MAEd2 – Guidance on developing the dissertation proposal
This formal proposal (MAEd2) for the MA dissertation forms the summative assessment of
the RESINED module (MERS501). It should be presented according to the guidelines for all
assignments on the IMP, details of which can be found in the handbook. An appropriate
ethics protocol should accompany it unless your research does not require one (note that
your supervisor will advise you on this).
The word limit for the proposal is 2000 words (+/- 10%), not including the ethics protocol or
the references which are in addition to the word count. You should write it against the
following headings and look carefully at the advice offered here.
The proposal (MAEd2)
This proposal examines your understanding of the methodological issues appropriate to
your dissertation plans. Your purpose in writing it is to demonstrate that you understand
these issues both at the philosophical level (the kind of stance you are taking to the
research) and at the practical level (the methods themselves and how they address the
research questions you have). More specifically, your task is to describe and critically discuss
your project in terms of what the question is, why it is relevant and how it will be
researched.
You should write your proposal against the following headings, bearing in mind that section
(c) is likely to form the bulk of the work.
a. What the topic is and what you aim to achieve. Briefly describe the issue and context of
the proposed study. Your research questions should be clearly stated.
b. Why the project is relevant. Briefly describe how it relates to existing studies and
knowledge (models, theoretical frameworks) in this field. This should include references
to work that has been done previously (by you and/or others) and how this work frames
the current study. You should also demonstrate how the study may result in personal,
professional or academic enhancement.
c. How you will research your question. What methodological stance you are adopting
towards your study and what method(s) you are going to employ.
You should show clearly how these will successfully address the research questions and
demonstrate that you have a good understanding of the practical and conceptual issues
that you face in carrying out the work. You should also justify your methods,
commenting on other approaches you might have taken and evaluating these against
those chosen.
d. References: using the Harvard referencing system to provide full information about
references included in the text. These should include references to both contextualising
information and to methodology texts.
e. Ethics protocol (not part of the word count): setting out ethical considerations
addressing the ethical principles for research involving human participants. This should
include examples of any data gathering tools (e.g. questionnaires, interviews etc) that
MAEd2 Guidance 2010
you will use and any letters of introduction/explanation that you intend to use with
participants.
MAEd2 Guidance 2010
Notes of guidance
In essence, the proposal must demonstrate that, through the research described therein, you have the potential to:
 fix upon a substantial issue or project which it will be useful to investigate;
 relate your chosen issue or project to your previous pattern of study;
 carry out the investigation or development systematically;
 offer non-trivial insights from which more general lessons can be learnt;
 express your results in a well structured study of between 15000 – 20000 words or their equivalent.
However, more formally, the proposal is marked against the deep criteria of the IMP. The following notes should help you to understand what
the markers are likely to be looking for in your proposal.
Deep criteria
Research and Investigation
Identify, select, critically analyse and evaluate
educational ideas, perspectives, theories or data
relevant to an appropriate area of study. Undertake a
critical, imaginative and ethical investigation. Relate
theory to practice. Formulate a coherent set of aims
and objectives which effectively utilise available
resources. Organise and manage the study.
Understanding of Relevant Historical, Critical and
Cultural Contexts
Locate work within a broader context, usually through
ideas, perspectives and theories from educational
literature.
Critical Awareness and Evaluation
Adopt a questioning, reflective and critically aware
stance throughout the study.
MAEd2 Guidance 2010
Comments – the marking tutor is likely to ask at least the following questions of your
proposal in relation to the deep criteria.
 Are you clear about the concepts you are working with? [For example, if you are writing
about ‘mentoring’ (say) are you clear about how you are using the word; or if you are
referring to ‘making something better’, are you clear about how ‘better’ will be defined in
the context of the study?]
 Do you have one or more models or frameworks for how you are conceptualising your
ideas? [For example, you might need a model of ‘learning’ or of ‘mentoring’ (say) to use
throughout?]
 Are your aims and objectives clear and framed as a research question(s) (RQs)?
 Have you considered the ethical issues carefully, checked this with your supervisor and
written a clear protocol?
 Is it clear what you already know about this topic?
 (How) has other work, by you and/or other people, informed the aims and the RQs?
 Is it clear why/how the work is significant and relevant to your context?

Are you taking a critical approach to the work, considering other perspectives and
identifying where you are currently positioned yourself? [For example, if you are
advocating (say) a policy initiative, are you aware of your advocacy and it implications
for your research and have you considered how a critique of this position might look?]
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Appropriateness of Medium and Process
Choose and implement appropriate media and
processes in relation to ideas, aims, intentions and
context. Select and apply appropriate methodologies
to stated objectives and utilise them competently and
methodically.
Coherence and Legibility
Show clarity and coherence in structure, writing
conventions, style, presentation of evidence and
argument. Ensure the work is readable, accessible to
its intended audience and effectively communicates
the intended meaning.
Inventiveness and Independence of Thought
Generate 'new' ideas and connections, apply existing
material to new contexts or reappraise or critique
familiar material. Further, combine or resolve
uncertainties, identify similarity, difference and
interconnection, take risks and use rational and
intuitive thinking.
MAEd2 Guidance 2010

Will your methods provide a critical examination, not just support your own position?
How?

Have the thought through your ‘epistemological stance’ towards the research? [For
example, are you clear about whether you are (say) testing a hypothesis in an
experimental way or constructing an account in an interpretative manner?]
Do your methods fit within this stance and do they allow you to answer the RQs?
Is it clear exactly what you will do, and how?
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As well as your supervisor, your proposal will be marked by a second marker who will
know nothing of your study. Have you written it so that it is clear enough for them to
follow?
Is the referencing accurate using Harvard?

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Does the proposal look inventive, yet realistic?
Is the work likely to be of interest and useful?
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