8/14/2019 PUDM4100G_SST Proposal Template
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Thesis Proposal GuidePUDM4100G Fall 2009
Riman / PobinerThis is a guideline for organizing your thesis
proposal. The proposal should cover/include the
following components.
1) Title (no more than 10 words)
The title can be a working title in that it can be changed at a
later date. It should convey
the essence of the proposed work
2) Background (up to 4 pages)
The background section should be a brief review of the research
that youhave done this term that grounds the domain, topic, and
research
question. It will briefly refer to the overall history of your
domain and thecontemporary activity in the area of your topic.
The background will identify a specific purpose for the conduct
of theresearch. A thesis proposal should demonstrate a clear
understanding ofthe existing body of knowledge and clearly portray
the scope of theproposal. Ideally, the background will clearly
identify gaps in existingknowledge as well as outline why the
research is important and should beconducted. Finally, your
background should explain what the current stateof the art,
practice, and/or competitive landscape is in your domain/topic.
3) Research Question(s) or objectives (2-3 pages max.)The
research questions or research objectives are broad statements of
thegoals of the research. They are directly related to the gaps in
existingknowledge identified in the previous section. The
objectives would coverwhat the research is attempting to find out
(in broad terms). For example:
This research aims to:
1.1.1. Identify the entrepreneurial behaviors of small business
owners New York
1.1.2.Understand the impact of such behaviors on business
performance1.1.3.Propose a model of entrepreneurial behaviors that
lead to improve small business
performance.
Success in qualitative research proposals, the research
objectives might besufficient to provide a conceptual framework for
the study. However, instudies that are quantitative in nature, the
candidate might be expected todevelop hypotheses to be examined in
the study.
4) Theoretical framework (1 page)
The theoretical framework is sometimes called the conceptual
frameworkand describes the theories or concepts to be covered or
addressed in the
research. The framework is often presented as a diagram and
includes adepiction of the variables to be examined and their
hypothesizedrelationships to each other. The framework will include
a consideration ofthe dependent and independent variables and any
moderating or
8/14/2019 PUDM4100G_SST Proposal Template
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Thesis Proposal GuidePUDM4100G Fall 2009
Riman / Pobiner8) Timetable (1 page)
This section should include a consideration of the time frame
required to
conduct research (including collect data, analyze the data and
write up athesis based on the outcomes of the research.
9) Business and Management
Write a short synopsis of what you expect the business and
ormanagement opportunities of your research to be.
