Doctor of Philosophy, page 3
School of Social Work

Doctoral Dissertation

When the student is admitted to candidacy, a dissertation committee is established consisting of three members of the guidance committee, one of whom must be from outside the School of Social Work. The dissertation committee has the responsibility of providing consultation in research, approving the dissertation, conducting the final oral examination and recommending the candidate for the Ph.D. degree. The doctoral dissertation should make a contribution to knowledge and theory related to the profession of social work. Dissertations must not only show technical mastery of the subject and research methodology but must also demonstrate the candidate's ability to work independently as a scholar.

Development of dissertation research in the School of Social Work normally occurs in two stages. First, the student develops a dissertation prospectus. This 15- to 20-page document includes an introduction, a beginning literature review, and issues of methodology including research questions, design, preliminary work on instrumentation, anticipated sample, projected analysis and a preliminary outline for the completed dissertation. This prospectus is approved through a committee sign-off procedure, and a copy of this sign-off is kept by the director of the program.

After approval of the prospectus, the student develops a dissertation proposal. This is a more complete, fuller document, constituting an introduction, literature review and a full and complete explication of the research methodology. Included are the research design, complete instrumentation, sampling procedures including guarantees of access to the anticipated sample, and plan for analysis. Before sign-off, but after approval by the student's committee, human subjects clearance through the school and university is completed.

It is expected that students will begin work on their dissertation prospectus as soon as possible after completion of the examinations, and that an acceptable prospectus will be presented within three months of the completion of the examinations.

During the development of their dissertation research, students are encouraged to hold a colloquium. This colloquium is sponsored by the Hamovitch Research Center, encourages a free interchange of ideas among all doctoral students and faculty and fosters a culture in which the public presentation of one's work or proposed work is encouraged and welcomed.

Abstract of Dissertation

Since the abstract of the dissertation is also published in Dissertation Abstracts International, it should be written with care and must be representative of the final draft of the dissertation. A shorter abstract for publication in Social Work Research and Abstracts is also required.

Final Oral Examination

Upon approval of the final draft of the dissertation by all members of the dissertation committee, the candidate must pass a general final oral examination. After the candidate successfully completes the final oral examination, the committee recommends the candidate to the Graduate School for the Ph.D. degree.

The Hamovitch Research Center

The Hamovitch Research Center, housed at the School of Social Work, fosters the conduct of basic and applied research focused on the needs, behaviors and problems of vulnerable groups, and on the service delivery systems related to them.

To advance social services and develop knowledge to meet the needs of vulnerable populations, the mission of the Research Center is to engage in research, demonstration and application in the following areas: (1) building and testing theory; (2) developing research instruments; (3) developing and testing models of service and treatment modalities; (4) evaluating programs and service delivery systems to serve vulnerable populations; and (5) policy analysis.

The center provides opportunities for doctoral students to acquire research training through on-going and newly initiated faculty research projects; doctoral students are encouraged to apply to participate in such projects. Such involvement often leads to dissertation possibilities for students.

Pre-doctoral fellowships and/or research assistantships for projects conducted at the center are, at times, available to incoming and ongoing doctoral students. Doctoral students are also encouraged to conduct their own research through the auspices of the center, including their dissertation research. All doctoral students are encouraged to attend and participate in the center's colloquia and programs as a means of enhancing their involvement with and skills in research and knowledge development.

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Produced by the USC Division of Student Affairs, Office of University Publications, May 1, 1995
David Henriquez
univpub@stuaff.usc.edu