Dissertation Proposal Outline

Dissertation Outline

There is no standard format for the dissertation. Most universities offer comprehensive guidelines in their dissertation manuals; often however, the details are left up to the discretion of the Dissertation Committee. Most dissertations are organized into four or five chapters; however, there are many variations on these models. The dissertation proposal generally consists of the first three chapters (in a five-chapter format) or the first two chapters (in a four-chapter format).

Here are generic outlines for a five-chapter quantitative and qualitative dissertation. In each case the four-chapter model incorporates the literature review into the first chapter.

Quantitative Dissertation Outline

Chapter 1: Introduction

• Background of the Problem
• Statement of the Problem
• Purpose of the Study
• Theoretical Framework
• Research Hypotheses
• Importance of the Study
• Scope of the Study
• Definition of Terms
• Summary

Chapter 2: Review of the Literature

Chapter 3: Research Methods

• Research Design
• Participants
• Instrumentation
• Research Procedures and Pilot Testing
• Data Analysis
• Assumptions of the Study
• Limitations of the Study
• Summary

Chapter 4: Research Findings

Chapter 5: Conclusions, Discussion, and Suggestions for Future Research

• Summary
• Conclusions
• Discussion
• Suggestions for Future Research

    Qualitative Dissertation Outline   

Chapter 1: Introduction

• Background of the Problem
• Statement of the Problem
• Purpose of the Study
• Research Questions
• Importance of the Study
• Scope of the Study
• Definition of Terms
• Delimitations and Limitations

Chapter 2: Review of the Literature (in qualitative studies, often reviewed after rather than before data collection)

Chapter 3: Research Methods

• The Qualitative Paradigm
• Qualitative Methods
• The Researcher's Role
• Data Sources
• Data Collection
• Data Analysis
• Verification
• Ethical Considerations
• Plan for Narrative OR Pilot Study Results

Chapter 4: Research Findings

Chapter 5: Conclusions, Discussion, and Suggestions for Future Research

• Summary
• Conclusions
• Discussion
• Suggestions for Future Research