The dissertation journey : a practical and comprehensive guide to planning, writing, and defending your dissertation / Carol M. Roberts.

By:

Roberts, Carol M

Material type: Text

TextPublication details: Thousand Oaks, Calif. : Corwin Press, c2010.Edition: 2nd edDescription: xviii, 229 pages. : ill. ; 26 cmISBN:

9781412977982 (pbk.)
1412977983 (pbk.)

Subject(s):

DDC classification:

808.066 ROB

Contents:

Do you have what it takes? -- What exactly is a dissertation? -- What are the ethical considerations in research? -- Choosing a dissertation topic -- Creating your dissertation team -- Dissertation support groups -- Organizing yourself -- Using the internet and technology to conduct research -- Reviewing the literature -- Mastering the academic style -- Writing the introduction -- Selecting and describing the methodology -- Holding the proposal meeting -- Analyzing and presenting the results -- Summarizing and discussing the results -- The oral defense: d-day -- The next peak.

Holdings
Item type	Current library	Call number	Copy number	Status	Date due	Barcode
Standard Loan	Moylish Library Main Collection	808.066 ROB (Browse shelf(Opens below))	1	Available		39002100481259

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

The dissertation is a tough mountain to climb; half of all doctoral students never make it to the top. To overcome the practical, emotional, and psychological obstacles along the way, you′ll need the right tools and a knowledgeable guide. This informative and inspirational book readies you for each step of the dissertation process, including choosing a topic, selecting the committee, getting acclimated to academic writing, preparing for your oral defense, and publishing your research.

This second edition of The Dissertation Journey offers new and updated features, including:

- A chapter on ethical considerations

- Expanded coverage of digital data collection and using the Internet for research

- More detailed information on conducting the literature review

- A discussion of how to develop a theoretical or conceptual framework

With graphics, checklists, inspirational quotes, illustrations, and sample forms, this valuable resource is your essential guidebook to preparing, writing, and defending your dissertation.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 217-220) and index.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

Foreword
Preface to the Second Edition
Preface
A Note to Doctoral Candidates
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Part I Quests and Questions
1 Do You Have What It Takes?
Why Take This Journey?
Do You Have What It Takes to Journey to the Peak?
Avoiding the Hazards of High Altitude Climbing
Procrastination
Emotional Barriers
Writer's Block
What are the Inner Essentials?
Summary
2 What Exactly Is a Dissertation?
What Is a Doctoral Dissertation?
Typical Dissertation Structure
Studies Using Quantitative Methodology Sample Format
Studies Using Qualitative Methodology Sample Format
Alternative Formats
Components of a Typical Dissertation
Major Steps in the Dissertation Process
Roles and Responsibilities
Summary
3 What are Ethical Considerations in Research?
Rights of Human Subjects
Ethical Considerations in Data Collection
Ethical Issues in Data Analysis and Interpretation
Ethical Issues in Reporting Research Findings
Ethics of Writing Up Research
Other Ethical Considerations
Summary
Part II Preparing for the Climb
4 Choosing a Dissertation Topic
Approaches to Choosing a Topic
Where to Look for Potential Topics
Some Criteria for Topic Selection
Replication Studies
Replication Studies Do's and Don'ts
Summary
5 Creating Your Dissertation Team
Peak Principle: Always Climb Fully Equipped
Selecting a Dissertation Advisor
Selecting the Committee
The Care and Nurture of Advisors and Committee Members
How to Approach a Potential Advisor
What If No One Agrees to Be Your Advisor?
Choosing Outfitters and Bearers (Other Specialized Consultants)
Where to Locate Specialists
Summary
6 Dissertation Support Groups
Critical Decisions
Strategies and Structures of Successful Support Groups
Other Considerations
Summary
7 Organizing Yourself
Organize Your Workspace
Organize Your Time
Working Smart
Maintain Balance
Strategies for Getting a Life While Dissertating
Summary
Part III Beginning The Climb
8 Using the Internet and Technology to Conduct Research
Conducting Literature Searches
Online Help
Helpful Technology
Collecting and Analyzing Data
Communicating Via the Internet
Using Your Library's Electronic Search Capability
Using Your Instructional Technology Center
Additional Online Resources
Tips to Keep You Sane and Productive
Summary
9 Reviewing the Literature
Purpose and Scope
Preparation
Steps in Conducting a Literature Review
Techniques for Writing the Literature Review
Advice on Writing a Literature Review
Literature Review Checklist
Summary
10 Mastering the Academic Style
Qualities of Scholarly Writing
Common Writing Problems
Tips for Good Writing
Further Reading
Helpful Web Sites
Summary
Part IV Climbing to Base Camp
11 Writing the Introduction Chapter
Problem Statement
Theoretical or Conceptual Framework
Purpose Statement
Research Questions/Hypotheses
Significance of the Study
Delimitations
Assumptions
Definition of Terms
Organization of the Study
Summary
12 Selecting and Describing the Methodology
Selecting the Methodology
Describing the Methodology
Summary
13 Holding the Proposal Meeting
Before the Meeting
During the Meeting
After the Meeting
Summary
Part V Final Preparations For The Peak
14 Analyzing and Presenting the Results
Understanding the Data
Writing the Introductory Paragraph
Tables and the Narrative Description
Presenting the Findings
Further Reading
Summary
15 Summarizing and Discussing the Results
Reflect on Findings
Chapter Organization
Questions to Ask About Summarizing and Discussing the Findings
Summary
Part VI Final Ascent And View From The Top & Beyond
16 The Oral Defense: D-Day
A Defense Scenario
Helpful Hints: Prior to the Oral Defense
During the Oral Defense
After the Oral Defense
Summary
17 The Next Peak
The Descent
Letting Down
Mount Analogue
Helping Others
Mentoring
Disseminating Your Study's Findings
Summary
Parting Thoughts
Appendices
References
Index

Author notes provided by Syndetics

Carol M. Roberts is Professor in the University of La Verne's Doctoral Program in Organizational Leadership where she advises doctoral students, chairs dissertations, and teaches research plus a variety of courses focused on leading organizations. Carol is a speaker, consultant, and seminar leader specializing in organizational and team development, strategic planning, conflict resolution, coaching, and personal mastery. She has been a trainer for the California School Leadership Academy and the California School Boards Association. She received her doctoral degree in planning, policy, and adminstration from the University of Southern California. Carol served on the Executive Board for the Southern Counties Women in Educational Management and was awarded its Woman of the Year Award.