This Assignment Has Two Parts. First, You Will Complete A Pr

This assignment has two parts. First, you will complete a premise on your proposed dissertation topic. Second, you will complete the Doctoral Committee Matching form and submit the premise for committee matching. Students who already have a chair: if you have a chair but need a second committee member, please complete Part I and Part II. For Part II, you will indicate you need a second committee member on the form and not a chair. If you already have both a chair and a second committee member, please submit a document to your instructor indicating you already have an approved committee and provide the names of chair and SCM.

Part 1: Premise Completion

As noted in the Dissertation Premise Guide, the premise consists of four parts: title, problem statement, approach (i.e., proposed methodology) for the study, and references. The Dissertation Premise document is used in two ways: to identify a preliminary topic (i.e., a research problem) for your dissertation, which should be the product of initial investigation and subject to refinement; and to help match faculty members who will guide your development of the Dissertation Prospectus. Please follow your program's guidance for this process. For a sample premise and description, see the Premise Guide.

Part 2: Doctoral Committee Matching Assignment

You will also complete the Doctoral Committee Matching form using the provided link. This allows program leadership to review your plans and needs for faculty matching. While you may request specific faculty, the program will consider availability and expertise. You will work with your chair starting in PSYC 8115 and continue into PSYC 9000; note that registration for PSYC 9000 is contingent on completing other coursework. Committee Matching Requests are only for students in PSYC 8702/8700.

Paper For Above instruction

The process of formulating a clear and concise premise is fundamental to establishing a solid foundation for doctoral research. The premise serves as a preliminary articulation of the research problem, proposed methodology, and relevant literature—elements that collectively guide the development of the dissertation. Since this initial step informs faculty matching and prospectus development, it is essential that students approach it thoughtfully and systematically.

To create an effective premise, students should begin with selecting a compelling and relevant research topic. This topic should emerge from preliminary investigation, informed by current literature and identified gaps in existing knowledge. The problem statement must clearly define the specific issue or question to be addressed, contextualizing its significance within the field. For example, if the research pertains to mental health interventions, the problem statement might focus on the effectiveness of a particular therapy approach for a defined population.

The methodology component of the premise outlines the proposed approach to investigating the research problem. This may include qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods strategies, depending on the nature of the research question. Detailing specific data collection techniques, analytical procedures, and theoretical frameworks demonstrates the feasibility and scholarly rigor of the approach. For instance, a mixed-methods study might involve surveys and interviews analyzed through thematic coding and statistical analysis.

References are also a critical component, illustrating engagement with relevant scholarly literature. Proper citing of foundational theories, recent studies, and methodological sources ensures the premise reflects a comprehensive understanding of the research landscape. It also guides the identification of potential faculty mentors whose expertise aligns with the topic.

The premise must be succinct but sufficiently detailed to serve its dual purpose: informing future prospectus development and guiding faculty matching. As students progress, this initial premise will evolve, but a well-structured starting point increases the likelihood of successful committee placement and research planning. Additionally, adherence to program-specific instructions is crucial, as processes can vary between institutions.

Completing the Doctoral Committee Matching form is a logistical step that aligns students with suitable faculty mentors. While requesting particular faculty members is permissible, program factors such as faculty availability and expertise are considered in final matching decisions. Early communication and clarity about research interests support an optimal match, which is essential for productive mentorship throughout the dissertation process.

Conclusion

In summary, developing a comprehensive and well-researched premise is vital for establishing a clear research focus and facilitating faculty matching. It requires careful selection of a relevant topic, articulation of the problem statement, outline of the methodology, and engagement with scholarly sources. The coordination with faculty through the committee matching process further supports a successful doctoral journey, ultimately contributing to the scholar's capacity to produce meaningful and impactful research.

References

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  • Leedy, P. D., & Ormrod, J. E. (2019). Practical research: Planning and design. Pearson.
  • Yin, R. K. (2017). Case study research and applications: Design and methods. Sage publications.
  • Robson, C., & McCartan, K. (2016). Real world research. Wiley.
  • Bolton, G. (2014). Reflective practice: Writing and professional development. Sage.
  • Maxwell, J. A. (2013). Qualitative research design: An interactive approach. Sage publications.
  • Babbie, E. (2015). The practice of social research. Cengage Learning.
  • Flick, U. (2018). An introduction to qualitative research. Sage publications.