The prospectus is the first official document related to your
dissertation. This paper is usually 10-12 pages long. In it, you explore some of
the literature (clearly showing there is a gap in the literature) and flesh out
your research method. It is important to remember that you are building a case
in your writing, you want to clearly show that 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 that 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 social change implications of your study, don’t 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.
There is a
dissertation prospectus guide in the Research Center, available at: <https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4XiaHN6ICGITkcxWVRic3ZyNGM/view>.
This document also has a prospectus example of what is required. It is also a
good idea to take a look at the prospectus rubric available in the research
center. These documents will let you know how the faculty will be evaluating
your paper.
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 Walden's IRB (Institution Review Board /ethics
board) website, there you will find several information sheets 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 in an email to the IRB (IRB@waldenu.edu) and
ask for their opinion and if they foresee any problems. They are very open to
this early planning and 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 his or her prospectus or dissertation class. 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 that you are a bad writer; you are
learning to write in a very technical manner that requires precise clarity.
Your committee (and particularly your chair) is 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 go to your committee member. He or she
will probably want revisions. Once those are completed and everyone is happy
with the draft, the committee member and chair complete the prospectus rubric. You
will need to submit it to taskstream, where your chair and committee member
will complete rubrics and it will be sent on to your program director for
approval.
This last step, that
your prospectus will be sent to your program director, is an important one to
consider. He or she will double-check your entire paper, of special concern
will be if everything in your paper is consistent and aligned (research
questions fit with method, analyses, etc.). They will also make sure that your
topic fits within your program. Why is this important? Because if you are a
health psych student proposing to examine a clinical psych issue, areas that
you have not been trained in during your Walden health psych program it may not
be approved. If you have expertise outside of your Walden program, perhaps you
are a licensed counselor or a mental health nurse, it is a good idea to mention
that on your cover page.
Next time, we will
consider the URR and your dissertation. 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! Send me an email with your ideas.
leann.stadtlander@mail.waldenu.edu
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