The Dissertation Process or Ok, what’s next?

Candidates’ Comprehension of Conceptualizing Research UnderstandingsMisunderstandingsConsequences Clarifying the research issue(s) Omitting paradigm(s) which locate and critique research issues Focus upon research methods at the expense of concepts Identifying concepts from a survey of the literature Not visualizing linkages between various concepts A framework was not devised nor its function appreciated Designing research and explaining methodology and methods Overlooking strategic and guiding roles for conceptual frameworks Lack of explicit and cohesive relationships throughout the research Leshem, S. & Trafford, V. (2007). Overlooking the conceptual framework. Innovations in Education and Teaching International, 44 (1),

Contribution to knowledge Identification of gap in knowledge Literature Review Research Issue Conceptual framework Research Statement Research questions Research Design Fieldwork Factual Conclusions Interpretive Conclusions Conceptual conclusions

The Proposal  Purpose  Conceptualize the research  Ensure the integrity of the research  Ensure the worthiness of the research  Gain the blessing of senior colleagues

The Proposal  Content  Introduction  Review of Literature  Methodology

Chapter 1: Introduction  Purpose  Sets the stage for the study and reader  Explains the what  Sets the boundaries  Indicates the limits  Shares definitions

Chapter 1: Introduction  Content  Introduction (all the props or important elements)  Statement of the Problem (future tense)  Statement of Purpose or Significance  Limitations and Delimitations  Definition of Terms

Chapter 2: Review of Literature  Purpose  Provides an understanding of current and past knowledge about the subject  What we know and what we do not know and why  Demonstrates the limitations of the current and past research  Argues reason for this research

Chapter 2: Review of Literature  Content  Literature Bins  Sections  Argument

Chapter 3 Methodology  Purpose  Explains the perspective taken in the research (dissertation)  Explains the conceptualization of the problem  Explains the methods or tools to be used  Explains the relationship of the tools to the conceptualization

Chapter 3 Methodology  Content  Conceptual Framework  Methods (future tense)

Chapter 3: Methodology Conceptual Framework  Purpose  Demonstrates the conceptualization of the research  Argues the use of a particular theory or concept(s) that will be used to organize the research  Explains the explicit and coherent relationship of the theory and/or concepts to the research

Chapter 3:Methodology Conceptual Framework  Content  The theory and/or concepts on which this research is designed  The manner by which the theory or concepts will be used or interpreted to conduct the research  The application of the concepts or construction of definitions to enable the research to be accomplished

Chapter 3: Methodology Methods  Purpose  Outlines the actions that will be taken to conduct the research  Provides assurances that the researcher understands the relationship between the conceptual framework and the tools  Ensures the ethical nature of the research

Chapter 3: Methodology Methods  Content (future tense)  Relationship to conceptual framework  Site  Permission  Participants  Tools  Ethical Standards  Plan for Analysis (based on conceptual framework and tools)

Proposal Defense  Responsibilities of student  Establish a date, time, and place for defense  Submit proposal to committee two weeks before defense  Prepare a minute overview of the proposal  “Defend” the conceptualization and methods  Negotiate (with chair) modifications with committee

The Dissertation (egads!)  Chapter 1: Introduction  Chapter 2: Review of Literature  Chapter 3: Methodology  Chapter 4: Analysis  Chapter 5: Conclusions and Recommendations

The Dissertation  Chapters 1-3  Modify based on Analysis and Conclusions  Change future to present or past tense

Chapter 4: Analysis  Purpose & Content  Analysis of the data collected  Dependent on conceptual framework and tools

Chapter 5: Conclusions and Recommendations  Conclusions  The meaning of the analysis based on the conceptual framework  The additional knowledge gained from the research  The relationship of the new knowledge to current literature: its understanding and practice

Chapter 5: Conclusions and Recommendations  Recommendations  Recommendations for future research  Recommendations for practice

Dissertation Defense  Ideally, the defense should be an intellectual discussion among colleagues  But in order for this to happen, the researcher and the chair should make sure that the dissertation is finished  The researcher MUST understand what he/she has done – conceptually and methodologically  The researcher must OWN the research  Basically, the same format as the proposal defense