The final stage of the PhD Program is to produce a dissertation based on original research. An exceptional dissertation doesn't happen overnight, the process begins early in the first year in the theories and methodologies for Indigenous Studies course where students begin to explore relevant source materials and examine various methodologies used in the discipline. Students build on this work in the second year in the dissertation proposal course where they create the first draft of a dissertation proposal.
An important component of this process is to begin working with a dissertation supervisor in the first year so work done in courses is relevant for the dissertation proposal which is normally completed by the start of the third academic year. Candidates work very closely in the second year with their supervisor to develop and implement a high quality research plan that can be completed within the time frame of the program. Once candidates have defended a proposal and cleared the ethics process, they move on to the research and writing stage. Once a draft is completed the dissertation is then circulated to a committee for review. Once the committee has signed off on the draft, a dissertation defence is then scheduled.
Knowledge Basket Dissertation Proposal
Knowledge Basket Dissertation Proposal Guidelines
Proposal Fundamentals
• WHO are you?
• WHAT is your practice?
• WHAT is your research?
• WHAT is your plan to complete the research?
• WHAT format are you using for the creative component?
• WHY is this format significant?
Format
• Written (word format)
• Length: under 40 pages (double spaced)
Proposal Outline
• Introduction
• Source/literature review
• Methodology/methods
• Format for creative component
• Chapter outline for written component
• Budget and timetable
Literature/Source Review
• Indicate the strengths and weakness of scholarship
• Demonstrate that you understand how scholars connect their specific research to larger issues, questions, or practices within the field
• Make connections between the work of other scholars and practitioners
• Assess the usefulness of each source as well as embedded assumptions
Tips
• Supervision
• Write Concisely
• Write Coherently
• Establish Boundaries in your research
• Focus on Major Issues
• Prove Compelling Answers
• Highlight Key Scholars/practitioners
Methodology/Methods
• Demonstrate that you know the difference between methodology and methods and how they are applied in research
• Methods: the tools or techniques used to gather sources of information
• Interviews, observations, experiments, data collection, archival research, procedures
• Methodology: refers to the theory that underpins your methods
Methodology Tips
• Consider connections between the source review & methodology section
• Discuss what you sought to accomplish before describing how you did it
• Discuss whether quantitative or qualitative methods are used Include enough description of methods so other researchers could replicate the study
• Discuss the limitations of your approach and the methodology/methods used
• Compare and contrast your use of methods/methodology with those used by other scholars
Format Option Selection
The dissertation knowledge basket requires that you complete two components:
• Creative Component
• Written Component
Your proposal must fully detail your plan for each component:
Creative Component
Your proposal should describe the creative component and the significance of expressing the topic and research findings in the chosen format:
• What is the nature of the format?
• How will it reflect your findings of the research you will do?
• Will further training be required to produce the creative component in this format?
• If further training is required, how will it impact your budget and timeline?
• Timetable for completion
Written Component
Your proposal should provide a breakdown of chapters, keeping in mind that the actual written component of the dissertation knowledge basket is expected to address the following questions:
• Who are you in relation to the the topic and practice?
• What is your practice & where did you learn it?
• Who were your teachers?
• What is the project (the overall project and the creative component)
• How did you do it?
• What did you learn?
• How does the overall project contribute to human experience?
Note: It is vital that proposals clearly articulate the interface between the creative component and the written component. There is an expectation that the dissertation knowledge basket will be scholarly, creative, coherent, and rigorous. This expectation should be reflected in the project design that you outline in the proposal.
Monograph Dissertation Proposal
Outstanding dissertations as those "characterized by originality, high-quality writing, and compelling consequences. They argue outstanding dissertations display richness of thought and insight and make important contributions to their field or discipline." (Lovitts, 2005).
This process begins with the dissertation proposal. Proposals provide the roadmap for producing an outstanding dissertation. While there are a lot of formats a proposal can take, most call for the candidate to explain what they intend to do; why the work is important; how they intend to do it; and how it fits into existing literature and source material in that field. Indigenous Studies sits on the boundaries of the three decanal areas at Trent (humanities, social sciences and science). Proposal format and content often differ across these decanal areas so it is important to consider where you see your research situated. In social science, for instance, there is a reliance on a separate literature review but this is not always called for in a humanities-based dissertation where scholarship is often weaved throughout the chapters.
In most fields, the proposal reveals what has already been done on a given topic and how a candidate's dissertation will make an original contribution to that field of study. It also provides a clear understanding of how candidates will gather sources of information, interpret them, evaluate and present them in the dissertation. It also determines how findings are presented and discussed. In an Indigenous Studies context, it is also important to position yourself as a researcher and to discuss your relationship to the topic and knowledge you will be engaging with.
Overview
A dissertation proposal of approximately 25 pages (excluding bibliography) will include a clear statement of research problem, including its theoretical significance, a review of relevant literature, a statement of the research plan and methods, an outline of chapter headings and sub-headings for the proposed dissertation, and a bibliography of materials most relevant to the proposal. Students whose work involves research with human subjects as defined by the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (questionnaires, interviews, for example) must gain the approval of Trent’s Research Ethics Board(s) after they have defended their proposal. Process and application documents are posted on the Research and Innovation website.
Components of a Dissertation Proposal Often Include:
Introduction and Specific Aims
Positionality
Research Ethics
Background and Significance (purpose and scope)
Source Review
Theory and Methods
Chapter Outline
The specific design and content of dissertation proposals are best developed in consultation with a dissertation supervisor.
Students should establish regular meetings with their supervisor in the first year and begin the process of working on aspects of the proposal as they move through first-year courses.