Writing the Winning Thesis or Dissertation: A Step-by-Step Guide

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

Overview

The classic step-by-step guide to thesis and dissertation success, fully updated for 2018.  

From selecting your topic to defending your finished work, a masters thesis or doctoral dissertation is a major undertaking. Since 1998, this book has been the go-to resource for scholars seeking guidance and best practices at every phase of the process. 

This revised and updated fourth edition is the most comprehensive guide yet to researching, writing, and publishing a successful thesis or dissertation. It includes: 

• Insights on leveraging new technologies to maximize your efficiency. 
• Current case studies demonstrating the book’s teachings in action. 
• Tested principles of effective planning, an engaging writing style, defense preparation, and more.  

Written in an easy, digestible style perfect for a thesis or dissertation-writer’s busy schedule, this latest edition of a contemporary classic belongs on every advanced degree candidate’s shelf. 

Dr. Joyner and Dr. Rouse have again put together an in-depth, comprehensive, and practical guide that is a valuable resource for graduate students. This edition includes important information related to current and emerging trends in technology and valuable case studies focusing on the most common problems encountered in writing at the master’s and doctoral levels. 
James R. Machell, Dean
College of Education and Professional Studies, University of Central Oklahoma 

Writing the Winning Dissertation is an essential guidebook for students writing a master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation. I used the first edition to write an award-winning dissertation and now use the updated edition with the doctoral students I advise. I highly recommend it to both students and advisors.
Susan Colby, Director of Faculty Professional Development, Appalachian State University; Boone, NC
Appalachian State University 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781544317182
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	06/07/2018
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	344
Sales rank:	564,706
File size:	7 MB

About the Author

Randy L. Joyner is an adjunct professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction in the College of Education, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC. He is retired from the Department of Educational Leadership in the College of Education of East Carolina University, where he directed or served as committee member for 25 dissertations. Furthermore, he has served as a doctoral committee member at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia; and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina. He has received several awards for his research: the Delta Pi Epsilon doctoral research award, the Omicron Tau Theta Iota Chapter Research Award, and the Delta Pi Epsilon Alpha Chapter Research Award. The results of his research have been published in numerous national and international journals.

William A. Rouse Jr. is the Associate Dean for Graduate Education and Faculty Affairs in the College of Education, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC as well as an Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership in the College of Education, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC. He was a public school teacher and a secondary school principal prior to joining the faculty at East Carolina University. He has worked with several school districts’ administrators to refocus their efforts on effective school leadership practices that result in a dynamic teaching and learning environment. He has also worked with a school district to redesign large comprehensive high schools into smaller learning communities resulting in increased student academic performance. In 2004, he coauthored the Outstanding Paper delivered at the Delta Pi Epsilon National Research Conference; his research has been published in national refereed journals.

Allan A. Glatthorn (1924–2007) was a major contributor to the third and fourth editions; his research used in the preparation of the first and second editions of Writing the Winning Thesis or Dissertation: A Step-by-Step Guide was the foundation for the third edition. He was the Distinguished Research Professor of Education (Emeritus) in the College of Education of East Carolina University, where he advised doctoral students, chaired dissertations, and taught courses in supervision and curriculum. He was formerly Professor of Education at the Graduate School of Education of the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to his university assignments, he was a high school teacher and principal. In his work as a professor, he chaired close to 100 dissertations. He is the author of numerous professional books, several of which have been published by Corwin.

Table of Contents

List of Exhibits
Preface
About the Authors
Publisher’s Acknowledgments
Part I: The Foundations
Chapter 1. Groundwork for Theses and Dissertations
Dissertation’s Special Nature
Securing the Needed Resources
Thesis and Dissertation Key Differences
Chapter 2. The Thesis or Doctoral Committee
Roles and Responsibilities of the Committee
The Dynamics of the Committee
Preventing Problems With the Committee
Dealing With Committee Problems
Solving Personal Problems With the Dissertation
Chapter 3. The Degree-Granting Institution’s Requirements
Degree Completion Time Lines
Styles
Specific University Guidelines or Requirements
Chapter 4. The Institutional Review Board
Knowledge Requirements (Training)
IRB Resources
Certification Time Frame
Case Study I: Selecting Members of the Doctoral Committee
Forming the Committee/Selecting Committee Members
Points to Ponder
Part II: Research Problem Development
Chapter 5. The Research Problem
Make a Personal Assessment of Topics
Reflect and Discuss
Fix on the Research Topic and Research Problem
Chapter 6. The Focused Review of the Literature
Reorganize Your Files
Retrieve All Related Abstracts
Evaluate the Results
Check for Prior Dissertations
Retrieve the Full Texts of the Most Useful Sources
Use Primary Sources
Develop an Annotated Bibliography
Chapter 7. Comprehensive Critique of the Literature
Maintain Good Research Practices Throughout the Search
Develop a Focused Outline of the Search
Establish Parameters for the Search
Conduct a Comprehensive Search
Critique All Sources Retrieved
Chapter 8. Focused Review of Available Methodologies for Data Collection and Analyses
Quantitative and Qualitative Perspectives
Research Types
Research Methods
Make Preliminary Choices
Chapter 9. Selected Methodology
The Research Design: Its General Nature
The Research Design: Type-Specific Issues
Develop Your Research Design
Case Study II: Selecting/Developing a Research Topic
Developing a Research Topic
Points to Ponder
Part III: The Prospectus Preparation
Chapter 10. The Work Plan
Develop a Planning Chart
Make the Tentative Entries
Chapter 11. The Prospectus Overview
Peer Collaboration
Weighing the Advantages and Disadvantages
Structuring the Collaborative
Formalize the Structure and Request Adviser Approval
Help the Group Remain Productive
Chapter 12. The Doctoral Committee and the Prospectus
Developing the Prospectus and Organizing the Committee
Prospectus Rationale
Prospectus Development
Committee Selection
Committee Dynamics
Developing the Proposal: Writing Chapter 1
Developing the Proposal: Writing Chapter 2
Developing the Proposal: Writing Chapter 3
Developing the Proposal: The References
Developing the Proposal: The Appendices
Chapter 13. The Prospectus Defense
Coordinate Committee Schedules: Date and Time
Prepare for the Proposal Defense
Present the Proposal Defense
Facilities
Deal With Other Defense Issues
Committee Requirements
Postproposal Steps
Case Study III: Developing the Research Proposal
The Research Proposal
Points to Ponder
Part IV: The Dissertation
Chapter 14. The Communication Process and the Writing of the Dissertation
Communicate Periodically With the Chair
Ensure Access to the Research Site
Avoid Premature Data Collection
Develop a Detailed Planning Calendar
Change the Schedule as Needed
Prevent Problems With the Intervention
Use Computers Mindfully
Ensure a High Rate of Return on Surveys
Maintain Careful and Duplicate Records
Chapter 15. Academic Style
Recommended Style Guide
The Writing Process
The Academic Style
Writing Software
Chapter 16. The Dissertation Organization
How Are Dissertations Organized?
What Principles Govern the Organization of Individual Chapters?
How Can the Organization Be Made Clear to the Reader?
How Is the Dissertation Finally Packaged?
Chapter 17. The Introduction
Introduction to the Chapter
The Background of the Study
The Problem Statement
The Professional Significance of the Study
Overview of Methodology
Limitations and Delimitations
Definition of Terms
Chapter 18. Review of the Literature
Comprehensive Critique of the Literature
Reread All Sources
Develop the Final Outline
Levels of Headings
Write the Introductory Paragraph
First Section of the Review
The Remaining Sections, Including a Summary
Chapter 19. Methodology
Prepare to Write
Use an Objective Writing Style
Determine the Chapter Content
Outline the Chapter and Use Headings Appropriately
Describe the Study’s Context
Identify the Subjects or Participants
Identify the Data Collection Instruments
Explain the Research Design Procedures
Explain the Data Analysis/Analyses Procedure(s)
Write a Summary
Chapter 20. Data Analysis/Analyses
Prepare to Present the Results
Decide on the Contents and Format of the Chapter
Determine the Organization of the Chapter
Develop the Tables and Figures
Write the Introductory Paragraph
Write the First Section
Write the Remaining Sections, Using Appropriate Headings
Revise the Chapter and Submit for Review
Chapter 21. The Results Discussion
Review the Results Reported
Develop an Outline of the Final Chapter
Write the Introductory Paragraph
Restate the Problem and Review the Methodology
Summarize the Results
Discuss the Meaning of the Study
Case Study IV: Writing the Dissertation
The Dissertation
Points to Ponder
Part V: The Dissertation Defense
Chapter 22. Defense Committee Meeting
Planning
Secure Needed Resources
Edit the Dissertation
Check on Content and Order
Write the Abstract
Write the Title and Approval Pages
Write the Acknowledgments Page
Write the Table of Contents and Lists of Tables and Figures
Include the Chapters
Finalize the References
Finalize Any Appendices
Submit the Dissertation
Holding the Defense
After Your Presentation
After the Defense
Institutional Review Board Completion Requirements
Chapter 23. The Degree-Granting Institution’s Graduation Requirements
Handbooks: A Source of Information
Graduation Requirements
Chapter 24. The Publication of the Dissertation
Add to the Research Knowledge Base
Present a Scholarly Paper
Publish a Journal Article
Develop a Plan to Publish a Book
Case Study V: Defending the Dissertation
The Dissertation Defense Hearing
Points to Ponder
Part VI: Technology
Chapter 25. Technology and the Dissertation
University Research Librarians
Software
Software Capabilities
Creating Charts
Creating Figures and Tables
Collecting and Analyzing Data
Numbering Pages
Editing the Style
Editing the Content
Telecommunicating
Software Compatibility
Formatting
Packaging the Final Dissertation
References
Index

Editorial Reviews

"The authors have provided an excellent start-to-finish how-to guide for completing a dissertation. It is practical, useful, and written in a way that is not threatening to students. This book 'brings it home' for the students. It is an important resource for any doctoral student! "

Sandy Hutchinson

"Writing the Winning Thesis or Dissertation, occupies a unique place in academic literature. The book is extremely readable and offers practical and useful advice for graduate students and doctoral candidates while also observing the highest standards of scholarship and the professoriate. I recommend the book to all my doctoral students and the feedback I receive is uniformly excellent. The process for writing a thesis or dissertation is broken down into easily understood components with clear directions for following the process from the beginning (selecting a chair) to the end (the final defense). I am proud to know Dr. Rouse as a colleague, and I am proud of his work on this book. "

Dr. James O. Mc Dowelle

"Writing the Winning Thesis or Dissertation represents a collection of years of professional experiences in serving on thesis and dissertation committees. Having successfully served on over sixty dissertation committees as chair, methodologist, and reader in my career, I found this book to be thoroughly covering all aspects of the dissertation process. The student oriented approach the authors take in writing and organization makes it easy for students to accept and follow instructions. What I appreciate most is the last part of the book giving students all the encouragement and support for continuing with the scholarship of their dissertation studies. This is a book I will certainly include as an essential reference for my doctoral classes. "

Tak Cheung Chan

Writing the Winning Dissertation is an essential guidebook for students writing a master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation. I used the first edition to write an award-winning dissertation and now use the updated edition with the doctoral students I advise. Each chapter of this cogent and comprehensive book addresses crucial elements that lead to success. I highly recommend it to both students and advisors.

Susan Colby

"This book is a valuable tool for students and professors alike. It addresses the concerns students have, and reminds those of us guiding dissertations of the issues surrounding this challenging process.Writing a dissertation is a step-by-step activity. This is a guide that the doctoral candidate can read, and re-read as each step is accomplished, seeing both the details and the 'big picture'. "

Theresa Eagle

Dr. Joyner and Dr. Rouse have again put together an in-depth, comprehensive, and practical guide that is a valuable resource for graduate students. In addition to the excellent information provided in earlier editions, this edition also includes important information related to current and emerging trends in technology and valuable case studies focusing on the most common problems encountered in writing at the master’s and doctoral levels. If you are embarking on a thesis or dissertation, use this most valuable of resources to avoid the pitfalls inherent in the process.

James R. Machell

"Successfully writing and defending a thesis/dissertation is often the impediment that keeps doctoral students from completing their programs. Writing the Winning Thesis or Dissertation is a great blueprint to avoid this pitfall. Every doctoral student should pick up a copy of this easy to follow guide. It is written in a very user-friendly format, answers numerous questions, and provides clear direction. Joyner, Rouse, and Glatthorn provide the graduate student a key to getting started, working through the process, and completing a winning thesis or dissertation. No graduate student should be without a copy on his or her shelf. "

Dr. Henry A. Peel

"It is a difficult quest to give students the needed resources to assist in writing a thesis or dissertation. Joyner, Rouse and Glatthorn address completing this journey in an organized and sequential process. I congratulate the authors in their thoughtful portrayal. "

Ellen H. Reames

In this book, Joyner, Rouse, and Glatthorn thoroughly introduce and explore writing a thesis or a dissertation – walking the reader through every path and pitfall imaginable. It is a must-read for anyone starting one of these writing processes and a good read for the faculty working with them.

Sara Olin Zimmerman