Writing Your Dissertation Prospectus

While your dissertation is the star of show, there are many other documents that play small but pivotal roles in your quest for a Ph.D. One of the first that you’ll encounter once you’ve completed your coursework is the dissertation prospectus. It’s a deceptively difficult document to craft, and it sets the tone for your entire doctoral project. The stakes are high, but you can ace the prospectus by planning well and keeping these questions in mind:

• What is the purpose of a dissertation prospectus?
• How is it evaluated? And by whom?
• What does it signify?
• What are the challenges?
• What makes a dissertation prospectus successful? 

Purpose of a Dissertation Prospectus

Unlike a summarizing abstract, which will be one of the last documents you write once you know how the story ends, the dissertation prospectus is a road map of where you’re planning to go and a description of how you’re hoping to get there. 

It’s a bit like peering into a crystal ball and getting an idealized vision of what your final research project will look like if everything goes according to plan. It assumes that all your theoretical bricks and mortar will fall perfectly into place. They won’t, but that’s okay. The job of the prospectus is to lay the groundwork, not begin construction.

Structure 

The structure of a dissertation prospectus can vary wildly depending on field of study and type of doctoral degree, as well as idiosyncrasies unique to your university. A prospectus for an Ed.D., a D.PT., or other type of doctoral degree is often shorter than one for a Ph.D. 

For instance, a dissertation prospectus for history or anthropology, whose doctoral candidates traditionally produce the lengthiest dissertations, may cite or consult many more sources than one for chemistry or physics. 

While each program is different, every dissertation prospectus shares some common ground. All require an in-depth overview of the concept being examined and the theoretical framework that will be used as scaffolding to support the researcher’s investigation. 

The introduction to the prospectus is your opportunity to state your research question, which is the driving force of momentum in your dissertation. Your dissertation prospectus is also likely to include a: 

• Literature Review Use this to offer a clear and concise overview of existing scholarship that is related to your proposed project. This will show what’s out there already, as well as what’s missing (your research!). 
• Methodology How is your research being conducted? Is it qualitative? Quantitative? Are you doing archival research, or are you proposing field work? Are you using human subject testing that will also need institutional review board (IRB) approval? 
• Chapter List This is a rough outline of how many chapters you’re planning to write (five is common), and the content each will cover. 
• Working Bibliography This is an exhaustive list of every book, article, interview, etc. that you’ve already consulted, as well as the ones you’re planning to read. It’s a lot of work to compile, but it comes in really handy later. 

Do Your Homework

While there are commonalities shared by every dissertation prospectus, it’s imperative to consult with your committee chair to make sure you know the specific rules for your department. Remember, even though you’re processing what feels like an overwhelming amount of information, this is a well-traveled path and many have come before you. 

That being said, it can be difficult to digest a black-and-white list of guidelines, especially if you’re a visual learner. Doing a little digging and getting your hands on some examples, particularly of dissertation prospectuses in your field, will be time well spent. 

When I was working on my dissertation, one of the best pieces of advice I got from my advisor was to look at the dissertations of my peers who had recently graduated with their Ph.D.s. I spent several hours in the English department’s library reading (skimming) the proudly-displayed leather-bound copies of successful dissertations. 

Seeing so many different approaches gave me a wealth of examples to draw from, as well as ideas for my own dissertation. I took a lot of notes that day, and seeing row after row of triumphant dissertations helped me visualize my own in their company. 

Evaluating the Dissertation Prospectus

The first official set of eyes on your dissertation prospectus belong to your advisor, who heads your dissertation committee. Though your advisor should already be aware of your topic and the general direction of your research, don’t be surprised if you receive a lot of feedback and suggestions.

This document will likely go through several drafts before it is shared with the rest of your committee, who will then also weigh in with their comments and perhaps request revisions before giving their approval. Don’t despair; these revisions will give you a solid foundation to build upon. 

Dissertation Prospectus Approval

How important is the approval of your committee? Well, you’re not getting anywhere without it. Navigating the opinions of your committee is one area where your advisor will be invaluable, because he or she likely knows your committee–and their quirks and preferences–better than you do. Your advisor is also the key to building consensus and helping your dissertation prospectus get the green light from your committee so you can proceed. 

Getting your committee’s stamp of approval on your dissertation prospectus is a significant achievement. It’s an exciting moment because it’s their vote of confidence in your dissertation project and also your abilities as a researcher. Not only do they have faith in the viability of your big, daunting dissertation, they’re also expressing their confidence in your capabilities as a scholar. In writing, no less. 

Be Confident

No matter how you approach your dissertation prospectus, it’s vital to project confidence in your project, and in yourself as an expert-in-training in your subject matter. Like becoming a virtuoso in any field, it’s no small task. 

Your job as a researcher and a writer is to shine a light on a gap in the body of knowledge that was invisible until you came along. It’s your responsibility to transform this observation, this guess, this shot in the dark from a faint theoretical glimmer into something tangible. It’s a challenging proposition, but you can do it, one step at a time.