7. Finalize the Thesis Prospectus/Proposal
The thesis prospectus is a description of the student’s thesis plan and includes an Introduction section and a Methods section. The Introduction includes a review of the relevant background information framing the research questions or aims, a clear statement of the research questions or aims, and a statement of the clinical importance of the study as appropriate. The Methods section describes the proposed methodology and may include a timetable and a list of required resources to complete the research. The Methods section is the place to describe important information such as sample size, variables to be measured, how the data will be collected, reliability and validity of the measurements, and the plan for data analysis.
Students should work with their thesis advisor to develop a written thesis prospectus document to be submitted to their thesis committee at the prospectus meeting. The prospectus Introduction may be fairly well developed from the requirements from enrollment in CD 724-02, but modifications should be expected. The prospectus meeting must be completed by the end of January of Year 2 or the student must petition the thesis coordinator in writing for an exception. Other approvals may be required.
In cases where a relatively small amount of money is needed to cover expenses related to thesis research, a student may apply for funds from the Christopher Norman Fund (application form here).