Guidelines for Writing M.Sc.

Research Proposal

Problem Statement (1 page)

This section should describe unresolved issues in a field of investigation that are outlined in a
manner such that a non-specialist will understand the problems and reasons they were chosen.
This section will be answering the following questions:

1. What are the problems to be studied?

2. Why are these problems worthy of study?

This is the place where the researcher tries to convince that the research is worth doing. It can be
done by describing how the results may be used. Think about how the research may:

• Resolve some existing problem

• Save money/time
• Enhance safety and/or performance
• Change the way people do their jobs in a particular field, or may change the way people
live.

Literature Review (1 to 1.5 page)

This section of the proposal will provide the appropriate detail at a level such that a specialist
will be informed of current developments in the field that are important to the understanding and
conducting research on the problem. This section should provide specialists sufficient
information about the state-of-art or knowledge in this field that they will be able to critically
evaluate the proposal that follows. Explain that relevant publications that have been consulted to
determine whether the envisaged research is not a duplication of previous research. This section
will answer the following question:

1. What work has been done by others and is relevant to the proposed problem?

Objectives (max. ½ page)

An objective should be a precise statement of a measurable outcome or process to be
accomplished by the researcher. The objective should originate from the problem statement and
literature review set forth in proposal. M.Sc. thesis proposal is expected to have 2 to 3 objectives.
Write them in the form of bullets.

Research Methodology (Procedures), (1 to 2 pages)

The methodology section describes in detail how the study will be conducted. This section
should include sufficient detail to enable an expert reviewer in the field to evaluate if the
approaches planned achieving the objectives are understood by the researcher. Remember, all
proposals components should be interdependent. One should flow from the other. There should
be procedures to deal with every objective, just as the objectives should be tied to problems
outlined in the problem statement.

Clearly indicate the experimental and the analytical work which will be carried. Describe the
types of tests which will be performed. Test setup and Instrumentation to be used must be
discussed. Including a test matrix is highly recommended. Mention the software and modeling
techniques which will be used for simulating the experiments.

In cases that will involve statistical evaluation of information and data, sufficient information
should be provided so that the reviewer can evaluate whether or not statistically meaningful
results and conclusions may be based on the design and quantity of data to be collected. A
discussion of the validity of possible conclusions must be included in this section.

Timeline (½ page)
Describe in tabular format the timeline of each activity.

References:
The reference list at the end of the proposal should include all works cited in the proposal;
conversely, all items listed as references must have been cited in the text of the proposal.

Samples references:

1. Banthia, N.; Al-Asaly, M.; and Ma, S., “Behavior of Concrete Slabs Reinforced with
Fiber-Reinforced Plastic Grid,” Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, V. 7, No. 4,
1995, pp. 252-257.
2. Ghannoum, C. M., “Effect of High-Strength Concrete on the Performance of Slab-
Column Specimens,” MEngrg. thesis, Department of Civil Engineering and Applied
Mechanics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada, 1998, 91 pp.
3. ACI Committee 318, “Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete (ACI 318-08)
and Commentary,” American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, MI, 2008, 473 pp.
4. British Standard Institution, “Structural Use of Concrete,” Standard BS 8110, London,
UK, 1997, 168 pp.
5. Mirmiran, A., “Length Effects on FRP-Reinforced Concrete Columns,” Proceedings of the
2nd International Conference on Composites in Infrastructure, Tucson, AZ, 1998, pp.
518-532.

Format:
Maximum Pages: 5 (excluding title and references)
Font size: 11
Font Style: Times New Roman
Line spacing: double

Complied by:

Muhammad Munir Ahmad

Project Officer (Operations)
PMU, P&SHD
Multan.

Jul.01, 2019