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Guidelines for the Dissertation Prospectus |
Students who are
ready to begin their dissertation project must form a
dissertation committee at the beginning of the semester
in which they take comprehensive exams as the
prospectus defense should come at the end of the semester in
which a student is taking comprehensive exams. Students should
consult often and regularly with their
committee members about a proposed research topic and
preparation of their dissertation prospectus. It is up to the
individual student to interact with the chair and other
committee members on a regular basis in order to move the
prospectus forward. Moreover, students are encouraged to begin
thinking about the prospectus early in the course of their
graduate training and fine-tune as their training goes on.
The purpose of the
prospectus is
(1) to establish
the program of scholarly research that the candidate proposes to
follow in the preparation of the dissertation,
(2) to indicate the significance of the planned dissertation
research for--and its relationship to -- the existing body of
knowledge in political science and related areas of inquiry
The format of the
prospectus and its contents should be worked out with the
committee. Moreover, the prospectus should be viewed as a
proposal for research that may be altered in light of ongoing
discussions with dissertation committee members and the actual
initiation of the research itself. It is a document that
represents at an early stage of candidacy the student’s “best
shot” effort to address the following issues related to the
dissertation project:
- The
purpose or objective of the planned dissertation.
What puzzle, problem, or hypotheses does the research address?
What are the limits or boundaries of the proposed
dissertation? (Make clear that the proposal is feasible and
focused.)
-
Significance of the proposed research: What important
theoretical and/or empirical issue does the research address?
In other words, why does it matter that this research be
undertaken?
- The
present state of knowledge related to the topic. What
do we already know (or think we know) in the area of proposed
research? Is there consensus or disagreement? The
bibliographical review included in the prospectus
should not be an extensive literature review that
lists references in a general domain but rather one that
discusses the specific contribution or shortcomings
contained in particular items relevant
to the proposed research. It should be organized conceptually
rather than by author. It should also be linked to your
research question. More importantly, it should lead
the reader to your hypotheses.
- The
research strategy to be employed. How will the
problem be investigated? Where appropriate, what analytical
methods, types of evidence, data collection strategies, and
sources will be employed? Show how key concepts will be
defined and, if appropriate, measured. Discuss what type(s) of
evidence will support your hypotheses and what evidence could
demonstrate that they are incorrect.
-
Enumeration of the specific and as yet unresolved problems the
candidate perceives. The prospectus defense is a time
for gaining help from the dissertation committee as a whole.
It may be the first time that the student meets with the
committee as a whole. Focus their attention on problems that
require further consideration
- Outline
of the chapters. The outline should be more than
chapter headings. It should reveal the student's approach as
well as the boundaries and parameters.
- Clarity
of presentation. The dissertation prospectus should
provide the information on all points above in a clear and
sufficiently detailed written form so that the candidate's
dissertation committee can bring their judgment to bear in
advising the student about the appropriateness and adequacy of
his/her anticipated doctoral research program.
- Target
length. This may vary, but an average length would
be 15 pages plus references and tables/charts, etc.
-
Timeframe of the Prospectus:
The prospectus should be completed at the end of the
semester in which one is taking comprehensive exams. By doing
so, one advances the ability to get started on the
dissertation. Traditionally, a student is given one year in
which to complete the dissertation and defend it.
Please see the graduate bulletin for more specific
information.
The Role of the Prospectus for the Dissertation
- A student should
regard the prospectus as presenting a research design for the
dissertation. Bear in mind, though, that the prospectus should
be regarded as a working document subject to alteration on the
advice of committee members. The better the plan, the higher
the likelihood of a strong execution.
- Traditionally,
a dissertation was thought of as a strong first draft of a
book manuscript. For many young scholars, it still is. You
should also see the various parts of the dissertation as
potential research papers to be presented at professional
conferences.
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