Innovate, Educate, and Transform

1. Innovate, Educate, and Transform Preparing for Your Proposal Defense Doctoral Support Center Presentation Dr. Fischer

2. Approaching the Defense • Don’t think about it as an interrogation -- think of it as a discussion about your study • Remember that your committee wants you to succeed • Expect to receive both positive and constructive feedback regarding your chapters • Plan ahead and schedule a mock defense at the DSC

3. Preparing for the Defense • Contact your academic advisor in your program office to ensure you pick and have the appropriate forms completed • Enroll in the appropriate course • Reserve a room through the Ed.D. Program Office

4. Reviewing Your Proposal Chapters 1-3 • Submit your best draft of Chapters 1-3 • Have you written a clear research question? • Is it compelling (have you reviewed the right research?) • Have you placed the question in context? (Ch. 1) • Is your method for answering the question the best it can be? • Why this method? • Why this sample? • Have you linked your instrumentation in Ch. 3 to the literature in Ch. 2, to concepts you state in your research questions? • Is the draft free from typos and grammatical errors? • Hire an editor if needed

5. Preparing the Proposal Defense Presentation • 10-15 minutes of presentation by you Remember, they have read and re-read your draft • Presentation Guide • Statement of the Problem (1 slide) • Literature Review (1 slide) • Purpose of the Study (1 slide) • Research Question(s) (1 slide) • Significance of the Study (1 slide) • Sample and Population (1 slide) • Instrumentation (1 slide) • Data Collection (1 to 2 slides) • Data Analysis (1 slide) • Time line for completion (1 slide) • Abstract Review • Thank You/Questions (1 slide)

6. General Tips • Bring a copy of your chapters with any written notes or flagged pages for easy reference • Bring a note pad to write down any recommendations from your committee • Remember that the suggestions/comments from your committee will only lead to a stronger study • Schedule a mock defense or an appointment with the DSC to review your presentation • Communicate with your chair regarding questions or concerns

7. During the Proposal Defense • You arrive, they ask you to leave to discuss your study. • They invite you in, you present your study. • Questions/Discussion with the committee • Why is this study needed? • Suggestions for the method • You take notes • You leave, they discuss approval of your proposal • You come back in, they provide recommendations, and next steps • You take notes • They sign the forms

8. After the Proposal Defense • Review your notes send an email with an overview of the committee comments to your Chair. • Meet with your Chair shortly afterwards to be sure you understand what to do next. • Do they want to see another draft before you go forward? • What in your methodology is changing? • Are you adding anything to Ch. 2? • Begin revisions with Chapter 3 to begin the IRB. • Complete all revisions within one to two weeks of your defense date • Plan time for the analysis of your data • Congratulations for achieving this major milestone!

9. Contact your designated Writing Advisor in the DSC should you have any questions. For additional resources - http://dissertationedd.usc.edu/DSC contact information – rsoedsc@rossier.usc.edu or (213)740-8099