EDAD 8192 A02: Dissertation Proposal Defense

EDAD 8192 - Seminar in Educational Research: Introduction Proposal Defense

Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section A02, CRN 42512,

Credit hours: 2

Course Meeting Times

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Instructor

Karen H. Larwin, Ph.D.

Email: khlarwin@ysu.edu

Public Instructor Information

Instructor Title: Professor, Karen H. Larwin, Ph.D. 
Instructor Professional Qualifications: 

Ph. D., Evaluation, Measurement, and Applied Statistics, Kent State University 2007

Master’s, Public Health, CEOMPH 2021

Master’s, Evaluation & Measurement, Kent State University 2004

Bachelor’s, Psychology, Kent State University 2003
Instructor Office Location: Beeghly Hall 3401
Instructor Office Phone: (330) 941-2231

Private Instructor Information

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Course Description

8192. Seminar in Educational Research: Introduction & Proposal Defense. This course is the for Doctoral Candidates who are in the process of developing and completing Chapter 1 of their dissertation. Doctoral Candidates will develop Chapter 1 which includes the background to the problem, problem statement, purpose statement, theoretical frame, limitation, operational definitions, methods, etc. relevant to the proposed research study. Finally, they will develop a presentation and defend their proposal to their committee. Admission to the Ed.D program required. Prereq. or Coreq.: EDAD 8191 and EDAD 8193. 2 s.h.

Course Readings

Group Title Author ISBN
Optional A concise guide to writing a thesis or dissertation: Educational research and beyond (2nd ed.). Kornuta, H. M., & Germaine, R. W. (2019). 9780367174583
Optional How to structure the research limitations section of your dissertation. Lund Research Ltd. Lærd Dissertation https://dissertation.laerd.com/how-to-structure-the-research-limitations-section-of-your-dissertation.php
Required APA Manual 7.0 American Psychological Association 978-1-4338-3217-8

This text is provided as an e-text: A concise guide to writing a thesis or dissertation: Educational research and beyond (2nd ed.). 

Access the Dissertation Handbook https://ysu.edu/educational-leadership-dissertation-guidelines-handbook#tab-9976     Password: edulead26

The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.  

Additional Course Materials

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Course Learning Outcomes/Objectives/Goals

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How to Succeed in This Course

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Attendance Expectations

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Late Work Submission Policy

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Additional Course Expectations

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Artificial Intelligence Policy Statement

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Assignments/Assessments

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Grading and Grading Scale

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University Policies

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Schedule of Topics and Assignments

Week of Reading(s) Proposed Topic Due/To Prepare for Class
8/24 McCombes, S. (2020). How to write a dissertation introduction. https://www.scribbr.com/dissertation/introduction-structure/ Chapter Introduction Completed Introduction
8/31 McCombes,S. (2019).How to write a problem statement. Scribbr. https://www.scribbr.com/research-process/problem-statement/ Purpose Statement: retrieved from The purpose statement Problem Statement & Purpose Statement Completed Problem/Purpose Statement and Corrected Introduction
9/7 McCombes,S. (2021). Developing strong research questions. Scribbr.https://www.scribbr.com/research-process/research-questions/ Rudestam,K. J., & Newton, R. R. (2014). The method chapter: Describing your research plan. In Surviving your dissertation:A comprehensive guide to content and practice. SAGE. https://www.sagepub.com/sites/default/files/upm-binaries/14649_Chapter5.pdf Research Statement and Methodology Write Research Statement and Proposed Methodology; Corrections to Problem/Purpose Statement
9/14 CUniversity of Southern California. (2021). Navigating the dissertation: Draft thesignificance of the study. http://dissertationedd.usc.edu/draft-your-significance-of-the-study.html Significance of Study Completed Significance of study; Corrected research questions and methodology
9/21 Laerd Dissertation. (2021). How to structure the research limitations section of your dissertation. Lund Research Ltd. https://dissertation.laerd.com/how-to-structure-the-research-limitations-section-of-your-dissertation.php Role of the researcher and assumptions Completed Role of the Researcher and Limitations; Corrected Significance of Study
9/28 University of Southern California. (2021). Navigating the dissertation: Explicate theDefinition of Terms. http://dissertationedd.usc.edu/explicate-the-definition-of-terms.html Definition of Terms and Summary Completed Definition of Terms and Summary; Corrected Role of the Researcher and Limitations
10/5 Tippins, S. (2020). Dissertation proposal defense: 12 tips for effective preparation. Beyond PhD Coaching. https://www.beyondphdcoaching.com/dissertation/dissertation-proposal-defense/ Proposal Defense Preparation Complete Proposal Defense Document; Corrected Definition of Terms and Summary
10/12 Tippins, S. (2020). Dissertation proposal defense: 12 tips for effective preparation. Beyond PhD Coaching. https://www.beyondphdcoaching.com/dissertation/dissertation-proposal-defense/ Proposal Defense Conducting Proposal Defense
10/19 No readings Revisions Revisions provided to the committee for feedback
10/26 No readings – complete updates and editing. Completed Revisions Submit final three chapters
11/2 No Reading IRB Application Sign up for Cayuse Login and Complete IRB Application
11/9 No Reading Intent to Produce a Dissertation Complete the Intent to Produce a Dissertation and Gather Committee Signatures
11/16 No Readings Complete Needed Changes to IRB Complete Needed Changes to IRB
11/23 No Readings Complete IRB Complete IRB
11/30 No Readings No readings – complete updates and editing. Prepare materials needed for data collection.
12/7 No Readings No readings – complete updates and editing. Prepare materials needed for data collection.

The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.