Set first-month goals for proposal revision, defense readiness, and research infrastructure.
CCD-698 • Dissertation Research SeminarAugust 2026
Month Three: Defense Passed
I passed my Chapters 1-3 dissertation proposal defense on August 13. The next phase is interview-guide refinement, IRB review, and approved research.
Course artifact. An August 2026 check-in from CCD-698, a doctoral seminar that has now ended, kept as presented. For the current study, see the dissertation overview.
Micah Miner
The month in one sentence
The proposal defense is complete
AUG 132026 milestone
I passed the defense of my dissertation proposal, Chapters 1-3.
The committee approved the study to move into focused instrument revisions and IRB preparation.
The check-in series
Three check-ins show the proposal-to-research transition
Each update records a completed transition and the next responsible step.
Documented defense approval and the work needed to align the emerging IRB package.
Records the passed defense and the controlled path from interview-guide revisions to approved research.
Committee feedback
The next revisions focus on the qualitative interview guide
The study remains centered on participants' experiences. The immediate work is to strengthen how the interviews invite those accounts.
Review the committee's comments on the interview questions and translate them into a focused revision list.
Check wording, sequence, prompts, and alignment while preserving the approved qualitative design.
Make sure the guide, proposal, consent materials, and IRB application describe the same study.
Instrument rehearsal
Two test interviews will improve the guide before submission
The rehearsals will focus on the instrument, not on generating dissertation findings.
Identify wording that is confusing, overly broad, or difficult to answer as intended.
Check whether the order and follow-up prompts support a natural qualitative interview.
Capture revision notes about the instrument rather than responses, findings, or participant data.
Pre-IRB boundary: These are interview rehearsals, not dissertation data collection. No recruitment, study data, or participant responses will enter the research record. I will confirm this boundary with my chair and the IRB before proceeding.
IRB readiness
The IRB application is the next formal gate
Month Two established the application foundation. Month Three closes the remaining instrument and approval work.
- Chapters 1-3 proposal defense passed
- CITI training completed
- Core IRB materials assembled
- Committee feedback received
4remaining steps
- Revise the qualitative interview guide
- Complete two bounded test interviews
- Apply lessons across the IRB packet
- Obtain chair review and submit
Research authorization
Research begins only after written IRB approval
Submitting the application starts the review process. Approval, not submission, authorizes recruitment and data collection.
Finalize
Revise the guide, complete the rehearsals, and align all participant-facing materials.
Submit
Complete the application, obtain the required chair approval, and send the full packet.
Await review
Respond to IRB questions or requested changes and wait for the approval letter.
Begin research
After written approval, start recruitment and conduct the qualitative interviews.
Next 30 days
The path forward is now specific
The sequence protects the approved design while moving the study toward participant research.
Apply feedback
Turn committee feedback into targeted changes to the interview guide.
Test twice
Conduct two bounded interview rehearsals and refine the guide.
Complete IRB
Align the packet, secure chair approval, and submit the application.
Start research
Begin recruitment and qualitative interviews only when written approval is in hand.
Feedback for the next phase
Three questions will strengthen the interview guide and IRB packet
Which interview question needs clearer wording?Where might the guide lead or constrain a participant's account?What alignment issue could delay IRB review?
I passed the proposal defense. The next job is to strengthen the interview guide and clear IRB before research begins.