Introduction

A PhD synopsis is a detailed summary of your proposed research project which justifies the need for your work. It is used to convince academic committees that your project should be approved.

Firstly, the reader must be able to read your synopsis and understand what contribution it would make to the research area. You should also explain the research objectives, methodology, data analysation and presentation format. Finally, you should conclude with limitations of your study and how you envisage others building on the findings you make.

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Page Title

Should reflect the objectives of the study. It must be written after the whole synopsis has been written so that it is a true representative of the plan (i.e. the synopsis). INTRODUCTION: Should contain brief background of the selected topic. It should have Title of the study, Participant (Student)’s name, Supervisor’s name, Name of the Department, Institute

Title and abstract:

In case of predefined PhD projects, a title is usually provided by the university. In other cases, an applicant is expected to provide a preliminary title which will be further elaborated in the process of thesis writing. An abstract should usually be no longer than a page, and provide a brief summary of what you are going to cover in your research proposal.

List of Contents

Summary / Abstract (150-200 words)

1. Introduction (2-4 pages)

Give Background information e.g. prevalence, statistics etc
List down conceptual Definitions of the Constructs Under study
Provide brief overview of theories / Models linking the topic
to the available body of knowledge
List down the theoretical frame work you will base your research work on.

2. Literature Review (2-4 pages)

It mainly consists of review of existing relevant and related research
Subsections can be included based on the nature of your work.
Presents relationships between different specific constructs the researcher
wants to study i.e. specify the relationships between and among variables
Correlates and predictors of outcome variable identified in research
May consist of a combination of mathematical, graphical, and/or
diagrammatical presentations
Provide an overview of Indigenous Researches i.e. overview of relevant
research done in Pakistan

Statement of the Problem

Identify the research gaps and justify the conduct of the study
It serves as a guide in formulating the specific objectives of the study

Significance / Rational of the Study

It refers to justification, importance, and vital contribution of the findings of
the study / research and its likely benefits.
Why is it worth doing?
While the particular topic and its context will determine a study’s significance
and contribution of a study in terms of: adding to the existing knowledge in
the area; policy considerations; implications for practitioners etc

Significance / Rational of the Study

List down main objectives of the Study

Hypotheses / Research questions

States the researcher’s expectations concerning the relationships between the
variables or differences in groups or treatment conditions in research

3. Methodology (2-3 pages)

Research Design

Specify whether descriptive, causal/explanatory, correlational, comparative,
exploratory, evaluative or combination of two or more designs
Design: Strategy & Frame work
What strategy is proposed, quantitative or qualitative?
If both quantitative/qualitative (mixed method) approaches are targeted
then what would be the mixture of the proposed strategies.

Sample/ Participants

  The sampling strategy, especially whether it is probability (its type),
   non probability (its type), or both and
   what claims will be made for the generalizability of findings.
   Inclusion / exclusion criteria of the sample
How Sample will be recruited and approached
What would be the Sample size and how the size will be determined

Operational Definitions of the Variables (optional)

Define constructs of the study as they will be measured / assessed

Data Collection Techniques / Assessment Measures

Whether you will use already developed Instruments Used (provide detail).
Other ways of eliciting Data (qualitative e.g. focus group discussion,
interviews,texts etc)
Material and method for observations

Procedure

How the data will be collected i.e. taking necessary approvals /permissions, logistic arrangements and assessment etc

Ethical Considerations: consent/access/and participants’ protection

List down issues like informed consent, anonymity, confidentiality of data, data storage, and the use of the results etc
Other can be study specific like intervention and advocacy etc. etc.

4. Proposed Analyses

Indicates the most appropriate analysis used for both quantitative (descriptive, inferential statistics) and qualitative data.
Mathematical expressions must be italicized and numbered accordingly
All major/key variables must be properly measured/categorized, indicating their specific units of measure
All major/key variables must be properly measured/categorized, indicating their specific units of measure
The sources of formulas must be indicated in the text.

5. Limitations & Delimitations (if Applicable)

Limitations refer to limiting conditions or restrictive weaknesses
Delimitations refer to defining the limits or drawing the boundaries around the study, and showing clearly what is and what is not included

Must be provided for planning.

Must be provided for planning.

6. Time Frame of Dissertation

Must be provided for planning

7. List of References

Follow APA, Chicago or any other format prescribed for your discipline for writing references
Follow APA, Ensure to match list of references with those given in citations.

8. Appendices

Participant Information Sheet, Letter for permission, Participant Consent form, Measuring instruments
Interview guides, observational schedule, Assessment tools
Example of pilot study or any other data/work already completed.