Writing the Winning Thesis or Dissertation: A Step-by-Step Guide

by Randy Joyner

Purpose is perhaps best understood by examining it from three perspectives: institutional purpose, personal purpose, and communication purpose.

Your dissertation will be a better one if you take seriously the expectation that you will make a contribution to scholarly knowledge.

The dissertation is a report of research intended primarily for a scholarly audience. It is not a longer version of a term paper. It is not an anecdotal account of your professional success. And it is not a personal statement of your philosophy or a collection of your opinions. It is an objective, documented, and detailed report of your research.

As a student, I think the most valuable “oh, hey” moment is the realization and understanding that the IRB process is meant to protect the researcher and participants.

A research problem is a more narrowly defined issue that represents only one aspect of the research topic, such as “Problems encountered by first-year principals when dealing with irate parents.”

The problem statement is the carefully worded research issue as it appears in the dissertation. It is even narrower than the research problem.

Exhibit 5.2 Three Phases of the Literature Review Exhibit 5.2 Three Phases of the Literature Review Phase Chief Sources Purpose Broad scan Reviews of the literature To assist the researcher in identifying a research problem Focused review ERIC To develop a proposal prospectus and research proposal Comprehensive critique All sources To provide a scholarly foundation for the study

Begin to keep a research journal. The research journal is your personal record of your ideas, feelings, and actions as they relate to your dissertation. The journal will provide a very useful source as you do your dissertation and reflect on your progress.