The following is a generic template from a dissertaion proposal. It is intended as a guide for what at minimum should be included in a dissertation. It is entirely possible that a person will have to modify this guide to fit the purposes of a particular study; (e.g. I prefer students to have "real" chapter titles that reflect the substacne of the text, rather than generic ones).  Nevertheless, mutatis mutandis, the student should be prepared to explain how each of these general categories will be treated in the dissertation.

I    STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

•     Context of the problem or issue
•     Importance of the problem or issue
•     History of treatment of the problem or issue
•     Research questions

II    REVIEW OF LITERATURE

•     Historical or thematic review of the literature on the issue and related issues
•     Delineation of how your treatment is different from that of others.

III    METHODOLOGY

•     General review of possible methods, with a justification of the method or approach used.
•     Specific methods, approaches, strategies, instruments to be used in answering the research questions. (Including timeline for proposed study)
•     Specific population, with explanation of sampling.

IV    DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
 
V    CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS

•     General conclusions
•     Theoretical implications
•     Pedagological implications
•     Limitations of the study
•     Suggestions for further research

VI    TIMELINE FOR COMPLETING DISSERTATION