chapter 1 the lighthouse of your thesis/ dissertation
Post on 18-Oct-2014
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DESCRIPTION
This presentation focuses on the role of Chapter 1 as the guiding element of your thesis/ dissertation. Its structure and the process to develop it are also discussed.TRANSCRIPT
Chapter 1: The Lighthouse of Your Thesis or Dissertation
Most Common Structure of a Thesis or Disserta4on
Each University states how many chapters a thesis/disserta5on should have. However, there are five main parts that are common. They are: • Introduc5on • Literature review • Methodology • Findings • Discussion, conclusions, and recommenda5ons
Role of Each Chapter (I)
• Introduc5on: provides a precise picture of what the thesis/disserta5on is about
• Literature review: discusses the theories, models, approaches, and prior research that serve as the founda5on of the study. It lets us be aware of what is known so as to explore the unknown.
• Methodology: states how to gather and analyze data, who you work with, and why you do it.
Role of Each Chapter (II)
• Findings: presents the results of the study generally without interpre5ng them. That is not always possible in qualita5ve studies, but the level of interpreta5on is low.
• Discussion, conclusions, and recommenda5ons: gives meaning to results by linking them to previous research, theories, and prac5ce and also to future research, improved theories and prac5ce.
Relationship among Chapters
Chapter 1 Sets what to do Chapter 2
Gives founda5on
Chapter 3 Sets how to do the
study
Chapter 4 Presents results
Chapter 5 Discusses results
Why Is Chapter 1 the Lighthouse of a
Thesis or Disserta4on?
Because it states: • What we think should be studied • The theore5cal and research framework within it should be studied
• What we expect to achieve • What we have to answer or test • How we will look for that answer or do that test Each of these items influences any decision we made in the process and all of them are together in chapter 1. Therefore, we always have to look at it in order to know what to do. It is our lighthouse.
Main Elements of Chapter 1 (but not necessarily presented as headings)
• Introduc5on or Overview • Background • Theore5cal or Conceptual Framework • Problem Statement • Purpose of the Study • Research Ques5ons • Research Design • Other elements usually included
USUALLY IT IS EXPECTED THAT YOU PROVIDE THE ROADMAP OF WHAT IS PRESENTED IN THE CHAPTER, INCLUDING THE SCOPE OF THE STUDY IN TERMS OF WHAT WAS DONE, WHO PARTICIPATED, AND HOW IT WAS CONDUCTED. THIS HAS TO BEEN DONE VERY SUCCINCTLY IN NOT MORE THAN 2 PARAGRAPHS.
Introduction or Overview
A NARRATIVE THAT INTENDS TO SET UP THE CONTEXT WITHIN WHICH THE RESEARCH PROBLEM EMERGES AND STATES THE NEED AND IMPORTANCE OF THE STUDY. TO DO IT, YOU DISCUSS WHAT HAS ALREADY BEEN RESEARCHED SO FAR AND WHAT GAP(S) YOUR STUDY TRIES TO FILL UP, USING LITERATURE TO SUPPORT POINTS OF VIEW. THE MAIN GOALS ARE TO CONTEXTUALIZE THE STUDY, GRAB READERS’ ATTENTION, AND EMPHASIZE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY.
Background
THIS IS A SUCCINCT DISCUSSION OF THE THEORIES, PRINCIPLES, MODELS, APPROACHES, AND RESEARCH THAT ARE BEHIND THE VARIABLES OF YOUR STUDY AND THEIR RELATIONSHIPS. IN THIS SENSE, IT IS A QUICK VIEW OF WHAT YOU WILL DISCUSS IN THE LITERATURE REVIEW. CITATIONS ARE A MUST. THE GOAL IS TO PRESENT THE THEORETICAL AND RESEARCH BASES OF THE STUDY IN A VERY SUMMARIZED WAY.
Theoretical or Conceptual Framework
SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION OF WHAT INTRIGUES A RESEARCHER. GENERALLY SPEAKING, IT INCLUDES BRIEFLY WHAT IT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THE PROBLEM SITUATION AND THAT ESTABLISHES THE CONTEXT FROM WHICH THE RESEARCH PROBLEM EMERGES, WHAT IS UNKNOWN AND DESERVES TO BE STUDIED – THE RESEARCH PROBLEM-‐ AND WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW ABOUT THAT PROBLEM
Problem Statement
WHAT A RESEARCHER INTENDS TO FIND OUT OR DO IN A STUDY .IT DEFINES THE GOAL TO ACHIEVE AS A RESULT OF DOING THE STUDY.
Purpose of the Study
WHAT A RESEARCHER SPECIFICALLY WANTS TO ANSWER – OR TEST-‐ CONDUCTING A STUDY. EACH RESEARCH QUESTION SHOULD ADDRESS A SPECIFIC ASPECT OF THE RESEARCH PROBLEM IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO HAVE ANSWERS THAT PROVIDE CLEAR, VALID, UNMIXED, AND USEFUL INFORMATION. THIS IMPLIES THAT YOU MAY HAVE GENERAL AND SPECIFIC RESEARCH QUESTIONS.
Research Questions
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE STUDY COULD BE INCLUDED IN THE BACKGROUND OR AS A SEPARATE SECTION. THE MAIN POINT IS THAT THE THEORETICAL AND/OR PRACTICAL BENEFITS OF THE STUDY MUST BE CLEARLY STATED.
Significance of the Study
ALTHOUGH NOT ALL UNIVERSITIES ASK FOR A SUMMARY OF METHODOLOGY IN CHAPTER 1, IT IS USEFUL TO INCLUDE IT SINCE IT LETS READERS EVALUATE THE APPROPRIATENESS OF THE RESEARCH DESIGN JUST FROM THE BEGINNING AND ALSO HELPS YOU HAVE A QUICK VIEW OF METHODOLOGY WHENEVER YOU NEED TO MAKE DECISIONS ON THE THESIS/DISSERTATION PROCESS.
Research Design
HYPOTHESES (IN QUANTITATIVE AND MIXED METHODS STUDIES), ASSUMPTIONS, LIMITATIONS , AND DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS
Other Elements Usually Included
Process to Develop Chapter 1
Background Theore5cal Framework
Problem Statement
Purpose of the Study
Research Ques5on (Hypothesis if
needed)
Research Design
Now You Know
1. The most common structure of a thesis or dissertation
2. The role of each chapter in it 3. The relationship among
chapters 4. Main elements of chapter 1 5. The process to develop it
Any question?
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