The Portable Dissertation Advisor

Cover
Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Chapter 1 - First Steps toward Your Dissertation
How to Use This Book
Dissertation Conventions
The Dissertation Process
Finding a Topic
Finding a Theory
Finding a Research Method
Finding a Dissertation Support Group
The Doctoral Dissertation in Historical Perspective
Chapter 2 - The Introductory Sections
The Outline of a Proposal
The First Chapter
Summary
Chapter 3 - The Literature Review
Quantitative and Qualitative Literature Reviews
Literature Review
Beginning a Literature Review
Types of Research Material
Conduct of the Review
How to Use a Research Library
Summary
Chapter 4 - The Research Design
Exploratory and Descriptive Studies
Quantitative Studies
Qualitative Studies
Contingency Plans: Changing the Research Design Plan
Some Common Design Problems
Getting Good Data
Objectivity and Bias
The Institutional Review Board
Summary
Chapter 5 - The Report of Your Findings
Conventions Guiding the Reporting of Data
Reminder of the Research Focus
Objective Presentation
Explication of Research Process
Data Reduction
Interactions with Your Advisor during This Phase
Organization of Findings
Reporting Data in Tables, Charts, and Graphs
First-Person Voice
Writing to Discover in Chapters Four and Five
Redundancy
Summary of Findings
Chapter 6 - The Concluding Section
A Discussion of Your Findings
An Assessment of the Significance of Your Findings
A List of Recommendations for Practice or for Future Research
Summary
Chapter 7 - Sage Advice on Navigating the Dissertation Process
Understanding the Supervisory Committee
Luminaries
The Proposal Meeting
The Defense
Issues with Completion
Health Issues
Giving up/Sticking it out/Time out
Publishing from Your Dissertation
Proofreading
Acknowledgment Page
Attending Graduation
The Doctoral Hood and Gown
Final Words
Appendix A: Annotated Bibliography of Useful Books
Appendix B: Bibliography of Helpful Dissertations
Appendix C: Assessment Instrument for Evaluating Your Study
Appendix D: Activities for Dissertation Support Groups
References
Index