DISSERTATION CONCEPT PAPER
ASSESSMENT
Doctoral Learner ______________________________________
Date concept paper received ______________
Date assessment completed ______________
___ I accept this concept paper without revision
___ I accept this concept paper with minor revisions as specified in my
written comments
___ I do not accept this concept paper at this time. Major revisions are required
as specified in my written comments
Dissertation Committee Chair __________________________________
=============================================
Rate the material contained in the “Introduction” and provide explanatory comments.
1. The topic or general problem area is stated and introduced in a broad theoretical, empirical,
and/or practical perspective.
I____________I___________I____________I
Unacceptable
Acceptable with
Minor Revisions
Acceptable
Comments:
2. The community and/or organizational setting in which the research will be conducted is clearly
described, i.e., a context is created for the topic or the problem that is introduced.
I___________I____________I____________I
Unacceptable
Comments:
Acceptable with
Minor Revisions
Acceptable
3. The significance of the research topic or identified problem is clearly presented.
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Unacceptable
Acceptable with
Minor Revisions
Acceptable
Comments:
Rate the material contained under the subheading “Statement of the Research Problem”
and provide explanatory comments.
4. The purpose of the study is clearly and succinctly stated.
I____________I____________I____________I
Unacceptable
Acceptable with
Minor Revisions
Acceptable
Comments:
5. The research hypotheses and/or questions are within the scope of the purpose of the study
and identified problem.
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Unacceptable
Acceptable with
Minor Revisions
Acceptable
Comments:
6. The research hypotheses and/or questions and any subsidiary question(s) are succinctly
stated and well organized.
I___________I___________I____________I
Unacceptable
Comments:
Acceptable with
Minor Revisions
Acceptable
7. How the findings or product are expected to affect the research area and impact practice or
the organizational setting are discussed.
I____________I____________I____________I
Unacceptable
Acceptable with
Minor Revisions
Acceptable
Comments:
Rate the material contained in the subsection, “Definition of Key Terms,” and provide
explanatory comments.
8. Key terms crucial to the understanding of the anticipated dissertation topic are clearly
defined.
I____________I____________I____________I
Unacceptable
Acceptable with
Minor Revisions
Acceptable
Comments:
Rate the material contained in the subsection, “Brief Overview/Review of the Related
Literature,” and provide explanatory comments.
9. The purpose of this section of the concept paper is briefly presented and the major themes or
sub-topics around which the literature review is organized are clearly identified.
I___________I___________I____________I
Unacceptable
Acceptable with
Minor Revisions
Acceptable
Comments:
10. At least 7 to 10 relevant, published works or studies are discussed in a well organized
narrative that relates the research topic and/or problem to the current literature.
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Unacceptable
Comments:
Acceptable with
Minor Revisions
Acceptable
11. APA format and style is used accurately for reference citations and, if any,
quotations.
I___________I____________I____________I
Unacceptable
Acceptable with
Minor Revisions
Acceptable
Comments:
12. The literature review concludes with a brief summary that builds a bridge to the
need for the proposed research.
I____________I____________I____________I
Unacceptable
Acceptable with
Minor Revisions
Acceptable
Comments:
Rate the material contained under the subheading, “Methodology,” and provide
explanatory comments.
13. The specific research questions to be investigated are restated.
I____________I____________I____________I
Unacceptable
Acceptable with
Minor Revisions
Acceptable
Comments:
14. The nature of the proposed research design is clearly identified.
I____________I____________I____________I
Unacceptable
Comments:
Acceptable with
Minor Revisions
Acceptable
15. The research design is consistent with the purpose of the study and the research
questions.
I____________I____________I____________I
Unacceptable
Acceptable with
Minor Revisions
Acceptable
Comments:
16. The types of data to be collected and the procedures to be used are clearly
identified.
I___________I___________I____________I
Unacceptable
Acceptable with
Minor Revisions
Acceptable
Comments:
17. Measurement instruments, if being considered, are briefly, but clearly discussed.
I____________I____________I____________I
Unacceptable
Acceptable with
Minor Revisions
Acceptable
18. Method(s) of analyzing data are briefly, but clearly and accurately presented.
I____________I____________I____________I
Unacceptable
Acceptable with
Minor Revisions
Acceptable
Comments:
19. In broad terms, ethical issues that may arise during the course of the research
are discussed.
I____________I___________I____________I
Unacceptable
Comments:
Acceptable with Acceptable
Minor Revisions
Please rate the material contained in “References” and provide explanatory comments.
20. The references listed are consistent with those mentioned in text.
I____________I____________I____________I
Unacceptable
Acceptable with
Minor Revisions
Acceptable
Comments:
21. APA format and style and the NCU Dissertation Format and Style Handbook are followed.
I____________I____________I____________I
Unacceptable
Acceptable with
Minor Revisions
Acceptable
Comments:
Rate the material contained in the “Annotated Bibliography” and provide explanatory
comments.
22. The notes for each reference in the annotated bibliography are sufficiently
explanatory and clearly presented.
I____________I____________I____________I
Unacceptable
Comments:
Additional Comments:
Acceptable with
Minor Revisions
Acceptable