Week 1

Assignment:

Students in the DIS-9901 dissertation sequence will be required to complete Chapter 1 of their Dissertation Proposal including a brief review of the literature with substantiating evidence of the problem, the research purpose and questions, the intended methodological design and approach, and the significance of the study.

The criterias for the paper:

Criteria Does Not Meet Meets

Introduction Remarks

The study overview is

incomplete or unclear.

Key elements are

inadequately addressed, all

points are not supported in

the literature, key concepts

lack coherence and clarity.

Not framed to proper program

of study.

A clear overview of the

study is provided.

There is a flow from

general to specific of the

topic. Major points are

adequately supported by

the literature (Applied

degree frames in

practice – PhD frames in

adding to the literature).

Statement of the Problem

The description of the

problem is incomplete or

unclear. No evidence is

provided indicating the

problem exists. Evidence to

support the problem is dated.

Lacks alignment with the

material in the Introduction.

The significance of the

problem is not discussed is

unclear or not discussed.

(Applied problem is not

discussed in evidence of the

local problem and larger

population / PhD problem is

not framed in the literature

beyond a specific site

documenting the need for and

importance of the study).

A clear problem is

explained and supported

through the material in

the Introduction. Strong

evidence (most within

the past 5 years) is

provided and discussed.

(Applied problem

discussed in evidence of

the local problem and

larger population / PhD

problem framed in the

literature beyond a

specific site documenting

the need for and

importance of the study).

Purpose of the Study

The purpose for the study is

incomplete or unclear. Key

elements are inadequately

addressed and does not align

to the stated problem, study

The purpose of the study

is described and aligns

to the stated problem, a

summary of how the

details are not supported,

and/or lack coherence and

clarity.

study will be/was

conducted is provided.

Introduction to Theoretical/ Conceptual Framework

The discussion of the

theory(ies) or conceptual

framework is incomplete,

unclear, or missing. Key

elements are inadequately

addressed, all points are not

supported, and/or there is a

lack of coherence and clarity.

If multiple theories are used,

a clear explanation for their

interrelationship is lacking or

missing.

The theory(ies) or

conceptual framework

used to frame the study

are identified and

explained through use of

the literature and study

topic.

If multiple frameworks

are used, a description is

provided for how they

interrelate within the

context of the study topic

and literature.

Nature of Study

The brief overview of the

study is incomplete or

unclear. The proposed

method and design are not

clearly described.

Components of the study

design, variables/constructs,

instruments and analyses are

A brief overview of the

study design,

variables/constructs,

instruments, and

analyses is provided

based on current

literature describing why

the proposed method

missing. Little to no

explanation for the chosen

method and design is

provided.

and design were chosen

to address the study’s

research question(s).

Research Questions/H ypotheses

The research questions are

incomplete or lack coherence,

clarity, not testable, and/or

not aligned to the problem

and purpose.

The core concepts and/or

operational variables are

missing.

The hypotheses (quantitative

studies only) are incomplete

or lack coherence and clarity,

are not testable or not aligned

to problem, purpose, and/or

design.

Research question(s) are

directly answerable

beyond a yes/no

response, fairly specific

and testable based on

the data collected.

Research questions are

aligned with design and

support the problem and

purpose.

The core concepts

(qualitative) and/or

operational variables

(quantitative) are

included.

If hypotheses are

included (quantitative

studies only), they are

singular, clear, balanced,

specific, and testable

based on the data

collected and align to the

study problem, purpose,

and design.

Significance of the Study

The anticipated contribution

of the study is incomplete or

unclear. The need for the

study is not discussed and

there is a lack of current

literature supporting claims.

The significance does not

align with the problem.

A summary of the

contribution the study will

provide to the larger field

of study is provided. The

need for the study is

described and aligned

with the problem and is

supported with current

literature.

Definition of Key Terms

The definitions of key terms

are incomplete or unclear.

Personal descriptions are

used, too many common

words are used, methods and

theoretical terms are

included.

Definitions are provided

with appropriate citations

for most terms related to

the dissertation topic.

Terms are in alphabetical

order.

Summary The summary of the study is

incomplete or unclear, lacks

focus on the need and

purpose of the study, method

and design, anticipated

outcomes, and transitions into

the next chapter.

Chapter ends with a

basic summary of the

need and purpose of the

study, method and

design, anticipated

contributions, and

transitions into the next

chapter.

APA Format Inconsistently applies

fundamental APA formatting

for TOC, List of Tables, List of

Figures, throughout the

Chapter. The template

requirements are not

followed.

Consistently applies

fundamental APA

formatting for TOC, List

of Tables, List of Figures,

throughout the Chapter.

The template

requirements are

followed.

Writing/Pres entation

Does not follow conventions

of scholarly writing, grammar,

and punctuation.

Follows conventions of

scholarly writing,

grammar, and

punctuation.