Here is the dissertation prospectus rubric. Please note this is provided for your reference while composing the Proposal draft

1

Met

Not Met

Complete?

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Does the prospectus contain all the required elements? Refer to the annotated outline to see the required parts of the Dissertation Prospectus document.

Comments: If not met, which items are missing?      

2

Met

Not Met

Meaningful?

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Has a meaningful problem or gap in the research literature been identified? In other words, is addressing this problem the logical next step, given the previous exploratory and confirmatory research (or lack thereof) on this topic? It is not acceptable to simply replicate previous research for a Ph.D. degree.

Comments: If not met, what is the reasoning for this assessment?      

3

Met

Not Met

Justified?

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Is evidence presented that this problem is significant to the discipline and/or professional field? The prospectus should provide relevant statistics and evidence, documentable discrepancies, and other scholarly facts that point to the significance and urgency of the problem.

Comments: If not met, in what areas is additional evidence needed?      

4

Met

Not Met

Grounded?

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Is the problem framed to enable the researcher to either build upon or counter the previously published findings on the topic? For most fields, grounding involves articulating the problem within the context of a theoretical base or conceptual framework. Although many approaches can ground a study in the scientific literature, the essential requirement is that the problem is framed such that the new findings will have implications for the previous findings.

Comments: If not met, what other theories or frameworks might be more appropriate?      

5

Met

Not Met

Original?

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Does this project have potential to make an original contribution? The problem must be an authentic “puzzle” that needs solving, not merely a topic that the researcher finds interesting. Addressing the problem should result in an original contribution to the field or discipline.

Comments: If not met, how could the study make a more original contribution?      

6

Met

Not Met

Impact?

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Does this project have potential to affect positive social change? As described in the Significance section, the anticipated findings have potential to support the mission of Walden University to promote positive social change.

Comments: If no, how could the study address social change more directly?      

7

Met

Not Met

Feasible?

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Can a systematic method of inquiry be used to address the problem; and does the approach have the potential to address the problem while considering potential risks and burdens placed on research participants? The tentative methodology demonstrates that the researcher has considered the options for inquiry, selected an approach that has potential to address the problem, and considered potential risks and burdens placed on research participants.

Comments: If not met, what other approaches to research should be considered?      

8

Met

Not Met

Aligned?

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Do the various aspects of the prospectus align overall? The nature of the study should align with the problem, research questions, and tentative approaches to inquiry.

Comments: If no, in what ways could aspects of the project be better aligned?      

9

Met

Not Met

Objective?

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Is the topic approached in an objective manner?

The framing of the problem should not reveal bias or present a foregone conclusion. Even if the researcher has a strong opinion on the expected findings, the researcher must maximize scholarly objectivity by framing the problem in the context of a systematic inquiry that permits multiple possible conclusions.

Comments: If not met, please identify the points of subjectivity.