Getting Started

I will gladly work with any student who is serious and willing to put in the long hours necessary to earn a doctoral degree. If you want to talk to me about a potential topic, first review my areas of interest. If there is a possible match between your interests and mine, here is what I expect at the outset:

1. Do not write an entire Idea Paper and then ask me to work with it. We will get off to a far better start if you begin with Step 2 below.

2. Provide me with a two to three page document describing the actual problem or opportunity you are interested in addressing. In addition to that, you should provide information on the background of the problem (how do you know it exists?) and the significance of the problem (why is it important to work in this area?)

3. Provide me with a 10 to 15 item annotated bibliography showing the current status of research in your problem area; this may include journal articles, books or conference proceedings. This will include a properly formatted reference per the APA form and style guide and a brief synopsis of what you have read.

My Expectations of You

1. Please understand that your success is up to you. I will work diligently with you but you must do the work.

2. Be very familiar with the GSCIS Dissertation Guide.

3. I expect continuous progress. If I provide feedback, I want to see evidence that you are addressing that feedback or moving on to the next step. Unfortunately I’ve had to resign as the dissertation chair in a few instances throughout my career; your success is up to you!

4. You must realize that an approved paper at one level (e.g., an Idea Paper) does not necessarily result in approval at the next level (e.g., the Proposal). This very rarely happens but, in certain instances, things have gone awry and students have had to start from the beginning. Again, this very rarely happens but a good, well-researched problem statement is the best way to avoid this.

5. I expect us to publish your results. Whether it is a journal article or conference presentation, I want to show the world that you have contributed to the body of knowledge in your chosen field. I will work with you to decide where to submit it as well as help revise it to meet that format.