A key focus of this week was the thesis proposal structure. The proposal submission date is 18th June 2026, and the proposal should explain the plan for the research I intend to conduct. The resource explains that a research proposal should show how and why the research is relevant to the field, and whether it fills a gap, supports existing research, or adds new knowledge to the academic discussion.
The proposal also needs to explain the methodology that will be used, including the tools and procedures for collecting, analysing and interpreting information. It should also consider any limitations or constraints connected to the project. This is important for my own thesis because I need to be clear about how I will use academic sources, case studies and visual analysis to support my argument.
The resource also outlined the main structure of the research proposal. It should include a research title or question, draft introduction, keywords searched, draft literature review, research methods outline, chapter outline, draft chapter and indicative bibliography. This helped me understand that the proposal is not just one written text, but a set of connected sections that show the direction of the full thesis.
The session also made me think more carefully about the introduction. The proposal introduction should introduce the topic, state the problem or question, provide context, explain why the research is necessary and show how it connects to established research. For my topic, this means I need to explain why the gap between media narratives of war and lived civilian experience is important, and why animation could be a useful way to explore that contrast.
Another important part of the proposal is the chapter outline. The resource explains that each chapter outline should identify the purpose of the chapter, the research questions driving it, the key thinkers or ideas included, and how the chapter helps answer the main research question. This is useful because it helps me see how the final thesis could be organised into clear sections rather than one broad discussion.