Sample Comp Questions

1. Describe the place of narrative methodology in qualitative research in education and discuss its strengths and weaknesses. What kinds of social settings and interpersonal situations lend themselves to investigation using this particular method? Develop an argument for why you would use narrative to study the particular social settings that you name.

2. Choosing three of the four, describe and discuss the development of hermeneutic, critical, phenomenological, or feminist traditions of research; give a sense of breadth for each; explain differences and tensions between the traditions you choose. Demonstrate (using examples) how these will could be applied practically and methodologically to your research,; highlighting the limitations and strengths of each as they relate to your research proposed study.

1. Proposal
The proposal will provide a comprehensive review of the future dissertation entitled: Tracing the intellectual history of a post-secondary conflict resolution program: Ideas, practice and significance.

2. Literature review
The literature relating to the history of the conflict resolution field in North American, the history of the B.C. college and institute system and the impact on post-secondary education of economic and political shifts will be examined in light of its relevance to the research questions.

1. Proposal
Write a proposal for the study on “A case study of scholarly activity in a British Columbia community college: From practice to policy”. Include an overview of the research problem and question, literature review, the research gap and the significance of this study, and proposed research design, method and analysis of findings. Conclude with a time frame and plans to complete this research.

2. Introductory Chapter
Write an introductory chapter expanding on the proposal and include some of the history and definition of scholarly activity in the community colleges in British Columbia. Further explore the contribution and significance of this study to include possible implications for both administrative and faculty leadership. Provide an outline for the following chapters in the dissertation.

1. Proposal
The proposal will include a comprehensive overview of the dissertation tentatively entitled "A capital notion: An exploration of the implicatios for related stakeholders of notions of symbolic, social and epistemic capital embodied in EdD programs". A detailed outline and completion plan will be included in the proposal. This will be a mixed method study and will incorporate philosophical and historical analysis as well as various forms of empirical research.

2. Theoretical Framework
There is an ongoing debate in the professional doctorate literature concerning the relative status and value of the EdD versus PhD degrees. In light of this debate, how might notions of different forms of symbolic, social and epistemic capital provide a useful construct in developing a deeper understanding of the unique contributions that EdD research makes to knowledge creation? Clarification of notions of practical and theoretical knowledge would also need to be undertaken prior to any investigation of the attitudes and interests of related stakeholders.

1. Proposal
The proposal will provide a comprehensive overview of the future dissertation entitled: "Mature students in the persistence puzzle: An exploration of the factors that contribute to adult learners' quality of student life and retention in post-secondary education." A detailed outline and completion plan will be included in the proposal.

2. Theoretical framework
The capacity of certain adult learners to persist in a course of study is reported to involve a complex interaction of personal characteristics, life circumstances, and institutional environment. In light of the theoretical and empirical claims in the student retention literature, how might notions of 'quality of life' offer a useful construct for deepening our understanding of mature students' persistence in post-secondary education? Quality of life is conceptualized as multidimensional and holistic and is placed within the broader theoretical context of adult learning, student devleopment and health promotion.

1. Proposal
The proposal will provide a comprehesive overview of the future dissertation entitled: What are the issues and obstacles faced by transfer students from a two-year tribal college during their transition year to a four-year university? A detailed outline and completion plan will be included in the proposal.

2. Introduction
The draft introductory chapter will state the purpose of the research. It will introduce the substantive, theoretical and methodological aims of the research and state the broad issues or problems (linked to the specific aims) to be investigated. It will include a justification of the substantive topic's significance, a description of the context of the inquiry, and an outline of the rest of the study.

1. Proposal
The proposal will provide a comprehesive overview of the future dissertation entitled: Assessing the efficacy of NewStart Life Skills. A detailed outline and completion plan will be included in the proposal.

2. Introduction
The draft introductory chapter will state the purpose of the research. It will introduce the substantive, theoretical and methodological aims of the research and state the broad issues or problems (linked to the specific aims) to be investigated. It will include a justification of the substantive topic's significance, a description of the context of the inquiry, and an outline of the rest of the study.

1. Proposal
The proposal will address the following: How does an agency like Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services Society operationally define cultural programming in their approach to protecting children and supporting families within their role as a delegated agency under the Child, Family and Community Services Act? A qualitative grounded theory approach, utilizing community-based participatory action and the 4R’s of Aboriginal research (respect; relevance; reciprocity and responsibility) will be used to increase understanding of a cultural programming approach to supporting families and protecting children. The proposal will include: the history of Aboriginal people in Canada – related to Aboriginal child welfare services (particularly in British Columbia); a discussion of program evaluation; research design/rationale/method; data analysis; a detailed outline and completion plan.

2. Introduction. This draft of chapter one will include: introduction – my story; need/purpose for study; rationale for study; overview of study; plus an extended literature review of Aboriginal traditional cultural knowledge and epistemologies and how they may apply to an urban Aboriginal social work approach to child welfare practice.

1. Examine the ethic of care literature and the literature on "at risk" youth, at it pertains to youth who drop out of school or who are expelled and who feel that schools are not welcoming places for them. In the process of discussing this literature, discuss how the question(s) you have chosen to investigate for your dissertation builds on and adds to this literature.

2. Drawing on research methodology literature, carefully outline the methods you have chosen for your dissertation study, show how you plan to employ these methods in your study, and provide a justification for this choide of methods as the best way to investigate your question(s).