As you begin the dissertation process, you may become overwhelmed with the numerous steps you must take and the variety of documents you must write. For example, you may ask: What is the difference between a premise, a prospectus, and a proposal? When and how do I create these, and who needs to approve them? And, most importantly, how does this entire process relate to my dissertation?

This week’s resources provide you with much information on the dissertation process that may answer many of the questions you have. For this Discussion, you and your colleagues discuss your understanding of the dissertation process based on what you have learned in the Learning Resources. Record any personal questions about the dissertation process that remain unanswered at the completion of this week’s Discussion. You will have much opportunity to ask your questions in-residence during Week 10 of the course.

Write an explanation of how completing a dissertation fits into your program of study, and identify at least two potential benefits of completing your dissertation. Explain how the successful completion of your premise, prospectus, and proposal will prepare the groundwork for your dissertation. Finally, list one question you would like to have answered about the guidelines in Walden’s Dissertation Prospectus document.

READINGS

• American Psychological Association. (2009). Corrections to the first printing of the publication manual of the American Psychological Association, sixth edition. Retrieved from http://supp.apa.org/style/pubman-reprint-corrections-for-2e.pdf
• American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
  • Chapter 1, “Writing for the Behavioral and Social Sciences” (pp. 9–20)
  • Chapter 2, “Manuscript Structure and Content” (pp. 21–59)
• American Psychological Association. (2013). Reprint corrections, publication manual of the American Psychological Association, sixth edition. Retrieved from http://www.apastyle.org/manual/corrections-faqs.aspx
• Miller, R. K. (2003, April 1). Finishing the dissertation. The Chronicle of Higher Education.
  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
• Perlmutter, D. D., & Porter, L. (2005, December 12). Thinking beyond the dissertation. The Chronicle of Higher Education.
  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.