Masters Thesis Proposal Outline
Masters Thesis Proposal Outline
Title
This may be your first attempt at the title.
It may change as your work progresses. At this stage it should closely mirror the content of your proposal.
Introduction
It should tell why you feel the research that you are planning is worth the effort. What is the general topic area? Why this topic is relevant/important? This may be expressed in the form of a problem that needs solving or something that you find exciting and has aroused your curiosity.
Theoretical background
This is also the section where you will demonstrate your knowledge of the relevant literature. A critical summary of existing knowledge (i.e., both theoretical and empirical literature), which provides the theoretical basis for your research inquiry. It will just provide an overview of the key literature sources from which you intend to draw.
Research aim
The main result that you are planning to achieve writing this topic.
Research tasks
The background section should lead smoothly into a statement of your research tasks.
These should leave the reader in no doubt as to precisely what it is that your research seeks to achieve.
Methods
It will detail precisely how you intend to go about achieving your research objectives.
It will also justify your choice of methods in the light of those objectives.
In the part on research design you will explain where you intend to carry out the research
This section should also include an explanation of the general way in which you intend to carry out the research.
Will it be based, for example, on a questionnaire, interviews, examination of secondary data or use a combination of data collection techniques?
Here again it is essential to explain why you have chosen your approach.
Your explanation should be based on the most effective way of meeting your research objectives.
The research design section gives an overall view of the method chosen and the reason for that choice.
The data collection section goes into much more detail about how specifically the data are to be collected.
Discussion
In this part you describe a discussion of potential implications of your findings as well as the limitations and contributions of your research. Also include a section on suggestions for future research.
Timescale
What will be the duration (time-frame) of your research? It will be helpful if you divide your research plan into stages. This will help you to decide on the viability of your research proposal and will give you a clear idea as to what is possible in the given timescale.
Resources
This is another facet of viability. It will allow you and the reader to assess whether what you are proposing can be resourced.
References
A few key literature sources to which you have referred in the background section and which relate to the previous work that is directly informing your own proposal should be all that is necessary.
Masters Thesis Proposal Outline
Title: "Enhancing Decision-Making in Information Systems: A Case Study Analysis"
Abstract: This master's thesis aims to investigate and enhance decision-making processes in information systems through a comprehensive case study analysis. The research will focus on understanding the challenges faced by organizations in making effective decisions and identifying potential areas for improvement. The study will involve examining real-world scenarios and analyzing the decision-making frameworks, tools, and techniques employed by organizations. The research will also explore the role of information systems in supporting decision-making processes and assess their impact on organizational outcomes. The findings of this study will contribute to the existing body of knowledge in management information systems by providing insights and recommendations for enhancing decision-making practices in organizations. The research does not require intensive programming and will primarily involve qualitative analysis and case study methodology.
This may be your first attempt at the title.
It may change as your work progresses. At this stage it should closely mirror the content of your proposal.
Introduction
It should tell why you feel the research that you are planning is worth the effort. What is the general topic area? Why this topic is relevant/important? This may be expressed in the form of a problem that needs solving or something that you find exciting and has aroused your curiosity.
Theoretical background
This is also the section where you will demonstrate your knowledge of the relevant literature. A critical summary of existing knowledge (i.e., both theoretical and empirical literature), which provides the theoretical basis for your research inquiry. It will just provide an overview of the key literature sources from which you intend to draw.
Research aim
The main result that you are planning to achieve writing this topic.
Research tasks
The background section should lead smoothly into a statement of your research tasks.
These should leave the reader in no doubt as to precisely what it is that your research seeks to achieve.
Methods
It will detail precisely how you intend to go about achieving your research objectives.
It will also justify your choice of methods in the light of those objectives.
In the part on research design you will explain where you intend to carry out the research
This section should also include an explanation of the general way in which you intend to carry out the research.
Will it be based, for example, on a questionnaire, interviews, examination of secondary data or use a combination of data collection techniques?
Here again it is essential to explain why you have chosen your approach.
Your explanation should be based on the most effective way of meeting your research objectives.
The research design section gives an overall view of the method chosen and the reason for that choice.
The data collection section goes into much more detail about how specifically the data are to be collected.
Discussion
In this part you describe a discussion of potential implications of your findings as well as the limitations and contributions of your research. Also include a section on suggestions for future research.
Timescale
What will be the duration (time-frame) of your research? It will be helpful if you divide your research plan into stages. This will help you to decide on the viability of your research proposal and will give you a clear idea as to what is possible in the given timescale.
Resources
This is another facet of viability. It will allow you and the reader to assess whether what you are proposing can be resourced.
References
A few key literature sources to which you have referred in the background section and which relate to the previous work that is directly informing your own proposal should be all that is necessary.