Dissertation Guide Essay

Submitted By ghaniya23
Words: 2916
Pages: 12
Open Document
GUIDELINES FOR FORMAT AND CONTENT OF THE DISSERTATION CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY

Background This section should be approximately 2-5 pages of background narrative, citing literature as appropriate and needed. You have two purposes in this section: (a) grab your readers’ attention and (b) enlighten your readers about the thrust of the study and its importance.

Conceptual Underpinnings for the Study Reread your Chapter 2 to see if you can determine a theoretical or “quasi-theoretical” base for the study. The conceptual framework is the theoretical base from which you topic has evolved. It includes the basic, historical, theoretical nature, and background of your topic. This information is the material that under girds, and provides basic support from which your topic emerges. Essentially you are trying to present a rational/theoretical/research-based model for (a) the key variables you are interested in investigating and (b) any believed interrelationships between the dependent, or criterion, variable and the independent variables. This section will typically be 2-4 pages. Literature citations are essential. Theorists and researchers who are famous in the field of the topic will probably be referenced in this section.

Statement of the Problem Approximately 1-3 pages in which you give a clearly and concisely detailed explanation of just phrases like: “While evidence of this relationship have been established in the private schools of New Hampshire, no such relationship has been investigated within the public schools of Missouri.” “Yet, the results of prior studies have been mixed and contradictory, as evidenced by research by Smith (1990) and Allison (1992).” “Still not enough is known about the impact of ‘X’ on ‘Y’ when ‘Z’ is taken into account for students of this age.”

Purpose of the Study There should be one or two paragraphs to introduce the research questions and hypotheses.

1

Research Questions List them as 1. . . . 2. . . . 3. . . . . . . . n. Hypotheses List them as 1. . . . 2. . . . . 3. . . . . . . . n.

Limitations, Assumptions, and Design Controls Having this section clarifies some points for your readers, setting the assumptions upon which the research is pursued, listing some limitations, and indicating clearly how some potential problems will be controlled (thereby increasing your readers’ confidence in you as a researcher and in your study). Limitations are the limitations for which you, the researcher, have no control over. These might include resources for your topic which are limiting you from doing more extensive study, or in the case of active research, subjects who fail to complete the appropriate test items, or lack of whatever which might cause you to eliminate that person from your study. This section may not be applicable to your treatment of the topic. Seek advice. Assumptions are those things that, relative to your study, you are “taking for granted.” You may find it easier to write this section later as you develop your methodology in Chapter 3.

Definition of Key Terms An introductory sentence should be used to transition to the definition of key terms. The terms in this section should be terms directly related to your research that will be used by you throughout the research. It is up to you, the researcher, to define each term as you want the reader to know that term. In every case possible, cite a source for you definition. It is all right to have some definitions without citations when you are listing a “commonly understood” term or you have no source. (The following are examples for formatting purposes). Achievement. (The definition should be written as 1 or more complete sentences and not underlined)_________________________________ (Thompson, 1998). Attendance._____________________________________________________________________ __________ (Smith & Jones, 1997).

2

Summary Present a 1-3 paragraph summary of key points included in Chapter 1. Then present
Show More

Related Documents: Dissertation Guide Essay

Scientific Method and Literature Review Essay

Doing a Dissertation – Overview For most students, a dissertation is the longest and most difficult piece of writing that they will ever attempt. However, if you follow the steps outlined in your dissertation module handbook (and summarised in this ASU guide), you should find it an enjoyable and manageable exercise which will produce a piece of work you can be proud of. This guide summarises the advice given in the UHBS Undergraduate Dissertation Handbook (UHBS, 2010-11) and the Postgraduate…

Words 3763 - Pages 16

Essay on Rocky Where u been

Scope: This guide is designed to help researchers learn how to cite sources using the Chicago Manual of Style. This system, also known as Turabian, is often used in history, the humanitites, and the arts. This guide is not meant to be a comprehensive list of all sources you may encounter. For more information and examples, refer to the The Chicago Manual of Style or Kate Turabian's Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations: Chicago Style for Students and Researchers. Both manuals…

Words 744 - Pages 3

DISS HANDBOOK 2014 15 Essay

Glasgow School for Business and Society MHN321920 UNDERGRADUATE DISSERTATION BA ACCOUNTANCY BA FINANCE, INVESTMENT & RISK BA RISK MANAGEMENT Dissertation Tutors: Siobhan J White Sarah Laycock Shahid Nawaz Table of Contents Page 1. Introduction 1.1 Learning Outcomes 4 1.2 Module Structure 5 2. Research Methods 2.1 Learning Outcomes 5 2.2 Learning & Teaching Methods 6 2.3 Scheme of Work 7 2.4 Assessment 8 3. Supervision 3.1…

Words 7950 - Pages 32

pricing strategy Essay

Post Graduate Masters Dissertation Handbook Guidelines for Students, Supervisors and Markers (Electronic version at Weblearn Open Course: LMBS Post Grad Dissertation Handbook 2009/10) Draft Sept 09 These guidelines are for students and staff involved with dissertations for all Post Graduate courses within the LMBS. This document draws on input from numerous staff members as well as from students. Any further comments and input are welcome! CONTENTS INTRODUCTION…

Words 4542 - Pages 19

The Importance Of Critical Thinking

An innovative leader must be able to effectively evaluate an argument, an article, a research study, and other types of writing and thinking. To do so requires critical thinking and analysis skills. As you progress through this program of study, you will be expected to avoid responses that are based solely on your personal opinions, feelings, and beliefs—these are subjective responses utilizing egocentric thinking. You will be challenged not to accept the statements of others at face value, which…

Words 363 - Pages 2

Essay about Cmp9500B Comprehensive Exam Solution

research and organizing and making sense of research findings. In spite of the great importance of theory-building and theory testing within your field of specialization, there is no generally accepted conception of what a theory is. Because your dissertation must contribute to theory, you must have a clear understanding of the variety of conceptions of theory, types of theories, and ways of contributing to theory and be able to justify how, exactly, your study contributes to theory. Part 1 Using…

Words 1595 - Pages 7

Introduction To Advanced Graduate Studies And Scholarship Detail

Discussion Question Details Module 1 DQ 2 Directions: Use the following information to ensure successful completion of the assignment: Refer to the document "Discussion Forum Philosophy." Download the file, print it, and use the information to guide your participation in the Main Forum. View the tutorial titled "Library Resources for Doctoral Learners." Each week, two initial posts and three ongoing contributions are required for a minimum of five separate posts on three separate days of the module…

Words 6859 - Pages 28

SCAB School Counseling advisory Board Essay example

primary purpose of the ninth grade advisory . Second, the advisory teachers described their advisory roles as life-guides and family members. The guidance counselor and assistant principal described advisors as the first point of contact and student advocates. Third, the participants described the advisory content as being grounded in students' interests and the BSSJ Guide to Advisory curriculum. Results. Advisory implementation (ACS) level was reported by students as significant in: (1)…

Words 725 - Pages 3

Summary: Interview With A Digital Immigrant

just retired as Superintendent of Schools in a school district in Schuylkill County. In 1992, he finished his doctoral dissertation, which was prior to the onset of the Internet and its numerous search engines and database sites. It was also interesting for me to see how resourceful he was in gathering the information necessary for such a large endeavor of writing a dissertation in a time when there was little instant gratification of typing in a few words and receiving hundreds of Google responses…

Words 814 - Pages 4

Brand Equity Essay

1. Researchable Topic Area The proposed title for this dissertation is “The effect of brand on customers’ purchasing behaviour on fashion in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam”. This study will aim to give concept of brand sector and its influences to build strong brand. Consequently, this study will demonstrate the relationship between brand and customer’s purchasing behaviour. In addition, the dissertation also figures out how customers are influenced by brand. Some frameworks or models which related to…

Words 1815 - Pages 8