Chapter Two

Chapter Two is primarily the literature review for your project. As a faculty reviewer, I will expect it to begin with a short overview of your project, the study's purpose, and then the literature sources that you used and key terms. Typically, the theoretical basis for your study is discussed in some detail, often from a historical perspective leading to its predictions or expectations for your study.

I expect to see your variables or the topics of your study reviewed in depth, with what has been previously found in relevant studies as well as the methodology the researchers utilized. Be sure to relate each topic back to your study. If there is not an obvious link to your study, the topic probably does not need to be included. Remember Chapter 2 is demonstrating your expertise and knowledge of the topic areas; it should be a discussion of the topics not just a listing of studies. Examine and critique previous work in the area, show how your study will add to the literature and knowledge in your field. By the time I complete Chapter 2, I should have a detailed understanding of the history of all aspects of your study and be convinced that you understand the relevant areas and topics.

Next time I will examine Chapter 3. 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 One

Chapter One begins your dissertation, it is separate from the abstract and any information mentioned in the abstract needs to be repeated. (Please note that I go into much more detail on each required element in my book). As a faculty member reading your paper, I will look for an introduction to your study, which puts the study into context, addressing the "why do we care about this?" question. Also in the introduction, briefly discuss the current literature, indicating how your study addresses the gap in the literature. By the time, I finish reading this section, I should understand the key issues that your study addresses and why your study is important.

In this chapter, I will expect to see the theoretical basis for your study, the problem statement, purpose, your research questions and hypotheses, an explanation of the type of study you will do, assumptions and limitations, and definitions of terms. Think of the chapter as concise summaries of information to be discussed in future chapters. It generally works best to write this chapter after you have written Chapters 2 and 3.

By the time I have completed reading Chapter One, I should have a clear understand of your study, why it is needed, an overview of your research method and analyses, and any concerns you have identified. As a faculty reviewer, I will expect the chapter to be well written with appropriate grammar and spelling. 

Next time I will examine Chapter 2. 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 Abstract

As a faculty member, what do I look for when I get your dissertation? Over the next few posts, I will explore faculty's expectations when reading a draft of your dissertation. First, I will carefully read your abstract; it will be published in Dissertation Abstracts, so it has to be written as well and be as complete as possible. I will make sure that you briefly put your study into context (just a sentence or so), so I understand the "why do I care about this" question. I will look for the theory used as the framework for the study, the type of study, and key variables. I will want to know the number of participants, where and how you recruited them. I will want an explanation of the analyses you completed (briefly, typically no actual statistics are given). I will then look for a description of your key results, and finally some implications of your study. All of this in one page or less!

You should write the abstract last, so you fully understand the key issues. Remember that the abstract must stand alone in explaining all aspects of your study. You should not give citations nor write out numbers (even if they start a sentence) in it.

Next time I will move on to Chapter One. 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

Webinar: Tips and Tricks for Word. Part 2

Webinar: Tips and Tricks for Word. Part 1

Talking to Faculty

How can you best present yourself to your faculty mentors? I suggest having a curiosity approach to your interactions. Ask questions; learn about them and their experiences. When they give you advice, make sure you really understand it. This approach will allow them to see your interest in the topic and in them.

Always be polite in your faculty interactions, thank them for sharing their knowledge and time with you. Think of it as positive reinforcement, you are rewarding good behaviors. If you are angry with a faculty member be very careful in your approach, you want to have a long-term relationship with this person. It is often better to let an email or phone call wait for a while than approaching it in anger. Be calm, be professional.

Next time I will examine writing your abstract. 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 5- Implications and Conclusions

The final sections of Chapter 5 are your chance to wrap up your study for the reader and leave them with most important points. In the Implications section, you should first examine the potential impact for positive social change at the appropriate level for your study (individual, family, organizational, and societal/policy). Be careful that implications for social change do not exceed the study boundaries. In other words, be realistic, your study won't change the world, but it may have an impact in some small area.

Next, you should describe methodological, theoretical, and/or empirical implications, as appropriate. Consider what we have learned from your study in terms of new methodology. Have you added to a theory or made some aspect clearer? Have your data provided an insight into your population that wasn't known previously? Finally, are there recommendations that you can make for practice, for example, for clinicians or health care providers?

The final section of your dissertation is the Conclusions. You need to provide a strong “take home” message that captures the key essence of the study. What do you want people to remember about your study? These are your final words on your study, make them memorable, and clear!

Next time we will look at how to talk to faculty.. 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