2013 Rev. 1

Ph.D. in Global Leadership Dissertation Manual

Process and Procedure

2013 Rev. 2

Introduction

Congratulations on reaching this milestone of your doctoral journey. You are about to engage in

the exciting pursuit of conducting original research that adds to or changes our understanding of

a global leadership phenomenon. All of your professors were at this stage at some point in their

lives. As you, they faced challenges of academic rigor and experienced feelings of anticipation

and apprehension, optimism and concern about their dissertation journey. Although dissertation

work involves self-direction and independent analytical thinking, your committee will provide

support and share experiences.

At the beginning of the dissertation journey, reflect on the following potential obstacles and

develop a plan to confront and overcome them. Planning ahead and having realistic goals and

expectations will assure your successful journey and its culmination – a dissertation defense.

Time Management Procrastination

Reference Document Organization Perfectionism

Self-doubt Isolation

Throughout the Ph.D. Program, you have acquired scholarly skills and knowledge to prepare you

for the dissertation work. We encourage you to celebrate your current achievements and summon

all of your energy and intellect to complete the journey. We look forward to congratulating you

on your final accomplishment at IndianaTech as your doctoral degree is conferred and you join

the academic community.

The Process of the Ph.D. Dissertation

Overview

This document provides specific steps to follow in order to complete your dissertation and

graduate with your Ph.D. in Global Leadership. Since it is only an overview of the essential

steps, you will need to reference specific documents offered within this manual for additional

details and follow the directives of your committee chair and the Director of the Ph.D. program.

These documents and forms are available from the Ph.D. Coordinator or on the Ph.D. in Global

Leadership LibGuide.

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Ph.D. in Global Leadership Process and Procedure Overview

Form Your

Dissertation

Committee

STEP 2

Dissertation

Proposal

STEP 4

Complete

Program

Course Work

STEP 1

Schedule - Hold

Final Dissertation

Defense

STEP 5

Submit Electronic

Dissertation and

Binding

STEP 7

Apply for

Graduation

STEP 8

Obtain Final

Approvals and

Signatures

STEP 6

Sign up for

Dissertation

Credits

STEP 3

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Step 1: Complete Program Course Work

You may begin conceptualizing, reading, and running pilot studies (with faculty oversight and

IRB approval) connected to your dissertation at any time in the program. At the same time,

before beginning official work on your dissertation, you must complete the following:

1. Complete all 54 credit hours of required course work including RES 8001 Qualifying

Paper Seminar.

2. Obtain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50

3. Be in good academic standing including a grade of B or higher or a P (Pass) in all course

work.

4. Complete all residency requirements.

5. Successfully defend Qualifying Paper.

Step 2: Forming Your Dissertation Committee

Composition of Committee

As you begin to formulate the topic and thrust of your dissertation you should carefully consider

the composition of your committee. You are in no way obligated to work with the committee

members or chair who initially served on your Qualifying Paper. You should make certain that

the interests and expertise of the faculty members on your committee coincide with your

dissertation efforts. Once you have decided on a chair, whether he/she is a new chair or the same

chair you had previously, you should confer and come to a decision on a committee that will

optimize the input and expertise you will require to complete your dissertation. A D-1 Selection

of the Dissertation Committee form must be completed and signed by each committee member.

Changing one or more of your committee members involves consultation with the committee

member and the Director of the Ph.D. program. You will need to obtain the appropriate

signatures and form completion to execute a change of this type.

Committee Membership

Your dissertation committee membership must include a minimum of the following:

1. Chair - who must be a terminally degreed faculty member at Indiana Tech within your

related discipline/dissertation topical area. Exception to this requires the program director

approval (Note: A clear and compelling reason for this must be demonstrated).

2. Methodologist - strong research faculty member (possessing a terminal degree) either

qualitative or quantitative depending on your dissertation methodology.

3. External Member - this individual may be someone from inside or outside the department

and/or from the external community but must have a terminal degree and have extensive

knowledge within your general research discipline.

Your committee may consist of up to 4 members, all must possess a terminal degree, and 3 must

fit the profiles highlighted.

Roles of Committee Members

The chair of your committee should be responsible for providing the major input on your

dissertation efforts. You should cultivate a very close working relationship with your chair from

the inception of your dissertation through the data collection/analysis and continuing to the

revision stages. All communication of dissertation concerns and submissions of dissertation work

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must be directed to your committee chair. This ensures clear transfer of all relevant information.

Your committee chair will sequentially communicate all of your submissions to committee

members to guarantee proper alignment of current revision levels under consideration.

Dissertation Chair Responsibilities

Chairs typically will be a faculty member within the Indiana Tech Global Leadership

program.

Functions as the primary advisor to you.

Helps formulate a long-term plan for the research and writing of the dissertation,

including a timetable and tentative completion date. Asks you to revise the plan if

needed.

Guides your preparation of a dissertation proposal.

Serves as a mediator of communication between the Ph.D. department, you, and

committee members.

Coordinates the committee members’ ideas and suggested revisions to help you arrive

at a proposal that is acceptable to all committee members.

Convenes and conducts the public dissertation proposal defense where you defend the

proposal.

Coordinates the committee member ideas and suggested revisions to help you arrive

at a dissertation draft that the committee members believe is defensible.

Convenes and conducts the dissertation defense.

Monitors your submission of a finished copy of the dissertation that complies with all

committee suggestions resulting from the dissertation defense.

Monitors your submission of a finished copy of the dissertation for APA review, UMI

submission, and binding.

Attends your gowning and graduation ceremony.

Dissertation Committee Member Responsibilities

A committee member must hold a terminal degree. No person working toward a

doctoral degree may serve on a dissertation committee until all requirements for the

degree have been met.

Reviews and approves the dissertation proposal.

Advises the student throughout the process in areas that correlate with the committee

member’s area of expertise.

Comments in a timely manner on student’s written materials for the development of

the proposal and dissertation.

Participates in the student’s public dissertation proposal defense to approve or suggest

revisions in the dissertation proposal.

Participates in the dissertation defense and resulting decision.

Attends the gowning and graduation ceremony for the student.

Step 3: Sign up for Dissertation Credits

To officially initiate your dissertation work, you should register for RES 8001 Doctoral Research

Seminar and Prospectus. This should be done during the semester in which you plan to begin

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work on your dissertation. Ph.D. students must complete a minimum of 6 dissertation credits in

order to graduate. This involves the following:

1. RES 8002 – Doctoral Research Seminar and Prospectus – 3 credits (which features):

Forming a dissertation committee

Developing the dissertation proposal

Defending the dissertation proposal

Submit the Institutional Review Board for Human Subjects (IRB) application

2. RES 8022 – Dissertation Implementation – 1 credit to a maximum of 6:

IP (course In Progress) grade will be issued if RES 8002 course requirements are progressing but

not completed. Student then enroll into RES 8022 for 1 credit up to a maximum of six terms until

RES 8002 course objectives are achieved.

Step 4: Dissertation Proposal

The Dissertation Proposal comprises of completed first three chapters of a dissertation. Chapter 1

– introduction to the study, Chapter 2 – literature review, and Chapter 3 – method section. The

purpose of the proposal is to present an exhaustive, coherent, and compelling argument for the

study, and to describe comprehensive method that will be used to obtain research data. For some

qualitative dissertations, the organization of a dissertation proposal may look differently. If you

plan to have a qualitative dissertation, you will need to discuss details of your dissertation

proposal with your committee chair beforehand.

The student is required to argue for the merits of the dissertation research at the Dissertation

Proposal Defense. This defense should present a strong case by identifying a research gap,

demonstrating relevance of the dissertation project to global leadership studies and practice, and

by demonstrating a student’s expertise in a selected research method.

You may either “pass,” “pass with qualification,” “recess,” or “fail” the defense. If you “pass

with qualification,” it means that you will be required to make some revisions to your

dissertation proposal and/or strengthen some limited subject matter area(s). “Recess” means that

a second and final defense may be formally scheduled no sooner than one month after the

recessed defense. “Fail” means that your involvement in the Ph.D. degree program is terminated

(generally as a result of plagiarism, lack of research knowledge, or other serious academic

violation).

Step 5: Schedule and Hold Final Dissertation Defense

Schedule the Final Dissertation Defense

Once you and your committee trust that you are ready for your final defense, you should

schedule your defense with the Ph.D. Program Coordinator.

Nature of the Dissertation Defense (see page 20 for more details)

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Any interested member of the IndianaTech community may attend your final defense. Although

the format may vary, the purpose of the defense is to argue appropriateness and value of your

dissertation research, interpret your research findings, and explain how your research contributes

to global scholarship and practice. Generally you will be asked to make a short presentation of

your study and findings after which members of your committee may ask specific questions

about the study. A dissertation defense typically lasts from one to two hours.

You may either “pass,” “pass with qualification,” “recess,” or “fail” the defense. If you “pass

with qualification,” it means that you will be required to make some revisions to your

dissertation report and/or strengthen some limited subject matter area(s). “Recess” means that a

second and final defense may be formally scheduled no sooner than one month after the recessed

defense. “Fail” means that your involvement in the Ph.D. degree program is terminated

(generally as a result of plagiarism or other serious academic violation).

Step 6: Obtain Final Approvals and Signatures

Make any final revisions to your dissertation and obtain committee approval signatures. Submit

your dissertation for review and approval to the Director of the Ph.D. program.

You may anticipate some additional minor revisions based on these reviews. Each of these

reviews may take several days to several weeks to complete.

Step 7: Submit Electronic Dissertation and Arrange Binding

It is required that all dissertations are submitted electronically to UMI (ProQuest). Consult the

Ph.D. Coordinator for detailed instructions on the electronic submission. Arrangement must be

made with the Indiana Tech Ph.D. program in Global Leadership for the binding of two copies of

your completed dissertation. One copy is maintained in the Global Leadership Program office by

the Director and the other is entered into the McMillen Library collection. All style choices and

selections for bindings are made to comply with Indiana Tech standards and guidelines.

Dissertations will be submitted for students to UMI (ProQuest) for inclusion in the UMI

database. Your research will be accessible to the academic community worldwide.

Step 8: Apply for Graduation

Prior to graduation, you must submit:

Petition for Graduation (available on the Indiana Tech web site)

Your Petition for Graduation must be provided to the registrar’s office no later than the deadlines

listed on the current Petition for Graduation. You are invited and highly encouraged to

participate in the university Commencement exercises, but you are not required to do so.

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Directions for Preparing Doctoral Dissertations

Your dissertation is expected to be an original contribution to scholarship and scientific

knowledge, to exemplify the highest research standards within your discipline, and to offer long-

term evidentiary value to the academy. The following guidelines have been established to fulfill

this commitment and represent the minimal standards for professional presentation of your

doctoral work. Please read them carefully to avoid costly and time-consuming revisions. Do not

employ previously approved dissertations (from any source) as a guide for preparations of your

manuscript. The current guidelines provided within this manual will be enforced. Ongoing

dialogue with your dissertation committee chair is critical to the dissertation process. A

dissertation that does not conform to the minimum department standards may have to be

redesigned and resubmitted, with the possibility of delay in conferral of the degree.

Manuscript Formatting

Typeface

Type size should be 10 or 12 point. Do not use script or ornamental fonts. Print must be letter

quality or near letter quality with dark black characters that are consistently clear, crisp, and

easily read. Accent marks and hand annotations must be done neatly in black ink.

Margins

Margins on the binding edge (left edge if single-sided; right edge for even numbered pages, and

left edge for odd numbered pages if double-sided) must be 1.5 inches; all other margins must be

1 inch. (Pagination, headers, and/or footers may be placed within the margin, but no closer than

one-half inch from the edge of the page.) For double-sided copies, margins must be 1.5 inches on

the binding edge. Suggested margins when using Microsoft Word are 1.6 inches for the binding

edge and 1.1 inches for all other margins.

Spacing

Double spacing is required in the main body of the manuscript except where conventional usage

calls for single spacing; e.g., indented quotations, tables, etc.

Word and Text Divisions

Words must be divided correctly at the end of a line and may not be divided from one page to the

next. Avoid short lines that end a paragraph at the top of a page, and any heading or subheading

at the bottom of a page that is not followed by text.

Language

The dissertation must be in English. Approval for writing the dissertation in another language is

normally granted only in cases where the other language or literature in that language is also the

subject of the discipline. This approval may only be granted by the director of the Global

Leadership Ph.D. program. Dissertations written in another language must include an extended

summary in English (usually 15 to 20 pages in length). The abstract for Proquest must be in

English.

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Style

The standard style approved is the sixth edition of the Publication Manual of the American

Psychological Association.

Order and Content

Preliminary Pages

a. Title Page: The format must be followed exactly. The title of the dissertation should be a

meaningful description of the content of the manuscript. (Title must be in all cap format) Use

word substitutes for formulas, symbols, superscripts, subscripts, Greek letters, etc. The

month and year must be the actual month and year in which you submit your Dissertation to

the library director for publication.

b. Copyright Notice Page: Date is year of completion. Center information on page as

follows:

© Copyright by Jane E. Student

2010

All Rights Reserved

c. Signature Page: The readers who sign the signature page must be endorsed on the

Doctoral Dissertation Committee form. Any changes in the composition of the dissertation

committee must be approved by the department director and recorded by the department

administrator. All signatures on the signature page must be original. No photocopies of

signature pages are allowed for binding submission for any dissertation.

d. Abstract: Strict limit on 350 words or less.

e. Acknowledgments (Sample reference provided later in this manual.)

f. Table of Contents, with page references. (Sample reference provided later in this manual.)

g. List of Tables, with titles and page references. (Sample reference provided later in this

manual.)

h. List of Figures, with titles and page references. (Sample reference provided later in this

manual.)

Text of Manuscript

a. Introduction

b. Main body, with the larger divisions and more important sub-divisions indicated by

suitable, consistent headings.

References

a. References (Sample reference provided later in this manual.)

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Appendices

a. Appendices (Sample reference provided later in this manual.)

Pagination

Each page of the manuscript, including all blank pages, and pages with photographs, tables,

figures, maps, and computer program printouts should be assigned a number. Consistent

placement of pagination, at least one-half inch from the paper’s edge, should be used throughout

the manuscript. If previously published papers are included, the pagination for the dissertation

must be distinct and it is recommended that the pagination for the published work be removed.

Important: The following pagination plan should be used:

1. For the preliminary pages, use small Roman numerals (i, ii, iii, iv, etc.). The title page does not

have a number but counts as page i; the following page is ii. The placement of these numbers

should be consistent on each page.

2. For the remainder of the manuscript, use continuous pagination for text, illustrations, images,

appendices, and bibliography, using Arabic numbers (1, 2, 3, etc.). Remember to start with page

1, as this is not a continuation of the Roman numeral numbering.

Landscape

For text, illustrations, charts, graphs, etc., printed in landscape form, the orientation should be

facing away from the bound edge of the paper.

Copyrighting Your Dissertation

Copyright protection is automatically in effect from the time the work is in fixed form. A proper

copyright notice on all copies will prevent the work from falling into the public domain (loss of

copyright). Copyright notice should consist of the word “Copyright” and the symbol “C” in a

circle, the year of first publication, and the name of the copyright owner (your name) in a

reasonably prominent place.

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Format of Dissertation Chapters

The format and content of your dissertation project may take on various forms depending on the

nature of your dissertation work and the recommendations of your committee. Below are two

examples – quantitative and qualitative dissertation formats.

Quantitative Dissertation

Chapter 1: Introduction

Background/overview of the Study

Problem Statement

Purpose of the Study

Definitions

Theoretical Framework

Research Questions

Hypotheses

Significance of /Justification for the Study (for global leadership scholarship and

practice)

Limitations and Delimitations

Assumptions

General Plan of the Study

Chapter 2: Literature Review

Introduction

Headings and Subheadings are determined by the nature of the study and are

recommended by your committee

Exhaustive advanced literature review should address (1) historical description of

research on relevant concepts and (2) current empirical advances (within several years) of

those concepts. It should present traditional views on relevant theories, recent advances in

those theories, and application of those theories to the topic of the dissertation.

Additional Tips: critique and analyze literature – not just describe and review; show

connections between the literature and the topic of this study; include seminal studies and

explain their contribution to the current understanding of your topic and your study.

Summary

Chapter 3: Research Method

Restatement of Hypotheses or Research Questions

Research Design

Sample

Instrumentation

Data Collection

Data Analysis

Summary

Additional Tips: be detailed and keep in mind that your process should be scientific and

clear that other scholars can replicate your study; have references to indicate reasons for

sample characteristics, design, and instrument selection.

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Chapter 4: Results

Introduction

Descriptive Statistics

Testing the Research Hypotheses

Additional Analysis if needed

Additional Topic: statistical analysis of data is presented as a text and summarized in

tables, graphs and charts

Chapter 5: Discussion, Conclusions and Recommendations

Introduction

Summary of the Study

Interpretation of Findings

Explanation of the Original Contribution To Scholarship:

o Relevance of Results to Existing Literature (e.g., what have your study added

to the existing literature on your topic, what new knowledge have we

acquired? have your study confirmed or contradicted previous findings?)

o Relevance of Results to the Field of Global Leadership Studies

Implications for Future Research

Implications for Global Leaders and Global Organizations (present a brief proposal

for a training program, new organizational policy, changes in educational curriculum,

etc.).

References

Appendices

Qualitative Dissertation

Chapter 1: Introduction

Background/overview of the Study

Problem Statement

Purpose of the Study

Definitions

Theoretical Framework

Research Questions

Significance of /Justification for the Study (for global leadership scholarship and

practice)

Limitations and Delimitations

Researcher’s Perspective

Assumptions of the Study

General Plan of the Study

Chapter 2: Review of the Literature (sometimes a qualitative research dissertation does not have

a traditional literature review section. Thus, Chapter 2 might be omitted. At the same time,

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literature can be reviewed and incorporated into the Findings and Interpretations sections.

Consult your committee for the appropriate format)

Chapter 3: Research Method

Restatement of Research Questions

Qualitative Paradigm

Qualitative Research Design

Data Sources/Sample

Data Collection

Data Analysis

Verification

Ethical Considerations

Summary

Chapter 4: Research Findings

Thematic Structure

Individual Themes

Chapter 5: Conclusions, Discussion, and Suggestions for Future Research

Introduction

Summary of the Study

Interpretation of Findings

Explanation of the Original Contribution To Scholarship:

o Relevance of Results to Existing Literature (what have your study added to the

existing literature on your topic, what new knowledge have we acquired? have

your study confirmed or contradicted previous findings?)

o Relevance of Results to the Field of Global Leadership Studies

Implications for Future Research

Implications for Global Leaders and Global Organizations (present a brief proposal for a

training program, new organizational policy, changes in educational curriculum, etc.).

References

Appendices

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Title Page Sample

DISSERTATION CREATION:

A STUDY OF HOW TO WRITE A DISSERTATION

By;

Jane E. Student (must match name on transcript)

Dissertation submitted to the Faculty

Division of Ph.D. studies in Global Leadership

College of Professional Studies

in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of

Doctor of Philosophy in Global Leadership

Indiana Institute of Technology (Indiana Tech)

July 11, 2010

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Signature Approval Page Sample

This dissertation written by:

Jane E. Student

Under the guidance of a Faculty Committee approved by its members, has been submitted to and accepted by the Graduate Faculty in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

July 5, 2011 Faculty Committee ____________________________________ Pete Professor, Ph.D. – Committee Chairperson Director of Ph.D. in Global Leadership Indiana Institute of Technology ____________________________________ Joe Faculty, Ed.D. – Committee Member Associate Professor of Global Leadership Indiana Institute of Technology ____________________________________ Sally Doe, DBA – Committee Member Professor of Global Leadership Indiana Institute of Technology

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Table of Contents (Sample)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DISSERTATION APPROVAL FORM ……………………………………..….. ii

ABSTRACT……………………………………………………………………….. iii

DEDICATION…………………………………………………………………...... v

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS…………………………………………………..…… vi

TABLE OF CONTENTS…………………………………………………….…… viii

LIST OF FIGURES……………………………………………………..……..…. xii

LIST OF TABLES………………………………………………………………… xiv

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………….... 1

CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW………………………………………….. 18

CHAPTER 3

RESEARCH METHOD……………...………………………………. 54

CHAPTER 4

RESEARCH RESULTS ………………………..………………... 75

CHAPTER 5

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMENDATIONS………………….….. 105

REFERENCES…………….……………………….…………………………..... 114

APPENDICES………………………………………………………………… 141

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List of Figures (Sample)

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1.1. Laub’s OLA Elements of Servant Leadership............................. 14 Figure 2.1. Primary Theory Groups of Team Effectiveness ………………… 22 Figure 2.2. Macro View of Leadership Theory Groupings………………..…. 29 Figure 2.3. Blake-Mouton Leadership Grid……………………………………. 31 Figure 2.4. Leadership Theory Development…………………………………. 38 Figure 2.5. Global and Societal Business Paradigms…………...………....... 50 Figure 3.1. Chapter 3 Overview………………………………………………… 55 Figure 3.2. Visual Map of Research Study………………………………...….. 56 Figure 3.3. Hypothesis Model……………………………………………….….. 66 Figure 3.4. Data Collection Model………………………………………...……. 70 Figure 3.5. Visual Map of OLA Sampling Method …………………………… 71 Figure 3.6. Visual Map of Effectiveness Components……………………...... 72 Figure 4.1. Histogram of Servant Leadership Level(OLA)……………..….. 80 Figure 4.2. Histogram of Absenteeism Rates (H1)…….……………….…..... 82 Figure 4.3. Radar Graph of Absenteeism Rates (H1) versus Industry Averages……………………………………………………………. 82 Figure 4.4. Scatterplot of Absenteeism Rates (H1) versus OLA….....…....... 83 Figure 4.5. Histogram of Attrition Rates (H2)….………………….….............. 84 Figure 4.6. Radar Graph of Attrition Rates (H2) versus Industry Averages.. 85 Figure 4.7. Scatterplot of Attrition Rates (H2) versus OLA………...………... 86 Figure 4.8. Histogram of Recordable Accident Rates (H3)………..……..…. 87

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List of Tables (Sample)

LIST OF TABLES

Table 2.1. Summary of Management Team Effectiveness Studies………... 19

Table 2.2. Comparison of Traditional and Servant Leader Characteristics... 41

Table 2.3. Servant Leadership Theory Component Development……..…… 43

Table 2.4. Components and Sub-Headings for Servant Leadership……..... 44

Table 2.5. Irving Correlation Coefficients of Servant Leadership and Team Effectiveness……………………………………………………….. 48

Table 2.6. Contributors to Improved Plant Performance…………………...... 51

Table 3.1. Laub / Horsman Correlation Analysis…………..………….……… 59

Table 3.2. Cohen Correlation Coefficients Measurement Guidelines…….... 69

Table 4.1. Individual Sample Population Data……………………………......76

Table 4.2. Laub’s Score Sheet for Baseline Scores for the OLA……...…… 79

Table 4.3. Spearman Rank Correlation for H1-H5 versus OLA……..…..…. 94

Table 4.4. Spearman’s Rho 2-Tailed Correlation Coefficient for H1…..…... 95

Table 4.5. Spearman’s Rho 2-Tailed Correlation Coefficient for H2…..…... 96

Table 4.6. Spearman’s Rho 2-Tailed Correlation Coefficient for H3………..97

Table 4.7. Spearman’s Rho 2-Tailed Correlation Coefficient for H4………..98

Table 4.8. Spearman’s Rho 2-Tailed Correlation Coefficient for H5……..... 99

Table 4.9. Linear and Exponential Curve for H1 versus OLA………….…… 101

Table 4.10. Linear and Exponential Curve for H2 versus OLA…………....... 102

(Content and information use for demonstration purposes only. Refer to pagination and formatting

information in this guide.)

Ph.D. in Global Leadership

Selection of the Dissertation Committee

Name: Last First Middle

Student ID #: Email:

Home Phone: Office Phone:

Signature: Date:

1. My qualifying paper has been completed and has department approval.

Yes No

2. I have completed a 5-6 page Research Brief (see attached).

Yes No

Signature: Date:

Dissertation Committee Person

Name (Print):

Signature: Date:

Check appropriate designation:

C Chair of Committee

Committee Member

Approved: Ph.D. in Global Leadership Director

Signature: Date:

FORM D-1

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Format for Dissertation Defense

The exact format for the Dissertation Defense will be based on the nature of your dissertation

project and determined by your committee.

The Final Dissertation defense is characterized by four components: (1) pre defense activities

and brief prefatory meeting of the Dissertation Chairperson and Committee members, (2) the

presentation by the Dissertation Respondent that is followed by committee questioning (3) voting

by the chair and committee members, and (4) reporting of the decision by the Dissertation Chair

to the Respondent and meeting participants.

Presentation Outline (Sample)

The main emphasis is given to the Results/Findings and Discussion sections

1. Introduction (greeting and acknowledgments).

2. Background of the study:

a. statement of the problem, purpose of the study, significance (to global leadership

scholarship and practice),

b. theoretical framework and main definitions,

c. research questions (and hypotheses if applicable).

3. Method:

a. briefly introduce research design, sample, variables (if applicable), instruments (if

applicable), data collection, validity and reliability (quantitative), verification (qualitative),

analysis, limitations.

4. Results or Findings (summarize information in tables, graphs, charts and supplement with

minimum text).

5. Discussion, Implications, and Conclusions

a. discuss main findings,

b. explain implications to global leadership and practice,

c. provide a brief overview of one specific practical implication,

d. suggest future studies

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Students Preparation for Defense

• Students often expect questions to be difficult and attacking, and answer them

accordingly. Often the questions will be much simpler than you expect.

• Carefully respond to the specific question and DO NOT offer unrelated information. The

examiners can ask a follow up question if you did not fully respond to the question. Remember

that anything that you introduce is now open for questioning. Questions are limited to your

written work. Keep it within this scope. Don’t expand the discussion!

• A few seconds of pausing to reflect before answering seems eminently reasonable to the

examiners, but to the respondent it seems like minutes of mute failure. Take your time. It appears

very academic and signifies that you are processing a great deal of information and knowledge.

• For the same reason, let them take their time. Let them finish, or even elaborate on the

question. Don’t rush the examiners. Take advantage of the time they are using. You get closer to

the finish …without exposure to potential complications. It also allows you to better understand

the specifics of the question.

• "That's a good question" is useful. It validates the examiners. It gives you time to think; it

implies that you have understood the question and assessed it already and that you have probably

thought about it before. If absolutely necessary, it can be followed by a bit more stalling "Now

the answer to that is not obvious/straightforward..." which has some of the same advantages.

• Don't try to bluff your way out of a question. If someone has asked a simple question, and

you answer with a stream of jargon, or refer to some complicated equation, the other observers

will probably conclude that you haven't answered a simple question with a simple answer.

• If some examiners offer a question that put something in the work in doubt... then what?

The first thing would be to concede that the question imposes a serious limitation on the

applicability of the work. "You have identified a serious limitation in this technique, and the

results have to be interpreted in the light of that observation". The examiners then more likely to

back off and even help answer it, whereas a straight denial may encourage him/her to pursue

more passionately. Then go through the argument yourself in detail - showing listeners how

serious it is while giving yourself time to find flaws in it or to limit the damage that will ensue.

• What usually happens is that the examiners have read your work typically twice, and

looked closely at some parts that interested them the most. The examiners have standards to

uphold, but they are not out to fail you (Administratively, it is a lot more complicated to fail you

than to pass you!). In general, they feel good about the idea of a new, fresh researcher coming

into the academy. You are no immediate threat to them. They have to show that they have read it

and they have to give you the opportunity to show that you understand it. And they usually have

a genuine interest in the work.

• If one of the examiners is spiteful, your defense is not the best place and time in which to

do anything about it, except perhaps for allowing him/her to demonstrate his/her offensiveness

clearly and thus to establish support for you from the rest of the panel. If you want a major

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dispute, save it up for when you are on even ground, unless you are very, very sure of yourself

and think that you have nothing to lose.

• Be ready and prepare for a friendly opening question. It is relatively common that an

examiner will ask one (or more) questions that, whatever the actual wording may be, is

essentially an invitation to you to tell them (briefly) what is important, new and good in your

thesis. You should not stumble at this stage, so you should rehearse this. You should be able to

produce on demand (say) a one minute speech and a five minute speech, and be prepared to

extend them if invited by further questions. Do not try to recite your abstract: written and spoken

styles should be rather different. Rather, rehearse answers to the questions: "What is your

research about, what are the major contributions and what have you done that merits a Ph.D.?"

• Finally, a very important distinction. Take your time. This is not the same thing as 'Keep

calm'. Most of us simply wouldn't be able to keep calm in this situation. Further, being excited or

a bit nervous is actually helpful: with extra adrenaline, you can think more quickly. No, you don't

want to be so nervous that you freeze up, but on the other hand, don't be scared because you are

nervous: recognize that a bit of nervousness is a good thing. However, in spite of your

nervousness, remember to take your time: don't rush.

• Finally, REMEMBER THIS….YOU are the expert on the subject at hand. YOU are the

best read and best informed person in the room.