How to write a dissertation

paper?

Prepared by: MERAFE A. EBREO Ph. D. Ed. M Student

A dissertation is the culmination of a graduate student's career, and it represents original scholarly research and writing. It is a contribution to knowledge and will be available to other.

Resources: http://www.umaine.edu/graduate/system/files/files/Thesisguidelines.pdf

What is a dissertation paper?

“A written work resulting from original research, especially one submitted for higher degree in a university.”

Why write a dissertation paper?

• Science aims to find pattern, trends, and structure in the experiment

• Good scientific writing aims to bring forward in the text :

• structure

• organization of scientific knowledge

What’s in the dissertation paper?

• Addresses a problem or series of problems

• Describes what was known about the problem(s)

• What you did to solve the problems?

• What you think the results means?

• How further progress can be made?

STEPPING-STONES AND GLASS CEILINGS: THE MOTIVATIONS AND CHALLENGES OF ASPIRANT LEADERS

INTRODUCTION

Thesis title

• Be specific & accurate

• Avoid phrases such as “A study of...”, “An investigation of...”

• Avoid jargon and acronymExample: STEPPING-STONES AND

GLASS CEILINGS: THE MOTIVATIONS AND CHALLENGES OF ASPIRANT LEADERS -By Stephanie Darryl Kayte Harford

Writing Good Introduction

• The first paragraph should provide a brief background in present tense to establish context, relevance, or nature of the problem, question, or purpose (what is known)

• The second paragraph may include the importance of the problem and unclear issues (what is unknown)

• The last paragraph should state the ratio- nale, hypothesis, main objective, or purpose (why the study was done)

Example:

Leadership development is a phenomenon that continues to grow in importance within education sectors across many developed countries. This is driven by research stressing the importance of leadership development for both school effectiveness and student achievement (Bush, 2008; Huber,2003; Leithwood & Mascall, 2008; Pont, Nusche, & Moorman, 2008). ………………………..

This has potentially led to an environment within schools where the perception of leadership roles are clouded by negativity and the importance of leadership development in the improvement of schools and student outcomes can tend to get lost. Bush (2008) states that “good leadership is an essential requirement for successful schools and this is too important to be left to chance” (p. 70), which begs the question, is there enough importance being placed on leadership development within New Zealand secondary schools? This thesis endeavours to explore the state of leadership development within three Central North Island secondary schools and examines the motivations and challenges faced by possible aspirant

leaders. ………………………………………..

In this opening chapter, I summarise relevant New Zealand policies as well as both global and local trends that impact on leadership and leadership development within the New Zealand secondary school context. The retirement ‘boom’ is also outlined which provides an overview on why leadership development is continuing to be a growing concern for many countries. The rationale for this research is then outlined as well as the accompanying key questions and aims. ……………..

THINGS TO CONSIDER IN WRITING AN INTRODUCTION:

1. The researcher’s familiarity with the chosen topic.

2. Provide a well-rounded summary of previous researches conducted on the topic to find out as to whether or not someone has already conducted a research on the currently proposed topic for a study.

3. The research topic is not only introduced to the reader but it also provides an overview of previous researches so as to justify the topic of his/ choice.

4. Explains the reasons why the student candidly eager to conduct the research.

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY:

1. Shows researcher’s concern of a problem or series of problems 2. Consists few paragraphs with concise description and discussion of the nature of the problem to be investigated

3. Requires a reference of some reports of previous research

4. Be based on the findings of exploratory research already undertaken

5. Describes how present study to be conducted will attempt to bridge knowledge gaps earlier identified

6. Where or how further progress in the academic discipline can be made through the study

Differences of Introduction and Background of the Study

•to introduce the document in an interesting manner to the reader•all about what a reader can expect in the document, in a concise manner

•written with the intention of clarifying the importance and the necessity of the paper in the first place• why the study and what the basic purpose behind the study are the major questions that are answered through background that is presented with a research paper

Thank you!