Preparing for Your Defense

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Innovate, Educate, and Transform

Preparing for Your Proposal Defense
Doctoral Support Center Presentation Dr. Fischer
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Approaching the Defense

• Dont think about it as an interrogation -- think
  of it as a discussion about your study
• Remember that your committee wants you to succeed
• Expect to receive both positive and constructive
  feedback regarding your chapters
• Plan ahead and schedule a mock defense at the DSC

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Preparing for the Defense

• Contact your academic advisor in your program
  office to ensure you pick and have the
  appropriate forms completed
• Enroll in the appropriate course
• Reserve a room through the Ed.D. Program Office

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Reviewing Your Proposal Chapters 1-3

• Submit your best draft of Chapters 1-3
• Have you written a clear research question?
• Is it compelling (have you reviewed the right
  research?)
• Have you placed the question in context? (Ch. 1)
• Is your method for answering the question the
  best it can be?
• Why this method?
• Why this sample?
• Have you linked your instrumentation in Ch. 3 to
  the literature in Ch. 2, to concepts you state in
  your research questions?
• Is the draft free from typos and grammatical
  errors?
• Hire an editor if needed

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Preparing the Proposal Defense Presentation

• 10-15 minutes of presentation by you
• Remember, they have read and re-read your draft
• Presentation Guide
• Statement of the Problem (1 slide)
• Literature Review (1 slide)
• Purpose of the Study (1 slide)
• Research Question(s) (1 slide)
• Significance of the Study (1 slide)
• Sample and Population (1 slide)
• Instrumentation (1 slide)
• Data Collection (1 to 2 slides)
• Data Analysis (1 slide)
• Time line for completion (1 slide)
• Abstract Review
• Thank You/Questions (1 slide)

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General Tips

• Bring a copy of your chapters with any written
  notes or flagged pages for easy reference
• Bring a note pad to write down any
  recommendations from your committee
• Remember that the suggestions/comments from your
  committee will only lead to a stronger study
• Schedule a mock defense or an appointment with
  the DSC to review your presentation
• Communicate with your chair regarding questions
  or concerns

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During the Proposal Defense

• You arrive, they ask you to leave to discuss your
  study.
• They invite you in, you present your study.
• Questions/Discussion with the committee
• Why is this study needed?
• Suggestions for the method
• You take notes
• You leave, they discuss approval of your proposal
• You come back in, they provide recommendations,
  and next steps
• You take notes
• They sign the forms

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After the Proposal Defense

• Review your notes send an email with an overview
  of the committee comments to your Chair.
• Meet with your Chair shortly afterwards to be
  sure you understand what to do next.
• Do they want to see another draft before you go
  forward?
• What in your methodology is changing?
• Are you adding anything to Ch. 2?
• Begin revisions with Chapter 3 to begin the IRB.
• Complete all revisions within one to two weeks
  of your defense date
• Plan time for the analysis of your data
• Congratulations for achieving this major
  milestone!

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• Contact your designated Writing Advisor in the
  DSC should you have any questions.

For additional resources - http//dissertationedd.
usc.edu/DSC contact information
rsoedsc_at_rossier.usc.edu or [phone]