Melanie Brown, Ph.D.Dissertation Editor

Writing Center

Writing the Introduction to the Study

Agenda

This presentation will include:

1.Overview of capstone process (after completion of coursework and/or KAMs)

2.Descriptions of content • DBA doctoral study• EdD doctoral study (project and research options)• PhD dissertation

3.Tips on writing drafts, seeking feedback, and taking advantage of all resources

Capstone process (after KAMs and/or courses)

Prospectus Describes research; helps you form committee http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/399.htm http://researchcenter.waldenu.edu/

(prospectus forms for DBA, EdD, or PhD)

Proposal (APA 6th edition) DBA doctoral study: Sections 1 and 2 EdD doctoral study (project): Sections 1 and 2 EdD doctoral study (research): Sections 1, 2, 3 PhD dissertation: Chapters 1, 2, and 3 (All include abstract, reference list,

appendices)

IRB application Dissertation or doctoral study

Capstone documents: Rubric and template

Dissertation or doctoral study rubric: Center for Research Support

Dissertation or doctoral study template: Writing Center

DBA project studySection 1: Foundation of the StudyHelps readers understand what to expect in your study.

SubheadingsBackground Operational DefinitionsProblem Statement Assumptions, Limitations, Purpose Statement and DelimitationsNature of the Study Significance of the StudyResearch Questions Review of Professional (and Hypotheses--quant.) and Academic Literature Theoretical (quant.) or Summary

Conceptual Framework (qual.)

DBA Opening material

Foundation of the Study (section 1 title)

• 1 pg. statement of focus and need of study; justify scholarly value to the field.

Background

• 1 pg. overview of context or attributes of the problem (applied business practice)

DBA Problem Statement

1. Hook: Includes citation from the literature

2. Anchor: Includes citation from the literature

3. General business problem: Describes overall issue, situational dynamics, or related factors

4. Specific business problem: Provides precise statement of what will be explored in the study

About 100-200 words

DBA Purpose Statement

Describe

• Research method (qual., quant., or mixed) and design

• Research variables: independent/dependent (experimental study) or correlation (relationships, comparison)

• Specific population and location (justify)

• Study’s potential for social and business practice change

 Approximately 250-350 words

DBA Nature of the Study and Research Questions

Nature of the Study• Discuss reason for selecting method (qual., quant., or

mixed) and design (particular to method) • Cite one source; direct reader to details in section 2

Research Questions•Overarching question(s) to reveal how (process, perceptions), why (causation), or what (impediments, support); in 10-15 words, what do you want to learn? •Not interview questions for participants but questions to ask yourself; list interview questions separately.

Hypotheses (quant/mixed method only): H1o, H1a

 

DBA Framework and Operational Definitions

Framework: Ideas from literature that form basis for study.

Theoretical base (quantitative)Conceptual framework (qualitative)Describe the management theory, author, date; how it has

been used in another study; how it applies to yours.

Operational Definitions: List technical terms or special word uses • Alphabetical order; indented in italics• Citations of definitions required from peer reviewed

journals or professional magazines (no dictionary definitions)

DBA Assumptions, Limitations, and Delimitations and Significance

Assumptions: Facts assumed to be true (not verified)

Limitations: Potential weaknesses of the study

Delimitations: Bounds of the study

Significance of the Study• How study could fill gaps in business understanding

and practice

• How results might contribute to positive social change and improvement of business practice

DBA Literature Review and Summary

See Literature Review webinar• Offered live in February, July, and December 2012• Archived at http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/26.htm

Summary • Brief review of key (not all) points; do not list

headings• Overview of remaining sections• Clear transition to section 2.

EdD project optionSection 1: The Problem

Helps readers understand what to expect in your study.

SubheadingsLocal Problem Review of the LiteratureSpecial Terms ImplicationsSignificance of the Problem SummaryResearch Questions

EdD project optionLocal Problem and Special Terms

Local Problem

• 2-4 pp. summary of local problem

• Include mention of setting, population, and rationale (justification) for studying this problem

Special Terms

• List technical terms or special word uses associated with problem

• Alphabetical order; indented in italics

• Support with citations.

EdD project optionProblem Statement (language)

EdD template language for first draft (basic)

There is a significant problem in this rural school district. That problem, specifically, is the achievement gap.

EdD proposal final draft (detailed):

Sixth-grade students in this rural school district failed to achieve state standards in math in 2010. Lack of funding for middle-school math teachers’ ongoing development could be one reason. This qualitative study...

One paragraph to one page

EdD project optionSignificance and Research Question

Significance of the Problem

Describe why the problem deserves closer study.

Research Questions

• Summarize past research on the topic• Specify the local problem (briefly—not in as much

detail as under the Local Problem heading above)• Identify gap in past research (as applicable) and the

type of research needed to address local problem

EdD project optionLit Review, Implications, Summary

Literature Review webinar• Offered live in February, July, and December 2012

• Archived at http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/26.htm

Implications

• Describe possible directions for project based on anticipated findings of data collection and analysis.

Summary

• Brief review of key (not all) points; do not list headings

• Overview of remaining sections

• Clear transition to section 2.

PhD chapter 1 and EdD section 1Introduction to the StudyHelps readers understand what to expect in your study.

SubheadingsProblem Statement Operational DefinitionsNature of the Study AssumptionsResearch Questions Limitations (and Hypotheses--quant.) Scope or delimitationsPurpose of the Study Significance of StudyTheoretical Base (quant.) or Transitional statement

Conceptual Framework (qual.)

PhD and EdD research option Opening and Problem Statement

Introduction to the Study (chapter/section 1 title heading)• 2-4 pp. summary of local problem and rationale for

studying it (EdD) • 2-4 pp. summary of literature demonstrating gap (PhD)

Problem StatementQuantitative: Describe at least two variables and

conjectured relationship between them.

Qualitative: Describe need for increased understanding.One paragraph to one page

PhD and EdD research option Nature of the Study

Summary of methods

Select method to help answer research questions. What questions do you want to ask? (Discuss with committee)

• Quantitative studies: Describe two or more variables and a conjectured relationship between them.

• Qualitative studies: Describe need for greater understanding of this study topic.

Refer readers to detailed discussions in chapter/section 3.

PhD and EdD research optionResearch Questions

Qualitative

Expand or understand a phenomenon– What is the nature of…?– What are the lived

experiences of…?

Includes no hypotheses

Study driven by induction and exploration

Quantitative

Understand relationship between two+ variables– What is the relationship

between A and B?– What is impact of X on Y?

Includes hypotheses

Study grounded in theory

PhD and EdD research optionPurpose of the Study

Logical, explicit statement:

The purpose of this study is [this].

One paragraph (approximately half a page)

PhD and EdD research optionFrameworkFramework: Ideas from literature that form basis for

study

Theoretical base (quantitative)Conceptual framework (qualitative)

• PhD: Ideas from the literature that provide basis for your proposed study

• EdD research option: Ideas from the local setting that support or justify your proposed study.

PhD and EdD research option Operational Definitions

Define technical terms, jargon, or familiar words used in specialized ways in your study

• Alphabetical order; indented in italics• Do not define familiar definitions of familiar terms

(e.g., data, perceptions).

PhD and EdD research optionAssumptions et ceteraAssumptions: Facts assumed to be true (not verified)

Limitations: Potential weaknesses of the study

Delimitations: Bounds of the study

Significance of the Study

• PhD: How the study can fill gap in literature; potential positive social changes

• EdD: How the study can be applied to local problem; potential for positive social change

PhD and EdD research optionSummary

Brief summary (1-2 para.) of key (not all)

points of the study—do not simply list headings;

Overview of remaining chapters/sections

Clear transition to chapter/section 2.

Planning tips

1. Read other dissertations or doctoral studies (http://library.waldenu.edu/784.htm)

2. Write sections that you are in the mood to write—but write every day, if only an annotation.

3. Keep your work simple and clear by writing short sentences with varied sentence structure.

4. Seek help when you need it.

Readers’ comments

Readers ask you to explain your ideas more clearly. Why?

•You are immersed in your topic.•You know more about your topic than other educated readers in and outside of your field.

You may reasonably expect: •Criticism, questions, and corrections.•Comments asking you to explain more clearly or elaborate on your thoughts.•Rejection of document drafts, not of you.

Before sending drafts to faculty…

1. Check every box in rubric; edit every line of your work 2. Ask an educated reader (not family or friends) to read it.3. Submit drafts to Writing Center editors.

•Three reservations per student (total)DBA project study and EdD project option One review of Section 1 up to lit review One review of Section 1 lit review only One review of Section 2

EdD research option and PhD One review each of Chs/Sections 1, 2, 3

• Two reviews per calendar month

Writing Center reservations

In your myWalden portal, click Academics tab

In Research & Resources, click Schedule an Appointment

Click the correct schedule:

• Course papers, KAMs, prospectus, DBA 8100: Tutor• Proposal, EdD 9000 or 8090, DBA 9000: Editor

Questions?writingsupport@waldenu.edu