Detailed Tutorial On Composing A Dissertation Research Prospectus


There is another name for a dissertation research prospectus and it’s a research proposal. So, if you are told to write either of these, you should not get puzzled because it’s all the same. However, the main problem is not only in the name of the assignment. It’s in the way the assignment should be done properly. When it comes to such parts of the dissertation projects, students often feel completely frustrated and unable to do anything right. If you are one of those students, you may find useful the following tips:

  • Compose a smart intro.
  • The introductory paragraph should not be too long and puzzling the readers. Just give them a hint of what’s going to be examined and explained within the paper. Try to attract their attention with a catchy thesis statement.

  • Focus on the question of your project.
  • You need to determine it for your readers either within the intro or in the body part of the prospectus. Namely, it’s the definition of the reason why you have decided to study this very problem.

  • Determine the theoretic significance of your project.
  • You need to prove that your research has a value in its area for a number of reasons. You should remember that you need very reliable reasons, not your personal judgments.

  • Give attention to the necessary background.
  • Sometimes, it’s necessary to provide some background of the research you have done for the sake of better understanding. It can also be important in case you search some funding for your project.

  • Respect opposite points of view.
  • If you mention opposite points of view in your prospectus, you will look extremely professional. Besides that, as you surely know, usage of opposite opinions and arguments often helps prove your own point of view.

  • Explain the choice of methods.
  • It’s very important to choose correct methods and even more important to prove that you have chosen the best ones. Give this part enough attention and make sure that you have enough reference and theoretic support.

  • Speak about some general significance of the project.
  • You have already spoken about the theoretic significance of your project for the area of studying it belongs to. Now, it’s time to determine its general importance, value and interest for the science, further development of other disciplines, etc. You need to persuade representatives of other spheres of studying, professors and other members of the committee that your work is worth the highest grades.