dissertation prospectus

Criteria (Required Components): score 0-3

Peer Evaluation Score

(0-3)

Professor or Chair Evaluation Score

(0-3)

Introduction

This section briefly overviews the research focus or problem, why this study is worth conducting, and how this study will be completed covering all of the major areas in the literature that is germane to your topic.

The recommended length for this section is 3-4 paragraphs.

1. Dissertation topic is introduced.

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2. Describes how the study extends prior research or fills a “need” or “defined gap” from current literature. Research shares that research is needed to assess the direction of the relationship between issues.

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NOTE: This Introduction section provides the foundation for the Introduction section in Chapter 1 of the Proposal.

NOTE: When writing this section ensure it has a logical flow, as well as uses correct paragraph structure, sentence structure, tense, punctuation, and APA format.

Comments from the Evaluator:

Criteria (Required Components): score 0-3

Peer Evaluation Score

(0-3)

Professor or Chair Evaluation Score

(0-3)

Background of the Problem

The background section explains both the history of and the present state of the problem and research focus.

The recommended length for this section is two-three paragraphs.

1. Identifies the “need,” or “defined gap” that will lead to the research problem statement in a following section. Citations from the literature in the last 5 years describe the problem as a current “need” or “gap” for further research.

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2. Discusses how the “need” or “defined gap” has evolved historically into the current problem or opportunity to be addressed by the proposed study.

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3. ALIGNMENT: The problem statement for the dissertation will be developed from and justified by the “need” or “defined gap” that is described in this section and supported by the Literature.

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NOTE: This Background of the Problem section becomes the Background of the Study in Chapter 1 in the Proposal. It is then expanded to develop the comprehensive Background to the Problem section in Chapter 2 (Literature Review) in the Proposal.

NOTE: When writing this section ensure it has a logical flow, as well as, uses correct paragraph structure, sentence structure, tense, punctuation, and APA format.

Comments from the Evaluator:

Criteria (Required Components): score 0-3

Peer Evaluation Score

(0-3)

Professor or Chair Evaluation Score

(0-3)

Theoretical Foundations and/or Conceptual Framework

This section identifies the theory(s) or model(s) that provide the foundation for the research. This section should present the theory(s) or models(s) and explain how the problem under investigation relates to the theory or model. The theory(s) or models(s) guide the research questions and justify what is being measured (variables) as well as how those variables are related (quantitative) or the phenomena being investigated (qualitative).

Review of the Literature

This section provides a broad, balanced overview of the existing literature related to the proposed research topic. It describes the literature in related topic areas and its relevance to the proposed research topic findings, providing a short one-two sentence description of each theme/topic and identifies its relevance to the research topic supporting it with at least one citation from the literature.

The recommended length for this section is two-three paragraphs

1. Theoretical Foundations section identifies the theory(s), model(s) relevant to the variables (quantitative study) or phenomenon (qualitative study). This section should explain how the study topic or problem coming out of the “need” or “defined gap” in the Background to the Problem section relates to the theory(s) or model(s). (Two to three paragraphs)

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2. Review of the Literature Themes/Topics section: This section lists the major themes or topics related to the research topic. It provides a short one-two sentence description of each theme/topic and identifies its relevance to the research topic supporting it with at least one citation from the literature. (One paragraph per theme/topic).

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3. ALIGNMENT: The Theoretical Foundations models and theories need to be related to and support the problem statement or study topic. The sections in the Review of the Literature are topical areas needed to understand the various aspects of the phenomenon (qualitative) or variables/groups (quantitative) being studied; to select the design needed to address the Problem Statement; to select surveys or instruments to collect information on variables/groups; to define the population and sample for the study; to describe components or factors that comprise the phenomenon; to describe key topics related to the study topic, etc.

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NOTE: This Theoretical Foundations section is expanded upon to become the Theoretical Foundations section in Chapter 1 (Introduction &Literature Review). The Theoretical Foundations section is also used to build upon the Introduction in Chapter 1. This Review of Literature Themes/Topics section is expanded upon to provide the Review of the Literature section in Chapter 1 (Literature Review). The Review of the Literature Themes/Topics section is also used to provide the basis for the Significance of the Study section in Chapter 1.

NOTE: When writing this section ensure it has a logical flow, as well as uses correct paragraph structure, sentence structure, tense, punctuation, and APA format.

Comments from the Evaluator:

Criteria (Required Components): score 0-3

Peer Evaluation Score

(0-3)

Professor or Chair Evaluation Score

(0-3)

Problem Statement

This section includes the problem statement, the population affected, and how the study will contribute to solving the problem.

The recommended length for this section is two paragraphs.

1. Presents a clear declarative statement that begins with either: “It is not known how or why…” (qualitative),

or

“It is not known if or to what degree/extent…” (quantitative).

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2. Clearly describes the magnitude and importance of the problem, supporting it with citations from the literature.

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3. ALIGNMENT: The problem statement is developed from and justified by the “need” or “defined gap” defined by the Literature that is discussed in the Background to the Problem section above.

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NOTE: This section becomes the foundation for the Problem Statement section in Chapter 1(and other Chapters where appropriate) in the Proposal.

NOTE: When writing this section ensure it has a logical flow, as well as uses correct paragraph structure, sentence structure, tense, punctuation, and APA format

Comments from Evaluator:

Criteria (Required Components): score 0-3

Peer Evaluation Score

(0-3)

Professor or Chair Evaluation Score

(0-3)

Research Question(s) and/or Hypotheses

This section narrows the focus of the study and specifies the research questions to address the problem

statement. Based on the research questions, it describes the variables or groups and their hypothesized

relationship for a quantitative study or the phenomena under investigation for a qualitative study.

(2-3paragraphs)

· The recommendation is a minimum of three research questions along with related hypotheses and variables is required for a quantitative study.

· Also recommended is a minimum of three research questions along with the phenomenon description is required for a qualitative study.

1. Qualitative Designs: States the research question(s) the study will answer, and describes the phenomenon to be studied. or

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3. ALIGNMENT: The research questions are based on both, the Problem Statement and Theoretical Foundation model(s) or theory(s). There should be no research questions that are not clearly aligned to the Problem Statement.

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NOTE: This section becomes the foundation for the Research Question(s) and/or Hypotheses section in Chapter 2 in the Proposal.

NOTE: When writing this section ensure it has a logical flow, as well as uses correct paragraph structure, sentence structure, tense, punctuation, and APA format.

Comments from the Evaluator:

Peer Evaluation Score

(0-3)

Professor or Chair Evaluation Score

(0-3)

Significance of the Study

This section identifies and describes the significance of the study and the implications of the potential results based on the research questions and problem statement, hypotheses, or the investigated phenomena. It describes how the research fits within and will contribute to the current literature or body of research. It describes potential practical applications from the research.

The recommended length for this section is two paragraphs.

1. Describes how the proposed research will contribute to the Literature, relating it specifically to other studies from the Background to the Problem and Problem Statement above.

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2. Describes how the proposed research will contribute to the literature on the selected theory(s) or model(s) that comprise the Theoretical Foundation for the study.

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3. Describes how addressing the problem will have practical value for the real world considering the population, community, and/or society.

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4. ALIGNMENT:

Part 1 is based on specific studies from the Background to the Problem and Problem Statements sections above and identifies how this research will contribute to that Literature. Part 2 is based on specific model(s), theory(s) or variables from the Theoretical Foundations section above and identifies how this research will contribute to the knowledge on those model(s) or theory(s). Part 3 reflects on potential practical applications of the potential research findings based on Literature in the field of practice.

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NOTE: However it does build on the Background to the Problem , Problem Statement and Theoretical Foundations sections. This section becomes the Significance of the Study section in Chapter 1 in the Proposal.

NOTE: When writing this section ensure it has a logical flow, as well as uses correct paragraph structure, sentence structure, tense, punctuation, and APA format.

Comments from the Evaluator:

Criteria (Required Components): score 0-3

Peer Evaluation Score

(0-3)

Professor or Chair Evaluation Score

(0-3)

Rationale for Methodology

This section clearly justifies the methodology the researcher plans to use for conducting the study. It argues how the methodological framework is the best approach to answer the research questions and address the problem statement. It uses citations from textbooks and articles on research methodology and/or articles on related studies.

The recommend length for this section is two paragraphs and completion of Table 1 (quantitative) and/or Table 2 (qualitative) in Appendix B.

1. Identifies the specific research methodology for the study (quantitative, qualitative, or mixed).

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2. Justifies the research methodology to be used for the study by discussing why it is the best approach for answering the research question and addressing the problem statement. Uses citations from original sources in the literature on the specific research methodology to support the arguments. (NOTE: Books such as those by Creswell, which are secondary sources summarizing others approaches to research, may not be used as sources in this section).

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3. ALIGNMENT: The selected methodology should be justified based on the Problem Statement and Research Questions.

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NOTE: This section becomes the foundation for the Research Methodology in Chapter 2 of the Proposal.

NOTE: When writing this section ensure it has a logical flow, as well as uses correct paragraph structure, sentence structure, tense, punctuation, and APA format

Comments from the Evaluator: two paragraphs should be 1. Table 1 incomplete. This study seems to be growing. Let’s take it back to basics and make certain that the research questions and hypothesis are clear on what we are looking at and what we are suggesting the results will be. There seems to be too many variables!

Criteria (Required Components): score 0-3

Peer Evaluation Score

(0-3)

Professor or Chair Evaluation Score

(0-3)

Nature of the Research Design for the Study

This section describes the specific research design to answer the research questions and why this approach was selected. It describes the research sample being studied as well as the process that will be used to collect the data on the sample.

The recommend length for this section is two paragraphs and completion of Table 1 (quantitative) and/or Table 2 (qualitative) in Appendix B.

1. Identifies the specific type of research design chosen for the study as well as a sample appropriate for the design. (e.g., Quantitative designs include descriptive/survey, correlational, causal-comparative, quasi-experimental, and experimental. Qualitative designs include case study, narrative, grounded theory, historical, and phenomenological.) Although other designs are possible, these are the designs RU recommends doctoral learners use to help ensure a doable study.

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2. Discusses why the selected design is the best design to address the research questions as compared to other designs.

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3. ALIGNMENT: The selected Research Design should be justified based on the research questions as well as the hypotheses/variables (quantitative) or phenomenon (qualitative). It should also be aligned with the selected Research Methodology.

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NOTE: This section provides the foundation for Nature of the Research Design for the Study in Chapter 2 of the Proposal.

NOTE: When writing this section ensure it has a logical flow, as well as uses correct paragraph structure, sentence structure, tense, punctuation, and APA format.

Comments from Evaluator: Again, this might change based on the revisiting of the Research Questions and Hypothesis.

Criteria (Required Components): score 0-3

Peer Evaluation Score

(0-3)

Professor or Chair Evaluation Score

(0-3)

Purpose of the Study

The purpose statement section provides a reflection of the problem statement and identifies how the study will be accomplished. It explains how the proposed study will contribute to the field.

The recommend length for this section is two paragraphs.

1. Presents a declarative statement: “The purpose of this _______study is….” that identifies the research methodology, research design, target population, variables/groups (quantitative), or phenomena (qualitative) to be studied, and geographic location. It often includes a version of the Problem Statement as a way to define the phenomenon or variables/hypotheses.

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2. ALIGNMENT: The Purpose Statement includes: Research Methodology, Research Design, and Problem Statement from the previous sections. It also includes the target population, which should be of sufficient size to provide a large enough sample to complete the study and provide significant (quantitative) or meaningful (qualitative) results.

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NOTE: This section becomes the foundation for the Purpose of the Study in Chapter 1 of the Proposal.

NOTE: When writing this section ensure it has a logical flow, as well as uses correct paragraph structure, sentence structure, tense, punctuation, and APA format.

Comments from the Evaluator:

Criteria (Required Components): score 0-3

Peer Evaluation Score

(0-3)

Professor or Chair Evaluation Score

(0-3)

Instrumentation or Sources of Data

Describes, in detail, all data collection instruments and sources (tests, questionnaires, interviews, data bases, media, etc.). Discusses the specific instrument or source to collect data for each variable or group (quantitative study). Discusses specific instrument or source to collect information to describe the phenomena being studied (qualitative study).

The recommend length for this section is 2-13 paragraphs AND completion of Table 1 (quantitative) and/or Table 2 (qualitative) in Appendix B.

1. Identifies and describes the types of data that will be collected to answer each Research Question for a qualitative study. Identifies the data that will be collected for each Variable/Group in a quantitative study.

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2. Identifies tools, instruments, or databases to be used to collect the data (e.g., observations, interviews, questionnaires, documents, media (qualitative), standardized tests, surveys, and databases (quantitative)). For a qualitative study, identify the specific tools, instruments, or databases for each research question in a qualitative study. For a quantitative study, identify the name of the specific “validated” and “previously used in quantitative research” survey or data source to be used to collect data for each variable, providing a citation for the instrument or data source.

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3. ALIGNMENT: Aligns with the Research Questions (qualitative) or Variables (quantitative) previously described in the Research Question(s) and Phenomena or Research Questions, Hypotheses, and Variables section above. Identifies and describes the data and data source that will be used to answer each Research Question for a qualitative study. Identifies, describes, and names the type of numerical data and specific data collection instrument or source that will be used for each variable and group in a quantitative study.

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NOTE: This information is summarized high level in Chapter 1 in the Proposal in the Nature of the Research Design for the Study section. This section provides the foundation for Instrumentation (quantitative) or Sources of Data (qualitative) section in Chapter 2 of the Proposal.

NOTE: When writing this section ensure it has a logical flow, as well as uses correct paragraph structure, sentence structure, tense, punctuation, and APA format.

Comments from the Evaluator:

Please make certain you are meeting all the requirements for this section!

Criteria (Required Components): score 0-3

Peer Evaluation Score

(0-3)

Professor or Chair Evaluation Score

(0-3)

Data Collection Procedures

This section details the entirety of the process used to collect the data. It describes each step of the data collection process in a way that another researcher could replicate the study.

NOTE: It is recommended that the researcher get written approval (or at the very least unofficial approval) to conduct their research study in their selected organization. Ensure the person (who is usually a school superintendent, school boards, or corporate officer) providing approval is authorized by the organization to grant approval for research. Do not assume your organization will allow you to collect data since many organization do not allow research to be completed within the organization.

The recommended length for this section is two paragraphs.

1. Defines the target population and the expected sample size, which comprises the people or organizations being studied, as defined in the problem statement. For quantitative studies, it justifies why the target population and expected sample size (final number of people or organizations being studied for which data will be collected) is large enough to produce statistically significant results (quantitative) or meaningful results (qualitative).

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2. Provides an overview the proposed step-by-step procedure to collect data using the tools, instruments, or databases from the section above. Includes the steps (e.g., obtaining initial informed consent from participating organization; HSRC review; sample selection; groupings; protecting rights/well-being; maintaining data security; sample recruitment; data collection instruments and approaches; field testing instruments; notifying participants; collecting the data, etc.) in a way another researcher can replicate the study. Steps may be provided in a list format.

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3. ALIGNMENT: Shows the steps and approach to collect data for each and every data source identified in the Instrumentation or Sources of Data section. Defines the sample as the set of people or organizations being studied for which data will be collected. The sample size must be correct for the type of design selected to get statistically significant (quantitative) or meaningful (qualitative) results.

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NOTE: This section provides the foundation for the Data Collection Procedures section in Chapter 2 in the Proposal.

NOTE: When writing this section ensure it has a logical flow, as well as uses correct paragraph structure, sentence structure, tense, punctuation, and APA format.

Comments from the Evaluator: “Informal consent” with minors (see highlight)?

Criteria (Required Components): score 0-3

Peer Evaluation Score

(0-3)

Professor or ChairEvaluation Score

(0-3)

Data Analysis Procedures

This section describes how the data were collected for each variable or group (quantitative study) or for each research question (qualitative study). It describes the type of data to be analyzed, identifying the descriptive, inferential, and/or non-statistical analyses. Demonstrates that the research analysis is aligned to the specific research design.

The recommend length for this section is one paragraph AND completion of Table 1 (quantitative) and/or Table 2 (qualitative) in Appendix B.

1. Describes the analysis to examine each stated research question and/or hypothesis. For quantitative studies, describes the analyses including the inferential and/or descriptive statistics to be completed. For qualitative studies, describes the specific analytic approach appropriate for the Research Design and each research question to be completed. In qualitative research the different research questions may require different approaches to doing qualitative data analysis, as well as descriptive statistics.

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2. ALIGNMENT: For qualitative studies, there is a clear and obvious alignment between each research question, data to be collected, tool or data source, as well as data analysis to understand/explain the phenomenon. For quantitative studies, there is a clear and obvious alignment between each variable, data to be collected, instrument or data source, as well as data analysis for each hypothesis.

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NOTE: This section provides the foundation for Data Analysis Procedures section in Chapter 2 in the Proposal.

NOTE: When writing this section ensure it has a logical flow, as well as uses correct paragraph structure, sentence structure, tense, punctuation, and APA format.

Comments from the Evaluator:

Criteria (Required Components): score 0-3

Peer Evaluation Score

(0-3)

Professor or Chair Evaluation Score

(0-3)

Ethical Considerations

This section discusses the potential ethical issues surrounding the research, as well as how human subjects and data will be protected. It identifies how any potential ethical issues will be addressed.

The recommended length for this section is one paragraph.

1. Discusses potential ethical concerns that might occur during the data collection process.

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2. Describes how the identities of the participants in the study and data will be protected.

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3. Describes subject recruiting, informed consent and site authorization processes.

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4. ALIGNMENT: Ethical considerations are clearly aligned with, and relate directly to the specific Data Collection Procedures. This section also identifies ethical considerations related to the target population being researched and organization or location as described in the Purpose Statement section.

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NOTE:

This section provides the foundation for Ethical Considerations section in Chapter 2 in the Proposal.

NOTE: When writing this section ensure it has a logical flow, as well as uses correct paragraph structure, sentence structure, tense, punctuation, and APA format.

Comments from the Evaluator:

Research Questions:

State the research Questions

Hypotheses:

State the hypotheses to match each Research question

List of Variables/Groups to Collect Data For:

Independent and Dependent Variable(s)

Instrument(s)

To collect data for each variable

Analysis Plan

Data analysis approach to (1) describe data and (2) test the hypothesis

Name

Grading Grid: Practice Proposal Defense (10%)

Student Presentation Style: Was it clear, professional, and scholarly?

Power-Point: Was it clear, professional, and scholarly?

Ability to respond to questions about the proposal content and study direction.

Total

Possible

4

4

2

10

Earned