1. Writing the Introduction to the Study

2. Agenda This presentation will include:
Overview of capstone process (after completion of coursework and/or KAMs)
Descriptions of content
DBA doctoral study
EdD doctoral study (project and research options)
PhD dissertation
Tips on writing drafts, seeking feedback, and taking advantage of all resources

3. Capstone process (after KAMs and/or courses)
Prospectus Describes research; helps you form committee (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

4. Capstone documents: Rubric and template
Dissertation or doctoral study rubric: Center for Research Support
Dissertation or doctoral study template: Writing Center

5. DBA project study Section 1: Foundation of the Study
Helps readers understand what to expect in your study.
Subheadings
Background Operational Definitions
Problem Statement Assumptions, Limitations,
Purpose Statement and Delimitations
Nature of the Study Significance of the Study
Research Questions Review of Professional
(and Hypotheses--quant.) and Academic Literature
Theoretical (quant.) or Summary
Conceptual Framework (qual.)

6. 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)

7. DBA Problem Statement Hook: Includes citation from the literature
Anchor: Includes citation from the literature
General business problem: Describes overall issue, situational dynamics, or related factors
Specific business problem: Provides precise statement of what will be explored in the study
About words

8. 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 words

9. DBA Nature of the Study and Research Questions
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 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

10. 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)

11. 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

12. DBA Literature Review and Summary
See Literature Review webinar
Offered live in February, July, and December 2012
Archived at
Summary
Brief review of key (not all) points; do not list headings
Overview of remaining sections
Clear transition to section 2.

13. EdD project option Section 1: The Problem
Helps readers understand what to expect in your study.
Subheadings
Local Problem Review of the Literature
Special Terms Implications
Significance of the Problem Summary
Research Questions

14. EdD project option Local Problem and Special Terms
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.

15. EdD project option Problem 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 Lack of funding for middle-school math teachers’ ongoing development could be one reason. This qualitative study... One paragraph to one page

16. EdD project option Significance 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

17. EdD project option Lit Review, Implications, Summary
Literature Review webinar
Offered live in February, July, and December 2012
Archived at
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.

18. PhD chapter 1 and EdD section 1 Introduction to the Study
Helps readers understand what to expect in your study.
Subheadings
Problem Statement Operational Definitions
Nature of the Study Assumptions
Research Questions Limitations
(and Hypotheses--quant.) Scope or delimitations
Purpose of the Study Significance of Study
Theoretical Base (quant.) or Transitional statement
Conceptual Framework (qual.)

19. 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 Statement
Quantitative: Describe at least two variables and conjectured relationship between them.
Qualitative: Describe need for increased understanding.
One paragraph to one page

20. 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.

21. PhD and EdD research option Research Questions
Qualitative
Quantitative
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
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

22. PhD and EdD research option Purpose of the Study
Logical, explicit statement: The purpose of this study is [this]. One paragraph (approximately half a page)

23. PhD and EdD research option Framework
Framework: 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.

24. 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).

25. PhD and EdD research option Assumptions et cetera
Assumptions: 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

26. PhD and EdD research option Summary
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.

27. Planning tips
Read other dissertations or doctoral studies (
Write sections that you are in the mood to write—but write every day, if only an annotation.
Keep your work simple and clear by writing short sentences with varied sentence structure.
Seek help when you need it.

28. 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.

29. 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

30. 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?