The Dissertation/Research The Dissertation/Research ProposalProposal

Guidelines are adapted from Guidelines are adapted from Yildirim’s “Student Handbook for Yildirim’s “Student Handbook for

Ph.D. Program”.Ph.D. Program”.

What is the purpose of a proposal?What is the purpose of a proposal?

To describe the purpose of the intended To describe the purpose of the intended studystudy

To describe how the intended study is To describe how the intended study is grounded in the literaturegrounded in the literature

To describe the importance of the intended To describe the importance of the intended studystudy

To describe the limitations of the study To describe the limitations of the study To describe a step by step plan for To describe a step by step plan for

conducting the study conducting the study

What should be contained in the What should be contained in the proposal?proposal?

IntroductionIntroduction

Succinct statement of the Succinct statement of the research problemresearch problem

The rationale and background of the problem citing related literature The rationale and background of the problem citing related literature and research studies that lead logically into the problem statementand research studies that lead logically into the problem statement

Clear statement of the research questions that flow logically from the Clear statement of the research questions that flow logically from the statement of the problemstatement of the problem

Introduction (Continued)Introduction (Continued)

Statement as to why this problem is worthy Statement as to why this problem is worthy of study (Significance of the study)of study (Significance of the study)

Arguments for significance should be made Arguments for significance should be made on three grounds( practice, policy and on three grounds( practice, policy and knowledge). In what ways does the knowledge). In what ways does the research hold the potential to influence research hold the potential to influence practice, policy and knowledge?practice, policy and knowledge?

Provide definition of terms.Provide definition of terms.

Review of the LiteratureReview of the Literature

Purpose of the lit. review is to demonstrate Purpose of the lit. review is to demonstrate that you have knowledge of the topic that that you have knowledge of the topic that you are investigating; that you are you are investigating; that you are knowledgeable of the major trends in knowledgeable of the major trends in previous research; that you understand the previous research; that you understand the polemics in the field and that you polemics in the field and that you understand and can demonstrate the understand and can demonstrate the relevance of the previous works to the focus relevance of the previous works to the focus of your dissertationof your dissertation

Review of Literature (Continued)Review of Literature (Continued)

What should be in the lit. review? Cover the What should be in the lit. review? Cover the major theories, positions and studies that major theories, positions and studies that inform your study.inform your study.

Be analytical- it is Be analytical- it is notnot a summary of what a summary of what you have read.you have read.

Identify themes, conclusions, and Identify themes, conclusions, and implications.implications.

DO NOT QUOTE EXTENSIVELYDO NOT QUOTE EXTENSIVELY

Literature Review (Continued)Literature Review (Continued)

Organize the review by using subheadings.Organize the review by using subheadings. Provide a summary at the end of the review Provide a summary at the end of the review

that synthesizes from an analytical that synthesizes from an analytical perspective what you have read.perspective what you have read.

Theoretical FrameworkTheoretical Framework

The purpose of the theoretical framework is The purpose of the theoretical framework is to describe the models on which the to describe the models on which the research will be based.research will be based.

From this framework you will develop your From this framework you will develop your research questions and workable research questions and workable hypotheses.hypotheses.

HypothesesHypotheses

Should be workable, testable and flow Should be workable, testable and flow logically from your theoretical framework.logically from your theoretical framework.

MethodMethod

The method section describes in detail and The method section describes in detail and with in-depth specificity how you plan to get with in-depth specificity how you plan to get the answers to your research questions and the answers to your research questions and hypotheses.hypotheses.

It must convince the reader that the way you It must convince the reader that the way you plan to get the data is reasonable, reliable plan to get the data is reasonable, reliable and valid.and valid.

Method ContinuedMethod Continued

What is the overall design?What is the overall design? What is the context for the study?What is the context for the study? What are the data sources?What are the data sources? What instruments will be used to collect the data? How will What instruments will be used to collect the data? How will

you safeguard their reliability and validity?you safeguard their reliability and validity? What procedures and or strategies will be used to collect What procedures and or strategies will be used to collect

the data?the data? What pilot work, if any will be done, to ensure that the What pilot work, if any will be done, to ensure that the

study procedures and instruments are reliable and valid?study procedures and instruments are reliable and valid? What analytical strategies will be used with the data?What analytical strategies will be used with the data?

MethodMethod

Can you demonstrate a clear link between Can you demonstrate a clear link between your research questions/hypotheses and your research questions/hypotheses and your method section?.your method section?.