Thesis and Dissertation: Selecting a Thesis Topic and Getting Started

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Presentation transcript:

Thesis and Dissertation: Selecting a Thesis Topic and Getting Started Jeffrey A. Potteiger, Ph.D., FACSM Dean, Office of Graduate Studies Grand Valley State University

Why do a thesis or a dissertation? Degree program requirement Preparation for future graduate work Interested in research/scholarship Advance your career Want to answer a question Personal satisfaction and accomplishment

Getting Started with 5 questions and some advice What topic am I interested in? Who can advise me in my topic? Do I have the skill set to complete my project? Is my project doable? Does my project have meaning? Outline for thesis/dissertation project

What topic am I interested in?

Who can advise me in my topic?

Do I have the skill set to complete my project?

Is my project doable?

Does my project have meaning?

Outline for thesis/dissertation project Background Information Provide a cursory overview of the "why" you need to conduct this investigation Purpose What specific question are you trying to answer Hypothesis Establish hypothesis or hypotheses Importance Why is it necessary to perform this investigation

Outline for thesis project Subjects What group (people, animals, bacteria) will participate in your investigation Variables What variables are you going to control or manipulate and what variables are you going to measure (independent and dependant) Design and methods Describe exactly (in short form) what you plan to do

Outline for thesis project Equipment What is the equipment you plan to use Budget Is there any cost to performing this project Previous experience Do you have the necessary skills to conduct this research Collaboration Will other individuals help with the project

Outline for thesis project Data collection Provide an outline of your data collection procedures Data analysis Provide information on the most appropriate data analysis

Tips for getting started Talk with a professor for whom you have written a paper (presumably a good one) to see if the paper could be expanded into a thesis Look at Dissertation Abstracts, which sometimes includes lists of masters theses View masters theses that are catalogued (ScholarWorks) in the library: http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/ Examine articles on topics that interest you--you may find something that you can explore further

Mechanics of getting started Know the program requirements for thesis Identify a thesis committee chairperson Establish a reasonable and workable timeline Use the GVSU resources: http://www.gvsu.edu/gs/

Potteiger’s tips Read, read, read…and then read some more Select a topic in which you are highly interested Identify a thesis/dissertation advisor that you can work with and that can help you complete your thesis in an exemplary manner

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