FOR99012 - Dissertation I

(2 units)

One of the goals of the PhD in Psychology, Public Policy and Law program is to develop and enhance students’ research skills to become informed consumers of research, to design and execute research projects to inform policy and decision making, to design effective programs and to conduct program evaluation. To this end, this program includes a sequence of coursework including research design, statistical analysis, program evaluation, and their application through completion of a doctoral dissertation in an area of each student’s interest or expertise. This is the first in a sequence of seven dissertation courses to guide and support students’ dissertation research. In this course, students will identify a dissertation topic and research question, provide a compelling rationale for their research project, and develop a rough plan for its execution. The draft to be submitted to the instructor at conclusion of this course will include a problem statement, an introduction to the topic based on a first review of the literature with a minimum of 10 references, one or more research questions, and a rough outline of the methodology required to answer the research question(s). Students will engage weekly with their peers to brainstorm ideas, and to provide and receive feedback and recommendations on the developing draft. In addition, students will schedule at least two individual meetings with the instructor during this term to further support their efforts.