DSRT839– Dissertation Seminar chapter 1 ,2 AND3 DRAFTS DEADLINE IN 5 HOURES
MAKE AN DRAFT FOR CHAPTER1 CHAPTER2 AND CHAPTER3
Dissertation Chapters:
- Chapter I: Introduction.
- Chapter II: Review of Literature.
- Chapter III: Methodology (Research Design & Methods)
750 words with APA Formet
Updated 7.13.2020
Implemented: Fall 2020
GRADUATE SCHOOL
DOCTORAL RESEARCH HANDBOOK
DISSERTATION HANDBOOK 2
Table of Contents
Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 3
Doctoral Program and Research Process ……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 3
Purpose of the Handbook…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 3
Doctoral Research Committee ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 3
Choosing Committee Members ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 3
Committee chair responsibilities. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 4
Responsibilities of other committee members ………………………………………………………………………………………… 5
Candidate Responsibilities ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 5
Doctoral Research Guidelines ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 6
Choosing a Research Topic ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 6
Doctoral Research Timeline …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 6
Doctoral Research Probation Process ……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 7
Doctoral Research Style ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 8
Quantitative Research …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 8
Traditional Five Chapter Quantitative Dissertation ………………………………………………………………………………. 9
Applied Research …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 9
Qualitative Dissertations …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 9
Mixed-Methods Dissertations ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 9
Final Document ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 10
Doctoral Research Approval Process ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 10
Oral Defense………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 11
Graduation …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 12
Appendix A: Quantitative Dissertation (Traditional Five Chapter Format) ………………………………………………………. 13
Appendix B: Quantitative Dissertation (Applied Research Format) ………………………………………………………………… 15
Appendix C: Qualitative and Mixed Methods Dissertation Information …………………………………………………………… 17
Appendix D: Doctoral Research Evaluation Rubric ………………………………………………………………………………………. 18
Appendix E: Reporting Statistical Tests ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 19
DISSERTATION HANDBOOK 3
Introduction
Doctoral Program and Research Process
The Graduate School at the University of the Cumberlands offers Doctor of Business
Administration, Doctor of Education, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. The doctoral research,
designed to evaluate the candidate’s capabilities as a scholar, is the final academic requirement
of the DBA, EdD, and PhD programs. Candidates complete the doctoral research during
professional research courses (DSRT 736, 839, 930, 931), which are the last four courses taken
during the program. This handbook sets forth the guidelines for completing the doctoral research
process.
Purpose of the Handbook
The purpose of this handbook is to guide candidates through the doctoral research
process, including developing the research, the oral defense, and final document submission.
The handbook outlines candidate and committee member responsibilities, defines writing
guidelines, identifies required sections for each chapter, and provides printing guidelines for
the
final dissertation document. The handbook is to be used by instructors, dissertation chairs,
and
committee members to ensure high standards related to the form and appearance of dissertations.
Doctoral Research Committee
Doctoral research committees are made up of three members, including the chair, and
two committee members. Each member has specific responsibilities, as outlined below.
Choosing Committee Members
While enrolled in DSRT 930, the candidate and the chair will identify instructors to serve
on his/her dissertation committee. The DSRT course instructor will serve as the chair. Other
members are to be instructors teaching at the graduate level at the University of the
DISSERTATION HANDBOOK 4
Cumberlands. These members should be chosen based on doctoral research topic expertise and
candidate needs. The chairs will provide candidates with a list of instructors available to serve on
committees. The committee member request form is submitted to the academic department, and
any committee changes must be resubmitted to the academic department.
Committee chair responsibilities.
Responsibilities of the committee chair include:
Advising the candidate through the doctoral research process.
Guiding the candidate in the selection of two additional committee members.
Assisting the candidate in meeting deadlines for completion of the
doctoral research.
Assisting the candidate in navigating the IRB approval process.
Guiding the candidate in achieving a high level of technical and ethical quality in
doctoral research.
Advising the candidate in the selection of methods/procedures for data collection and
analysis.
Advising the candidate in proper APA style.
Determining when a document is ready for review by the committee and communicate
such with committee members. The candidate should avoid consulting the full committee
for feedback without prior approval of the chair.
Advising the candidate in preparation for the dissertation defense.
Notifying the department chair of the date, time, and location of all dissertation defense
meetings.
Submitting the defense scoring rubric from committee members to the department chair
promptly after the defense.
DISSERTATION HANDBOOK 5
Submitting a print-ready copy of the doctoral research to the department chair before the
anticipated graduation date of the candidate.
Responsibilities of other committee members
Responsibilities of other committee members include:
Providing subject matter expertise as requested by the chair or candidate.
Reading drafts and providing meaningful feedback.
Corresponding with the chair and candidate as needed for clarification and resolution of
methodological issues during the dissertation process.
Immediately notifying candidate and doctoral research chair when major flaws that are
likely to result in a candidate’s unsuccessful defense are identified.
Signing the signature page of the dissertation promptly.
Candidate Responsibilities
Responsibilities of the doctoral research candidate include:
Coordinating with the chair to select committee members based on expertise in the
doctoral research topic area. The candidate is encouraged to select at least one member
with expertise in data collection and analysis.
Completing the IRB process to obtain approval for research before collecting data.
Choosing a topic, submitting proofread drafts of materials to the chair, preparing
adequately for consultations, and communicating regularly with the chair.
Contacting the chair in the event of any significant change in the personal or professional
situation which may interfere with program completion.
Successfully defending research.
DISSERTATION HANDBOOK 6
Submitting an error-free, print-ready copy of the dissertation as a pdf document to the
dissertation chair and the academic department promptly after a successful defense.
Doctoral Research Guidelines
Choosing a Research Topic
Candidates begin thinking about doctoral research topics when applying for admission to
the program. The doctoral research topics must be grounded in theory, related to program goals,
and have implications for practitioners. Candidates are encouraged to choose research topics of
personal relevance and significance. When opportunities arise in coursework, candidates should
begin researching these topics in the form of literature reviews and other assignments that allow
for research. The research topic will be narrowed to a research study and approved by the
department chair/director when candidates enroll in the first doctoral research course, DSRT 736.
The Graduate School provides a link for topic approval in the DSRT 736 course.
Doctoral Research Timeline
Candidates submit the topic approval form in 736, and the academic department
coordinates the topic approval process with the 736-course professor. Candidates complete the
review of the literature (Chapter Two) while enrolled in DSRT 736. Completing DSRT 736 is a
requirement for enrolling in DSRT 839. While enrolled in DSRT 839, candidates complete
Chapter One, the introduction to the study, and Chapter Three, the methodology section.
Candidates must apply for approval for their research from the Institutional Review Board while
enrolled in DSRT 839. IRB approval is required before collecting any data.
A completed Chapter One, Two, and Three are required before candidates enroll in
DSRT 930. Candidates complete Chapter Four, which presents their research findings, while
enrolled in DSRT 930. Once enrolled in DSRT 931, candidates complete Chapter Five. In
DISSERTATION HANDBOOK 7
Chapter Five, candidates interpret their findings, discuss implications of those findings, present
recommendations for further study and action, and discuss how their study fills a gap in the
literature and contributes to the field of study. The doctoral research committee, Graduate
School Quality Control representative and the APA editor will recommend the doctoral research
for oral defense when it meets the Graduate School Guidelines. Candidates orally defend their
doctoral research while enrolled in DSRT 931-932, which is the final step in the doctoral
research process. After a successful defense, candidates submit a pdf of the approved doctoral
research with the signature sheet to the academic department. At that time, the Program Director
recommends the candidates for graduation.
The DBA, EdD, and PhD programs are designed for doctoral research to be completed in
four courses. Candidates needing additional time may enroll in additional courses providing the
total time in the program does not exceed five years. Department chairs or Program Directors
must approve enrollment in courses beyond DSRT 931.
Doctoral Research Probation Process
To protect the doctoral research timeline, the following probation process is proposed. This
follows our academic probation process. A “missed deadline” occurs when a student does not
satisfactorily pass any dissertation course and is forced to repeat the course OR when a student
does not complete the doctoral research in the prescribed timeline and begins taking additional
courses toward degree completion (DSRT 932).
1st missed deadline – Student is placed on academic probation.
2nd missed deadline – Student is removed from and prohibited from participating in CPT.
3rd missed deadline – Student is dismissed from the program.
DISSERTATION HANDBOOK 8
Doctoral Research Style
The doctoral research, a scholarly document, is written for professionals in the field. The
research questions at hand primarily determine the dissertation style. For instance, a student may
utilize an existing database to evaluate their hypotheses. Access to the database as originally
published is highly encouraged. Alternatively, they could build a novel testing or survey
instrument to gather data needed for their study. Another example may employ an in-depth
comparative case study.
Moreover, a dissertation can center around the development of a piece of software or
business model that addresses a significant need or issue in the literature or industry. Ultimately,
the doctoral research will fall into one of the following broad outlines: a quantitative, qualitative,
or mixed-methods study. The seventh edition of the Publication Manual of the American
Psychological Association (APA) is the style manual to be used in writing the doctoral research.
Candidates should follow all APA guidelines.
Quantitative Research
While there is no set number of pages, quantitative research typically includes
approximately 100 pages. This word requirement applies to the text of the dissertation only; it
does not cover the title page, acknowledgments, table of contents, or other non-content related
pages. There are two options for the quantitative research: Traditional five chapter dissertation
or Applied Research. There is additional information on reporting statistical results in Appendix
E.
DISSERTATION HANDBOOK 9
Traditional Five Chapter Quantitative Dissertation
The traditional quantitative dissertation follows a five-chapter format and a deductive
approach. The required sections for the five chapters of the quantitative dissertation are located
in Appendix A.
Applied Research
The Applied Research Option, designed to extend or apply research, is a second option
for the quantitative dissertation of the DBA, EdD, and PhD programs. The applied research
option may include software or application development. Candidates complete the Applied
Research during professional research courses (DSRT 736, 839, 930, 931), which are the last
four courses taken during the program (See Appendix B).
Qualitative Dissertations
Unlike the quantitative dissertations, which follow a five-chapter format, the qualitative
dissertation is not bound by those requirements. Rather, the qualitative dissertation should be
approximately 45,000 words. This word requirement applies to the text of the dissertation only; it
does not cover the title page, acknowledgments, table of contents, or other non-content related
pages. Thus, with a small indulgence in tautology, the dissertation should be as long as it needs
to be, as long it meets the minimum word requirement (See Appendix C).
Mixed-Methods Dissertations
The program director must approve the mixed-methods dissertation methodology, and the
dissertation committee will provide guidance and expertise on the formatting requirements for this
type of dissertation (See Appendix C).
DISSERTATION HANDBOOK 10
Final Document
The final doctoral research document must be submitted while enrolled in the last
research course, typically DSRT 931. The candidates submit an error-free, print-ready copy final
doctoral research documents after the successful oral defense. The final doctoral research must
include all committee members, Graduate School Quality Control representative, and APA editor
recommended edits in the final pdf document. The copy is to be submitted electronically to the
academic program. If a candidate would like bound doctoral research copies, then he or she may
submit two printed copies (using white, 24 lb. résumé paper) of the doctoral research to the
academic program office before the designated semester deadline. After having those copies
bound, the UC Binding Department will return the two copies to the candidate. If the candidate
wishes to request more than two bound copies, he/she should submit the number desired. The
Binding Department will bill the student for the additional copies at a minimal cost per copy.
Doctoral Research Approval Process
Approval for conducting doctoral research must be obtained while enrolled in DSRT 839
and is a pre-requisite to enrolling in DSRT 930. The Institutional Review Board application to
conduct research, and all supporting documents must be submitted in DSRT 839. Students may
self-register for the IRB and Research Organization in iLearn for forms, tutorials, and materials.
The doctoral research chair will review the document, and then the student should submit the
documents to the IRB chair at irb@ucumberlands.edu. Candidates will receive an IRB
Approval Letter once the research has been approved. No research is to be executed until IRB
approval is granted, and all necessary consents (adults) and assents (minors) are secured from
participants. The IRB Approval Letter is to be placed in the doctoral research as Appendix A.
mailto:irb@ucumberlands.edu
DISSERTATION HANDBOOK 11
Oral Defense
While enrolled in the final doctoral research course, the candidate must present an oral
defense of her/his research. This oral defense is presented after the committee chair, and all
committee members have given feedback, and all edits have been made to the doctoral research
document. The academic department will schedule the defense session after the Graduate School
completes a Quality Check of the doctoral research (defense ready file). All three committee
members must be present for the oral defense. The oral defense session normally takes 45-60
minutes. The committee members and chair ask questions and offer comments. The committee
dismisses the candidate for committee deliberation. Once the committee and chair have
deliberated and reached a decision, the candidate is invited to re-join the group for the committee
decision. The committee makes one of the following decisions:
approved with no revisions,
approved with minor revisions,
provisionally approved with major revisions, or
not approved with the recommendation to write new doctoral research.
If one of the first two decisions is determined, the committee chair works with the candidate to
get the final document ready to send to the department chair for review. If the committee
decision requires major revisions or a new doctoral research, the candidate enrolls in another
research course to complete the revisions or rewrite. The defense must be successfully
completed by the department defense deadline for the semester. The doctoral research chair and
committee evaluate the candidate using the department rubric (see Appendix D).
DISSERTATION HANDBOOK 12
Graduation
Candidates should apply for graduation at the beginning of the semester in which they
plan to graduate. The application for graduation is located at
https://inside.ucumberlands.edu/academics/registrar/graduation_application.php. Once the
research has been successfully defended, and copies of the doctoral research are received by the
department chair, then the department chair notifies the registrar that the candidate has
completed all program requirements and is eligible to graduate. Graduation exercises are held in
May. Candidates are hooded during the graduation exercise.
https://inside.ucumberlands.edu/academics/registrar/graduation_application.php
DISSERTATION HANDBOOK 13
Appendix A: Quantitative Dissertation (Traditional Five Chapter Format)
Title Page
Signature Page
Acknowledgments
Abstract
Table of Contents
List of Tables
Chapter One (Introduction)
Overview
Background and Problem Statement
Purpose of the Study
Significance of the Study
Research Questions
Theoretical Framework
Limitations of the Study
Assumptions
Definitions
Summary
Chapter Two (Review of Literature)
Introduction
Subsections based on a deductive approach
Summary
Chapter Three (Procedures and Methodology)
Introduction
DISSERTATION HANDBOOK 14
Research Paradigm (quantitative)
Research Design
Sampling Procedures and or/
Data Collection Sources (reference Informed Consent and IRB approval placed in
Appendices)
Statistical Tests
Summary
Chapter Four (Research Findings)
Introduction
Participants and Research Setting
Analyses of Research Questions (one at a time)
Supplementary Findings (if any)
Summary
Chapter Five (Summary, Discussion, and Implications)
Introduction
Practical Assessment of Research Questions
Limitations of the Study
Implications for Future Study
Summary
References
Appendices (This section contains any tables, figures, and possible data sources that could not
be placed in the text of the paper due to its size, as well as copies of consent forms and IRB
letters).
DISSERTATION HANDBOOK 15
Appendix B: Quantitative Dissertation (Applied Research Format)
Title Page
Signature Page
Acknowledgments
Abstract
Table of Contents
List of Tables
Chapter One (Introduction)
Overview
Background and Problem Statement
Purpose of the Study
Significance of the Study
Research Questions
Theoretical Framework
Limitations of the Study
Assumptions
Definitions
Summary
Chapter Two (Review of Literature)
Introduction
Subsections based on a deductive approach
Summary
Chapter Three (Procedures and Methodology)
Introduction
Research Paradigm (quantitative)
Research Project Design
DISSERTATION HANDBOOK 16
Sampling Procedures and or/
Data Collection Sources (reference Informed Consent and IRB approval placed in Appendices)
Statistical Tests (if applicable)
Summary
Chapter Four (Research Findings)
Introduction
Participants and Research Setting (if applicable)
Project Analysis
Analyses of Research Questions (one at a time)
Supplementary Findings (if any)
Summary
Chapter Five (Summary, Discussion, and Implications)
Introduction
Practical Assessment of Project Analysis
Limitations of the Study
Implications for Future Study
Summary
References
Appendices (This section contains any tables, figures and possible data sources that could not be placed
in the text of the paper due to its size, as well as copies of consent forms and IRB letters.)
DISSERTATION HANDBOOK 17
Appendix C: Qualitative and Mixed Methods Dissertation Information
Title Page
Signature Page
Acknowledgments
Abstract
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Additional Chapters
References
Appendices
*Specific formatting guidelines will be specified by program director, dissertation chair, and
committee.
DISSERTATION HANDBOOK 18
Appendix D: Doctoral Research Evaluation Rubric
Standard Score 4 3 2 1 Score
I.
Demonstrates
critical and
reflective
thinking
capable of
facilitating
institutional,
informational
technology, or
business-related
problem-
solving or
institutional
improvement.
Demonstrates
a professional
level of critical
and
reflective
thinking
leading to
problem-
solving or
institutional
improvement.
Demonstrates
an
acceptable
level of critical
and reflective
thinking
leading to
problem-
solving or
institutional
improvement.
Demonstrates an
acceptable level
of critical and
reflective
thinking, but
with minimal
connections to
leading to
problem-solving
or institutional
improvement.
Minimal
demonstration
of critical and
reflective
thinking.
II.
Demonstrates
consideration for
the
impact of
leadership,
information
technology, or
business on
institutional
constituents.
Demonstrates
a professional
level of
consideration
for the impact
of leadership,
information
technology, or
business on
institutional
constituents.
Demonstrates
an acceptable
level of
consideration
for the impact
of leadership,
information
technology, or
business on
institutional
constituents.
Needs minimal
improvement
related to the
impact of
content on
constituents.
Needs
significant
improvement
related to the
impact of
content on
constituents.
III. Demonstrates
effective analytical
and
communication
skills.
Demonstrates
a professional
level of
skills
associated
with
formatting,
grammar,
spelling,
syntax, and
use of
numbers.
Demonstrates
acceptable
skills
associated with
formatting,
grammar,
spelling,
syntax, and use
of numbers.
Needs minor
improvement in
skills associated
with formatting,
grammar,
spelling, syntax,
and use of
numbers.
Needs
significant
improvement in
skills associated
formatting,
grammar,
spelling, syntax,
and use of
numbers.
IV.
Demonstrates
knowledge of
genres, paradigms,
theories or trends
in Business,
information
technology, or
leadership.
Demonstrates
a professional
level of
knowledge.
Demonstrates
an acceptable
level of
knowledge.
Needs minor
improvement in
the
demonstration
of knowledge.
Needs
significant
improvement in
the
demonstration
of knowledge.
Score
DISSERTATION HANDBOOK 19
Appendix E: Reporting Statistical Tests
For quantitative dissertations, report the statistical tests in the abstract and Chapter Four.
Set the alpha at .05. Some common examples of tests used in the quantitative analysis are listed
below as examples. Italicize all statistical symbols. For all tests listed below, report the degrees
of freedom (except the Spearman’s rs, where you report the number of pairs).
Symbol Report findings Null hypothesis
Chi-Square Test X2 (X2 [df, N = ] = result, p < or >
.05)
The variables are independent.
Spearman’s rs rs (rs [number of pairs] = result, p
< or > .05)
There is no relationship between
the ranked data.
t-test
(Independent
and paired
samples)
t (t [df] = result, p < or > .05) There is no difference in the
means.
ANOVA F F [df] = result, p < or > .05) There is no difference in the
means.
(If the null hypothesis is rejected,
then run post-hoc testing).
Regression or
Pearson Product
moment
correlation
coefficient r
r r [df] = result, p < or > .05) There is no relationship between
the variables.
*For additional tests, please follow current APA guidelines.