Research Methodology

ENGI 3215
Chapter 2

SELECTING A TOPIC AND WRITING THE

DISSERTATION PROPOSAL
Dr. Sari Abusharar
Associate Professor
Civil Engineering Department
Faculty of Applied Engineering and Urban Planning
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 Outline of Presentation
Introduction

Thesis vs. dissertation

Choosing the topic

The dissertation proposal

An example of a dissertation proposal

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 Introduction

It is the first step of the research process and

the most difficult task for any researcher is to
select a topic for study and then to improve
that topic to produce a proposal which is
realistic.

This means that you need to do a great

reading and clear thinking to identify the
problem and your area of interest.
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 Thesis vs. Dissertation
Students are often confused with the differences between
Thesis and a Dissertation.
Some universities consider both thesis and dissertation as
similar.
The standard dictionary defines Thesis and Dissertation as
follows:
"A dissertation is a long piece of writing on a particular
subject, especially for a university degree.“
"A thesis is a long piece of writing based on your own
ideas and research that you do as part of a university
degree, especially a higher degree such as a PhD.“ 4
 Thesis vs. Dissertation
The Dictionary defines both thesis and dissertation to be likely
similar to each other. But there are broad features that distinguishes
them apart.
1. Original research/synthesized work
A thesis involves conducting original research. A dissertation is
usually done with already existing research work which may require
you to add your own thoughts to it.

2. The degree that you get.

If you are in the US: You write your dissertation to obtain a
Doctorate degree and you write a thesis if you are doing your
Master’s program.
If you are in the UK: It is the reverse. You write your thesis to
obtain a Doctorate degree and dissertation to complete your
Master's program. 5
 Choosing the topic
The choice of topic usually comes from your interest in and
value of a particular subject. If you are finding difficulty in
choosing a researchable topic, you can consider the following:

1. Consult the library catalogue and inquire about thesis and

dissertations, articles in academic journals, reports, books
and the like.
2. Using web searching to find area of interest.
3. Talk about problems and possible topics with your
colleagues and/or with your lecturers who are experts in
the field.
4. Arrange an informal interview with professionals in the
industry and discuss what you should emphasise and what
are the possible practical outcomes.
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 Choosing the topic
There are a number of criteria that need to be considered
when deciding on your research topic. These are
summarized below:

1. A dissertation topic should be realistic.

2. Your topic should be specific and narrow.
3. Your topic should show individuality, i.e. your personal
contribution to the study.
4. Accessibility of information.
5. Personal ability.
6. Personal interest.
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 Choosing the topic

A diagram showing the narrowing down of the research topic

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 Examples

CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IMPACTS ASSESSMENT ON THE ENVIRONMENT

‫تقييم أثر المشاريع اﻻنشائية على البيئة‬
CAUSES OF CONTRACTOR'S FAILURE IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
‫أسباب فشل المقاولين في قطاع اﻻنشاءات‬
FACTORS AFFECTING LABOUR PRODUCTIVITY IN BUILDING PROJECTS IN THE GAZA STRIP
‫العوامل المؤثرة على انتاجية العمال في مشاريع البناء في قطاع غزة‬
RISK MANAGEMENT IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN GAZA STRIP FROM OWNERS’
PERSPECTIVES
‫إدارة المخاطر في مشاريع البناء في قطاع غزة من وجهة نظر المالك‬
IMPROVING SAFETY PERFORMANCE IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN THE GAZA STRIP
‫تحسين أداء السﻼمة في مشاريع اﻹنشاءات في قطاع غزة‬
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ASSESSMENT IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY IN GAZA STRIP
‫تقييم أثر مشاركة العامة في قطاع اﻻنشاءات في قطاع غزة‬
CAUSES FOR DELAYS IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN GAZA STRIP
‫أسباب التأخر في المشاريع الهندسية في قطاع غزة‬

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 The dissertation proposal
After deciding on a topic for research, your dissertation
proposal should contain the following:

1 Working title.
2 Purpose.
3 Aim.
4 Objectives.
5 Hypothesis (or key questions).
6 Outline methodology.
7 Proposed contents.
8 Initial references.
9 Work plan.
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 The dissertation proposal
Working title
Working title is a short line that gives your research a
‘direction’ and the title might slightly change at the final
stages of research. There are a number of questions to be
borne in mind when selecting a final title. These are:

1. Does the title identify precisely what is being studied?

2. Is the title clear and concise and at the same time
sufficiently descriptive to allow for rapid categorization?
3. Has the title been stripped of superfluous words and
redundancy?
4. Are the key words correctly chosen and in the proper
order?
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 The dissertation proposal
Purpose/rationale of the research
This should be a one-page discussion of approximately
500 words which sets out (with supporting data fully
referenced) the problem and the reason for the
proposed study, highlighting the issues to be
investigated.
Aim
Ideally a ONE sentence aim should be provided,
highlighting your ultimate goal.
Example 1: To provide professional guidelines to
engineers who are required to undertake the role of
the project manager. 12
 The dissertation proposal
Objectives
Ideally between three and five single-sentence objectives
should be developed.
Objectives are the breakdown of your aim (sub-aims)
which focuses on finding out or establishing certain issues
while achieving your aim. The objectives will then pose a
number of questions which will form your research
questionnaire later in the research process. Try to phrase
each objective in the form of:
To investigate … /To analyze …/To assess …/To examine
…/To compare …/To test …/To find out …/Etc.…
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 The dissertation proposal
Hypothesis (or key questions)
If your research is designed to test/validate a hypothesis,
then a one-sentence hypothesis needs to be established
which should clearly and specifically state the position for
the argument or investigation.

A hypothesis is a tentative proposition ‫ اقتراح مبدئي‬which is a

subject of verification through your investigation.

Your conclusion will either support or reject your

proposed hypothesis, or support part and reject others.

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 The dissertation proposal
Outline methodology
In this part of the proposal you should highlight your
proposed methodology for obtaining the information
necessary for the study. Research methods can take many
forms. At the proposal stage, however, all you need to
provide is an outline methodology (‫)منهجية موجزة‬, for example
which academic journals you will concentrate your
reading on. If you intend to interview personnel, who will
they be and approximately how many of them you will
interview and so on.

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 The dissertation proposal
Initial references
Indicate all details of the core sources of references in
order to provide the basis of evidence and information
necessary to enable the dissertation proposal to be
developed.

Each reference should provide author, title, publisher,

edition and publication data

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 The dissertation proposal
Work plan
This should be a simple work plan or timetable – a bar
chart of activities over the weeks of study is often
helpful – indicating what you intend to do and when.

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 An example of a
dissertation proposal

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