Writing the Winning Thesis or Dissertation by Joyner, Randy L. -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Cover Page Title Copyright Contents Preface About the Authors Part 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 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 Time Lines

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 Development Committee Selection Committee Dynamics Technology Technique: Telecommunication and Software Editing Tools

Part 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 an Article for Publication Provide Emotional Support

Formalize the Structure and Request Adviser Approval Help the Group Remain Productive

Readers and Reviewers Miniproposal 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 Other Optional Components

Developing the Proposal: Writing Chapter 2

Review the Theoretical Literature Review Theories 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

Postproposal Steps

Secure IRB Approval IRB Certification: Student IRB Certification: Adviser University Requirements/Protocols Collect Data After Obtaining Appropriate Approvals

Committee Requirements

Required Edits and/or Revisions Review and Adjust Time Line

Technology Technique: Page Numbering Using Word Processing Software and University Guidelines

Part III: Researching and Writing the Thesis or Dissertation

11. Implementing 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 and Analysis

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

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

Part 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 Page 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 From 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

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