Rouse William A. - Writing the winning thesis or dissertation: a step-by-step guide

THIRD EDITION

Writing the
WINNING

Thesis or
Dissertation

THIRD EDITION

Writing the
WINNING

Thesis or
Dissertation

A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

Randy L. Joyner
William A. Rouse
Allan A. Glatthorn

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Copyright 2013 by Corwin

All rights reserved. When forms and sample documents are included, their use is authorized only by educators, local school sites, and/or noncommercial or nonprofit entities that have purchased the book. Except for that usage, no part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Joyner, Randy L.

Writing the winning thesis or dissertation: a step-by-step guide / Randy L. Joyner, William A. Rouse, Allan A. Glatthorn.3rd ed.

p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index. Prev. ed. main entry under Glatthorn, Allan A.

ISBN 978-1-4522-5878-2 (pbk.)

1. Dissertations, Academic. 2. Report writing. 3. Research. I. Rouse, William A. II. Glatthorn, Allan A., 1924- III. Glatthorn, Allan A., 1924- Writing the winning dissertation. IV. Title.

LB2369.G56 2013
808.066378dc23 2012024496

This book is printed on acid-free paper.

12 13 14 15 16 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

T he undertaking of an advanced degree program that requires the writing of a thesis or a dissertation is a mighty task. Furthermore, graduate students who enter such a degree program are investing many hours in research and writing as well as sacrificing personal family time to complete the degree program. According to Allan Glatthorn (19242007)the author of the first edition of Writing the Winning Thesis or Dissertation: A Step-by-Step Guide, and another East Carolina University colleague, H. C. Hudgins, Jr., a good, winning dissertation is a done dissertation. Allan directed many dissertations during his career; his guidance and influence assisted many advanced-degree students and colleagues in writing a winning dissertation. Allans previous research, writings, and mentorship had a profound impact on the two principal authors of the third edition. The wisdom shared by Allan in the first edition was the basis for the second and third editions; many of his remarks are still valid five years after his death. Allans wisdom and guidance in the dissertating process has been and continues to be greatly missed.

After directing and serving as committee members for many dissertations, it was time to share more systematically what the authors had learned from that experience. Furthermore, the authors decided to create a book that would demystify the writing of theses and dissertations, so that advanced degree students would no longer be terrified when preparing to write and actually writing these scholarly works. This book resulted. It is an experience-based, practical work that takes you through the process one step at a time.

The emphasis here is on a winning, completed dissertation. We, the authors, do not want to discuss the writing of a quickie dissertation, of which you will be ashamed as you continue in your career. We are concerned with providing guidance to produce a quality study that will reflect well on you and help you advance in your career. As mentioned earlier, youthe advanced-degree studentwill be investing considerable time, energy, and money in this endeavor; you want the return to reflect that significant investment.

Throughout the book, for the sake of simplicity, the authors ordinarily use the term dissertation to mean both the masters thesis and the doctoral dissertation, noting any distinctions when appropriate and important. For the most part, the processes for writing both the thesis and the dissertation are similar, with the exception of scope and complexity.

This newly revised and updated third edition begins in a familiar place: the important foundation stepsfrom laying the foundations for the dissertation to holding a preproposal conference. While some educators want to rush through these preliminary steps, the early steps represent a systematic way of planning carefully and laying a solid foundation.

Based on comments from the users of previous editions, two chapters in the second edition were eliminated, but the relevant content from those two chapters was incorporated into other chapters. As the role of technology in the educational process is constantly changing, each chapter contains a Technology Technique, with the authors intent being to assist the user with the way or ways in which technology may be used to facilitate the dissertating process. Furthermore, a new chapter, has been designed to be useful for all advanced-degree students, each institution and each chair have their own special requirements. Close and continuing contact with your dissertation chair is essential. In those cases where the chairs advice differs from ours, follow the recommendations of your chair.

A final comment by the authors: An important underlying component of completing a winning dissertation is communication. Through the years, the authors have seen advanced-degree students complete the doctoral degree coursework. Yet after the completion of the coursework, many advanced-degree students are never seen again. When a dissertation chair attempts to contact the students, the students do not respond. It is imperative that advanced-degree-seeking students maintain contact with the dissertation chair; the role of and need for continued communication between dissertation director and student is emphasized throughout the book.

In many ways, this book represents a collaborative effort. Our chief debt is to all those educators with whom the authors have worked and from whom we have learned. The authors feel most indebted to all the doctoral students whom we have advised. Like most teachers, the authors teach because for us it is the best way to learn, and without the professional staff at Corwin, the third edition would not have been a reality. And as all writers of theses and dissertations know, there were behind the scenes our supportive and caring families, cheering us on and tolerating our absorption with the task of producing a winning, completed book.

Randy L. Joyner
William A. Rouse, Jr.