Machine generated contents note: pt. I Establishing the Foundations -- 1.Laying the Groundwork for the Thesis and Dissertation -- Understanding the Special Nature of the Dissertation -- Purposes in Writing the Dissertation -- The Audiences for the Dissertation -- Analyze the Special Characteristics of the Dissertation -- Making Ethical Choices With Respect to the Dissertation -- Conduct Ethical Research -- Secure Informed Consent -- Acknowledge All Those Who Have Contributed or Collaborated -- Report the Results Honestly and Objectively -- Securing the Needed Resources -- Analyze Your Needs -- Search for Special Support -- Understanding the Key Differences Between the Thesis and the Dissertation -- Roles and Responsibilities of the Committee -- The Dynamics of the Committee -- Preventing Problems With the Committee -- Dealing With Committee Problems -- Committee Members Do Not Give Feedback Promptly -- Committee Members Give Conflicting Advice --

Contents note continued: Committee Members Give Unhelpful Advice -- Relationships Critically Deteriorate -- Solving Personal Problems With the Dissertation -- Problems Near the End of Course Work -- Problems at the End of Course Work -- Problems After the Proposal -- Problems After the Defense -- A Look Ahead -- Technology Technique: The Role of the Internet for Research in the Dissertation Process -- 2.Dealing With Institutional Requirements -- Styles -- Specific University Guidelines or Requirements -- Institutional Review Board -- Knowledge Requirements (Training) -- Certificate Time Frame -- Degree Completion Time Lines -- 3.Finding a Research Problem -- Make a Personal Assessment of Topics -- Professional Significance -- Continuing Professional Interest -- Personal Interest -- Career Advancement -- Professional Knowledge, Experience, and Skills -- Likely Support -- Time Required -- Accessibility -- Conduct a Broad Scan of the Literature -- Organize for the Broad Scan --

Contents note continued: Read to Inquire -- Concentrate on Research Reviews -- Reflect and Discuss -- Fix on the Research Topic and Research Problem -- Technology Technique: University Research Librarians -- 4.Conducting a Focused Review of the Literature -- Reorganize Your Files -- Retrieve All Related Abstracts -- Evaluate the Results -- Check for Prior Dissertations -- Retrieve the Full Texts of the Most Useful Sources -- Use Primary Sources -- Develop an Annotated Bibliography -- A Concluding Note -- Technology Technique: Software for Maintaining Reference Information -- 5.Making a Preliminary Choice of Methodology -- Quantitative and Qualitative Perspectives -- Mixed Method Perspective -- Project-Based Studies -- Research Types -- Studies Primarily Quantitative in Nature -- Experimental Research -- Quasi-experimental Research -- Causal-Comparative Research -- Correlational Research -- Descriptive Research -- Evaluation Research -- Studies Primarily Qualitative in Nature --

Contents note continued: Case Study Research -- Ethnographic Research -- Action Research -- Research Methods -- Make Preliminary Choices -- Technology Technique: Data Analysis Software I -- 6.Organizing and Scheduling Your Work -- Develop a Planning Chart -- Make the Tentative Entries -- Technology Technique: Chart Software -- 7.Developing the Prospectus and Organizing the Committee -- Prospectus Rationale -- Prospectus Development -- Committee Selection -- Committee Dynamics -- Technology Technique: Telecommunication and Software Editing Tools -- pt. II Developing and Defending the Proposal -- 8.Conducting a Comprehensive Critique of the Literature -- Maintain Good Research Practices Throughout the Search -- Develop a Focused Outline of the Search -- Establish Parameters for the Search -- Conduct a Comprehensive Search -- Critique All Sources Retrieved -- A Concluding Note -- Technology Technique: Electronic Note Card -- 9.Detailing the Methodology --

Contents note continued: The Research Design: Its General Nature -- The Research Design: Type-Specific Issues -- Quantitative: Experimental and Quasi-experimental Research -- Quantitative: Causal-Comparative Research -- Quantitative: Correlational Research -- Quantitative: Descriptive Research -- Evaluation -- Qualitative: Case Study and Ethnographic Research -- Mixed Method: Action Research -- Develop Your Research Design -- Technology Technique: Data Analysis Software II -- 10.Developing and Defending the Proposal -- Peer Collaboration -- Weighing the Advantages and Disadvantages -- Structuring the Collaborative -- Prepare for Comprehensive Examinations -- Provide Editorial Feedback -- Assist With and Contribute to Literature Review -- Assist With and Contribute to Data Collection -- Assist With and Contribute to Data Analysis -- Prepare for and Contribute to Defenses -- Develop an Article for Publication -- Provide Emotional Support --

Contents note continued: Formalize the Structure and Request Adviser Approval -- Help the Group Remain Productive -- Readers and Reviewers -- Miniproposal -- Developing the Proposal -- Developing the Proposal: The Big Picture -- Developing the Proposal: Writing Chapter 1 -- Introduction to the Chapter -- Background of the Study -- The Problem Statement -- Professional Significance of the Study -- Other Optional Components -- Developing the Proposal: Writing Chapter 2 -- Review the Theoretical Literature -- Review Theories -- Review the Empirical Literature -- Developing the Proposal: Writing Chapter 3 -- Developing the Proposal: The References -- Developing the Proposal: The Appendices -- Holding the Proposal Defense -- Coordinate Committee Schedules: Date and Time -- Prepare for the Proposal Defense -- Presentation of the Proposal Defense -- Facilities -- Deal With Other Defense Issues -- Postproposal Steps -- Secure IRB Approval -- IRB Certification: Student --

Contents note continued: IRB Certification: Adviser -- University Requirements/Protocols -- Collect Data After Obtaining Appropriate Approvals -- Committee Requirements -- Required Edits and/or Revisions -- Review and Adjust Time Line -- Technology Technique: Page Numbering Using Word Processing Software and University Guidelines -- pt. III Researching and Writing the Thesis or Dissertation -- 11.Implementing the Research Design -- Communicate Periodically With the Chair -- Ensure Access to the Research Site -- Avoid Premature Data Collection -- Develop a Detailed Planning Calendar -- Change the Schedule as Needed -- Prevent Problems With the Intervention -- Use Computers Mindfully -- Ensure a High Rate of Return on Surveys -- Maintain Careful and Duplicate Records -- Technology Technique: Electronic Data Collection and Analysis -- 12.Mastering the Academic Style -- Follow the Recommended Style Guide -- Use the Writing Process -- Develop an Effective Approach to Writing --

Contents note continued: Write With an Efficient Process -- Mastering the Academic Style -- Project an Appropriate Persona -- Document Assertions -- Vary the Way You Identify Sources -- Use Appropriate Paragraphing -- Write Clear, Mature Sentences -- Some Special Matters of Word Choice and Form -- Technology Technique: Tools for Writing Software -- 13.Organizing the Dissertation -- How Are Dissertations Organized? -- What Principles Govern the Organization of Individual Chapters? -- How Can the Organization Be Made Clear to the Reader -- How Is the Dissertation Finally Packaged? -- Technology Technique: Editors/Style Editors -- 14.Writing the Introductory Chapter -- Introduction to the Chapter -- The Background of the Study -- The Problem Statement -- The Professional Significance of the Study -- Overview of Methodology -- Limitations and Delimitations -- Definition of Terms -- Technology Technique: Word Processing -- 15.Writing the Review of the Literature --

Contents note continued: Update the Comprehensive Critique of the Literature -- Reread All Sources -- Develop the Final Outline -- Use Levels of Headings That Reflect the Outline -- Write the Introductory Paragraph -- Write the First Section of the Review -- Provide an Overview -- Generalize -- Specific Reminders -- Write the Remaining Sections, Including a Summary -- Specific Reminders -- Evaluate and Revise -- Technology Technique: Formatting Quotes -- 16.Explaining the Methodology -- Prepare to Write the Chapter -- Use an Objective Style in Writing the Chapter -- Determine the Content of the Chapter -- Outline the Chapter and Use Headings Appropriately -- Make an Outline -- Use Appropriate Headings -- Describe the Context for the Study -- Identify the Subjects or Participants -- Identify the Instruments Used to Collect Data -- Explain the Procedures Used in Completing the Design -- Explain How the Data Were Analyzed -- Write a Summary -- Technology Technique: Formatting --

Contents note continued: 17.Presenting the Results -- Prepare to Present the Results -- Decide on the Contents and Format of the Chapter -- Determine the Organization of the Chapter -- Develop the Tables and Figures -- Write the Introductory Paragraph -- Write the First Section -- Write the Remaining Sections, Using Appropriate Headings -- Revise the Chapter and Submit It for Review -- Technology Technique: Using Software to Create Figures and Tables -- 18.Summarizing and Discussing the Results -- Review the Results Reported -- Develop an Outline of the Final Chapter -- Write the Introductory Paragraph -- Restate the Problem and Review the Methodology -- Summarize the Results -- Discuss the Meaning of the Study -- Reflect on Your Findings -- Determine the Content of the Discussion Section -- Write the Discussion Section -- Technology Technique: Software Capabilities -- pt. IV Defending and Profiting From the Dissertation -- 19.Preparing and Holding the Dissertation Defense --

Contents note continued: Planning -- Secure Needed Resources -- Edit the Dissertation -- Check on Content and Order -- Write the Abstract -- Write the Title and Approval Pages -- Write the Acknowledgment Page -- Write the Table of Contents and Lists of Tables and Figures -- Include the Chapters -- Finalize the References -- Finalize Any Appendices -- Submit the Dissertation -- Holding the Defense -- Prepare -- Facilities -- Presentation -- After Your Presentation -- After the Defense -- University Requirements -- University Graduate School or University Library -- Electronic -- IRB Completion Requirements -- Study Closure -- Documentation -- Technology Technique: Packaging the Final Draft of the Dissertation -- 20.Publishing From the Thesis or Dissertation -- Add to the Research Knowledge Base -- Present a Scholarly Paper -- Publish a Journal Article -- Identify Several Possible Journals -- Make a Careful Analysis of Each Journal -- Prepare the Article for Submission --

Contents note continued: Develop a Plan to Publish a Book -- Complete the Book Plan -- Submit the Book Plan -- Technology Technique: Journal Software Requirements.