How to Prepare a Dissertation Proposal : Suggestions for Students in Education and the Social and Behavioral Sciences

by Krathwohl, David R.

• ISBN13: 9780815681410
• ISBN10: 0815681410
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-05-30
• Publisher: Syracuse Univ Pr

Summary

"What are the core elements of a strong proposal?" "How can I accent the strengths of my study design? "How can computer use facilitate my literature review?" "What is the best way to get my proposal reviewed and approved?" You will find the answers to these and other key issues in this unique "assembly manual" for crafting a complete and convincing dissertation proposal. Three extensively annotated proposals of former students provide examples of the guidance offered and illustrate common types of studies. Whether you study best by example, review, memorization, or problem solving, this book's format enables you to follow your own pace and style. This is no ordinary step-by-step guide. The authors begin by identifying and defining the basics of a dissertation proposal. With careful consideration, they explore proposal functions and parts, show how to build your study's chain of reasoning, and carefully review alternate study designs. Chapters are devoted to qualitative studies: (sectioned into case studies, philosophical, and historical investigations); quantitative studies: (sectioned into experimental, causal modeling, and meta-analysis studies); and mixed-method studies: (sectioned into: sample survey, evaluation, development, and demonstration and action projects).

Table of Contents

Illustrations	xi
Preface	xiii
PART ONE: Concepts Fundamental to Proposal Writing	1	(42)
1. What Is a Proposal?	3	(12)
Definition of a Proposal	3	(3)
Typical Dissertation Proposal Sections	6	(1)
Overview of the Dissertation Proposal Process	6	(4)
Preparing Yourself	6	(1)
Preparing the Proposal	7	(3)
Worksheet 1.1: Self-Assessment	10	(3)
Worksheet 1.2: Environmental Assessment	13	(2)
2. The Functions of a Dissertation Proposal	15	(16)
The Functions of the Proposal in the Dissertation Process	15	(7)
The Proposal as justification for the Study	17	(1)
The Proposal as Work Plan	17	(1)
The Proposal as Evidence of Ability	18	(1)
The Proposal as Request for Committment	18	(1)
The Proposal as Contract	18	(1)
The Proposal as Evaluative Criterion	19	(1)
The Proposal as Partial Dissertation Draft	20	(2)
Summary	22	(1)
How Functions Differ with Different Kinds of Inquiry	22	(8)
Prespecified vs. Emergent Studies	23	(1)
General vs. Local Findings	24	(6)
Worksheet 2.1: Proposal Function Review	30	(1)
3. The Proposal as a Chain of Reasoning	31	(12)
The Proposal as a Chain of Reasoning	31	(1)
The Chain of Reasoning in Studies with Generalizable Findings	32	(4)
The Links in the Chain	32	(2)
Details of the Links from Procedure to Data	34	(2)
Four Useful Characteristics of the Chain Analogy	36	(2)
Relation of the Chain Analogy to the Proposal	38	(1)
The Chain of Reasoning in Development and Problem-Solving Studies	39	(3)
Worksheet 3.1: Chain of Reasoning Analysis	42	(1)
PART TWO: Advice Common to Most Proposals	43	(76)
4. The Description of the Problem	45	(30)
The Problem of the Problem	46	(1)
Problem Statement	47	(2)
Related Research	49	(3)
What to Include	50	(2)
Search Strategies and Information Sources	52	(12)
Use of the Internet and World Wide Web	52	(2)
Research Strategies Before the Internet	54	(4)
Relevant Information Sources Appropriate to Successively Specific Stages of Problem Definition	58	(1)
Save Steps and Time with Your Computer-An Example	58	(4)
Quantitative Literature Summaries	62	(2)
Questions, Hypotheses, or Models?	64	(5)
Descriptions of Where to Look and Questions	65	(1)
Hypotheses	66	(1)
Models	67	(2)
Worksheet 4.1: Characteristics of a Good Dissertation Topic	69	(2)
Worksheet 4.2: What to Look for in Reviewing Literature for a Dissertation	71	(2)
Worksheet 4.3: Characteristics of a Good Proposal Statement	73	(2)
5. The Method Section	75	(27)
Section 1: General Considerations	76	(11)
Adapt the Material on Method to Your Study	76	(1)
The Method Section Flows from the "Questions, Hypotheses, or Models" Section	76	(3)
Operationalizing Terms May Result in New Conceptualizations	79	(1)
Restrain the Design to Realistic Limits	80	(2)
Eliminate Plausible Alternative Explanations	82	(4)
Design Efficiency	86	(1)
Give Special Care to Those Sections Critical to Your Research Method	87	(1)
Section 2: Developing the Subsections of Method	87	(12)
Participants-Population and Sample	88	(2)
Situation	90	(1)
Focus of Action-Treatment(s), Independent and Dependent Variable(s)	90	(1)
Records-Instrumentation and Observations	91	(4)
Comparison and Contrast-The Basis for Sensing Attributes or Changes	95	(1)
Time Schedule-The Specification of the Procedure	96	(1)
Problems in Data Collection	96	(2)
Analysis	98	(1)
Expected End Product	98	(1)
An Alternative Dissertation Format: Articles Ready for Publication	99	(1)
Worksheet 5.1: Study Methods Review	100	(2)
6. Ensuring Feasibility and Other Proposal Parts	102	(17)
Time Schedule or Work Plan	103	(2)
Graphic Depictions of the Work Plan	105	(3)
Assurance of Competence	108	(1)
Assurance of Access	109	(1)
Assurance of Observance of Ethical Considerations	110	(1)
Budget and/or Sources of Financial Support	111	(1)
Other Parts of the Proposal	112	(2)
Appendix	112	(1)
Abstract	113	(1)
Title	114	(1)
Last Steps Before Submitting for Approval	114	(1)
A Final Check and Review	114	(1)
Preparing the Final Copy	114	(1)
Funding	115	(1)
Writing the Proposal after You Are Well into the Study	115	(3)
Worksheet 6.1: Assurances Review	118	(1)
PART THREE: Advice Specific to Particular Kinds of Studies	119	(76)
7. The Special Requirements of Proposals Using Qualitative Approaches: Emergent, Qualitative, Philosophical, Historical	121	(22)
Section 1: Qualitative Method Studies	122	(15)
The Special Problems of Emergent Study Proposals	122	(2)
A Checklist for Qualitative Method Study Proposals	124	(2)
The Focus or Question and Its Rationale	126	(1)
Sample of Persons, Sites, and Situations	127	(1)
Qualitative Orientation	128	(1)
Researcher's Qualifications	129	(1)
Data Collection	130	(2)
Data Analysis	132	(3)
Ensuring Ethical Procedure	135	(1)
Worksheet 7.1: Review of Proposals Using Emergent Qualitative Approaches	136	(1)
Section 2: Philosophical and Historical Study Proposals	137	(6)
The Nature of the Proposal	137	(1)
The Conceptual Roots of the Study	138	(1)
Your Conceptual Contribution	138	(1)
The Assumptions on Which Your Study Proceeds	139	(1)
The Criteria by Which Your Study Is to Be Judged	139	(2)
In Any Kind of Study, How Much Is Enough?	141	(1)
Worksheet 7.2: Review of Proposals Using Philosophical and Historical Approaches	142	(1)
8. The Special Requirements of Proposals Using Quantitative Approaches: Experimental, Causal Modeling, Meta-Analysis	143	(20)
Section 1: Experiments	143	(11)
Rationale	144	(1)
Hypotheses	144	(1)
Design or Procedure	144	(9)
Analysis of the Data	153	(1)
Section 2: Causal Modeling	154	(2)
Worksheet 8.1: Review of Proposals Using Experimental and Causal Modeling Approaches	155	(1)
Section 3: Meta-Analysis	156	(7)
Special Requirements of a Meta-Analysis Proposal	157	(5)
Worksheet 8.2: Review of Proposals Using Meta-Analysis Approaches	162	(1)
9. The Special Requirements of Proposals Using Qualitative and/or Quantitative Approaches: Survey, Evaluation, Development, Demonstration	163	(32)
Section 1: Sample Surveys	164	(9)
Problem	164	(1)
Review of Previous Research	165	(1)
Design	166	(4)
Data Analysis	170	(2)
Worksheet 9.1: Review of Proposals Using Sample Survey Methods	172	(1)
Section 2: Evaluation Studies	173	(6)
Audiences	173	(2)
Who Defines Program Goals or Standards?	175	(1)
What Evaluation Orientation Do You Bring to the Study?	176	(2)
Formative or Summative?	178	(1)
Describe the Research Method	179	(1)
Worksheet 9.2: Review of Proposals for Evaluation Studies	180
Section 3: Development Studies (e.g., Curriculum, Equipment, Instrument, Software, and Methodology)	179	(5)
Special Emphases in the Problem Statement	181	(1)
Who Will be Involved?	182	(1)
Describe the Development Process	182	(1)
Work Plan	183	(1)
Whether and How Thoroughly to Evaluate the Product	183	(1)
Protection of Your End Product	183	(2)
Worksheet 9.3: Review of Proposals for Development Studies	185
Section 4: Demonstration and Action Research Studies	184	(13)
Demonstration Projects	186	(4)
Worksheet 9.4: Review of Proposals for Demonstration Studies	190
Action Research Projects	189	(5)
Worksheet 9.5: Review of Proposals for Action Research Studies	194	(1)
PART FOUR: Additional Considerations	195	(12)
10. Other Things to Consider	197	(10)
What If This Book's Advice and That of My Committee Differ?	197	(2)
Literature Review	197	(1)
Statement of Hypotheses	198	(1)
I'm Having Trouble Getting Started, What Do I Do?	199	(1)
Is There Enough Detail?	199	(1)
Is the Hasty Reader Signaled to Critically Important Proposal Parts?	199	(1)
How Shall I Show My Competence?	200	(1)
When Shall I Get My Chairperson's Reaction to a Draft?	201	(1)
A Final Review	202	(1)
Worksheet 10.1: Checklist of Sections of a Dissertation Proposal	203	(4)
PART FIVE: Annotated Proposals	207	(58)
11. An Annotated Dissertation Proposal Using Qualitative Methods	209	(22)
The Change Process in Men Who Batter Women by Bill Warters	210	(21)
12. An Annotated Dissertation Proposal Using Quantitative Methods	231	(21)
A Study of the Effectiveness of Concept Mapping in Improving Problem Solving by Katherine L. Beissner	232	(20)
13. A Quantitative Dissertation Proposal with Student Annotations	252	(13)
Self-Directed Learning's Impact on MBA Students and Their Attitudes Toward Personal Development by Thomas D. Phelan	252	(13)
PART SIX: Funded Proposals	265	(10)
14. Finding Funding	267	(8)
Search Current Grants	268	(1)
Federal	268	(1)
Foundations	268	(1)
Use Professional Associations	269	(1)
Examine Successful Proposals	269	(1)
Use Your Institution's Grants Support Office	270	(5)
Additional Readings	275	(4)
References	279	(6)
Index	285	(5)
About the Authors	290