dissertation

1. How to write a
dissertation
paper?
Prepared by: MERAFE A. EBREO
Ph. D. Ed. M Student

2. 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

3. What is a dissertation paper?
“A written work resulting from
original research, especially one
submitted for higher degree in a
university.”

4. 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

5. 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?

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

7. INTRODUCTION

8. Thesis title
• Be specific & accurate
• Avoid phrases such as “A study of...”,
“An investigation of...”
• Avoid jargon and acronym
Example: STEPPING-STONES AND
GLASS CEILINGS: THE MOTIVATIONS
AND CHALLENGES OF ASPIRANT
LEADERS
-By Stephanie Darryl Kayte Harford

9. 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)

10. 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). ………………………..

11. 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. ………………………………………..

12. 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.
……………..

13. 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.

14. BACKGROUND OF
THE STUDY

15. 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

16. 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

20. 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

21. Thank you!