Dissertation Prospectus Evaluation Sheet Oestmann 2011

Dissertation Prospectus Evaluation Sheet Oestmann 2011

Evaluate the dissertation prospectus based on the following criteria: the goal of making an original and substantive contribution to knowledge; relevance and analysis of references used for background and problem statement; appropriateness of research questions for the proposed method; realism and suitability of the population or sampling method; detail and ethical considerations in data collection procedures; appropriateness of instrumentation for methodology and research questions; suitability of data analysis section in reflecting coding or thematic processes; appropriateness and completeness of references supporting the prospectus; and any additional comments or suggestions.

Paper For Above instruction

The significance of a dissertation prospectus lies in its foundation for rigorous scholarly inquiry, especially within qualitative research paradigms. An effective prospectus should clearly articulate a unique and meaningful contribution to existing knowledge while demonstrating meticulous planning in methodology, data collection, and analysis. This paper evaluates a sample prospectus against these standards, emphasizing critical components such as research questions, sampling, ethical considerations, instrumentation, data analysis, and scholarly references.

At the core, the overarching goal should be to contribute substantively to scholarly discourse. A well-established goal aligns with current gaps in literature and is articulated with clarity. In the sample, the candidate convincingly argues that their research seeks to explore a nuanced phenomenon in qualitative detail, aiming to reveal insights not yet adequately addressed. This aligns with qualitative paradigms aiming to generate rich, contextual understanding, which is essential for meaningful contribution.

References utilized to establish the background should be recent, relevant, and critically analyzed. They provide foundational understanding and context for the problem statement. In the reviewed prospectus, the references encompass key scholarly articles, relevant theoretical frameworks, and previous qualitative dissertations, which are appropriately cited. However, there is room for improvement: integrating more recent empirical studies and critically analyzing differences with previous research could strengthen the background further.

Research questions must align well with the proposed qualitative methodology. Qualitative questions typically explore "how" and "why" phenomena occur, seeking depth over breadth. The prospectus presents 3-5 open-ended questions that are appropriately oriented toward understanding lived experiences, perceptions, and meanings. Suggestions for enhancement include refining questions to explicitly address contextual variables and potential emergent themes, ensuring flexibility inherent in qualitative inquiry.

The population or sampling method should be realistic and appropriate for qualitative research focusing on deep understanding. The prospectus proposes purposive sampling targeting a specific demographic, which is fitting for qualitative studies. While the description indicates an understanding of sampling principles, clarifying recruitment procedures and inclusion/exclusion criteria would bolster credence and feasibility of the sample.

Data collection procedures must be detailed and ethically sound. The prospectus adequately discusses interview protocols, consent processes, and confidentiality measures. However, additional detail on data storage, handling sensitive information, and addressing potential biases would enhance ethical rigor. Also, integrating discussion on institutional review board (IRB) approval procedures would demonstrate thorough compliance with ethical guidelines.

Instrumentation—mainly semi-structured interview guides—must suit the research questions and methodology. The prospectus indicates that interview questions are grounded in literature and previous research, with a plan to include Socratic follow-up prompts. Validation techniques such as expert review are considered. To improve, providing sample questions aligned with each research question and describing pilot testing procedures would offer greater confidence in instrument validity.

The data analysis section should reflect a systematic coding process suitable for thematic analysis, preferably using NVivo. The prospectus describes open, axial, and selective coding stages, referencing established qualitative analysis frameworks. Including details on how themes will be identified, validated, and interconnected, as well as referencing seminal texts such as Braun & Clarke (2006), would strengthen this section.

Use of visual aids, such as thematic maps or coding trees, can clarify analytical procedures. The prospectus mentions the use of charts and diagrams, which aid understanding. Explicit connections to how the analysis will answer research questions, contribute to theory or practice, and align with the chosen methodology are essential for coherence.

Finally, references should meet scholarly standards: recent, relevant, and comprehensive, covering at least ten sources with a mix of guiding dissertations, foundational texts, and related research articles. The sample includes appropriate references but could be expanded to incorporate more diverse sources such as methodological texts and recent empirical studies, demonstrating breadth and scholarly depth.

In conclusion, a strong prospectus demonstrates rigorous planning across all components, from research questions to ethical procedures and analysis plans. Critical evaluation highlights several strengths in the sample, including clear questions and methodological rationale, but also areas for improvement such as elaboration of ethical safeguards, detailed instrumentation, and comprehensive referencing. These refinements can enhance the quality and feasibility of the proposed qualitative study, thereby contributing valuable insights to the relevant field of inquiry.

References

• Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101.
• Creswell, J. W. (2013). Qualitative inquiry & research design: Choosing among five approaches. SAGE Publications.
• Guest, G., MacQueen, K. M., & Namey, E. E. (2012). Applied thematic analysis. SAGE Publications.
• Patton, M. Q. (2002). Qualitative research and evaluation methods. Sage.
• Silverman, D. (2013). Doing qualitative research: A practical handbook. Sage.
• Yin, R. K. (2014). Case study research: Design and methods. Sage Publications.
• Flick, U. (2018). An introduction to qualitative research. Sage Publications.
• Saldaña, J. (2016). The coding manual for qualitative researchers. Sage Publications.
• Lincoln, Y. S., & Guba, E. G. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. Sage.
• Marshall, C., & Rossman, G. B. (2016). Designing qualitative research. Sage Publications.