LIBERTY UNIVERSITYSCHOOL OF EDUCATION

The Doctoral Dissertation1

Purposes of a Dissertation

The doctoral dissertation provides:An opportunity for candidates to show that they are

worthy of a doctoral degree.A way to demonstrate that candidates can contribute to

the literature in their field of study. A time for serious personal and professional growth.

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Beginnings

Many students complete all of their courses for a doctoral degree, but fail to complete a dissertation.

The term for this “condition” is “All But Dissertation” (ABD).

Some people even use “ABD” as a title, but it is not meant as a complimentary term.

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Laying the Groundwork

• As a new student, you should start thinking about a dissertation topic from the very beginning of your program (if you haven’t already).

• Where possible, you should explore your potential topic as part of assignments for every course you take.

• You should also strive to find out if any of the Liberty faculty members have similar interests to your own.

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Nature of the Dissertation

The dissertation is scholarly in nature; it is not meant or written for laymen to understand.

The dissertation is written for other professionals in your field of study.

Some qualitative dissertations may be up to 300 pages in length. Purely quantitative dissertations in certain fields of study may be as short as 50 pages (but you may have trouble having this approved by a committee). Most dissertations are around 100 pages in length.

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Nature of the Dissertation

Dissertations have a specific “form.”Typically, this includes an introduction, a review of

the literature, a methodology chapter, results (or findings), and a final chapter including a summary, discussion, and conclusions.

Examples of recently completed dissertations are available through the following website.

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Dissertation Style

Dissertations require conforming to a certain style of writing. In education, the American Psychological Association (APA) style manual is used.

Often it is required that a special editor checks the details of APA requirements.

Your chair should not be expected to provide extensive editing of your document. If writing is not your strength, you might consider engaging a professional editor early in the dissertation process.

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Commitment and Perseverance

Don’t expect to complete a dissertation in a short period of time. Many students take three years or more to finish the process; however, it is possible to complete it in a shorter period of time.

You should plan on spending at least one full year to complete the process.

Don’t scrimp on time or even money. Do things right the first time.

Do expect to put lots of time into the process, and do expect to be pushed to your limits.

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Finding a Research Problem or Question

Selecting a problem or question is the most important aspect of research. It may take much longer than you expect.

It is important to select a problem that has the potential to improve education.

It is also important to select a problem that can actually be researched. Do not try to change the world (or reinvent education) with your dissertation.

You should consider research that could be completed through your place of employment.

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Finding a Research Problem or Question

It is also important to select something that you are interested in. Don’t pick a topic simply because it’s easy or convenient.

Talk to your professors about topics and their interests, but select a topic that is your own.

You may view a list of faculty research interests at the following link.

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Related Literature

If you have a general topic in mind, the best thing you can do is get into the literature to see what has been done and how.

Even in this electronic age, you will find great benefit in actually looking through hard copies of research journals in your field of study.

Researchers often conclude their studies with suggestions for further research. You can often use related studies as models for your own (experimental design, statistical analysis, etc.).

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Evaluating the Problem

Once the problem is selected, it must be evaluated. Is it important enough to warrant investigation? Has it been investigated enough already? Is it really a significant problem? Will the problem make a contribution to the body of

organized knowledge? Is it worthy of a thesis or dissertation, or any

significant time commitment?

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Developing the Prospectus

The prospectus is an overview of your plans for a research study.

In some ways, it is a short version of a dissertation proposal, so it should include an introduction to the study (chapter 1), a review of related literature (chapter 2), and a methodology section (chapter 3).

Although length expectations may vary, approximately ten pages is enough to provide a summary of the plans for your study.

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The Prospectus

The advantage of completing a prospectus is that it limits the amount of time you may put into a study, in case it is rejected.

Most dissertation proposals are significantly modified before they are accepted by a committee.

Just as the dissertation proposal is a short version of the first three chapters of a dissertation, the prospectus should be seen as a brief version of the proposal.

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Choosing a Committee Chair

You are encouraged to talk to faculty members about your research from the very beginning of your program.

Your actual dissertation chair cannot be assigned until you finish all of your coursework and pass your comprehensive exam.

You will be sent a confirmation of completion of all coursework and the comprehensive exam, and you should present this confirmation to your prospective chair.

If your choice for chairs agrees to serve, they should notify the administrator in charge of the program.

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The Dissertation Committee

The chair and candidate will then choose the other committee members (at least one must be from outside the School of Education).

Candidates are encouraged to recommend a committee member from outside of Liberty University. This may include a former professor from another university, or a colleague in a local school or school district.

If you and your chair choose a committee member outside of Liberty University, please have them complete the following form.

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Choosing the Committee

All members of the committee must have an earned doctoral degree.

All members of the committee must be willing and able to make the time commitment necessary for serving on a committee.

The selection of your chair is especially important, so start getting to know your professors early in your program.

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Completing the IRB Process

Due to federal requirements, all research conducted through Liberty University must be approved by the university Internal Review Board.

This is not a difficult process, as most educational research will be categorized as “expedited” or “exempt” for IRB approval.

Use the following link for all IRB information.You must have full IRB approval before collecting any

data.

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Introduction to the Study (Chapter I)

In many ways, the first chapter of a prospectus, proposal, or dissertation is a summary of your plans for the entire study.

It includes the following sections:General Introduction Statement of the ProblemPurpose of the StudyHypotheses, Questions, or ObjectivesDefinitions

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Review of Related Literature (Ch. II)

According to Glatthorn and Joyner, there are three types of literature reviews:

The broad scan, which may help you identify a research problem.

The focused review, which adds to the literature of the proposal.

The comprehensive critique, which allows the researcher to identify studies that have a direct bearing on the research for the dissertation.

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Critique of the Literature

Since the comprehensive critique of the literature is so important, it is important to keep good records.

If you are keeping paper records, photocopy everything and record all of your sources.

If you are keeping electronic records, keep back-up copies of all of your sources.

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Critique of the Literature

The comprehensive critique of the literature is an on-going process.

You will probably need to conduct an update of the literature most closely related to your study at the very end of your dissertation process.

You will also need to update the literature review later if you intend to have your research published.

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Methodology (Chapter III)

In many ways, Ch. 3 (Methodology) is the most important part of a dissertation.

Once decisions have been made (and approved) on how to conduct a study, you must detail your plans for your committee and others.

One of the characteristics of science, and any form of research, is that it must be replicable. A well-written methodology section allows a study to be repeated.

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Methodology

After a general introduction to your research, discuss the type of research design you will utilize.

Be as specific as possible. Don’t just say qualitative or quantitative research.

Use the proper terms for your form of research. As examples: experimental, survey, interview, ethnographic, historical research, etc.

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Research Designs

Some of the common research designs include the following:

Experimental and quasi-experimental Causal-comparative Correlation Survey and Interview Descriptive Evaluation Case Study Action Research Qualitative

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Sample and Instrumentation

Discuss the intended sample and exactly how you plan to utilize it.

Detail your instrument, survey, interview protocol, etc.Include a section at the end of ch. 3 on data analysis

(regardless of the type of study).

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