Transcript Significance of the Study - Writing Center Home Page

Writing the
Introduction to the Study
Melanie Brown, Ph.D.
Dissertation Editor
Writing Center
Agenda
This presentation will include:
1. Overview of capstone process (after completion of
coursework and/or KAMs)
2. Descriptions of content
• DBA doctoral study
• EdD doctoral study (project and research options)
• PhD dissertation
3. Tips on writing drafts, seeking feedback, and taking
advantage of all resources
Capstone process
(after KAMs and/or courses)
Prospectus Describes research; helps you form committee
http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/399.htm
http://researchcenter.waldenu.edu/
(prospectus forms for DBA, EdD, or PhD)
Proposal (APA 6th edition)
DBA doctoral study: Sections 1 and 2
EdD doctoral study (project): Sections 1 and 2
EdD doctoral study (research): Sections 1, 2, 3
PhD dissertation: Chapters 1, 2, and 3
(All include abstract, reference list, appendices)
IRB application
Dissertation or doctoral study
Capstone documents:
Rubric and template
Dissertation or doctoral study rubric:
Center for Research Support
Dissertation or doctoral study template:
Writing Center
DBA project study
Section 1: Foundation of the Study
Helps readers understand what to expect in your study.
Subheadings
Background
Problem Statement
Purpose Statement
Nature of the Study
Research Questions
(and Hypotheses--quant.)
Theoretical (quant.) or
Conceptual Framework (qual.)
Operational Definitions
Assumptions, Limitations,
and Delimitations
Significance of the Study
Review of Professional
and Academic Literature
Summary
DBA Opening material
Foundation of the Study (section 1 title)
• 1 pg. statement of focus and need of study; justify
scholarly value to the field.
Background
• 1 pg. overview of context or attributes of the
problem (applied business practice)
DBA Problem Statement
1. Hook: Includes citation from the literature
2. Anchor: Includes citation from the literature
3. General business problem: Describes overall issue,
situational dynamics, or related factors
4. Specific business problem: Provides precise
statement of what will be explored in the study
About 100-200 words
DBA Purpose Statement
Describe
• Research method (qual., quant., or mixed) and design
• Research variables: independent/dependent
(experimental study) or correlation (relationships,
comparison)
• Specific population and location (justify)
• Study’s potential for social and business practice
change
Approximately 250-350 words
DBA Nature of the Study and
Research Questions
Nature of the Study
• Discuss reason for selecting method (qual., quant., or
mixed) and design (particular to method)
• Cite one source; direct reader to details in section 2
Research Questions
• Overarching question(s) to reveal how (process,
perceptions), why (causation), or what (impediments,
support); in 10-15 words, what do you want to learn?
• Not interview questions for participants but questions to
ask yourself; list interview questions separately.
Hypotheses (quant/mixed method only): H1o, H1a
DBA Framework and
Operational Definitions
Framework: Ideas from literature that form basis for study.
Theoretical base (quantitative)
Conceptual framework (qualitative)
Describe the management theory, author, date; how it has
been used in another study; how it applies to yours.
Operational Definitions: List technical terms or special
word uses
• Alphabetical order; indented in italics
• Citations of definitions required from peer reviewed
journals or professional magazines (no dictionary
definitions)
DBA Assumptions, Limitations, and
Delimitations and Significance
Assumptions: Facts assumed to be true (not verified)
Limitations: Potential weaknesses of the study
Delimitations: Bounds of the study
Significance of the Study
• How study could fill gaps in business understanding
and practice
• How results might contribute to positive social
change and improvement of business practice
DBA Literature Review and
Summary
See Literature Review webinar
• Offered live in February, July, and December 2012
• Archived at http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/26.htm
Summary
• Brief review of key (not all) points; do not list
headings
• Overview of remaining sections
• Clear transition to section 2.
EdD project option
Section 1: The Problem
Helps readers understand what to expect in your study.
Subheadings
Local Problem
Special Terms
Significance of the Problem
Research Questions
Review of the Literature
Implications
Summary
EdD project option
Local Problem and Special Terms
Local Problem
• 2-4 pp. summary of local problem
• Include mention of setting, population, and rationale
(justification) for studying this problem
Special Terms
• List technical terms or special word uses associated
with problem
• Alphabetical order; indented in italics
• Support with citations.
EdD project option
Problem Statement (language)
EdD template language for first draft (basic)
There is a significant problem in this rural school district.
That problem, specifically, is the achievement gap.
EdD proposal final draft (detailed):
Sixth-grade students in this rural school district failed to
achieve state standards in math in 2010. Lack of funding
for middle-school math teachers’ ongoing development
could be one reason. This qualitative study...
One paragraph to one page
EdD project option
Significance and Research Question
Significance of the Problem
Describe why the problem deserves closer study.
Research Questions
• Summarize past research on the topic
• Specify the local problem (briefly—not in as much
detail as under the Local Problem heading above)
• Identify gap in past research (as applicable) and the
type of research needed to address local problem
EdD project option
Lit Review, Implications, Summary
Literature Review webinar
• Offered live in February, July, and December 2012
• Archived at http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/26.htm
Implications
• Describe possible directions for project based on
anticipated findings of data collection and analysis.
Summary
• Brief review of key (not all) points; do not list headings
• Overview of remaining sections
• Clear transition to section 2.
PhD chapter 1 and EdD section 1
Introduction to the Study
Helps readers understand what to expect in your study.
Subheadings
Problem Statement
Nature of the Study
Research Questions
(and Hypotheses--quant.)
Purpose of the Study
Theoretical Base (quant.) or
Conceptual Framework (qual.)
Operational Definitions
Assumptions
Limitations
Scope or delimitations
Significance of Study
Transitional statement
PhD and EdD research option
Opening and Problem Statement
Introduction to the Study (chapter/section 1 title heading)
• 2-4 pp. summary of local problem and rationale for
studying it (EdD)
• 2-4 pp. summary of literature demonstrating gap (PhD)
Problem Statement
Quantitative: Describe at least two variables and
conjectured relationship between them.
Qualitative: Describe need for increased understanding.
One paragraph to one page
PhD and EdD research option
Nature of the Study
Summary of methods
Select method to help answer research questions. What
questions do you want to ask? (Discuss with committee)
• Quantitative studies: Describe two or more variables and
a conjectured relationship between them.
• Qualitative studies: Describe need for greater
understanding of this study topic.
Refer readers to detailed discussions in chapter/section 3.
PhD and EdD research option
Research Questions
Qualitative
Quantitative
Expand or understand a
phenomenon
Understand relationship
between two+ variables
– What is the nature of…?
– What are the lived
experiences of…?
Includes no hypotheses
Study driven by induction
and exploration
– What is the relationship
between A and B?
– What is impact of X on Y?
Includes hypotheses
Study grounded in theory
PhD and EdD research option
Purpose of the Study
Logical, explicit statement:
The purpose of this study is [this].
One paragraph (approximately half a page)
PhD and EdD research option
Framework
Framework: Ideas from literature that form basis for
study
Theoretical base (quantitative)
Conceptual framework (qualitative)
• PhD: Ideas from the literature that provide basis for
your proposed study
• EdD research option: Ideas from the local setting that
support or justify your proposed study.
PhD and EdD research option
Operational Definitions
Define technical terms, jargon, or familiar words
used in specialized ways in your study
• Alphabetical order; indented in italics
• Do not define familiar definitions of familiar terms
(e.g., data, perceptions).
PhD and EdD research option
Assumptions et cetera
Assumptions: Facts assumed to be true (not verified)
Limitations: Potential weaknesses of the study
Delimitations: Bounds of the study
Significance of the Study
• PhD: How the study can fill gap in literature; potential
positive social changes
• EdD: How the study can be applied to local problem;
potential for positive social change
PhD and EdD research option
Summary
Brief summary (1-2 para.) of key (not all)
points of the study—do not simply list headings;
Overview of remaining chapters/sections
Clear transition to chapter/section 2.
Planning tips
1. Read other dissertations or doctoral studies
(http://library.waldenu.edu/784.htm)
2. Write sections that you are in the mood to write—
but write every day, if only an annotation.
3. Keep your work simple and clear by writing short
sentences with varied sentence structure.
4. Seek help when you need it.
Readers’ comments
Readers ask you to explain your ideas more clearly. Why?
•
•
You are immersed in your topic.
You know more about your topic than other
educated readers in and outside of your field.
You may reasonably expect:
• Criticism, questions, and corrections.
• Comments asking you to explain more clearly or
elaborate on your thoughts.
• Rejection of document drafts, not of you.
Before sending drafts to faculty…
1. Check every box in rubric; edit every line of your work
2. Ask an educated reader (not family or friends) to read it.
3. Submit drafts to Writing Center editors.
•
Three reservations per student (total)
DBA project study and EdD project option
One review of Section 1 up to lit review
One review of Section 1 lit review only
One review of Section 2
EdD research option and PhD
One review each of Chs/Sections 1, 2, 3
• Two reviews per calendar month
Writing Center reservations
In your myWalden portal, click Academics tab
In Research & Resources, click Schedule an Appointment
Click the correct schedule:
• Course papers, KAMs, prospectus, DBA 8100: Tutor
• Proposal, EdD 9000 or 8090, DBA 9000: Editor
Questions?
[email protected]