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