Please help!

How do health psychology graduate students compare with other online graduate students in the practice of health behavior?  You are invited to participate in an online survey that is designed to find some answers to this question.  

The inclusion criteria are:  current enrollment in the Master’s or Doctoral Program at Walden University, live in the United States, understand English, are 18 years of age or older, do not live in an institution, and are able to spend approximately 10 to 20 minutes to complete an online survey.  Your interest and participation in this study is appreciated.  All information provided in the survey will be kept anonymous and will not be able to be traced back to any individual.  If you wish to participate please go to the link provided and complete the survey.  The link is https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Healthmain 

Chapter 1: Nature of the Study

A section that students are often asked to revise is the one on the nature of the study. This section can be thought of as an overview of your project. It begins with a rationale for selecting the design or tradition that you will use; questions to ask yourself are: why is this the best method to use to answer my research question? Why are other methods not appropriate?

You will then need to summarize your research methods. Go into some detail here, how will you recruit your participants? How many people will participate? In general, what will happen to them in your study? How will you analyze the data that you collect?

This section is much easier if you have already written chapter 3, otherwise, it can be a difficult section to write.  This section should force you to begin thinking through your study, remember chapter 3 should be in enough detail that someone could replicate your study based on the description. Therefore, this is a good place to begin considering the details. You should try to imagine how each step will work: How will you recruit? Will you use a flyer or ad? What it will say and look like? Where will it be posted? What will people who wish to participate do, in order to be included in the study? What happens then? How will you get their consent to participate?  

Next time I will post an updated blog index. Do you have an issue or a question that you would like me to discuss in a future post? Would you like to be a guest writer? Send me your ideas! leann.stadtlander@waldenu.edu

Chapter 1: Definitions

Part of Chapter 1 is a section on definitions, you would think this would be simple, wouldn't you? However, even this section has some rules you need to know. First, every definition needs a citation. Do not use Wikipedia for your source. Second, you should not use the word that you are defining in its definition ("Older adult: an older adult is…"). Third, your definitions need to be in alphabetical order.

Which words should you define? Any words or terms that are jargon and may not be known to the average reader. Do not include statistical tests or theories here. This section is where you would define terms related to your population that may have multiple meanings ("older adult," "young adult," "baby boomer"). Terms you are using in a specific way should be listed here ("online education," "synchronous learning," "homelessness," domestic violence," "faculty mentor").

Do not define acronyms here- that should be done in the text, the first time it is used. An example: "The lexical decision task (LDT)…" Per APA 4.21, remember to italicize key terms on first usage, often this will occur in the definition section.

Next time we will look at the nature of the study section in your paper. Do you have an issue or a question that you would like me to discuss in a future post? Would you like to be a guest writer? Send me your ideas! leann.stadtlander@waldenu.edu

Theoretical Foundation vs. Conceptual Framework

What is the difference between a theoretical foundation and a conceptual framework? A theory is usually found in the scholarly literature and has been formalized and tested by other researchers, it should explain relationships between variables. Theories are often multilayered and complex. Psychology tends to use theories while other areas of study may use conceptual frameworks. A conceptual framework is a less developed form of a theory and consists of statements that link abstract concepts, in psychology it is often described by the term "model." Here is a great example I ran across in Wu, Viswanathan, and Ivy (2012).

This is a way to lay out your variables and how you think they interact, as opposed to a theory, which is more refined and has had aspects that have often been previously tested.

If you would like more info on conceptual frameworks, take a look at Ravitch and Riggen's (2012) book Reason & Rigor: How Conceptual Frameworks Guide Research.

Next time we will look at definitions in your paper. Do you have an issue or a question that you would like me to discuss in a future post? Would you like to be a guest writer? Send me your ideas! Send me an email with your ideas. leann.stadtlander@waldenu.edu

Wu, J. M., Viswanathan, M., & Ivy, J. S. (2012). A conceptual framework for future research on mode of delivery. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 16(7), 1447-1454. doi:10.1007/s10995-011-0910-x

Chapter 1: Intro

I have been spending a lot of time with students recently working on Chapter 1, so I thought it might be worth discussing it some. I think it helps to think of this first chapter of your proposal as an introduction to your study. It is not a continuation of your abstract- so you need to repeat info given in the abstract.

The introduction to chapter 1 is one of the most important parts of your entire paper. This is where you grab your reader's attention and provide a map of where you are going. You need to explain very concisely the need for your study (the gap you are addressing). This is where you might want to include a few statistics showing the size and concern of the problem. Give enough background literature to put the study into context, and explain briefly what method you will use. By the end of the introduction, your reader should understand  what the gap is, how you will do it, and why your study is needed to fill the gap that you have mentioned.

It is a difficult section to write, because it all needs to be around two pages. The language needs to be clear, without jargon, and to the point. Don't write in "academic" language; at least initially, write to your grandmother, explaining it in normal language. If you must use any terms that might not be known to your grandmother, define them. Avoid using acronyms if you can, I hate having to have a cheat sheet to translate a lot of abbreviations.

Have some friends or family members read the section and ask them questions about it. Why am I doing the study? How am I doing it? Do you get the feeling that my study is needed?

Next time we will look at theoretical foundation vs. conceptual framework in your paper. Do you have an issue or a question that you would like me to discuss in a future post? Would you like to be a guest writer? Send me your ideas! Send me an email with your ideas. leann.stadtlander@waldenu.edu 

A dissertation calculator

Below is my version of a dissertation calculator. A few things to know, this is a "best case scenario," there are many unknowns that can't be predicted (you run into IRB trouble, have difficulty getting subjects, etc.). I have been conservative with faculty response times (allowing 2 weeks for each, I have built chair response times into the time for each chapter). If you have writing issues, personal issues, you have many revisions, etc. it will take you longer. My calculator will get you done in 2 years.

	Target Date	Completed Date
Complete a draft prospectus (allow 2 week; this is for chair recruitment)
Find your chair (allow a month)
Complete prospectus (allow a quarter); at the same time, find your committee member (allow a month)
Prospectus approved by chair, committee member, and program director (allow 2-4 weeks)
Complete Chapter 2 (allow 2 quarters)
Chapter 2 Approved by chair
Complete Chapter 1 (allow 6 weeks)
Chapter 1 approved by chair
Complete Chapter 3 (allow 6 weeks)
Chapter 3 approved by chair
Proof full proposal, references, complete appendixes, table of contents (allow a month)
Proposal approved by chair, committee member (allow a month)
Proposal approved by University Research Reviewer (URR; allow 2-4 weeks)
Oral Defense of Proposal
IRB Approval (allow a month)
Conduct study (allow 1 quarter)
Complete data analysis and Chapter 4 (allow a quarter)
Chapter 4 approved by chair
Complete Chapter 5 (allow a month)
Chapter 5 approved by chair
Proof full dissertation, references, appendixes, table of contents (allow 2-4 weeks)
Dissertation approved by chair, committee member (allow a month)
Dissertation approved by URR (allow 2-4 weeks)
Form and Style review (allow 2 weeks)
Oral Defense of Dissertation
Final URR approval (allow 2 weeks)
Chief Academic Officer (CAO) approval of abstract (2 weeks)
DONE!

Next time I will begin a series going through each section of the dissertation. Do you have an issue or a question that you would like me to discuss in a future post? Would you like to be a guest writer? Send me your ideas! leann.stadtlander@waldenu.edu

The Dissertation Process

A quick overview of the dissertation process. I suggest printing out this list and putting it near your computer.

Prospectus. This is usually 10-12 pgs. It lays out your study (see the Prospectus Guidebook in the Research Center); your chair, committee member, and program director must approve the prospectus. When it is ready, you will need to submit it to MyDR.

Proposal. This consists of Chapter 1 (Introduction), Chapter 2 (Literature Review), and Chapter 3 (Research Methods and Analyses) of your dissertation; typically, these three chapters together are approximately 75-125 pgs. Your chair will work with you on these three chapters. When he or she approves your proposal, you need to complete the checklist (quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods as appropriate; available in Research Center). You will need to submit your proposal and checklist to MyDR for your committee member to read. You will need to update and post the checklist with each proposal revision to your committee member. When both your chair and committee member are happy with the proposal, it is posted to MyDR for your University Research Reviewer (URR, faculty member appointed by University to double check the paper) for approval, with the checklist. Your chair will also post the turnitin report and complete rubrics. You will need to update and send the checklist with each proposal revision to your URR.

Oral defense of proposal (1 hr. recorded conference call with chair and committee member). Your chair will request a conference line with some possible times to the Research Center. You will need to send a power point presentation of your study to your committee, prior to the call.

Institutional Review Board (ethics board, IRB), you will need to complete the IRB application (with all of the required materials as indicated on IRB website) and receive their approval. You will also need to complete ethics training online, see the IRB site for the application and info on training.

Collect data using the steps approved by IRB. If there are any changes to your methods, you need to submit a Change of Procedure form to the IRB to get approval from the IRB. Your committee and URR should approve any major changes in methods.

Analyze data, as laid out in chapter 3. Your committee and URR should approve any major changes in analysis.

Chapter 4 (Results) and Chapter 5 (Summary and Recommendations), are typically another 40-50 pgs. with the full dissertation being all 5 chapters. When your chair approves your dissertation, you need to complete the checklist (quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods as appropriate; available in Research Center). Your proposal and checklist will be posted in MyDR for your committee member. You will need to update and send the checklist with each revision to your committee member. When both your chair and committee member are happy with the dissertation, you will post it to MyDR for your University Research Reviewer (URR, faculty member appointed by University to double check the paper) for approval, with the checklist. Your chair will also post the turnitin report and complete rubrics. You will need to update and send the checklist with each revision to your URR.

Form & Style. The full dissertation is sent by the Research Center to Form & Style review (in Writing Center). Since the dissertation will be published, this review makes sure it is in correct publication format and APA formatting is correct.

Oral defense of dissertation (1 hr. recorded conference call with chair and committee member). Your chair will request a conference line with some possible times to the Research Center.  You will need to send a power point presentation of your study to your committee, prior to the call.

URR. Submit the dissertation to MyDR for the URR for a review of any changes since he/she last saw it.

CAO. Abstract is sent by the Research Center to the Chief Academic Officer (CAO) for approval

DONE! 

Next time, I will post a dissertation calculator. Do you have an issue or a question that you would like me to discuss in a future post? Send me an email with your ideas. leann.stadtlander@waldenu.edu

Criticism

How do you deal with criticism? A few common examples are: being told that your writing needs help, that you have to do yet another revision, or that you are not going to be done this term, because the paper needs more work. There are a number of possible responses to such news. You can deny that there is a problem; you can argue with the critic; or you can pout and refuse to respond to them.

A better solution is to take control and ask yourself: what can I do to fix this? If writing help is suggested, listen to the comments. Form a plan of action. It may help to talk to the faculty member and talk through the issues that he or she is seeing in your paper.

Criticism is always difficult, no one likes to be told bad news, and faculty do not like to give such news. However, both parties must keep the end goal in sight: to get you done. Think of it as doing whatever it takes. If it means working with an editor or rewriting that chapter one more time, do it. You do not need to feel embarrassed, it is not a failing of yours; it is simply one more step that must be taken on this long journey.

Remember that you go into the dissertation process with an general idea of what to do in order to complete a research project. The final dissertation is an applied proof of your research ability. Of course, you will not be great at everything! That is why you have faculty available to consult with you. It is why only experienced researchers are faculty mentors. This is a difficult process, and everyone has problems along the way.

Be tough, listen to the criticism, and move on. Learn what you need to learn; after all someday you may also be a research mentor!

Next time, I will give an overview of the dissertation process.. Do you have an issue or a question that you would like me to discuss in a future post? Send me an email with your ideas. leann.stadtlander@waldenu.edu

Is there a monster under your bed?

As you lay awake at night, what are your dissertation fears? That you are not good enough? That you will run out of money? That you will not get your Ph.D., your family will be ashamed of you, and you will end up on the streets? Just as when you are were a child, these are the monsters under your bed.

First, rest assured that such fears and worries are very normal. Often the best way to handle the monster under the bed is to directly confront the fear. You are worried that you are not good enough? Let us examine that. How did you do in your undergraduate and graduate programs? You got As and Bs? Then you should be able to handle the dissertation. Think about (it helps to actually list them) your successes academically, what were you really good at? What always was a problem for you?

What do you feel is your weakest area related to your dissertation? Do not just worry about it, take control of the monster! Is it writing? Then look into taking a writing course. Look into hiring an editor to work with you.

Is your weakest area research methodology? Then read some books in your methodology area, so you feel more confident.

Beware of the common tendency to close your eyes and pretend the monster is not there, while you quiver in fear. Face it and wrestle it to the ground! You are in control of your destiny, take whatever steps you need in order to get rid of the fear and get done! 

Next time, we consider dealing with criticism. Do you have an issue or a question that you would like me to discuss in a future post? Send me an email with your ideas. leann.stadtlander@waldenu.edu

Impostor Syndrome

It is very common for students to feel insecure and that they are simply pretending to be a doctoral student. You may feel that if people really understood how little you know they would not allow you to get a Ph.D.! This feeling actually has a name, the Impostor Syndrome, and it is particularly common in students who are the first in their family to get a doctorate. If you consider it carefully, it makes total sense that you feel this way: you have not known many people socially who have a doctorate and you are, in all likelihood seeing them as smarter than or more creative than you are.

Let us consider if this true. Would you expect a doctoral student to know as much as an accomplished researcher or professor? Of course not, the student is in school to learn. Give the student 20 years and he or she will be as knowledgeable and confident as any other professional is.

You are that doctoral student! You are not expected to know everything at this point. So relax, and take the opportunity to meet other students and doctoral level researchers and get to know them as people. Ask about their families and home lives and you will begin to realize they are similar to other people you know and to you. You have earned your place in your doctoral program; you will gain the necessary experience you need to be successful and graduate! 

Next time, we consider the monster under your bed. Do you have an issue or a question that you would like me to discuss in a future post? Send me an email with your ideas. leann.stadtlander@waldenu.edu

Webinar: Your Professional Image in Dissertation and Beyond

Stay curious!

Today I want to remind you to stay as curious as Mandy is in the photo. It is so easy during the long dissertation process to become bored or complacent, forgetting the drive that has led you to this point. Curiosity about everything in your environment and related to your study will keep you excited and provide the energy to get done.

Feel like you have lost the curiosity in your study? Here are some questions to lead you back. It often helps to write out your answers in your journal so you can refer back to them later. Think back to before you started your doctoral program… what lead you to that decision? Why did you decide to make that commitment? What did you want to do with your degree at that time? What steps can you take today to get you where you want to go?

Why did you choose the topic that you did? Have you read any recent books on your topic or methodology, lately? If not, that may help get you going! 

Next time, we consider the imposter syndrome. Do you have an issue or a question that you would like me to discuss in a future post? Send me an email with your ideas. leann.stadtlander@waldenu.edu

A Guest Blogger!

Today’s post is from a PhD graduate of the College of Management and Technology, Carol (Charlie) Barton.

Best practices can be a way to avoid reinventing the wheel. I offer three sets of best practices aimed at providing a foundation for you to leverage during your journey.

Dr. McCollum’s Time Management Videos

It is a fact; each day on our planet holds 1440 minutes. Why is it that some people seem to get so much more done than others? Dr. McCollum, Dean of Student Affairs, recorded six videos about time management. If you are unsatisfied with your progress or are looking to learn a new way to do things, watch these videos. Furthermore, I recommend that you review the videos at the beginning of every term. Reason? Our life situations change and sometimes the tools that were not right earlier may be just the ticket now.

• Introduction to Time Management
• Managing from the Inside Out
• Self-Awareness and Time Management
• What is Working and What is Not Working
• Goal Setting
• Tools & Resources

Putting on Your Oxygen Mask

We wear many hats. Student, worker, parent, caregiver, volunteer…the list could go on indefinitely. It is time to put on your oxygen mask. Use what you’ve learned from the time management videos to help you meet your obligations. If you do not take care of yourself, physically, emotionally, and mentally, then you will probably find yourself having difficulties with your dissertation work.

Very important! Do not short yourself on sleep. Credible research findings show that sleep deprivation leads to poor judgment, the inability to internalize information or form memories (Rolls et al., 2011), as well as a host of adverse physical effects. What this means is, staying up and reading that article doesn’t get you closer to done if you cannot remember what you read.

Doctoral Capstone Resources

There are many, many places you can go on the Walden website to find answers to your questions. While it is interesting to randomly click through links; is that really the best use of your time? Walden created a one-stop resource for all things Capstone. Bookmark the Doctoral Capstone Resources page. Rather than wandering the web site, visit here first for:

• Literature Review Resources
• Methodology, Research & Statistics Resources
• Writing Resources
• Capstone Process & Timeline
• Tips from Dr. Riedel, CAO, Walden University
• Are you struggling? We can help

Summary

Time Management: Figure out the time of day that you are most productive and block it out. Keep your promises to yourself. Look for baby steps.

Putting on Your Oxygen Mask: By taking care of yourself, you acquire the energy to study effectively and manage your commitments. By scheduling leisure activities, you will find yourself able to concentrate because there is playtime on the books.

Doctoral Capstone Resources: Get the right answer to your question. Once you find your answer, bookmark that page. To the extent that you are able, avoid rework. This means learning how to save and rapidly retrieve information that you need. Hint: set up a folder on your browser menu bar. I have bookmarks to the library, Center for Research, TurnItIn, and other places.

Remember: A best practice must fit your needs in order to work for you.

References:

Rolls, A., Colas, D., Adamantidis, A., Carter, M., Lanre-Amos, T., Heller, H., & de Lecea, L. (2011). Optogenetic Disruption of Sleep Continuity Impairs Memory Consolidation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science,  USA, 108(32), 13305–10.