Course Description

Directed study leading towards the preparation and submission of the dissertation prospectus.

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Athena Title

Dissertation Prospectus

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Non-Traditional Format

Directed study.

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Prerequisite

Admission to Doctoral Candidacy

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Semester Course Offered

Offered every year.

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Grading System

S/U (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory)

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Course Objectives

Students will begin working towards the preparation and submission of the dissertation prospectus.

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Topical Outline

Following or during completion and approval of the comprehensive examination, the student will prepare the dissertation prospectus. Because the dissertation prospectus will constitute an agreement about what the student will and won't do, it should be explicit on all major points, including: 1. Statement of the problem 2. Brief or full review of literature and significance of the proposed research 3. Research questions or hypotheses to be tested 4. Research methods and design 5. Sample 6. Data collection plan 7. Data analysis plan 8. Format in which dissertation will be written 9. Letter of support or agreement from research site, including an agreement about authorship, ownership of the data, etc., if applicable

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