Joseph Mior, Ed.D Sir Sandford Fleming College December, 2003

1. A Logistical Guideline toPreparing, Researching, Writing and Defending Your Thesis in the Community College Leadership Programme Joseph Mior, Ed.D Sir Sandford Fleming College December, 2003

2. Purpose The purpose of this document is to outline the logistical steps required and the necessary references you need to allow you can focus on the important step of writing your thesis without worrying about how to form your thesis committee, getting approval for your thesis, arranging for an oral defence and the requirements for getting your thesis printed.

3. Key Documentation • There are two documents that would serve as your main point of reference. • OISE/UT Guidelines for Theses and Orals • Graduate Supervision Guidelines for Students, Faculty, and Administrators • Click on the titles and you will be transported to the appropriate web site • It is strongly recommended that you download and print these files • If you need Acrobat Reader click here.

4. Top Secret! Do not click! Flowchart • The flowchart that follows will give you an overview of the various steps that you need to follow to complete your Doctoral journey. • You should print this document out and keep it handy as a reference. • Following this overview, you will be presented with additional information for each step.

6. Developing the Thesis Proposal • The thesis proposal is developed in consultation with a member of the faculty, typically your academic advisor or a prospective supervisor. • Most students write several draft proposals as their thinking evolves and is shaped in interaction with faculty, peers, research, etc. • The proposal should leave the reader in no doubt as to what the author proposes to do and how. • For additional information see Page 2 of the OISE/UT Guidelines.

7. Choosing a Supervisor • The responsibility for finding a supervisor rests with you. • The choice of a faculty member who will supervise the thesis work required to fulfill degree requirements is one of the most critical decisions you will make. • You will need a supervisor who will be not only academically competent in a your particular area but also willing to act as your advocate when necessary. • It is important that you be able to work and communicate effectively with your supervisor and not feel overwhelmed or intimidated in the relationship. • For additional information refer to Pages 6-9 in the Graduate Supervision Guidelines for Students, Faculty and Administrators.

8. Forming the Thesis Committee • In putting together a Supervisory Thesis Committee, you might find it useful to discuss your topic and proposal with a number of potential committee members. • In consultation with your Thesis Supervisor, the other thesis committee members can be selected. • Thus, the committee selection process and the proposal development process tend to take place simultaneously. • For further information consult Pages 3 & 6 of OISE/UT Guidelinesand Page 11 of Graduate Supervision Guidelines for Students, Faculty and Administrators • Please note that the Supervisory Thesis Committee cannot be formed until the Comprehensive Exams have been successfully completed.

9. Presenting Proposal to TPS • You and your supervisor may jointly decide to arrange to present your proposal to the Faculty and Graduate Students of TPS to get feedback in a non-threatening atmosphere. • Arrangements for such a presentation may be made with Janice Verner, the Academic Liaison Officer at (416) 923-6641 Ext. 2203 or through email at jverner@oise.utoronto.ca

10. Researching and Writing Your Thesis • This is where a lot of determination and plain hard work comes in. • You should stay in close touch with your committee. • There are a number of excellent references on the Web which will guide you in this area. • Make sure that you take a close look at the Cohortian Research Links page on the Web at http://gaia.flemingc.on.ca/~jmior/OISE/research.htm

11. Researching and Writing Your Thesis • In addition to checking out the Cohortian Research Links page you should know that the OISE/UT Education Commons has copies of all theses and titles and summaries of current proposals. • You should also check out these sites: • http://www.learnerassociates.net/dissthes/ • Writing and Presenting Your Thesis or Dissertation • http://www.cs.purdue.edu/homes/dec/essay.dissertation.html • How To Write A Dissertation • http://www.pitt.edu/~graduate/dissertation.html • Thesis/Dissertation from the University of Pittsburg • http://www.gmu.edu/library/specialcollections/dtwebguide.htm • George Mason University Dissertation and Thesis Guide • http://www.phys.unsw.edu.au/~jw/thesis.html • How to Write a PhD Thesis

12. Committee Recommendation for Oral Exam • Thesis Committee acts on behalf of OISE/UT in: • Giving formal approval of thesis topic and proposal. • Advising, guiding, and supervising the thesis work. • Receiving progress reports and requiring necessary modifications. • Arranging for a seminar presentation where required. • Recommending the readiness of the thesis for the Final Oral Examination. • Reference: Page 6: OISE/UT Guidelines

13. TPS Departmental Presentation • Your Thesis Supervisor or his/her delegate will arrange for a Departmental presentation of your Thesis. • Final opportunity to get feedback from Committee members, other faculty and Graduate Students. • Your Supervisor will give you advice in terms of format and timing. • Feel free to check with Colleagues who have completed their thesis. Contact information may be obtained from the Cohortian Web Page.

14. Timing For Oral Defense • The time interval for setting the Oral Defence and other requirements may be found on Page 12 of OISE/UT Guidelines.

15. Oral Defense and External Examiner • You must defend the thesis at an examination before a Final Oral Examination Committee. • The thesis is recommended for the Final Oral Examination by your thesis committee, your Department Chair, and the Registrar, OISE/UT. • This examination determines whether or not you are recommended for the degree. • Consequently this is a very stressful time for most candidates. • Your Supervisor, your committee and colleagues who have gone before you will give you all the support possible. • Further details about this aspect of the Doctoral Journey may be found on Pages 11-14 of OISE/UT Guidelines.

16. Thesis and DefenseFound Acceptable • See Page 15 of OISE/UT Guidelines. • Requirements for the final submission of your Doctoral Thesis can be found on Page 17 ofOISE/UT Guidelines

17. Thesis and Defense Found Not Acceptable • Refer to Pages 15-16 of OISE/UT Guidelines

18. Feedback • We hope this presentation will prove useful in lowering your anxiety level as you travel along the road to the completion of your Doctoral Journey. • Any comments or feedback to make this document useful may be forward to Joe Mior at jmior@flemingc.on.ca