Overview

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1. Traditional format: follows the traditional dissertation style, with a single study or set of studies presented. EDP students are strongly encouraged to submit the dissertation to a journal or to a publisher as a book manuscript following the defense.  
    
2. Article format:Students may write the final version of the dissertation (i.e., the document written for the final orals), with a single study or set of studies presented, in a format suitable for submission to a journal as a regular length article or a set of regular length articles, not a brief report(s). The student should identify a likely target journal and write the final version according to that journal’s guidelines (i.e., page length, formatting, etc.). Students using the Article format should consider the following: 
   1. The proposal document should be comparable to the proposal document required for the traditional format with respect to the literature review and proposed methods.
   2. For the final dissertation document, the student should work with their dissertation Chair (and possibly the rest of the committee) to decide which elements of the students’ work to include in the manuscript, and which elements to include  as appendices. For example, elements of the literature review, methods section, results and discussion may not be appropriate for a manuscript submission, and could need to be included for the committee’s review as an appendix. 

Students and dissertation Chairs are required to communicate with their committee about which format will be used, and clarify expectations regarding the format chosen. After the proposal defense, changing from one format to the other requires the consent of the full dissertation committee.

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Dissertations in the Department of Educational Psychology are written in accordance with APA style.  Therefore, it is essential that students obtain and follow closely the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. 

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TIP:  Be sure to start early in scheduling the dissertation proposal meeting.  Once your committee members agree on a time, you may schedule a room for your dissertation proposal meeting through EDP (but never on Friday afternoons without prior approval of the EDP Department Chair). 

The completed Application for Candidacy Form and Dissertation Proposal Meeting Form is are turned in to the EDP Graduate Coordinator after the proposal meeting.  It will include information regarding the success of your proposal, or any conditions you must satisfy.

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Researchers should become familiar with the Institutional Review Board (IRB) Policies and Procedures Manual and complete the online training.

All dissertations that involve data from human participants require filing an application with The University’s IRB, so you should discuss this with your dissertation supervisor early in your dissertation process.  If you are using existing data, you may contact the IRB directly (512-471-8871) to find out how to proceed.  Approval to be excluded from the application process is done on a case-by-case basis only by the IRB.

Educational Psychology student researchers who propose to engage in any research, demonstration, development, or other activity involving the use of human subjects must have prior review and approval of that activity by EDP’s Departmental Review Committee (DRC), which is the officially-designated representative of the IRB.   

You must first complete the online training.

Student researchers begin the process of obtaining IRB approval by reviewing the IRB general information page and submitting an application to the IRB.  Enter Toni Falbo’s EID (FALBOTL) as the Department Review Chair.

Once the DRC has approved your study, it is automatically submitted to the IRB for approval.  You will be working closely with your dissertation supervisor, who is a good resource and will likely be the official faculty sponsor for IRB purposes (you will need this person’s EID for your application). Note that a faculty member must be designated as the PI of the IRB proposal. This is likely your dissertation supervisor. This faculty member may designate you as a PI proxy by following the instructions provided by UT Research Management Suite.

All research projects will fall into one of three categories: 

• Exempt and (Minimal Risk – subject to expedited IRB review procedures)
• Expedited (Minimal Risk – both are subject to expedited IRB review procedures)
• Full Board (More than Minimal Risk -- subject to Full Board review and limited meetings)

Tips for completing the application are are available to help you complete the application, and FAQs are available as well.

If your project must receive Full Board review, other deadlines apply.  The University’s IRB meets once a month for Full Board reviews, and the deadline for submission of materials is very strict and well in advance of the meeting.  If revisions are necessary, a second IRB review will take place, according to a set meeting schedule.  For questions about deadlines, email the Office of Research Support and Compliance or call 471-8871.

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