Dissertations

A dissertation is an extended scholarly document written to describe an original and independent research study conducted by a doctoral student after completing all coursework and in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the doctor of education or doctor of philosophy degree. Written for an expert audience, a typical dissertation begins by introducing an argument that leads readers toward a set of questions the student intends to answer and investigate. A thorough review of prior scholarship situates the investigation, and the dissertation continues with a description of the study’s procedures, analyses, and results. The document generally concludes with a discussion of the findings while considering prior research, theory, and practice. A dissertation is generally expected to make an important and original contribution to a discipline ...