The Dissertation/Research Proposal Guidelines are adapted from Yildirim’s “Student Handbook for Ph.D. Program”.

What is the purpose of a proposal?  To describe the purpose of the intended study  To describe how the intended study is grounded in the literature  To describe the importance of the intended study  To describe the limitations of the study  To describe a step by step plan for conducting the study

What should be contained in the proposal? Introduction  Succinct statement of the research problem The rationale and background of the problem citing related literature and research studies that lead logically into the problem statement The rationale and background of the problem citing related literature and research studies that lead logically into the problem statement  Clear statement of the research questions that flow logically from the statement of the problem

Introduction (Continued)  Statement as to why this problem is worthy of study (Significance of the study)  Arguments for significance should be made on three grounds( practice, policy and knowledge). In what ways does the research hold the potential to influence practice, policy and knowledge?  Provide definition of terms.

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

Review of Literature (Continued)  What should be in the lit. review? Cover the major theories, positions and studies that inform your study.  Be analytical- it is not a summary of what you have read.  Identify themes, conclusions, and implications.  DO NOT QUOTE EXTENSIVELY

Literature Review (Continued)  Organize the review by using subheadings.  Provide a summary at the end of the review that synthesizes from an analytical perspective what you have read.

Theoretical Framework  The purpose of the theoretical framework is to describe the models on which the research will be based.  From this framework you will develop your research questions and workable hypotheses.

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

Method  The method section describes in detail and with in-depth specificity how you plan to get the answers to your research questions and hypotheses.  It must convince the reader that the way you plan to get the data is reasonable, reliable and valid.

Method Continued  What is the overall design?  What is the context for the study?  What are the data sources?  What instruments will be used to collect the data? How will you safeguard their reliability and validity? What procedures and or strategies will be used to collect the data? What procedures and or strategies will be used to collect the data?  What pilot work, if any will be done, to ensure that the study procedures and instruments are reliable and valid?  What analytical strategies will be used with the data?

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