Page 66 - DISSERTATION AND THESIS HANDBOOK 2017 -2020

D. Thesis Proposal
A thesis proposal generally consists of the following five elements:

1. A statement of the purpose of the study, including such topics as the
need for the study; the research questions that the thesis will attempt
to answer; and the argument that is being set forth.
2. A literature review containing at least a presentation of relevant research
so that the proposed study is placed in a theoretical context and
demonstrates familiarity with methods used in that area of interest;
3. A detailed presentation of the methods that will be used in the study,
including such areas as sampling, tools, variables, data collection
methods and management with statistical software, statistical
analytical procedures and formulae, hypothesis proposed and dummy
tables of expected results;
4. A proposed timeline; and
5. A breakdown of chapters.

Some candidates may decide to conduct a study. If the study involves human subjects,
then the candidate must submit a proposal to the Bowie State University Institutional
Review Board (IRB). The IRB must approve all research involving primary (human
subject) secondary data. To ensure the protection of human subjects and to comply
with federal law,

✦ Bowie State University requires IRB review and approval of all research
projects involving human subjects or human materials before initiation to
ensure the protection of human subjects and to comply with federal law

✦ This policy applies to all biomedical and behavioral research involving
human subjects or human materials conducted by faculty, staff, and students
of Bowie State University.

✦ If the research program or study is a part of an application to a sponsoring
agency, the human protocol must be submitted for review before or when
the Dean of Graduate School approves the proposal.

Please see pages 29 through 36 of this handbook for more information about the IRB.
Candidates should work closely with their advisors regarding the need for and
submission of a proposal to the IRB.

When the Thesis Advisory Committee finds that the candidate’s proposal is ready for
defense, the committee will conduct an informal oral examination of the proposal.
The committee will provide the candidate with a report regarding the proposal
defense. The candidate may pass the defense without condition, or he or she may pass
with conditions (meaning additional work must be done). Under some circumstances,
a candidate may fail the defense, and work must begin anew.

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