How To Write a Good Synopsis for PhD Interview?

By Sakshi Ojha|Updated : February 4th, 2022

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Writing A Research Synopsis

A research synopsis is a short sketch of the research thesis and all steps proposed to be followed in the research. It gives a clear view of the research aim and time frame in which it is to be done. It helps researcher to stay focused on the objective of the research and to avoid unrelated things with the research. In short, It is a plan for your research project.

A research proposal is a document usually having three to seven pages that informs others of a proposed piece of research. It is a document written by which a researcher gives a detailed explanation of the intended program. It gives the reader a summary of the information discussed in the project. Research proposals are written for various reasons, like a budget request for the research certification requirements for research, etc.

Main Elements of PhD Synopsis

  1. Background of the research- In this researcher talk about the background of his/her research field and discusses the importance of his/her research work as a whole.
  2. Methodology- It specifies the methods of data gathering and analysis. The data gathered could be quantitative and qualitative.
  3. Research Question- To focus more on the research and further the cause of research, questions are asked by the researcher in research.
  4. Hypothesis- In this there is no pre-determined outcome. The researcher here mentions the assumption on which the research work is built. This assumption might turn out to be false at the end of the research.
  5. Objectives of the study- In this researcher talk about the aim of his/her research. Clarity is very necessary in this.
  6. Literature review- In this researcher reads the work of another researcher in the same area. The aim of this is to show that research hasn’t been done on this topic before.
  7. Limitations- In this researcher discusses the challenges that his/her research faces and factors that affect the research.
  8. References- In this researcher talks about whose findings he/she is going to refute in his/her research.

PhD Synopsis Format :

  • The title of research or thesis.
  • Introduction of 2-3 pages.
  • Literature review.
  • The objective of your work and hypotheses.
  • Methodology or your work plan.
  • Bibliography or references.
  • Conclusion including the scope and limitations of your study.

Things to Keep in Mind while writing PhD Synopsis:

The purpose and motivation

  • You should start your abstract by explaining why people should care about this study.
  • Why is it significant to your field and perhaps to the wider world?
  • Start by answering the following questions

1. What made you decide to do this study or project?

2. Why is this study important to your field or to the lay readers.

3. Why should someone read your entire essay?

  • In short, the first section of your abstract should include the importance of the research and its impact on related research fields or one the wider scientific domain.

Explain the problem addressed in the research

  • Stating the “problem” that your research addresses is the corollary to why your specific study is important and necessary.
  • You can combine the problem with the motivation section, but from a perspective of organization and clarity, it is best to separate the two.
  • Here, we have to answer the question, “What is the problem which your research is trying to solve?”.

Discuss your approach (Methods and Materials)

  • You have established the importance of the research, your motivation for studying this issue, and the specific problem your paper addresses.
  • Now you need to discuss how you solved or made progress on this problem - how you conducted your research. 
  • Here, you are showing the reader the internal engine of your research machine and how it functioned in an entire study.

Summarize your results

  • Here you will give an overview of the outcome of your study.
  • Avoid using too many vague qualitative terms and try to use at least some quantitative terms (i.e., percentages, figures, numbers).
  • Save the qualitative statements in the conclusion segment.

State your conclusion

  • In the last section of your abstract, you will give a statement about the implications and limitations of your study.
  • Be sure to connect this statement closely to your results and not the area of study in general.
 We hope this article helps in writing a PhD synopsis in a better way. 
 
Thank You
Team, BYJU'S Exam Prep!
#DriveStriveSucceed

Comments

write a comment

Follow us for latest updates