Your Thesis
The goal of all higher degree research (HDR) programs is to write a thesis that demonstrates how you have made an original contribution to knowledge. While the task of writing a thesis can be daunting, there are several things you can do to stay on track and complete your thesis on time while producing your best work.
The Graduate Research School (GRS) runs two seminars that will help you prepare for your thesis submission:
Thesis Submission Seminar Outlines the submission and examination process
Using Publications in Your Thesis Seminar Examines how publications may be incorporated into your thesis, including how authorship is determined, and when to seek permission to use published work
The GRS also offers a weekly HDR writing group and a Thesis Writing Boot Camp to help you build a regular writing practice. For information on the seminars and events available, please visit this page .
Can’t make it to a Seminar or event? Watch a recording of the last session and download a copy of the slides here .
Additional Resources
UNSW Resources Thesis Submission and Examination Applying for Restricted Access iThenticate Thesis Format Guide Thesis Examination Procedure
Finding other HDR theses in your field UNSW digital thesis collection Trove – Australian print and digital theses ProQuest dissertations and theses global (UNSW sign in required for access) EThOS e-theses online service
Writing Your Thesis The Writing Center - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 10 Tips for writing a PhD thesis – Times Higher Education How to write 10,000 words a day – The Thesis Whisperer
Thesis Plans Free Thesis Plan templates – iThinkwell Sample Thesis Plan - The University of Edinburgh
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Guide for Writing Research Proposals
This guide is for candidates who are enrolled in a higher degree research program (PhD, Masters by Research or Master of Philosophy) and who have been asked to submit a research proposal as part of their Research Progress Review or Confirmation of Candidature.
The aim of the research proposal is to convince your school that:
- there is a need for the research; it is significant and important.
- you are contributing something original to the field.
- the topic is feasible in terms of availability of funding, equipment, supervisors, and data.
- the research can be completed in the expected time period(3-4 years full time for a PhD or 1.5 – 2 years full time for a research Masters).
- ethical issues have been considered and approval has been given for the research by the University Ethics Committee.
- the topic matches your interests and capabilities.
What is the difference between a Masters and a Doctoral research proposal?
As research Masters degrees are shorter than PhDs, the main goals and complexity of your proposed research should align with this shorter timeframe. If you are unsure of what is required, you should seek advice from your supervisor or your School’s Postgraduate Coordinator.
Who is my audience?
Your research proposal is normally assessed during your Research Progress Review by the Review Panel. If you are a PhD candidate, your research proposal will normally be submitted as part of your Confirmation of Candidature Review. Most candidates need to submit a written report and present their proposal during their Review. If you are not sure of the requirements within your School or Faculty, contact your supervisor or your School’s Postgraduate Coordinator.
The research proposal helps you focus your research aims, clarify its importance and the need, describe the methods, predict problems and outcomes, and plan alternatives and interventions.
Getting it done
Preparing your proposal will be an iterative process. You will most likely need to prepare a number of drafts, improving each one with feedback from your supervisors. You should be writing regularly to have your proposal completed by the due date.
Demonstrating originality
Your work will make a worthwhile contribution to your field if it fulfils one or more of the following:
- it provides evidence to support or disprove a concept, theory, or model;
- it contributes new data/information, new or improved solution, analysis procedure or a new improved research methodology;
- it results in a new or improved concept, theory or model.
See next: Structuring the proposal
Postgrad research.
- Academic skills support
- Structuring the proposal
- Literature review
Thriving as an HDR Candidate - Helping international students navigate challenges & build success in their HDR journey 30 May – 28 Nov 2024
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
brief review of current knowledge (Can include literature review in some schools); indicates gap in knowledge, states aim of your research and how it fits into the gap; can include hypotheses; can include an outline of the following chapters. See thesis introductions exercises for more information.
Student. How should I structure the proposal? The following sections are recommended for your research proposal report. Check with your supervisors for optional sections, variations and additional sections that may be required. Routine information. This can be a full cover page or a quarter page header. Name. Address, telephone and email details.
Examines how publications may be incorporated into your thesis, including how authorship is determined, and when to seek permission to use published work. The GRS also offers a weekly HDR writing group and a Thesis Writing Boot Camp to help you build a regular writing practice.
Human Research Ethics Application Forms. PDF applications are no longer accepted for new minimal, low and more than low risk research. From the 14 August 2023 all application must be submitted via iRECS irecs.unsw.edu.au.
Thesis Binding: The binding should be of the simplest kind (blocked and pasted). The following is the regulation for higher degree thesis binding: • The thesis shall be bound in boards, covered with bookcloth (buckram) or a similar binding fabric. • The thesis shall be lettered on the spine as follows: o At the bottom; UNSW.
UNSW Engineering students are required to complete an undergraduate thesis project during the 4th year of their study. Students can choose from a variety of projects, with research and industry thesis options available. The standard thesis is 4 UoC (Unit of Credit) per term starting T1, T2 or T3.
Clean, minimalist LaTeX template intended for group projects at UNSW. Replication of UNSW Formal Letter Template as provided by UNSW in Word now for LaTeX. Produce beautiful documents starting from our gallery of LaTeX templates for journals, conferences, theses, reports, CVs and much more.
Edition 9 2020. A range of easy-to-use templates featuring UNSW’s refreshed brand are available from the ‘downloads’ section of the UNSW Brand Hub. The templates, which have been available since February this year, include a new email signature, Microsoft Word and PowerPoint templates, and many more.
Online forms. Find relevant cover sheets and regularly updated application forms relating to UNSW School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications. For general web forms, please visit the UNSW Student Portal.
The research proposal helps you focus your research aims, clarify its importance and the need, describe the methods, predict problems and outcomes, and plan alternatives and interventions. Getting it done. Preparing your proposal will be an iterative process.