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Illustrations | |
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Preface | |
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Concepts Fundamental to Proposal Writing | |
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What Is a Proposal? | |
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Definition of a Proposal | |
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Typical Dissertation Proposal Sections | |
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Overview of the Dissertation Proposal Process | |
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Preparing Yourself | |
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Preparing the Proposal | |
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Self-Assessment | |
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Environmental Assessment | |
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The Functions of a Dissertation Proposal | |
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The Functions of the Proposal in the Dissertation Process | |
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The Proposal as Justification for the Study | |
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The Proposal as Work Plan | |
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The Proposal as Evidence of Ability | |
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The Proposal as Request for Committment | |
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The Proposal as Contract | |
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The Proposal as Evaluative Criterion | |
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The Proposal as Partial Dissertation Draft | |
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Summary | |
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How Functions Differ with Different Kinds of Inquiry | |
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Prespecified vs. Emergent Studies | |
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General vs. Local Findings | |
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Proposal Function Review | |
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The Proposal as a Chain of Reasoning | |
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The Proposal as a Chain of Reasoning | |
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The Chain of Reasoning in Studies with Generalizable Findings | |
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The Links in the Chain | |
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Details of the Links from Procedure to Data | |
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Four Useful Characteristics of the Chain Analogy | |
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Relation of the Chain Analogy to the Proposal | |
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The Chain of Reasoning in Development and Problem-Solving Studies | |
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Chain of Reasoning Analysis | |
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Advice Common to Most Proposals | |
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The Description of the Problem | |
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The Problem of the Problem | |
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Problem Statement | |
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Related Research | |
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What to Include | |
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Search Strategies and Information Sources | |
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Use of the Internet and World Wide Web | |
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Research Strategies Before the Internet | |
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Relevant Information Sources Appropriate to Successively Specific Stages of Problem Definition | |
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Save Steps and Time with Your Computer-An Example | |
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Quantitative Literature Summaries | |
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Questions, Hypotheses, or Models? | |
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Descriptions of Where to Look and Questions | |
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Hypotheses | |
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Models | |
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Characteristics of a Good Dissertation Topic | |
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What to Look for in Reviewing Literature for a Dissertation | |
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Characteristics of a Good Proposal Statement | |
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The Method Section | |
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General Considerations | |
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Adapt the Material on Method to Your Study | |
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The Method Section Flows from the "Questions, Hypotheses, or Models" Section | |
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Operationalizing Terms May Result in New Conceptualizations | |
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Restrain the Design to Realistic Limits | |
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Eliminate Plausible Alternative Explanations | |
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Design Efficiency | |
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Give Special Care to Those Sections Critical to Your Research Method | |
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Developing the Subsections of Method | |
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Participants-Population and Sample | |
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Situation | |
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Focus of Action-Treatment(s), Independent and Dependent Variable(s) | |
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Records-Instrumentation and Observations | |
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Comparison and Contrast-The Basis for Sensing Attributes or Changes | |
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Time Schedule-The Specification of the Procedure | |
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Problems in Data Collection | |
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Analysis | |
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Expected End Product | |
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An Alternative Dissertation Format: Articles Ready for Publication | |
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Study Methods Review | |
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Ensuring Feasibility and Other Proposal Parts | |
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Time Schedule or Work Plan | |
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Graphic Depictions of the Work Plan | |
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Assurance of Competence | |
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Assurance of Access | |
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Assurance of Observance of Ethical Considerations | |
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Budget and/or Sources of Financial Support | |
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Other Parts of the Proposal | |
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Appendix | |
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Abstract | |
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Title | |
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Last Steps Before Submitting for Approval | |
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A Final Check and Review | |
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Preparing the Final Copy | |
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Funding | |
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Writing the Proposal after You Are Well into the Study | |
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Assurances Review | |
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Advice Specific to Particular Kinds of Studies | |
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The Special Requirements of Proposals Using Qualitative Approaches: Emergent, Qualitative, Philosophical, Historical | |
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Qualitative Method Studies | |
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The Special Problems of Emergent Study Proposals | |
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A Checklist for Qualitative Method Study Proposals | |
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The Focus or Question and Its Rationale | |
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Sample of Persons, Sites, and Situations | |
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Qualitative Orientation | |
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Researcher's Qualifications | |
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Data Collection | |
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Data Analysis | |
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Ensuring Ethical Procedure | |
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Review of Proposals Using Emergent Qualitative Approaches | |
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Philosophical and Historical Study Proposals | |
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The Nature of the Proposal | |
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The Conceptual Roots of the Study | |
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Your Conceptual Contribution | |
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The Assumptions on Which Your Study Proceeds | |
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The Criteria by Which Your Study Is to Be Judged | |
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In Any Kind of Study, How Much Is Enough? | |
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Review of Proposals Using Philosophical and Historical Approaches | |
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The Special Requirements of Proposals Using Quantitative Approaches: Experimental, Causal Modeling, Meta-Analysis | |
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Experiments | |
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Rationale | |
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Hypotheses | |
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Design or Procedure | |
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Analysis of the Data | |
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Causal Modeling | |
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Review of Proposals Using Experimental and Causal Modeling Approaches | |
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Meta-Analysis | |
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Special Requirements of a Meta-Analysis Proposal | |
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Review of Proposals Using Meta-Analysis Approaches | |
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The Special Requirements of Proposals Using Qualitative and/or Quantitative Approaches: Survey, Evaluation, Development, Demonstration | |
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Sample Surveys | |
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Problem | |
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Review of Previous Research | |
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Design | |
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Data Analysis | |
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Review of Proposals Using Sample Survey Methods | |
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Evaluation Studies | |
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Audiences | |
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Who Defines Program Goals or Standards? | |
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What Evaluation Orientation Do You Bring to the Study? | |
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Formative or Summative? | |
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Describe the Research Method | |
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Review of Proposals for Evaluation Studies | |
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Development Studies (e.g., Curriculum, Equipment, Instrument, Software, and Methodology) | |
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Special Emphases in the Problem Statement | |
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Who Will be Involved? | |
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Describe the Development Process | |
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Work Plan | |
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Whether and How Thoroughly to Evaluate the Product | |
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Protection of Your End Product | |
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Review of Proposals for Development Studies | |
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Demonstration and Action Research Studies | |
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Demonstration Projects | |
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Review of Proposals for Demonstration Studies | |
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Action Research Projects | |
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Review of Proposals for Action Research Studies | |
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Additional Considerations | |
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Other Things to Consider | |
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What If This Book's Advice and That of My Committee Differ? | |
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Literature Review | |
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Statement of Hypotheses | |
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I'm Having Trouble Getting Started, What Do I Do? | |
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Is There Enough Detail? | |
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Is the Hasty Reader Signaled to Critically Important Proposal Parts? | |
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How Shall I Show My Competence? | |
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When Shall I Get My Chairperson's Reaction to a Draft? | |
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A Final Review | |
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Checklist of Sections of a Dissertation Proposal | |
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Annotated Proposals | |
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An Annotated Dissertation Proposal Using Qualitative Methods | |
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The Change Process in Men Who Batter Women | |
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An Annotated Dissertation Proposal Using Quantitative Methods | |
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A Study of the Effectiveness of Concept Mapping in Improving Problem Solving | |
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A Quantitative Dissertation Proposal with Student Annotations | |
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Self-Directed Learning's Impact on MBA Students and Their Attitudes Toward Personal Development | |
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Funded Proposals | |
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Finding Funding | |
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Search Current Grants | |
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Federal | |
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Foundations | |
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Use Professional Associations | |
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Examine Successful Proposals | |
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Use Your Institution's Grants Support Office | |
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Additional Readings | |
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References | |
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Index | |
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About the Authors | |