WRITING SYNOPSIS FOR A Ph.D. RESEARCH PROJECT
May 18, 2009
Whereas it is essential to encourage and expand Ph.D. research to make it a more active part of the academic life of the University of the Punjab, it is also important to ensure that a reasonable standard of research is maintained. The University regulates through its bodies like the Board of Studies and Advanced Studies and Research Board that the Ph.D. research programs are properly planned and executed to maintain the standards..
A research proposal for Ph.D. registration, whether the area of study belongs to natural sciences, social sciences, languages, medicine or engineering, should include certain basic components, in which a number of questions need to be addressed. Why research on the proposed topic should be undertaken and what gains are likely to be achieved? What has been done previously in this or related areas? What are the objectives of this study and how these will be achieved? Are the facilities required for doing the proposed research available? An extensive initial exercise should help in designing a sound research project, which is likely to make a significant contribution in successful completion of Ph.D. research.
Components of a Synopsis
The following components should be provided in a synopsis of a Ph.D. research project. The details may, however, vary according to the field of study. Any alteration to the following format may be made in a specific discipline only with good justification.
1. Title Page
A title page of the synopsis should include title of the research project, name of the student (with qualifications), name of the supervisor(s), place of work and date (month and year) of submission.
2. Topic
The topic for research should be selected carefully. It should be specific and worded to show the nature of work involved as far as possible.
3. Introduction
It should provide a brief description to introduce the area of the proposed research work.
4. Review of Literature
A review of the relevant literature showing the work done previously in the area of proposed research is essential to plan further research effectively. The information given in the review should be supported by references.
5. Justification and Likely Benefits
It is important to provide justification for undertaking the proposed research, perhaps in the light of previous work done. It should be possible in most cases to anticipate the specific and general benefits likely to be achieved as a result of completion of the proposed research.
6. Objectives
Broad objectives as visualized to be achieved should be clearly outlined and these should be itemized. These objectives will indicate the major aspects of the study to be undertaken.
7. Plan of Work and Methodology
A plan of work describing the various aspects of the study in a logical sequence along with the methodologies to be employed, are the most important aspects of any research plan. Sufficient details to demonstrate that the researcher has a fairly good idea about the nature of work likely to be involved should be provided. In the case of experimental sciences, e.g., which equipments and experimental procedures will be used to obtain the results; in the case of social sciences what resource materials will be used; whether the required information will be obtained from primary or secondary sources, etc. A time schedule for the various aspects of the proposed research may be provided wherever possible.
8. Place of Work and Facilities Available
In order to complete the proposed research some specialized facilities may be required. For example in case of experimental sciences different equipments may be involved or in the case of, may be, a study on a scholar, the relevant literature may be available in a foreign country. Therefore it is important to identify the place where the research work will be undertaken and whether the resources and facilities required for doing the research are available.
9. References and Bibliography
Synopsis should contain at the end a list of references, and a bibliography if required. These should be written on a standard pattern.
It will be difficult to define an overall length for a synopsis for Ph.D. research in such varied fields of study. Whereas it should be concise as far as possible and avoid repetitions, it should also provide sufficient details on the various aspects mentioned above to show that the research involved has been well understood and planned, and it is of an acceptable academic merit. The total length of a synopsis may run from 1,500 to a few thousand words.
