Thesis Structure

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Rudestam, Kjell Erik. (2001). Surviving your Dissertation. A comprehensive Guide to Content and Process. Second edition. Sage Publications, Inc. USA.
Chapters 4 to 7
Quotes

• Introduction (1). The introduction consists of an overview of the research problem and some indication of why the problem is worth exploring or what contribution the proposed study is apt to make to theory and/or practice…few pages length. E.g. In this study I attempted to evaluate the impact of environmental protection legislation on atmospheric pollutants in the chemical industry. Cf. P55-56
• Review of literature (2). Often the lengthiest section of the research proposal. It provides a context for the proposed study and demonstrates why it is important and timely. Avoid Smith found, Jones concluded. Anderson stated, etc. P56-57
• A preferably strategy is to develop a theme and then cite the work of relevant authors to buttress the argument you are making or to provide not worthy examples of your point or counter-examples that need to be considered. P59
  Bare in mind to answer the following questions “What is your point here?” What makes you think so? What is your evidence? So what? P57
• The relevant studies need to be critiqued rather than reported. P59
• Critiquing a research article.
  -Conceptualization. What is the major problem or issue being investigated?
  -Theoretical Framework and Hypotheses. Is there a clearly stated research question. Are there hypotheses?
  -Research Design. What is the type of research design?
  -Result and Discussion. Are the data appropriate for the study? Are the statistical techniques appropriate and adequately described?
  -Summary. What is your overall assessment of the adequacy of the study for exploring the research problem? Cf. P61
• Statement of the problem (3). At the conclusion of the literature review, the reader should have obtained a fairly clear idea of the study… The statement of the problem is the transition between the literature review and the next section of the dissertation. P64
• The statement of problem is sometimes written as a separate chapter and sometimes located at the very end of the Review of the Literature.
• Characteristics of the question, according to Moustakis.
  -seeks to reveal more fully the essences and meanings of human experience
  -Seeks to uncover the qualitative rather than the quantitative factors in behaviour and experience
  -Engages the total self of the research participant and sustains personal and passionate involvement
  -Does not seek to predict or to determine causal relationships
  -Is illuminated through careful, comprehensive descriptions and vivid accurate renderings of the experience rather than measurements ratings or scores. P69
  The primary question is usually followed by a series of further questions, that have direct implications for data analysis.
  How does the process develop over time?
  What are the noteworthy events in the process?
  What facilitates the process?
  What hinders the process?
  Who are the key participants in the process and what are their roles?
  What are the outcomes? P70
• The method Chapter (4). The goal os this chapter is to provide a clear and complete description of the specific steps to be followed.
  Develop an introductory paragraph that describes both the design of the study and the organization of the chapter. E.g. This is the method chapter, this is how it is organized, and this is the type of design I used.
  Describe your sample
  Describe your research tools. (scales, instruments, questionnaires)
  Describe how you did it
  Justify and describe an analysis
  Discuss limitation of your research
• Presenting the results of Empirical Studies (5) Just the facts, tables, figures, transcripts summaries, and the author’s description of what is important and noteworthy about these. P103
• Discussion (6) The Discussion chapter is an opportunity to move beyond the data and integrate, creatively the results of your study with existing theory and research
  -An overview of the significant findings of the study
  -A consideration of the findings in the light of existing research studies
  -Implications of the study for current theory
  -A careful examination of findings that fail to support or only partially support your hypothesis
  -Limitations of the study
  -Recommendations
  -Implications P167-168
  A good discussion embeds each result within the theoretical context that was presented in the literature review… you will need to cite some of the relevant studies that were discussed previously, as well as return to the literature to seek additional ways of understanding your results and to look for confirmatory or disconfirmatory evidence. P169

Alberto Ramirez Martinell