Persevering Through the Prospectus Process By Nicole Maxwell

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 2 nd edition, but we’ll use the 1 st) � American Psychological Association. Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. (6 th 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 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?