Graduate School, School of Journalism & Mass Communications, San José State University

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How to prepare a proposal for Thesis and Project

PLAN A:

THESIS

DESCRIPTION:

Candidates in the M.S. Degree Program may choose to complete their degree requirements through a Plan A Thesis. Students who do a Thesis receive six units of MC299 as part of their 30-unit program.

A Thesis is a systematic piece of scholarship, utilizing an appropriate research method, that places emphasis on making a contribution to knowledge and adding to the literature in a field. A thesis may take the form of testing a hypothesis containing two or more variables/related items, historical assessment, critical analysis, survey inquiry, case studies, or a content analysis – depending on the subject under consideration. One objective of thesis research is to uncover relationships where none were known to exist, or to re-examine old ones for the purpose of the establishing new linkages.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

The following are general guidelines for Plan A Theses. Graduate faculty who have professional expertise and research background in the student’s area of interest should be consulted.

*There must be a systematic, operative method appropriate to the topic and the questions being asked by the researcher.

*The question/topic to be addressed should have adequate justification illustrating its importance and contribution to the field. The researcher must satisfactorily answer the question, "So what?"

*A thesis must be more than a descriptive study; it must include significant analysis and interpretation of data that provides new insights, leading to a formulation of new theory or contributing to the validation of existing theory.

Theory is operationally defined in Webster’s New World Dictionary as "a formulation of a apparent relationships or underlying principles of certain observed phenomena which has been verified to some degree."

* Much of a thesis should be the results of primary research; secondary sources, in large part, should be restricted to chapter one, often titled "Literature Review."

* A thesis, to be manageable, should be clearly focused on a specific question, proposition, or hypothesis.

* Narrative portions must be clearly written and illustrate a sophisticated understanding of the information being presented.

* The research may not be a task specifically assigned by the candidate’s employer or a normal part of the individual’s job responsibilities.

* Theses may be funded or sponsored by organizations, and candidates are encouraged to seek funding whenever possible. Results of research, however, are open to the public and sponsoring groups cannot exercise proprietary control.

* The researcher is responsible for understanding and adhering to all guidelines for preparation of thesis manuscript as outlined by the University’s Office of Graduate Studies. The official style manual of the Department M.S. degree program is Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. This can be purchased in the reference section at the Spartan Bookstore. (Note that, unlike in APA style, it is School of JMC style to use the full names of authors.)

* A completed thesis typically has five basic chapters: (1) Introduction and Statement of the Problem, (2) Literature Review, (3) Method, (4) Findings, (5) Summary and Conclusions. A complete reference section and appropriate appendices are at the end of the manuscript.

WRITING A THESIS PROPOSAL

Students must write a thesis proposal and have it approved by the Graduate Steering Committee. Before writing such a proposal, it is important to consult several graduate faculty to get their suggestions and ideas regarding the topic and appropriate research methods. Ten copies of the proposal must be submitted. It should be as detailed as possible, adhere to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, and contain the following elements:

TYPICAL OUTLINE OF THESIS PROPOSAL

TITLE PAGE

* Name of Thesis Topic

* Type "Plan A Thesis"

* Name of student and date

* Names and emails of the members of your committee

INTRODUCTION

This is a brief statement summarizing the topic, purpose, and concept of the proposed research. It should discuss the significance and value of doing the research, and how the researcher plans to conduct the research. The introduction serves as an "executive summary" of the student’s proposal.

Generally 5 plus pages.

LITERATURE REVIEW

* This section summarizes all relevant studies as they directly relate to the research question. You should avoid the tendency to include materials that do not directly relate to the research question.

* The purpose of the literature review is to bolster the case for doing the planned research, and to give a conceptual context of what is already known about the topic.

· The literature review should lead logically to the statement of a hypothesis, question, or proposition.

Generally this section is 25-30 plus pages.

METHOD

* The proposed research method must be thoroughly explained and defended.

* Sample frames, as well as time periods, must be clearly defined.

* Methods of (quantitative and qualitative) analysis should be discussed in detail. Control groups, questionnaires, number of interviews, coding of data, etc. must be explained in detail and included with the thesis (and the proposal). The writer also should mention his/her ability and availability of sources for carrying out such analysis.

* The nature of field work and primary research must be thoroughly outlined. It is often necessary to do some preliminary field work and research before you write the proposal.

* A timeline for completion of the research should be provided, as well as any budget considerations.

· Limitations of the study, as well as definition of terms, should be provided.

Generally 5 plus pages.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

* A complete list of references, following an accepted and approved style manual, should be provided.

APPENDICES

* Preliminary questionnaires, other pertinent materials.

PLAN B

PROJECT:

DESCRIPTION:

Candidates in the M.S. Degree Program may choose to complete their degree requirements through a Plan A (thesis) or Plan B (Project). Students who do a project receive six units of MC298 as part of their 30-unit program.

A Plan B Project typically places an emphasis on the application of professional skills with an end product instead of result from a research study. Some examples might be an advertising campaign plan, a photojournalism essay, the design and/or writing of a magazine, a broadcast documentary, a public relations campaign, a series of in-depth magazine or newspaper articles, or even a survey of professionals in a mass communications industry.

GENERAL GUDIELINES

The following are general guidelines for Plan B Projects. Individual faculty, who have professional expertise and background in the student’s area of interest, should be consulted for any specific project guidelines relating to their discipline.

* The project will present a clear statement of a problem related to one or more professional areas in the programs of the Department (i.e., advertising, reporting and editing, public relations, magazine, journalism, photojournalism, and broadcast news.

* The problem addressed should be in a professional area for which the candidate has taken academic coursework or has professional work experience. In some cases, it is required that students complete coursework in the professional area at SJSU (i.e., photojournalism).

* The problem to be addressed in the project should have adequate justification illustrating its importance and its contribution to the field. If the project is undertaken on behalf of an organization, its value to the organization must be specifically stated.

* The project may not be a task specifically assigned by the candidate’s employer or a normal part of an individual’s job responsibilities.

* Projects may be funded or sponsored by organizations, and candidates are encouraged to seek funding whenever possible. The sponsoring organization, however, cannot control or censor the content of the student’s project report.

* The product resulting from the project (report, videotape, articles, photo essay, advertising campaign, public relations program) must be of professional quality and represent a level of work equal to six academic units at the graduate level.

* The quality and effectiveness of the project must be documented by some form of evaluation. This evaluation may take the form of published articles, usage by broadcast stations or cable systems, gallery showings and other public displays, publication and distribution of printed materials, critique by a panel of professionals in the field, or systematic feedback from sponsoring organizations and audience viewing or receiving project materials.

* Final presentation of the product must be in a form suitable for library storage (e.g., clean-typed in a 3-ring binder, edited videotape, articles, brochures, or newsletters in published form). At least two copies must be submitted: one for the primary advisor, and a second copy for the graduate coordinator.

WRITING A PROJECT PROPOSAL

Students must write a proposal for a Project and have it approved by the Graduate Steering Committee. Before writing such a proposal, it is important to consult faculty in the specific discipline to get their suggestions, comments, and ideas. Ten copies of the proposal must be submitted. It should be as detailed as possible, follow the guidelines of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, and follow the listed sub-heads:

TITLE PAGE

* Name of Project

* Type "Plane B Project"

* Name of student and date

* Names and emails of the members of your committee

* Your email address

INTRODUCTION

This is a brief statement summarizing the nature and scope of the proposed project. It should discuss the value of the project to the sponsoring organization, the public, and the student. Toward the end of the introduction, you should briefly outline your qualifications (professional experience or coursework) for undertaking the project and how the work contributes to your education and career goals.

Generally 5 plus pages

BACKGROUND

* This section summarizes relevant information relating to the project:

(1) Literature Review. This varies according to the project. It may be a summary of current trends in IMC and/or design, if the project is a marketing plan, or it may be a summary of what kinds of information already is known about a topic. For example, a proposed series of newspaper articles on bilingual education or the North American trade agreement might summarize what has already been written about the topic.

(2) Overview of Organizational Situation. If the project is being done on behalf of an organization, there should be BRIEF description of the organization (organization chart, revenues, products, services, primary publics, etc.) and anything that relates to your project. For example, why is your project a contribution to the organization?

(3) Description of Preliminary Work Undertaken. What have you done, to date, on the project? What organizational contacts have taken place? What research has been done? This is important primarily for those investigating a particular event or situation, such as researching documents to use in the production of newspaper articles about that event.

Generally 25-30 plus pages.

LOGISTICS

* Budget for project (include costs to student and amount of funding from other sources).

* Timeline for completion of project.

* Describe the actual "product" produced and how it will be utilized. Audiences reached.

* If project has several components, student should specify what parts are his/her responsibility.

Generally 3-5 pages

METHOD

* Describe in detail how project will be done. Primary and secondary sources utilized. Description and use of appropriate research methods.

* Describe how effectiveness of project will be evaluated.

Generally 5 plus pages.

Reference section

* An appropriate list of references, following accepted APA style. (Note that, unlike in APA style, it is School of JMC style to use the full names of authors.)

APPENDIX

* Include correspondence from any sponsoring organization or funding group.

* Include letters of "cooperation" from individuals or groups who are needed for completion of project.

NEW Proposal Review Process.

1. A pre - sign off procedure by the primary advisor of a student's thesis/project committee, to ensure the basic readiness of the proposal when it is to be reviewed by the full committee, would be required prior to the copies of the thesis/project being distributed to the full committee. This sheet would be attached below the cover page of each copy. As per earlier requirements the student would need to have their committee on their cover sheet and contact information of the committee and the student author.

In the above sign-off, the student must:
* Clearly state problem.
* Establish links between research question, theory and method.
* Develop all portions (Intro, Lit Review and Method) sufficiently for review.
* Use acceptable style and language

2. Graduate Committee review sessions would take place twice during the semester approximately two weeks after proposals are due. Students would be then contact by the end of the third week as to the outcome of their review.

Proposal due dates are:
Early September and early November (generally first Monday of the month)
Early February and early April (generally first Monday of the month)

3. There would be a final proposal sign off sheet that the three committee members would sign before the student may begin work on the final thesis/project and attached to the first draft of the final thesis.

4. Forms will be given to primary, secondary and tertiary committee members who will provide write-ups about proposals for full graduate committee review meetings.

5. This will go into effect at the beginning of the Spring 2004 semester. Students who have not been conditionally approved, or approved, will resubmit under the new procedure.

San Jose State University
School of Journalism & Mass Communications
One Washington Square
San Jose, CA 95192-0055
USA
408/924-3240