Prospectus: Significance

The significance section of the prospectus informs the reader how your study will contribute to your discipline. Sometimes it helps to realize you are "selling" your study, convince the reader it is necessary. Describe how this study will contribute to filling the gap you identified in the problem statement. What original contribution will this study make? Keep in mind this is the main criterion that will be used to determine whether your study is of "dissertation quality." Discuss how your research will support professional practice or allow practical application. This part should answer the "so what?" question. Picture your chair asking you: "So what? Why do we need this study?" Keep in mind you are defending your choices through facts (not opinion) and should provide citations. Build a case as to the need for your study.

Finally, discuss how the significance you have highlighted aligns with your problem statement to reflect the potential relevance of this study to society. This is getting at the bigger picture: How might the potential findings lead to positive social implications? Use the "4Ds" as you think about the implications: death, disabilities, disease, and dollars.

Next time, we will work on the background of your study. 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