This is an ongoing Research Assignment: Please use the attachments to complete assignments:

Assignment 24:

 

Following  the Prospectus description in the Doctoral Project Manual, use the  criteria and information from previous activities to draft your  Prospectus. Use your Research Question(s) as your focus for the  discussion. Complete a Prospectus,  providing sufficient information about your topic of interest,  providing information on how the students plans to do the research, and  explaining the value of this work. The document is 4-7 pages.
The  Prospectus will contain the following parts:  Introduction, Background  of the Problem, Statement of the Problem, and Purpose of the Study (with  Research Questions).
Introduction  (no heading): The introduction puts the study in perspective for the  reader. The introduction also acquaints the reader with the topic and  the methodology used to study the problem. Introduce key areas of the  study which support the aim of the study. Finish with the aim of the  study.
Background of the Problem:  Articulates why the topic is being studied. Why is the problem of  pressing societal concern or theoretical interest? Describe the societal  situation and the problem that the doctoral candidate will address by  conducting the project. Information to be included is relevant  historical and statistical information. Establish the disparities,  discrepancies, issues, or challenges relevant to the key areas of your  study. The background of the problem illustrates why the topic is  appropriate, worthwhile, and feasible.
Statement of the Problem:  The statement of the problem situates the key areas of the study in the  existing literature. Above you would have detailed major issues or  concerns, here using the current literature establish the focus of your  study. Establish a benchmark or the parameters of the study using what  is known and unknown from the literature. This discussion will mirror  your Chapter 2. Purpose of the Study: Articulate the  purpose (how you are going to approach the research problem) and state  the research questions. The questions for research should be  comprehensive and reflect the major areas of the study and relevant to  the selected phenomenon.  Follow with the Theory you will use to guide the inquiry.
Submit paper of your discussion using points of emphasis above. 4 to 7 pages.
On Separate Document: Assignment 26

 

Assignment 26

 

Following  the Chapters 1-5 descriptions in the Doctoral Project Manual, use the  Methods criteria and information from previous activities and the text  books to align with the Doctoral Project Manual.  Present by the Chapter  in the Doctoral Project Manual, using an outline for each chapter apply  methods in each chapter as applicable. Provide in depth details for  Chapter 3.
Submit paper of your discussion using points of emphasis above. 3 to 4 pages.

References:

Book
American Psychological Association    (2010).   Publication manual of the American Psychological Association .   (6th Edition).   Washington, D.C.
Book
Creswell, J. W.    (2013).   Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches.   Sage.     9781452226101

School of Behavioral Sciences

 

 

 

 

Doctoral project Manual

 

2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

California Southern University

930 Roosevelt

Irvine, CA 92620

800-477-2254

 

www.calsouthern.edu

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All rights reserved.

CalSouthern Faculty and/or Doctoral Candidates may reproduce any part of this document for use in conjunction with their assignments at the University.

 

 

 

 

Page 1 of 76 School of Behavioral Sciences © 2016 California Southern University

School of Behavioral Sciences lfischer 20 October 2015

Page 2 of © 2015 California Southern University

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

SECTION ONE: THE DOCTORAL PROJECT

Doctoral Project Committee 6

Continuous Enrollment .6

 

Selecting the Doctoral Project Topic .6

 

Proposal 7

 

SECTION TWO: THE DOCTORAL PROJECT COMMITTEE

Composition and Selection of the Committee 8

Responsibilities of the Committee 9

Functions of the Committee Members 11

Functions of the Chair 12

Working with the Committee Chair 13

SECTION THREE: PROCEDUREs FOR OBTAINING ETHICAL APPROVAL

Institutional Review Board Application Process 14

Researcher Responsibility 14

Ethical Principles 15

SECTION FOUR: FORMAT SPECIFICATIONS

 

Manuscript Submission 17

Format/Text Spacing 17

Margins 17

Title 17

Pagination 17

Headings 18

Length 18

Verb Tense 18

References 18

Table of Contents 18

Tables, Charts, and Photographs 18

SECTION FIVE: GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Submission …….19

Copyright Release Agreement 19

Regulations Regarding Joint Authorship 19

Publishing of Doctoral Projects 19

Copyrighting of Doctoral Project 19

SECTION SIX: RESEARCH APPROACHES TO THE DOCTORAL PROJECT

 

Theoretical Study 20

A Qualitative Study 20

A Quantitative Study 20

Mixed Methods Study 20

Structure of the Doctoral Project 21

Title Pages 21

Chapter One: Overview of the Study 21

Chapter Two: Review of the Literature 22

Chapter Three: Methodology 23

Theoretical/Thematic Study 23

Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Studies 23

 

Chapter Four: Results 24

Chapter Five: Discussion of Findings 25

Reference List and Appendices 25

Abstract. 26

Doctoral Project Resources 26

 

SECTION SEVEN: THE ORAL DEFENSE

Process 27

Oral Defense Format 27

APPENDICES

Appendix A: Sample List of Doctoral Project Titles. 29

Appendix B: Committee Form. 31

Appendix C: Change of Committee Form. 32

Appendix D: Institutional Review Board Application 34

Appendix E: Guidelines and Sample Statements of Informed Consent 38

Example I 39

Example II 41

Example III 42

Example IV 43

Appendix F: IRB Completion Form 44

Appendix G: Doctoral Project Assessment Rubric. 45

Appendix H: Doctoral Project Checklist. 50

 

Appendix I: Tips for Completing the Doctoral Project …………. 52

Appendix J: Sample Copyright Release Agreement 54

Appendix K: Sample Approval Page…………. 55

 

Appendix L: Sample Title Page …………. 56

 

Appendix M: Sample Copyright Page …………. 57

 

Appendix N: Sample Title Pages …………. 58

 

SECTION ONE

THE DOCTORAL PROJECT

 

The Doctoral Project represents the capstone of the doctoral candidate’s entire doctoral studies and deserves the doctoral candidate’s fullest attention. Because of the specialized nature of the Doctoral Project, the concise academic writing style and processes may seem intimidating; the purpose of this manual is to help demystify this process. Although Doctoral Project topics exhibit as much diversity and individuality as doctoral candidates themselves, the candidate’s writing process is governed by standardized guidelines. Many of the guidelines are intended as suggestions or inspiration for how to proceed to best present the unique topic, research, and findings from the candidate’s research. Other guidelines outline the technical or procedural requirements for completing the Doctoral Project process at California Southern University.

 

Doctoral Project Committee

 

The Committee consists of at least three members: the Chair and two other Committee Members. The Chair is designated as the one who guides the doctoral candidate through the procedural steps of completing the Doctoral Project and who is primarily responsible for managing the candidate through the writing and research processes. The Committee Members serve as consultants and as quality control monitors of the Doctoral Project. A detailed description of each Committee Member’s duties is included in Section Two of this manual.

 

Continuous Enrollment

 

A potential candidate for the PsyD degree must not have a lapse in enrollment in the series of Doctoral Project courses. If additional time is needed to complete any of the courses, the doctoral candidate must request an extension and re-enroll in the appropriate course and pay the tuition for that course. Continuous enrollment will only be permitted when the doctoral candidate demonstrates satisfactory academic progress toward completing the Doctoral Project requirements. The Doctoral Project Chair and Committee Members determine satisfactory academic progress.

 

Selecting the Doctoral Project Topic

 

The University encourages Doctoral Projects that extend the work of the doctoral candidate’s profession into emerging fields of inquiry which address contemporary issues. The doctoral candidate is encouraged to select a topic that falls within the scope of his or her expertise, interest, and career objectives.

 

The candidate may select and reject several topics before the right topic finally resonates. Usually, initial ideas in a Doctoral Project are revised several times. There are several reasons why ideas are revised: the topic is too broad; the topic is too narrow; time-limit constraints exist, and/or accessibility of participants hinders the scope of the study. During the process of selection, it is advisable for the candidate to conduct preliminary library research. For example, exploring Doctoral Project Abstracts for a wide range of research methods is useful. For a Sample List of Doctoral Projects Topics, see Appendix A.

 

The doctoral candidate will find it worthwhile to spend time researching and possibly rejecting a topic. This process creates a solid foundation for exploring the subject the doctoral candidate initially chooses. Often efforts devoted to those abandoned topics have a way of resurfacing for consideration in future projects.

 

Proposal

 

The candidate will complete a Proposal which is a brief overview of the Doctoral Project, providing sufficient information about the work the candidate is proposing, providing information on how the candidate plans to do the research, and explaining the value of this work. The document is 4-7 pages and will be completed in the first Doctoral Project course, PSY 87991.

 

The Proposal will contain the following parts: Introduction, Background of the Problem, Statement of the Problem, and Purpose of the Study (with Research Questions).

 

Introduction (no heading): The introduction puts the study in perspective for the reader. The introduction also acquaints the reader with the topic and the methodology used to study the problem. Introduce key areas of the study which support the aim of the study. Finish with the aim of the study.

 

Background of the Problem: Articulates why the topic is being studied. Why is the problem of pressing societal concern or theoretical interest? Describe the societal situation and the problem that the doctoral candidate will address by conducting the project. Information to be included is relevant historical and statistical information. Establish the disparities, discrepancies, issues, or challenges relevant to the key areas of your study. The background of the problem illustrates why the topic is appropriate, worthwhile, and feasible.

 

Statement of the Problem: The statement of the problem situates the key areas of the study in the existing literature. Above you would have detailed major issues or concerns, here using the current literature establish the focus of your study. Establish a benchmark or the parameters of the study using what is known and unknown from the literature. This discussion will mirror your Chapter 2.

 

Purpose of the Study: Articulate the purpose (how you are going to approach the research problem) and state the research questions. The questions for research should be comprehensive and reflect the major areas of the study and relevant to the selected phenomenon.

 

SECTION TWO

 

THE DOCTORAL PROJECT COMMITTEE

 

Within this section are the guidelines for establishing the Doctoral Project Committee. Included is an outline of the roles and the processes Committee Members will follow in assisting the doctoral candidate to reach his or her goal. The Chair’s functions are also detailed.

 

Composition and Selection of the Committee

 

The Doctoral Project Committee is composed of at least three members of the University Faculty. The doctoral candidate will be given a list to choose from of Doctoral Project Chairs as well as Committee Members by their Academic Advisor at the time of enrollment in the first doctoral project class. At the doctoral candidate’s request, and with the pre-approval of the Chair, additional qualified individuals will be appointed to serve on the Doctoral Project Committee. The doctoral candidate will complete and submit the Doctoral Project Committee form for approval to the Chair and the Dean. All requests for outside committee members need to be in writing to the Chair and will be approved by the Dean prior to submission of the committee form. Please see Appendix B for a copy of the Doctoral Project Committee form. The committee must be approved before the end of the first course.

 

All Committee Members shall have earned doctoral degrees from institutions. The doctoral candidate must submit the form for signature by the committee members.

 

The Chair of the Committee and a majority of the committee members shall have degrees related to the doctoral candidate’s academic area of study.

 

All committee members shall have been active in their fields of scholarship or profession within the 5-year period preceding their participation on the Doctoral Project Committee and have an interest and/or expertise in the area of the doctoral candidate’s Doctoral Project.

 

Generally, change of committee requests are an exception in the doctoral project process. Doctoral candidates which request a change of committee must submit a Doctoral Project Change in Committee form for approval by the Chair and Dean. Changes for one committee member are reviewed and approved by the Dean. Review and approval for changes to the committee consisting of two or more members is forwarded to the Dean for Academic Review Board approval. Please see Appendix C for a copy of the Doctoral Project Change of Committee form.

 

 

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Responsibilities of the Committee

 

The Doctoral Project process provides the doctoral candidate with six formal evaluations. This is to ensure that the candidate passes through the process of academic rigor and that quality standards are maintained. For each course in the Doctoral Project sequence, a specific evaluative and grading process is followed. See course sequencing which follows.

 

 

First Course	PSY 8997A	PSY 97991
Second Course	PSY 8997B	PSY 97992
Third Course	PSY 8998A	PSY 97993
Fourth Course	PSY 8998B	PSY 97994
Fifth Course	PSY 89999	PSY 97995

 

 

 

 

The Chair will work with the committee members of the Doctoral Project Committee from the first Doctoral Project course, PSY 87991 through the successful completion of Chapters 1-5 ending with PSY 87995. All committee members will indicate approval of Chapter 1-3 prior to the submission of the IRB application. The primary focus at this point is to ensure all instruments, data analysis, and collection are appropriate for the proposed study. Upon the completion of Chapters 1 -3 if an editor is warranted the candidate should be notified that the editor is required and may not move forward until the required edits are completed. The committee members will continue throughout the Doctoral Project sequence, concluding with PSY 87995.

 

As the project is reviewed by the committee, dialogue takes place between the committee members and the Chair until a consensus is reached when changes are submitted to the learner and successfully incorporated. Within the first class, the Proposal must be completed and approved before Chapter One is written. Once the final submission of Chapter One is submitted and approved by the Chair, he/she will submit a final grade for the course. The Chair will submit the draft to the committee for approval. If the doctoral candidate needs additional time to complete the work successfully, he/she has the option to request an extension or repeat the course if significant changes are required. Candidates and faculty are required to utilize the Doctoral Project Assessment Rubric form found in Appendix G and details the guidelines on which the candidate’s manuscript will be evaluated. Once PSY 87991 Chapter One is completed and approved, the doctoral candidate may enroll in the next course.

 

An important aspect to understand is the Doctoral Project is an ongoing academic dialogue on a select research topic which will require continuous engagement and refinement throughout the completion of the doctoral project. Due to the progressive development of the project the draft requires continuous revisions and modification to reflect the growing expertise of the doctoral candidate. Therefore, the completion of a course reflects the rudimentary understanding of the components of a specific course. The very nature of the Doctoral Project requires continuous refinement and revisions to all chapters as the doctoral candidate becomes more knowledgeable and develops greater expertise on the subject.

 

For the rest of the Doctoral Project courses, PSY 87992, PSY 87993, PSY 87994, and PSY 87995, the above process is repeated with all assignments being required and approved by the Chair.

 

 

 

This overall evaluative process ensures that all doctoral research is built on a solid foundation resulting in a doctoral project that helps advance research and scholarship within the field of psychology. Specific requirements for each course are as follows:

 

The doctoral candidate is not permitted to enroll in PSY 87991, Doctoral Project 1, until that candidate’s Academic Advisor gives approval. Approval is contingent upon the successful completion of all academic courses prior to the Doctoral Project series; the successful completion of their comprehensive exam; the acceptability of the doctoral candidate’s academic performance (GPA of 3.0 or higher). A review of previous work and an interview may be required. This constitutes the first formal evaluation of the potential doctoral candidate in the Doctoral Project process.

 

Acceptance of Chapter 1 by the doctoral candidate’s Chair and Doctoral Project Committee marks the satisfactory completion of PSY 87991. With the completion of all course requirements as outlined in the PSY 87991 syllabus, the submission of the Grade Report for successfully completing PSY 87991 constitutes the second formal evaluation. If the doctoral candidate does not meet the course requirements within the time frame of the term, he or she will be given an “Unsatisfactory” for the course. The doctoral candidate will have to re-enroll in the course until the requirements are met. This will result in additional tuition.

 

Upon the successful completion of PSY 87991, the doctoral candidate is enrolled in PSY 87992, Doctoral Project 2. In this course, emphasis is placed on the doctoral candidate writing Chapter 2. Acceptance of Chapter 2 by the doctoral candidate’s Chair and Doctoral Project Committee marks the satisfactory completion of PSY 87992.The submission of the Grade Report for successfully completing PSY 87992 serves as the third formal evaluation. If the doctoral candidate does not complete the course assignments within the time frame of the term, he or she will be given an “Unsatisfactory” for the course. The doctoral candidate will have to re-enroll in the course until the requirements are met. This will result in additional tuition.

 

Upon the successful completion of PSY 87992, the doctoral candidate is enrolled in PSY 87993, Doctoral Project 3. In this course, emphasis is placed on the candidate’s writing Chapter 3. Acceptance of Chapter 3 by the doctoral candidate’s Chair and Doctoral Project Committee marks the satisfactory completion of PSY 87993. The submission of the Grade Report for successfully completing PSY 87993 serves as the fourth formal evaluation. If the doctoral candidate does not meet the course requirements within the time frame of the term, he or she will be given an “Unsatisfactory” for the course. The doctoral candidate will have to re-enroll in the course until the requirements are met. This will result in additional tuition.

 

 

Upon the successful completion of PSY 88993, the doctoral candidate is enrolled in PSY 87994, Doctoral Project 4. In this course, emphasis is placed on the doctoral candidate writing Chapters 4 and 5. Acceptance of Chapters 4 and 5 by the doctoral candidate’s Chair and Doctoral Project Committee marks the satisfactory completion of PSY 87994.The submission of the Grade Report for successfully completing PSY 87994 serves as the fifth formal evaluation. If the doctoral candidate does not meet the course requirements within the time frame of the term, he or she will be given an “Unsatisfactory” for the course. The doctoral candidate will have to re-enroll in the course until the requirements are met. This will result in additional tuition.

 

Upon satisfactorily completing PSY 87994, the doctoral candidate is enrolled in PSY 87995, Doctoral Project 5. Within this course, the doctoral candidate works closely with his or her Chair in refining Chapter 1 through Chapter 5. Any necessary editing should be completed at this stage. Acceptance of Chapter 1-5 by the doctoral candidate’s Chair and Doctoral Project Committee marks the satisfactory completion of PSY 87995. After receiving institutional approval of the written manuscript, the candidate may then proceed with the oral defense. The submission of the Grade Report for successfully completing PSY 87995 constitutes the sixth and final formal evaluation. If the doctoral candidate does not meet the course requirements within the time frame of the term, he or she will be given an “Unsatisfactory” for the course. The doctoral candidate will have to re-enroll in the course until the requirements are met. This will result in additional tuition.

 

Functions of the Committee Members

 

Members of the Committee will collaborate throughout the Doctoral Project process. All communication must be with the chair exclusively. The chair will disseminate information and communication from the learner to the Committee Members. Upon receiving feedback from the Committee Members, the Chair will then communicate the Committee’s responses to the learner.

 

The committee members perform the following functions:

 

Evaluate the doctoral candidate’s submission of Doctoral Project Chapters 1 – 5 and submits written comments to the Chair who will then evaluate them and forward appropriate comments to the candidate. Drafts are submitted to the committee for review with the Doctoral Project Assessment Rubric as noted above in each evaluation phase of the Doctoral Project.

 

Committee members will attend the Oral Defense of the Doctoral Project either in person or via audio or video conference calls.

 

Sign the Doctoral Project Approval Page via an online signature and submits the form to the Doctoral Project Chair.

Functions of the Chair

 

The Committee Chair is a member of the University’s Faculty. The Chair is responsible for overseeing the Doctoral Project process and ensures the integrity of the University’s Doctoral Project guidelines. The Chair coordinates the activities of the Committee Members so that the Committee’s work proceeds in a timely fashion. All documents are sent to the Chair only. The Chair, in turn, sends documents to the committee members.

 

The Chair fulfills the following responsibilities:

 

Reviews Chapters 1 – 5 of the Doctoral Project and coordinates necessary revisions with the doctoral candidate.

Sends copies of Chapters 1 – 5 to the Committee Members during each course for review when the Chair has approved them. Each member will return reviewed Chapters directly to the Chair with comments and suggestions that will be in turn sent to the doctoral candidate as the Chair agrees. Any discussion of changes that may be needed will occur with the Chair and committee and not with the doctoral candidate.

 

After approval of all three chapters by the committee the Chair ensures that IRB approval has been received before the doctoral candidate begins data collection for Chapter 4.

 

Coordinates any required changes in the Doctoral Project from all of the Committee Members and grants final approval of both the project along with the power point presentation before the oral defense, as well as gain institutional approval. When institutional approval is obtained, a defense date will then be scheduled.

 

Presides at the doctoral candidate’s Oral Defense.

 

When the defense has been successfully passed, the Chair notifies the Doctoral Project Coordinator to complete the Doctoral Project Approval Page and to secure the signatures of the committee.

 

Reviews final draft and provides recommendation for upload to the university librarian.

 

Files the PSY 87995 Grade.

 

 

Working with the Committee Chair

 

The doctoral candidate’s progress through the Doctoral Project process moves more efficiently when the candidate works closely with the Doctoral Project Chair. For example, the Chair working in conjunction with the Committee Members may suggest the doctoral candidate reduce the scope of the project or narrow the focus of the research in order to create a workable project. In another instance, the scope may need to be widened for a thorough investigation of the topic to have been completed.

 

SECTION THREE:

 

PROCEDURES FOR OBTAINING ETHICAL APPROVAL

 

All students at California Southern University are required to comply with the ethical standards set down by the American Psychological Association for conducting research. All doctoral candidates are required to submit an Institutional Review Board (IRB) application to his or her Chair during the completion of Chapter Three. Approval of the IRB application must be received from the California Southern Institutional Review Board prior to any data collection (See Appendix D for a copy of the IRB Application). IRB Guidelines and resources can be found under University resources.

 

Note: Those doctoral candidates not using human participants are also required to complete the IRB application. This ensures the Learners understand the ethical considerations of conducting research and assert no participants are included in the research.

 

Institutional Review Board Application Process

 

The Institutional Review Board Application process is as follows:

 

The Doctoral Project Chair reviews and approves the application and forwards to the Dean of the School of Behavioral Sciences for review by the IRB Representative.

 

When approved the application will then be submitted to the CalSouthern IRB Board for final approval.

 

The CalSouthern IRB Board reviews the application and notifies the IRB representative of approval, who then notifies the Doctoral Project Chair of approval or indicates the necessary changes to be made for resubmission to the IRB Board.

 

Researcher’s Responsibility