Starting To Write

You are staring at a blank white screen; you write your name down… now what? Starting to write a dissertation feels very scary. However, let us take it a little bit at a time. For now, all you want to do is an outline of your prospectus. That is workable. So pull out the requirements for the prospectus, and copy down the topic headings they give you (they will probably be similar to this):

Title Page

Problem Statement

Significance

Background

Framework

Research Question(s)

Nature of the Study

Possible Types and Sources of Information or Data

References

Hey, you already have half page! You can do this! I suggest starting with the background section, this is the literature review. Start with an outline of what you feel needs to be discussed, this will keep you from wandering off into other tangents. Let us say your topic is partner adaptation to testicular cancer. Your main topics will be:

Testicular cancer (always start with the broadest topic)

Partner Adaptation

Now think about some subtopics. Under testicular cancer, you would want statistics (look at the National Institute of Health and American Cancer Society [ACS]). Next, you want to include the effect of the cancer on the patient and family (check ACS). Under partner adaptation, you should talk about other research on partners with other forms of cancer. Then discuss any research that has looked at testicular cancer and partners. End with a statement indicating the gap in the literature and how your study addresses the gap. Always pay attention to the research methods used in previous studies. Therefore, our final outline is:

I. Testicular cancer

      A. Statistics (look at National Institute of Health and American Cancer Society [ACS]).

      B. Effect of the cancer on the patient and family (check ACS). Research methods?

II. Partner Adaptation

      A. Research on partners with other forms of cancer. Research methods?

      B. Testicular cancer and partners. Research methods?

      C. Statement of gap in the literature and how study will address it.

Next time, we will work on the problem statement and purpose. 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