Key Parts of the Proposal
Before you start writing, research your chosen topic. Make certain you can justify a study. Before you write, find at least 20 peer-reviewed journal articles and annotate them. You cannot start writing without knowing what the experts say on the subject.
Accept it if your chair denies your chosen topic. Don't argue, just regroup. Your name will not be the only name on this paper. Four other people must approve and sign: your chair, two committee members, and the dean. The earlier you accept that this is not an autonomous project, the easier your journey.
Be careful that you are not writing a position paper, meaning you are not writing a paper to prove a point. You are writing a research paper. This mistake sidelines many doctoral learners.
A research study is a systematic investigation designed to discover, test, or explain information using established research methods. Its goal is to produce new knowledge or empirical evidence, not to persuade the reader to take a side.
A position paper is a persuasive academic document that argues for a specific viewpoint on an issue. It does not generate new data; it uses existing research to support a clearly stated stance.
A dissertation must be significant, and it must fill a gap in literature. We all know the importance of telling people, especially teens, about the dangers of smoking. However, this topic has been researched ad nauseam. You probably could not get approval for a study on the dangers of cigarette smoking. Second, there must be social significance. Stories about Big Foot are fascinating, but what is their social worth? How many people care about Big Foot? You would be hard-pressed to find any social significance in conducting research on Big Foot.
Accept it if your chair denies your chosen topic. Don't argue, just regroup. Your name will not be the only name on this paper. Four other people must approve and sign: your chair, two committee members, and the dean. The earlier you accept that this is not an autonomous project, the easier your journey.
Be careful that you are not writing a position paper, meaning you are not writing a paper to prove a point. You are writing a research paper. This mistake sidelines many doctoral learners.
A research study is a systematic investigation designed to discover, test, or explain information using established research methods. Its goal is to produce new knowledge or empirical evidence, not to persuade the reader to take a side.
A position paper is a persuasive academic document that argues for a specific viewpoint on an issue. It does not generate new data; it uses existing research to support a clearly stated stance.
A dissertation must be significant, and it must fill a gap in literature. We all know the importance of telling people, especially teens, about the dangers of smoking. However, this topic has been researched ad nauseam. You probably could not get approval for a study on the dangers of cigarette smoking. Second, there must be social significance. Stories about Big Foot are fascinating, but what is their social worth? How many people care about Big Foot? You would be hard-pressed to find any social significance in conducting research on Big Foot.
Statement of the Problem
(Unless your chair or syllabus instructs otherwise,) this section of the proposal consists of two to three paragraphs and clearly articulates the research problem or focus, the population affected, and the ways in which the study will contribute to addressing the identified issue. As part of Chapter 1, the problem statement should be thorough yet concise, offering sufficient background to situate the study within its broader context.
An effective problem statement begins by presenting the issue from a broad, overarching perspective (macro level) and progressively narrows to a specific, well-defined research problem (micro level). It clearly conveys the significance, scope, and urgency of the problem and logically leads into the Purpose of the Study through a clear, declarative statement:
It is not known if and to what degree/ extent _____
It is not known how/why and _____
Absent from the literature ______
While the literature indicates ____________, it is not known in _________ (this area) if __________
It is not known how or to what extent ________________
Remember, your problem must be researchable, original, and contributory! Tell your committee why this is important and serious and why something must be done! Most universities require the following four parts:
1. The general problem is…. Actually use these words
2. The specific problem is…. Actually use these words
3. The methodology is …. Actually use these words
4. The population is… Actually use these words
An effective problem statement begins by presenting the issue from a broad, overarching perspective (macro level) and progressively narrows to a specific, well-defined research problem (micro level). It clearly conveys the significance, scope, and urgency of the problem and logically leads into the Purpose of the Study through a clear, declarative statement:
It is not known if and to what degree/ extent _____
It is not known how/why and _____
Absent from the literature ______
While the literature indicates ____________, it is not known in _________ (this area) if __________
It is not known how or to what extent ________________
Remember, your problem must be researchable, original, and contributory! Tell your committee why this is important and serious and why something must be done! Most universities require the following four parts:
1. The general problem is…. Actually use these words
2. The specific problem is…. Actually use these words
3. The methodology is …. Actually use these words
4. The population is… Actually use these words
Purpose of the Study
The Purpose of the Study section of Chapter 1 should be 2-3 paragraphs long [check your dissertation manual or rubric], should provide a reflection of the problem statement, and identify how the study will be accomplished. This section explains how the proposed study will contribute to the field and begins with a declarative statement, "The purpose of this study is....” Included in this statement are also the research design, population, variables (quantitative) or phenomena (qualitative) to be studied, and the geographic location.
This section has seven, sometimes eight, required parts:
1. Research method is identified as qual, quan, mixed, case.
2. Research method is appropriate to the proposed study—not most appropriate.
3. Research design is clearly stated.
4. Research design is appropriate to the research method—not most appropriate.
5. Research variables are briefly identified if quantitative.
6 Specific population group of proposed study is identified.
7. Geographical location of study is identified—but not so much so that it can be identified.
Some universities require an eighth part:
8. Contribution to social change is identified.
This section has seven, sometimes eight, required parts:
1. Research method is identified as qual, quan, mixed, case.
2. Research method is appropriate to the proposed study—not most appropriate.
3. Research design is clearly stated.
4. Research design is appropriate to the research method—not most appropriate.
5. Research variables are briefly identified if quantitative.
6 Specific population group of proposed study is identified.
7. Geographical location of study is identified—but not so much so that it can be identified.
Some universities require an eighth part:
8. Contribution to social change is identified.
Significance of the Study
This is the big “SO WHAT?” Okay, I have read all up to here, now, So What!
This section explains the significance of the study by articulating why the research is important and necessary. It discusses the potential implications of the findings in relation to the research questions, problem statement, hypotheses, or the phenomena under investigation. Additionally, it explains how the study aligns with, extends, or contributes to the existing body of literature. The section also addresses the potential practical applications of the research findings. Typically written in three to four paragraphs, this section is especially important because it establishes the relevance of the study and provides a clear justification for conducting the research.
1. Tell me what is wrong?
2. Where is this problem found?
3. What problem is this causing to society?
4. Why should anyone be interested? Why are you interested?
5. Who is affected?
6. How can this help?
7. Will this study help professionally; if so, how?
8. Would a journal want to print this? Why?
9. What do you need to do: analyze, describe, evaluate, test, understand, determine, establish,
10. What will happen if this study does not take place?
11. What are the topics, people, subjects you will investigate?
12. What do you expect to result from this study?
14. Who else has looked into this problem? From what angle? What did they find?
15. How much money is involved?
This section explains the significance of the study by articulating why the research is important and necessary. It discusses the potential implications of the findings in relation to the research questions, problem statement, hypotheses, or the phenomena under investigation. Additionally, it explains how the study aligns with, extends, or contributes to the existing body of literature. The section also addresses the potential practical applications of the research findings. Typically written in three to four paragraphs, this section is especially important because it establishes the relevance of the study and provides a clear justification for conducting the research.
1. Tell me what is wrong?
2. Where is this problem found?
3. What problem is this causing to society?
4. Why should anyone be interested? Why are you interested?
5. Who is affected?
6. How can this help?
7. Will this study help professionally; if so, how?
8. Would a journal want to print this? Why?
9. What do you need to do: analyze, describe, evaluate, test, understand, determine, establish,
10. What will happen if this study does not take place?
11. What are the topics, people, subjects you will investigate?
12. What do you expect to result from this study?
14. Who else has looked into this problem? From what angle? What did they find?
15. How much money is involved?
Thoughts on the Process
Be humble. You will be as much of a PhD with a 100-page dissertation as you will be with a 300-page dissertation. This is not the time to cure cancer. Just get it done. If your chair does not like your cherished study idea, change it. (I had to change my study three times in my last PhD journey.) In addition, do not try to write a personal study. Just get it done. Save the personal study until after you have the degree. Just get the thing done!
Remember, plagiarism is defined as three words in a row you “borrowed” from any source. If caught, you are out—do not pass Go, do not collect $200. Watch tables, figures, charts, and graphs as well. Deans take this seriously. When in doubt, cut and paste the phrase in Google and check.
Mention your PhD journey to friends, family, co-workers, bosses (especially), and significant others as little as possible. One, mentioning it will make you look like a braggart. Two, after a while, you will be viewed as a bore. Three, God forbid, if you dropout or don't make it (check the rates; this could happen), you will look like an idiot.
Talk to fellow PhD candidates; they know the misery. They understand; no one else could ever understand why anyone would actually pay big money for this torture.
Do not feel sorry for yourself. Yes, your chair/committee member/coach/URR member/etc. will rip your beloved paper to shreds on a constant basis. Just consider the PhD journey a fraternity, and every fraternity has hazing. Be certain to thank whoever tore your paper to shreds for the “beating” (the hazing) and assure him or her that you will be back again tomorrow for your daily beating. This ripping to shreds is just part of the process. I have been royally beat up too many times to count. Yes, I actually openly cried sitting on the floor in the busy hallway of a huge university many years ago, over which statistical design my chair wanted. I am certain even your chair was royally hazed as well. All my best friends have been hazed.
PUT ON YOUR BIG GIRL PANTIES and enjoy the journey, hazing and all. The rewards are well worth the hazing.
Finally, ask for help when you need help. Good Luck! Dr. Walden
Remember, plagiarism is defined as three words in a row you “borrowed” from any source. If caught, you are out—do not pass Go, do not collect $200. Watch tables, figures, charts, and graphs as well. Deans take this seriously. When in doubt, cut and paste the phrase in Google and check.
Mention your PhD journey to friends, family, co-workers, bosses (especially), and significant others as little as possible. One, mentioning it will make you look like a braggart. Two, after a while, you will be viewed as a bore. Three, God forbid, if you dropout or don't make it (check the rates; this could happen), you will look like an idiot.
Talk to fellow PhD candidates; they know the misery. They understand; no one else could ever understand why anyone would actually pay big money for this torture.
Do not feel sorry for yourself. Yes, your chair/committee member/coach/URR member/etc. will rip your beloved paper to shreds on a constant basis. Just consider the PhD journey a fraternity, and every fraternity has hazing. Be certain to thank whoever tore your paper to shreds for the “beating” (the hazing) and assure him or her that you will be back again tomorrow for your daily beating. This ripping to shreds is just part of the process. I have been royally beat up too many times to count. Yes, I actually openly cried sitting on the floor in the busy hallway of a huge university many years ago, over which statistical design my chair wanted. I am certain even your chair was royally hazed as well. All my best friends have been hazed.
PUT ON YOUR BIG GIRL PANTIES and enjoy the journey, hazing and all. The rewards are well worth the hazing.
Finally, ask for help when you need help. Good Luck! Dr. Walden
If this helped, please let Dr. Walden know. Also tell her what else will help.