Preparing the Prospectus
Completion of the prospectus occurs during the two-semester EDP 396T course sequence. In general, the first semester may be viewed as a reading semester, in which the student explores the literature for a suitable topic and the second semester may be viewed as a writing semester, in which the student develops the prospectus product, including the research design.
Select a Suitable Topic
One that reflects a distinctly delimited sphere of psychological knowledge and intellectual activity. The topic covered may fall within a sub-area of one of the domains, or may be a subject in a professional or applied area. In either event, the purpose of the prospectus is to display in-depth knowledge about an important topic. It should not be merely a subsequent add-on to a paper in a particular course, but should be explicitly devel-oped in the process of probing facts, issues, and ideas that might have been encountered in various courses.
Essential Features of the Prospectus
The core of the prospectus is the knowledge base of the topic selected. It is important that students not only find, organize, and master the knowledge, but, also, that they develop skills in the application of that knowledge. This objective is appropriately embraced in the formulation of a research study derived from that knowledge base. These two kinds of scholarly/scientific activity are not only closely interrelated, but doing the latter depends strongly on how well the former is done.
Main Sections of the Prospectus
Introduction serves as a preface that briefly explains the topic address (1-3 pages).
The Integrative Analysis and Interpretation section is a review and evaluation of theoretical, empirical, and methodological developments, as well as suggested directions for future research and recommendations for practice or policy (10-15 pages).
(Overall, the above two sections of the prospectus should present an extensive review of the topic. Despite this emphasis on both breadth and depth, it is expected that the discourse will be more exploratory and investigative than definitive.)
The Proposed Research Study should be written using the form of a journal article, following the practice of APA research journals, such as the Journal of Educational Psychology, with the exception that no actual results will be reported, although the discussion will include anticipated outcomes. The problem should be derived from the knowledge base that was developed earlier in the prospectus. It is essential that you obtain and follow closely the Publication Manual (5th Ed.), American Psychological Association (available at www.apa.org/books/4200061.html) (10-15 pages).
Summary and Implication should relate the study’s projected findings to the Integrative Analysis and extend the Interpretation (2-4 pages)
*Prospectus text sections should not exceed 50 pages--only the first 50 pages of a prospectus will be reviewed by the committee!
