Addis Ababa Science and Technology University

College of Engineering

Department of Architecture

Architectural Thesis Proposal Organization

Year and Semester: 5&I

Academic Year: 2023/24
Preface
In Architecture and Urban Planning, the research process consists of a number of closely related
activities. The activities usually overlap rather than following strictly prescribed sequences. Sometimes,
the activities are so interdependent that the first step of the research project largely determines the
nature of the last. If subsequent procedures have not been taken into account in the early stages,
serious difficulties may arise and may prevent the completion of the study -in this case of the thesis.
Sometimes, the difficulties may not be remedied at the time they become apparent. This is because they
have become rooted in the early research procedures.

In your case, the proposal of thesis title for approval is the first research procedure. That is the
conception of a theme for study or research. Your thesis title should be roughly as follow:

1. Background- (1 to 2 pages)

Here, the student shall discuss about topic briefly. The discussion shall focus on the past, current and
futures state of affairs of the topic under study. In other-words, the discussion should focus not on the
general issues that you are eventually going to address in your research. The discussion on the
background should put forward the main elements of a discussion or argument that need responses by
way of explorations or research, consequently what interested you to make research on the topic
matter. Finally, the background should clearly transmit to the reader the subject of concern that needs
investigation by way of scientific methods. By doing so, you are actually formulating the problems- (I.e.,
the research problem) - that need to be looked at, through the research process.

2. Research questions

Here the student should be able to deduct or extract from the statement written in the background, the
major issues that raises questions, and that need responses by way of doing research or investigations
on the study issues. In other words, the student should formulate several independent statements in the
form of inquiries, not questions.

3. Objectives - (not more than half a page)

Here the student should able to, briefly explain what the research intends to achieve. One can have a
general objective accompanied with specific ones.

4. The research methods- (from half a page to a full page)

Important as it is, here the student must describe the research methods that he/she uses in the process
of investigation of the study topic. Furthermore, each research methods of your choice should be
accompanied with a brief explanation of what it intends or set to achieve.
5. Scope and limitation of the research (not more than half a page)

Here, the student should be able to explain in brief, the degree or the extent of coverage of the research
and the limitations that would be anticipated while doing the research. Both issues I.e., the scope and
the limitation, should be viewed rationally and realistically, in light of the study topics as well as,
resources and the time of completion.

6. Relevance of the research/Significance- (not more than half a page)

The importance or significance of the research should be explained from the point of urban design and
planning.

7. Organization of the thesis report- (from half a page to a full page)

By now, the student is expected to have comprehended, roughly or more or less, how his thesis report
should be organized or structured. Here, what is needed is, to outline, sequentially the different parts
that make the thesis. A very brief outline of the subject matter of each part is needed.

8. Budget and Time plan- (a half a page and tabular presentation)

A budget ant time plan is the quantitative expression of a financial plan for future expenses on the
research project in a given period of time. If time commitments on the grant require a member of
research student to be released from. if you plan to include multiple letters of support with your
proposal, it is recommended.

9. References (Harvard writing style)

The students are expected to refer to several Reference Materials.

Note

Finally, each student should come up with 3 theses title proposal and consult as soon as possible, so that
you could start working your thesis sooner.