Linda Fischer EdD Doctoral Support Center January 2014 Navigating the Dissertation Navigating the Dissertation 2 The Journey Begins Based on research by the DSC the predictors of graduate school completion which are supported by the literature de Valero 2001 the important ID: 644220
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Slide1
Innovate, Educate, and Transform
Linda Fischer, Ed.D.,Doctoral Support CenterJanuary 2014
Navigating the DissertationSlide2
Navigating the Dissertation
| 2
The Journey Begins
Based on research by the DSC the predictors of graduate school completion which are supported by the literature (de Valero, 2001), the important indicators for success are:
coursework that encourages
inquiry
a constructive relationship with a dissertation
advisor
positive departmental
climate
orientation, and
advising
student participation and peer
support
The program is designed for you to
succeed. However
, the dissertation is one of the most difficult endeavors you will encounter in your lifetime.Slide3
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The Dissertation Process
While each journey is unique the dissertation consists of three
phases:
The Proposal Defense –
Chapters
1, 2 and 3
IRB/Data Collection and Analysis
The Dissertation Defense – Chapters 4 and 5
Basic components of a
dissertation:
Chapter 1: Overview of the Study
Chapter 2: Literature Review
Chapter 3: Research Methodology
Chapter 4: Research Results
Chapter 5: Discussion of Findings and ConclusionSlide4
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Proposal Phase
Selection of a dissertation topic and a dissertation chair/committee. For most of you this occurs during the summer conference when you choose a Thematic Group.
Review the literature on your topic, identify a problem to formulate research questions in consultation with chair and thematic group.
Write
Chapters
1, 2,
and 3
, and develop protocols
Defend
ProposalSlide5
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Dissertation Topic
Originality:
Conventional
wisdom holds that dissertations should be original work. They should be research studies (gathering of new data or preexisting data or information) that bring new knowledge or understanding to a topic. One of the best ways to know if your study is original is to read widely about your topic.
Importance:
Not
all studies are of great importance, nor should they be. However, the researcher should have some claim that the findings of this study may be of importance in some way toward advancing knowledge and practice
.Slide6
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Research Questions
Your research questions hold the
key;
they drive everything
.
They give you the background and rationale for Chapter 1.
They tell you what literature to look at and to include in Chapter 2.
They drive the methodology you select and how you design your study in Chapter 3.
They will guide the organization of your results in Chapter 4.
The answers to your questions will serve as implications for practice in Chapter 5
.Slide7
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IRB, Data Collection, and Analysis
Before you can begin to
collect
your data you must complete the IRB process
.
Institutional Review Board (can be individual or as a thematic group).
Protocols are required to complete the IRB (surveys, interview questions, observation sheets, etc.)
Have
a plan and work your plan for data collection.
When you have completed your data
collection,
you can then begin the analysis.
Plan for transcribing your interviews.
Plan time for running and rerunning your analysis.Slide8
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Dissertation Phase
Write
Chapters
4 and 5
Dissertation chair approves complete dissertation
Submit dissertation to committee members
Dissertation Defense
Complete any revisions
Upload to
the Graduate
School Slide9
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The Writing Process
Putting a proposal or dissertation together is a continuous process.
You research a topic and begin conceptualizing your topic based on your thematic group focus.
It is an academic discourse with your chair.
Unlike turning in a paper for class, you have to approach the dissertation in pieces and continuously revisit a section based on the stage of the process.
Seek support through the DSC, peers, faculty chair, colleagues, and friends.
The best dissertation is a completed dissertation.Slide10
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Proposal Defense
When
to coordinate your defense date?
Schedule a review with an editor if needed.
Your Chair will want to review your final draft about 4 weeks before your defense
date
for final edits before you send it to your committee.
You will need to submit your final draft of your proposal to your committee approximately 2 weeks before your defense date.
It is recommended that you make all revisions suggested by your committee within 30 days following your defense.Slide11
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Proposal Defense
8-10 minutes of presentation by you. Template
available.
Remember
, they have read and re-read your
draft
8-10 slides
Statement of the Problem (1 slide)
Literature Review (1
slide)
Purpose
of the Study (1 slide)
Research Question(s) (1 slide)
Significance of the Study (1 slide)
Sample and Population (1 slide)
Instrumentation (1 slide)
Data Collection (1 to 2 slides)
Data Analysis (1 slide)
Timeline
for
Completion
(1 slide)
Thank You/Questions (1 slide)Slide12
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Dissertation Defense
When to coordinate your defense date?
Schedule a review with an editor if needed.
Your Chair will want to review your final draft about 4 weeks before your defense date, for final edits before you send it to your committee.
You will need to submit your final draft to your committee approximately 2 weeks before your defense date.
Take into consideration the upload date and give yourself time for the necessary revisions
.Slide13
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Dissertation Defense
They have read the study, so focus more on findings and implications, less on literature. Template available
.
Bring the necessary paperwork
Provide a completed copy for each member of your committee (and a thank you note)Slide14
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Dissertation Defense
8-10 minutes for your presentation
8-12 slides
Statement of the Problem/Conceptual Framework
- why study this?
(1 slide)
Literature Review
(1 slide)
Purpose
of the Study and Research Question(s)
(1 slide)
Instrumentation, Data Collection and Analysis
(1 slide)
Research Questions
and
Findings
- state
the question and findings
together
(
1 slide per question)
Implications for
Practice/Policy (1 slide)
Recommendations for
Research
–
what would you do
differently?
what couldn’t you
answer?
(1 slide)
Review of
Abstract
(1 slide)
Thank You
– Questions
(1 slide)Slide15
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Helpful Tips
Life
happens.
B
e
honest with yourself and how you will manage your time and responsibilities with family, career, the dissertation, as well as, your physical, emotional
well-being
.
Develop and maintain a constructive relationship with your dissertation chair.
Create a vision, timeline,
and work
plan
- and
stick to it. If for some reason you need to make adjustments, re-work your plan and inform your chair of your new timeline.
Seek support from multiple sources
.Slide16
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Working with the DSC
We are committed to your successful completion of the program.
Schedule your reviews well in advance of deadlines so that you have the time to make any necessary adjustments.
We can schedule a mock proposal or dissertation defense and review your defense slides.Slide17
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Questions?
Your comments are important to
us! Please
send us your feedback
at
http
://rossier.usc.edu/dsc/student-satisfaction-survey.html
Email: rsoedsc@usc.edu
Call: 213 740-8099
Location: RSOE,
WPH
402
For additional resources - http://dissertationedd.usc.edu/
DSC contact information – rsoedsc@rossier.usc.edu or (213)740-8099