Developing your Proposal
Proposals in Sustainability are developed during the Crafting the Thesis Proposal course (ENVR E-496 or S-496). However, a pre-proposal must be submitted to your Research Advisor two months prior to the course (see Working with your Research Advisor).
Parts of the Proposal
The sections below are not numbered - they are centered (a-head) or left-justified (b-head):
Title page - pre-formatted and provided to you in the E-496 or S-496 course
Tentative Title - at top of next page, and numbered page 1
Summary
Definition of Terms
Introduction - a brief introduction of the research problem
- Research Significance and Goals (b-head) - broad goals of intended research and its importance
Background - an organized literature review of problem, leading logically to the next section
Research Questions and Hypotheses
- Specific Aims (b-head) - the sequence of research tasks required to address questions and hypotheses
Methods
Research Limitations
Expected Results
Appendices (optional)
Tentative Schedule
References
The Importance of the Summary
These 1-2 pages serve as a concise, but comprehensive statement of the several components of the proposal including:
- A paragraph introducing the research problem and goals or objectives of your research and its significance
- The major research question and specific hypothesis you will examine, and specific aims or tasks required to conduct the research (note: may be multiple questions and/or hypotheses)
- Details of research design, sources of data, and methods of analysis
- Expected results and application for sustainability or environmental management practices or policies
An articulate, concise, complete, and convincing outline of the proposal encourages a prospective Thesis Director to consider serving in this role. A poor summary inhibits further reading of the proposal.