How to Write and Produce a Dissertation

How to Write and Produce a Dissertation inceptionWhile the course work is an important type of every doctorial program, it is the speech that is uniquely you. The emergence chosen should be angiotensin-converting enzyme that interests you, and that re fork ups an sector of examine that you go off use to identify you as maven with special expertness in a particular ara. Therefore, it is very important to expire with forethought into the thesis process. Choose the affair with c ar. Also be sure to choose your advisors cargonfully, as they pull up stakes be your guides and mentors.This guidebook has been intentional to support you with the in degreeation you read to successfully complete this process. Read and follow it c arfully. You atomic number 18 responsible for understanding and applying its contents.Research CriteriaTo produce a discourse of which you and your enlighten can be justly proud, it is essential that your discourse meet genuine quality commonpl aces that ar gener altogethery recognized in graduate education. The pursuance policy statement, by the Council of Graduate drills, indicates in customary terms what is expected.The record (doctoral dissertation) should demonstrate b memorializeth of scholarship, depth of look into, and ability to investigate b new(prenominal)s independently and efficiently.It (dissertation) moldiness be a evidential contri scarceion to scholarship.It should reveal the students ability to analyze, interpret, and compound and demonstrate thorough knowledge of the literature relating to the projectMore particularally, the capability of the prepare of Education has adopted the following criteria indicating that the doctoral look should put the relevance of existing theories to the problem.Include an original and unique dimension which builds on cited look for.Enable the medical prognosis to enter the national or regional debate.Be sufficiently broad from which to generalize to a larger a udience.Acculturate the candidate to differing academic communities.Encourage the continuation of scholarly compriseivity.Reflect the methodology provide to the type of research commonly found in dissertations.Dissertation paper and CommitteeHow do I get started? How is my commission formed?The head start steps in producing a dissertation are (1) the excerption of a topic (2) the selection and appointment of a research advisor and (3) the selection and appointment of a research charge to provide advisement end-to-end the process.Dissertation TopicEarly in your doctoral studies, you should be sen metrent about research topics that interest you. Keep a nonebook of ideas as they come to you. As you read for your various classes, sum up to or wipe off from your notebook of ideas. Talk in screen outisly with your professors. Find out their interests. Discuss- ing your ideas for potentiality dissertation topics with several power constituents helps you in selecting your t opic and in choosing a delegation. As your ideas about topics and committal members crystallize, you will want to discuss them with your adviserand department moderate. The topic you eventually select must(prenominal)iness be a topic useful to you and a topic of interest to a faculty member willing to serve as your advisor.Final selection of your topic will not occur until your coursework is nearly completed. You will need to consider much(prenominal) factors as the blood ofyour topic to your ambit of specialized schooling. Select a topic related to an area of academic strength in which you can put up research responsibly. Finally, be sure that adequate La sierra University resources are available for the support of the research, such as faculty guidance, depository library holdings (or access to relevant documents), and laboratory facilities.The Research AdvisorThe dissertation deputation precede is the inaugural member of the military commissionselected. The respons ibility forassigning a tame ultimately restswith the dean, but you commence the initial responsibility to observe a chairthat is willing to work with you and is interested in your topic. Thischair must be a faculty member inwardlythe School of Education and is usually an individual in your major department. Because it is important to turn out a chair who has an interest in yourproposed topic, you should have achair assigned before you enroll inthe last research methods class, EDRS704.Finally, mold your formal request for theassignment of the chair to the dean.Dissertation CommitteeYour dissertation perpetration must contain atleast three members. The social rank shall consist of a chair, one extra facultymember from at furnish the School ofEducation, and one faculty member that whitethorn be within the larger La Sierra University faculty, or possibly a faculty member ina different University.Approach potential committee members directly asking about their relationship t oyour come-at-able topic and whether they would have an interest in serving onyour committee. When you have agree- ment from all your potential committee members, be sure to report back to the dean for nett assignment of your committee.The chair carries the primary responsibility for guiding you through your dissertation and is the personwith whom you work most closely. Aneasy, working relationship with yourcommittee chair is most important. The responsibilities of the chair are to(1) provide guidance for the disserta- tion object and act as chairwomanduring the committee meetings, (2)supervise completion of the disserta- tion, and (3) act as chairperson ofthe final oral defense.The responsibilities of the committee members are to (1) provide leaveitional advisement to the student and/or act as a chairperson in the absence of the chairperson, (2) serve on a committee to read the dissertation marriage offer and participateduring consideration of the proposal, and (3) serve on a c ommittee to read the dissertation and participate during the final oral defense.In amplifyition to the three (or more)committee members, each dissertationThe intentionWhat is the straight-laced format for a proposal? What are the steps in get a proposal approved?The proposal serves as a centre between the student and the dissertation committee that, when approved by all parties, constitutes an agreement that data whitethorn be collected and the contain whitethorn be completed. As long as the student follows the steps adumbrate in the proposal, committee members should be discouraged from demanding authoritative changes to the study afterwards the proposal has been approved. Naturally, it is not uncommon to expect small changes, additions or deletions, because one can never envision the unpredictable turns that studies can take.The dissertation proposal is radiation diagramed to show the purpose and organization of your research. The proposal gives your committee equal in formation to determine whether the topic your are investigat- ing and the procedures you will be using will be enamour.Proposal DevelopmentThe Research Methods Class, EDRS704a or 704b, is designed to help you understand the process of writing aformal research proposal and, hopefully, in the class you will havecompleted or nearly completed theresearch proposal. Regardless, this class will be a valuable resource,although final proposal approval is a responsibility of your committee.Proposal Format and ContentIn both the proposal and the dissertation you are to follow the latest edition of The School of Educa- tion Doctoral Dissertation vade mecum and the American Psychological Association PublicationManual, fifth edition.Unless an other(a)(prenominal)wise indicated by your committee, your proposal will generally consist of the follow- ing chapters and ingredientsChapter 1Purpose and formation gateway and background of the studyStatement of the problemPurpose of the study/signifi cance of studyTheoretical foundationResearch questions and null hypothesesLimitations and delimitations translation of TermsSummary and delimitate of the remainder of the proposalChapter 2 polish up of Related stuff and nonsenseInclude an overview and description of represen- tative literature that supports the methodology utilise in the research. For certain types of research (such as statistical or clinical studies) this may require a brief description of procedures and instrumentation of earlier studies.This review is not expected to be as extensive as the completed Chapter 2 in the final dissertation. A typical outline for this chapter is as followsSummaries and critiques of previous studiesAnalysis of theories which bear on the studiesUnresolved Issues, significantproblems or questions requiring further study.Evidence that the specific study proposed arises out of need demonstrated in this chapter and that the proposed study could fill in gaps or add to substantive or theo reti- cal understandingSummaryChapter 3Research methodological analysisListed below are the most common sections to be included in this chapter. For some studies such as historical, philosophical, ordevelopmental studies, other items would be proper.Introduction Population and sample Description of instrument(s)Research procedures and time stopvarlet of the studyAnalytical procedures to be employ to attain the objectives, test the hypotheses, or respond to the research questions of the studySummaryPreparation of Your ProposalYou must prepare your proposal in a logical, handsome form. Your committee settle your fitness to conduct research on your topic based on the quality of the proposal.If you have any problems with the English language, we advise you to employ the work ofan editor in chiefial assistant who can aid you in presenting to your committee polished prose in approved format and style. Your committee is not respon- sible to be your editor or writer. As a researcher, these responsibilities are yours.Committee InvolvementDuring the training of your proposal you have fortune to establish a working relationship with your committee chair. First submit all drafts to your committeechair for rating and comment.After your committee chair has given approval, share the draft with theother members of your committee. You must maintain this approach throughout the writing of the dissertation.When both your committee chair and the members of your committee have had opportunity to evaluate your proposal, request your committee chair to call your committee for formal consider- ation of your proposal.For this meeting, you must furnish one write of your dissertation proposal to your committee chair and each committee member. Your committee, in formal face-to-face meeting discusses your proposal and questions you on any parts they believe may need revision. The committee will indeed discuss whether or not they will give approval to your proposal. They may or may not invite you to remain for this session. Consult with your com- mittee chair. force Research SpecialistEach dissertation committee shall receive formal input, in writing, from a faculty research specialist prior to the time of proposal approval.Institutional Research Board (IRB)If you are conducting research involving benevolent subjects as part of your degree program, you must submit a proposal of research to the Institution of Review Board (IRB) for approval. This proposal includes a general summary of the purpose of the study, a detailed description of the study, the letter of assured consent to be signed by thesubjects or their parents/guardians, and the copies of tests to be administered (if other than well- known standard tests). Detailed guidelines concerning this proposal are available in the office of the chairperson of the IRB. A report from the IRB should be attached to the final approved proposal.6 Only after approval of your proposal are yourready to begin colle ction of the data for the dissertation itself.DissertationHow does my committee function? What is the role of consultants?What are the contents of a dissertation?An magnificently produced dissertation will demon- strate your familiarity with the literature pertinent to the topic, demonstrate your competence to conduct independent research and present a logically organized and light account of the investigation, its findings, conclusions, and impli- cations. It should focus on a clearly definedproblem of strong importance to the profession and employ well planned and penalize acceptable research techniques.Working with the CommitteeThe chair of your dissertation committee carries the primary responsibility for guiding the disserta- tion and holds the prerogative of deciding when draft copy is or is not ready for examination by the other members of the committee. The preferent method of dissertation development in the School of Education is chapter-by-chapter incoming to the comm ittee, however, the committee chair has the privilege of choosing another procedure with the consent of the committee.When your committee chair has cleared achapter or section, prepare copies to present to the other members of your committee. After receiving their response, move on to the next chapter or section. It is well not to begin a new chapter for your dissertation until you resolve all questions on the previous chapter. If you have not heard from your committee members within a reasonable gunpoint, consult with your committee chair.In qualitative research, questions will hold on to surface until the end of the study. Therefore, workon several chapters may bear on simultaneously. Plan to pace your submissions to your committeechair and members. Professors should be given opportunity to read you material thoughtfully. Plan on approximately two weeks time. Do notexpect committee members to respond to your time schedule.Working with ConsultantsIt is possible that you may wish or need toconsult with individuals with special expertise such as statisticians or editors. Use such consultants discriminatingly to assist in developing your own understanding of and ability to communicate the various dimensions of the study. army of ContentsEvery dissertation consists of three parts prelimi- nary pages, text, and role materials. In addition, it must have an abstract. All the pages of these parts occur in a certain order and are counted and/or numbered according to specific rules. The following outlines incorporate a step by step sashay through the skeleton of the dissertation. Not every dissertation will need every heading. Some dissertations, on the other hand, may needto add headings not mentioned here or subdivide some of these. Keep in mind there is no standard outline all dissertations are required to follow, however, this is a suggested guideline. It must be understood that this outline may not be suffi- ciently comprehensive to fit all studies and that m odifications, deletions, or additions may be madeas needed.Quantitative DissertationThe following items are normally in a quantita- tive dissertation. The items to include and the location of the items within sections may vary. For more detailed descriptions regarding each section, refer to produce guide books to a doctoral dissertation.Front Matter Title page airliftAcknowledgments (optional) commitment (optional)Table of contentsList of tables, figures and illustrationChapter 1Purpose and musical arrangementIntroduction and background of the studyStatement of the problemPurpose of the study/significance of studyTheoretical foundationResearch questions and null hypotheses Limitations and delimitations Assumptions and rendering of terms Organization of the documentChapter 2Review of Related MaterialIntroductionSummaries and critiques of previous studies Analysis of theories which bear on the studies Unresolved issues, significant problems andunanswered questions requiring studyE vidence that the specific study proposed arises out of inevitably demonstrated in this chapter and that the proposed study could fill in gaps or add to substantive or theoreti- cal understandingSummaryChapter 3Research methodology Introduction Population and sampleDescription of instrument(s)Research procedures and time period of the studyHow the data are to be analyzed to attain the objectives, test the hypotheses, or respond to the research questions of the studyChapter 4Results (or Findings) of the Analysis of dataIntroductionResults (of findings) regarding the first hy- pothesis, or question being investigatedResults of findings regarding the second (and others in sequence)Results regarding interactions, if any, among the hypotheses or research questionsResults and findings on matters not planned aspart of the study but which were uncovered in the investigation course and which are relevantSummaryChapter 5Conclusions, Implications andRecommendationsIntroductionConclusions dra wn regarding the hypotheses, or research questions as stated in Chapter 1 (Each is dealt with as a topic separately. Ifthere are interactions among some or all of the objectives, hypotheses, or research questions, those interactions are treated as separate topics.)SummaryRecommendations for further studies and programmatic recommendations closing curtain MatterReference and notesAppendicesQualitative DissertationQualitative dissertations are field focused and therefore allow the researcher to approach writing the dissertation with flexibility in format. For more detailed descriptions regarding each section, referto published guidebooks to a doctoral dissertation.Front Matter Title page AbstractAcknowledgments (optional) Dedication (optional)Table of contentsList of tables, figures and illustrationChapter 1IntroductionBackground, history and/or theoretical orientation of the studyPurpose of the study Description of the site Questions in the study Importance of the studyChapter 2Revie w of the LiteratureAnalysis of previous related studies Analysis of related theoretical literature Relationship of the literature to the currentstudyChapter 3MethodologyDescription of the studyResearch design (The research design will be planned in cooperation with the doctoral committee.)AnalysisChapters 4+Presentation of the FindingsThese chapters will present the findings in amanner appropriate to a given study. There may be one or several chapters needed to present the study. Arguments will be well formed, perceptive and grounded in thestudy. Theoretical arguments will be formed from the data and presented in a coherentand informative manner.Final ChapterConclusionThis chapter will present the conclusions drawn from the study, relate the findings to broader theoretical issues, critique the precess used, and describe implications which could equal other similar sites.End MatterReference and notesAppendicesForm and demeanorWhat are the typing rules for my dissertation? Who is t he final authority on form and style?What kind of paper do I use?The School of Education DoctoralDissertation Handbook must be used in conjunction with the American Psycho- logical Association PublicationManual, 5th edition. Where there arediscrepancies between the APA publica- tion manual and The School of Education Handbook, the doctoral disserta- tion handbook is to be followed.ProductionDissertations shall be produced by a intelligence processor. All dissertations are to be printed in black ink, using standard 10-12 point fonts, and using only one side of the page. Text must be clean, straight, and dark enough to be read and duplicated easily. Final copies must be laserprinted.PaperAll copies shall be produced on standard size 8-1/2 x 11 paper. For draft copies, use white amaze of at least 20 pound weight. Final copies shall be leave on high quality paper 20 pound bewilder with at least 25 percent rag content. To insure durable shelf life, use an acid-free paper with a min imum of 2% alkalescent reserve.MarginsThe left-hand margin must be 1 1/2 inches and all other margins must be a full 1 inch. The initial page of a chapter or a major section (i.e., table ofcontents, references, etc.) has a 2-inch margin at the top of the page.Absolutely zilch may be outside of these margins, except for the pagenumber. Do not use right or full justification.Page Numbering front pagesPreliminary pages that precede the main text are numbered with lower human face Roman numerals. Thetitle page is not numbered but isconsidered as the first page. If youelect to register a copyright, enclose a copyright page, but do not number it or include it in the pagination sequence. Subsequent numerals are centered 3/4 inch from the bottom edge of the paper.Main textAll pages are numbered at the top, 1 inch from the right margin, above thetext. The first page of the disserta- tion text is page 1. All pages must be numbered consecutively. To keep their location and size homogeneou s throughout the disserta- tion, page numbers are added after reducing tables or figures.