Department of Psychology at Illinois State University
Doctoral trainees are required to complete a dissertation in order to satisfy graduation requirements for a doctoral degree. The department's procedures for completing a dissertation are presented below. Trainees should also review the Dissertation section in the Graduate Catalog, especially the registration requirements. See the Graduate School Dissertation Assistance website for additional information about continuous enrollment requirements, writing tips, etc. See the Dissertation Flowchart for a suggested schedule for completing a dissertation.
All of the required forms for completing a dissertation and resource links are identified below. The department forms are interactive Microsoft Word documents. Click on the link to download the form to the computer. The form should be completed on the computer. Hand written forms will not be accepted. If there is a problem downloading or completing a form on the computer, trainees should contact the Graduate Programs Office by email. Graduate School forms are PDF files.
A doctoral dissertation is an original and independent research project that is expected to make a substantive contribution to the research literature in the area of study. The scope of the required empirical dissertation is significantly broader, more complex, and more innovative than a research project for a master's thesis. Doctoral trainees should critically evaluate relevant literature and develop a compelling research design, implement an appropriate research protocol, collect and analyze data, and present their findings in a dissertation. Trains can acquire new data or re-examine and reinterpret extant data sets (e.g., for meta-analytic purposes). Simple replication studies may not be sufficient and applied research projects should be theory driven.
A dissertation should be meet the professional publication standards required by peer-reviewed scientific journals. However, trainees should understand that a dissertation will exceed the scope and depth of manuscripts typically submitted for journal publication. Trainees are required to comply with the:
The Guide covers the administrative aspects and appearance of a dissertation, especially the "University-wide requirements for all dissertations" section. The Publication Manual governs the professional format and style for writing a dissertation. There are subtle differences between the Graduate School dissertation information and the department's procedures. Trainees are expected to comply with the department's requirements to successfully complete their dissertation. Graduate trainees must follow the standards of the APA's Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct With the 2010 Amendments.
Doctoral trainees must complete their research apprenticeship or master's thesis prior to initiating the dissertation procedures. By the end of their second year in the doctoral program, trainees should review the Faculty Research Interests that are provided on the department's Research website and consider potential dissertation topics. Trainees should talk to faculty members who are knowledgeable or who are willing to become familiar with the area in which trainees would like to complete their dissertation research. Trainees will need to solicit faculty members to serve on their dissertation committee. Faculty members may ask trainees to prepare a draft of their dissertation proposal before agreeing to serve on a dissertation committee.
By the middle of the fall semester of their third year, trainees should be prepared to form a dissertation committee that consists of four faculty members, with one individual serving as the dissertation committee chair. University policies require the dissertation committee chair and a majority of the committee members be full members of the Psychology Graduate Faculty. Graduate Faculty are identified in the department's section of the Graduate Catalog. An associate member of the Psychology Graduate Faculty may serve as a dissertation committee co-chair or member. When a faculty member agrees to serve as a dissertation committee chair, trainees must complete the PRELIMINARY DEPARMENT APPROVAL OF DISSERTATION COMMITTEE CHAIR AND TOPIC form. The preliminary form should be signed by the trainee and dissertation committee chair. The signed form should be submitted to the Graduate Programs Office for approval by the program coordinator. The preliminary form also includes a course override request for PSY 599 Doctoral Research. Trainees cannot register for PSY 599 until the override request has been approved and processed by the department. Trainees will be notified when they can register for PSY 599.
In consultation with their dissertation committee chair, trainees should solicit at least three members of the Graduate Faculty for their dissertation committee. One faculty member must be solicited from outside the Department of Psychology. After the faculty members agree to serve on the dissertation committee, trainees must complete the DEPARTMENTAL APPROVAL OF DISSERTATION COMMITTE AND TOPIC form. The approval form should be signed by the trainee, dissertation committee chair, and the three faculty members. The signed form should be submitted to the Graduate Programs Office for approval by the department chair. The approval form also includes a course override request for the remaining credit hours of PSY 599 Doctoral Research. Trainees cannot register for PSY 599 until the override request has been approved and processed by the department. Trainees will be notified when they can register for PSY 599.
If a proposed dissertation committee member is not a member of the Graduate Faculty or not employed by Illinois State, the individual must be approved by the department chair and the Director of Graduate Studies. A memorandum, requesting a dissertation committee exemption and addressed to the department chair, must identify the connection the individual will have to the dissertation work and outline the qualifications of this individual to serve on the dissertation committee. Trainees should obtain a curriculum vita from the individual. The memorandum and the curriculum vita should be submitted to the dissertation committee chair. If the department chair approves the exception, trainees must complete the Graduate School's COMMITTEE EXCEPTION FORM (Request for Exception to Graduate Council Bylaws for Thesis/Dissertation Committees). Trainees should submit the exception form, curriculum vita, and proof of the department approval to the Graduate School for approval by the Director of Graduate Studies. Trainees will be notified if the individual has been approved for their dissertation committee.
If a dissertation committee member is unable to complete his or her service or is willing to yield his or her position on the committee, trainees should consult with their dissertation committee chair about selecting a new faculty member for the committee. A change in the dissertation committee may be initiated by either trainees or committee members, provided the change has been discussed with all involved parties. If the parties agree to the change, trainees must complete the CHANGE OF DISSERTATION COMMITTEE/TOPIC form. The change form should be signed by the trainee, dissertation committee chair, new faculty member, and current committee members. The signed form should be submitted to the Graduate Programs Office for approval by the department chair. Trainees will be notified if the faculty member has been approved as the new dissertation committee member.
Doctoral trainees must write a dissertation proposal that will be evaluated by their dissertation committee. Trainees should discuss the contents of the dissertation proposal with their dissertation committee chair. Individual dissertation committee chairs determine how much guidance they will provide in the development of the proposal, hypothesis, and research project. There should be a clear understanding between trainees and their dissertation committee chair of what is expected from each party.
The dissertation proposal should provide a brief synopsis of the importance of the dissertation topic and hypothesis, and discuss the details of the research project. A dissertation usually involves data collection; however, other data-based approaches are acceptable (e.g., meta-analyses, archival data sets, etc.). Trainees should address the use of human participants or animals in their research, if applicable. The dissertation proposal should also identify any ethical issues with the use of human participants or animals, and how the ethical issues will be addressed while collecting data. Trainees should be diligent in the completeness of their dissertation topic and research design. The dissertation committee chair should approve a draft of the dissertation proposal before it is submitted to the dissertation committee members.
Before conducting any research involving human participants, trainees must receive approval of the research project from Illinois State's Institutional Review Board (IRB). The dissertation proposal must include, in its method section, a detailed explanation of how the ethical requirements will be met (e.g., possible risks to participants, how such risks will be minimized, confidentiality procedures, informed consent and debriefing procedures, etc.). Trainees must also comply with the department's Ethical Guidelines and Procedures for Research Using Human Participants. If trainees anticipate drawing participants from external sources (outside the department), the dissertation proposal must include a statement of the ethical procedures of the specific institution or agency involved and how the research project will conform to any ethical requirements of the institution or agency. When the research involves the use of participants from external sources, the department recommends trainees obtain a signed letter of agreement, from the external institution or agency, that identifies the specific data that trainees have permission to collect and use for their dissertation research.
Trainees should review the Tools and Links for Researchers on the department's Research website.
Doctoral trainees must orally propose their dissertation before their dissertation committee. The dissertation proposal must be scheduled and proposed while classes are in session (i.e., excluding final exams week and University breaks) at a date and time that is mutually agreeable to the trainee and their dissertation committee. Before scheduling a dissertation proposal, trainees must complete the Graduate School's DISSERTATION PROPOSAL FORM (Proposal Approval Form For Research Leading to a Doctoral Dissertation). The top half of the Proposal Approval Form should be completed (i.e., including Compliance Requirements) and then signed only by the student. If a dissertation committee member is not a full member of the Graduate Faculty, the exception requirement on the second pager of the Proposal Approval form must be satisfied. A brief rationale must be provided for an exception to the University's Dissertation Committee requirements. Students should also provide the committee member's curriculum vitae to satisfy the exception requirement, and attach it to the Proposal Approval Form. When all of the parties have agreed on a date and time, trainees must submit the Proposal Approval Form and a copy of their written proposal to he Graduate Programs Office at least seven calendar days prior to the desired proposal date. The Graduate Programs Office will reserve a room and any needed equipment. The dissertation proposal will be announced to the department by email, and posted on the University Calendar website and on the bulletin board across from the department's office. Trainees must also provide a copy of the written proposal to each member of their dissertation committee.
The department encourages first and second year doctoral trainees to attend a dissertation proposal in order to observe the process. Doctoral trainees should introduce themselves to the trainee who is presenting the dissertation proposal and indicate their desire to observe the presentation. The dissertation proposal is also open to the University academic community and other interested parties. Individuals at the dissertation proposal may ask the trainee questions and provide comments about their presentation. However, participation by individuals in attendance should not monopolize the presentation. Since the dissertation proposal is a formal evaluation of the trainee, the dissertation committee chair has the discretion of whether or not to recognize individuals for questions or comments. The department prohibits trainees from bringing any refreshments to their dissertation proposal.
At the oral presentation, trainees should discuss their dissertation and explain the research project. Trainees are also expected to answer questions from individuals at their oral presentation. When the discussion has ended, everyone should leave the room except for the dissertation committee and any psychology faculty. The dissertation committee will discuss the merits of the dissertation proposal and the oral presentation. Psychology faculty who have an opinion about the dissertation proposal and oral presentation are encouraged to present their remarks for consideration by the dissertation committee. The decision to accept or reject the dissertation proposal is the responsibility of the dissertation committee. When the deliberations are complete and the dissertation committee has reached a decision, the trainee will be asked to return to the room.
If the decision by the dissertation committee is unfavorable, trainees have two options:
1. Trainees may choose to rewrite their dissertation proposal, with the agreement of the dissertation committee. The dissertation committee will discuss with the trainee the problems with the dissertation proposal. The second dissertation proposal must address and correct these problems. A second oral presentation must be scheduled. This option requires retaining the same dissertation committee, unless unusual circumstances are involved.
2. Trainees may chose to develop a new dissertation topic. If this option is chosen, trainees can retain the original dissertation committee or solicit psychology faculty members and one individual outside the School Psychology faculty for a new dissertation committee. The dissertation proposal process must be repeated, including completing the forms to obtain approval for the new dissertation committee chair and committee members.
If the decision is favorable, the dissertation committee will discuss with the trainee any changes to the dissertation proposal. When an agreement is reached between the dissertation committee and the trainee concerning the changes, the dissertation committee chair will prepare a written list of specific changes for the proposal. The trainee will be provided a copy of the list, and the original list will be retained in the trainee's dissertation file for use during the dissertation defense. Trainees are responsible for incorporating the specific changes in their dissertation. The dissertation committee should sign the Dissertation Proposal Form and submit it to the Graduate Programs Office for approval by the department chair. The Graduate Programs Office will submit the signed Dissertation Proposal Form to the Graduate School for approval. The Graduate School will not approve the dissertation proposal until an IRB protocol number has been assigned, if applicable. Trainees will be notified when the Graduate School approves the dissertation proposal.
After the dissertation proposal approval has been received from the Graduate School, trainees should begin conducting their research. While it is appropriate to seek statistical consultation from faculty, trainees are expected to conceptually understand the statistics utilized in their dissertation and their analysis of the data. Any significant changes in the procedure or design of the research project, after the dissertation proposal has been approved, will require IRB or IACUC approval, if applicable. Trainees will also be required to rewrite their dissertation proposal and schedule another oral presentation. Trainees should consult with their dissertation committee before making any changes to their approved research project. After the research has been completed and the data analyzed, trainees should write their dissertation.
Doctoral trainees must publicly defend their dissertation before their dissertation committee. At least 30 calendar days before presenting their dissertation defense, trainees must submit their dissertation to the Graduate School for a format check. The format check verifies compliance with the requirements of the Guide and the Publication Manual. If the dissertation fails to pass the format check, trainees must make the required changes and resubmit the dissertation for a second format check. When the dissertation format is approved, the Graduate School will notify trainees by e-mail that they may defend the dissertation. Trainees must receive this e-mail notice before the dissertation defense can be scheduled. Trainees should submit the dissertation and a copy of the Graduate School's e-mail notice of their right to defend to the Graduate Programs Office. Trainees must receive this e-mail notice before their dissertation defend can be scheduled through the Graduate Programs Office.
The dissertation defense must be scheduled and defended while classes are in session (i.e., excluding final exams week and University breaks) at a date and time mutually agreeable to the trainee and dissertation committee. When the trainee and their dissertation committee have agreed on a date and time, trainees must submit a copy of the Graduate School's e-mail notice of their right to defend and a copy of their dissertation to he Graduate Programs Office. The dissertation must be on file and available for review in the Graduate Programs Office at least three weeks (21 calendar days) prior to the desired dissertation defense date. The Graduate Programs Office will reserve a room and any needed equipment. The dissertation defense will be announced to the department by e-mail, and posted on the University Calendar website and on the bulletin board across from the department's office. Trainees must also provide a copy of their dissertation to each member of their dissertation committee.
The department encourages first and second year doctoral trainees to attend an dissertation defense in order to observe the process. Doctoral trainees should introduce themselves to the trainee who is presenting the dissertation defense and indicate their desire to observe the presentation. The dissertation defense is also open to the University academic community and other interested parties. Individuals at the dissertation defense may ask the trainee questions and provide comments about their presentation. However, participation by individuals in attendance should not monopolize the presentation. Since the dissertation defense is a formal evaluation of the trainee, the dissertation committee chair has the discretion of whether or not to recognize individuals for questions or comments. The department prohibits trainees from bringing any refreshments to their dissertation defense.
Trainees should complete the Graduate School's OUTCOME OF DISSERTATION DEFENSE form and take the completed defense form to their dissertation defense. At the dissertation defense, trainees are expected to review the importance of the dissertation topic, their research and the methods employed, analysis of the data, and their conclusions. Trainees are also expected to answer questions from individuals at the presentation. When the discussion has ended, everyone should leave the room except for the dissertation committee and any psychology faculty. The dissertation committee will discuss the quality of the dissertation and the oral presentation, taking into account the consistency between the final dissertation and the dissertation proposal, and the incorporation of specific changes identified at the dissertation proposal. Psychology faculty who have an opinion about the dissertation and and the oral presentation are encouraged to present their remarks for consideration by the dissertation committee. The decision to accept or reject the dissertation is the responsibility of the dissertation committee. When the deliberations are complete and the dissertation committee has reached a decision, the trainee will be asked to return to the room.
The dissertation committee can reach one of three decisions about the dissertation: pass, a provisional pass, or fail. If the decision is a provisional pass, the dissertation committee withholds their final approval of the dissertation and their signatures on the Right-to-Defend form until additional changes are made to the dissertation. The dissertation committee will discuss these changes with the trainee and provide a written list of the changes that must be made for the dissertation to pass. After the specific changes have been made to the dissertation, the dissertation committee should sign the Right-to-Defend form and the Outcome of Dissertation Defense form and return both forms to the trainee.
Upon successfully defending their dissertation, trainees must deliver to the Graduate School an original and two copies of their final dissertation, and the signed Right-to-Defend form and the signed Outcome of Dissertation Defense form. Trainees should follow the Guide's specific provisions for submitting the final dissertation to the Graduate School. Trainees are responsible for the cost of copying the dissertation on microfilm for distribution. The dissertations submitted to the Graduate School become the property of Illinois State University. Trainees should also complete the Graduate School's COMMENCEMENT DATA FORM and the PROQUEST FORMS, and submit both forms to the Graduate School no later than two weeks before commencement.
If the dissertation is published or if a paper is presented at a professional convention, authorship should follow the provisions of the APA's Publication Manual. An agreement between trainees and their dissertation committee should govern whether committee members are identified as co-authors. Trainees should also consult the Graduate School's Guide for additional information about copyright issues and ownership of data.