while others incorporate it into the discussion of the research question and how it fits into a larger issue. In any case, rather than simply listing and summarizing the literature, it should be analyzed and related to one’s research question.
Writing a dissertation proposal is one of the most difficult aspects of the dissertation process, but it is extremely beneficial in subsequent work, particularly if done well. Take your time and put thought into the proposal. It’s not uncommon for it to take months to write and go through 15 to 20 drafts before it’s finished. Finally, the dissertation proposal should present a well-structured, linear argument persuading the reader that a specific research question must be addressed, and that the writer of the proposal is the best person to do so.