2. Qualitative vs. Quantitative
• Decide which type of study you will do
• Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages
• Qualitative
– Not statistics bound
– May take more time
– Broader context
• Quantitative
– More structured
– Use existing data
– Less time for data gathering; however, will need time for cleanup
• Mixed requires strength in each type
3. Proposal to Committee
• Decide on committee members
– Role
– Strengths
• Create a PowerPoint giving an overview of ch. 1-3
• Include theoretical frameworks, definition for terms in study,
variables, procedures, hypotheses, etc.
• Research design and methodology may have to be redesigned
4. Research Ethics Committee
• Documents all online now
• Bring forms to proposal and defense for signatures
• Follow all directions and examples given
• If in doubt, ask questions
5. Revision
• Be prepared for lots of revision
• Revision of all chapters many times
• Listen to your committee and set mutually agreeable deadlines
• Take all criticism as constructive
• Members know how this process works and have your best
interest at heart
• Do not give up ever
6. Data Cleanup
• Data will need cleanup and prep for SPSS
• Excel can be imported into SPSS, but SPSS only accepts
numbers for data
• E.g., if you have yes or no give it a code 0 or 1
7. Images
• Get copyright permission from the publisher
• Get original images from the author
8. Table of Contents
• Use headings and designs along the way to create a TOC
automatically
• You will need to create headings that follow COE guidelines
(see the blog on the portal)
9. APA
• Holy Writ for you
• Must use it for all contents
• Follow guidelines for figures, tables, pagination, etc.
• If using data get assistance with decimal points and Word
• More effort now save editing after defense
10. Coping with Change
• Have a clear plan
• Realize it could change
• If dealing with data that does not have normal distribution
might have to learn and use different statistical test
• Roll with the punches and adapt
11. Tips for the Dissertation Defense (cont.)
• Start a few weeks in advance
• Have a visual display of your statistical results
• Tables are good, but making them visual and using graphics is
best
• Printouts helpful
• Practice, but don’t overdo it
• Be prepared for lots of questions, especially over the stats
methods used
12. Tips for the Dissertation Defense—On the Big
Day
• Natural to be nervous, but be as calm as possible
• Dress professionally
• Take a title page for each committee member and pens
• Take some water, but do not take food and/or gifts
13. Helpful Technology Websites and Tools
• Smart Art in Word to show relationships in graphics instead of tables
• Websites for help creating a table of contents, bibliography, captions, etc.
– http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/word-help/create-a-table-of-contents-
HA102824256.aspx
– http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/word-help/create-a-table-of-contents-or-
update-a-table-of-contents-HP001225372.aspx#_Create_a_table
– http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/word-help/create-a-bibliography-
HA102809686.aspx
– http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/mac-word-help/create-or-edit-a-table-of-
contents-HA102929533.aspx
– http://www.ehow.com/how_10043414_insert-bibliography-microsoft-word-
mac.html
14. Helpful Resources for Quantitative Studies
• SPSS Survival Guide
– You must know how to manipulate stats
– You must know how to report and interpret as well
• APA Guide on Creating Tables
• All statistics books you used as well as You Tube videos and
websites—UCLA has a great one
15. Helpful Resources for Quantitative Studies
(cont.)
• Cronk, B. C. (2010). How to use PASW statistics: A step-by-step guide to
analysis and interpretation. Glendale, CA: Pyrczak Publishing.
• Hinkle, D. E., Wiersma, W., & Jurs, S. G. (2002). Applied statistics for the
behavioral sciences. (5th ed.). Beverly, MA: Wadsworth Publishing.
(Required for Dr. Lim’s course).
• Pallant, J. (2010). 4th ed. SPSS survival manual. New York: McGraw-Hill.
(Might be a new edition available).
• Trochim, W. M. K. & Donnelly, J. P. (2008). Research methods
knowledgebase. Mason, OH: Cengage Learning. (Think Dr. Baete requires
this for his course).
