PURPOSE: The purpose of the presentation is to receive guidance from the committee regarding the scope, focus, feasibility, methods, and structure of the proposed dissertation. An approved proposal serves as a research contract between the dissertation committee and doctoral candidate.
FORMAT: The student should plan a brief (15-20 minute) presentation and the student must allow 40 minutes in which the committee will evaluate the proposed topic, offer suggestions, and ask questions. Faculty outside of the committee and guests may attend. Following the discussion, the advisor will ask the student and guests to leave the room while the committee confers and decides if the proposal passes, passes with minor modifications, or fails, requiring major revisions and/or restructuring. The advisor will call the candidate back into the meeting to present the decision. The candidate may ask the committee questions at this time. If the candidate's proposal passes, the committee will sign a copy of the title page that provides spaces for signatures and the date. If the proposal is not passed, the candidate will be guided by the advisor to redevelop the proposal.
GENERAL INFORMATION: A verbal presentation differs from the written material in its level of detail, organization, and presentation. It is helpful to the audience if you use visual presentational tools such as slides, overheads, or computer presentational software such as PowerPoint. It is best NOT to read your paper.
Specific Proposal Presentation Content:
1. Begin by introducing what you will cover in your presentation. In one or two sentences describe the purpose of your research, its significance, and how you plan to conduct the research. Then elaborate on each of these 3 sections including the theoretical orientation of the study.
2. Concentrate on three points--purpose (what), significance (why), and methodology (how). Remember to keep within the 15-20 minute time limit!
3. Keep reminding the audience what the problem statement is by relating each major section of the presentation to the problem statement.
Criteria for Evaluation of Written Proposal:
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