1. Research Seminar 1 Traditional and Agile Dissertation Processes
Chuck Tappert

2. Research Seminar 1 Review
Intro to research in computing and IT
Cover traditional dissertation process
Leedy textbook
Discuss agile dissertation process
Faculty / invited guest presentations
Three individual assignments
Five quizzes reinforce the material
Research Seminar 1 Review

3. Traditional Dissertation Process
Usual University Context
Full-time resident at a university
Work for a dissertation advisor
Usually research/teaching assistant
Dissertation topic of advisor’s choosing
Often related to external funding
Cohort (classmate group) not important
No Teams/Teamwork
Research Seminar 1 Review

4. Traditional Dissertation Process Leedy-Ormrod Textbook
Part I – Fundamentals
Part II – Focusing Your Research Efforts
Problem, literature review, planning, proposal
Part III – Qualitative Research Methods
Qualitative and historical Research
Part IV – Quantitative Research Methods
Descriptive/experimental research, analyzing data
Part V – Preparing the Research Report
Research Seminar 1 Review

5. Agile Dissertation Process Used in our Doctoral Program
No qualifying exams
Simplified dissertation research proposal
Called an “idea paper”
No formal proposal to be approved
Work with a dissertation advisor
Dissertation topic of student’s choosing
Cohort (classmate group) important
As are Teams/Teamwork

6. Research Seminar 1 Review
Faculty/Invited Presentations Provided Examples of the Research Process
Chuck Tappert – Forgery Detection via Wrinkliness
Reasonably simple example, conference paper
Ron Frank – What is Doctoral Research Like?
Chuck Tappert – Example of Historical Research
Xerox v. Palm Patent Infringement Case
Other invited speaker presentations
Student presentations of possible research
Research Seminar 1 Review

7. Three Individual Assignments
Evaluate a Dissertation from our Program
Any dissertation – essence, strengths, etc.
Literature Search
Review research papers for dissertation ideas
Create an Idea Paper of Your Own Idea
This is an exercise, not a commitment
Research Seminar 1 Review

8. Research Seminar 1 Review
Writing Emphasis
We teach the Strunk and White style of writing clearly and succinctly
Expressing your ideas in writing gives you a good grasp of them
The four assignments gave you writing practice
Research Seminar 1 Review

9. Five Quizzes + Course Survey
Quizzes reinforce the materials covered
Four cover the chapters in Leedy
The fifth reviews Strunk and White
Course survey gives instructor feedback
Research Seminar 1 Review