College of Nursing - Dissertation Guide

3 Research Experience After successful completion of the quantitative and qualitative research courses, the student will seek approval from their faculty advisor to begin the research experience. Each student will be expected to complete a 90 hour mentored research experience prior to enrollment in NSG 7330 Doctoral Seminar III. Students must secure an affiliation agreement with the institution where the research mentor is employed. To fulfill the requirement, the student will select a research mentor who has an established record of current research. The research mentor must be a PhD, EdD or DNSc nurse researcher who has experience in the research method that the student has selected for their dissertation. A one page paper outlining the research experience, including what the student expects to accomplish, will be sent to the faculty advisor for approval, along with a copy of the mentor’s current curriculum vitae. After advisor approval, the student can begin the research experience. The Research Experience Form (Appendix A) will be completed and signed by both the student and mentor at the completion of the 90 hour experience and sent to the faculty advisor. At the completion of the research experience, the student will submit a 1-2 page document explaining the research experience as well as a detailed log which includes date, time (hours spent), brief description of activity, and the final total hours. Candidacy Requirements and Procedures Each student will be required to successfully complete a comprehensive examination after the completion of all coursework and research hours and prior to proceeding to the dissertation phase of the program. The comprehensive examination is designed to evaluate the PhD student’s mastery of the content of the PhD in Nursing Education program. The chairperson of the comprehensive examination committee will notify students of the dates and requirements for the comprehensive examination in the semester preceding the examination. Students who are eligible to complete the comprehensive examination will be registered for NSG 7330, Doctoral Seminar III. The examination consists of questions that must be completed in a specified time period during the course. The responses will be graded by two faculty members and a grade of pass or fail will be assigned. A passing grade is required for all four questions in order to successfully complete the examination and advance in the PhD program. The Chairperson of the Comprehensive Examination Committee and the Director of the PhD in Nursing Education Program will notify the student in writing of the comprehensive examination results. Students may have two attempts to successfully complete the examination. Students who do not successfully complete the comprehensive examination after the second attempt will be referred to the Committee on Student Progress. The student who fails the initial exam must register for NSG 7330 Doctoral Seminar III for the following semester. Failure to pass two comprehensive examinations results in dismissal from the program. Under no circumstances are students to collaborate with classmates, colleagues or other support persons once questions are received. Students are cautioned that evidence of