List of Exhibits
Preface
About the Authors
Publisher’s Acknowledgments
Part I: The Foundations
Chapter 1. Groundwork for Theses and Dissertations
Dissertation’s Special Nature |
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Securing the Needed Resources |
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Thesis and Dissertation Key Differences |
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Chapter 2. The Thesis or Doctoral Committee
Roles and Responsibilities of the Committee |
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The Dynamics of the Committee |
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Preventing Problems With the Committee |
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Dealing With Committee Problems |
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Solving Personal Problems With the Dissertation |
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Chapter 3. The Degree-Granting Institution’s Requirements
Degree Completion Time Lines |
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Specific University Guidelines or Requirements |
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Chapter 4. The Institutional Review Board
Knowledge Requirements (Training) |
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Case Study I: Selecting Members of the Doctoral Committee |
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Forming the Committee/Selecting Committee Members |
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Part II: Research Problem Development
Chapter 5. The Research Problem
Make a Personal Assessment of Topics |
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Fix on the Research Topic and Research Problem |
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Chapter 6. The Focused Review of the Literature
Retrieve All Related Abstracts |
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Check for Prior Dissertations |
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Retrieve the Full Texts of the Most Useful Sources |
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Develop an Annotated Bibliography |
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Chapter 7. Comprehensive Critique of the Literature
Maintain Good Research Practices Throughout the Search |
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Develop a Focused Outline of the Search |
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Establish Parameters for the Search |
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Conduct a Comprehensive Search |
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Critique All Sources Retrieved |
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Chapter 8. Focused Review of Available Methodologies for Data Collection and Analyses
Quantitative and Qualitative Perspectives |
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Chapter 9. Selected Methodology
The Research Design: Its General Nature |
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The Research Design: Type-Specific Issues |
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Develop Your Research Design |
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Case Study II: Selecting/Developing a Research Topic |
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Developing a Research Topic |
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Part III: The Prospectus Preparation
Chapter 10. The Work Plan
Make the Tentative Entries |
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Chapter 11. The Prospectus Overview
Weighing the Advantages and Disadvantages |
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Structuring the Collaborative |
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Formalize the Structure and Request Adviser Approval |
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Help the Group Remain Productive |
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Chapter 12. The Doctoral Committee and the Prospectus
Developing the Prospectus and Organizing the Committee |
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Developing the Proposal: Writing Chapter 1 |
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Developing the Proposal: Writing Chapter 2 |
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Developing the Proposal: Writing Chapter 3 |
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Developing the Proposal: The References |
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Developing the Proposal: The Appendices |
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Chapter 13. The Prospectus Defense
Coordinate Committee Schedules: Date and Time |
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Prepare for the Proposal Defense |
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Present the Proposal Defense |
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Deal With Other Defense Issues |
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Case Study III: Developing the Research Proposal |
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Part IV: The Dissertation
Chapter 14. The Communication Process and the Writing of the Dissertation
Communicate Periodically With the Chair |
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Ensure Access to the Research Site |
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Avoid Premature Data Collection |
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Develop a Detailed Planning Calendar |
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Change the Schedule as Needed |
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Prevent Problems With the Intervention |
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Ensure a High Rate of Return on Surveys |
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Maintain Careful and Duplicate Records |
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Chapter 15. Academic Style
Chapter 16. The Dissertation Organization
How Are Dissertations Organized? |
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What Principles Govern the Organization of Individual Chapters? |
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How Can the Organization Be Made Clear to the Reader? |
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How Is the Dissertation Finally Packaged? |
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Chapter 17. The Introduction
Introduction to the Chapter |
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The Background of the Study |
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The Professional Significance of the Study |
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Limitations and Delimitations |
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Chapter 18. Review of the Literature
Comprehensive Critique of the Literature |
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Develop the Final Outline |
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Write the Introductory Paragraph |
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First Section of the Review |
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The Remaining Sections, Including a Summary |
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Chapter 19. Methodology
Use an Objective Writing Style |
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Determine the Chapter Content |
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Outline the Chapter and Use Headings Appropriately |
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Describe the Study’s Context |
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Identify the Subjects or Participants |
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Identify the Data Collection Instruments |
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Explain the Research Design Procedures |
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Explain the Data Analysis/Analyses Procedure(s) |
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Chapter 20. Data Analysis/Analyses
Prepare to Present the Results |
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Decide on the Contents and Format of the Chapter |
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Determine the Organization of the Chapter |
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Develop the Tables and Figures |
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Write the Introductory Paragraph |
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Write the Remaining Sections, Using Appropriate Headings |
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Revise the Chapter and Submit for Review |
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Chapter 21. The Results Discussion
Review the Results Reported |
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Develop an Outline of the Final Chapter |
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Write the Introductory Paragraph |
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Restate the Problem and Review the Methodology |
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Discuss the Meaning of the Study |
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Case Study IV: Writing the Dissertation |
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Part V: The Dissertation Defense
Chapter 22. Defense Committee Meeting
Check on Content and Order |
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Write the Title and Approval Pages |
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Write the Acknowledgments Page |
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Write the Table of Contents and Lists of Tables and Figures |
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Institutional Review Board Completion Requirements |
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Chapter 23. The Degree-Granting Institution’s Graduation Requirements
Handbooks: A Source of Information |
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Chapter 24. The Publication of the Dissertation
Add to the Research Knowledge Base |
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Present a Scholarly Paper |
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Publish a Journal Article |
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Develop a Plan to Publish a Book |
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Case Study V: Defending the Dissertation |
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The Dissertation Defense Hearing |
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Part VI: Technology
Chapter 25. Technology and the Dissertation
University Research Librarians |
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Creating Figures and Tables |
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Collecting and Analyzing Data |
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Packaging the Final Dissertation |
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References
Index