Innovate, Educate, and Transform

Chapters 1 thru 3 Connections

Presented By: Dr. Fischer

February 2014
 The Proposal
• While each journey is unique the dissertation consists of three
phases.
– The Proposal Defense – Chapter 1, 2 and 3
– IRB/Data Collection and Analysis
– The Dissertation Defense – Chapters 4 and 5

• The focus here is the proposal Chapter 1, 2, and 3

• Link for Navigating the Dissertation Resources:
http://dissertationedd.usc.edu/
 Factors to Consider
• Proposal Phase
– Selection of a dissertation topic
– Review the literature on your topic, identify a problem in the literature
to formulate research questions in consultation with chair and/or
thematic group
– Write chapters 1, 2, and 3 [not necessarily in order]
– Defend Proposal

• Most important is consistency across these chapters

 Dissertation Topic
• Originality: Conventional wisdom holds that dissertations should be
original work. They should represent research studies (gathering of new
data or preexisting data or information) that bring new knowledge or
understanding to a topic. One of the best ways to know if your study is
original is to read widely about your topic.

• Importance: Not all studies are of great importance, nor should they
be. However, the researcher should have some claim that the findings of
this study may be of importance in some small way toward advancing
knowledge and practice.
 Research Questions
Your research questions hold the key, they drive everything.

– They guide the background and rationale for Chapter 1.

– They provide focus for what literature to examine and include in Chapter 2.
– They drive the methodology you select and how you design your study in
Chapter 3.
 The Writing Process
Putting a proposal together is a continuous process.

– You can identify a topic and begin conceptualizing your topic

– It is an academic discourse with your chair.
– Unlike turning in a paper for class, you have to approach the
dissertation in pieces and continuously revisit a section based on the
stage of the process as your expertise increases.

Two resources to facilitate the start of the writing process are:

– The Structure of a Dissertation Handout
– The Dissertation Template
 Chapter One (Overview)

Chapter One serves as an overview of the study.

- You should have consistency across the sections of your Chapter One.
- The Statement of the Problem should provide an argument for the topic
areas you will present in Chapter Two.
- The Purpose of the Study should reflect your inquiry in Chapter 3.
 Chapter One
• Overview of your study. Screenr for Chapter One Outline: http://screenr.com/FaK7  

• Background of the Problem

– Parent Involvement at Home
– Technology at Home 
• Statement of the Problem (Mirrors Ch 2)
– Specifically how do parents use technology at home
– What are critical aspects of technology at home
• Purpose of the Study (Reflection of Ch 3)
– The methodology using the areas identified above state the purpose
– Assert your Research Questions
– Introduce the theoretical or conceptual framework for the study
• Significance of the Study
– Describes the contribution of your study regarding the areas selected above
 Chapter Two
Chapter Two is the heart and soul of the dissertation.
- Chapter Two is the what of your study.
- It serves to establish criteria you will investigate in Chapter Three.
- You will present the framework that will serve as a lens for your study.
- The more thorough your Chapter Two the easier it will be to complete your
dissertation.
- Your summary in Chapter Two provides a discussion of how the topic areas
may be related and how they are linked to the framework and supports
how you will do the study in Chapter Three.
 Chapter Two Section
Topic for Discussion
A. Introduce the Topic. What is the purpose or
intent for this section of the review. Your
approach to the evidence.
B. Offer evidence
C. Draw Conclusions
 Chapter Three
Chapter Three serves as the methodology of the study.
- Most important is the Instrumentation and Analysis
- The Instrumentation is closely tied to your Chapter Two.
- Any questions on your protocols are discussed in Chapter Two.
- The analysis must be detailed to demonstrate what you hope to learn
and how.
-Your protocol questions are clearly linked to your research questions.
-You do not ask questions about things you do not write about in chapter
two. You do not write about things in chapter two you do not ask
questions of in chapter three.
 Chapter Three
Your protocol questions are clearly linked to your research questions
Research Question 1: How does teacher participation in the gifted identification process affect the under-representation of African-
American and Latino students in gifted programs?
Survey Questions
2. Some people believe that culture strongly influences learning and therefore minority students are at a disadvantage in the culture of American
schools……
4. Some people believe that teacher training and preparation for gifted is essential to the proper identification of students…….
6. Some people believe teachers hold differential expectations, perceptions and attitudes toward minority students which impact their
performance resulting in them not being recommended ……….
Interview Questions
9. Have you had formal training in teaching gifted and talented students? Please describe.
10. What characteristics (e.g. behavioral, intellectual, etc.) do you feel are typical …..
11. Some people believe that intelligence is a function of genetics ……..
Observation Data
1. Observed (the ability and potential to perform) can be measured……..
2. Observed giftedness/intelligence can be detected in the behaviors of a child. For example, gifted/highly intelligent children are organized …
Artifacts (School Documents, Website etc.)
1. Reviewed website for how a child is nominated for evaluation ……..
2. Reviewed website for nominated a child for gifted evaluation? Why or why not?
 
 Chapter Three
Any questions on your protocols the content discussed in chapter two

Research Question One:

How does teacher participation in the gifted
identification process affect the under-
Chapter 2 representation of African-American and INTERVIEW PROTOCOL
Literature Review Latino students in gifted programs?
Administrators:
Student Placement Questions Here
•Mainstreaming 1. Why do…
•Partial Inclusion 2.
•Full Inclusion General Educators:
Teacher Preparation Questions Here
General Ed. 1. How does…
1.Pugach, M, (2005) 2.
2.Villa, Thousand & Chapple Special Educators:
(1996) Questions Here
3.Pugach &Wesson (1995) 1. Are there…
4.Bayer, S. (2003) 2.
Special Ed.
5.Hocutt, A. 1996) Sociocultural Theory: Lev Vygotsky
6.Carrigan, J. (1994) Dixon & Verenikina (2007)
7.Fisher, Sax & Pumpian (2006) Glassman (2001)
8.Farvey, A. Fielding (1989)
9.Villa, Thousand Arts John-Steiner & Mahn (1996)
Wood & Wood (1996)
 Helpful Tips
• Life happens, be honest with yourself and how you will
manage your time and responsibilities with family, career,
your physical, emotional, and mental well being.
• Develop and maintain a constructive relationship with your
dissertation chair.
• Create a vision, timeline, work plan and stick to it. If for some
reason life happens re-work your plan.
• Seek support from multiple sources.
 Working with the DSC
• We are committed to your successful completion of the
program.
• Schedule your reviews well in advance of deadlines so that
you have the time to make any necessary adjustments.
• We can schedule a mock proposal defense.
• Contact your writing advisor to schedule reviews in advance.
• Link for Navigating the Dissertation resources:
http://dissertationedd.usc.edu/
• Most useful is the Dissertation Self-Assessment
 Thank You

Your questions are welcome.

Dr. Fischer
Email: lfischer@usc.edu
Tel: (213) 740-3813

For additional resources - http://dissertationedd.usc.edu/

DSC contact information – rsoedsc@rossier.usc.edu or (213)740-8099