Chapter 1: establish the study
Chapter 1 normally introduces the background, problem, purpose, research questions, framework, significance, key terms, and other program-required elements. The exact headings vary by institution.
Chapter 2: establish the scholarly foundation
The literature review should demonstrate command of the relevant scholarship and build the rationale for the study. It should support the problem and framework rather than simply demonstrate that many articles were read.
Chapter 3: show exactly how the study will work
Methodology should be detailed enough for the committee to understand who or what will be studied, how participants or data will be selected, how evidence will be collected, how it will be analyzed, and how quality and ethics will be protected.
Proposal readiness checklist
- The problem is current, specific, and evidence-supported.
- The purpose directly responds to the problem.
- Every research question supports the purpose.
- The framework is applied throughout the study.
- The methodology can answer each question.
- Sampling and access are realistic.
- Data collection and analysis procedures are explicit.
- Ethical considerations and institutional requirements are addressed.
Before submission: Read only the problem, purpose, research questions, framework summary, and methodology summary in sequence. They should sound like parts of the same study.