Persevering
Through the
Prospectus
Process
By:
Nicole Maxwell
&
Megan Nason
Our Babies:
Baby Eli – 11 days old!
Mackenzie – 3 years old!
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.
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.)
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!
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
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!
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!
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!
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.)
Data Collection Chart
Example:
Research Questions:
Data Sources Addressing
Sources:
In what ways does participation in a
teacher study group impact elementary
teachers’ knowledge, beliefs, and
understandings when teaching culturally,
linguistically, and economically diverse
students in a high-needs school?
1. Initial and Final Semi-Structured
Interview Transcripts
2. Teacher Study Group Meeting
Transcripts
3. Reflective Journal and Memos
In what ways do teachers’ literacy
practices shift as a result of engaging in
teacher study groups focused on issues
related to culturally, linguistically and
economically diverse student populations?
1. Initial and Final Semi-Structured
Interview Transcripts
2. Classroom Observation Field Notes
3. Teacher Study Group Meeting
Transcripts
4. Reflective Journal and Memos
5. Artifacts
6. Photographs
Prospectus Defense:

ATTEND someone else’s prospectus defense!

Create a PRESENTATION that gives a brief overview of your:

Introduction




Literature Review



Purpose and research questions
Brief overview of related problems or issues
Theoretical Framework
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
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!
Questions?