Prospectus: Theoretical Framework

This section of the prospectus is examining the theory you will be using in your study (this is not the qualitative method you will be using). Describe the theory(s), then take it to the next step and lay out what the theory predicts will happen in your study. If you find you cannot come up with predictions, it may not be an appropriate theory. To develop predictions, think through each step of your study and how it relates to your theory. It may make it clearer to give you an example from a recent article I wrote with some colleagues (Stadtlander et al., 2013):

The patient-by-treatment-context interactive model of Christensen and Johnson (2002) provides the framework for the study. The model proposes that the relationship between patient characteristics (e.g., personality and beliefs) and patient adherence (e.g., preventative care) is moderated by the treatment context (e.g., primary health provider characteristics and behavior). The model has been successfully applied to specific illnesses; for example, renal insufficiency and hemodialysis (Christensen, Moran, & Ehlers, 1999) and cardiac rehabilitation (Christensen et al., 1999). It does not appear to have been previously applied in the present context of ongoing preventative care in older adults. The patient (Locus of Control [LOC], resilience, self-efficacy, beliefs, and behavior) and treatment (Primary Health Provider [PHP] characteristics, health behaviors) variables in the current study were derived from the literature and are consistent with this model.

From the perspective of the patient-by-treatment-context interactive model of Christensen and Johnson (2002), adherence (preventative care) is expected to be best when the patient's characteristics (personality and beliefs) are consistent with the treatment context (PHP characteristics and behavior; Christensen, 2004). Thus, in the current study, there should be consistent preventative care (adherence) when the patient has higher internal LOC (being proactive in health), higher resilience (inner strength and optimism, health-promoting behaviors) and higher self-efficacy (more likely to seek information and self-confidence) and to indicate that they like or feel comfortable with their PHP (treatment). In addition, it would be expected that there would be less preventative care (lack of adherence) when the patient has lower internal LOC (i.e., external; not proactive in health), higher powerful others and chance scores (increased trust in PHP). Other expectations include lower resilience (higher level of subjective complaints, fewer health-promoting activities), and lower self-efficacy (less likely to apply health interventions [preventative care] and less self-confidence) and to indicate that they do not like or feel comfortable with their PHP (treatment).

Next time, we will work on your research questions. 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

Prospectus: Background

In the prospectus background section, it is common to have literally a list of relevant studies. However, keep in mind if you choose to do it this way, it must include information as to how each article relates to your study. You need to provide a representative list of scholarship and findings that support the main assertions in the problem statement, highlighting their relationship to the topic (e.g., “The variable XX was studied with a similar sample by Smith (2010) and Johnson (2008),” or “Jones’s (2011) examination of industry leaders showed similar trends in the same key segments”).

Think of this section as a way to demonstrate you have done your homework on the topic and are demonstrating it to the reader. Make sure you include references you have cited earlier in the paper and how they relate to your study. When the reader finishes this section they should feel convinced you have done a good preliminary literature check and have identified the most relevant research for your study.

Next time, we will work on the framework 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

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

Prospectus webinar

Prospectus: Problem Statement and Purpose

The first page of your prospectus is your cover page. Center the word Prospectus, under this and give your title. Your title should be no more than 12 words (per APA) and should include the topic, the variables and relationship between them, and the most critical keywords. Also on the cover page, include your name, any other required information, double-spaced and centered under the title.

The next page begins with your problem statement. It should include a logical argument showing an identified gap in the research literature, which has relevance to the discipline and area of practice. You should briefly review the literature in this section and demonstrate 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 to 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 understand why you are doing the study, and the gap your study will address. Have someone unfamiliar with the topic area read the section and see if he or she understands it. Spell check and grammar check!

Next time, we will work on the significance 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

Starting To Write

You are staring at a blank white screen; you write your name down… now what? Starting to write a dissertation feels very scary. However, let us take it a little bit at a time. For now, all you want to do is an outline of your prospectus. That is workable. So pull out the requirements for the prospectus, and copy down the topic headings they give you (they will probably be similar to this):

Title Page

Problem Statement

Significance

Background

Framework

Research Question(s)

Nature of the Study

Possible Types and Sources of Information or Data

References

Hey, you already have half page! You can do this! I suggest starting with the background section, this is the literature review. Start with an outline of what you feel needs to be discussed, this will keep you from wandering off into other tangents. Let us say your topic is partner adaptation to testicular cancer. Your main topics will be:

Testicular cancer (always start with the broadest topic)

Partner Adaptation

Now think about some subtopics. Under testicular cancer, you would want statistics (look at the National Institute of Health and American Cancer Society [ACS]). Next, you want to include the effect of the cancer on the patient and family (check ACS). Under partner adaptation, you should talk about other research on partners with other forms of cancer. Then discuss any research that has looked at testicular cancer and partners. End with a statement indicating the gap in the literature and how your study addresses the gap. Always pay attention to the research methods used in previous studies. Therefore, our final outline is:

I. Testicular cancer

      A. Statistics (look at National Institute of Health and American Cancer Society [ACS]).

      B. Effect of the cancer on the patient and family (check ACS). Research methods?

II. Partner Adaptation

      A. Research on partners with other forms of cancer. Research methods?

      B. Testicular cancer and partners. Research methods?

      C. Statement of gap in the literature and how study will address it.

Next time, we will work on the problem statement and purpose. 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

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