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Walden capstone writing collaborative: introduction to writing the phd dissertation, introduction to writing the phd dissertation.

The Walden University Dissertation Guidebook presents a description of the requirements of the PhD dissertation as well as the expectations for content, methods, and social change implications.  This document contains an emphasis on student work that “embraces and reflects the mission and core values of the university” (p. 1).  Reviewing this material should be one of the first steps in beginning the dissertation writing process.

Next, as students begin preparing to write, they should review the materials related to the PhD dissertation document and process, provided on the Office of Research and Doctoral Services website .  This page contains resources for writing the premise, prospectus, and the minimum standards rubrics for each method. In addition, students should download the appropriate template from the Writing Center’s Form and Style PhD Templates page .

To introduce students to writing a PhD dissertation capstone, here is a description of the main goals and outcomes associated with this process and document:

The goal is to address a specific, defined problem AND to fill an identified gap in the research

  • Work on the dissertation begins with identifying a subject area and becoming familiar with the research in that area, both broad and specific work from previous researchers.
  • The PhD dissertation involves identifying a problem that the student will address in the document.
  • Different from the problem, but equally as important, is the gap in the literature.  Students need to demonstrate that there has not already been research that sufficiently addresses the defined problem.

The PhD dissertation demonstrates a grounding in related literature and research in field

  • Another goal of the PhD dissertation is to demonstrate knowledge and expertise in the subject areas covered in the literature review.
  • This is why the literature is lengthy and exhaustive; it is the student’s demonstration that he/she is an expert in these areas and is familiar with all previous relevant research, and that the student can convey this expertise through writing.

The PhD Dissertation is built on basic or applied research

  • When earning a PhD, students are expected to conduct their own, original research. 
  • This can be qualitative or quantitative data collected from human participants or archives or secondary analyses of existing data.  The point is that the student is executing a research study.
  • The student demonstrates knowledge and expertise in the identified research design and interpretation of results.
  • The dissertation demonstrates that the student can convey this expertise through writing.

The document makes a significant contribution (to addressing the problem at the gap) as well as advancing research

  • After identifying the problem and the gap, one of the goals of the PhD Dissertation is to contribute to the scholarship in that area.  The results should make a significant contribution to the student’s chosen area of focus.

The document advances social change

  • A final, Walden-specific and important outcome of the PhD Dissertation is that the study and results also make a significant contribution to social change.  Students need to describe who may benefit from the findings of the study and how they may benefit.
  • Previous Page: Getting Started on the Proposal Writing Process
  • Next Page: Introduction to Writing the DBA Doctoral Study
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COMMENTS

  1. Capstone Documents

    WEBDissertation Development and Evaluation. Dissertation Guidebook (PDF) 09/27/2021. Dissertation Checklists. Qualitative Checklist (Word) 09.12.2023. Quantitative Checklist (Word) 07.10.2023. Mixed Methods Checklist (Word) 07.10.2023. Dissertation Rubrics. ... Walden University is certified to operate by SCHEV

  2. Capstone Documents

    Dissertation Development and Evaluation. Dissertation Guidebook (PDF) 09/27/2021. Dissertation Checklists. Qualitative Checklist (Word) 09.12.2023. Quantitative Checklist (Word) 07.10.2023. Mixed Methods Checklist (Word) 07.10.2023. Dissertation Rubrics. ... Walden University is certified to operate by SCHEV

  3. What Are the Steps to the Dissertation Process?

    The Dissertation Guidebook is one of the essential navigation tools Walden provides to its doctoral candidates. A vital portion of the document details the 15 required steps that take a dissertation from start to finish. Read along with Walden students to learn more about that process: Premise. The dissertation premise is a short document that ...

  4. Introduction to Writing the PhD Dissertation

    The Walden University Dissertation Guidebook presents a description of the requirements of the PhD dissertation as well as the expectations for content, methods, and social change implications. This document contains an emphasis on student work that "embraces and reflects the mission and core values of the university" (p. 1).

  5. How do I write my PhD dissertation?

    Before you begin to write your study sections, review the information provided on the Form and Style Introduction to Writing the PhD Doctoral Study page. Students can also visit the Form and Style page for PhD students and download the DBA doctoral study template and instructions. Working in this template will ensure that you meet all ...

  6. Writing Your Dissertation? A Few Things to Know About APA 7

    Walden's Writing Center offers comprehensive resources to help dissertation writers learn about this latest edition. "As stated on page 3 of the seventh edition manual, 'Research is only complete when scholars share their results or findings with the scientific community.'. The APA seventh edition manual, along with resources from the ...

  7. PDF Research Questions and Hypotheses Checklist

    Use the following criteria to evaluate an author's research questions and/or hypotheses. Look for indications of the following: • Is the research question(s) a logical extension of the purpose of the study? • Does the research question(s) reflect the best question to address the problem? • Does the research question(s) align with the ...

  8. PDF Problem Statement Checklist

    Problem Statement Checklist. Use the following criteria to evaluate an author's problem statement: • Is a problem identified that leads to the need for this study? • Is a rationale or justification for the problem clearly stated? • Is the problem framed in a way that is consistent with the research approach? • Does the statement ...

  9. Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

    African American Students' Perceptions of Academic Advising Support Services at a California University, Yolanda Marie Anglin. PDF. Teachers' Self-Efficacy When Instructing Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders in Inclusive Classrooms, Maysoon Atra. PDF

  10. Where can I find an overview of the dissertation process?

    There are many stages to the doctoral capstone or project process. You can find an overview (and more) of all of them using the Doctoral Research Coach —an interactive, virtual tool that you can use to stay on track, plan, and complete your doctoral capstone or project. All Walden doctoral students have access into the Coach tool.

  11. What Is the Process for Completing a Dissertation ...

    Step Two: Recruit an Adviser and Capstone Committee. To earn your doctoral degree, a PhD or professional doctorate committee must sign off on your dissertation or doctoral study. In many instances, you will be paired up with a faculty member in your program who will act as your advisor and as your capstone committee chairperson.

  12. Where can I find rubrics for my Capstone ...

    On the Office of Research and Doctoral Services's Doctoral Capstone and Project Resources page you can find rubrics and other documents related to the capstone process. Choose your program from the left column menu for a page with links to rubrics, guidebooks, planning worksheets, and other documents.

  13. Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

    Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies . This collection is comprised of final capstone projects researched and written by Walden doctoral students. Follow. 2024 PDF. Quality Improvement Methods in Health Care for Reducing Patient Wait Times, Karen Denise Brown. PDF.

  14. Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection

    Browse the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection : Doctor of Healthcare Administration Integrative Review Capstones. Frank Dilley Award for Outstanding Doctoral Study. Harold L. Hodgkinson Award for Outstanding Dissertation. School of Public Policy and Administration (SPPA) Dissertation Award.

  15. How do I find Walden PhD dissertations?

    How do I find dissertations on a topic? How do I find dissertations or capstones by chair or committee member? How do I find dissertations or capstones by author? Where can I find Walden award-winning dissertations? Go to the Doctoral Capstone Resources: PhD . Do you have other questions about finding Walden Ph.D. dissertations? Ask a Librarian!

  16. Five Things You May Not Know About Walden's Dissertation Process

    Walden University's online PhD and doctoral degree students prepare their dissertation or doctoral study following time-tested procedures outlined in Walden's Dissertation Guidebook, with comprehensive guidance and support from faculty and advisors.. There's lots to learn about writing your research paper—from developing the premise to final approval—so we thought we'd share these ...

  17. Walden Qualitative Checklist: Research Design and Rationale

    The Walden Qualitative Dissertation Checklist requires you to provide a rationale for your selected research approach and research design in Chapter 3. First, let's separate between research approach and research design. Research approach is broad and corresponds to the type of data you will be collecting. There are three specific approaches ...

  18. How do I find completed Ph.D. dissertations for ...

    Department - DEP. Second search box: Ph.D. To the right of that, click on the Anywhere except full text — NOFT drop-down menu and change it to: Degree - DEG. Click on the search icon. You will need to look through the results to make sure the dissertation is for the degree program you need. The search can help make your results more ...

  19. Choosing a Dissertation Topic? Ask These 4 Questions.

    Question 3: Is your dissertation proposal original? Your doctoral dissertation must make a truly original contribution to the field, either by creating a new point of view or generating data. For research-based doctorates (PhD degrees, such as a PhD in Management or PhD in Health Services), your dissertation topic must reflect a meaningful gap ...