Writing the Winning Thesis or Dissertation : A Step-By-Step Guide

Preface About the Authors I. Establishing the Foundations 1. Laying the Groundwork for the Thesis and Dissertation Understanding the Special Nature of the Dissertation Purposes in Writing the Dissertation The Audiences for the Dissertation Analyze the Special Characteristics of the Dissertation Making Ethical Choices With Respect to the Dissertation Conduct Ethical Research Secure Informed Consent Acknowledge All Those Who Have Contributed or Collaborated Report the Results Honestly and Objectively Securing the Needed Resources Analyze Your Needs Search for Special Support Understanding the Key Differences Between the Thesis and the Dissertation Roles and Responsibilities of the Committee The Dynamics of the Committee Preventing Problems with the Committee Dealing With Committee Problems Committee Members Do Not Give Feedback Promptly Committee Members Give Conflicting Advice Committee Members Give Unhelpful Advice Relationships Critically Deteriorate Solving Personal Problems With the Dissertation Problems Near the End of the Course Work Problems at the End of Course Work Problems After the Proposal Problems After the Defense A Look Ahead Technology Technique: The Role of the Internet for Research in the Dissertation Process 2. Dealing With Institutional Requirements Styles Specific University Guidelines or Requirements Institutional Review Board Knowledge Requirements (Training) Certificate Time Frame Degree Completion Timelines 3. Finding a Research Problem Make a Personal Assessment of Topics Professional Significance Continuing Professional Interest Personal Interest Career Advancement Professional Knowledge, Experience, and Skills Likely Support Time Required Accessibility Conduct a Broad Scan of the Literature Organize for the Broad Scan Read to Inquire Concentrate on Research Reviews Reflect and Discuss Fix on the Research Topic and Research Problem Technology Technique: University Research Librarians 4. Conducting a Focused Review of the Literature Reorganize Your Files Retrieve All Related Abstracts Evaluate the Results Check for Prior Dissertations Retrieve the Full Texts of the Most Useful Sources Use Primary Sources Develop an Annotated Bibliography A Concluding Note Technology Technique: Software for Maintaining Reference Information 5. Making a Preliminary Choice of Methodology Quantitative and Qualitative Perspectives Mixed Method Perspective Project-Based Studies Research Types Studies Primarily Quantitative in Nature Experimental Research Quasi-Experimental Research Causal-Comparative Research Correlational Research Descriptive Research Evaluation Research Studies Primarily Qualitative in Nature Case Study Research Ethnographic Research Action Research Research Methods Make Preliminary Choices Technology Technique: Data Analysis Software I 6. Organizing and Scheduling Your Work Develop a Planning Chart Make the Tentative Entries Technology Technique: Chart Software 7. Developing the Prospectus and Organizing the Committee Prospectus Rationale Prospectus Developing Committee Selection Committee Dynamics Technology Technique: Telecommunication and Software Editing Tools II. Developing and Defending the Proposal 8. Conducting a Comprehensive Critique of the Literature Maintain Good Research Practices Throughout the Search Develop a Focused Outline of the Search Establish Parameters for the Search Conduct a Comprehensive Search Critique All Sources Retrieved A Concluding Note Technology Technique: Electronic Note Card 9. Detailing the Methodology The Research Design: Its General Nature The Research Design: Type-Specific Issues Quantitative: Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Research Quantitative: Causal-Comparative Research Quantitative: Correlational Research Quantitative: Descriptive Research Evaluation Qualitative: Case Study and Ethnographic Research Mixed Method: Action Research Develop Your Research Design Technology Technique: Data Analysis Software II 10. Developing and Defending the Proposal Peer Collaboration Weighing the Advantages and Disadvantages Structuring the Collaborative Prepare for Comprehensive Examinations Provide Editorial Feedback Assist With and Contribute to Literature Review Assist With and Contribute to Data Collection Assist With and Contribute to Data Analysis Prepare for and Contribute to Defenses Develop and Article for Publication Provide Emotional Support Formalize the Structure and Request Advisor Approval Help the Group Remain Productive Readers and Reviewers Mini-Proposal Developing the Proposal Developing the Proposal: The Big Picture Developing the Proposal: Writing Chapter 1 Introduction to the Chapter Background of the Study The Problem Statement Professional Significance of the Study Developing the Proposal: Writing Chapter 2 Review the Theoretical Literature Review the Empirical Literature Developing the Proposal: Writing Chapter 3 Developing the Proposal: The References Developing the Proposal: The Appendices Holding the Proposal Defense Coordinate Committee Schedules: Date and Time Prepare for the Proposal Defense Presentation of the Proposal Defense Facilities Deal With Other Defense Issues Post Proposal Steps Secure IRB Approval IRB Certification IRB Certification/Advisor University Requirements/Protocols Collect Data After Obtaining Appropriate Approvals Committee Requirements Required Edits and/or Revisions Review and Adjust Timeline Technology Technique: Page Numbering Using Word Processing Software and University Guidelines III. Researching and Writing the Thesis or Dissertation 11. Following the Research Design Communicate Periodically With the Chair Ensure Access to the Research Site Avoid Premature Data Collection Develop a Detailed Planning Calendar Change the Schedule as Needed Prevent Problems With the Intervention Use Computers Mindfully Ensure a High Rate of Return on Surveys Maintain Careful and Duplicate Records Technology Technique: Electronic Data Collection 12. Mastering the Academic Style Follow the Recommended Style Guide Use the Writing Process Develop an Effective Approach to Writing Write With an Efficient Process Mastering the Academic Style Project an Appropriate Persona Document Assertions Vary the Way You Identify Sources Use Appropriate Paragraphing Write Clear, Mature Sentences Some Special Matters of Word Choice and Form Technology Technique: Tools for Writing Software 13. Organizing the Dissertation How Are Dissertations Organized? What Principles Govern the Organization of Individual Chapters? How Can the Organization Be Made Clear to the Reader How Is the Dissertation Finally Packaged? Technology Technique: Editors/Style Editors 14. Writing the Introductory Chapter Introduction to the Chapter The Background of the Study The Problem Statement The Professional Significance of the Study Overview of Methodology Limitations and Delimitations Definition of Terms Technology Technique: Word Processing and Hanging Indents 15. Writing the Review of the Literature Update the Comprehensive Critique of the Literature Reread All Sources Develop the Final Outline Use Levels of Headings That Reflect the Outline Write the Introductory Paragraph Write the First Section of the Review Provide an Overview Generalize Specific Reminders Write the Remaining Sections, Including a Summary Specific Reminders Evaluate and Revise Technology Technique: Formatting Quotes 16. Explaining the Methodology Prepare to Write the Chapter Use an Objective Style in Writing the Chapter Determine the Content of the Chapter Outline the Chapter and Use Headings Appropriately Make an Outline Use Appropriate Headings Describe the Context for the Study Identify the Subjects or Participants Identify the Instruments Used to Collect Data Explain the Procedures Used in Completing the Design Explain How the Data Were Analyzed Write a Summary Technology Technique: Formatting 17. Presenting the Results Prepare to Present the Results Decide on the Contents and Format of the Chapter Determine the Organization of the Chapter Develop the Tables and Figures Write the Introductory Paragraph Write the First Section Write the Remaining Sections, Using Appropriate Headings Revise the Chapter and Submit It for Review Technology Technique: Using Software to Create Figures and Tables 18. Summarizing and Discussing the Results Review the Results Reported Develop an Outline of the Final Chapter Write the Introductory Paragraph Restate the Problem and Review the Methodology Summarize the Results Discuss the Meaning of the Study Reflect on Your Findings Determine the Content of the Discussion Section Write the Discussion Section Technology Technique: Software Capabilities IV. Defending and Profiting From the Dissertation 19. Preparing and Holding the Dissertation Defense Planning Secure Needed Resources Edit the Dissertation Check on Content and Order Write the Abstract Write the Title and Approval Pages Write the Acknowledgment Pages Write the Table of Contents and Lists of Tables and Figures Include the Chapters Finalize the References Finalize Any Appendices Submit the Dissertation Holding the Defense Prepare Facilities Presentation After Your Presentation After the Defense University Requirements University Graduate School or University Library Electronic IRB Completion Requirements Study Closure Documentation Technology Technique: Packaging the Final Draft of The Dissertation 20. Publishing the Thesis or Dissertation Add to the Research Knowledge Base Present a Scholarly Paper Publish a Journal Article Identify Several Possible Journals Make a Careful Analysis of Each Journal Prepare the Article for Submission Develop a Plan to Publish a Book Complete the Book Plan Submit the Book Plan Technology Technique: Journal Software Requirements References Index