Research Project
or Thesis Proposal
MT, MA and PhD
Graduate Student Seminar
October 23, 2013
Introductory Note
There are many ways of conceiving an
MT, MA or a PhD thesis or research
project proposal
 This presentation is based on our
experience over the years as former
graduate students, and as professors
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Scope of this
presentation
The:
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What
Who
When
How
of the MT, MA or PhD thesis or
research project proposal in CTL
What is a thesis
proposal?
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An academic document, in which the
graduate student exposes his/her plans for
the research project or thesis
A contract between the student, the
supervisor, and the other Committee
member(s), stating that the student’s plans
would normally lead, upon completion, to
the approval of a thesis or research project
(based on relevance, originality, feasability)
A plan that might be adjusted and modified
throughout the process of the thesis
completion
Who is responsible for the
thesis or research project
proposal?
The thesis proposal is:
 conceived and written by the graduate
student only
 oriented and corrected by the supervisor
 oriented and approved by the thesis
committee (MT: no committee is required,
MA: supervisor + 1 other member / PhD:
supervisor + 2 other members)
 further approved by the Department Head,
and by the School of Graduate Studies
When is it expected?
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A thesis committee should be formed early if
possible to support your thesis proposal
writing journey. At the latest, the committee
should be formed when your proposal is
approved.
After completion of all required courses, and
in the case of the PhD thesis proposal, after
completion of the Comprehensive
Examination
In the case of the PhD, no later than the end
of second year of full-time residence
It is immediately followed by the submission
of the Ethical Review Protocol
How to proceed?
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Identify your area of specialization and a research question
(discuss with your advisor)
Contact your potential supervisor (most suitable specialist in
that area)
Prepare a short preliminary draft of your thesis proposal under
the guidance of your potential supervisor
Identify other potential members of your thesis committee
(based on the complementarity of their expertise and on their
compatibility)
Submit this short preliminary draft to the potential committee
members, and set up a first meeting to form your committee.
Then work on drafts of your proposal with the support of your
committee members until they approve it.
How long should it be?
MT Research Project: 20 to 30 pages
 MA Thesis Proposal: 25-50 pages
 PhD Thesis Proposal: 40-80 pages
 + Ethical Review Protocol
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What should it include?
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Front page
Abstract
Table of contents
Introduction
Research question(s)
Rationale
Literature review &
Conceptual / Theoretical
framework
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Methodology
Expected results
Timetable
Bibliography
Appendices
Ethical Review
Protocol
Front page
Title
 Name
 Program
 Date
 How to reach you
 Any instructions for the readers?

One-page Abstract
Research question
 Importance
 Conceptual / Theoretical framework
 Methodology
 Expected results
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Table of contents
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Abstract................................................i
Introduction..........................................1
Research question..............................3
Rationale.............................................5
Literature Review &
Conceptual /Theoretical framework....7
Methodology......................................18
Expected results................................26
Timetable...........................................31
Bibliography.......................................33
Appendices........................................37
Ethical Review Protocol.....................46
Introduction
What is your research question?
 Why is it relevant and original?
 What contribution do you want to make
to your field of inquiry?
 How do you intend to proceed?
 Give an overview of your thesis
proposal
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Research Question(s)
Topic
 Problem
 Issue
 Concern
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Rationale
Originality
 Theoretical and social relevance
 Pedagogical implications
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Literature Review &
Conceptual / Theoretical
Framework
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Establish links with your research questions
Present and discuss existing knowledge
(theories, concepts)
Point to gaps
Elaborate a conceptual framework
Remember to provide a definition for any
new concept you are introducing
Methodology
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Disciplinary orientation (links with your research question)
Methods
– Overall research design
– Participants
– Procedures
Data collection
– Instruments
Data processing
Data analysis
Expected Results
Expected contribution of your thesis
 Expected limitations of your thesis
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Timetable
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Establish a tentative timetable
Plan for up to two months for the approval of
the Ethical Review
Always plan 2-4 weeks for feedback from
your supervisor and your thesis committee
Plan 9 weeks between approval of your
completed Ph.D. thesis by your thesis
committee and the oral examination
Bibliography
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List quoted references only
Follow the American Psychological
Association (APA) Guidelines
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/
17/
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Consider using RefWorks www.refworks.com
or Zotero www.zotero.com to manage your
references
Appendices
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Put in the appendices any document
that is relevant to your thesis proposal,
but that would be too long or too
specific to be explained in detail
Ethical Review
Protocol
Wait for approval from your thesis
committee before completing your
Ethical Review Protocol
 http://www.oise.utoronto.ca/ctl/Student
s/Ethical_Review.html
 Append your Ethical Review Protocol,
as well as your questionnaires,
interview schedules, tests, etc.
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Further Readings
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Graduate Supervision, Guidelines for
Students, Faculty, and Administrators,
University of Toronto School of Graduate
Studies -http://www.sgs.utoronto.ca/currentstudents/
Pages/Find-a-Supervisor.aspx

Intellectual Property Guidelines for
Graduate Students and Supervisors,
University of Toronto School of Graduate
Studies
http://psych.utoronto.ca/users/psy3001/files/
SGS_IP_Guidelines.pdf
Further Readings
Organizing Your Social Sciences
Research Paper - The purpose of this
guide is to provide advice on how to
develop and organize a research
paper in the social sciences.
 http://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide
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What else?
Attend sessions given by OISE
Student Services, Education
Commons, CTL
 Do you have any questions?
 Would you like to make suggestions?
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