Dissertation Research & Writing – CLED 989

Course Description

This course exists so that the student can conduct approved dissertation research, analyze research findings, and compile conclusions based on the research.

Rationale

Once the IRB application is approved by the IRB office, the student may implement their Prospectus plan under the direction of the dissertation committee (comprised of the Supervisor and Second Reader). Students must use the Canvas course site to submit required documents and progress reports.

Students who are making progress in their research, but who have not yet completed the requirements of CLED989 at a level sufficient to defend their dissertation, may retake CLED989 (three times). Students who have not yet completed all requirements in CLED989 but continue to progress in their research will receive the grade of PR (Progress). PR grades do not impact the student's GPA. Once all work is completed for the CLED989 to the satisfaction of the dissertation committee, the student will be enrolled in CLED990 to defend the dissertation and to submit final work for the degree.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Dissertation First Draft Manuscript Submission Assignments (2)

Once the dissertation is fully assembled, contains all elements of the dissertation as required by the Handbook, meets APA style requirements, and is free of spelling and grammar errors, it may be submitted for committee review.

The student will submit the document in two locations, one location for the Supervisor's review, the other for the Reader's review.

The dissertation manuscript is to be submitted online at the locations labeled "Dissertation First Draft Manuscript Submission: Supervisor Assignment" and "Dissertation First Draft Manuscript Submission: Reader Assignment". This draft will be reviewed by the student's committee and is subject to changes required by that committee. Submission should include all related materials, including front matter, chapters 1 - 5, and appendices. Particular attention will be given to the results of the student's findings as highlighted in Chapters 4 & 5.

Once the first draft of the dissertation has been reviewed and approved, the Supervisor will then work with the program director to manually register the student for the appropriate Dissertation Defense course section.

Quiz: IRB Approval Report and Documentation

As soon as IRB approval is received, the student must submit a report of this approval in the form of a course "quiz." The student is to upload documentation of the IRB approval at this location as well as the most recent version of the Dissertation Draft. IRB approval must be received and documented before the student may proceed with dissertation research.

Quiz: Dissertation Supervisor Consultations (6)

These are two-question “quizzes” that provide an opportunity for the student to log and report on the bi-weekly consultation held between the dissertation supervisor and the student. The first question records the date and time of the required consultation. The second question records a summary of the contents of the consultation. Points for the second question will be awarded based on documentation and verification by the student's Supervisor that the appropriate level of progress has been made. Details of the nature of and the expectations governing the consultation are found in the document entitled, “Consulting with Your Supervisor and Documenting Your Progress."

Quiz: Dissertation First Draft Review Request and Affirmations

Once the dissertation is fully assembled, contains all elements of the dissertation as required by the Handbook, meets APA style requirements, and is free of spelling and grammar errors, it may be submitted for committee review.

Before doing this task, the student must complete the "Quiz: Dissertation First Draft Review Request and Affirmations." This is a five-question request form that requires a "Yes" response to each question. Each question is written in the form of an affirmation of understanding dealing with matters pertaining to the dissertation and defense process. The student must read each question and be sure they understand and agree to this affirmation statement.

Quiz: Defense Hearing Process Review

This is a two-question “quiz” that provides an opportunity for the student to report that he/she has read and watched the content of this module and share any questions or concerns the student might have about the defense hearing process with the supervisor. Note: The quiz is to be completed only after receiving approval from the Dissertation Supervisor