What are the parts of a thesis?

Introduction; Problem; Literature Review; Question/Hypothesis; Method; Participants; Measures; Design; Procedure; Results; Data Analysis; Narrative; Visual; Discussion; Explanation; Implications; Future Directions; Limitations

What does the Introduction section of a thesis address?

Why?

What does the Method section of a thesis address?

How?

What does the Results section of a thesis address?

What?

What does the Discussion section of a thesis address?

Why? & So what?

What are the parts of the Method section?

Participants; Measures; Design; Procedure

What are the parts of the Results section?

Data Analysis; Narrative; Visual

What are the parts of the Discussion section?

Explanation; Implications; Limitations; Future Directions

What are the possible parts of a thesis according to the first format?

Chapter 1: Introduction (includes literature review); Chapter 2: Method; Chapter 3: Results; Chapter 4: Discussion

What are the possible parts of a thesis according to the second format?

Chapter 1: Introduction; Chapter 2: Method; Chapter 3: Results; Chapter 4: Discussion; Appendix: Literature Review

What are the possible parts of a thesis according to the third format?

Chapter 1: Introduction; Chapter 2: Literature Review; Chapter 3: Method; Chapter 4: Results; Chapter 5: Discussion

What should you do regarding the organization of your thesis?

Discuss with thesis committee chair!

What are the seven parts of the Introduction?

1. Choosing the title; 2. Writing the introduction; 3. Stating the research problem; 4. Presenting the research hypothesis; 5. Operationally defining your terms; 6. Basic assumptions, delimitations, and limitations; 7. Justifying the significance of the study

When is the title not finalized?

Not finalized until study is over

What is a good idea regarding the title before the study is over?

Good idea to have a working title

What is the goal of a title?

Convey the content as succinctly as possible

What should be considered regarding title length?

Too long or too short (APA format: < 12 words)

What are wasteful words that should be avoided in a title?

Wasteful words (“A Study of …”)

What are the goals of writing a good introduction?

Demonstrate the point of the study; And create an interest in your study

What should be omitted when writing the introduction?

Omit technical jargon

What type of vocabulary is best when writing the introduction?

Forceful, simple, and direct vocabulary is best

Who should you know when writing the introduction?

Know your audience

What should the problem statement be?

The problem statement should be a single sentence that describes the problem

Where does the problem statement appear?

Appears at the end of the introductory section before the literature review

What are research hypotheses?

Expected results based on theory or experience

What are null hypotheses?

No significant differences or relationships

What are the types of variables that should be identified?

Independent and Dependent; Categorical (moderator); Control; Extraneous

What is a categorical variable (moderator)?

Independent variable that cannot be manipulated

What is a control variable?

Can influence results and is kept out of study

What is an extraneous variable?

Could affect results but are not included or controlled for

What is an operational definition?

Different from a conceptual or dictionary definition, Needs to describe an observable phenomenon

Why is an operational definition important?

Important to clarify to the reader to interpret the results

What are the seven parts of the Introduction?

1. Choosing the title; 2. Writing the introduction; 3. Stating the research problem; 4. Presenting the research hypothesis; 5. Operationally defining your terms; 6. Basic assumptions, delimitations, and limitations; 7. Justifying the significance of the study