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DISSERTATION RESEARCH PROSPECTUS

A prospectus is used to evaluate the viability and feasibility of a study. Thus, it is

evaluated to ensure clarity, conciseness, and manageability of the study's research questions.

Additionally, the design method's appropriateness and alignment in relation to the study's

purpose are ensured. Finally, the feasibility of the candidate to complete the study using their

respective skillset, available resources, and allotted time frame will be considered. Overall, the

prospectus identifies the evidence-based problem the proposed study will address and the

significance of the problem. It further elaborates on the purpose of the study, the questions and

hypotheses that will guide the study, and the methods that will be used to answer the specified

questions and analyze the collected data.

Prior to completion of the prospectus, a preliminary literature review must be conducted

to familiarize oneself with published literature currently available on a given topic. Additionally,

the literature review will assist the researcher in identifying possible gaps in the available

research. As the prospectus is a plan for research, the future verb tense will be used. Once the

research is complete, the tenses of verbs must be changed to the past tense.

(Please delete this informational page before submitting the document)

TITLE OF DISSERTATION HERE CENTERED WITH UPPERCASE LETTERS

UPPERCASE BOLDFACE LETTERS APPEARING AS AN

INVERTED PYRAMID

Doctoral Prospectus

Submitted to the

Faculty of the College of [College Name]

Westcliff University

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of

Doctor of [Program Title]

Concentration: [Concentration Title if Applicable]

by

[Doctoral Candidate’s Full Name]

[Month, Year]

Copyright © [Full Name], [Year]. All rights reserved.

Table of Contents

Problem Background 1
Problem Statement 1
Purpose of the Study 2
Theoretical and Conceptual Framework 2
Research Questions 2
Hypotheses 3
Nature of the Study 3
Research Methods 3
Data Collection 3
Data Analysis 3
Significance of the Study 4
References 5
Prospectus Formatting Guide 6
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CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

Chapter One of the dissertation introduces the study problem, background of the problem,

and identifies the framework of the research. In the introduction to this chapter, provide context

of the chosen topic, clarity of scope in how this research will engage with the topic, and an

overview of the structure of the dissertation and chapter flow. The following subsections are

required at minimum, but additional subsections can be included if deemed appropriate.

Problem Background

The problem background will provide information regarding the central problem of

inquiry the research seeks to address. A focused, timely, and relevant problem, as supported by

the current scholarship, is required. In this section, verify the existence of this problem through

evidence-based research, the extent to which it spans, who or what it impacts, and how it has

been presented within current scholarship. Objectively identify what the research will achieve

within the context of this centralized problem and the continued inquiry into the problem that is

needed.

Problem Statement

Based on the context of the central problem identified in the problem background section,

this section indicates specific problems that this research addresses. These problem statements

form the basis of the research question(s) posed. Each problem statement should be evidence-

based and contextualized within the current scholarship. Problem statements are written as single

sentences but should be followed by discussion on the origins and potential impact of each

problem as it connects to the aforementioned centralized problem. Add a maximum of three

problem statements in this section. The format of the problem statements should follow:

Problem Statement 1: Identify the specific problem.

[Include discussion in paragraph format with APA citations].

Purpose of the Study

Based on the context of the centralized and specific problems indicated above, this

section will explain, in general terms, the purpose or reason for this study. Identification of the

research method and design, direction, objective, and overarching goal of the study is

incorporated and expanded upon in this section. This section begins with the statement: The

purpose of this study is…

Theoretical and Conceptual Framework

This section explains the theoretical or conceptual foundation of the research and its

credibility in the context of previous studies and/or commonly accepted theoretical

understandings. A conceptual framework identifies the expected outcome(s) of the research

through identification of the variables and how they connect or impact one another. A theoretical

framework identifies, compares, and synthesizes prevalent theories established in literature that

support the basis of the study and its theoretical context.

Research Questions

In this section, identify the research question(s) that will guide the research. This

question(s) should align with the problem statement(s) and ensure appropriate collection of data

to achieve the purpose of the research. Research questions are formatted as simple interrogative

sentences, address one issue per question, and cannot be answered with a yes or no response. In

addition to listing the question(s), explain in subsequent paragraphs how the answers to the

research question(s) will cumulatively lead to the achievement of the purpose of the research. As

noted in the problem section, the research questions must be directly aligned with the problem

statements and study purpose. The format of a research question should be incorporated as
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follows:

Research Question 1: What is your research question?

[Incorporate information regarding how this question will lead to the achievement of the

aforementioned purpose].

Hypotheses

This section is optional and will be dependent upon the type of study conducted (verify

with the Dissertation Chair). Hypotheses primarily identify the expected outcomes of a

quantitative or mixed methods study and must be directly aligned with the research question(s).

Nature of the Study

This section provides an overview of the study’s method, design, and data collection and

analysis methodology. Note that this section is more general, as the doctoral candidate will

expand upon the details of the research methodology in Chapter Three. The following

subsections are required at minimum, but additional subsections may be included if deemed

appropriate.

Research Methods

This subsection identifies if the study is quantitative, qualitative, or both (mixed methods)

and explains the rationale for the selection in the context of the purpose of the research. Include

the research design, justification for the design, and an overview of the plan for implementation

of the study.

Data Collection

This subsection describes the primary and/or secondary data to be gathered for the study

and how and why the specific data collection method(s) will be employed. A description of the

data collection instrument(s) and method to be used in the research is explained, and the rationale
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justified. Indicate the underlying population, sampling method, and minimum sample size to be

gathered from the target population.

Data Analysis

In this subsection, the doctoral candidate identifies the data analysis methodology chosen for

the study and presents justification for the selection. The data analysis method must be aligned

with the study method and design choice for the research. The software application to be used for

analysis should also be noted here as well as any data assumptions to be tested prior to data

analysis to address the research questions.

Significance of the Study

The significance of the study explains the potential impact of the study. Specifically, the

doctoral candidate describes, in scholarly, objective, and unbiased language, the study’s potential

contribution to the existing body of knowledge on the chosen topic and the relevant field.

Doctoral candidates can stipulate who or what may benefit from this research and the extent of

that benefit.

(Note: The doctoral candidate must use non-confirmatory language, such as: The potential

findings of the study may lead to a better understanding of the effectiveness of computer assisted

instruction; the evaluation of employee attitudes could help improve productivity).

References

The reference list contains all sources cited in the prospectus. There should be one-to-one

correspondence between the citations in text and those included in the references. The references

follow APA 7th edition and start on a new page after the significance of the study of the

prospectus.

While formatting references, ensure:

1. They are organized alphabetically.

2. A hanging indent of 0.5” is used.

3. They are double-spaced with no additional space ‘before or after.’

4. DOIs are used whenever available, and hyperlinked.

5. Database URLs are not included.

6. References are predominantly from the last five to ten years.

7. References are from credible sources.

Prospectus Formatting Guide

Please see the following formatting guides below. Delete this page prior to submission of

the prospectus.

General Guidelines

1. The prospectus text should be double-spaced with all paragraphs indented.

2. Font should be black and Times New Roman 12-point (except for tables/figures, see

below).

3. All margins should be set to one (1) inch (top, bottom, left, right), on all pages.

4. Align text to the left (do not use full justification).

5. The spacing should be set to zero (0) point before and after lines of text (paragraph

spacing).

6. Seriation should follow APA 7th edition guidelines.

7. Level headings should follow APA 7th edition.

8. In-text citations should follow APA 7th edition guidelines. All claims and references to

ideas or conclusions found in a source must be properly cited.

9. Language used in reference to people or people groups should adhere to the bias-free

guidelines stipulated by APA 7th edition.

Opening Pages

1. The prospectus title should be bold, in all caps, and in an inverted-pyramid format.

2. For the Title Page, there should be no visible page number, though it is counted in the

numbering. The Table of Contents should be numbered by Roman numerals. The pages

in the main body of the prospectus should be numbered by Arabic numerals.

3. Entries in the Table of Contents should not be bolded or italicized.