Question about dissertation and proposal

Is it true that in most cases, the PhD proposal, once approved, becomes the first chapter in the final dissertation? Or is it broken up to become two or more chapters in the final work?

Think I read of this somewhere.

Roscoe

 

That was my understanding, but Unizul has a "form" for the proposal which is only a few pages. My first chap was separate from that , but was rooted in it.

 

Thanks Bill,

I am eagerly awaiting my enrollment papers from UNIZUL so I can started with the PhD in Communication Science (specialization in Journalism). If allowed, I will pursue the ThD within a year.

Roscoe

 

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Can't you copy the stuff off the UZ site? You are not waiting for snail mail are you?

 

The answer is, quite simply, no - it's not true. I don't know where that myth got started, but a proposal, by nature, is "This is what I propose to do." Once the proposal is accepted, then you proceed to do it.

 

Re: Re: Question about dissertation and proposal

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Steve

I today have read three posts by you without any, umm, 'language.'

Are you feeling ok?

 

This can certainly vary by institution - but at Nova Southeastern, my proposal included an introduction, literature review and methodology chapters. These appeared in my final dissertation with only a little modification (wording like "The author will measure..." became "The author measured...."). After being approved, I proceeded to collect my data, perform statistical analysis and complete the document.

Prior to submitting a proposal, they had us submit a "concept paper" - a brief 3-4 page document that overviewed our research problem, base theory and hypothesis.

Regards - Andy

 

The answer to this question really varies by institution, and in some cases, by departments within an institution. Some schools accpet a "mini-proposal" that does not have much depth, but outlines what you expect to accomplish. Other schools require a more substantail document. In my own case, the proposal was about 60 pages long with references. I was expected to defend the proposal in front of my committee prior to continuing any further research. The proposal was written primarliy in future tense, except for citations supporting the research efforts. Ultimately, the proposal made up subtantial pieces of chapters 1 and 3. Tense had to be changed and additional materials were needed. However, solid preparation in the proposal process strengthened and improved chapters 1 and 3 in the final document.

 

Re: Re: Question about dissertation and proposal

The process that Andy describes was nearly identical to mine at Capella. My proposal was essentially the first three chapters, the same ones that Andy identified. As with Andy, the tense changed from future to past and additional subtance was also added to these chapters as the research moved forward. In addition to these three chapters, the final dissertation contained a Chapter 4 (focused on data) and Chapter 5 (summary and conlcusions and recommendations for further study). I also had to submit a brief couple of page pre-proposal for approval by my program advisor.

Paul C.

 

My experience has also been like Andy's. At Brigham Young, Arizona State and La Sierra, the dissertation proposal is a mini-version of chapters 1, 2 and 3. The proposal tells what you are going to do and how you willl do it. The dissertation itself state what you have done, how you did it, what the results were and what the implications are. I also have the requirement to defend the dissertation proposal before my doctoral commiittee.

Tony

 

Thanks to all of you. You've been very helpful.

Roscoe