Sections of The Prospectus

Section 1. Title Page.

Use the Walden University format for a dissertation title page .Add the subtitle
Dissertation Prospectus directly below the proposed title. This section should be the
cover of the prospectus.
Section 2. Problem Statement
The problem statement is a concise description of the main question of the dissertation.
In this section, the student should be able to justify that this problem is worthy of a
dissertation-level inquiry. (This is the section that answers the question, Why should
anyone care about this problem?) In the discussion of the problem statement, the
following questions should be considered:
- What is the significance of this question? What is the practical applicability? What is
the implication for social change?
- What critical gap in knowledge does this question address?
- Why is this question important and worth studying?
- Why is this question of interest to the researcher?
Section 3. Historical Context
Discuss how the main question (from the problem statement) has been identified, studied,
and developed over the years. In this section, the problem statement has to be placed into
context against both the history of the field and the current research being undertaken
by others.
Throughout this section (which is typically the longest in the prospectus), provide an
overview of the most relevant literature, making reference to primary sources when
possible. From this literature, identify theories, discoveries, and disagreements that form
the frame in which the problem statement exists. (Make extensive use of the primary
sources from the References section here.)
The following questions should be considered:
- How does the problem statement fit into the context of the existing literature?
- Why does this critical gap exist?
- Why hasnt the question been answered satisfactorily by others?
- Does existing research point toward this study as a necessary next step?

Section 4. Theory and Method

In this section, the research question should be identified and described. This is where
the problem statement is operationalized into a specific question or set of questions that
the research study will attempt to answer. Explain how the chosen research question(s)
will address the problem statement (or close the gap).
Next, describe the research design. Explain how the study is structured. Be specific
about the methodology case study, quasi-experiment, cross-section analysis,
randomized design, and so on. Describe the method, participants, equipment or
instruments, and protocols.
Finally, identify the primary analyses. These are the qualitative or quantitative
techniques used to determine how the data collected in the study answers the research
question(s). Explain why these analyses were selected, compared to other options.
The following questions should be considered:
- Why is this choice of research question the best choice compared to other alternatives?
- How does the research method serve the needs of the research question?
- Are the methods of data collection, analysis, and interpretation appropriate to the
research question?
Section 5. Selected References.
Using The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, Sixth Edition
style, list a minimum of 10 primary sources included in the review of the literature plus
any necessary secondary sources. This does not have to be a comprehensive
bibliography, but the sources chosen should be highly relevant to the problem statement.
If preferred, an annotated bibliography format can be used to more clearly show the
significance of the selected references. If the selection of primary sources is incomplete,
identify resources (such as online indices, journals, or collections) that will be searched
and explain their relevance.
The following questions should be considered:
- Are all of the details of the references (e.g., authors, dates, page numbers) completely
accurate, without typos or style errors?
- Do the primary sources include the original publications on the theories, models, or
constructs contained in the research question?
- Do the primary sources include the most current publications on the theories, models, or
constructs contained in the research question?
- Has the significance of these selected references been demonstrated by citing each of
them in section 3 or by making use of an annotated bibliography? Will the reader clearly
understand why each of these references provides important background to the research
question?

Appendix A. Resume or Curriculum Vitae.

Other personal information, such as a biographical statement or personal essay, may be
included.
Appendix B. Dissertation Completion Timeline.
In this appendix, include a proposed schedule and timeline for completion of the
dissertation. This will aid the committee in determining their availability.
Appendix C. Dissertation Supervisory Committee.
List the proposed members of the dissertation supervisory committee. Include suitable
justification for inclusion of each committee member. Show how this committee
complies with University and school requirements for committees.