Theory Paper
Students are also required to demonstrate their research competency by conducting an original research project. The goal of the Theory Paper is to assess a student’s ability to identify an area/domain and conduct an integrative theoretical review as a foundation to good research. Students should develop a conceptual framework and include theoretical propositions that are testable in principle. The paper should be capable of forming the basis for the dissertation, and it is hoped that it may be publishable in one of the major journals in marketing.
Students should work on their research paper during their second summer in the program. In addition to the written component, an oral presentation is also required. Students will be expected to present the proposed research in April/May of their second year in the marketing seminar series. The purpose of the presentation is to provide the opportunity for faculty and students to ask questions and offer suggestions to the students on the proposed research. The research paper will be due on July 31 of the second summer. The research paper will have a written and an oral component. Students will submit a paper (no more than 50 pages in total) on a topic following the above guidelines to fulfill the written component. Given that this is an exam of the student’s ability, faculty involvement in this paper is limited (e.g., provide references, engage in short discussions, etc.). Students will receive written feedback on the paper from faculty reviewers.
