The dissertation research proposal is an integral part of the dissertation process. The candidate will consolidate Chapters 1-3 as the formal dissertation research proposal. The dissertation research proposal provides the committee with a clear, detailed, and explicit description of the objectives of research, the rationale for conducting it, and the methods used to collect and analyze data. Most importantly, the dissertation research proposal provides an opportunity to revise the topic after completion of the literature review and ensure the methodology is aligned prior to the candidate conducting any research. The proposal must be written in narrative and once approved it is the first three chapters of the dissertation. Only after the dissertation committee chair has given approval of the research plan, can a candidate move forward to the Institutional Review Board for approval to conduct research.
|
Section |
Element |
Research Concept Paper (Idea) |
Research Proposal Chapter 3 (Plan) |
Dissertation Chapter 3 (Actions) |
|
Title |
|
Tentative, short to the point and based on variables (QN) |
Working title |
Dissertation title |
|
Topic |
|
Narrow |
Scoped |
Scoped |
|
Introduction |
|
X |
X |
X |
|
|
Problem Statement |
1 sentence |
1 paragraph + 1 sentence |
1 paragraph + 1 sentence |
|
|
Purpose Statement |
1 sentence |
1 paragraph + 1 sentence |
1 paragraph + 1 sentence |
|
|
Goal and Objectives |
X |
|
|
|
|
Research Questions |
1 sentence each |
Repeated from Chapter 1 |
Repeated from Chapter 1 |
|
Literature Review |
|
3-5 sources to show with enough to suggest the project is needed |
(Fully covered in chapter 2) |
(Fully covered in chapter 2) |
|
|
Theory |
X |
X |
X |
|
Methodology |
|
Abridged |
Full |
Full |
|
|
Strategy of Inquiry |
X |
X |
X |
|
|
Population Sample |
X |
X |
X |
|
|
Sampling Procedures |
|
X |
X |
|
|
Setting |
X |
X |
X |
|
|
Instruments/Measures |
X |
X |
X |
|
|
Data Collection Strategy |
X |
X |
X |
|
|
Data Collection Procedures |
|
X |
X |
|
|
Data Analysis Strategy |
X |
X |
X |
|
|
Data Analysis Procedures |
|
X |
X |
|
|
Role of Researcher |
X |
X |
X |
|
|
Ethical Considerations |
|
X |
X |
|
|
Expected Findings |
X |
|
|
|
Timeline |
|
X |
X |
|
|
Costs |
|
X (When App) |
X (When App) |
|