2. Dr. Mary El-Mereedi Graduate Research Advisor
313 Administration Building
Phone:

3. What is a Dissertation?
A dissertation addresses a problem or a question.
A dissertation advances an argument by identifying a thesis and supporting it with evidence and logic.
Your argument should be relevant and timely.
It debunks a myth;
corrects a misconception;
enters a debate, or challenges a popular interpretation

4. The Basic Requirements
A Dissertation MUST be:
An ORIGINAL CONTRIBUTION to the field
SIGNIFICANT
Be prepared to explain the significance of you topic compellingly.
You should be able to answer the following two questions thoroughly and concisely:
My dissertation will address the following question: ____.
It will fill the following gap in the literature: ____.

5. First Things First Title Page Declaration of Originality Abstract
Dedication (optional)
Acknowledgements (optional)
Table of Contents
List of Abbreviations (if applicable)
List of Tables (follow your format guideline)
List of Figures (follow your format guideline)

6. Abstract vs. Introduction
The Abstract is NOT an introduction to your research.
It is a very short summary of the research meant to tell a potential reader searching for scholarly material on a given topic if this is what he/she is looking for.
The abstract is typically between words which will force you to rigorous about the priorities of your research.
It is often easier to write a good abstract at the very end

7. Chapter One: The Introduction
A good Introduction should:
Set out the aims and objectives of the research
The context of the work (Background)
Your reasons for engaging with the topic
You want to get a handle on this as early as possible, so you don’t ask yourself 40 pages in, what is this about?
A detailed exegesis (unpacking) of the title which may include explanations of certain word choices, coined phrases, terminology, etc.

8. Chapter One (continued)
Should state your specific research questions
You may find it helpful to discuss each question/sub-question separately, spending a couple of paragraphs on each question (As you are writing these up, keep in mind that you will be re-visiting them in the conclusion to show how you have answered them)
It is a very good practice to closely review chapter one after you have finished writing the dissertation
Should discuss limitations and delimitations
Must address the impact of lack of time, resources, space etc.

9. Chapter Two: Literature Review
The literature review is where you outline the previous work on the topic.
Organize your literature review in a way that will inform the imperial work to come
Organizing your lit review requires careful thought and planning
A lit review must be comprehensive, but that doesn’t mean you have to include everything written on the topic
Focus on literature that has been well-researched rather than work that is over reliant on secondary sources

10. Chapter Two (continued)
Avoid organizing your lit review in the order in which you came across the material (THIS IS A COMMON MISTAKE)
Start with providing an appropriate historical discussion.
Include the first major work(s) in the field
You may need to address different “schools of thought”
Show how subsequent work has contributed, modified the topic
Lead up to where current research has left off
Identify the gaps in the current research, and
End with where your research will fit in to help address these gaps.
Remember, the lit review is NOT a summary of a collection of the articles you have read.

11. Chapter Three: Methodology
The task of the methodology chapter is to spell out in EXACT detail the specific choices made for the methods used, and
To justify your methodological choices
It is the norm to include some references to support your methodological choices
Do NOT give a lit review of various methodologies used in your field (i.e. a discussion of qualitative vs. quantitative methodology)

12. Chapter Three (continued)
In essence, chapter three is a “zoom in” of your approach to answering the research question(s)
Should include a discussion of your research strategy (quantitative, qualitative, mixed method)
Your research design (experimental, quasi-experimental) This is where it will help to have a research methodology expert on your committee
Survey method (survey, phone, questionnaire, etc.)
Instrumentation
Validity and Reliability Issues
Consent and ethical considerations
Sample population
Generalizability
Biases
As you write this chapter, you should be answering the following:
How exactly will the data be collected? Justify.
How will it be coded (if applicable)?
Where will the data be stored/filed/destroyed?
How will it be analyzed? What statistical techniques? Justify
What instruments will be used? Justify.

13. Chapter Four: Findings and Discussion
You may want to report on the findings separately before the discussion of the results, or
You may want to discuss the findings as you report the results
Either way, you should clearly explain which approach you take
Clear sub-headings will help keep you organized

14. Chapter Five: Conclusion
The conclusion is generally based on re-visiting the research questions
You are succinctly answering the research questions with support from the results and findings in chapter four.
You should also address what’s next
Practical implications
Questions for further research
Most importantly, DO NOT attempt to answer any new questions in the conclusion

15. Last but not Least References Appendices IRB, ACOUC, IBC
APA, MLA, CHICAGO, AMA, IEEE
Must be Consistent Throughout
Know what is used in your discipline and GET THE HANDBOOK!
Appendices
In Order of Appearance in the Text
IRB, ACOUC, IBC
Approvals are required by QU and by ProQuest
Research Cannot be Published Without These Approvals

16. Still not Finished! Similarity Index Approval
TAD Approval from Graduate Studies
Submission to ProQuest, Library Repository

17. Tips for Dissertation Success
Set deadlines early on in the process
Ask for feedback early, and often
Find out what your committee wants and expects from you
But remember that this is YOUR dissertation
Take breaks when you need it to rejuvenate yourself
Read everything you can
Celebrate your accomplishments as you go
Know that you can finish!

18. Questions?