Steve Tippins Ph.D.Helping doctoral students get their dissertation accepted, succeed in their careers, & change the world | Academic Career Advisor | Dissertation Chair & Founder, Beyond PhD Coaching | 35 + years of experience.

What Your Prospectus is Actually Supposed to do

29 Aug 2026 · 1 min

Watch on YouTube

0:44

In this brief instructional video, the speaker explains that a dissertation prospectus is primarily a feasibility exercise—it shows whether the proposed research project is doable. The prospectus should demonstrate that the student has surveyed relevant literature and identified a suitable methodology, but it does not need to be perfect. Its main function is to serve as a roadmap that communicates the planned research to the committee and seeks their buy‑in. The committee’s feedback is crucial because it helps refine the plan and makes the project more manageable. The speaker also invites viewers to join a free dissertation‑help community for additional support.

Chapters

The purpose of your prospectus is feasibility. Can this be done? Or I like to say, is it doable? And you're showing your committee, I've looked a little bit at the literature. I've looked a little bit about methodology. Here's what I plan on doing. Your prospectus doesn't have to be perfect. It needs to be a map, a roadmap. What am I thinking about doing? Because many times it's going to change the more you get into it. You can go do that in your proposal. But your prospectus is, hey committee, here's what I'm looking to do. Will you buy in? Your committee may give you feedback, and that's important because their job is to help you make this process doable. If you're working on your prospectus and you're looking for help, you can join our free dissertation help community.