Finding Articles

I suggest starting to write your dissertation with Chapter 2, the literature review. How do you start? How do you do library searches and not be overwhelmed with distantly related articles? The first step is doing the outline of your Chapter 2, including your variables. Then you are ready to begin the library search. Pick a variable and get started!

If you are in psychology, you may want to start your search in the psychology databases; however, be sure you check related ones too (e.g., Thoreau, Sage, CINAHL, Medline, ERIC). Start with getting some general background on your topic. Say you are interested in "resilience" in older adults; begin with a search of resilience, review, and older adults (you will also need to try elderly and aging). This search will bring up literature reviews on the topic. Let us say there are three reviews, which look to fit your interests. Read those. These articles will have references, which relate to your specific interests, look those up. In addition, take note of the keywords lists with each of your articles; they may offer suggestions you had not considered.

When you find mention of theories, make a note of authors related to the theories. Look up those authors, you may find additional information on your topic. Keep in mind you are expected to understand the history of the theories. It is very important you are keeping a research journal as you search. You need to keep track of your search terms and databases used, as these will be included in Chapter 2. You should also keep notes as you go, perhaps marking articles, which you want to be sure to read carefully.

Next time we will consider alternative sources for articles. 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 

Journal publishing

I am the editor of Walden University's Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences. Here is some info on submitting a manuscript to the journal:

The Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Science (JSBHS) seeks manuscripts in the content areas of social, behavioral, and health sciences. 

JSBHS is a Walden University sponsored, peer-reviewed, online, open-access, interdisciplinary journal focusing on research that addresses contemporary national and international issues in the content areas. The objectives of JSBHS are to:

• Encourage dialogue between scholars and practitioners in the social, behavioral, and health sciences that fosters the integration of theoretically-based empirical research with practice.
• Inform the relationship between practice and research in the social, behavioral, and health sciences.

If you are interested in submitting a manuscript, please visit the JSBHS website at http://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/jsbhs/ for more information.

Next time we will consider how to find articles. 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 Prospectus – from a Faculty View

A prospectus shows up in my inbox, what do I look for? First, I read through the paper making general notes in track changes. Is the APA correct? Are there misspellings? Does the general topic make sense? Is the topic area original or has it been done before?

Then I go through the paper again reading more carefully. Does the literature make sense? Is there a logical flow to how the rationale is described? The student should be making a case that his or her study is needed through citations of literature and previous research. By the time, I finish the Background section I should be nodding and thinking, yes, this study is needed.

Another consideration is if the topic is one that student has either been trained in at Walden or demonstrated he or she has a previous background in the topic. Therefore, if you want to examine the deaf, you must show that you have outside experience in this area. Save yourself revisions by including a sentence or two documenting your experience.

Do the theories discussed in the Framework section make sense with the topic? Has the student provided enough detail that I am convinced he or she understands the theories? Will the theories provide interesting areas to discuss when the student has results?

Do the research questions fit with the research methods? These two sections must fit together well. A common error here is to have a quantitative wording for a qualitative study; an example, Is there a correlation between X and Y? This is not a qualitative question. Will the student be able to answer the research questions given their methods? Sometimes I see students wanting to know about a variable, but do not indicate that they will be measuring/ asking about it. Alternatively, it a variable that it isn’t possible to realistically examine- for example, how people learn a language. I suppose you could watch a child for 24 hrs. a day for several years, and know what words he or she learns, but you still will not really know how he or she learned them.

Save yourself revisions and go into detail with your research methods. How many participants are you thinking of having? How did you arrive at that number? How will you recruit them? What measures/ surveys will you use? It is ok to say that the specific instrument is to be determined- but at least have an idea of the variable. If you are doing a qualitative study, give a couple of example interview questions. Talk about where and how you will do the interviews. I will consider whether ethically, you will be allowed to do the study- for example, interviewing your own students or subordinates is not ethical.

Briefly, discuss the analysis, what statistics or qualitative techniques will you use. The idea is to give the reader an awareness that you have thought about these topics.

Finally, I look at the references. Are they in APA format? Are they primary sources? The best prospectus has all of the elements I have discussed. Everything is consistent and pieces build upon each other.

Next time, we will take a look at the proposal from a faculty viewpoint. 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

Updating articles

Students often feel that once they have completed Chapter 2’s literature review they do not have to look at the literature again. Sorry, not true! I suggest every month or two you go to the library and update your literature. New articles are constantly being published, and you want your literature review to be up to date. Do you need to do an exhaustive search each time? No, but you may want to set up a schedule, so that over several months you have checked on all of your variables and theories.

Then add in the new articles into your literature review. I suggest using track changes, so it is obvious to your faculty reviewers what is new info and what they have previously read. Keep track in your research journal of your searches and if you find new info. It will make it much easier to remember what you have done along the way if you keep a map through your journal. Remember that you should be an expert on the literature related to your study, so keep reading!

Next time we will consider publishing in a journal. 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

Reading results and discussion sections

The results section of articles, are often the ones that students want to skip. However, it is important to read this section and keep in mind a few things. Highlight significant results (p < .05); for each one, write in your own words what it means (e.g., females had higher self-efficacy than males). Does it make sense that they used the type of statistic or qualitative method that they did? It is a good idea to compare the author(s) original research questions to the results they provide- do they address each question?

When you are done with the results section, compare your notes to the authors' discussion points. Do they interpret the results differently than you? How do they relate the results to the literature and the gap they were addressing? Do you agree that they have resolved the questions? Make notes to yourself as to what you agree and disagree with.

Finally, take a look at the references for the article, are they reputable journals? Do they seem to only cite themselves? Pay attention to how old the references are- are they recent? You may want to indicate which ones that you would like to read.

You have now learned to review articles! As a Ph.D., you may be asked to be a peer reviewer for journals, and this is the method you will use to do so. Take notes, so you do not have to reread the article several times.

Next time I will discuss updating articles. 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

Reading literature reviews

What should you look for in articles' literature reviews? I will give you a few general guidelines, I suggest highlighting or marking each of these areas in your article. The areas may not be specifically labeled- so it often takes some detective work. For each area, consider how it relates to your study. Are you examining a similar social problem or gap in the literature? Is this a theory that would be applicable for your study?

First, find the social problem being addressed in the study. In other words, what is the big picture reason that they are doing the study?

Determine what gap in the literature the study is filling. This is looking at the specifics of what has been previously done and how the study fits into the history of the topic area. What theory/theories are the authors utilizing to address this issue? How do they integrate the theory into the study?

What are the study's Research Questions? What are they planning to examine and how does that relate to the literature gap?

What are the study's hypotheses? They may use language such as predictions or expectations. Also, examine the variables of interest within the hypotheses. Are they using survey measures? What type of scores or sub scores will result from the measures? Have you ever heard of the measures they are using?

Next time I will talk about reading articles' methods sections. 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

New Beginnings

A new year means new beginnings. This is a great time to reflect on your dissertation. How can you be more productive with your dissertation and get it done? I strongly suggest you pick up my book: Finding Your Way to a PhD, 2nd edition that takes you step-by-step through the dissertation process. It discusses dealing with committee members, tips on writing each chapter, getting through the IRB process, and a new chapter on finding a job and considering post doctoral fellowships. Some reviews of the 1st edition on Amazon:

"This book is a great resource for both learning about the mechanics of writing a dissertation and normalizing the emotions that one feels when going through such a challenging process. The motivational chapter is full of helpful hints on how to move forward when you feel stuck. The other chapters are clearly laid out and align with the steps to completing the dissertation. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is getting ready to work on their dissertation or anyone who is experiencing problems completing their dissertation."

"An excellent book for doctoral students who are working on their dissertation. The book provides a step by step guide in how to develop a prospectus to writing your final dissertation chapter. Tips on motivating self is worth reading multiple times. There are many books that try to explain the dissertation process, but fail to answer clearly the students questions. This book is easy to read and a book that should be kept on your desk in eye view, at all times. I encourage all dissertation students to add this book to your library. You will find the book is an excellent reference guide just like the APA Manual book."

"For any student pursuing a doctorate, this book will be your guide. It is an easy read yet packed with practical and important information to help you achieve your goal of a "done" dissertation! Dr. Stadtlander utilized her wealth of knowledge and experience to create a text for the benefit of all who choose to pursue a doctorate. Thank you for such a reference! I strongly recommend this book. "

Make yourself a commitment to do all you can to get your dissertation done in 2019!

Next time I will talk about reading articles' literature reviews. 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