Fluent Essays

Need help with a my chapter 2 writing assignment. Refer to St. Thomas University Dissertation Publication Manual throughout the writing process. Model Title Page Title of the Quantitative/Qualitative Dissertation By: Author’s Name Date of the Defense Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Doctor of Education degree St. Thomas University Miami Gardens, Florida Approved: __________________________ (name of chair, highest earned degree, title, and affiliation) Committee Chair __________________________ (name of chair, highest earned degree, title, and affiliation) Committee Member __________________________ (name of chair, highest earned degree, title, and affiliation) Committee Member Commented [Dr. KM1]: This dissertation Rubric should be used to help you draft your dissertation using the qualitative or quantitative dissertation templates separately provided . Do not draft your chapters on this rubric but use the templates. Commented [Dr. KM2]: The title page is not numbered There is no running header in dissertation documents There should be no additional chapter sections unless your chair approves. Commented [Dr. KM3]: Title should reflect method or design and some sense of geographic scope of the study along with key study variables and/or constructs] no more than 12-15 words Copyright 2020 by Jane Doe All Rights Reserved Copyright Acknowledgement Form St. Thomas University I, the writer’s full name, understand that I am solely responsible for the content of this dissertation and its use of copyrighted materials. All copyright infringements and issues are solely the responsibly of myself as the author of this dissertation and not St. Thomas University, its programs, or libraries. ______________________________ _______________________ Signature of Author Date ______________________________ _______________________ Witness (Type Name Here) Date St. Thomas University Library Release Form Title of Dissertation Author’s Name I understand that US Copyright Law protects this dissertation against unauthorized use. By my signature below, I am giving permission to St. Thomas University Library to place this dissertation in its collections in both print and digital forms for open access to the wider academic community. I am also allowing the Library to photocopy and provide a copy of this dissertation for the purpose of interlibrary loans for scholarly purposes and to migrate it to other forms of media for archival purposes. ________________________ _____________________ Signature of Author Date ________________________ _____________________ Witness (Type Name Here) Date Abstract The target length of the abstract in St. Thomas University doctoral dissertations is 250 words formatted in one double-spaced paragraph (do not create a justified right margin). Guidelines for development of the abstract can be found in the APA Publication Manual Edition currently used by the university. Note that the Abstract page has no page number and “Abstract” does not appear in the Table of Contents. Delete this text but do not delete the section break that follows this paragraph; it is necessary for correct pagination—if you can’t see it, click on the ¶Show/Hide button on the formatting toolbar. Additions to abstract? Commented [Dr. KM4]: Abstract is one page, double spaced with no indentation and no paragraph breaks. iii Acknowledgments This page is typically included in a dissertation. Refer to the Dissertation Publication Manual regarding who should be acknowledged on this page. The “Acknowledgments” entry does appear in the Table of Contents. Commented [Dr. KM5]: Acknowledgment does not exceed 1 page in length and is drafted after Ch 5 is complete iv Dedication Refer to the Dissertation Publication Manual regarding who should be acknowledged in a dedication (this page is often included, although not required, in a dissertation). The Dedication page is numbered, but “Dedication” does not appear in the Table of Contents. v Table of Contents Acknowledgments iv List of Tables List of Charts or Graphs CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION Introduction to the Problem (Hit Tab to add page numbers) Background, Context, and Theoretical Framework Statement of the Problem Purpose of the Study Research Questions Rationale, Relevance, and Significance of the Study Nature of the Study Definition of Terms Assumptions, Limitations, and Delimitations Chapter 1 Summary (Format Note: These entries are not connected to the text via the “Index and Tables” feature of Microsoft Word.) vi CHAPTER 2. LITERATURE REVIEW Introduction to the Literature Review Theoretical Framework Review of Research Literature and Methodological Literature Chapter 2 Summary CHAPTER 3. METHODOLOGY Introduction to Chapter 3 Research Design Target Population, Sampling Method, and Related Procedures Instrumentation Data Collection Field Test Pilot Test Operationalization of Variables Data Analysis Procedures Limitations of the Research Design Internal Validity External Validity Expected Findings Ethical Issues Chapter 3 Summary vii CHAPTER 4. DATA ANALYSIS AND RESULTS Introduction Description of the Sample Summary of the Results Detailed Analysis Chapter 4 Summary CHAPTER 5. CONCLUSIONS AND DISCUSSION Introduction Summary of the Results Discussion of the Results Discussion of the Results in Relation to the Literature Limitations Implication of the Results for Practice Recommendations for Further Research Conclusion APPENDICES REFERENCES viii List of Tables Table 1. Add title (single-space table titles; double-space between entries) xx ix List of Figures Figure 1. Add title (single-space figure titles; double-space between entries) xx (Note: Do not remove the section break that follows this paragraph.) 1 CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION Introduction to the Problem The introduction to the problem section of Chapter 1 presents the problem to be addressed by the dissertation research that is worthy of further investigation. The introduction should present the problem or research focus for the study, briefly describe the nature and purpose of the study, present the guiding research questions, and explain the significance of and justification for conducting the study. It should also explain how this study will contribute to the existing knowledge about the problem or research focus. The introduction to the problem must introduce the reader to the problem in a concise yet complete manner and establish why the problem is worthy of further investigation. 1. Provide the reader with a clear understanding of the problem in a concise yet complete manner 2. Demonstrate that the problem is worthy of further investigation 3. Briefly describe how the study will be done 4. Present the guiding research question or hypothesis for the study 5. Explain how this study can contribute to the existing knowledge about the problem or research focus 6. Describe how the study will address something that is not already known or has not been studied before 7. Describe how the study is new or different from other studies in some way 8. Describe how the study extends prior research on the topic in some way 9. Describe how the study will fill a gap in existing literature or research Background, Context and Theoretical Framework of the Study. The background, context, and theoretical framework of the study should tell the reader what has happened in the past to create the problem or need today. It is a brief historical overview that answers these questions: What do we know? What created the problem? When did the problem begin, and for whom is it a problem? What research has been done? This section provides information necessary to allow the reader to understand the background of the problem and context in which the problem occurs. The primary objectives in writing this section are (a) to provide a brief overview of research related to the problem; (b) to identify and describe the key components, elements, aspects, concepts Commented [Dr. KM6]: Page numbering for Chapter 1 begins with page 1 2 of the problem; (c) to provide the reader with an understanding of how the problem arose and the specific context within which the problem is occurring; and (d) to briefly introduce the reader to the theoretical framework and how that framework either supports the proposed study or provides a theoretical context for developing the research problem. The length of this section will depend on the complexity of the problem. Many learner- researchers first develop a working draft of the literature review (Chapter 2), since a good portion of this section is a brief summary of the related literature. Typically, background sections are five to eight paragraphs but can be longer for more complex problems or for problems that have an extensive history of investigation. The context for the study refers to the physical setting of the research and the natural or artificial (simulated) properties of that setting. In some research these properties are called “experimental conditions” or “study environment.” This section should introduce the theory that will provide support and justification for your study. It will be used to briefly introduce the primary theoretical topics that will be developed in detail in Chapter 2. The purpose of the theoretical framework is to tie the dissertation together. As the researcher, you should approach the proposed research from a theory or set of theories that provide the backdrop for the work (researchers do not create theory; they use established theory in which to embed their work). This section should describe how this study will relate to existing theories and discuss how the methodology being used in the study links to those theories. Questions to answer: Is the theoretical foundation strong? Are the theoretical sources apparent? Are they appropriate for the topic? Do they need further explanation? Further, the theoretical framework describes a context within which to locate the intended project and suggests why doing such a study is worthwhile. The theoretical framework justifies the methods you plan to use for conducting the study and presents how this research will contribute to the body of knowledge and/or practice. 1. Describe why the study is being conducted 2. Provide a brief overview of research related to the problem 3. Identify and describe the key components, elements, aspects, concepts of the problem 4. Describe who or what is impacted by the problem or research focus 5. Provide the reader with an understanding of how the problem arose and the specific context within which the problem is occurring 6. Briefly introduce the reader to the theoretical framework and how that framework either supports the proposed study or provides a theoretical context for developing the research problem 7. Describe the research methods planned for the study 8. Justify the research methods planned for the study Statement of the Problem. 3 Begin this section with a problem statement—It is not known” OR “There is a gap in the literature regarding” followed by “how . . . ” (qualitative) OR “to what extent . . . ” (quantitative). This succinct statement must clearly define what is to be measured in the study: the problem or need for education and/or society that you are interested in or that concern you. The statement needs to be clear and express what the problem is. Indicate either what is not known or what is wrong. What problem exists for education and/or society? What do we not know? What is the need we are trying to address? Do we need more research? Do we need to increase our understanding of the problem? Do we need to find ways to solve it? It is the magnitude and importance of the problem that makes the study worth doing. The problem statement, the purpose statement, and primary or central research question will vary only slightly in their wording, but the essence of each should be identical and uniform for all three sections. The problem statement will lead to the purpose statement, which in turn will lead to the primary or central research question. The problem statement will clarify, outline, limit, and bring into being a distinct image of the problem to be investigated. The most effective problem statements are (a) expressed simply, (b) to the point, and (c) clear in stating the nature of the problem. This section clearly states the research problem to be addressed, the population affected, and how the study will contribute to addressing the problem/filling the gap in the literature. A well-written problem statement also clearly communicates the significance, magnitude, and importance of the problem. 1. Begin with a clear declarative statement that begins with “It is not known how and to what degree/extent…..” or "There is a gap in the literature regarding .... 2. Describe the general problem 3. Identify the need for the study and why it is of concern to the researcher. 4. Tell the reader what needs to be discovered or what is wrong that needs to be fixed. 5. Answer the questions: What don't we know? What is the need we are trying to address? Do we need more research? Do we need to increase our understanding of the problem? Do we need to find ways to solve it? 6. Clearly describe the magnitude and importance of the problem. Purpose of the Study Begin this section by stating the purpose of your study (e.g., “The purpose of the study is to . . . in order to . . .”). Within the larger problem or need, this is the part that you are going to study. Ask the questions: What are you going to do, describe, predict, improve, or explain? What needs to be done? Are you going to find out who is affected and how (descriptive), what characteristics/phenomena are associated with the problem (prediction), what factors contribute to the problem (explanation), and/or what programs and services are needed to address the problem (improve)? 4 Example: The purpose of this study is to examine the attitudes, practices, and barriers [interesting terms—each will need to be defined and examined carefully as related to the explanation of your study] of parental involvement as perceived by middle school teachers and parents. The purpose statement should either (a) end with an “in order to” conclusion so that your reader understands why the research is being proposed, or (b) have a second sentence explaining why the research is being proposed (what goal will the study accomplish?) 1. Begin with a declarative statement, "The purpose of this study is...." that identifies the research design, population, variables to be studied and geographic location in context 2. Describe what needs to be done with the problem or research focus identified so far 3. Relate the current study to what needs to be done with the problem or research focus 4. Identify research method as qualitative, quantitative, or mixed. 5. Explain why this study is necessary to address the problem or to advance the research focus 6. Specify how the results of the study can contribute to this field Research Questions or Hypotheses. In this section the researcher narrows the focus of the study. The questions are derived from the problem statement. Within the general purpose of the study, what are the specific questions the research will attempt to answer? If quantitative, state the research question(s) and the hypotheses that will be researched. Quantitative research may have one question or several questions. One way of organizing research questions is identify a primary research question followed by additional or sub-questions. The primary research question should flow logically from the problem statement and purpose statement and be very similar in wording although phrased as a question. If there is no primary research question, simply list all of the research questions. Sequence the questions by priority and by listing those questions first that best align to the problem and purpose statements. Follow testable quantitative research questions with an alternative hypothesis and the null hypotheses. Non-testable research questions will not have hypotheses. When creating a research question for each hypothesis, follow these steps: • Creating a research question for each hypothesis by rephrasing each hypothesis from “There is . . . .” to “Is there . . . ?” • Place each research question before the corresponding hypotheses. You may present a paragraph prior to listing the research question or hypothesis. Minimally, you will need a lead-in phrase to introduce the questions. Example: The following research questions/hypotheses guide this study. Quantitative Studies 5 R1: Format the questions and hypotheses either as normal paragraphs with an indented first line or else with a hanging indent (as in question 2, below). H0: H1: R2: Format the questions and hypotheses either as normal paragraphs with an indented first line (as in question 1, above) or else with a hanging indent. H0: H2: Qualitative Studies For qualitative research, develop a central research question that mirrors the statement of the problem and purpose statement, but is phrased as a question rather than a statement. Follow the central research question by any additional or corollary research questions. 1. State the research questions and/or hypotheses at the level aimed at a general audience 2. Relate the research questions and/or hypotheses to the stated problem/research focus 3. Are the research questions and rationale presented in a discussion context, rather than simply stated or listed. 4. Discuss the feasibility of answering the research questions with the data being collected Significance of the Study. This section must clearly justify the methods the researcher plans to use for conducting the study. It provides a description of the need for the study and provides a rationale or need for studying an issue or phenomenon. It should enhance the reader’s understanding of how this research will contribute to the existing body of knowledge and/or practice. Determining the significance of the study is highly beneficial on many levels. How will your research help solve the problem, fill a need, or add to what we know about the problem? Determining who will benefit from the study and creating justification of the study will provide relevance, while at the same time increasing its significance and contributions to theory, practice, knowledge, fields, professions, and/or stakeholders. Example: This study examines attitudes, practices, and barriers of fifth through eighth grade teachers and parents regarding parental involvement. The information presented in this study could aid administrators and teachers in developing and 6 implementing initiatives that promote and increase middle level parental involvement, enhance the school and family partnership, and ultimately increase student performance and academic success. Organize this section with three subsections—Rationale, Relevance, and Significance. This will leave no doubt in the reader’s mind regarding which issue/topic is covered by each section. These three sections are very important and provide readers, including committee members, all necessary elements to make a judgment regarding the potential significance of your proposed study. Your proposed study must be relevant to your specialization at St. Thomas University. Rationale for the Proposed Study The proposed study is needed because . . . Why is the study being proposed? What practice problem does this proposed study address, provide a solution, or help to solve? Why is the research problem important? To whom is the research problem important? How has this proposed study emerged from the relevant research, theory and knowledge in your field or discipline? Who are the researchers or content experts calling for this research? Who has asked for this new knowledge or acknowledged existence of a gap in the research literature (which researchers, authorities, content experts)? Will the new knowledge the study generates revise, extend, or create new knowledge? For whom? Relevance of the Study What is the relevance to your specialization (leadership)? Be sure to identify your specialization (e.g., postsecondary and adult education, professional studies, P-12 leadership, business, law, etc). What is the potential value of your findings to practitioners in your specialization? Significance of the Study What is the value of the proposed study to the scientific community? Will your proposed study serve to begin to close a gap in knowledge? How will the new knowledge produced as a result of this proposed study contribute to, test, advance, refine, evaluate, or challenge existing theory or research? Will your proposed study begin to bridge a debate or controversy in the literature? Will your completed study impel further research? 1. Clearly justify the research methods planned for this study 2. Enhance the reader’s understanding of how this research will contribute to the body of knowledge and/or practice. 3. Describe the context within which to locate the intended project 4. Describe why doing this study is worthwhile. 5. Describe the need for this study 6. Describe the motivation for the study 7. Describe the predicted results. 7 8. Describe the real-world impact/influence of the predicted results. 9. Explain the implications 10. 11. Nature of the Study. In this section you indicate the research approach that will be used to answer the research questions—the overview of the methodology. Why are you choosing a qualitative or quantitative study? (Refer back to what is known and not known, the purpose of your study, and your research questions.) Briefly, who will you study and how will you collect the data? The nature of the study section provides your reader a brief overview of your proposed methodology (quantitative, qualitative, research) and the specific research design (e.g., case study, narrative, correlational, basic descriptive qualitative, case phenomenological). Begin this section by briefly introducing the research methodology and specific research design being proposed (this will be elaborated in Chapter 3). Examples: (a) A predictive correlational study is proposed in order to . . . . (b) A quasi- experimental design will be conducted in order to . . . .  Provide a brief overview of the research design so your reader understands exactly what research design you are proposing. Conclude this section by providing a brief rationale or justification for the methodology and research design you selected in light of the context for inquiry, using support from the literature. Draw your support for the appropriateness of your methodology and research design from the methodology literature and cite published research regarding your research problem. Detail and emphasize how your methodology and research design approach are the most appropriate for the research problem, purpose, research question, and data being collected. The nature of the study section typically is three to five paragraphs. 1. Provide a brief, yet comprehensive overview of the research methodology that will be used in the study. 2. Explain to the reader why a qualitative or quantitative methodology was chosen for the study. 3. 4. Refer back to what is known and not known, the purpose for the study, rationale, and the essential research questions or hypotheses. 5. Discuss why the selected design is the best design to address the problem statement, purpose, and research questions as compared to other designs. The Definition of Terms. 8 Defining key terms helps to establish the parameters of the study variables. All terms must be properly cited. Do not use Wikipedia or a generic dictionary or encyclopedia for your definitions. In the definition of terms, define (a) technical terms and any words or phrases that have unusual or a restricted meaning; (b) concepts, words, and phrases that may have ambiguous meaning (e.g., if a researcher is repeatedly using an ambiguous expression or term such as “engaging,” define this word); (c) for quantitative research, define the variables as well as the relationships between the variables and the research question (see the detailed explanation below); and (d) for qualitative research, define the constructs, characteristics, or conditions necessary to provide your reader conceptual clarity (see the detailed explanation below). The definition of terms section aids the reader in understanding how specific terms are being used. Although it makes sense to draw definitions from the literature, the researcher ultimately establishes the definition that best fits the researcher’s conceptualization of the term in light of the research problem, research design, and so on. Please note that in Chapter 1 you will provide conceptual definitions. In Chapter 3 of a quantitative study, you will provide operational definitions through the operationalizing of your constructs and variables. For example, if you are conducting a study on teacher engagement, you might want to define the term. However, in Chapter 3 you might operationalize teacher engagement as a composite score calculated by adding a respondent’s values to 20 items on a teacher engagement instrument. You must have an introductory statement prior to listing and defining the terms, as in the following example: Example: There are a number of terms that are important to this study. As such, the following terms are operationally defined: The first term. Italicize the term and end with a period. Add the definition. Format each term as a normal paragraph with an indented first line. Make sure each definition is cited (Author, 2020). The second term. List the terms alphabetically. Define and cite each word (Author, 2020). 1. Adequately define constructs investigated in the study 2. Provide an operational definition to terms and phrases used in a unique way 3. Define the study variables at the level of a general reader. 4. Define terms and jargons used in the current study and in the research area at the level of a general reader. 5. All definitions are supported with valid source citations or clearly identified as operationally defined for the purpose of this study? Assumptions, Limitations and Delimitations. Assumptions 9 Assumptions are aspects of the study that the researcher takes for granted, such as the problem, background, sample, instrument, underlying theory, methodology, ethical considerations, and so on. Therefore, within the assumptions discussion, identify all your assumptions regarding the proposed study. Write in the third person. Example: An assumption underlying the study includes the potential honesty and candidness of the participants regarding . . . . Assumptions may include basic principles that are accepted as being true on the basis of logic or reason, without proof or verification. Describe your methodological assumptions. Describe your theoretical assumptions. Describe your topic-specific assumptions. Describe your assumptions regarding your proposed sample. Describe your assumptions regarding your instrument(s) or qualitative protocols you will use. Identify potential ethical considerations and your assumptions regarding them. You must have an introductory statement prior to listing the assumptions. The following is an example of how to organize this section: Example: The following assumptions will be present in this study: 1. Using the Numbering icon on the formatting toolbar, format numbered lists with a hanging indent. 2. xx . . . . Limitations Limitations reflect weaknesses or potential weaknesses in the proposed study. Consider your instrument, your sample, your analysis, or any other aspect of the proposed study for which there might be an inherent or potential weakness. Are …