Dissertations and Theses from Start to Finish 3rd edition by Debora Bell, Sharon Foster, John Cone ISBN 1433830648 9781433830648

 1. What Are Theses and Dissertations, and Why Write a Book About Them?

How This Book Is Organized

Definitions, Distinctions, and Functions

What Theses and Dissertations Look Like

Why Do a Thesis or Dissertation in the First Place?

Find What Works for You

 2. Starting Out: Assessing Your Preparation for the Task Ahead

Are You Ready?

Interpret Your Checklist Responses

Examine Your Cognitive Ecology

Get Ready for the Task Ahead

Supplemental Resources

 3. Time and Trouble Management

Start With Goals

List Your Steps and Estimate Your Time Requirements

Schedule the Work

Plan Your Schedule to Free Yourself

Minimize Procrastination and Avoidance

Supplemental Resources

 4. Finding Topics and Faculty Collaborators

Select a Research Area

Identity Your Chair

Develop Your Research Question

Develop Carefully Worded Hypotheses

Recruit Committee Members

Supplemental Resources

 5. Formulating and Communicating Your Plans: An Overview of the Proposal

Understand the Functions of the Thesis or Dissertation Proposal

Know the Elements of the Thesis or Dissertation

Investigate the General Proposal Process

 6. Reviewing the Literature

Locate Sources of Relevant Literature

Conduct Your Search

Collect and Organize Relevant Information

Critically Read What You Found

Prepare to Write Your Literature Review

Start Writing

Synthesize and Critically Analyze the Literature

Supplemental Resources

 7. Research Methodology and Ethics

Know the Elements of a Method Section

Be Prepared to Conduct Ethical Research

Supplemental Resources

 8. Measuring Study Variables

Operationalize Your Variables

Know the Important Aspects of Potential Instruments

Look Broadly for Appropriate Measures

Know What to Do if Vital Psychometric Information Is Unavailable

Adapt Othersʼ Measures With Caution

Avoid Common Errors in Evaluating and Selecting Measures

Get Copies of Instruments

Supplemental Resources

 9. Selecting the Appropriate Data Analysis Approaches

Beef Up Your Statistical Knowledge Early

Examine Your Research Questions and Create Your Analysis Plan

Consider Group Comparison Statistics

Consider Correlational Statistics

Consider Model-Testing Approaches

Set Your Alpha Levels

Be Careful With Nonindependent Data

Beware of Causal Terminology

Use Consultation Prudently

Seek Additional Assistance if You Are Still Confused

Write Your Analysis Section

Supplemental Resources

10. Collecting, Managing, and Analyzing the Data

Pilot Test Your Procedures

Recruit and Train Assistants

Build in Ethical Safeguards

Schedule Settings and Arrange Materials

Plan for the Unexpected

Collect the Data

Score, Check, and Prepare to Analyze the Data

Complete Preliminary Analyses

Turn to Your Primary Analyses

Conduct Supplemental Exploratory Analyses

Supplemental Resources

11. Presenting the Results

First, Do Some Basic Housekeeping

Present Your Primary Analyses

Describe Supplemental Analyses

Prepare Appropriate Tables

Prepare Suitable Figures

Supplemental Resources

12. Discussing the Results

Update Your Literature Review and Method Section

Include Comments About Future Directions

Use These Tips to Organize and Write Your Discussion

Produce the Final Product

Supplemental Resource

13. Managing Committee Meetings: Proposal and Oral Defense

The Proposal Meeting

The Oral Defense

Finishing Touches

Supplemental Resources

14. Presenting Your Project to the World

Publish It Online First

Present It in Person

Publish Your Study

Consider Dividing Major Projects for Multiple Submissions

Weigh the Benefits of Dissemination in the Popular Press

Supplemental Resources

References

About the Authors