Writing a Proposal for Your Dissertation: Guidelines and Examples

by Steven R. Terrell

The encouraging book that has guided thousands of students step by step through crafting a strong dissertation proposal is now in a thoroughly revised second edition . It includes new guidance for developing methodology-specific problem statements, an expanded discussion of the literature review, coverage of the four-chapter dissertation model, and more. Terrell demonstrates how to write each chapter of the proposal, including the problem statement, purpose statement, and research questions and hypotheses; literature review; and detailed plans for data collection and analysis. "Let's Start Writing" exercises serve as building blocks for drafting a complete proposal. Other user-friendly features include case-study examples from diverse disciplines, “Do You Understand?” checklists, and end-of-chapter practice tests with answers. Appendices present an exemplary proposal written three ways to demonstrate quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods approaches, and discuss how to structure a four-chapter dissertation.
 
New to This Edition
*Introduction offering a concise overview of the entire proposal-writing process and the doctoral experience.
*Additional help with tailoring problem and purpose statements for quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods studies.
*Expanded discussion of the review of literature, including a criterion for judging the quality of primary versus secondary sources.
*Many new examples from different disciplines, such as studies of depression treatments, approaches to reducing offender recidivism, health effects of irradiated crops, strength training in college football, and remote teaching and learning during COVID-19.
*Focus on the five-chapter model is broadened to include specific guidance for four-chapter dissertations.
*Broader, more detailed reference list and glossary.
 

Genres: Research

320 pages, Paperback

Published October 31, 2022

Reviews

[Aryan Prasad · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book is primarily written from those engaged in research based on qualitative data analysis, especially in the fields of education, nursing and psychology which get more and more clear and the book progress and we look at the illustrations and examples provided therein. In the author's own word, the requirements of a well stated hypothesis is that

It must be testable via collection and analysis of data.

Clearly not much helpful for us in Mathematics and other fields of the sort. I found Writing for Science StudentsWriting for Science Students, A Mathematician's Survival Guide: Graduate School and Early Career Development and A Primer Mathematical Writing much more helpful. The later two are by, as one working in my field comes to except, written by Krantz.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book very helpful for navigating the first part of the dissertation process. When I first started my Ph.D. program and had to write a research proposal, I did not understand all of its components. Now, as I embark on the dissertation journey almost 3 years later, my understanding is much more complete. I have waded through many books on quantitative and qualitative research design, critiqued journal articles and dissertations, and practiced my quantitative and qualitative research skills. However, this is the first resource that I read that focused solely on the dissertation proposal as the product instead of the full dissertation. This book is a treasure because of its more narrow focus.

[Dale Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has helped me understand the whole dissertation process and research in general far better than any of the textbooks that were required reading in the classes. I’ll definitely be referencing it again and again as I continue.

[Sydney Jablonski · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was required fellowship reading but I will be counting it regardless