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Research on thesis proposals

Students siting around a desk with refreshments talking about their research

Thesis Upgrade surveyed 60 postgraduate students who were starting their thesis journeys. The three most frequent areas of concern for these students were:

  • How do I define my research area?
  • Have I selected the right topic for me?
  • Have I written my title correctly?

Everyone feels confused at the beginning of the research process. This confusion probably means that you feel frustrated by your mental log jam. You may also feel anxious you are not making substantial progress with your thesis or dissertation. You are not alone!

Chiomo, a postgraduate MBA student, said “my main concern is the relevance of my research area – how could I be sure it was suitable for an MBA thesis?” Sonia, a postgraduate on an MSc in International Business Management programme added: “I am really worried about my topic, I need to narrow it down, to make it useful for real life or for my future career”. Anna, a final-year undergraduate, was alarmed to find that her supervisor would not be assigned until after she submitted her research proposal: “I was really worried about whether I have chosen a topic relevant to my study, whether it was too broad, or too narrow”.

Mark Campbell, Director with Thesis Upgrade commented: “It is not unusual for students to have to come up with a research area, or even a specific topic, themselves. Many colleges and universities do not have the resources to appoint supervisors at the research proposal stage. They wait to see what the students themselves propose, before allocating a supervisor who knows something about the subject area or proposed research method. We are finding an increasing number of students simply want to bounce their initial ideas off someone who is experienced with the research process – whether that be other students, or preferably a tutor or supervisor”.

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Research on thesis aims and objectives

Our survey of 60 postgraduate students offers some interesting insights into the top concerns they have during the early stages of their research. Once the initial topic have been selected, and research statement written, the next challenge students face is setting out their aims and objectives. Nearly two thirds of those questioned (64%) mentioned this as a key anxiety.

Research aims and objectives can be difficult to specify. Stephen, an MSc Human Resources Management student, maintained “I thought I knew what my objectives should be, but once I started to do my secondary research, I realised that this was a wide area and there were already many studies written about the topic. I had to refine my objectives again and again before my supervisor accepted them”. Bethany, a BA Social Studies student, assumed that finding a link between economic growth and social development in a specific African country would be an appropriate objective. When she was allocated to her supervisor, however, he said she would need to be more specific and much clearer: “It delayed the start of my research by two weeks, which was so disappointing – and inconvenient”, lamented Bethany.

Sue Mulhall, Director of Thesis Upgrade, notes “Most postgraduate students have some experience of setting research aims objectives. It can, however, be a daunting task for undergraduate students for whom undertaking a major research project is a first-time experience. Students often ask for advice on their aims, objectives and research questions. With proper support, most learners can produce clear aims and develop specific, measurable and realistic objectives. A suggestion the team at Thesis Upgrade often make is to begin by simply considering what is not known about the topic”, Sue recommends. “This apparently straightforward question can help to identify and critique where the key gaps in current knowledge are”.

Try out our toolbook packed full of practical tools to help you choose your thesis topic, write your research questions and formulate your hypotheses. It also shows you how to turn your dissertation idea into a realistic research proposal project plan. Buy our skills-based resource now for immediate use.