This concise, hands-on book by author Elizabeth A. Wentz is essential reading for any graduate student entering the dissertation process in the social or behavioral sciences. The book addresses the importance of ethical scientific research, developing your curriculum vitae, effective reading and writing, completing a literature review, conceptualizing your research idea, and translating that idea into a realistic research proposal using research methods.

The author also offers insight into oral presentations of the completed proposal, and the final chapter presents ideas for next steps after the proposal has been presented. Taking the view that we "learn by doing," the author provides Quick Tasks, Action Items, and To Do List activities throughout the text that, when combined, develop each piece of your research proposal. Designed primarily for quantitative or mixed methods research dissertations, this book is a valuable start-to-finish resource.

About the Author
Elizabeth A. Wentz is the Director for the School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning, a professor of geography and planning, and a member of the Executive Committee of the GeoDa Center at Arizona State University. Her research focuses on the design, implementation, and evalua tion of geographic technologies with a particular emphasis on applying these tools to study and understand the urban environment. She has authored numerous research articles and book chapters and has served on panels for the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, and other national and international agencies.

Reviews
"Excellent book for a doctoral and/or orientation program." -- Nydia Cummings
"The inclusion of the author's personal anecdotes brings the text to the student in a friendly manner." -- Anne J. Hacker
"The activities to help students conceptualize the major elements of an effective proposal will be well received by graduate students at the master's and doctoral levels." -- David L Brown

"After reading MANY books on the dissertation process, I was still as confused and frustrated as before reading them, as they were not very helpful. Most of them just broadly mention the content of the chapters without going into details. Fortunately, I came across the reference for your book, How to Design, Write and Present a Successful Dissertation Proposal. I was amazed. I am gaining so much insight on the process of writing the proposal. I like your approach in this book. In addition to your very clear explanation of the process and suggestions, the To Do List, Quick Task and Action Item are great guides in helping me to think through what I am doing."

-- Monica B. - Graduate Student



Book Information
ISBN 9781452257884
Author Elizabeth A. Wentz
Format Paperback
Page Count 232
Imprint SAGE Publications Inc
Publisher SAGE Publications Inc
Weight(grams) 350g