DCS-601 Selecting a Thesis/Research Project Topic Greater Alabama Council 2010 University of Scouting University of Alabama, Huntsville Huntsville, AL March 6, 2009 SOURCES: BSA “” Dr. Rich Goodwin Talakto District Training Chairman (256)

Agenda Learning Objectives Introduction Definitions Selecting a Topic-First Step Discussion of Topic Selection Exercise: Selection of Typical Topic/Initial Development Preliminary Steps in a Good Thesis or Project Examples and Lessons Learned Doctor of Commissioner Science Requirements 2

Learning Objectives The Doctor of Commissioner Science Degree requires the satisfactory development of a thesis or research project on any topic of value to Scouting in the local council, and which must be suitable for publication. So, how does one select a thesis/research project topic? 3 SOURCES: “District Training Workshop”

I. What are the Requirements? Thesis or Project A.20 pages, double spaced (8 ½ x 11” white paper) B.Non-permanent binder C.Meaningful research, development and study D.Belongs to local council; if published credit given to author E.Deadline July 1 for review if to be awarded at fall conference F.Include complete bibliography Approval. The topic and final paper or project must be approved by the council commissioner, or assigned assistant council commissioner, or the dean of the doctorate program and the staff advisor for commissioner service 4

II. Definitions A.Thesis: 2 a : a position or proposition that a person (as a candidate for scholastic honors) advances and offers to maintain by argument b : a proposition to be proved or one advanced without proof B.Hypothesis: 1 a : an assumption or concession made for the sake of argument b : an interpretation of a practical situation or condition taken as the ground for action; 2 : a tentative assumption made in order to draw out and test its logical or empirical consequences C.Theory: 5 : a plausible or scientifically acceptable general principle or body of principles offered to explain phenomena; 6 a : a hypothesis assumed for the sake of argument or investigation b : an unproved assumption D.Law: 6 a : a statement of an order or relation of phenomena that so far as is known is invariable under the given conditions b : a general relation proved or assumed to hold between mathematical or logical expressions synonyms hypothesis, theory, law mean a formula derived by inference from scientific data that explains a principle operating in nature. hypothesis implies insufficient evidence to provide more than a tentative explanation. theory implies a greater range of evidence and greater likelihood of truth. law implies a statement of order and relation in nature that has been found to be invariable under the same conditions 5

III. Selecting a Topic—The 1 st Step A.Your area of interest B.Your area of experience C.An area of need D.Something you can research yourself. It is an individual research project! E.Limited scope, should plan on completing in one year Why? Stay tuned to this station…. 6

IV. Discussion of Topic Selection A. Area of interest 1. Why? More likely to be completed 2. Resources—more likely to have adequate personal resources 3. Knowledge—more likely to have current knowledge B.Area of experience and expertise 1. Why? More personal knowledge 2. Resource—personal experience 3. May have greater value C. Area of need 1. Study should be useful to you and other Scouters 2. Study may be useful to the district, council, area, region or National Council 3. Makes better use of your time and talents D. Area that can be accomplished by you 1. Availability of reference material 2. Availability of needed resources 3. Availability of experienced counselors E. Area of research limited by time constraints 1. Time required to complete research 2. Time required to analyze material 3. Time required to write, rewrite, and type in final form 7

V. An Exercise Your Mission Teams of three Select a topic – 15 minutes – Develop initial stages – What would be done? – What sequence do it? – Not content or how to do it Team Reports Five minutes each maximum What the team did Why you did it Group discussion 8

VI. Preliminary Steps in a Good Thesis or Project A.Define the problem or state the thesis –“What are Cub Scout advancement motivators” –“Why some boys don’t graduate from Cubs to Scout B.Review literature (BSA and others) A.Education B.Management C.Voluntarism D.Motivation E.Do not limit to BSA literature alone! C.Observations, surveys, interviews –Watch den / pack / troop meetings to spot leadership skills used / not used –Interview boys / parents / leaders –Survey samples of new / experienced leaders D.Field testing — see if the idea works 9

Examples 1 10

Examples 2 11

Example 3 12

Examples 4 13

Conclusion 14 The commissioner is the mainstay for Scouting program administration. It is commissioner service that ensures that units are healthy, productive, and assist in the growth of the program.

Doctorate of Commissioner Science Knot Award Justification The commissioner is the mainstay for Scouting program administration. It is commissioner service that ensures that units are healthy, productive, and assist in the growth of the program. The College of Commissioner Science program is designed to have a commissioner learn, through a series of training classes, followed by work experiences to ensure a quality program throughout Scouting. This training will take a number of years to complete. The commissioner finalizes his/her training with an approved thesis or project for the benefit of the Scouting program. This assists both new commissioners as they learn, and seasoned commissioners as they train others. A well-trained commissioner staff better serves the Scouting program. The College of Commissioner Science program is a guideline for councils to adapt as they determine will fit their needs. Having a knot award for the program requires that the commissioner complete, as a minimum, a training program standardized for all BSA programs. Objectives To further involve commissioners in providing support to units in their delivery of a quality program experience for all youth in Scouting. To provide councils an opportunity to recognize commissioners for their tenured service, their involvement in learning more about delivery of quality Scouting, and their involvement in support of others. 15 Knot really—we are to better deliver the Scouting Program to youth!!!

Doctor of Commissioner Science Degree (DCS) Prerequisites – Completion of master’s degree. – Have been awarded the Commissioner’s Key. – Current registration as a commissioner. Course Requirements – Complete a minimum of ten (10) additional courses of instruction not used to qualify for other college awards (total of 24), at least five (5) of the courses at the doctor’s program level as listed in the Continuing Education for Commissioners manual. Thesis or Project – 1. Completion of a thesis or project on any topic of value to Scouting in the local council. – 2.The topic and final paper or project must be approved by the council commissioner, or assigned assistant council commissioner, or the dean of the doctorate program and the staff advisor for commissioner service. Performance – 1.Serve on the College of Commissioner Science faculty (instructor or support staff) or work with training support for commissioners for at least one year. – 2.Recruit at least three new commissioners at any level. – 3.Approval of Council or assigned Assistant Council Commissioner – 3.Approval of Scout Executive or Advisor to Commissioner Service 16 Knot really—we are to better deliver the Scouting Program to youth!!!