Policy Dissertation

Ph.D. in Public Policy Dissertation Guide to Assist in Writing a QUALITATIVE Proposal and Dissertation.

The following template is a guide to insure that all of the checklist requirements of the dissertation are adequately addressed. It is not your proposal or dissertation. Each section of the dissertation checklist asks for different information, which is reflected in each section of this template, and no response to one section should be used for another. Most faculty members ask students to put the instructions in blue font and their responses in black. This allows the chair to efficiently review your work prior to creating a complete draft.
This template allows for the orderly collection of the required information and then the orderly flow of this required information into a finished, edited, and complete document. The template is seeking content information, where the finished proposal or dissertation will be an edited version of this template into the proper University proposal/dissertation format.
Repeating the same information from one section to another or several others only confuses the reader and does not allow for a smooth reading proposal and/or dissertation. Each section of the template should be written with a transition from the last section and transition into the new section. This helps allow for the orderly flow. For example, take a look at the following sections:
116 Although you will be examining some aspect of a social problem, the research problem itself focuses on some gap in the research-based literature that your work can help fill. Explain in detail. Your Problem Statement section must identify that gap as your problem. 200 words 12 pt Times New Roman (Here you will address a meaningful gap in the current research literature.)

117 Pinpoint the particular part of the wider research problem area your study will tackle. 200 words 12 pt Times New Roman (Here you will provide a concise statement that serves as the connection between the problem being addressed and the focus of the study discussing the research paradigm.)

118 What do you hope to discover from conducting this research?
In addition to the identified gap in the literature this study will also tackle wider aspects of the research problem to include in particular ……………….Having identified the wider aspects of the research problem it is hoped conducting this research will discover…………
.

Finally, the template will allow the student to quickly complete the dissertation checklist required at the proposal and dissertation submission stages because each item on the checklist is easily found in the prepared document. Many students find it more efficient to start with Chapter Two Literature Review. Start by gathering data about your topic, theory, public policy, research methods. This is not a linear process. Doctoral students must review copious amounts of scholarly literature and seek information about topics where they lack understanding. For example, if a student selects semi-structured interview protocol they might need to read about interviewing insights and skills. Another student might need to review a video about using Nvivio software.
In addition please review this checklist when your dissertation draft is complete.
Take care of the final details:

Do your chapters have the correct pagination and style for headings and subheadings? Yes or No

Have you added to the Table of Contents and the list of Figures and Tables? Yes or No
Does your narrative develop logically within sections and between sections so that answers are given for the research questions and the evidence presented is convincing? Yes or No

Is the evidence presented in a way that is easy to access: tables, narratives, and so on provide clear and accurate summaries of data and analysis? Yes or No

Are tables, charts, and figures self-descriptive, connected to and supported in the text, and properly laid out and captioned? Yes or No

Is the language you have used straightforward and clear? Yes or No

Have you taken steps to ensure that your data collection and interpretation processes are free of bias, inaccuracies, serious omissions, and so on? Yes or No

Is the chapter free of spelling and grammatical errors? Yes or No

Are your citations of the literature accurate and correctly formatted? Yes or No

Have you added the references in this chapter to the References at the end of the dissertation? Yes or No

Table of Contents
(this TOC will still need to be adjusted and formatted to APA and Walden standards)

Chapter 1
(for example)
Introduction …………………………………………………………..…………………….. 1- 7
Alignment………………………………………………………………………………… 1
Background……………………………………………………………………………… 1- 3
Problem Statement Overview ………..………………………………………………..… 4
Purpose Overview ………………………………………………………………………. 4
Theoretical Framework Overview……………………………………………………….. 4
Nature of the Study Overview…………………………………………………………… 5
Assumptions Overview………………………………………………………………….. 5
Scope Overview…………………………………………………………………………. 5
Delimitations Overview…………………………………………………………………. 6
Limitations Overview…………………………………………………………………… 6
Significance of the Study Overview……………………………………………………. 6
Why This Study is Needed…………………………………………………………….. 7
Problem Statement In Detail………………………………………………………………. 8 - 10
The Problem Statement ………………………………………………….………………… 8
The Larger Problem This Research Addresses………………………………………… 8
Why this Problem Needs to be Addressed…………………………………………….. 9
How the Research Problem Focuses on Some Gap in the Research-based Literature
that this Work Helps to Fill…………..……………………………………………….. 10
Purpose in Detail……………………………………………………………………………11-13
The Wider Research Problem Area this Study will Tackle…………………………… 11
Hopes for Discovery from Conducting this Research?………………………………………….. 11-12
The Direct and Logical Link of the Purpose and the Problem………….…………..… 12-13
The Direct and Logical Link to the Research Questions………………….………….. 13
Research Questions………………………………………………………………………. 14-15
The Research Question(s)…………………………………………………………….. 14
How each Research Question is Answered………………………………………….. 14-15
Theoretical Framework…………………………………………………………………… 16-17
Theorist/Theory Influences for this Study…………………………………………… 16
Theories Prompting Research Questions……………………………………………. 16-17
How the Theory Relates to the Study and Research Questions…………….……….. 17
Nature of the Study…………………………………………………….……………….. 18-20
The Key Concept Being Investigated…………………………………………..…… 18
What Guides the Research Design…………………………………………………… 18
The Value of the Ideas and/or Theories………………………………………………. 19
Rationale for the Selection Design………………………………………………….… 19-20
From Whom and How Date Collected and Analyzed………………………………… 20
Operational Definitions……………………………………………………………..….… 21-22
Key Terms Used in the Study………………………………………………………… 21-22
Assumptions……………………………………………………………………………… 23-24
Things Assumed to be True not Verified by This Study……………………………… 23
Why the Assumptions are Necessary in the Context of this Study……………………. 24
Scope………………………………………………………………………………………25-26
What is Taken into Consideration in this Study………………………………………. 25
Included Samples, Date, Interpretive Schemes…………………………………………25-26
Transferability………………………………………………………………………….. 26
Delimitations……………………………………………………………………………… 27
Limitations…………………………………………………………………………………28-29
Weaknesses or Gaps in the Study……………………………………………………… 28
Biases that Influencing this Study……………………………………………………… 28
Steps Taken to Reduce the Impact of Limitations……………………………………… 28
What this Study does not do that could Legitimately be done…………………………. 29
Inherent Problems in Research Methodology………………………………………….. 29
Significance of the Study ………………………………………………………………… 30-31
How this Study Fills a Gap in the Present Literature…………………………………… 30
How the Profession Benefits…………………………………………………………… 30
The Impact of this Study for Social Change…………………………………………… 31
Summary and Transition………………………………………………………………….. 32-33
Summary of Key Points in Chapter One………………………………………………. 32
Pointing Ahead…………………………………………………………………………. 33

Chapter 2

Introduction………………………………………………………………………………….
Problem and Purpose……………………………………………………………………..
Organization of the Literature Review…………………………………………………..
Literature Search Strategy…………………………………………………………………..
Summary of the Content of the Literature Review………………………………………
If Little Current Research………………………………………………………………..
Theoretical Framework Literature Review…………………………………………………
Theory Upon Which Study is Based……………………………………………………
Source of the Theory…………………………….………………………………………
Major Theoretical Propositions………………….………………………………………
Rationale for the Choice of Theory……….……..………………………………………
How the Selected Theory Relates to Study…..…………………………………………
Analysis of Theory Application…………………………………………………………
Literature Reviews Related to Theory…………………………………………………..
Content Literature Review…………………………………………………………………
Historical Perspective of Literature Review……………………………………………
How Literature Review Established the Relevance of the Problem……………………
How the Literature is Related to the Problem Statement………………………………
Themes and Trends Discovered in the Literature Review……………………………..
Summary of Articles Reviewed………………………………………………………..
Justification for Themes and Trends Discovered in the Literature Review……………
Synthesis of Articles of what is Known about the Themes and Trends…….…………
Synthesis of Articles of what is Controversial………………………..…….…………
Synthesis of Articles of what Remains to be Studies……………………….…………
Synthesis of Articles Related to Research Questions……………………….…….…………
Most Significant Findings to Justify Study…………………………………………………
Synthesis of Articles of what is Known about the in the Discipline Related to the Study…
Synthesis of Articles of what is Not Known about the in the Discipline Related to the Study.
How this Study will Fill a Gap in the Literature…………………………………………….
Methodology Literature Review………………………………………………………………
Literature Review of Related Methods…………………………………………………….
Description of Studies Related to Chosen Methodology…………………………………..
Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………….
Most Significant Findings Justifying the Study……………………………………………
Summary of What is Known and Not Know Related to this Study……………………….
Summary of How Study Fills a Gap in the Literature……………………………………..
Transition…………………………………………………………………………………..

Chapter 3

Introduction………………………………………………………………………………….
Purpose of Study…………………………………………………………………………
Research Design………………………………………………………………………….
Type of Qualitative Methodology………………………………………………………..
Role of the Researcher……………………………………………………………………
Setting and Sample…….…………………………………………………………………
Data Collection Procedures………………………………………………………………
Data Analysis…………………………………………………………………………….
Trustworthiness………………………………………………………………………….
Protection of Participant’s Rights……………………………………………………….
Exploratory Study……………………………………………………………………….
Presentation of Results…………………………………………………………………..
Research Design……………………………………………………………………………
Restatement of Research Questions…………………………………………………….
Central Concept…………………………………………………………………………
Best Research Method ……………..…………………….…………………………….
Justification for Research Method………………………………………………………
Role of the Researcher………………………………………………………………………
Researcher’s Role Defined………………………………………………………………
Researcher’s Role in Data Collection……………………………………………………
Personal or Professional Relationships Between Researcher and Participants………….
Researcher Biases…………………………………………………………..……………
Applicable Ethical Issues………………………………………………………………..
Setting and Sample………………………………………………………………………….
Location of Data Gathering……………………………………………………………..
Population for Study……………………………………………………………………
Sample Determination…………………………………………………………………..
Sampling Methods………………………………………………………………………
Sample Size……………………………………………………………………………..
Participant Eligibility……………………………………………………………………
Characteristics of Sample……………………………………………………………….
Participants Identified, Contacted, and Recruited……………………………………..
Data Collection……………………………………………………………………………
Data Collection Instruments……………………………………………………………
Legal and/or Historical Documents……………………………………………………
Sufficiency of Data Collection Instruments……………………………………………
Published Data Collection Instruments………………………………………………..
Appropriateness of Data Collection Instruments………………………………………
Content Validity of the Data Collection Instrument…………………………………..
Context Specific Issues to the Population Regarding the Instrument…………………
Self Developed Collection Instruments Bases for Development………………………
Self Developed Collection Instruments Content Validity……..………………………
Pilot Study Procedures………………………………………………………………..
Pilot Study Relationship to Main Study………………………………………………
Information Collected for each Research Question…………………………………..
How Participants Exit the Study……………………………………………………..
Follow up Procedures for Participants……………………………………………….
Data Analysis……………………………………………………………………………
Types of Data Collected……………………………………………………………… Sorting/Coding of Data……………………………………………………………….
Software for Data Analysis…………………………………………………………..
Treatment for Discrepant Cases……………………………………………………..
Trustworthiness………………………………………………………………………….
Credibility……………………………………………………………………………
Transferability……………………………………………………………………….
Dependability……………………………………………………………………….
Confirmability………………………………………………………………………
Intra and Intercoder Reliability……………………………………………………..
Protection of Participant’s Rights/Ethical Issues………………………………………
Formal Steps of Protection…………………………………………………………
Institutional Permissions……………………………………………………………
Recruitment Materials Ethical Concerns…………………………………………..
Data Collection Ethical Concerns………………………………………………….
Agreements…………………………………………………………………………
Data Treatment……………………………………………………………………..
Conflict of Interest…………………………………………………………………
Pilot Study…………………………………………………………………………….
Presentation of Results………………………………………………………………..
Summary………………………………………………………………………………
Chapter 4

Introduction………………………………………………………………………………….
Review and Purpose of Research Questions………………………………………………
The Process……………………..…………………………………………………………
Overview………………………………………………………………………………………
Summary of Pilot Study (if used)……..……………………………………………………
Summary of the Setting……………………………………………………………………
Summary of the Demographics……………………………………………………………
Summary of the Data Collection…………………………………………………………..
Summary of the Data Analysis…………………………………………………………….
Summary of the Evidence of Trustworthiness…………………………………………….
Summary of the Results of the Study……………………………………………………..
Pilot Study (if used)…………………………………………………………………………..
Description…………………………………………………………………………………
Impact to Main Study……………………………………………………………………..
Setting………………………………………………………………………………………..
Demographics…………………………………………………………………………………
Data Collection……………………………………………………………………………….
Participants………………………………………………………………………………..
Location, Frequency, and Duration of Data Collection…………………………………..
Recorded Data……………………………………………………………………………
Variations in Data Collection…………………………………………………………….
Unusual Circumstances in Data Collection………………………………………………
Interview Findings…………………………………………………………………………..
Results………………………………………………………………………………………
Discrepant Cases…………………………………………………………………………
Tables…………………………………………………………………………………….
Data Analysis………………………………………………………………………………..
Larger Representations from Coded Information……………………………………….
Description of Emergent Codes and Themes……………………………………………
How Qualities of Discrepant Cases Factored……………………………………………
Evidence and Trustworthiness………………………………………………………………
Implementation of Credible Strategies……………………………………………………
Implementation/Adjustment to Transferability…………………..………………………
Implementation/Adjustment to Dependability…………………………………………..
Implementation/Adjustment to Consistency/Conformability……………………………
Summary……………………………………………………………………………………
Answers and Findings to Research Question One……………………………………….
Answers and Findings to Research Question Two (if used)….………………………….
Answers and Findings to Research Question Three (if used)…………………………….
Answers and Findings to Research Question Four (if used)………..…………………….
Answers and Findings to Research Question Five (if used)..…………………………….
Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………..

Chapter 5

Introduction………………………………………………………………………………..
Purpose and Nature of Study…………………………………………………………..
Why and How Study was Done………………………………………………………..
Summary of the findings………………………………………………………………
Interpretations of the Findings…………………………………………………………….
Conclusion to Research Question One………………………………………………..
Conclusion to Research Question Two (if used)………………………………………
Conclusion to Research Question Three (if used)……………………………………..
Conclusion to Research Question Four (if used)………………………………………
Conclusion to Research Question Five (if used)……………………………………………………
Limitations……………………………………………………………………………….
Recommendations……………………………………………………………………….
Implications for Social Change………………………………………………………….
Reflection of the Researcher (for Qualitative Studies Only)…………………………….
Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………….

Chapter 1

Introduction

(Includes a brief overview capturing the highlights of the first chapter. It contains twelve sections (101-112) depicting a short paraphrase of what the reader will find in more detail as the chapter progresses. Overall this introduction needs to capture the highlights of the first chapter, prepare the reader for the whole study, and include highlights from the most significant literature on the topic. )

101 Begin – Here you will briefly describe the topic of the study, why the study needs to be conducted, and the potential social implications of the study. Start this section with the following opening paragraph explaining the alignment of your study. In short, here is what alignment is asking:

1. What is the problem that needs to be addressed in one sentence? (problem statement) Then, 2. Why does this problem need to be addressed in one sentence? (purpose) Then, 3. What question(s) need(s) to be answered to shed light on a potential solution/course of action to either correct or improve this problem? (research question(s)) 4. Which theory will your dissertation expand the knowledge or allow for a new dimension of such theory in one sentence? (theoretical framework) 5. Which methodology will this study be using and why, in one sentence? (nature of the study) Finally, 6. Explain the social implications of your study in one sentence.

This should take approximately 150 words in 12 pt Times New Roman (checklist code 1I1)

102 Background - Describe all aspects of the selected problem statement including the history of the problem, its emergence, any solutions offered in the past, stakeholders, it jurisdiction, etc.

This should take approximately 200 words in12pt Times New Roman (checklist code 1I2)

After the background the reader will briefly want to know more about the introduction to this chapter. Here you will briefly paraphrase the next nine sections (103 – 111). You may wish to begin along the lines of – As an overview:

103 Problem Statement An Overview

Begin - In one sentence, what is the problem that needs to be addressed? 2. In one sentence, describe the larger problem that your research questions address. 3. In one sentence, provide evidence that the problem is current, relevant, and significant to the discipline. 4. In one sentence, explain why this problem area need to be addressed? 5. In one sentence explain how
this problem builds upon or counters previous research findings focusing primarily on research conducted in the last five years. 6. Finally, explain in one sentence how the research problem itself focuses on some gap in the research-based literature that your work can help fill.

This should take approximately 100 words in12pt Times New Roman (checklist code 1I2)

104 Purpose of the Study An Overview

Begin - In one sentence pinpoint the particular part of the wider research problem area your study will tackle. 2. In one sentence, what do you hope to discover from conducting this research? 3. In one sentence, describe the direct and logical link of the purpose and the problem. 4. Finally, in one sentence explain the direct and logical link to the research question(s).

This should take approximately 100 words in12pt Times New Roman (checklist code 1I2)

105 Theoretical Framework An Overview

Begin- In one sentence who (which theorist/theory) influences your thinking for this study? 2. In one sentence, which theories or ideas have prompted your research questions? 3. Finally, in one sentence, explain how the theory relates to the study approach and research questions.

This should take approximately 100 words in12pt Times New Roman (checklist code 1I2)

106 Nature of the Study An Overview

Begin – In one sentence, describe the key concept and/or phenomenon being investigated in this study. 2. In one sentence, explain what guides your research design? (In this particular template – The qualitative method guides my research design because….) 3.In one sentence, explain what is particularly valuable about this methodology why? 4. In one sentence, provide a concise rationale for the selection of the qualitative approach for this study. 5. In one sentence, state from whom and how data are collected. 6. Finally, in one sentence, explain how the data will be analyzed.

This should take approximately 100 words in12pt Times New Roman (checklist code 1I2)

107 Assumptions An Overview

Begin – In one sentence, what are the things you assume to be true but will not verify in this study? In one sentence, describe the reasons why the assumption(s) was/were necessary in the context of the study.

This should take approximately 100 words in12pt Times New Roman (checklist code 1I2)

108 Scope An Overview

Begin – In one sentence, what will be taken into consideration in your study? 2. In one sentence, what sample, data, interpretive schemes do you plan to include? 3. Finally, in one sentence explain the potential transferability aspect of your study.

This should take approximately 100 words in12pt Times New Roman (checklist code 1I2)

109 Delimitations An Overview

Begin – Explain, in three sentences, who or what will be left out of your study and why?

This should take approximately 100 words in12pt Times New Roman (checklist code 1I2)

110 Limitations An Overview

Begin – In one sentence, what are the weaknesses or gaps in your study? 2. In one sentence, describe any biases that could influence this study’s outcomes. 3. In one sentence explain how the biases are to be addressed. 4. In one sentence, which steps do you plan to take to reduce the impact of a limitation(s)? 5. In one sentence explain, what will your study not do that could legitimately be done? 6. Finally, explain the inherent problems in your choice of selection processes or research methodology?

This should take approximately 100 words in12pt Times New Roman (checklist code 1I2)

111 Significance of the Study An Overview

Begin – In one sentence, explain how your study will add to or fill in a gap in the present literature about your topic? 2. In one sentence, explain how your profession will benefit? 3. In one sentence, explain the type of impact your study can make beyond your professional world to the larger world in relation to Social Change?

This should take approximately 100 words in12pt Times New Roman (checklist code 1I2)

112 Then, end the introduction section with why this study is needed.

This should take approximately 100 words in12pt Times New Roman (checklist code 1BG3)

Problem Statement

113 Clearly state the research problem in no more than four sentences. 100 words 12 pt Times New Roman (PS1)

114 Describe the larger problem that your research questions address. 300 words 12pt Times New Roman (Here you will provide evidence of consensus that the problem is current, relevant, and significant to the discipline. PS2)

115 Why does this problem area need to be addressed? 300 words 12pt Times New Roman
(Here you will frame the problem in a way that builds upon or counters previous research findings focusing primarily on research conducted in the last five years. PS3)

116 Although you will be examining some aspect of a social problem, the research problem itself focuses on some gap in the research-based literature that your work can help fill. Explain in detail. Your Problem Statement section must identify that gap as your problem. 200 words 12 pt Times New Roman (Here you will address a meaningful gap in the current research literature. PS4)

Purpose of the Study

117 Pinpoint the particular part of the wider research problem area your study will tackle. 200 words 12 pt Times New Roman (Here you will provide a concise statement that serves as the connection between the problem being addressed and the focus of the study discussing the research paradigm. POS1)

118 What do you hope to discover from conducting this research? 200 words 12 pt Times New Roman (Here you will begin with a description of the intent of the study, such as to describe, to compare, to explore, to develop, etc. POS2)

119 The purpose of your study should have a direct and logical link to its purpose and it should be clearly and directly stated. Clearly explain. 200 words 12 pt Times New Roman (Here you will describe the concept/phenomenon of interest. POS3)

120 Explain the direct and logical link to the research questions. 200 words 12 pt Times New Roman

Research Questions

121 Research questions - (The research questions drive the whole dissertation, so make for a good starting point. You may develop one overarching question with several sub-questions that your research will address or simply a question or series of questions. Avoid questions that can be answered by a simple yes or no. Keep your questions clear and direct. Make sure they are free from bias.) 200 words 12 pt Times New Roman (RQ1)

122 Indicate briefly how you will go about answering each of the questions—what quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods approaches will you use? 200 words 12 pt Times New Roman

Theoretical Framework

Answering your research questions does not begin with a blank slate; your research is always part of a larger discussion. Ideas, theories, and even philosophies will guide your study. In this section you will spell those out:

123 Who influences your thinking? 300 words 12 pt Times New Roman (Here you will identify and define the theory or theories and provide the origin of source.) TF1

124 What theories or ideas have prompted your research questions? 300 words 12 pt Times New Roman (Here you will state concisely the major theoretical propositions and/or major hypotheses with a reference to a more detailed explanation in Chapter 2.) TF2 (for qualitative studies, the contextual lens; for quantitative studies, a description of the body of research that supports the need for the study) as derived from the literature with more detailed analysis in Chapter 2.

125 Here you will explain how the theory relates to the study’s approach and research questions. TF3 300 words 12 pt Times New Roman

Nature of the Study (including research questions)

126 Briefly describe the key concept and/or phenomenon being investigated. 100 words 12 pt Times New Roman NS2

127 What guides your research design? What categories will you use in data collection and interpretation? 300 words 12 pt Times New Roman

128 What is particularly valuable about these ideas or theories and why? 300 words 12 pt Times New Roman

129 Provide a concise rationale for the selection of the design/tradition you will be using in this study. 200 words 12 pt Times New Roman NS1

130 [Here you will also briefly summarize (from whom and how data are collected and data will be analyzed) NS3] 200 words 12 pt Times New Roman

Operational Definitions

131 A Some of the key terms in your study will likely be found in the literature or everyday conversation and will often have a wide array of meanings. Thus, provide concise definitions of key concepts or constructs. D1

131B Any terms central to your study that you are using in a particular way should be defined the way you need for your study. In other words, define terms used in the study that have multiple meanings (e.g., socioeconomic status, educator, health science professional, etc.) Do not include common terms or terms that can easily be looked up in a dictionary. D2

131 C If your definition is supported in the literature, summarize that support. It is sometimes helpful to say what your use of a term does not include. This requires you to include citations that identify support in the professional literature for the definition or operation definition. D3

Once your terms are defined, use them consistently that way throughout the dissertation.

(Use this page also for your operational definitions and any summaries required. If the content takes less than the two pages, complete the amount required and leave the remainder of the page(s) as in the template. Do not eliminate the second page. 12 pt Times New Roman)

Assumptions

132 What are the things you assume to be true but will not verify in this study? 300 words 12 pt Times New Roman (Here you will clarify aspects of the study that are believed but cannot be demonstrated to be true. Include only those assumptions that are critical to the meaningfulness of the study. A1)

These may relate to your population, sample, research methodology, the conceptual framework or theoretical base, the nature of the problem you are studying, or some other item related to the study.

133 Describe the reasons why the assumption(s) was/were necessary in the context of the study. A2 200 words 12 pt Times New Roman

Scope

134 What will be taken into consideration in your study? 200 words 12 pt Times New Roman
(Here you will describe the specific aspects of the research problem that are addressed in the study and why the specific focus was chosen. SD1

135 What sample, data, interpretive schemes do you plan to include? 200 words 12 pt Times New Roman (Here you will define the boundaries of the study by identifying populations included. SD2)

136 Address potential transferability. 100 words 12 pt Times New Roman SD3

Delimitations

(These are the boundaries of your study. As the scope describes what will be taken into account, the delimitations describe what is of necessity or choice not going to be taken into account.)

137 Who or what will be left out and why? 300 words 12 pt Times New Roman (Here you will define the boundaries of the study by identifying populations excluded and theories/conceptual frameworks most related to the area of this study that were not investigated. SD2)

Limitations

138 What are the weaknesses or gaps in your study? 200 words 12 pt Times New Roman [Here you will describe the limitations of the study related to design and/or methodological weaknesses (including issues related to limitations of transferability and dependability.) L1]

139 Describe any biases that could influence this study’s outcomes and how they are to be addressed. 200 words 12 pt Times New Roman L2

140 Which steps do you plan to take to reduce the impact of a limitation(s)? 200 words 12 pt Times New Roman (Here you are describing any reasonable measures to address the imitations. L3)

141 What will your study not do that could legitimately be done? 200 words 12 pt Times New Roman

142 What are the inherent problems in your choice of selection processes or research methodology? 200 words 12 pt Times New Roman

Significance of the Study

143 How will your study add to or fill in a gap in the present literature about your topic? 200 words 12 pt Times New Roman (Here you will identify potential contributions of the study that advance knowledge in the discipline. This is an elaboration of what the problem addresses and the filling of the gap. SG1)

144 How will your profession benefit? 200 words 12 pr Times New Roman (Here you will identify potential contributions of the study that advance practice and/or policy. SG2)

145 What kind of impact can your study make beyond your professional world to the larger world in relation to Social Change? 300 words 12 pt Times New Roman (Here you will describe the potential implications for positive social change that are consistent with and bounded by the scope of the study. SG3)

Summary and Transition

146 Summarize again the key points of the first chapter, especially as they revolve around the research questions. 200 words 12 pt Times New Roman (Here you will summarize the main points of the chapter. SU1)

147 Point ahead to what is coming in the rest of the chapters. 100 words 12 pt Times New Roman (Here you will provide a transition to Chapter 2 SU2)

References for Chapter One