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Persevering Through the Prospectus Process

Persevering Through the Prospectus Process. By: Nicole Maxwell & Megan Nason. Our Babies:. Mackenzie – 3 years old!. Baby Eli – 11 days old!. Choose a Topic:. Make a list of topics that you are interested in studying.

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Persevering Through the Prospectus Process

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  1. Persevering Through the Prospectus Process By: Nicole Maxwell & Megan Nason

  2. Our Babies: Mackenzie – 3 years old! Baby Eli – 11 days old!

  3. Choose a Topic: • Make a list of topics that you are interested in studying. • Think about problems or issues in society that need addressed through further research. • Choose something that you are really PASSIONATE about! • Choose something that you can study within the context of your daily routine/life.

  4. Begin to Explore the Literature: • Begin to find books and articles related to your topic. • Save them CAREFULLY in labeled files on your computer or in an electronic library such as ENDNOTE. • Keep a lit review chart or notes that includes important information for each book or article. (Ex: Authors, type of study, research questions, theories, methodology, data collection methods, findings, conclusions, etc.)

  5. Think about WHERE and WHEN You Like to Write: • If possible, take one of your 1 hour writing seminars during the same semester that you take your Prospectus class. • Create a Weekly Writing Schedule – Carve out one or two times a week to WRITE! • Think about WHERE and WHEN you do your best writing. • STICK to your schedule!

  6. Helpful Texts for Getting Started: • Roberts, C. M. (2004). The dissertation journey: A practical and comprehensive guide to planning, writing, and defending your dissertation. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press. (There is a 2nd edition, but we’ll use the 1st) • American Psychological Association. Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. (6th Edition). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. • GSU Guide for Preparation of Prospectuses and Dissertations (2007). • http://education.gsu.edu/main/docs/PHD_Dissertation_Guide_2007.pdf • GSU IRB Manual. http://www.gsu.edu/images/vp_research/IRB_Manual_4.08.doc • Required Educational Program on the Protection of Human Research Subjects. • http://www.gsu.edu/research/irb_education_and_training.html • Prospectus Announcement and Other Graduate Forms. http://education.gsu.edu/main/952.htm

  7. Chapter 1 - Introduction: • Remember when you sit down to write that it is your FIRST draft. • You can and will make changes later! • Just get your ideas down on the paper. • Find a few other dissertations on a similar topic and read their intro’s!

  8. Chapter 1: Introduction • Background: What has led you to focus on this topic? • Problems: Overview of the Issues Surrounding your Topic • Purpose Statement and Research Questions • Theoretical Frameworks ***Roberts (2004) text is really helpful!

  9. Chapter 2 - Literature Review: • Writing your introduction will help you to narrow down your focus • Make a quick sketch or outline of your headings/subtopics • You may decide later to narrow it down or change it around • Having a list of just the topics will help you to see the big picture • For each topic/heading in your lit review, choose 2 or 3 of the most salient studies to discuss in detail • At the end of each section, remember to make connections to how your study will address the GAPS or ADD to the literature on this topic • Read the lit review of one or two other dissertations!

  10. Chapter 3 – Methodology: • In each of your Methodology courses, create a word document or keep notes about the methods that you might decide to use in your study • Read the methodology section of 1 or 2 dissertations that use a similar type of methodology • Find 2 or 3 texts related to your methodology and re-read relevant sections • Think about your research questions and the types of data sources that will help you best examine your questions • Create charts to show how your data collection methods match up to your research questions • If you are planning to conduct interviews, come up with interview questions (These will go in your APPENDIX.)

  11. Data Collection Chart Example:

  12. Prospectus Defense: • ATTEND someone else’s prospectus defense! • Create a PRESENTATION that gives a brief overview of your: • Introduction • Purpose and research questions • Brief overview of related problems or issues • Theoretical Framework • Literature Review • Choose 1-2 studies under each topic/heading to highlight • Address a few of the most significant GAPS that your study will address • Methodology: • Brief overview of the methodology and method • Brief overview of setting & context • Data collection sources • Data analysis procedures

  13. IRB: • Once you have successfully defended your PROSPECTUS, be prepared to get your IRB ready quickly • You may even want to start on it before you defend your prospectus • Make sure that you have completed your CITI training or that it is up to date!

  14. Questions?

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