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Maharaja Agrasen University: Guidelines For Preparing Synopsis and Its Title Page
Maharaja Agrasen University: Guidelines For Preparing Synopsis and Its Title Page
A Research Proposal for Ph.D. registration irrespective of the discipline should include
certain basic components, in which a number of questions need to be addressed. What has
been done previously in this or related areas? Why should research on the proposed
topic be undertaken and what gains are likely to be achieved? What are the objectives
of this study and how will these be achieved? Are the facilities required for doing the
proposed research available? An extensive initial exercise should help in designing a sound
Research Proposal, which is likely to make a significant contribution on successful
completion of research.
1. Topic
The topic for research should be selected carefully. It should be specified and as far
as possible be indicative of the nature of the work involved.
2. Introduction
It should provide a brief description introducing the area of the proposed research
work.
3. Review of Literature
A review of the relevant literature showing the work done previously in the area of
proposed research is essential to plan further research effectively. The information
given in the review should include important body of work done in the field in the last
ten to fifteen years and should be supported by relevant references.
4. Motivation/Justification and Relevance
It is important to provide motivation or justification for undertaking the proposed
research, perhaps in the light of previous work done in the area. It should be possible
in most of the cases to anticipate the specific and general benefits likely to be
achieved as a result of completion of the proposed research. Relevance of the
proposed research should therefore be clearly specified in the context of the present
day knowledge in the field, i.e., the proposal should clearly indicate in the context of
the present day knowledge in the field, i.e., the proposal should clearly indicate the
gaps in the existing research and how the proposed research will contribute to the
existing scholarship in the field.
5. Objectives
Broad objectives as visualized to be achieved should be clearly outlined and these
should be itemized. These objectives will indicate the major aspects of the study to be
undertaken.
6. Hypothesis
While developing a correlation or relationship between different quantities or items,
or works, tentative prepositions that are to be proved should be clearly specified.
A plan of work describing various aspects of the study in a logical sequence along
with the methodologies to be employed is the most important aspect of any research
plan. Sufficient details to demonstrate that the researcher has a fairly good idea about
the nature of work likely to be involved should be provided. For instance, in the case
of experimental sciences, what equipment and experimental procedures will be used
to obtain the results; in the case of social sciences what resource materials will be
used; whether the required information will be obtained from primary or secondary
sources, etc. A time schedule for the various aspects of the proposed research should
be provided, wherever possible.
Some of the relevant aspects which may be considered for inclusion, depending upon
the nature of research, are:
Research design & instruments
Sampling design which will include defining the population and sampling
units
Work plan
Data collection methodology
Data analysis tools
Method(s) for validation of results
Experimental techniques
Material & methods
Standard tables/graphics/data needed for input or comparison of results
Testing tools and techniques, needed for study of structure, composition etc.
Dependence of results on physical conditions
Reproducibility of results
Errors in experiments and accuracy of results
Methodology envisaged for a theoretical work
Correlation, regression and other statistical tools proposed to be employed
Results analysis
Validation of hypothesis
Phasing of the work
The title of the Research Proposal must be the same as the proposed title of the thesis.
Use “Times New Roman” Font and size 16 with bold faced and centred paragraph
style for the title and font size 25 for writing the heading of the title page, i.e.
‘Research Proposal’. For typing the name of the student and supervisor, use font
size 14 and centred paragraph style. If a co-supervisor has also been assigned, the
details of the supervisor will be left aligned and that of co-supervisor will be right
aligned. For typing name of the degree, department and the faculty, use font size 16
bold faced and centred paragraph style. Times New Roman font size 20 bold faced
and centred paragraph style may be used for writing the name of the University and
font size 16 for writing the month and year. Use correct emblem and put up
University logo duly centred, as per format enclosed.
It will be difficult to define an overall length for the Research Proposal for Ph.D. in
different fields of study. Whereas it should be concise as far as possible and avoid
repetitions, it should also provide sufficient details on favour aspects mentioned above, so as
to show that the research involved has been well understood and planned, and it is of an
acceptable academic merit. The total length of the Research Proposal may run from 15 to 20
pages.