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Writing the Introduction to the Study

Writing the Introduction to the Study. 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

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Writing the Introduction to the Study

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  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 http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/399.htm http://researchcenter.waldenu.edu/ (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. 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.) DBA project studySection 1: Foundation of the Study

  6. DBA Opening material Foundation of the Study (section 1 title) 1 pg. statementof 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 100-200 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 250-350 words

  9. DBA Nature of the Study and Research Questions Nature of the Study 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 10-15 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 http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/26.htm Summary Brief review of key (not all) points; do not list headings Overview of remaining sections Clear transition to section 2.

  13. 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 EdD project optionSection 1: The Problem

  14. EdD project optionLocal Problem and Special Terms Local Problem 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 optionProblem 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 2010. 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 optionSignificance 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 optionLit Review, Implications, Summary Literature Review webinar Offered live in February, July, and December 2012 Archived at http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/26.htm 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. 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.) PhD chapter 1 and EdD section 1Introduction to the Study

  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 optionResearch Questions Qualitative Quantitative 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 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

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

  23. PhD and EdD research optionFramework 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 optionAssumptions 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 optionSummary 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 (http://library.waldenu.edu/784.htm) • 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? writingsupport@waldenu.edu

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