Guidelines for Writing and Submission of

M. Phil. Research Proposal

Centre for Advanced Studies and Research

Lahore Leads University

Centre for Advanced Studies and Research

Lahore Leads University
Guidelines for Writing M. Phil Thesis Research Proposal
I- Elements of the Proposal

The research proposal should be developed using the following guidelines:

1. Title
1) Specific and worded to show the nature of work involved as far as possible.
2) Between 50 to 70 characters/letters.
2. Introduction
1) Consisting of two to three pages about the topics background information
funneling from general to specific leading to the- problem.
2) Should be very powerful to introduce the topic.
3. Literature Review
1) Must provide background relating to the concept and the questions of the
study.
2) It should include the work already done, gaps in knowledge on the concept
and the methodology and instruments used for similar studies.
3) Material only very relevant to the concept/s should be included.
4) It should be critical review synthesizing information by similarities of
concepts/ findings and difference in findings with reasons of difference
inferred by the researcher reflecting upon various elements of the
methodology.
5) *Review should be written in own words of researcher.
6) In-text citation of all references is must to avoid plagiarism and in-text citation
should have 100% correspondence with the reference list
4. Statement of the problem
1) State the problem in two to three sentences. It should clearly establish the aims
and the sought relationship between the variables/concepts of the study.
2) Objectives of the study: Statement of the problem should be followed by
objectives of the study. Objectives should relate to the sub-topics or the subthemes of the problem.
5. Significance of the study
Describe how the study will add to the existing pool of knowledge and will benefit the
professionals. Any other possible benefits in the practical and social field and
contribution of the study in generating further research questions may also be
included in this section.
*: Only short and important statement may be copied within quotes () or as indented para using APA style.

Guidelines for Writing M. Phil Thesis Research Proposal

6. Hypotheses and/or Research Questions

1) Hypotheses should describe the sought relationship between the variables of
the study or the difference between the levels of the variable/s.
2) The alpha level for testing the hypothesis/es of the study should be stated.
7. Operational Definition of the Variables and/or Terminology
1) Variables of the study particularly the independent/predictor and
dependent/criterion variable should be defined in terms of the measurement
process to be used in the study.
2) Terminology: the terms to be used with specific meanings in the study should
be explained/described.
8. Conceptual Frame Work of the Study
In descriptive and experimental studies give complete conceptual framework of
expected relationship between the variables of the study- independent, dependent,
controlled moderating, and possible extraneous.
9. Limitations and Delimitations of the Study
1) Limitations are the limiting conditions or restrictive weaknesses of the study.
2) Delimitations are defining the limits or boundaries around the study and
showing clearly what will and what will not be included in the study.
10. Methodology:
1) The methodology must help to answer the questions under study and describe:
i. Nature of data required and sources of data
ii. Research technique to be used i.e. quantitative, qualitative or mixed
method.
iii. Research design to be used. Such as within quantitative it could be
descriptive,
correlational,
comparative
and
causal
comparative/experimental and within qualitative it could be case study,
ethnography, discourse analysis and content analysis etc.
iv. Also describe the rationale for selecting the specific design.
2) Depending upon the nature and type of the study it may include:
i. Population: nature and size of the population
ii. Sampling frame, the accessible population size.
iii. Sample size and sampling method to be used along with its justification.
iv. Instruments of the study.
If using available/ existing instrument/s:
State and describe the available instruments of the trait
Give rationale for the selection of specific instrument/s
State the validity and reliability of instrument/s.
Permission to use such instrument/s.

Guidelines for Writing M. Phil Thesis Research Proposal

If developing your own instrument/s, describe the whole procedure

including:
Operational definition of variables, indicators of variables,
Procedure for ensuring the validity and reliability of instruments
including piloting and revision.
v. Assumptions underlying the study: Explain the assumptions relating to the
observability and accessibility of the data.
vi. Data Gathering and Data Analysis
Describe the procedure of data collection
Describe that who will collect the data and how.
Data analysis technique must provide information to answer questions/
test hypotheses. Depending upon the nature of the subject and the title,
researcher may use quantitative and qualitative technique of data
analysis.
11. Ethical issues and measures to address such issues. Issues like conformity with the
social norms in designing instruments and data collection, measures to protect
subjects against any possible harm inherent in the study, confidentially of data and use
of results should be described clearly.
12. References. References must have complete correspondence with citations in the text.
Bibliography may be added separately.
13. Format of the Text and Reference List. Follow the APA style (www.apastyle.org).
Also see part II of these guidelines.
14. Proposed Outline of the Thesis with titles and subtitles of chapters.

Guidelines for Writing M. Phil Thesis Research Proposal

II. General Formatting and Presentation

1)

Paper Size: A4 size (8.3 x 11.7 inches).

2)

Title page: As per sample on next page.

3)

Margins: One inch on all sides (top, bottom, left and right).

4)

Font Size and Type: 12-pt. Times New Roman font.

5)

Headings and Subheadings: Font size 14-pt (Bold), Times New Roman
Font.

6)

Line Spacing: Double-space throughout the document, including the title

page, body of the document, references and appendixes.

7)

Spacing after Punctuation: Space once after commas, colons, and

semicolons within sentences.

8)

Alignment: The entire text must be justified. In MS Word, select the entire
text. On the Home tab, in the Paragraph group, click Justify.

9)

Paragraph Indentation: 5 spaces (Press tab while beginning each new

paragraph).

10)

Pagination: The page number appears one inch from the right edge of the
paper on the first line of every page.

11)

Table Caption: Table 1 is typed flush centered and italicized on the first
line below the running table.

12)

Figure Caption: Figure 1. is typed flush centered and italicized on the first
line below the figure (should be a brief descriptive phrase).

13)

Number of copies: After approval by the Departmental Advanced Studies

Committee, students should submit ten copies of the proposal to the Head of
the Department.

14)

Plagiarism Check: The DASC shall report the similarity index of the
proposal using TURNITIN software. The similarity index should be below
20%.

15)

Proposal Submission Form

Student should submit the proposal using the prescribed form.

Guidelines for Writing M. Phil Thesis Research Proposal

Title of the Thesis [16pt, Bold]

M. Phil Research Proposal

By
[Full Name]
Roll Number
Under the supervision of
[Supervisors Name]

Department of [Department
Name]
Lahore Leads University

Guidelines for Writing M. Phil Thesis Research Proposal

M. Phil Research Proposal Submission Form

Name of Student: _____________________________

Student Registration No: _______________

Program: ______________________________ Department: _________________________________

Number of Courses completed: ____________ CGPA: ____________ GAT Score: ______________
Name of the Supervisor: _____________________________________________________________
Name of Co-Supervisor (If any): ______________________________________________________

Research Topic: ___________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

___________________
Signature of Student
Date: ______________
Recommendation of Research Supervisor
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________
Signature of Research Supervisor
Date: ______________
Recommendation of DASC:
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________
Signature of Chairperson DASC
Date: ______________
Decision of GSC:
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________
Signature of Chairperson GSC
Date: ______________