Thesis Requirements

A formal proposal The formal proposal must provide a clear and lucid description of a question, project or problem and a proposed method of answering the question, addressing the project or solving the problem. Proposal drafting is considered a learning process and helps you avoid oversights and possible mistakes. The proposal should explain the question, project, or problem to be investigated and convince the professor that the question, project or problem merits investigation. It should show that you have read the relevant and recent literature on the subject and it should contain a list of materials consulted during the preliminary stages of your thesis or project. In general, the thesis proposal or creative project should include background information related to the thesis topic or project, purpose of the thesis or project, and investigatory procedures to be used. The formal proposal should not exceed five (5) pages (proposal title page not included).

An Introduction. The thesis introduction will allow you to identify specific research question (s) and set the general context for the study. This section should include:

• The background of the topic
• Statement of the problem – a statement of the problem or general research question and context leading to a clear statement of the specific research question. Background and contextual material justifying why this case or topic should be studied
• Statement of the purpose – a purpose statement
• Research questions
• Significance of the study
• Definitions of unclear terms
• Limitations/delimitations (you may also provide in the Methodology area as well),
• Assumptions
• Theoretical framework

The creative project is expected to contain the following elements in the introduction:

• Provide a clear and lucid description of the creative project including the goal and intent of the project.
• Provide a weekly schedule and objectives for the work to be completed in 16 weeks
• Provide a sponsor who will sign and validate the work

Similarly, the introduction identifies your specific creative project and sets the general context for it.

Research Design: describe how you will test the hypothesis and carry out your analysis. This section describes the data to be used to test the hypothesis, how the student will operationalize and collect data on his/her variables, and the analytic methods that to be used, noting potential biases and limitations to the research approach. It should include:

• Identification and operationalization (measurement) of variables.
• A sampling plan (i.e., study population and sampling procedures, if appropriate).
• Justification of case studies used.
• Data collection/sources (secondary literature, archives, interviews, surveys, etc.).
• A summary of analysis procedures (pattern-matching, etc.); and
• Limitations of study and bias discussion.

A 25-page literature review. The literature review focuses on how the creative project experience fits into the discipline. Specifically, it introduces the project and places it in a larger context that includes a discussion of how this experience helps the student meet the program objectives. It provides the current state of accumulated knowledge as it relates to the project.

• Describe how completing this project is consistent with the course of study.
• Articulate the objectives the student hopes to achieve through the completion of this project.
• Provide a short conclusion and transition to the next section.

Thesis Literature Review: reviews the literature on a specific research question. The literature review focuses on discussing how other researchers have addressed the same or similar research questions. It introduces the study and places it in larger context that includes a discussion of why it is important to study this case. It provides the current state of accumulated knowledge as it relates to the student’s specific research question.

• Summarize the general state of the literature (cumulative knowledge base) on the specific research question:
• Study one: summarize to include researcher’s findings, how those findings were obtained, and evaluation of biases in the findings.
• Study two: summarize to include researcher’s findings, how those findings were obtained, and evaluation of biases in the findings.
• Include a minimum of at least three of the most important studies.
• Include a short conclusion and transition to the next section.

Please note you are to provide comprehensive analysis of details, facts, and concepts in a logical sequence. You should demonstrate a higher- level of critical thinking necessary for 500-600 level work. You are to provide well-supported ideas and reflection with a variety of current and/or world views in the assignment. You are expected to present a genuine intellectual development of ideas throughout assignment. You should thoroughly understand and excel in explaining all major points. An original, unique, and/or imaginative approach to overall ideas, concepts, and findings is required. Overall format of assignment needs to include an appropriate introduction (or abstract), well- developed paragraphs, and conclusion. Finished assignment demonstrates your ability to plan and organize research in a logical sequence. You are expected to use at least of 25 or more references in your literature review.

Then Body, Analysis and Discussion.