Edgewood College Doctoral Program

Dissertation Template

The purpose of this document is to guide students as they write their five-chapter dissertation. The template includes the components of a traditional five-chapter dissertation, provides a description of each component, and is formatted using APA guidelines. We recommend that students write their drafts of each chapter within this template. The font, margins, headings, pagination, and references are in alignment with the format requirements established by our program. If you are using this template and you are not an Edgewood College doctoral student, we recommend that you determine the formatting and style guidelines required by your home institution.

As you use this template, be aware that there are comments embedded in each of the sections. The comments can be found under the corresponding section in this format: [Note:…] If you have questions about this template, or would like a copy of the template sent to you, please send your request to Dr. Sara Jimenez Soffa at Sjimenezsoffa@edgewood.edu.

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TITLE IN ALL CAPS

ONE THIRD OF THE WAY DOWN FROM THE TOP OF PAGE

CENTERED AND DOUBLE SPACED

[Note: Double check the spelling of your title. Spell check does not work when using all capital letters.]

By Your W. Name (Centered both vertically and horizontally, upper and lower case)

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillmentOf the requirements for the degree of

DOCTOR OF EDUCATION at

EDGEWOOD COLLEGE 20XX

© Copyrighted by Your Name, 20XX

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Abstract

An abstract is between 150 and 250 words, with no indents, double-spaced. It must be accurate,

non-evaluative, coherent and readable, and concise (APA, 2010, pp. 25-27). Please do not

complete this section until you have completed Chapter 5.

Elements of the abstract should include the following:

State the problem under investigation (one sentence).

Describe the purpose of the research and the research question (one sentence).

Describe the participants and include demographic information and the research site

if applicable.

Describe the essential and interesting features of the method giving careful

consideration to key terms.

State the key findings (two sentences).

Include the implications and recommendations in one to two sentences. (APA, 2010,

p. 26)

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Acknowledgements

The acknowledgements are optional. If you choose to write an acknowledgements page,

it should be double-spaced with ½ inch indents. Acknowledgements give credit to people or

institutions that provided significant help in the writing or research of your dissertation. This

section is academic in nature as opposed to personal.

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Dedication

The dedication is also optional. If you choose to write a dedication page, the format is

similar to the acknowledgements page. Some authors choose to dedicate the work to a person or

persons who were deeply important in helping them in their personal or professional life. The

dedication page is more personal in nature although the writing style is still formal and academic.

CONTENT

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S

Abstract............................................................................................................................................4

Acknowledgements..........................................................................................................................5

Dedication........................................................................................................................................6

List of Tables...................................................................................................................................9

List of Figures................................................................................................................................10

Chapter 1. Introduction to the Study..............................................................................................11

Problem Statement.....................................................................................................................11

Purpose Statement......................................................................................................................11

Theoretical/Conceptual Framework...........................................................................................12

Significance of the Study...........................................................................................................12

Summary....................................................................................................................................12

Chapter 2. Literature Review........................................................................................................13

Summary....................................................................................................................................14

Chapter 3. Method.........................................................................................................................15

Participants.................................................................................................................................15

Measure(s)/Protocol(s)...............................................................................................................15

Procedure....................................................................................................................................16

Data Analysis (Plan) .................................................................................................................16

Summary....................................................................................................................................16

Chapter 4. Results..........................................................................................................................17

Preliminary Results....................................................................................................................17

Results........................................................................................................................................17

Summary....................................................................................................................................18

Chapter 5. Conclusions and Recommendations............................................................................19

Key Conclusions........................................................................................................................19

Implications................................................................................................................................19

Recommendations......................................................................................................................19

Limitations.................................................................................................................................19

Summary....................................................................................................................................19

References......................................................................................................................................20

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Appendix A....................................................................................................................................21

Appendix B....................................................................................................................................22

Appendix C....................................................................................................................................23

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List of Tables

Table 1. Sample Table...................................................................................................................18

[Note: Make sure the table number and its title appear without italics on the same line in the List of Tables and List of Figures. You treat the List of Tables and the List of Figures the same way as the Table of Contents. That is, you will right click on the List of Tables or the List of Figures, select update field, and then update entire table to update your lists.]

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List of Figures

Figure 1. Comparison of Mean Results on AMRP..........................................................................3

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Chapter 1. Introduction to the Study

Chapter 1 should give the reader a clear indication of the purpose and the scope of the

study. Throughout the chapter you will describe the question, problem, or issue, as well as the

context in which the study will take place, and why it is important to address (American

Educational Research Association [AERA], 2006). In the introduction to Chapter 1, give a

detailed overview of what is known about the problem within the literature: describe the

problem, moving from general to specific ideas and evidence. Also, identify the gap in literature

that needs to be addressed by the research.

Problem Statement

Following an introductory discussion of the major issues contained in the problem, write

a clear, succinct articulation of the problem. All of the key components of the problem

statement should be addressed prior to this section. The problem statement section is a way for

readers to quickly understand the focus of your study and the question, problem, or issue being

addressed. Generally, it will contain information summarizing the main components of the

problem, issue, or question, discuss the context of the study including population and region you

will study, and describe the approach to finding a solution. See Appendix A for an example of a

problem statement.

[Note: Your appendix will contain information that will be of interest to the reader, but does not need to go in the body of your dissertation. Begin the text of the appendix flush left, with no indent. Follow the description by indented paragraphs.]

Purpose Statement

The next section should contain the purpose statement. The purpose statement should

begin with two to three sentences describing the purpose of the study and the chosen method.

This statement is followed by three to five sentences that state your research question(s) in a

specific and clear way. Any terms that need to be defined should follow your research

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question(s). Restate the chosen method in slightly more detail and provide a rationale for using

the particular method for your research question(s) at the end of the purpose statement.

Theoretical/Conceptual Framework

Briefly describe your theoretical or conceptual framework or perspectives here. Start with

the general principles of the theory or conceptual framework you are using, and explain how

your theoretical framework is appropriate for your study. You will be going into more detail in

Chapter 2.

Significance of the Study

The significance of the study describes both the scope of the study and the relevance. It

should indicate how your study will revise or extend existing knowledge, and what use might be

made of the knowledge you produce.

Summary

A summary should include the main points included in each of the headings. Consider

creating a sentence from each of your headings, summarizing the main content of that section.

Place the sentences in the same order and then revise for coherence. It should not include

citations, and it should be one to two paragraphs.

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Chapter 2. Literature Review

The purpose of the literature review is to critically evaluate the research that has already

been published, germane to your research topic. A good literature review defines and clarifies the

problem; summarizes previous investigations to inform the reader of the state of research;

identifies relations, contradictions, gaps, and inconsistencies in the literature; and suggests the

next step or steps in solving the problem (APA, 2010, p. 10). Start with the general context of a

topic, then move to specific domains in the literature for each subtopic in the study, then briefly

discuss the literature gap at the end of literature review, and suggest the next step in solving the

problem. You may refer to the Program Handbook (pp. 58-59) for additional ideas.

[Note: It’s important to describe specific domains in the literature, and to apply the correct heading to them. Subheadings (like Summary) should have a heading 2 style attached to them. Sub-subheadings should have a heading 3 style attached to them and be followed on the same line with your content. See page 62 in your APA manual for heading levels and the correct formatting of them.]

Within your document, you will most likely use both tables and figures. The following

figure is an illustration that is correctly captioned. Use the Burke convention as you write. This

convention means that you introduce your table, figure, or quote. You then present the table,

figure, or quote. Then you discuss the salient points of that table, figure, or quote. Please see the

APA Manual (APA, 2010, pp. 150-167) for more information.

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Figure 1. Comparison of Mean Results on AMRP

According to the APA Manual (APA, 2010, p. 152), figures include graphs, charts, maps,

drawings, and photographs whose type, lines, labels, and symbols, etc. are large enough to be

read with ease.

[Note: There are two steps to complete when adding a table or figure. First, save your table or figure as a jpeg file. Insert this image into your dissertation. Second, “caption” your table or figure. You do this step by right clicking on the entire figure or the entire table (not just one cell). Then, under the References tab, select “Insert Caption.” In the top box you will title your table or figure. Do not use italics. Under Options and Label choose whether your item is a Table or Figure. If necessary, choose Position as Above Table/Figure. Then click OK. If you do not follow these steps your table or figure will not appear in the List of Tables or the List of Figures. The steps are as follows:Select table or figure

References    Insert Caption         Type in title of table/figure                Options

                        Label                            Table or Figure                                  Position Above]

Summary

A summary should include the main points included in each of the headings. It should

not include citations, and it should be one to two paragraphs.

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Chapter 3. Method

Your introduction should briefly state the purpose of the study. This introduction should

be approximately three sentences and describe the method along with type of data collection.

Participants

Elements of this section include a description of the participants, description of the

research setting, and sampling strategies. If you are not using human subjects, then you will not

have a participants heading.

Measure(s)/Protocol(s)

[Note: Choose either Measure(s) for a quantitative study; use Protocols for a qualitative study.]

For a quantitative study, start with the source of your measure(s). Use the variable name

as a subheading in this Measure(s) section. Describe your outcome measurement (dependent

variable) first, followed by your predictor measure (independent variable), and then include any

covariate measurement(s). If you are developing your own measure, include the reference to the

theoretical framework upon which it is based, and include the process you followed for

validating the instrument (e.g. mapping survey items to constructs and piloting). If you are using

a measure that has been already developed and validated, include a reference to source of the

measure and your rationale for using this preexisting tool. Next, describe each subscale and

provide one sample item per subscale. Include the range of possible scores. Finally, you should

include reliability here.

For a qualitative study, describe your interview, observation, or focus group structure and

questions. If you have developed your own interview questions, observation rubrics, or focus

group structure and questions, describe the process you used to create them and refer to the

theoretical framework. If you are using pre-existing interview questions, observation rubrics, or

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focus group questions, include a reference to that source. In all cases, state the rationale for your

choice. (e.g., explain why you chose interviews over focus groups).

For a mixed method study, describe both Measure and Protocol sections.

[Note: For both qualitative and quantitative studies, include the source of your measurement in this section. Describe where you got the measurement from or how you developed it. If you did not develop the tool yourself, you will need to get permission from the author to use the measurement, and you will also need copyright permission to publish it in your dissertation.]

Procedure

State your participant recruitment and data collection procedure step by step. This section

should answer the following questions: What document(s) did you disseminate before the

formal data collection to inform potential participants about your study? What is the timeline for

data collection? Communicate IRB approval status, and if applicable, the approval from data

collection site. Did you obtain the IRB approval? If not, what is the timeline for getting IRB

approval? In what way will the consent form be obtained? Are you offering an incentive? If so,

what is it? How are the data collected? What is the response rate of your survey?

Data Analysis (Plan)

[Note: For your proposal, you will include the word plan (without the parentheses). Prior to your defense, you will use Data Analysis as your heading.]

Consider arranging this section using your research question(s) as headings. The analysis

should be driven by the research question. For both quantitative and qualitative studies follow

each research question with the analysis method (e.g., t test, correlation, regression, grounded

theory, constant comparative analysis, or content analysis), the rationale for using this analysis

method, and the procedure of analysis. Indicate what software package (e.g., SPSS, NVivo) you

will use for each research question. For quantitative studies, state the research hypothesis for

each research question, explain your research hypothesis, and include any necessary references.

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Summary

A summary should include the main points included in each of the headings. It should

not include citations, and it should be one to two paragraphs.

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Chapter 4. Results

Start with a brief (one page maximum) summary of Chapters 1-3 as your introduction.

Refer to the Program Handbook for more information on Chapter 4.

Preliminary Results

Provide an overview of the data. For quantitative studies, these preliminary results may

include missingness of the data, and an identification of the appropriate statistical analysis

method to address missingness. Another element that may need to be addressed is the normality

of the data (i.e., skewness and kurtosis). Explain how these characteristics determined the

appropriate method to analyze your data. You may need to describe the correlations among key

variables.

For qualitative studies, an overview of the data may include a description of the

interviewees, the research site(s), characteristics of the data including any unusual or problematic

features that you needed to address to adequately analyze your data.

For mixed methods studies, include preliminary results for each component of your

method.

Results

Organize this section according to your research question(s). Be sure to describe your

results without restating the research design. But, if you uncover unanticipated results, it is

important to describe and detail those results as well.

The following is an example of a table. For details on formatting table, a helpful checklist

is provided in the APA Manual (APA, 2010, p. 150).

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Table 1. Sample TableVariables 1 2 3 4

1. Decision LVS ̶̶̶

2. Reflection LVS 0.26 ̶̶̶

3. Transparency AL 0.34 0.22 ̶̶̶

4. Internalized Moral Perspective AL 0.50 0.46 0.37 ̶̶̶

Note. If you need to make a notation, make it here.

[Note: Table 1 is an example of a table, correctly captioned. Please note that the number and titles of both tables and figures are not in italics and are on the same line. This convention differs slightly from APA style. When you insert and/or update your Table of Tables and Table of Figures, not having italics and having the title and the table number on the same line eliminates problems you would otherwise encounter.]

Another helpful hint—if you look under the Home tab, Paragraph section, you will see a

paragraph icon. If you click on it, you will see all of the editors’ marks: spaces, tabs, section

breaks, etc. This feature can be very helpful when you are trying to format something or make it

look a certain way.

Summary

A summary should include the main points included in each of the headings. It should

not include citations, and it should be one to two paragraphs.

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Chapter 5. Conclusions and Recommendations

Provide an introduction by briefly summarizing your results section.

Key Conclusions

Based on your results from Chapter 4, describe the conclusions you derived. Please

remember that conclusions are derived from the data.

Implications

Describe the implications of your conclusions. You may include the theoretical

implications as well as the empirical implications.

Recommendations

Describe the recommendations for stakeholders, recommendations for policy, and/or

recommendations for future research

Limitations

Summary

A summary should include the main points included in each of the headings. It should

not include citations, and it should be one to two paragraphs

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References

American Educational Research Association. (2006). Standards for reporting on empirical social

science research in AERA Publications. Educational Researcher, 6, 33-40. 

American Psychological Association. (2010). In VandenBos, G.R. (Ed.). Publication manual of

the American Psychological Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

Burke, P. (2009). The elements of inquiry: A guide for consumers and producers of research.

Glendale, CA: Pyrczak.

Edgewood College. (2012). Education leadership doctoral program handbook. Madison, WI:

Author.

Use your RefWorks and Write-n-Cite to complete this section. All references included in

the body of your dissertation need to be included here. Be sure you do not add a reference that is

not in the body, or a citation in the body and not in the reference list. You should remember to

place all your references in alphabetical order. Set the first line margin flush left, all other lines

indented one-half inch. Follow the detailed instructions on creating references in your APA

Manual (APA, 2010, p.193-215).

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Appendix A

[Note: If you have only one appendix, label it Appendix. If you have more than one, as this example illustrates, you will label them Appendix A, Appendix B, etc. in the order that they are mentioned in the text. Each appendix appears on a new page, and each appendix has a level 1 heading style applied to Appendix A, Appendix B, etc.]

Problem Statement Example

The following is an example of a clear purpose statement, provided by Dr. Ting-Lan Ma:

Peer victimization is a universal phenomenon and was reported in 16 European countries,

Canada, Japan, China, Taiwan, Australia, and New Zealand and in the developing world (Chen

& Astor, 2010; Smith & Brain). [Note: Identification of general problem] In Taiwan, the problem of

peer victimization recently received enormous attention by Taiwan’s administrative institution.

This attention follows a severe victimization situation that took place in Tauyuan Ba-Dei middle

school in 2010 that resulted in several teachers and students getting threatened by student bullies.

Researchers in Taiwan are eager to adopt intervention and prevention models developed in the

U.S. because the issue has been studied longer and more extensively in the U.S. (Swearer &

Doll, 2011). [Note: Specific population and region under influence.]

Though several correlates of peer victimization in Taiwan such as gender and age

differences are demonstrated to be similar to those identified in the U.S. (Chen & Astor, 2010),

fundamental questions remained unsolved as to whether peers who witnessed peer victimization

demonstrated help behaviors in a similar way between United States and Taiwan. [Note:

Gap/deficiencies in the literature] It is important that a mixed-method study be conducted to

compare cultural differences and similarities in peer witnesses’ helping behavior toward victims

across the United States and Taiwan. [Note: Proposed solution]

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Appendix B

Purpose Statement

The following is an example of a clear purpose statement, provided by Dr. Ting-Lan Ma:

The purpose of the study is to identify cultural differences and similarities in early

adolescents’ coping strategies in response to peer victimization at school in both Taiwan

and the United States. [Note: this section explains the purpose of the study] Using a mixed-

method approach, the specific research questions addressed in this study are: (1) Do early

adolescents in Taiwan endorse coping strategies outlined by Causey and Dubow’s (1992)

more or less than their U.S. counterparts? (2) In what way is culture reflected in

adolescents’ social cognitions used in the coping process in response to actual peer

victimization experiences for both Taiwanese and U.S. early adolescents? [Note this

sentence identifies the method and states the research questions] This study will use a quantitative

approach to answer the first question because cultural comparisons can be made on an

existing measure of coping responses. I believe that the second question is better

approached by a qualitative procedure because I seek to conduct an initial exploration

into how the adolescent coping process is permeated by cultural values. [Note: rationale for

use of mixed-methods is explained]

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Appendix C

Approvals

Please note that you may need an appendix for your approvals. If your study required an IRB

approval process, you will need to include the letter from Edgewood College indicating approval

of your study. Likewise, you must add needed copyright permissions. For example, if you used

another author’s figure, you must have permission to publish it, and that permission should be

included in an appendix. You may include all of those permissions in an appendix titled

Approvals.