Getting It Right: The Essential Elements of a Dissertation

Getting It Right: The Essential Elements of the Dissertation was written for graduate students writing their dissertations. Clearly written and organized into five thematic chapters—introduction and rationale; review of literature; methods; results/findings; and interpretation and recommendations—this key writing source includes comprehensive examples taken directly from high-quality, scholarly dissertations. With motivational pep talks for graduate students and appropriate tips for mentors, Getting It Right is a thorough, but reader-friendly guide for both dissertation writers and their faculty advisors.

Table of Contents:
Preface Acknowledgements Dissertation Title Dissertation Abstract Chapter 1Introduction and Rationale Chapter 2Review of Literature Chapter 3Methods Chapter 4 Results/Findings Chapter 5 Interpretation and Recommendations AppendixReferences, Plagiarism, Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing References About the Author

About the Author :
Raymond L. Calabrese is professor of educational administration in the School of Educational Policy and Leadership at Ohio State University. He has authored or co-authored nine books, two edited books, and over one hundred refereed articles in educational journals. Four of his solely-authored books are dedicated to dissertation writing. Dr. Calabrese serves as reviewer for scholarly national and international journals, as well as associate editor of an international education journal.

Review :
This book is to preparing a dissertation what musical notations are to creating a symphony. The Dissertation Desk Reference provides ready access to plainly worded explanations and well-crafted examples that guide nascent scholars and assist dissertation advisors. The Dissertation Desk Reference is an ideal resource for pro-seminars where doctoral candidates explore the organization and writing of the dissertation. It specifically addresses the more traditional five-chapter dissertation format and equally supports less traditional dissertation formats. In The Dissertation Desk Reference, Calabrese offers a resource that serves as a safe harbor for doctoral students embarking on the journey of writing a dissertation. With examples to illustrate the key components of the dissertation as well as checklists to guide the writer, this is a definitive resource for the doctoral student and the major professor. I highly recommend this book as requisite reading. A must-read for anyone who wants to complete a doctorate. This wonderfully inspiring work demystifies the dissertation process. All participants in Eastern Kentucky University's doctoral symposium will have to have this book! Every doctoral student and dissertation advisor should have this book in his/her library. Finally, a single reference that serves as a comprehensive guide to terminology and concepts commonly used when designing and writing dissertation research! The book is user-friendly, with terms organized alphabetically (with cross-references). Not only are terms defined, but Raymond L. Calabrese also provides examples of how these terms are used and applied in actual dissertations.