cleveland state university esc 720 research communications dissertation proposals dan simon 1

Cleveland State UniversityESC 720

Research Communications

Dissertation ProposalsDan Simon

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Outline

1. The Purpose of the Proposal2. The Dissertation Committee3. Candidacy Exam Assessment4. Expectations5. Dissertation Proposal Structure6. Questions and Answers

The Purpose of the Proposal

Why are you writing a dissertation proposal?• To demonstrate that you are capable of independent research• To demonstrate that you can communicate clearly• To demonstrate that you are passionate about your research• To demonstrate that you are organized enough to conduct a

significant research project• To obtain feedback from your committee• Not to demonstrate that you are an expert

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Outline


The Dissertation Committee

• Choose your committee carefully– Do not include members who will not contribute– Do not leave out faculty who can contribute

• Discuss your proposal with your committee members as you are preparing it– Meet with each committee member 2 or 3 times– Prepare and ask specific questions

• Your candidacy exam is primarily a discussion between you and your committee– Be prepared to take notes

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Outline


Candidacy Exam Assessment

The student has demonstrated:1. A deep, general, fundamental understanding of the principles underlying a

particular field of study, as well as those underlying related fields• Depth of knowledge• Breadth of knowledge

2. A familiarity with advanced methods of analysis and synthesis that are powerful and generally applicable

3. The ability to independently read and understand the significance and limitations of the relevant literature

4. The ability to formulate, initiate, and complete new and innovative research projects that contribute to the advancement of the field• Impact on advancement of the field• Adequacy of the scope of the research• Adequacy of the depth of the research• Adequacy of the approach and method for the research goals

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Candidacy Exam Assessment

The student has demonstrated:5. The ability to communicate effectively in written and oral form

• Quality of the writing style• Organization of the written proposal• Organization of the presentation• Clarity of language usage• Ability to answer questions• Quality of slides

6. The ability to conduct application-oriented interdisciplinary research• Application-oriented research• Interdisciplinary research

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Outline


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Expectations

1. Define a clear research question2. Define your approach to answering the question3. Discuss the originality or significance of your

approach4. Discuss how your research will augment the

existing literature5. Persuade your committee that you are the right

person for the research

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Expectations

1. Define a clear research question• Check the literature• Look for controversy• Get ideas from your advisor (maybe)• Use your own unique insights, experiences, and

knowledge base

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Expectations




person for the research

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Expectations


approach• Why did you choose that approach?• What are the limitations of your approach?

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Expectations



existing literature• You should be continually reading during your years as a

doctoral student• Use RefWorks!

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Expectations




person for the research• What papers will you publish from your research?

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Expectations

The Candidacy Exam, or Proposal Defense• Remember that your committee wants you to pass• Do you understand your topic well enough to

explain it to non-experts?• Have you thought long enough and deeply enough

about your topic to discuss it with experts?

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Outline


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Dissertation Proposal Structure

• Title: clear and concise

• Abstract: up to 500 words

• Literature review: thorough

• Overview: a short summary of …

• Your research questions and objectives

• Your approaches

• The significance of your research

• Context: how does your research relate to the literature?

• Research approaches: specific, including a timeline

• Preliminary results: ideally, already submitted for publication

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Outline


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Questions and Answers

• What is the required format?• All of the components of good writing especially apply

to the dissertation proposal• There is no required format – but if you use CSU’s

dissertation template you cannot go wrong – www.csuohio.edu/grad-college/thesis-dissertation

• How long should it be?• Between 40 and 100 pages (double spaced)

• Do you think I can write a document that long?• Your proposal will likely be the accumulation of several

previous papers, assignments, and presentations

http://www.csuohio.edu/grad-college/thesis-dissertation

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• How does the timing work?• Iterate your proposal until your advisor says it’s good• Give it your committee (hard copy or email – their

choice)• Schedule your candidacy exam for at least two weeks

later

• Can I look at some sample dissertation proposals?• Probably – but remember that each proposal is unique

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• What if my research takes a different direction after I defend my proposal?• It’s okay, to a certain extent – proposals are not binding

agreements – but it’s best to inform your committee

• When should I defend your proposal?• About halfway through your dissertation research• Remember you need 20 credits of xxx 899

• How much work do I need to accomplish in my dissertation research?• Enough to publish two or more significant papers• Your proposal should not promise more than necessary

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Referenceshttp://www.findaphd.com/advice/finding/writing-phd-research-proposal.aspx

https://www.exeter.ac.uk/media/universityofexeter/webteam/shared/postgraduate/pdfs/A_Guide_to_Writing_your_PhD_Proposal.pdf

https://www.bae.ncsu.edu/grad/pages/PhD_Research_Proposal.pdf

http://www.findaphd.com/advice/finding/writing-phd-research-proposal.aspx

http://www.findaphd.com/advice/finding/writing-phd-research-proposal.aspx







cleveland state university esc 720 research communications dissertation proposals dan simon 1

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