Monday, April 7, 2014

Prospectus: Cover Page & Problem Statement


The first page of your prospectus is your cover page. Center the word Prospectus, under this give your title. Your title should be no more than 12 words and should include the topic, the variables and relationship between them, and the most critical keywords. Also on the cover page, include your name, your program of study (and specialization if applicable) and Banner ID Number, double-spaced and centered under the title. 

The next page begins with your problem statement. The Prospectus Guidebook suggests that this should be a one- to two-paragraph statement; however, in my experience it is usually longer. It should include a logical argument showing an identified gap in the research literature that has relevance to the discipline and area of practice. You must briefly review the literature in this section and demonstrate that this is a true gap. Provide three to five key recent citations that highlight the relevance and currency of the problem. 

Next, describe the overall purpose or intention of your study. In quantitative studies, state what needs be studied by describing two or more factors (variables) and a conjectured relationship among them related to the identified gap or problem. In qualitative studies, describe the need for increased understanding about the issue to be studied, based on the identified gap or problem. In mixed-methods studies, with both quantitative and qualitative aspects, clarify how the two approaches will be used together to inform the study. 

When your reader finishes this section, he or she should have a good understanding that your study is needed, and understand the gap that is being addressed. Have someone unfamiliar with the topic area read the section and see if they understand it. Spell check and grammar check! 

Next time we take a look at the Prospectus: Significance. Do you have an issue or a question that you would like me to discuss in a future post? Would you like to be a guest writer? Send me your ideas! leann.stadtlander@waldenu.edu 

 

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