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The First Step: The Proposal (or Prospectus)
Writing your thesis or dissertation proposal - or prospectus, as some departments at UBC call it - is the first step in getting writing. It can often serve as the backbone of your thesis, helping you to structure your introduction, literature review, methods section, and more. The resources listed here can help you to begin your writing journey.
Note that the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies does not have particular requirements for how proposals or prospectuses should be written, although there are general guidelines given in the Handbook of Graduate Supervision. Check with your department to see what their specific requirements are.
Online Proposal and Prospectus Writing Resources
UBC's Handbook of Graduate Supervision has some basic information on what a proposal should include.
The University of Toronto Writing Centre offers a number of "Academic Proposals in Grad School" tips.
Books and E-Books in UBC Library
Writing a Proposal for Your Dissertation by Call Number: LB2369Publication Date: 2015This user-friendly guide helps students get started on--and complete--a successful doctoral dissertation proposal by accessibly explaining the process and breaking it down into manageable steps. Steven R. Terrell demonstrates how to write each chapter of the proposal, including the problem statement, purpose statement, and research questions and hypotheses; literature review; and detailed plan for data collection and analysis.
How to Design, Write, and Present a Successful Dissertation Proposal by Call Number: LB2369Publication Date: 2013This provides graduate students in the social and behavioural sciences with the specific set of skills needed to write a successful dissertation proposal. It gives guidance for the whole process, from introducing the role of the advisor and helping students narrow down their area of specialization, to assisting them with identifying their research question. Helpful advice on reading, the literature review, writing, defining the research question, and methods are provided.
Proposals That Work by Call Number: Q180.55.P7 L63 2007Publication Date: 2007The fifth edition of 'Proposals That Work' continues to cover all aspects of the proposal process, from the most basic questions about form and style to the task of seeking funding.
How to Prepare a Dissertation Proposal by Call Number: LB2369 .K725 2005Publication Date: 2005What are the core elements of a strong proposal? How can I accent the strengths of my study design? What is the best way to get my proposal reviewed and approved? You will find the answers to these and other key issues in this assembly manual for crafting a complete and convincing dissertation proposal.
