While the nature of your dissertation will vary, my expectation is that your dissertation will have the following components in the order described. For more detail about each section prior to our meeting, please review Completing your Qualitative Dissertation: A Road Map from Beginning to End by Linda Dale Bloomberg and Marie Volpe. I am open to discussing alternate dissertation formats (e.g., the three article dissertation) as well as innovative methods of data collection and presentation. A dissertation proposal should have all of the components of Chapter 1, 2, and 3 also work that has not been done should be written in future tense. A finished dissertation should be written in past tense.
Expected Components of a Qualitative Dissertation:
Chapter 1: Introduction
Introduction: Overview of study purpose, significance, methods, and contributions
Problem Statement
Research Purpose
Theoretical/Conceptual Framework (Please note that Bloomberg & Volpe discuss this in Chapter 2, but I would like this section to be in Chapter 1)
Research Questions
Research Significance
Positionality: Role of the researcher, researcher assumptions, biases, beliefs, and position in relation to the research and research participants (if applicable).
Organization: How the dissertation will be organized
Key Terms
Chapter 2: Literature Review
Introduction: Overview of literature review and description of the literature review organization (i.e., Guideposts: First, I discuss the relevant literature on…, Second, I review the foundations of…). Remind readers of research purpose and questions.
Literature Review
Conclusion: Clear synthesis of literature and how it builds a foundation and case for your dissertation research.
Chapter 3: Methodology
Introduction: Remind reader of research purpose and conceptual framework
Research Questions
Rationale: Rationale for research approach that discusses suitability for research questions
Research Context (Setting)
Methods
Participants
Data Collection
Data Analysis
Trustworthiness/Validity
Ethics
Limitations/Delimitations
Conclusion
Chapter 4: Findings
Each dissertation will have a slightly different approach to how findings are presented. We will discuss options and presentation of results in our individual meetings.
Introduction
Findings
Conclusion
Chapter 5: Conclusion
Please note that that Bloomberg and Volpe include two chapters in their overview of the dissertation. I collapse those into one Conclusion chapter.
Introduction
Discussion
Implications
Recommendations
Final Thoughts/Afterword
Appendices
References
Laura Parson, PhD 