Working group: Minna Valtonen, Elsa Keskitalo, Anna Liisa Karjalainen, Marianne Nylund, Titta Riihimäki ja Olli Vesterinen
The next step after successfully presenting an idea for a final thesis in the final seminar is to write the thesis proposal. The proposal serves as the foundation for the whole process of preparing a final thesis. An approved proposal is required for making contracts or applying for a research permit. Writing a proposal makes the writer consider how and on what basis they are preparing the thesis. The proposal is also important for providing thesis guidance from thesis supervisors.
There are many ways to prepare a thesis, which is why themes are prioritised in different ways in each individual proposal. The following is a description of a basic structure for both research-based and development-based theses.
Thesis proposals are usually around 10 pages in length. The main goal is to present the subject matter and motivation of the thesis, and to explain why the final thesis is current and necessary. In addition, the proposal must include descriptions of thesis partners and the target group of the thesis, present previous studies related to the subject and define key concepts. It must also include a description of the research methods to be used. A schedule proposal and an assessment of any related ethical challenges must also be included.
The proposal should comprise the following sections. The headlines in bold below can be used as headlines in the thesis as well.
Introduction
The introduction should be concise and around one page in length. Its purpose is to introduce the subject matter to the reader, and its contents should advance from general matters to more detailed ones. The introduction should include
Theoretical framework and key concepts
The theoretical framework of the thesis consists of existing theories and research information and other verified information and background material related to professional practices. Introducing the theoretical background and key concepts is usually sectioned into two to four subsections. The headlines of the subsections must reflect the content of the subsection, and the content must be based on previous literature. The subsections must
Purpose and aim of the thesis
The description of the purpose and aim of the thesis is usually presented as one section without subsections. The section should include descriptions of
Research environment and partners
Descriptions of the research environment and thesis partners can be included as their own subsection. However, sometimes it is better to include them in the description of the implementation of the research, i.e. the section describing the research method, data collection and the analysis methods. In both cases this section should include
Research method, data collection and analysis methods
This section should describe how the research data will be collected and how it will be processed and analysed. Literature on research methods should made use of in this section. The section must include descriptions of
Questions related to the ethics and reliability of the research
The ethical challenges related to the collection and processing of the research data will most likely have been briefly discussed in the descriptions of data collection, processing and analysis methods. The purpose of this chapter is to further specify
Thesis schedule
The descriptions of data collection and research methods most likely also include a brief mention the schedule of the thesis. The purpose of this section is to provide an even more detailed schedule for the implementation of the research up to its finalisation. The planned schedule can also be presented as a table or a diagram. The schedule should include
Reference list
The reference list must be drafted according to Diak’s guidelines.
Appendices
Interview questions, themes of a semi-structured interview, questionnaire questions or cover letters, for example, should be appended to the thesis.
Thesis focusing on development is usually conducted as development projects or product development projects. The proposal should comprise the following sections. The following bolded headlines can be used as the structure of the thesis.
Introduction
The introduction should be concise and around one page in length. Its purpose is to introduce the subject matter to the reader and contents should advance from general matters to more detailed ones. The introduction should include
Starting points of the thesis, implementation environment, partners and the purpose and aim of the thesis
If a thesis is implemented as a development project or product development project, it is important to provide a description of the starting point and the development target. The section describing these can include subsections. The subsections should include descriptions of
The key concepts of the thesis and methods used
Presenting the key concepts of the thesis should be based on existing theoretical and research information and other verified information and background material related to professional practices. Introducing the key concepts is usually sectioned into two to four subsections. The headlines of the subsections must reflect the content of the subsection, and the content must be based on previous literature. They should present
Process description for the development project or product development project
The process description is a central aspect of a thesis focusing on development. Preliminary ideas on how the development project or product development will advance, and how and at what point of the project the development work can be assessed and how the assessment will be implemented. Process charts or tables can be used to support the process description. The process description should include
Questions related to the ethics and reliability of the research
Ethical questions will most likely already have been discussed in the earlier sections of the thesis proposal. This section should further discuss
Reference list
The reference list must be drafted according to Diak’s guidelines.
Appendices
Cover letters, for example, should be appended to the proposal.