Thesis Planning 

provided by Irving Hexham

Program: why are you interested in this Topic? What is the Problem you want to engage?

Hypothesis: how do you think the problem under consideration can be explained?

Data: What are the source of your information? What are you looking at?

Method: how do you plan to gather your data?

Theories: How do you propose to explain your data?

Limitation: what limits can be set to enable you to write a viable Ph.D. thesis?

Timetable: set a date for completion and explain how you intend to meet your dead line?

Literature: what other there on this topic?

Development: what is the future of your research project after you complete your thesis?

Publications: what do you hope to publish during and after your Ph.D. program?

Field: what is your field?

Discipline: what is your discipline?

Colleagues: who are your peers and who are the leaders in this area of scholarship?

Employment: what are your chances of employment?

Supervisor: how well qualified is your supervisor for your particular project?

Committee: how will your committee members contribute to your future success?

External: who is the best possible external examiner?

Referees: who will give you references that are like to get you a job?

Societies: Which academic societies ought you join?

Journals: which academic journals should you read?

Conferences: which academic conferences must you attend?

Public interest: is there and interest in your topic among members of the public?