Prospectus

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