The prospectus is the first official document related to your
dissertation. The prospectus will be a summary of your project; it is usually a
fairly short document. In it, you explore a summary of the literature (clearly
showing there is a gap in the literature) and flesh out your research method.
It is important to remember you are building a case in your writing; you want
to clearly show there is a need for your study (answering the "so
what?" question, which is your gap in the literature). Then, you want to
show clearly how your study will fill this gap. Make sure everything in your
paper is aligned: your literature, research questions, hypotheses, and method
all address the same issues and are consistent. Your analyses should be
consistent with your hypotheses and research questions.
You will want to consider the long-range implications of your study, do
not overstate this, you will not change the world. You are adding a little more
to the literature, hopefully, clarifying your small piece of the puzzle. Check
out the prospectus guidebook, this can guide you in your writing.
If you are planning to use a vulnerable population (e.g., your
subordinates, children, elderly, prisoners, people who are ill, etc.) or if you
are thinking about having people participate in some sort of activity or
program (e.g., a new relaxation technique; something they would not normally
do) then you may have ethical issues to consider. First, go to the IRB's
(Institution Review Board /ethics board) website, there is information
available on these issues. Think the issues through and talk them over with
your chair. It is probably a good idea to write up your method and the issues
with your vulnerable population in an email to the IRB and ask for their
opinion and if they foresee any problems. The IRB is open to this early
planning and it can save you much pain and disappointment later.
Often, by the time you are writing your prospectus you have a chair of
your committee, and you will be in close contact with him or her. Beware of the
tendency to think of your dissertation as MINE. It is not your paper, it is a
paper written by you at the advice of your committee. You will be asked to
write many revisions. No, it does not mean you are a bad writer; you are
learning to write in a very technical manner, which requires precise clarity.
Your committee member(s) (and particularly your chair) are there to guide you
and get you and your paper through the many obstacles ahead. Patience,
persistence, and meticulousness will save you a great deal of pain in the
future!
Once your chair has approved your prospectus draft, it will be sent to
your committee member(s). He or she will probably want revisions. You may be
required to get additional approvals on it.
Next time, we will start to write. 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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