1. Professional Development Seminar
The Dissertation Abstract:
The Key to Dissertation Approval
Wendy L. Andberg, Ph.D.
Core Faculty, URR Lead
School of Public Policy & Administration

2. Objectives of the Session
Understand rationale for Walden abstract guidelines
Review key, required components of abstract
Identify common errors in submitted abstracts
Identify exemplary abstracts
Differentiate clear, well-written abstracts from
those that are not

3. Capstone Projects Center for Research Quality (CRQ):
The abstract is a window for
others into your research.
Theses
Dissertations
Doctoral Studies

4. The Purposes of an Abstract
Capstone Approval
Capstone approved by CAO-designee on basis of abstract
Articles in Peer-Reviewed Journals
Locate abstract through key word search
Overview of entire study
Decide whether to read entire document.

5. Abstract Review Process
Committee chair
Committee member
Writing Center staff: Form & Style
University Research Reviewer (URR)
Forwarded to URR leads for final review
(unique to SPPA)
2. Final approval for all capstone projects
Chief academic officer (CAO)-designee
Ensure that abstracts meet all requirements

6. Abstract Guidelines

7. Form & Style Requirements
One typed page: 1.5” margin, 1” all around
One long paragraph, no identation
Scholarly language of dissertation
Concise, accurate, readable, & correct English
Each sentence adds value to the reader’s understanding of the research
continued

8. Form & Style Requirements continued
Full names of acronyms, with acronym in parentheses, followed by use of acronym
Remove references to geographic locations
No references or citations
Per APA style, use numerals unless at start of sentence

9. Reasons for Delay of Abstract Approval
Unclear or absent research problem, study purpose, or research question(s): Content
Lack of alignment: Problem, purpose, research question, theoretical/conceptual framework, design & analysis results: Continuity
No answer to “So what?” Why is research important? Who will care that issue was studied? continued

10. Reasons for Delay of Abstract Approval continued
Inadequate or missing social change implications
Longer than one page or incorrect margins
Grammar, punctuation, spelling errors
Lack of spelling out and defining terms
Lack of prompt follow up by student, chair, URR

11. Abstract Examples from Three Dissertations All Walden University Ph. D
Abstract Examples from Three Dissertations All Walden University Ph.D. graduates in SPPA Applicable to other capstone projects
Ahmed Tufeiru: The Effect of Microfinance on Rural-Urban Migration from the Perspective of Female Headload Porters in Southern Ghana (5/12)
Cathy Caldwell: Measuring the Civil Society Legal Environment in Developing Nations: The Case of Cambodia (5/12)
John Walker: Reducing Predatory Sex Offender Recidivism through Effective Criminal Justice Measures (11/11)

12. Required Components of Abstracts
Research problem and importance
Purpose of research
Theoretical/conceptual framework
Key research question(s)
Research design, methods, data analysis
Key findings, conclusions, recommendations
Implications for social change

13. 1. Research Problem and Importance
Describe research problem
Gap in literature or in practice
Why is it important, e.g., who would care if the problem were solved?
First couple sentences
Introduce issue in first sentence, the move to clear statement of research problem being addressed

14. 1. Research Problem and Importance Why do these not meet requirements?
The problem is that seniors are not exercising.
The problem is that police do not understand leadership.

15. 1. Research Problem and Importance Meets requirements
Example 1 of 3:
Family disruption, health hazards, degradation, and physical and psychological abuse are common among migrant female headload porters in Southern Ghana. Microfinance is well-documented as a socioeconomic remedial tool for poor women in some developing economies. Little is known, however, about the potential effect of microfinance for women who have been forced by socioeconomic circumstances to become headload porters in Southern Ghana (Ahmed Tufeiru )
(Ahmed Tufeiru)

16. 1. Research Problem and Importance Meets requirements
Example 2 of 3:
International organizations channel funds for
developing nations into nongovernmental organizations
(NGOs) instead of governments they consider corrupt.
These governments can hold considerable power over
how NGOs can operate. Cambodia is such a nation and
little is known about its laws on NGO operations.
(Cathy Caldwell)

17. 1. Research Problem and Importance Meets requirements
Example 3 of 3:
There is little agreement among researchers as how
best to reduce sexual offenses against children. While the published literature tends to agree that sex offender recidivism is a social problem, researchers continue to explore theories of deterrence, desistance, community values, and legislative designs in hopes of identifying a sound solution (John Walker)

18. Required Components of Abstracts
Research problem and importance
Purpose of research
Theoretical/conceptual framework
Key research question(s)
Research design, methods, data analysis
Key findings, conclusions, recommendations
Implications for social change

19. 2. Purpose of Research Identify the purpose
General objective(s) for generating new knowledge to resolve a gap in the literature or applied problem
Integrate into introductory sentences (previous slides) or describe immediately afterward.

20. 2. Purpose of Research Why does this not meet requirements?
The underlying premise of this study rests on the theory that many surprises experienced in the private and public sector can be avoided and that responsibility rests with managerial leadership.

21. 2. Purpose of Research Why does this not meet requirements?
The foundation of this study was previous quantitative survey research on the various causes of organizational stress in different-sized police departments, albeit with the omission of specific stressors addressed in this proposal and years on the job of the police officers sampled. 

22. 2. Purpose of Research Meets requirements
Example 1 of 3:
The purpose of this study was to bridge this gap in knowledge by investigating the influence of lack of access to capital on women’s decisions to relocate to do this work, with the goal of examining the potential of
microfinance to reverse this trend.
(Ahmed Tufeiru)

23. 2. Purpose of Research Meets requirements
Example 2 of 3:
The study’s purposes were: (a) to examine the
relationship between Cambodian laws and the size and effectiveness of its NGO sector; and (b) to build upon the findings of the Johns Hopkins Nonprofit Law Index (JHNLI) by determining Cambodia’s relationship on these measures to other nations in the survey.
(Cathy Caldwell)

24. 2. Purpose of Research Meets requirements
Example 3 of 3:
The purpose of this quantitative study was to explore the records of two cohorts of sex offenders, 1 consisting of offenders sentenced according to federal law and the other convicted according to state statute, to determine whether there are significant
differences in recidivism rates.
(Combined with research question.) (John Walker)

25. Required Components of Abstracts
Research problem and importance
Purpose of research
Theoretical/conceptual framework
Key research question(s)
Research design, methods, data analysis
Key findings, conclusions, recommendations
Implications for social change

26. 3. Theoretical/Conceptual Framework
Identify the theoretical/conceptual framework.
The theoretical or conceptual foundation or framework indicates doctoral quality research.
Appropriate for field, degree, and topic
Identify author, but no citation or date.

27. The theoretical framework included a review
3. Theoretical/Conceptual Framework Why do these not meet requirements?
The theoretical framework included a review
of behavior theories.
The theoretical framework is that a relationship between organizational culture and job satisfaction within small nonprofit organizations may exist.

28. 3. Theoretical/Conceptual Framework Meets Requirements
Example 1 of 3:
The theoretical frameworks for this study were
Merton’s opportunity structure theory
and Lee’s push and pull migration theory.
(Ahmed Tufeiru)

29. 3. Theoretical/Conceptual Framework Meets Requirements
Example 2 of 3:
The theoretical foundation for this mixed
methods case study was based on
Salamon and Flaherty’s theories
of global perspectives on
civil society governance.
(Combined with research methods.) (Cathy Caldwell)

30. 3. Theoretical/Conceptual Framework Meets Requirements
Example 3 of 3:
Two broad theoretical frameworks provide
structure for this study: Deterrence theory
and desistence theory.
(John Walker)

31. Required Components of Abstracts
Research problem and importance
Purpose of research
Theoretical/conceptual framework
Key research question(s)
Research design, methods, data analysis
Key findings, conclusions, recommendations
Implications for social change

32. 4. Key Research Questions
Summarize the key research question(s).
State as areas of inquiry.
Not as the questions themselves

33. 4. Key Research Questions: Why does this not meet requirements?
The research question for this study asked: “How do kids learn how to read?”

34. 4. Key Research Questions: Why does this not meet requirements?
The research question is: “Is the combined concept of justice presented here being violated as the perception of trust in the federal or local government and a belief in the federal or local system seem to be waning? Does this in anyways represent repressive principles violating justice? Do Voters rely too much on official party ballots when making voting decisions about justice? What does this mean?”

35. 4. Key Research Questions: Meets Requirements
Example 1 of 3:
Research questions focused on reasons for
women’s decisions to relocate and labor as
headload porters and their understanding of
and receptivity to microfinance.
(Ahmed Tufeiru)

36. 4. Key Research Questions: Meets Requirements
Example 2 of 3:
Research questions focused on understanding Cambodia’s NGO laws and their effect on the size and effectiveness of its NGO sector.
(Cathy Caldwell)

37. 4. Key Research Questions: Meets Requirements
Example 3 of 3:
The purpose of this quantitative study was to explore the records of two cohorts of sex offenders, one consisting of offenders sentenced according to federal law and the other convicted according to state statute, to determine whether there is are significant differences in recidivism rates.
(Combined with purpose.) (John Walker)

38. Required Components of Abstracts
Research problem and importance
Purpose of research
Theoretical framework
Key research question(s)
Research design, methods, data analysis
Key findings, conclusions, recommendations
Implications for social change

39. 5. Research Design, Methods, Data Analysis
Describe, briefly, the overall research design, methods, and data analytic procedures.
Unnecessary to mention NVivo, SPSS, SAS, or Excel
Avoid redundant language of “qualitative” or “quantitative” in conjunction with more specific methods (e.g., qualitative phenomenology or quantitative correlational).

40. 5. Research Design, Methods, Data Analysis Why do these not meet requirements?
Data was collected via questionnaires were
analyzed using SPSS.
Quantitative analysis was generated by
Survey Monkey.

41. 5. Research Design, Methods, Data Analysis Why does this not meet requirements?
The quantitative correlational survey design study included self-report questionnaires that measure outcome success completed after participants were released from either the juvenile or adult facility. The results of the study suggest that. . .

42. 5. Research Design, Methods, Data Analysis Meets Requirements
Example 1 of 3:
A phenomenological study design
was employed, using purposeful semi-structured interviews of 15 women
who are migrant porters.
Data from the interviews were coded and
categorized for thematic analysis
and constant comparison.
(Ahmed Tufeiru)

43. 5. Research Design, Methods, Data Analysis Meets Requirements
Example 2 of 3:
Research participants consisted of a purposive sample of 14 Cambodian NGO and legal experts who rated the 24 dimensions of the JHNLI. Using the JHNLI index formula, Cambodia’s scores were calculated and adjusted based on World Bank indices, and then ranked with findings from other nations’ JHNLI scores. The qualitative data collection consisted of compiling and reviewing
laws that affect NGO operations.
(Cathy Caldwell)

44. 5. Research Design, Methods, Data Analysis Meets Requirements
Example 3 of 3:
The study population consisted of 1329 (N =90 federal cohort and N= 1239 state cohort) individuals convicted of a sex offense against a child between 1994 and A chi-square test of statistical significance and binary logistical regression tests revealed
(John Walker)

45. Required Components of Abstracts
Research problem and importance
Purpose of research
Theoretical framework
Key research question(s)
Research design, methods, data analysis
Key findings, conclusions, recommendations
Implications for social change

46. 6. Key Findings, Conclusions, Recommendations 1 of 2
Identify key findings/results and then conclusions or recommendations.
Link key findings or results to the appropriate theories and the conclusions.
List 1-2 conclusions and recommendations that capture the heart of the research.
Ensure that results and conclusions are consistent.

47. 6. Key Findings, Conclusions, Recommendations 2 of 2
Avoid using “significant” in qualitative studies.
Students often use the term when they mean something else, like “meaningful” or “large.”
Often inappropriately interpreted to mean a statistically significant difference to a set (e.g., p<.05) probability value.

48. 6. Key Findings, Conclusions, Recommendations Why does this not meet requirements?
An independent samples t test was used to determine whether differences existed between the initial failing CRCT scores and the retest scores on the CRCT after the intervention protocol was implemented during remediation.

49. 6. Key Findings, Conclusions, Recommendations Why does this not meet requirements?
The data were collected using a modified survey instrument and administered to a nonprobability sample of participants. In addition to establishing baseline data for future research, the results of this study could create positive social change through the recognition of these factors as organizational stressors, thus facilitating the development of ways to mitigate the damaging effects of stress on police officers.

50. 6. Key Findings, Conclusions, Recommendations Why does this not meet requirements?
Regression analyses generated best fit equations for predicting gains in comprehension.

51. 6. Key Findings, Conclusions, Recommendations Meets Requirements
Example 1 of 3: Results indicated lack of access to capital as a major determinant in the labor relocation decisions of women who are migrant porters. Participants expressed appreciation for microloans as capital for enterprises that would free them from their scant income and savings from headload portaging. (Ahmed Tufeiru)

52. 6. Key Findings, Conclusions, Recommendations Meets Requirements
Example 2 of 3:
Quantitative findings indicated Cambodia’s score to be the second lowest of 36 countries. Qualitative findings showed that Cambodia’s laws enable NGOs, but its weak legal system may sabotage them.
(Cathy Caldwell)

53. 6. Key Findings, Conclusions, Recommendations Meets Requirements
Example 3 of 3:
. . . revealed no statistically significant differences in recidivism rates between the two cohorts. Sex offender characteristics in this study, however, provided valuable insight into recidivism rates. Recidivism predictability is high depending on the type of conviction and length of incarceration (p < .001). Recidivism is statistically significant with offender age, and length or terms of probation (John Walker)

54. 6. Key Findings, Conclusions, Recommendations Meets Requirements
Research problem and importance
Purpose of research
Theoretical framework
Key research question(s)
Research design, methods, data analysis
Key findings, conclusions, recommendations
Implications for social change

55. 7. Implications for Social Change
Conclude with a statement on the implications for positive social change.
Who benefits from the research that was conducted and in what ways do they benefit?
Connect clearly to results.
State clearly, e.g., “Implications for social change are ”

56. 7. Implications for Social Change: Why do these not meet requirements?
Findings from this research provide insight into complimentary therapeutic treatments for bipolar disorder thus promoting social change as a scholar practitioner because virtual reality therapy will provide an outlet for complimentary treatment for the potentially disabling symptoms of anxiety and depression.
This study impacted social change as well as allowed for additional insight on academic dishonesty at the community level.

57. 7. Implications for Social Change: Meets Requirements
Example 1 of 3:
The implications for social change include informing practitioners and policy makers of the importance of microfinance as a tool for women in Ghana to create income-generating enterprises so they can provide for their families and improve the quality of their lives.
(Ahmed Tufeiru)

58. 7. Implications for Social Change: Meets Requirements
Example 2 of 3:
Implications for positive social change include using this analysis to inform development of the proposed Cambodian NGO law, which could strengthen its civil society; and adding to the global NGO law literature as part of JHNLI global data.
(Cathy Caldwell)

59. 7. Implications for Social Change: Meets Requirements
Example 3 of 3:
Implications for positive social change in conjunction with the theoretical concepts of desistance and deterrence theory suggest that states may need to implement changes in the application of punitive measures, particularly related to consistency in terms of incarceration and terms of probation in order to improve community safety.
(John Walker)

60. Review of Important Considerations
Content
No holes in information
Information not overly vague
Continuity
Logical connection among elements
Sequence in conducting research

61. Why Is a Title Important?
Titles (1 of 4)
Why Is a Title Important?
Attracts reader’s attention
Key words for computer-based literature searches
Assist with information recall

62. Titles (2 of 4) Title Guidelines Length: 12 words or fewer (APA)
Concise statement of main topic
Identify relationships among variables
Example from APA: “Effect of Transformed Letters on Reading Speed.”
Avoid over-using colons
Avoid unnecessary words: “method,” “results,” “a study of.”

63. Inappropriate and Ineffective Titles
Titles (3 of 4)
Inappropriate and Ineffective Titles
Out of the Closet, Sorting Through the Boxes
Homebirth After Hospital Birth: Restoration of
Well-being
The Hiring Process
Professional Learning Communities: Theories and Practice
Distance Learning Students’ Perceptions:
K12 Environment

64. Appropriate and Effective Titles
Titles (4 of 4)
Appropriate and Effective Titles
The Effect of Microfinance on Rural-Urban Migration from the Perspective of Female Headload Porters in Southern Ghana (Ahmed Tufeiru)
Measuring the Civil Society Legal Environment in Developing Nations: The Case of Cambodia (Cathy Caldwell)
Reducing Predatory Sex Offender Recidivism through Effective Criminal Justice Measures (John Walker)

65. General Writing Concerns (1 of 2) Examples That Do Not Meet Requirements
Background section: Increasing Hispanic success in online education could enhance their lifestyle.  
Do not capitalize the names of theories: Social Welfare Economic Theory provided the theoretical foundation for the study.

66. General Writing Concerns (2 of 2) Examples That Do Not Meet Requirements
Do not include the names of specific cities, districts, etc. in the abstract (nor in the study): This qualitative case study used interviews with 10 elementary and middle school administrators from 8 public schools in New York City to assess the influence of NCLB on schools with a high percentage of students of color and students in poverty.
Avoid clichés: so that students become productive citizens in today’s society.

67. Key to Components of Sample Abstracts
Research problem and importance
Purpose of research
Theoretical/conceptual framework
Key research question(s)
Research design, methods, data analysis
Key findings, conclusions, recommendations
Implications for social change

68. Abstract: Example 1: Ahmed Tufeiru The Effect of Microfinance on Rural-Urban Migration from the Perspective of Female Headload Porters in Southern Ghana
1. Family disruption, health hazards, degradation, and physical and psychological abuse are common among migrant female headload porters in Southern Ghana. Microfinance is well-documented as a socioeconomic remedial tool for poor women in some developing economies. Little is known, however, about the potential effect of microfinance for women who have been forced by socioeconomic circumstances to become headload porters in Southern Ghana. 2. The purpose of this study was to bridge this gap in knowledge by investigating the influence of lack of access to capital on women’s decisions to relocate to do this work, with the goal of examining the potential of microfinance to reverse this trend. 4. Research questions focused on reasons for women’s decisions to relocate and labor as headload porters and their understanding of and receptivity to microfinance. 3. The theoretical frameworks for this study were Merton’s opportunity structure theory and Lee’s push and pull migration theory A qualitative phenomenological study design was employed, using purposeful semistructured interviews of 15 women who are migrant porters. Data from the interviews were coded and categorized for thematic analysis and constant comparison Results indicated lack of access to capital as a major determinant in the labor relocation decisions of women who are migrant porters. Participants expressed appreciation for microloans as capital for enterprises that would free them from their scant income and savings from headload portaging The implications for social change include informing practitioners and policy makers of the importance of microfinance as a tool for women in Ghana to create income-generating enterprises so they can provide for their families and improve the quality of their lives.

69. Abstract 2: Catherine (Cathy) Deborah Stonebraker Caldwell Measuring the Civil Society Legal Environment in Developing Nations: The Case of Cambodia
1. International organizations channel funds for developing nations into nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) instead of governments they consider corrupt. These governments can hold considerable power over how NGOs can operate. Cambodia is such a nation and little is known about its laws on NGO operations The study’s purposes were : (a) to examine the relationship between Cambodian laws and the size and effectiveness of its NGO sector; and (b) to build upon the findings of the Johns Hopkins Nonprofit Law Index (JHNLI) by determining Cambodia’s relationship on these measures to other nations in the survey The theoretical foundation for this mixed methods case study was based on Salamon and Flaherty’s theories of global perspectives on civil society governance Research questions focused on understanding Cambodia’s NGO laws and their effect on the size and effectiveness of its NGO sector Research participants consisted of a purposive sample of 14 Cambodian NGO and legal experts who rated the 24 dimensions of the JHNLI. Using the JHNLI index formula, Cambodia’s scores were calculated and adjusted based on World Bank indices, and then ranked with findings from other nations’ JHNLI scores. The qualitative data collection consisted of compiling and reviewing laws that affect NGO operations Quantitative findings indicated Cambodia’s score to be the second lowest of 36 countries. Qualitative findings showed that Cambodia’s laws enable NGOs, but its weak legal system may sabotage them Implications for positive social change include using this analysis to inform development of the proposed Cambodian NGO law, which could strengthen its civil society; and adding to the global NGO law literature as part of JHNLI global data.

70. Abstract 3: John M. Walker Reducing Predatory Sex Offender Recidivism through Effective Criminal Justice Measures
1. There is little agreement among researchers as how best to reduce sexual offenses against children. While the published literature tends to agree that sex offender recidivism is a social problem, researchers continue to explore theories of deterrence, desistance, community values, and legislative designs in hopes of identifying a sound solution. 2. The purpose of this quantitative study is to explore the records of two cohorts of sex offenders, one consisting of offenders sentenced according to federal law and the other convicted according to state statute, 4. to determine whether there is are significant differences in recidivism rates. 3. Two broad theoretical frameworks provide structure for this study: Deterrence theory and desistence theory The study population consisted of 1329 (N =90 federal cohort and N= 1239 state cohort) individuals convicted of a sex offense against a child between 1994 and A chi-square test of statistical significance and binary logistical regression tests 6. revealed no statistically significant differences in recidivism rates between the two cohorts. Sex offender characteristics in this study, however, provided valuable insight into recidivism rates. Recidivism predictability is high depending on the type of conviction and length of incarceration (p < .001). Recidivism is statistically significant with offender age, and length or terms of probation. 7. Implications for positive social change in conjunction with the theoretical concepts of desistance and deterrence theory suggest that states may need to implement changes in the application of punitive measures, particularly related to consistency in terms of incarceration and terms of probation in order to improve community safety.

71. Final Comments for Students:
Most common reasons for return:
Lack of theoretical foundation or conceptual framework
Poor overall structure and organization of the abstract, including grammar and unclear writing
Lack of alignment among components of abstract (particularly analysis strategies and results that do not match the design)
Lack of specific and aligned implications for social change

72. Final Comments for Faculty: Expectations
Review abstract carefully to ensure that it is written clearly.
Check to ensure alignment among research problem and importance; purpose; theoretical framework; key research question(s); design, methods, and data analysis; key findings/results, conclusions, recommendations; and social change implications.
Ask someone outside of the committee to read the abstract for clarity.
SPPA URR or chair: Forward abstracts to SPPA-URR leads after they are in correct format and meet standards.
After URR lead review of abstract, URR sends entire dissertation & rubrics to Research for final CAO approval of capstone project.

73. Thank you to the Center for Research Quality
Dr. Annie Pezalla, current CAO designee
Dr. Gary Burkholder, former CAO designee
Currently: National Hispanic University
Dr. Lou Milanesi, Director
Office of Research Quality Management

74. Questions? Concerns? The abstract is a window for
others into your research
and
the key to approval
of a capstone project.
______________________
Dr. Wendy Andberg