A dissertation is the culmination of your doctoral studies. This document demonstrates your ability to conduct independent research and contribute to a body of knowledge in a specific field. It is a comprehensive research project that addresses original research questions through the design and execution of a study.
Throughout your coursework, you will be taking steps in preparation for the formal start of your dissertation research. While the final year of your program is devoted entirely to writing and refining your dissertation, you will begin the process no later than the spring semester of your first year in the program, as detailed below. You should expect to spend around 20 hours per week on your dissertation during year 3, with significant time devoted to your research proposal during year 2 as well.
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Spring Semester
- Identify a faculty member to serve as your mentor; explore research topics and interests.
Summer Semester
- Write a preliminary research proposal including the research question and motivation, literature review, conceptual model, hypotheses and description of necessary data.
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Fall Semester
- Complete your research proposal by adding a testable research model, proposed methodology, and a research plan for data collection.
- Identify a faculty member to serve as your Dissertation Chair. This may be your mentor or another member of the faculty.
Spring Semester
- Expand your research proposal to include data collection, data analysis, discussion of results, conclusions, and implications, producing a research paper suitable for conference submission.
- Select the format for your dissertation: the traditional format presenting your research as 1 manuscript, or 3 distinct, publishable papers that are logically interconnected.
- Complete a preliminary exam for approval to move into the dissertation phase of the program, demonstrating competence in business research inquiry with knowledge of methodological design and data analysis.
Summer Semester
- In consultation with your Dissertation Chair, identify 2 additional faculty members to serve on your dissertation committee.
- Prepare your dissertation proposal by adding major components to your research paper, increasing the rigor and relevance of the research contribution.
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- Defend your dissertation proposal and gain approval from your dissertation committee.
- Proceed with the theoretical development and research methodology as proposed.
- Engage in the process of completing and submitting your dissertation, culminating in the formal dissertation defense process.
If additional time is needed, students have up to 4 years to complete their dissertation (1 additional year) and may petition for a fifth year if necessary.