Thanks to Gail Scukanec for presentation development

Thesis Dissertation Thesis Dissertation

Today We Will Explore Three steps important to successful completion of a Thesis or Dissertation Beginning the Research Conducting the Research Following University Procedures Three steps important to successful completion of a Thesis or Dissertation Beginning the Research Conducting the Research Following University Procedures

Beginning the Research Select a Topic Burning personal issue Advisor assigned Read your advisor’s work Talk to colleagues Read, Read, Read Burning personal issue Advisor assigned Read your advisor’s work Talk to colleagues Read, Read, Read

Select a Topic Consider the balance between: “I really want to know...” and “I gotta get out of here!” Consider your personal and professional plans and goals Consult with your Advisor Consider the balance between: “I really want to know...” and “I gotta get out of here!” Consider your personal and professional plans and goals Consult with your Advisor

Formulate Research Question What specifically do you intend to study or accomplish? Appearance of Zebra Mussels in the Chippewa River Reading difficulties of fifth-grade girls Good (clear, concise, focused) research questions = good research Poor (vague, unfocused, imprecise) research questions = frustration and disappointment What specifically do you intend to study or accomplish? Appearance of Zebra Mussels in the Chippewa River Reading difficulties of fifth-grade girls Good (clear, concise, focused) research questions = good research Poor (vague, unfocused, imprecise) research questions = frustration and disappointment

Literature Review For the prospectus or proposal, it needs to be GOOD ENOUGH For the final paper, it needs to be EXHAUSTIVE Manuscripts v. Journals v. Books It’s a digital world... For the prospectus or proposal, it needs to be GOOD ENOUGH For the final paper, it needs to be EXHAUSTIVE Manuscripts v. Journals v. Books It’s a digital world...

Literature Review Cover all relevant aspects of the literature for your research question Great Lakes ecosystems Shipping industry Anatomy of a Zebra Mussel Lifecycle of a Zebra Mussel Etc... Cover all relevant aspects of the literature for your research question Great Lakes ecosystems Shipping industry Anatomy of a Zebra Mussel Lifecycle of a Zebra Mussel Etc...

Methods What you are going to do VERY specific Inclusive to avoid questions IRB What you are going to do VERY specific Inclusive to avoid questions IRB

Pilot Data EXACTLY as planned in the Methods section You guessed it! EXACTLY as planned in the Methods section Research design is workable. OR Research design must be modified EXACTLY as planned in the Methods section You guessed it! EXACTLY as planned in the Methods section Research design is workable. OR Research design must be modified

Conducting the Research Organization Introduction Review of Literature Methods Results Conclusions or Discussion or Synthesis Introduction Review of Literature Methods Results Conclusions or Discussion or Synthesis

Organization Check with your department / committee / thesis chair to find out if there is a preferred style for your discipline Some disciplines have no set style, nor does the Graduate College When all else fails, the style manual of the American Psychological Association (APA) is usually applicable and acceptable Check with your department / committee / thesis chair to find out if there is a preferred style for your discipline Some disciplines have no set style, nor does the Graduate College When all else fails, the style manual of the American Psychological Association (APA) is usually applicable and acceptable

Introduction Brief, Concise, to the point Overview of the research problem Why is it worth exploring? What contribution will this study make? Cover all aspects relevant to your study Work from broad context to specific research question(s) Brief, Concise, to the point Overview of the research problem Why is it worth exploring? What contribution will this study make? Cover all aspects relevant to your study Work from broad context to specific research question(s)

Introduction Typically entitled “The Problem and Its Context” A formula chapter – certain things need to be in the chapter in a certain order Sets up project, document, everything Easy to set up in computer, many sections easy to write Biggest challenge is problem statement Typically entitled “The Problem and Its Context” A formula chapter – certain things need to be in the chapter in a certain order Sets up project, document, everything Easy to set up in computer, many sections easy to write Biggest challenge is problem statement

Literature Review May be very lengthy Provides a context for the study Demonstrates WHY it is important and timely Clarifies the relationship between your study and previous work on the topic May be very lengthy Provides a context for the study Demonstrates WHY it is important and timely Clarifies the relationship between your study and previous work on the topic

Literature Review Not a compilation of facts and feelings, but a coherent argument that leads the reader to the proposed study By the end of the Lit Review, the reader should conclude that this is indeed the exact study that needs to be done at this time to move knowledge in this field a little further along Not a compilation of facts and feelings, but a coherent argument that leads the reader to the proposed study By the end of the Lit Review, the reader should conclude that this is indeed the exact study that needs to be done at this time to move knowledge in this field a little further along

Literature Review Problems This is not a job interview, where you show off your knowledge... Avoid too many quotes, your job is to summarize and synthesize the available information, so paraphrase This is not a job interview, where you show off your knowledge... Avoid too many quotes, your job is to summarize and synthesize the available information, so paraphrase

Literature Review Problems Do point out limitations of previous work, but be kind... You may be next Do not simply record everything you can find on a topic... Work from an outline to build your case that you need to do this study NOW Do point out limitations of previous work, but be kind... You may be next Do not simply record everything you can find on a topic... Work from an outline to build your case that you need to do this study NOW

Literature Review Ends with a Statement of the Problem (connects the Lit Review to your study) By the end of the Lit Review the reader must be convinced that there is a need for your study, and that your study is the correct one given ALL THAT HAS GONE BEFORE... Ends with a Statement of the Problem (connects the Lit Review to your study) By the end of the Lit Review the reader must be convinced that there is a need for your study, and that your study is the correct one given ALL THAT HAS GONE BEFORE...

Methods Begin with an introductory paragraph that describes the design of the study and the organization of the chapter Then, describe your sample / subjects Describe any research tools (survey instruments, etc.) Don’t forget to address the reliability and validity of these tools Begin with an introductory paragraph that describes the design of the study and the organization of the chapter Then, describe your sample / subjects Describe any research tools (survey instruments, etc.) Don’t forget to address the reliability and validity of these tools

Methods Describe in terms that can be replicated the procedures you followed to collect your data Include considerations and processes followed if you used human or animal subjects Describe in terms that can be replicated the procedures you followed to collect your data Include considerations and processes followed if you used human or animal subjects

Methods Reduce the data- what steps did you take to go from raw data to useful data What statistical procedures did you use AKA: Statistical Analysis Reduce the data- what steps did you take to go from raw data to useful data What statistical procedures did you use AKA: Statistical Analysis

Methods Delimitations- those decisions / limitations that you impose deliberately Limitations- those restrictions over which you have no control Delimitations- those decisions / limitations that you impose deliberately Limitations- those restrictions over which you have no control Describe all limitations of your study

Results Just the facts Contains only the findings of your data collection, reduction, and analysis processes Organize, Organize, Organize Tables and figures are useful tools, and should be supported by a clear description in the text Just the facts Contains only the findings of your data collection, reduction, and analysis processes Organize, Organize, Organize Tables and figures are useful tools, and should be supported by a clear description in the text

Results Does not include a discussion of your findings... Save that for the next chapter Does not include information on how the data were collected, etc... That’s in the previous chapter Does not include a discussion of your findings... Save that for the next chapter Does not include information on how the data were collected, etc... That’s in the previous chapter

Results Time Order- chronological presentation of findings Order of Importance- prioritize for the reader Organize, Organize, Organize Time Order- chronological presentation of findings Order of Importance- prioritize for the reader Organize, Organize, Organize

Discussion and Conclusions Last chapter, this is where you move beyond the data to integrate your findings with existing theory and research

Discussion and Conclusions Includes An overview of the significant findings A consideration of how those findings fit into existing research and theory A careful examination of any findings that fail to support your hypotheses An exploration of the impact of the limitations of your study on the generalization of the results Includes An overview of the significant findings A consideration of how those findings fit into existing research and theory A careful examination of any findings that fail to support your hypotheses An exploration of the impact of the limitations of your study on the generalization of the results

Discussion and Conclusions Includes (continued) Recommendations for further research Implications of the study for professional practice or applied settings Includes (continued) Recommendations for further research Implications of the study for professional practice or applied settings

Title Usually start with a working title that will be amended at the end of this process Include all necessary key words to correctly convey the content of the study Avoid all unnecessary words Choose the order of the words carefully Usually start with a working title that will be amended at the end of this process Include all necessary key words to correctly convey the content of the study Avoid all unnecessary words Choose the order of the words carefully

Abstract Very important piece of writing. Write once research is complete. This is what others will look at to determine if they should read further! Very important piece of writing. Write once research is complete. This is what others will look at to determine if they should read further!

Abstract Introduction/Background What has been done that brings you to ask your questions(s)? Purpose Statement Why are you doing this work? Methodology Specifically, how are you conducting the project? Introduction/Background What has been done that brings you to ask your questions(s)? Purpose Statement Why are you doing this work? Methodology Specifically, how are you conducting the project?

Abstract Results What did you find? Conclusion What do your findings mean, what are the implications? Results What did you find? Conclusion What do your findings mean, what are the implications?

Abstract This is the one piece of your project that will be evaluated/edited for content by the College of Graduate Studies.

Advice Find a thesis buddy. Keep things in perspective. Don’t procrastinate. Remember, you will become the expert! Find a thesis buddy. Keep things in perspective. Don’t procrastinate. Remember, you will become the expert!

Writing Tara Grays Steps—everyday 15 min WCAR—”write crud and revise” Work to your strengths It’s never perfect—let it go! Tara Grays Steps—everyday 15 min WCAR—”write crud and revise” Work to your strengths It’s never perfect—let it go!

10/14/ Things to Do in Drafts to Avoid Antagonizing your Chair ALWAYS run the spell check before turning in a draft ALWAYS pay attention to the grammar checker and get rid of basic problems ALWAYS use page numbers, a footer with your name in it ALWAYS use the correct margins, heading formats, APA format ALWAYS run the spell check before turning in a draft ALWAYS pay attention to the grammar checker and get rid of basic problems ALWAYS use page numbers, a footer with your name in it ALWAYS use the correct margins, heading formats, APA format

University Procedures Select a thesis chair (major professor) according to departmental guidelines Identify members of your committee, also according to departmental guidelines Obtain approval of your topic from your thesis chair and committee, if appropriate Select a thesis chair (major professor) according to departmental guidelines Identify members of your committee, also according to departmental guidelines Obtain approval of your topic from your thesis chair and committee, if appropriate

University Procedures Complete the Prospectus for Thesis or Doctoral Dissertation form and receive approval for this document from your thesis chair and committee Secure Institutional Review Board (IRB) or IACUC approval, if appropriate Submit your prospectus to the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies for approval Complete the Prospectus for Thesis or Doctoral Dissertation form and receive approval for this document from your thesis chair and committee Secure Institutional Review Board (IRB) or IACUC approval, if appropriate Submit your prospectus to the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies for approval

Write rough drafts of the manuscript and submit them to your advisor/committee Submit the final draft Defend your thesis/dissertation Correct your final draft as indicated Obtain signatures Write rough drafts of the manuscript and submit them to your advisor/committee Submit the final draft Defend your thesis/dissertation Correct your final draft as indicated Obtain signatures

Submit Plan A and B Completion Sign- Off form to the Graduation Auditor (100 Foust) Submit final manuscript to the Thesis Evaluator (251 Foust) You are not done until your manuscript has been cleared by the Graduate College Submit Plan A and B Completion Sign- Off form to the Graduation Auditor (100 Foust) Submit final manuscript to the Thesis Evaluator (251 Foust) You are not done until your manuscript has been cleared by the Graduate College

Once Thesis Evaluator has cleared your manuscript, submit Final Copies on good quality paper (see Guidelines) for binding You must bind at least two copies of a Thesis or Dissertation (one for the library and one for the department)... You may want other copies for your bookshelf Once Thesis Evaluator has cleared your manuscript, submit Final Copies on good quality paper (see Guidelines) for binding You must bind at least two copies of a Thesis or Dissertation (one for the library and one for the department)... You may want other copies for your bookshelf

You are responsible for binding and microfilming fees (see Guidelines)

Dissertation Research Support Graduate Student Publication and Presentation Grants Graduate Student Research Grants Outstanding Thesis and Dissertation Awards Thesis Experience Checklist Dissertation Research Support Graduate Student Publication and Presentation Grants Graduate Student Research Grants Outstanding Thesis and Dissertation Awards Thesis Experience Checklist