Navigating The Dissertation
  • I: From Start to Proposal Defense
    • 1: Types >
      • Introduction for Types of Dissertations
      • Overview of the Dissertation
      • Self-Assessment Exercise
      • What is a Dissertation Committee
      • Different Types of Dissertations
    • 2: Overview >
      • Introduction for Overview of the Dissertation Process
      • Responsibilities: the Chair, the Team and You
      • Sorting Exercise
      • Stages of a Dissertation
      • Managing Your Time
      • Create Your Own Timeline
      • Working with a Writing Partner
      • Key Deadlines
      • Self Assessment Exercise
      • Additional Resources
    • 3: Background >
      • Purpose and Goals
      • Read and Evaluate Chapter 1 Exemplars
      • Draft an Introduction of the Study
      • Outline the Background of the Problem
      • Draft your Statement of the Problem
      • Draft your Purpose of the Study
      • Draft your Significance of the Study
      • List the Possible Limitations and Delimitations
      • Explicate the Definition of Terms
      • Outline the Organization of the Study
      • Recommended Resources and Readings
    • 4: Lit Review >
      • Purpose and Goals
      • Purpose of the Literature Review
      • What is the Literature?
      • Article Summary Table
      • Writing a Short Literature Review
      • Outline for Literature Review
      • Synthesizing the Literature Review
      • Recommended Resources and Readings
    • 5: Methods >
      • Purpose and Goals
      • Purpose of the Methodology Chapter
      • Topics to Include
      • Preparing to Write the Methodology Chapter
      • Self-Assessment Exercise
      • Confidentiality
      • Building the Components for Chapter Three
      • Recommended Resources and Readings
    • 6: Qualify Exam & IRB >
      • Preparing for Your Qualifying Exam (aka Proposal Defense)
      • What is Needed for Your Proposal Defense?
      • Submitting Your Best Draft
      • Preparing Your Abstract for IRB
      • Use of Self-Assessment
      • Preparing Your PowerPoint
      • During Your Proposal Defense
      • After Your Proposal Defense
  • II: Data Collection and Analysis
    • 1: IRB
    • 2: Data Collection >
      • Pre-observation – Issues to consider
      • During Observations
      • Wrapping Up
      • Recommended Resources and Readings (Qualitative)
      • Quantitative Data Collection
      • Recommended Resources and Readings (Quantitative)
    • 3: Data Analysis >
      • Qualitative: Before you Start
      • Qualitative: During Analysis
      • Qualitative: After Analysis
      • Qualitative: Recommended Resources and Readings
      • Quantitative: Deciding on the Right Analysis
      • Quantitative: Data Management and Cleaning
      • Quantitative: Keep Track of your Analysis
  • III: Findings, Discussion, and Final Defense
    • 1: Chapter 4 >
      • The Purpose of Chapter 4
      • The Elements of Chapter 4
      • Presenting Results (Quantitative)
      • Presenting Findings (Qualitative)
      • Chapter 4 Considerations
      • Recommended Resources and Readings
    • 2: Chapter 5 >
      • The Purpose of Chapter 5
      • Preparing Your Abstract for the Graduate School
      • Draft the Introduction for Chapter 5
      • Draft the Summary of Findings
      • Draft Implications for Practice
      • Draft your Recommendations for Research
      • Draft your Conclusions
      • Recommended Resources and Readings
    • 3: Preparing for Defense >
      • What is Needed
      • Submitting Your Best Draft
      • Use of Self-Assessment
      • Preparing Your PowerPoint
      • What Happens During the Final Defense?
      • What Happens After the Final Defense?
      • Graduation

Stages of a Dissertation
Topic 2: Overview of the Dissertation Process

The dissertation, like much of the writing you have already done for your program, is formulaic. What we mean is that there is a clear structure; each chapter in the dissertation serves a specific function, and within each chapter are predictable sections that also have specific functions. Knowing what each chapter is supposed to do, and what sections comprise each chapter can make the construction of the dissertation easier. Ultimately, the dissertation is a written record of the study you undertook. Your job is to communicate, using the conventions of social science reporting, what the problem was that you wanted to investigate, how you went about exploring it, and what you learned. The information below is meant to guide you through each of those chapters and sections – demystify them. The video below provides the first overview of the structure of a dissertation. The documents further explain the structure of a dissertation.

Navigating the Dissertation (.pptx)
Structure of a Dissertation (.doc)
Dissertation Self-Assessment (.doc)
Dissertation Template (.docx)
Chapters 1-3 Connections 

While each journey is unique the dissertation consists of three phases. The Proposal Phase consisting of Chapters 1, 2 and 3. IRB/Data Collection and Analysis and then the Dissertation Defense which includes the drafting of Chapters 4 and 5.

The focus for this presentation is the proposal phase the drafting of Chapters 1, 2, and 3. Specifically, this presentation will review consistency within Chapter One and across all three chapters. Establishing focus areas relevant to your study and key word choice are important to maintain a consistent discourse thorough the proposal. Aligning protocols to your research questions and the literature presented is another areas where consistency is important. This presentation highlights key areas regarding consistency and structure while drafting the proposal.

There are a number of handouts designed to facilitate the completion of your proposal, some are listed above for Navigating the Dissertation, which include the Structure of Dissertation, the Dissertation Self-Assessment, and Dissertation Template. The other handouts used for this presentation are the Chapter One, Two and Three Outlines, Proposal RQ and Protocol Grid, and the power point for this presentation.  

Chapters 1-3 Connections (.pptx)
Chapter One Outline (.doc)
Chapter Two Outline (.doc)
Chapter Three Outline (.doc)
Proposal Research Question and Protocol Grid (.doc)

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