Quantitative Dissertation Topic and Planning – EDDR 915

Course Description

This course addresses the skills and knowledge necessary for completion of a quantitative dissertation, including research design, analysis, and associated statistical procedures. This course also addresses sampling, assumptions, data interpretation, validity, reliability, and instrumentation.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Rationale

The doctoral dissertation is the final academic requirement for your degree. This course is designed to equip students with a deeper understanding of research design and data analysis as well as the skills and knowledge necessary for writing and publishing a doctoral dissertation.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

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

Discussions (3)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the candidate is required to create a thread in response to the provided prompt for each discussion. Each thread must be 400–500 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the candidate is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be 150–250 words. (CLO: B, C)

Research Plan

Chapter One

The candidate will submit a well-developed draft of the first chapter of his/her research plan, including all front matter found in the template. (CLO: B, C)

Chapter Three

The candidate will submit a well-developed draft of the third chapter of his/her research plan. The candidate will create every section based on the template and demonstrate mastery of the primary research design. (CLO: D)

Final Submission

The candidate will submit a fully developed research plan aligned with the Dissertation Handbook, especially the template. The final research plan must be at least 20 pages of content and address all instructor feedback on the previous chapter submissions. (CLO: B, C, D)

IRB Training Modules

The candidate will complete training modules via the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative Program. Upon completion of all modules, the candidate will receive a certification to upload to the IRB Library as well as to Canvas for a grade. (CLO: E)

Journal Cover Letter

The candidate will demonstrate the ability to identify an appropriate journal for publication of an article based on the developing dissertation. The candidate will create a cover letter and locate the author guidelines for the journal. The candidate is not required to submit an article to the journal. The candidate will upload a cover letter in Canvas with the name of the journal and the journal’s submission guideline link. (CLO: F)

Quiz: Dissertation Process

The quiz will cover the Dissertation Handbook. The quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 11 multiple-choice questions, and have a 1-hour time limit. (CLO: A)

Quiz: SOE Doctoral Community

The quiz will cover the SOE Doctoral Community course information located in the SOE Doctoral Community Canvas course. This quiz has 10 true/false questions and a 1-hour time limit. (CLO: A)

Quiz: Plagiarism Awareness

The quiz will cover the LU Academic Honesty Policy and the current APA Manual’s plagiarism policy. The quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 4 questions, and have a 1-hour time limit. (CLO: A)

Quiz: Writing for Publication

The quiz will cover the writing for publication. Please refer to the article, Writing for Publication While in Graduate School: An Accessible Reality by Joshua C. Collins. (CLO: F)