This engaging book not only offers step-by-step guidance on planning, writing, and defending a dissertation but also helps create a beginning-to-end process that is meaningful, rewarding, and exciting. Each chapter answers commonly asked questions, contains a checklist for each part of the dissertation, provides a summary of key points, and lists additional resources. Topics addressed include tips for staying motivated, time management, and self-care; selecting a dissertation committee and narrowing down the topic; writing a proposal; preparing the literature review; creating the problem statement, purpose statement, and research questions; understanding research methodology and ethics; collecting and analyzing data; presenting results; and best of all—publishing a dissertation.
*Requests for digital versions from the ACA can be found on www.wiley.com
*To request print copies, please visit the ACA website https://imis.counseling.org/store/
*Reproduction requests for material from books published by ACA should be directed to permissions@counseling.org
Table of Contents:
Preface vii
Acknowledgments ix
About the Authors xi
Chapter 1 The Doctoral Dissertation 1
Chapter 2 Staying Well Throughout the Dissertation Process 17
Appendix A: Example of a Student Wellness Plan 27
Chapter 3 Selecting the Dissertation Committee and Narrowing Down the Topic 29
Chapter 4 Writing a Proposal 57
Appendix B: Example Quantitative Proposal 74
Appendix C: Example Qualitative Proposal 83
Chapter 5 The Literature Review 93
Appendix D: Example of a Literature Review Outline 107
Chapter 6 Creating the Problem Statement, Purpose Statement, and Research Questions 111
Chapter 7 Research Methodology and Ethics 123
Appendix E: Subject Informaed Consent 141
Appendix F: Subject Assent 144
Chapter 8 Collecting and Analyzing Data 145
Chapter 9 Presenting and Discussing the Results 157
Chapter 10 Preparing for the Defense 171
Chapter 11 Disseminating the Project to the Professional Community 183
Appendix G: Example Authorship Agreement 201
References 203
Index 209
About the Author :
Brandé Flames, PhD, NCC, LPC is a licensed professional counselor and clinical professor in the Counseling and Special Populations department at Lamar University. She is also the CEO and Founder of the nonprofit Serving and Learning Together (SALT) world Inc., which provides volunteer services to developing countries.
A. Stephen Lenz is the author of A Counselor's Guide to the Dissertation Process: Where to Start and How to Finish, published by Wiley.
Richard S. Balkin, Ph.D., LPCC, NCC is a Professor and Doctoral Program Coordinator at the University of Louisville. Dr. Balkin is a Fellow of the American Counseling Association, the editor for the Journal of Counseling and Development, the flagship journal for the American Counseling Association, and past president for the Association for Assessment and Research in Counseling. Dr. Balkin has over 65 publications, which include textbooks, published tests and technical manuals.
Robert L. Smith is the author of A Counselor's Guide to the Dissertation Process: Where to Start and How to Finish, published by Wiley.
Review :
“This book will help doctoral students in counselor education programs navigate the difficult waters of moving beyond ‘ABD’ to graduation. The authors demystify the dissertation process and illustrate how to avoid common pitfalls, stay on track, and successfully complete a dissertation. Students and their faculty will benefit from this easy-to-follow and fun guide for getting it done!” —Kelly Coker, PhD, Assistant Dean, School of Counseling, Walden University
“This is exactly the kind of resource that every counseling doctoral student needs to be successful.The authors bring their wealth of experience to a book that is sure to inform, encourage, and guide students through their dissertation journeys. A true gem for counseling students and educators!” —Thelma Duffey, PhD, The University of Texas at San Antonio
“This book offers a balanced and highly pragmatic stance toward the entire dissertation process, from conception of the research topic to dissemination of results to effect social change. Most helpful is a reminder that successful completion of the dissertation requires attention to the personal wellness of the doctoral student as a human being.” —David M. Kleist, PhD, Idaho State University
