Leadership and Instructional Practice Committee Responsibilities

Responsibilities of the Research Project of Practice Chair

The Research Project Chair will be selected on the basis of content expertise. This should include topic interest or subject matter expertise, experience providing research direction, and/or methodology expertise. The Chair is responsible for guiding the candidate to produce doctoral level, original scholarship in the proposed topic area. The Research Project Chair must be a member of the LEAD faculty and hold graduate faculty status. 

The Research Project Chair’s responsibilities include:

• Being familiar with current research project of practice policies and procedures in the LEAD program
• Advising the candidate from the initial stages through the final defense of the Research Project of Practice
• Guiding the candidate in the selection of Research Project of Practice committee members
• Guiding the candidate to set a realistic timeline for completion of the Research Project of Practice
• Responsibly assigning the candidate a grade of SP (successful progress) or NP (no progress) each semester
• Guiding the candidate toward achieving a high level of technical and ethical quality in the Project of Practice research
• Assisting the candidate in developing a quality Prospectus and in navigating the Prospectus approval process
• Providing guidance on the research proposal structure, formatting, content and setting clear expectations for timely completion of the Proposal
• Guiding the candidate in the selection of methods/procedures for data collection and analysis*
• Assisting the candidate in the Research Project of Practice Proposal defense process
• Assisting the candidate in navigating the IRB approval process
• Assisting the candidate in data collection and analysis*
• Preparing the candidate for the defense process

* If a separate Methodologist is assigned, the Chair may serve in a support role.

Responsibilities of the Committee Members    

All members of the candidate’s committee share responsibility in ensuring that the candidate produces high-quality scholarship. Committee members are responsible for reading manuscripts within the agreed-upon minimum 14 day time frame (per committee member), suggesting substantive editorial changes, and providing rationale for their support and critiques. Committee members who perceive major flaws that are likely to result in a candidate’s unsuccessful defense should discuss these concerns with the candidate and Research Project Chair immediately.

Committee member’s responsibilities include:

• In cooperation with the Research Project Chair, advising the candidate from the initial stages through the final defense of the Research Project of Practice
• Provide subject matter expertise as requested by Research Project Chair or candidate
• Reading drafts and providing meaningful feedback at each defense stage of the research project process
• Guiding the candidate in the selection of methods/procedures for data collection and analysis**
• Assisting the candidate in data collection and analysis**
• Corresponding with the Research Project Chair and candidate as needed for clarification/resolution of methodological issues during the Research Project of Practice process**

** Methodologist only (if the Chair is not performing both roles). A Methodologist should be selected who has particular expertise in the type of study the candidate is pursuing. 

Responsibilities of the Research Project of Practice Candidate

The candidate is expected to engage in active preparation of the Research Project of Practice process from the onset of the doctoral program. Candidates are responsible for choosing a topic, submitting proofread drafts of materials to the Research Project Chair, preparing adequately for meetings, thoroughly reviewing all  policies and procedures, and communicating on a regular basis with the Project Chair via the Research Project of Practice  course space or UTC email. The candidate is expected to maintain a respectful and professional attitude at all times. 

Candidates are expected to maintain contact with the Research Project Chair and Methodologist throughout the Research Project of Practice process to ensure that the research and writing adhere to the agreed-upon plan. As the research project is the candidate’s responsibility, s/he must frequently keep the Research Project Chair informed of progress. All communication for the Research Project of Practice process is accomplished (and therefore documented) in the Learning Management System (UTC Learn) and all drafts are submitted and feedback returned through the Learning Management System (UTC Learn). The candidate should contact the Research Project Chair in the event of any significant changes in his/her personal or professional life which may interfere with program completion. Occasionally, synchronous meetings may be scheduled with your Research Project Chair or the whole committee. In order to document this part of the research project of practice process, immediately following a synchronous meeting (within 48 hours), the candidate should post a detailed summary of the meeting in the Research Project of Practice course space.

In addition, candidates are expected to maintain regular contact with the Program Office via email ([email protected]).  

Communicating with the Committee

The Research Project Chair will determine when a document is ready for electronic review by the committee and will initiate communication amongst committee members. The candidate should avoid consulting the full committee for feedback without prior approval of the Research Project Chair. The Research Project Chair will notify the Program Office via email ([email protected]) of the date/time/location of all committee defense meetings.