An Overview of Writing the Thesis*

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An Overview of Writing the Thesis
CIS 518

• Based on the book referenced below
• Davis, Gordon Parker, Clyde (1997), Writing the
  Doctoral Dissertation A Systematic Approach,
  (3rd ed.). San Diego, California, Barron.

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Contents

• A Systematic Approach
• Advisor/Committee Selection
• The Selection of a Topic
• Investigating Existing Knowledge on a Topic
• The Proposal
• The Time Schedule
• Working with an Advisor and the Committee
• Management of the Thesis Activities
• The Defense and Publishing the Results

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A Systematic ApproachA Tale of Two Students

• James Carthly
• incomplete plan for completion no guidance from
  committee
• new job, new responsibilities, new personal
  demands
• away from faculty advising
• incomplete professional obligation is an
  influence on professional and personal life, an
  obstacle to future success
• at the mercy of the system

• Ted Maren
• selected general area of interest early
• used interactions with faculty and courses to
  refine ideas, reduce scope and identify committee
  members who shared his interests
• clearly stated problem and well-thought out
  proposal
• worked closely with advisor and committee to
  complete and defend work
• new job, new responsibilities, new personal
  demands
• no obstacle to future success

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A Systematic Approach Philosophy of the
Systematic Approach

• Structuring the project can improve the process
• Student has primary responsibility for the
  management of the process
• Faculty are scarce resource

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A Systematic Approach Responsibilities

• Advisor
• provide guidance
• respond to submissions in a timely manner
• be consistent with advice
• provide protection from unreasonable demands
• faculty advocate for the student
• assist in pursuing completion of the thesis

• Student
• honor commitments
• integrity in research and writing
• keep in communication
• prepare documents for comment
• make effective use of the advisor and committees
  time
• reasonable in advisor time demands
• open to suggestions and advice
• show initiative

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Advisor/Committee SelectionAn Ideal Advisor

• Is interested in the topic
• Is competent to advise on the topic
• Has a reasonable level of expectations
• Will provide guidance and meaningful feedback
• Is consistent regarding requirements
• Has personal integrity views the advisor role as
  an important responsibility
• Is interested in the students welfare
  personally and professionally

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Advisor/Committee SelectionAn Ideal Committee
Member

• Is interested in the topic
• Is competent to advise on the topic
• Provides skills supportive to the candidate
• Should be complementary to the advisor
• Has a reasonable level of expectations
• Will provide guidance and meaningful feedback
• Is consistent regarding requirements
• Has personal integrity views the committee role
  as an important responsibility
• Is interested in the students welfare
  personally and professionally

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Advisor/Committee SelectionSelection Criteria

• Past performance with other candidates
• Interest and competence in topic area or research
  methodology
• Personality and personal characteristics
• Response characteristics

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The Selection of a TopicCharacteristics of a
Good Topic

• Need research is needed and interesting
• Contribution related to theory or concepts
• Research Feasibility chosen methods make sense
• Achievable can be done in available timeframe
• Results all potential outcomes are meaningful
• Skill Feasibility matches student capabilities
  and interest
• Funding potential for future support
• Professional Development beginning of research

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The Selection of a TopicContributions of a
Thesis to Knowledge

• New or improved evidence
• How was data collected?
• How was data analyzed?
• New or improved methodology
• How does it compare to previous methodologies?
• New or improved analysis
• Historical
• Implications of a current development in a field
• Comparative analysis
• Analysis of an existing theory or concept and its
  implications
• New or improved concepts or theories