Thanks to Gail Scukanec for presentation development

Preparing the Preparing the ProspectusProspectus

Pamela L. EddyPamela L. EddyEducational LeadershipEducational Leadership

Preparing the Preparing the ProspectusProspectus

Pamela L. EddyPamela L. EddyEducational LeadershipEducational Leadership

Thanks to Gail Scukanec for presentation development

ThesisDissertation

ThesisDissertation

Today We Will ExploreToday We Will Explore

Three steps important to successful completion of a Thesis or DissertationBeginning the ResearchConducting the ResearchFollowing University Procedures

Three steps important to successful completion of a Thesis or DissertationBeginning the ResearchConducting the ResearchFollowing University Procedures

Beginning the ResearchSelect a Topic

Beginning the ResearchSelect a Topic

Burning personal issueAdvisor assignedRead your advisor’s workTalk to colleaguesRead, Read, Read

Burning personal issueAdvisor assignedRead your advisor’s workTalk to colleaguesRead, Read, Read

Select a TopicSelect a Topic

Consider the balance between:“I really want to know. . .” and “I gotta get out of here!”

Consider your personal and professional plans and goals

Consult with your Advisor

Consider the balance between:“I really want to know. . .” and “I gotta get out of here!”

Consider your personal and professional plans and goals

Consult with your Advisor

Formulate Research Question

Formulate Research Question

What specifically do you intend to study or accomplish? Appearance of Zebra Mussels in the

Chippewa River Reading difficulties of fifth-grade girls

Good (clear, concise, focused) research questions = good research

Poor (vague, unfocused, imprecise) research questions = frustration and disappointment

What specifically do you intend to study or accomplish? Appearance of Zebra Mussels in the

Chippewa River Reading difficulties of fifth-grade girls

Good (clear, concise, focused) research questions = good research

Poor (vague, unfocused, imprecise) research questions = frustration and disappointment

Literature ReviewLiterature Review

For the prospectus or proposal, it needs to be GOOD ENOUGH

For the final paper, it needs to be EXHAUSTIVE

Manuscripts v. Journals v. Books It’s a digital world. . .

For the prospectus or proposal, it needs to be GOOD ENOUGH

For the final paper, it needs to be EXHAUSTIVE

Manuscripts v. Journals v. Books It’s a digital world. . .


Cover all relevant aspects of the literature for your research questionGreat Lakes ecosystemsShipping industryAnatomy of a Zebra MusselLifecycle of a Zebra MusselEtc. . .

Cover all relevant aspects of the literature for your research questionGreat Lakes ecosystemsShipping industryAnatomy of a Zebra MusselLifecycle of a Zebra MusselEtc. . .

MethodsMethods

What you are going to doVERY specific Inclusive to avoid questions IRB

What you are going to doVERY specific Inclusive to avoid questions IRB

Pilot DataPilot Data

EXACTLY as planned in the Methods section

You guessed it! EXACTLY as planned in the Methods section

Research design is workable. ORResearch design must be modified

EXACTLY as planned in the Methods section

You guessed it! EXACTLY as planned in the Methods section

Research design is workable. ORResearch design must be modified

Conducting the Research Organization

Conducting the Research Organization

IntroductionReview of LiteratureMethods ResultsConclusions or Discussion or

Synthesis

IntroductionReview of LiteratureMethods ResultsConclusions or Discussion or

Synthesis

OrganizationOrganization

Check with your department / committee / thesis chair to find out if there is a preferred style for your discipline

Some disciplines have no set style, nor does the Graduate College

When all else fails, the style manual of the American Psychological Association (APA) is usually applicable and acceptable

Check with your department / committee / thesis chair to find out if there is a preferred style for your discipline

Some disciplines have no set style, nor does the Graduate College

When all else fails, the style manual of the American Psychological Association (APA) is usually applicable and acceptable

IntroductionIntroduction

Brief, Concise, to the pointOverview of the research problemWhy is it worth exploring?What contribution will this study

make?Cover all aspects relevant to your

studyWork from broad context to specific

research question(s)

Brief, Concise, to the pointOverview of the research problemWhy is it worth exploring?What contribution will this study

make?Cover all aspects relevant to your

studyWork from broad context to specific

research question(s)

IntroductionIntroduction

Typically entitled “The Problem and Its Context”

A formula chapter – certain things need to be in the chapter in a certain order

Sets up project, document, everything Easy to set up in computer, many

sections easy to write Biggest challenge is problem statement

Typically entitled “The Problem and Its Context”

A formula chapter – certain things need to be in the chapter in a certain order

Sets up project, document, everything Easy to set up in computer, many

sections easy to write Biggest challenge is problem statement


May be very lengthyProvides a context for the studyDemonstrates WHY it is important

and timelyClarifies the relationship between

your study and previous work on the topic

May be very lengthyProvides a context for the studyDemonstrates WHY it is important

and timelyClarifies the relationship between

your study and previous work on the topic


Not a compilation of facts and feelings, but a coherent argument that leads the reader to the proposed study

By the end of the Lit Review, the reader should conclude that this is indeed the exact study that needs to be done at this time to move knowledge in this field a little further along

Not a compilation of facts and feelings, but a coherent argument that leads the reader to the proposed study

By the end of the Lit Review, the reader should conclude that this is indeed the exact study that needs to be done at this time to move knowledge in this field a little further along

Literature Review Problems


This is not a job interview, where you show off your knowledge. . .

Avoid too many quotes, your job is to summarize and synthesize the available information, so paraphrase

This is not a job interview, where you show off your knowledge. . .

Avoid too many quotes, your job is to summarize and synthesize the available information, so paraphrase



Do point out limitations of previous work, but be kind. . . You may be next

Do not simply record everything you can find on a topic. . . Work from an outline to build your case that you need to do this study NOW

Do point out limitations of previous work, but be kind. . . You may be next

Do not simply record everything you can find on a topic. . . Work from an outline to build your case that you need to do this study NOW


Ends with a Statement of the Problem (connects the Lit Review to your study)

By the end of the Lit Review the reader must be convinced that there is a need for your study, and that your study is the correct one given ALL THAT HAS GONE BEFORE. . .

Ends with a Statement of the Problem (connects the Lit Review to your study)

By the end of the Lit Review the reader must be convinced that there is a need for your study, and that your study is the correct one given ALL THAT HAS GONE BEFORE. . .

MethodsMethods

Begin with an introductory paragraph that describes the design of the study and the organization of the chapter

Then, describe your sample / subjects

Describe any research tools (survey instruments, etc.)

Don’t forget to address the reliability and validity of these tools

Begin with an introductory paragraph that describes the design of the study and the organization of the chapter

Then, describe your sample / subjects

Describe any research tools (survey instruments, etc.)

Don’t forget to address the reliability and validity of these tools

MethodsMethods

Describe in terms that can be replicated the procedures you followed to collect your data

Include considerations and processes followed if you used human or animal subjects

Describe in terms that can be replicated the procedures you followed to collect your data

Include considerations and processes followed if you used human or animal subjects

MethodsMethods

Reduce the data- what steps did you take to go from raw data to useful data

What statistical procedures did you use

AKA: Statistical Analysis

Reduce the data- what steps did you take to go from raw data to useful data

What statistical procedures did you use

AKA: Statistical Analysis

MethodsMethods

Delimitations- those decisions / limitations that you impose deliberately

Limitations- those restrictions over which you have no control

Delimitations- those decisions / limitations that you impose deliberately

Limitations- those restrictions over which you have no control

• Describe all limitations of your study

ResultsResults

Just the factsContains only the findings of your

data collection, reduction, and analysis processes

Organize, Organize, OrganizeTables and figures are useful tools,

and should be supported by a clear description in the text

Just the factsContains only the findings of your

data collection, reduction, and analysis processes

Organize, Organize, OrganizeTables and figures are useful tools,

and should be supported by a clear description in the text

ResultsResults

Does not include a discussion of your findings. . . Save that for the next chapter

Does not include information on how the data were collected, etc. . . That’s in the previous chapter

Does not include a discussion of your findings. . . Save that for the next chapter

Does not include information on how the data were collected, etc. . . That’s in the previous chapter

ResultsResults

Time Order- chronological presentation of findings

Order of Importance- prioritize for the reader

Organize, Organize, Organize

Time Order- chronological presentation of findings

Order of Importance- prioritize for the reader

Organize, Organize, Organize

Discussion and Conclusions


Last chapter, this is where you move beyond the data to integrate your findings with existing theory and research

Last chapter, this is where you move beyond the data to integrate your findings with existing theory and research



IncludesAn overview of the significant

findingsA consideration of how those findings

fit into existing research and theoryA careful examination of any findings

that fail to support your hypothesesAn exploration of the impact of the

limitations of your study on the generalization of the results

IncludesAn overview of the significant

findingsA consideration of how those findings

fit into existing research and theoryA careful examination of any findings

that fail to support your hypothesesAn exploration of the impact of the

limitations of your study on the generalization of the results



Includes (continued)Recommendations for further

researchImplications of the study for

professional practice or applied settings

Includes (continued)Recommendations for further

researchImplications of the study for

professional practice or applied settings

TitleTitle

Usually start with a working title that will be amended at the end of this process

Include all necessary key words to correctly convey the content of the study

Avoid all unnecessary wordsChoose the order of the words

carefully

Usually start with a working title that will be amended at the end of this process

Include all necessary key words to correctly convey the content of the study

Avoid all unnecessary wordsChoose the order of the words

carefully

AbstractAbstract

Very important piece of writing.Write once research is complete.This is what others will look at to

determine if they should read further!

Very important piece of writing.Write once research is complete.This is what others will look at to

determine if they should read further!

AbstractAbstract

Introduction/Background What has been done that brings you to ask your questions(s)?

Purpose Statement Why are you doing this work?

Methodology Specifically, how are you conducting the project?

Introduction/Background What has been done that brings you to ask your questions(s)?

Purpose Statement Why are you doing this work?

Methodology Specifically, how are you conducting the project?

AbstractAbstract

Results What did you find?

Conclusion What do your findings mean, what are the implications?

Results What did you find?

Conclusion What do your findings mean, what are the implications?

AbstractAbstract

This is the one piece of your project that will be evaluated/edited for content by the College of Graduate Studies.

This is the one piece of your project that will be evaluated/edited for content by the College of Graduate Studies.

AdviceAdvice

Find a thesis buddy.Keep things in perspective.Don’t procrastinate.Remember, you will become the

expert!

Find a thesis buddy.Keep things in perspective.Don’t procrastinate.Remember, you will become the

expert!

WritingWriting

Tara Grays Steps—everyday 15 min

WCAR—”write crud and revise”

Work to your strengths

It’s never perfect—let it go!

Tara Grays Steps—everyday 15 min

WCAR—”write crud and revise”

Work to your strengths

It’s never perfect—let it go!

04/21/23 37

Things to Do in Drafts to Avoid Antagonizing your

Chair

Things to Do in Drafts to Avoid Antagonizing your

ChairALWAYS run the spell check before

turning in a draftALWAYS pay attention to the

grammar checker and get rid of basic problems

ALWAYS use page numbers, a footer with your name in it

ALWAYS use the correct margins, heading formats, APA format

ALWAYS run the spell check before turning in a draft

ALWAYS pay attention to the grammar checker and get rid of basic problems

ALWAYS use page numbers, a footer with your name in it

ALWAYS use the correct margins, heading formats, APA format

University ProceduresUniversity Procedures

Select a thesis chair (major professor) according to departmental guidelines

Identify members of your committee, also according to departmental guidelines

Obtain approval of your topic from your thesis chair and committee, if appropriate

Select a thesis chair (major professor) according to departmental guidelines

Identify members of your committee, also according to departmental guidelines

Obtain approval of your topic from your thesis chair and committee, if appropriate

University ProceduresUniversity Procedures

Complete the Prospectus for Thesis or Doctoral Dissertation form and receive approval for this document from your thesis chair and committee

Secure Institutional Review Board (IRB) or IACUC approval, if appropriate

Submit your prospectus to the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies for approval

Complete the Prospectus for Thesis or Doctoral Dissertation form and receive approval for this document from your thesis chair and committee

Secure Institutional Review Board (IRB) or IACUC approval, if appropriate

Submit your prospectus to the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies for approval

Write rough drafts of the manuscript and submit them to your advisor/committee

Submit the final draftDefend your thesis/dissertationCorrect your final draft as

indicatedObtain signatures

Write rough drafts of the manuscript and submit them to your advisor/committee

Submit the final draftDefend your thesis/dissertationCorrect your final draft as

indicatedObtain signatures

Submit Plan A and B Completion Sign-Off form to the Graduation Auditor (100 Foust)

Submit final manuscript to the Thesis Evaluator (251 Foust)

You are not done until your manuscript has been cleared by the Graduate College

Submit Plan A and B Completion Sign-Off form to the Graduation Auditor (100 Foust)

Submit final manuscript to the Thesis Evaluator (251 Foust)

You are not done until your manuscript has been cleared by the Graduate College

Once Thesis Evaluator has cleared your manuscript, submit Final Copies on good quality paper (see Guidelines) for binding

You must bind at least two copies of a Thesis or Dissertation (one for the library and one for the department). . . You may want other copies for your bookshelf

Once Thesis Evaluator has cleared your manuscript, submit Final Copies on good quality paper (see Guidelines) for binding

You must bind at least two copies of a Thesis or Dissertation (one for the library and one for the department). . . You may want other copies for your bookshelf

You are responsible for binding and microfilming fees (see Guidelines)

You are responsible for binding and microfilming fees (see Guidelines)

www.grad.cmich.eduwww.grad.cmich.edu

Dissertation Research SupportGraduate Student Publication and

Presentation GrantsGraduate Student Research GrantsOutstanding Thesis and

Dissertation AwardsThesis Experience Checklist

Dissertation Research SupportGraduate Student Publication and

Presentation GrantsGraduate Student Research GrantsOutstanding Thesis and

Dissertation AwardsThesis Experience Checklist

Documents

Thanks to Gail Scukanec for presentation development