We will review a general PowerPoint template and discuss the main components that fill the slides for the final defense presentation. We will also go over tips for how to prepare the presentation and think through what types of questions might be asked. A question-and-answer session follows.

1. Preparing to
DefendYour
Research

2. Additional
Support
Statistics Solutions is a full-service dissertation consulting
company providing graduate students timely, editorial
support for their dissertations and scholarly projects
For information about our services, receive a
complementary 30-min consultation available Mon-Fri 9-5
ET
Contact info@StatisticsSolutions.com
Phone: 877-437-8622

3. Overview
Proposal
Defense
Presentation Components
GeneralTips
Resources
Q&A
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4. Proposal
Presentation
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What is the research problem?
Why is this research relevant?
How will you recruit participants,
collect and analyze data?

5. Defense
Presentation
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Summarize proposal defense.
Interpret and explain findings.
Emphasize your contribution
to the literature.

6. Presentation
Components
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Overview
Background
Purpose of study
Research questions/hypotheses
Theoretical framework
Methodology
• Selection and justification
• Variables of interest
• Participants and Sample Size
• Data source and collection technique
Data analysis
Results
Discussion
Summary
Defense Presentation
Defense Proposal

7. Title of Your Paper
By [Your Name]
Dissertation Proposal/Defense
School
Committee:

8. • Brief bullet points on what will be discussed
• For example:
• Background
• Current study- Purpose of study/ research questions
• Methodology
• Proposed analysis
• Questions
OVERVIEW

9. BACKGROUND/
LITERATURE
Define Basic
Terms
Summarize
Relevant
Research on
the Topic
Explain how
previous
research has
led to your
research
questions
Highlight
gaps in the
literature
Emphasize
the need to
conduct
your study
through
your
problem
statement!

10. STUDY PURPOSE
Qualitative example: The purpose of this [research
design] study [was/will be] to [describe/describe/explore]
the [central phenomenon of the study] for [the
participants] at [the site]
Quantitative example: The purpose of this [research design]
study [was/will be] to [identify/describe/examine/compare] the
[independent variable] to [dependent variable], controlling for
[control variables] for [participants] at [research site].

11. RESEARCH QUESTIONS/
HYPOTHESES
Ho: Null hypothesis
Ha: alternate hypothesis
Each research question should have a separate slide
Visual aids can be used to organize the hypotheses

12. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
(if applicable)
• Name of theory
• What was the theory
developed for?
• What is the theory used for?
• How does the theory
interface with your study?

13. METHODOLOGY
SELECTION AND JUSTIFICATION
• Quantitative
• Qualitative
• Mixed-methods
Research Method
• Correlation, experimental, etc.
• Case study, grounded theory, etc.
Research Design
• The selected research design for this study will
allow the research to…
Justification of
Method and Design

14. METHODOLOGY
VARIABLES OF INTEREST
• Operationalize Variables
• Identify independent, dependent, and covariates
• How are they defined in your study?
Dependent variable:
Body mass index
• Categorical
• Less than 18.5=underweight
• 18-25=normal
• 25-30=overweight
• Over 30=obese
Independent variable:
Physical activity
• Binary
• None vs. some over 1 week

15. METHODOLOGY
PARTICIPANT AND SAMPLE SIZE
The sample size will consist of [#] participants
The sample size was determined by [X]
• Where will your population be drawn from?
• Are you looking at a specific subsection of people (ex: older
adults, children)?
• Will you be using a data collection tool (ex: Qualtrics, survey
monkey)?
• What is the eligibility criteria for participation?
• What will your sample size be?
• How was this determined (ex: power analysis, literature search)?

16. METHODOLOGY
DATA SOURCE AND COLLECTION TECHNIQUE
Describe the procedure each participant will go through
as a part of your study.
Recruitment
through
partner site
Recruitment
through social
media
Screening
Informed
consent
Measure BMI
Demographic
survey
Depressive
symptoms
survey

17. METHODOLOGY TIPS
• The methods section should be like an instruction
manual
• Include:
• How data is collected
• The frequency of data collection events
• Any follow up procedures with participants (ex: member checking)
• How data is stored

18. DATA ANALYSIS
• Proposal: described your proposed data analysis plan
• Defense: explain how you analyzed the data
• Why is the analysis plan that you proposed/used
appropriate?

19. SUMMARY
Recap the major points of the proposal presentation

20. End of Proposal
Presentation
The following slides should be included in a dissertation defense
presentation

21. DEFENSE: RESULTS
• Presentation of Results
o Quantitative studies: Present results by research question and
hypotheses
 Include whether hypotheses were supported or not
• Qualitative studies: Present results by theme
• Interpretation of Findings
o Contextualize findings with previous research
 Do your findings support, partially support, or add something new to
previous research?
 Conclusions
 How do findings relate to the theoretical framework (if applicable)

22. DISCUSSION:
LIMITATIONS
Data Collection
› List any strengths of your study
› Describe generalizability or trustworthiness
› Discuss the rigor of your work
› List any shortcomings that may have affected the
results
› These can be based on the research design, research
method, sampling strategy etc.
› What would you change in future iterations of this study?
› What elements of your findings would you investigate further?
STRENGTH WEAKNESS
FUTURE DIRECTIONS

23. QUESTIONS?
Open the floor for questions

24. REFERENCES
Tips:
1. Follow your school’s template if available
2. Re-read foundational articles
3. Practice! Practice! Practice!
4. Practice in the mirror to watch body language
5. Present to friends/family or cohort members
6. Time yourself
7. Anticipate questions and prepare backup slides
8. Do not read slides verbatim
9. Graphics should be appropriate and not excessive
10. Attend presentations by other candidates

25. THANK YOU
Thank your committee chair, reviewers, friends, and family

26. RESOURCES
Complimentary Statistics Solutions Resources
1. Blog post: PowerPoint Presentation and Defense
2. Blog post: Dissertation Consultation
3. Blog post: Data Analysis Plan Templates
4. Blog post: Dissertation Toolbox Free Resources
5. Blog post: Theoretical Framework
6. Webinar: Qualitative Chapter 3 | Dissertation Help Session
7. Webinar: Mastering Your Quantitative Methodology
8. Webinar: General Tips to Fast-Track Methodology
9. Directory: Directory of Statistical Analyses
10. Webinar: Surviving Your Dissertation

27. Additional
Support
Statistics Solutions is a full-service dissertation consulting
company providing graduate students timely, editorial
support for their dissertations and scholarly projects
For information about our services, receive a
complementary 30-min consultation available Mon-Fri 9-5
ET
Contact info@StatisticsSolutions.com
Phone: 877-437-8622