Writing the winning thesis or dissertation a step-by-step guide

List of ExhibitsPrefaceAbout the AuthorsPublisher\'s AcknowledgmentsPart I: The FoundationsChapter 1. Groundwork for Theses and Dissertations   Dissertation\'s Special Nature   Securing the Needed Resources   Thesis and Dissertation Key DifferencesChapter 2. The Thesis or Doctoral Committee   Roles and Responsibilities of the Committee   The Dynamics of the Committee   Preventing Problems With the Committee   Dealing With Committee Problems   Solving Personal Problems With the DissertationChapter 3. The Degree-Granting Institution\'s Requirements   Degree Completion Time Lines   Styles   Specific University Guidelines or RequirementsChapter 4. The Institutional Review Board   Knowledge Requirements (Training)   IRB Resources   Certification Time Frame   Case Study I: Selecting Members of the Doctoral Committee   Forming the Committee/Selecting Committee Members   Points to PonderPart II: Research Problem DevelopmentChapter 5. The Research Problem   Make a Personal Assessment of Topics   Reflect and Discuss   Fix on the Research Topic and Research ProblemChapter 6. The 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 BibliographyChapter 7. 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 RetrievedChapter 8. Focused Review of Available Methodologies for Data Collection and Analyses   Quantitative and Qualitative Perspectives   Research Types   Research Methods   Make Preliminary ChoicesChapter 9. Selected Methodology   The Research Design: Its General Nature   The Research Design: Type-Specific Issues   Develop Your Research Design   Case Study II: Selecting/Developing a Research Topic   Developing a Research Topic   Points to PonderPart III: The Prospectus PreparationChapter 10. The Work Plan   Develop a Planning Chart   Make the Tentative EntriesChapter 11. The Prospectus Overview   Peer Collaboration   Weighing the Advantages and Disadvantages   Structuring the Collaborative   Formalize the Structure and Request Adviser Approval   Help the Group Remain ProductiveChapter 12. The Doctoral Committee and the Prospectus   Developing the Prospectus and Organizing the Committee   Prospectus Rationale   Prospectus Development   Committee Selection   Committee Dynamics   Developing the Proposal: Writing Chapter 1   Developing the Proposal: Writing Chapter 2   Developing the Proposal: Writing Chapter 3   Developing the Proposal: The References   Developing the Proposal: The AppendicesChapter 13. The Prospectus Defense   Coordinate Committee Schedules: Date and Time   Prepare for the Proposal Defense   Present the Proposal Defense   Facilities   Deal With Other Defense Issues   Committee Requirements   Postproposal Steps   Case Study III: Developing the Research Proposal   The Research Proposal   Points to PonderPart IV: The DissertationChapter 14. The Communication Process and the Writing of the Dissertation   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 RecordsChapter 15. Academic Style   Recommended Style Guide   The Writing Process   The Academic Style   Writing SoftwareChapter 16. The Dissertation Organization   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?Chapter 17. The Introduction   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 TermsChapter 18. Review of the Literature   Comprehensive Critique of the Literature   Reread All Sources   Develop the Final Outline   Levels of Headings   Write the Introductory Paragraph   First Section of the Review   The Remaining Sections, Including a SummaryChapter 19. Methodology   Prepare to Write   Use an Objective Writing Style   Determine the Chapter Content   Outline the Chapter and Use Headings Appropriately   Describe the Study\'s Context   Identify the Subjects or Participants   Identify the Data Collection Instruments   Explain the Research Design Procedures   Explain the Data Analysis/Analyses Procedure(s)   Write a SummaryChapter 20. Data Analysis/Analyses   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 for ReviewChapter 21. The Results Discussion   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   Case Study IV: Writing the Dissertation   The Dissertation   Points to PonderPart V: The Dissertation DefenseChapter 22. Defense Committee Meeting   Planning   Secure Needed Resources   Edit the Dissertation   Check on Content and Order   Write the Abstract   Write the Title and Approval Pages   Write the Acknowledgments 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   After Your Presentation   After the Defense   Institutional Review Board Completion RequirementsChapter 23. The Degree-Granting Institution\'s Graduation Requirements   Handbooks: A Source of Information   Graduation RequirementsChapter 24. The Publication of the Dissertation   Add to the Research Knowledge Base   Present a Scholarly Paper   Publish a Journal Article   Develop a Plan to Publish a Book   Case Study V: Defending the Dissertation   The Dissertation Defense Hearing   Points to PonderPart VI: TechnologyChapter 25. Technology and the Dissertation   University Research Librarians   Software   Software Capabilities   Creating Charts   Creating Figures and Tables   Collecting and Analyzing Data   Numbering Pages   Editing the Style   Editing the Content   Telecommunicating   Software Compatibility   Formatting   Packaging the Final DissertationReferencesIndex