PhD PROPOSAL WRITING
A paper presented at the International
Conference on Transition Observation-KnowledgeIntelligence (TOKI 2014)
By
PROFESSOR SOLA ADEROUNMU
Deputy President, Nigeria Computer Society (NCS); and
Director, Information Technology and Communications Unit
Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
E-mail: gaderoun@oauife.edu.ng
Mobile: +2348035177940
PRESENTATION AGENDA
Introduction
Structuring a Research Proposal
Possible Pitfalls
Choosing a PhD topic
Choosing A Supervisor/University
Other Things To Note
Introduction
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What is a PhD proposal?
An outline of your proposed project
that is designed to:
 Define a clear question and method to
answering it
 Highlight its originality and/or significance
 Explain how it adds to, existing literature in
the field
 Persuade potential supervisors and/or
funders of the importance of the work,
and why you are the right person to
undertake it
Introduction Contd.
What is the research proposal for?
 To assess :
i. the quality and originality of your ideas,
ii. your skills in critical thinking
iii. the feasibility of the research project.
iv. your expertise in the area in which you
want to conduct research,
v. your knowledge of the existing
literature
vi. and assign appropriate supervision
teams.

Structuring a Research Proposal
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Is there any TEMPLATE available? The following
elements are crucial in a good Ph.D research
proposal:
Title (This can change, but make sure to include
important ‘key words’ )
Overview of the research (establish a solid and
convincing framework for your research
Statement of the Problem
Rationale/Motivation for the Research
Aims/Objectives
Related work
Research design & methodology
References
Possible pitfalls
Students who fit the minimum entrance criteria fail to be
accepted as PhD candidates as a result of weaknesses in the
research proposal. To avoid this, keep the following advice in
mind:
Research idea, question or problem is very
clearly stated
 Make sure that you have staff interested in
your subject area and available to supervise
your project.
 Your proposal is well structured.
 The scope of your project is reasonable,
 Make your research and subject matter
engaging to your readers!
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Books to Assist in preparing your
Research Proposal
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Bell, J. (1999): Doing Your Research Project: A
Guide for First-time Researchers in Education &
Social Science, (Oxford University Press, Oxford).
Baxter, L, Hughes, C. and Tight, M. (2001): How to
Research, (Open University Press, Milton Keynes).
Cryer, P. (2000): The Research Student's Guide to
Success, (Open University, Milton Keynes).
Delamont, S., Atkinson, P. and Parry, O. (1997):
Supervising the PhD, (Open University Press,
Milton Keynes).
Philips, E. and Pugh, D. (2005): How to get a PhD: A
Handbook for Students and their Supervisors,
(Open University Press, Milton Keynes).
Choosing a PhD Topic
Identify your research field
 Read widely
 Identify the problem
 Define your topic
 A typical example:

◦ Topic 1: Development of a an Intelligent Agent
Mobile Agent for Performance Management of
Computer Network
◦ Topic 2: An Improved Packet Resequencing Model
for Selective Repeat Request Protocol in Data
Communication Networks.
Who defines the topic?
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Students – using the steps in slide 9
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Supervisor?
◦ Based on available grants to solve some
problems – see next slide
Research Topics; Students and Programme
Research Topic
Name of
Candidate
Programme
1
Designing a Cyber Attack Information
System for Situational Awareness in
Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry
Raji Tunji PhD
Mumini
Candidate
2
CyberThreat Modelling in SCADA Networks
Dauda
Olalere
3
An Integrated Architecture for Automatic
Indication, Avoidance and Profiling of Cyber
Attacks;
Jekoyemi MSc
Olawale
Candidate
Victor
4
Detecting and Defending Against
unauthorised Tracking in Telecom System
Akinsiku MSc
Omoyemi Candidate
Abimbola
PhD
Candidate
Choosing A Supervisor/University
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Choosing A Supervisor
◦ Your research field
◦ Through interaction with different
supervisors
◦ Through Chief examiner/PG coordinator
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Choosing A University
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Identify your research area
Available supervisor
Tuition
Research grant availability
Research facilities/ environment
Other Things to Note
The LITERATURE REVIEW depends
highly on the clarity of PhD topic
specification.
 The PhD write up depends highly on the
clarity of the PhD proposal writing.
 There might be need to receive some
special training e.g. academic
writing, presentation skills, etc
 The need to attend conference and to
publish academic articles
 The Role of Postgraduate School
•
Plagiarism
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What is Plagiarism ?
Plagiarism is using others’ ideas and words
without clearly acknowledging the source of
that information.
It is very important that credit is given when
it is due.
Avoiding Plagiarism
To avoid plagiarism, credit must be given for:
i. another person’s idea, opinion, or theory;
ii. any facts, statistics, graphs, drawings; any
pieces of information that are not common
knowledge;
iii. quotations of another person’s actual spoken
or written words; or
iv. paraphrase of another person’s spoken or
written words.
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Can OUR Researcher survive without being
INNOVATIVE ?
Are We Ready or Getting Ready?
There is No Choice:
The World is Moving Fast…
With or Without You!
17
References
Writing a Good PhD Research Proposal
by the FindAPhD Team.
http://www.findaphd.com/advice/finding/w
riting-phd-research-proposal.aspx.
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