How To Prepare A Dissertation Proposal: Suggestions for Students in Education & the Social and Behavioral Sciences

by David R. Krathwohl, Nick L. Smith

"What are the core elements of a strong proposal?" "How can I accent the strengths of my study design?" "How can computer use facilitate my literature review?" "What is the best way to get my proposal reviewed and approved?" You will find the answers to these and other key issues in this unique "assembly manual" for crafting a complete and convincing dissertation proposal. Three extensively annotated proposals of former students provide examples of the guidance offered and illustrate common types of studies. Whether you study best by example, review, memorization, or problem solving, this book's format enables you to follow your own pace and style. This is no ordinary step-by-step guide. The authors begin by identifying and defining the basics of a dissertation proposal. With careful consideration, they explore proposal functions and parts, show how to build your study's chain of reasoning, and carefully review alternate study designs. Chapters are devoted to qualitative (sectioned into case studies, philosophical, and historical investigations); quantitative (sectioned into experimental, causal modeling, and meta-analysis studies); and mixed-method (sectioned sample survey, evaluation, development, and demonstration and action projects).

Genres: Writing, Research, Reference

308 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

Reviews

[Karla]

Very
Very
VERY valuable resource for doc students

Well organized
Explained thoroughly

Treasure this like the APA manual

Buy a copy- you’ll mark it up

[Apostolos]

Finished this - maybe a little later than I expected (the semester ended a month ago :p) but it's done. Overall not a bad book. It's easy to read and it provides a lot of food for thought in terms of what you should have in your dissertation proposal. It's also got some nifty checklists/rubrics at the end of most chapters to check your proposal against once you're done writing your first draft. As the book says - "There is not good writing, only good rewriting".

[Joe]

Very readable. Helpful now and will be in the future.

[Kris]

Helpful, but interspersed with huge tracts of dull, lifeless info.

[Robyn]

Less useful than I thought it would be. Big idea is the chain linking is the argument. I'll probably review this again if I have PhD students to advise on the future.