If you’ve never written a dissertation before, the prospect can be daunting. Novice researchers don’t always understand the process at first. Take heart: We aren’t born knowing how to research and write a dissertation, but we can learn. Here are some questions I’ve received from confused dissertators who are trudging toward their goal of earning a Ph.D. or other advanced degree. (See my disclaimer at the end of this post.)

What do I do while I’m waiting for my proposal to be approved?

Dear Dr. Carol: I am working on my proposal for my Doctor of Business Administration research project. While I’m waiting for approval, should I start working on Chapter 4? –Ready to be done in Washington

Dear Ready: I know you are anxious to keep moving forward with your dissertation. However, it is not time yet to start on Chapter 4. For most social science dissertators, the first three chapters comprise the dissertation proposal. Chapter 4 is where we report our findings. Before we can write Chapter 4, we need to collect some data.

For most of us, before we collect data (that means, before we administer surveys, conduct interviews, or observe people), we must apply to the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and any other entities that might be involved (school districts, companies, and the like) for permission to collect data.

After we receive permission to collect data, we implement the next phase of our study according to the plan we presented in Chapter 3.

So, the answer to your question is no, don’t start on Chapter 4. You can’t move forward until you get your proposal approved. For now, focus on that major milestone. While you are waiting for feedback and approval on your proposal, write a draft of your IRB application. Get current on new literature in your field. Take a nap. Enjoy your friends and family, because once you start collecting data, you might not see them for a while.

Help! My proposal lacks “alignment.”

Dear Dr. Carol: I just got feedback on my dissertation proposal. My chairperson said my paper “lacks alignment.” I don’t know what that means. Can you help? –Tearing out my hair in Denver

Dear Tearing: I hear your frustration. Alignment is a critical concept for researchers, but our mentors often don’t know how to define it, let alone explain it. They can tell if alignment is missing, but that’s not much help when we are trying to figure out what they want.

These are the main elements of most social science proposals:

Problem Statement
Purpose Statement
Theoretical Framework
Research Questions/hypotheses
Methodology/methods

Alignment means all these elements logically flow from one to the next. That is, from the problem we identified emerges the purpose statement. The theoretical framework supports the purpose. The research questions flow from the purpose as well. The methodology and methods are logical, given the purpose statement and the theoretical framework.

Here is an example of lack of alignment among the elements:

The problem is kids watch too much television.
Therefore, the purpose of the study is to observe kids’ consumption of junk food.
The theoretical framework will be based on adult learning theory.
The primary research question will be “How do kids’ ratings of Saturday morning cartoons correlate with their consumption of Twinkies?”
The methodology will be qualitative.
The main data collection method will be to observe kids’ napping behavior after eating sugar.

Does that plan make any sense at all to you? The lack of alignment is grossly exaggerated to make my point, but I’ve seen proposals whose elements are almost this misaligned. It is so easy to get off track.

Alignment is important! By far, the most common problem I see in proposals and dissertations is a lack of alignment between the problem, purpose, research questions, and methodology/methods. Alignment among these elements is such an important requirement that I devote an entire chapter to it in my book.

Go back through your main elements and make sure each one follows logically from the others. Use the same terms in all the elements: The problem is [xyz], therefore the purpose is to study [xyz]. Keep it simple. Read what other dissertators have done. Learn from their experience. Focus on nailing down the problem, and then let the other elements unroll logically from there. If something seems out of alignment, it usually means the problem statement is not clear.

Sometimes when all the elements align, I feel awe at the beauty of research. The elements make sense, logically flowing and interacting, supporting each other, justifying each other. The components come together to create the potential for new knowledge. Thus, we are knowledge generators—our research efforts lead to new insights, some big, some small, each valuable as a step toward new knowledge. Practitioners and scholars study, combine, synthesize, adapt, and extend our insights into new practices, new conclusions, new theories. How cool is that!

How do I choose my dissertation topic?

Dear Dr. Carol: I’m having trouble choosing a topic for my research project. Where do I start? –Confused in Florida

Dear Confused: I hear you. The world is full of fascinating topics to study. How do we choose just one?

First, do these four things:

Identify your program of study.
Make a list of problems that interest you.
Identify problems that need addressing (not every problem is worthy of doctoral-level research).
Review existing research to locate a gap in the literature.

This process should help you develop a list of possible topics, broad and narrow, that might work for a doctoral study.

Next, do the following:

Read Ellis and Levy’s (2008) article: Ellis, T. J., & Levy, Y. (2008). Framework of problem-based research: A guide for novice researchers on the development of a research-worthy problem. Informing Science: The International Journal of an Emerging Transdiscipline, 11, 17-33. Retrieved from http://www.inform.nu/Articles/Vol11/ISJv11p017-033Ellis486.pdf
Review your list of ideas in the Thomson Reuters Web of Science/Web of Knowledge (http://wokinfo.com/). You will usually have access to this tool through your university’s online library.
I know you are already doing this, but keep on reading articles in your field. Look at the end of each article for suggestions for future research. Make a list of interesting directions.
Talk to practitioners in your field. What problems do they face? How can you help? Make a list of pressing problems faced by people working in the real world.

In the intersections of these actions, I have no doubt you will identify many interesting topics suitable for a doctoral research study in the social sciences. The hard part now will be choosing just one.

Now think about the two possible research methodologies (qualitative or quantitative). You could do both (mixed methods), but choosing just one methodology is usually the best approach for a novice researcher. What do you prefer, analyzing text or analyzing numbers?

Finally, think about the methods available to you. Do you prefer listening to people, surveying people, observing people, or analyzing secondary data? You can find some tips and suggestions in a free e-guide available on the Love Your Dissertation Resources webpage.

Disclaimer

I hesitated before posting this essay. “Ask Dr. Carol” presumes I’m some kind of expert. At the risk of never editing another dissertation, I confess, I’m not. Even though I’ve edited many proposals and manuscripts, I’ve only written one dissertation.

In the social sciences, we study people’s behaviors, thoughts, attitudes… when we plan our study, we’d like to be certain that our research approach is the best one, but humans are complicated and messy, and so is studying them. Social science research continually evolves as researchers devise and apply new theories and research methods. In other words, research is a process.

We have all read the research gurus; however, if you’ve read successive editions of their books, you know their thinking evolves as they try to hone their explanations of research processes. Those of us who are learning to do research might be confused as the gurus’ thinking changes from year to year, but we need to remember that the research process is flexible, organic, and evolving. That means whether we choose quantitative or qualitative methodology, there is no one correct way to conduct a study.

Are you discouraged? Don’t be. This is good! This abundance of approaches might be confounding for new researchers, but on the bright side, we really can’t fail. As long as we get all the elements logically aligned and solidly justified, our research design will be valid.

I’ve seen many research designs and data collection and analysis methods. I’m sure I’ve seen only a fraction of what is possible. We researchers are a creative bunch. Most of us would like to blaze our own unique trail. For instance, I incorporated rich pictures into my project—I thought it was fun and unique. (You can read all 300+ pages of my massive tome on ProQuest Open Access if you want an example of a novice researcher learning as she goes.)

The point is, we are all on a continuum of research, learning as we go. I’m grateful for the gurus who keep refining their guidance—we who trudge the path behind them benefit from their repeated attempts to clarify and explain complex research methods. We should rejoice that the buffet of research approaches eventually produces a 360° perspective on the topics we study. That is our goal, right? To illuminate and clarify our topics.

As an author, I write to help me understand my topic. If I already understood the topic, what would be the point of writing about it, except to show off how much I know—an exercise in arrogance. If I am already sure of the answers, if I believe no new knowledge can be discovered, then why bother researching anything?

Some people think we already have all the answers, that research is a waste of resources. I don’t subscribe to that belief. Curiosity may have killed the proverbial cat, but it has also given us access to atoms and stars and everything in between. I believe the human historical arc bends toward curiosity. I support your curiosity, in all its myriad expressions.

Got a question?

Got a question about your dissertation proposal, research, or manuscript? Submit your question for Dr. Carol using the contact form.

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Find my latest books and resources

Applying Theory

Dissertators often struggle to choose and apply a theoretical framework to their research projects. In this helpful guide, I offer suggestions from my own experience. In addition, I reveal how other dissertators have applied theory successfully and earned their doctorates.

Written in a friendly, nonscholarly manner, I demystify the challenges of applying academic theory to a research project. You will learn that theory is nothing to fear—in fact, we all use theory all the time! With the help of this powerful little book, you will learn to master theory and achieve your dream of earning your Ph.D.

Print version $15.99
Kindle version $7.99

Resubmit! 28 ½ Reasons Why You Can’t Get Your Dissertation Proposal Approved

This comprehensive book is the missing link for dissertators who have struggled to get their proposals approved. This indispensable book bulges with insights, suggestions, examples, diagrams, and practical tips, written especially for the online dissertator who may receive little support during the proposal process.

I present solutions to address twenty-eight potential reasons why you might be struggling to get your proposal approved. For example, you will learn how to write a clear problem statement, devise research questions and hypotheses, and align the elements of the proposal to facilitate speedy approval. I unlock the mysteries of Word and Excel to show you specifically how to use these tools for your proposals. Over 200 tables and figures show you exactly what to do. As a bonus, you will learn how to design a web-based survey and make a plan for fielding and analyzing the data. In this book, I cover it all to help you overcome obstacles and finish your dissertation.

Free templates and worksheets are available here.

Print version $29.99
Kindle version $9.99