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Dissertation Online Handbook

Preparation of the Manuscript

GUIDELINES FOR THE

PROFESSIONAL DISSERTATION PROSPECTUS

1.  Introduction/Focus of the Dissertation:  This section clearly and cogently highlights the issues which the project seeks to clarify.  For instance, the target population is clearly defined.  The statement of the problem identifies methodological flaws in the extant literature, areas of overemphasis or neglect, inadequate procedures or assessment, etc.  The statement of problem also addresses theoretical confusions, ambiguities, and blind spots.  Ultimately, the statement of the problem clearly communicates the reasons why the topic is important and argues for the compelling nature of this particular dissertation.  In articulating the uniqueness of this student’s scholarly contribution, the statement of the problem explains the potential implications of the project, the way the information may be used by the targeted population, and the usefulness for psychologists and other helping professions.  In short, the statement of the problem demonstrates how the proposed dissertation meets the school’s standards for professional dissertations which include:

• It is an original creative work. 

• It is produced independently by the student with limited technical guidance from the Chair and Committee. 

• It is a product that exemplifies the student’s ability to think critically and to critically evaluate research, theory or other scholarly work. 

• It represents a synthesis and integration of scholarly work, research, or theoretical perspectives. 

• It represents a substantive scholarly contribution, demonstrating focus and depth of knowledge in a particular area of professional psychology. 

• It represents a vehicle for the student to formulate and challenge hypotheses and to demonstrate an ability to communicate clearly both in writing and orally. 

• It is a project or undertaking, the topic of which is generally psychological in nature and consistent with the school’s mission. 

2.   Aim and Purpose:  Once the problem and its implications have been defined in      the prospectus, the writer should clearly operationalize the individual project’s aims, purposes, and goals.  This narrative section should include specifically what the student plans to do in the dissertation (e.g. propose a new treatment  program for eating disorders with multicultural populations, make an argument for culturally sensitive treatments, and offer a new treatment approach based on the literature review).   This section also includes how the student plans to accomplish their goals, i.e.,  generate recommendations for improving service delivery to a particular underserved population, create a treatment manual for an under-researched clinical problem, design an empirical study to better understand a clinical issue, etc.

3.  Literature Review:  After the aim and purpose have been clearly delineated, the student must identify the literature base(s) which need to be addressed.  A critical review of the literature is a key component of the dissertation prospectus and will be important in establishing the context of the dissertation proposal.  As a general rule of thumb, the literature review should consist of at least 20 pages of double spaced text. 

4.   Preliminary Outline of the Dissertation:  The preliminary outline should communicate the logical flow of ideas throughout the dissertation.  The individual topics and sections should be delineated and followed by clear identification of constituent parts of each section or subsection.  The outline should provide information on the dissertation’s comprehensiveness detailing the candidate’s coverage of relevant topics.  Major points in the outline should include reference citations. 

5.  References:  A reference list should be attached to the narrative statement of problem aim and purpose, and outline.  The reference list should be as complete as possible documenting the candidate’s coverage of material.  All references need to be cited according to the APA Publication Manual (5th Edition).

Updated April, 2008