%Everybody who wants to get a Ph.D. in Computer Science and is required
%to write a dissertation proposal is heavily recommended to read the 
%following article:
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%On Ph.D. Thesis Proposals in Computing Science, H.C. Lauer, 
%The Computer Journal, Vol 18(1975), No 3, p.279
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%This is an excerpt of the most important points in this article (LaTeX):
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% about the purpose and structure of dissertation proposals
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\section*{Thesis proposals}

\large
A thesis proposal in computing science should address at least the 
following six points:
\begin{enumerate}
\item A statement of the problem and why it should be solved.
\item Reference to and comments upon relevant work by others on the
same or similar problems.
\item The candidate's ideas and insights for solving the problem and
any preliminary result he/she may have obtained.
\item A statement or characterisation of what kind of solution is
being sought.
\item A plan of action for the remainder of the research.
\item A rough outline of the thesis itself.
\end{enumerate}

\leavevmode\hrule\vspace{1cm}

\Large
A thesis proposal should represent a considerable effort $[\ldots]$\\
It allows the candidate to 'stake out a claim' in a potentially
crowded area.\\
It provides a good yardstick against which the candidate can measure
his own progress or lack of it, and it helps him to focus his energy
when he feels he is waffling $[\ldots]$\\
\bf Finally, it helps him to combat the common occupational affliction of
Ph.D. students, namely depression.

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H.C. Lauer, The Computer Journal, Vol 18(1975), No 3, p.279
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