Steve Tippins Ph.D. identifies two prospectus killers: scope so broad it needs eight years of data, and mismatched language between problem and purpose, like calling it "teacher burnout" in one place and "educator fatigue" in another. Use your university's template, talk to your chair early, and show the work is doable.
2 mistakes that could get your prospectus rejected. Number 1: The scope is too broad. If your study requires 8 years of data collection, you're not going to finish anytime soon. Number 2: Alignment issues. Your problem says elementary school teacher burnout. Your purpose says educator fatigue. Your committee notices. They will always notice. Here's what works: Use your school's template. Stick with exact wording for consistency. Work with your chair early and send ideas before writing 20 pages. The prospectus doesn't need to be perfect, it just needs to show doability. Can this be done? That's the only question that matters. The only good dissertation is a done dissertation, so start with a prospectus that your committee can approve. Comment "help" and we will send you the link to our free dissertation help community. You've got this!
