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Adequacy of the Dissertation
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SAN BERNARDINO
Ed.D. in Educational Leadership
Name:______________________________
Please attach this document to form L. Report of the Dissertation Defense
QUALITY INDICATORS DISSERTATION |
5 Approved with Commendation, Exceptional Level of Scholarship
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4 Approved as Written, All Critical Elements Present
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3 Approved with Minor Revisions
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2 Revise and Resubmit, one or more Elements Lack Quality
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1 Revise and Resubmit, one or more Elements Missing
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Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study: Statement of the Problem (Overall Focus/Purpose) _____________
Quality Indicator
1. How research topic was developed is explained.
2. Importance of the research question addressed.
3. Novelty/creativity/originality is evident in framing the question.
4. Objective(s) of the study clearly stated.
5. Question/problem is situated in context in which it is to be studied.
6. Significance of potential contribution to literature is plausibly argued.
7. Significance of potential contribution to schools or student achievement established.
8. Linkage between question/problem and method chosen is justified
Chapter 2: Review of Background Literature _____________
Quality Indicator
Research is clearly placed in a research tradition.
1. Research is clearly placed in a research tradition.
2. The appropriateness/adequacy of literature reviewed is considered.
3. Clear links are made between theory and the problem as posed.
4. Previous research relevant to the research question is critically evaluated.
5. Problems or gaps in existing literature which this study will address are clearly identified.
6. Review of current relevant research is extensive and in depth.
7. The literature review is organized into a coherent and logical argument.
8. The literature review establishes a convincing basis for the proposed study.
9. “Stage is set” for the hypothesis(s) and/or the use of the literature within which the study is
grounded.
Chapter 3: Design of study and methodology for research using inferential statistics and
quantitative methods _____________
Quality Indicator
1. Overall study design is appropriate for research question(s) posed.
2. Research design is linked to the background literature.
3. Research design and methodology is clearly presented and explained.
4. Independent/dependent variables/other analytical approaches are relevant to research questions.
5. Relevant ethical issues are clearly identified and addressed.
6. Consideration of critical variables is adequate in scope.
7. Method of sampling is clearly described.
8. Instrumentation, equipment, materials and measurements used are well-chosen and adequate to the task.
9. Choice of methods of analysis are soundly justified.
10. Psychometric properties/operational concepts are defined (as appropriate)
11. Description of the research design and method is complete.
Chapter 3: Design of study and methodology for research using qualitative methods. _____________
Quality Indicator
1. Overall study design is appropriate for research question(s) posed.
2. Research paradigm and research tradition is adequately explained and justified.
3. Clear description of the researcher as a “credible witness”.
4. Research design is linked to background literature.
5. Research design and methodology are clearly presented and explained.
6. Triangulation issues, where appropriate, are addressed.
7. Data collection methods are clearly described.
8. The criteria/process for selecting participants is appropriate and clearly explained.
9. The role of the researcher in relation to participants is examined and explicated.
10. Relevant ethical issues are clearly identified and addressed.
11. The process of analyzing and generating meaning from the data is clearly explained.
12. The process for keeping track of emerging understandings is described in detail.
Chapter 4: Presentation of findings from quantitative research study. _____________
Quality Indicator
1. Quantification efforts are adequate.
2. Data is clearly, logically and economically presented and explained.
3. Variations from the study as proposed are explained and justified.
4. Data presented is linked logically to the research question(s).
5. Data as presented advances an argument which is clearly laid out.
Chapter 4: Presentation of findings from qualitative research study. _____________
Quality Indicator
1. Data is handled with appropriate concern for accuracy and methodological rigor.
2. Data is clearly, logically and economically presented and explained.
3. Meanings generated are justified by the data.
4. Where appropriate, the researcher is established as a “credible witness.”
5. Variations from the study as proposed are explained and justified.
6. Data presented are linked logically to the research question(s).
7. Data as presented advances an argument which is clearly laid out.
Chapter 5: Conclusions and Recommendations _____________
Quality Indicator
1. The chapter begins with a brief overview of how and why the study was done, reviewing the questions or issues addressed and a summary of the findings.
2. The interpretation of findings includes conclusions that address all the research questions or hypotheses with references to outcomes listed in Chapter 4..
3. The argument of what has been established from the data is well-considered, justifiable, and presented in an appropriate tone.
4. Generalizations, where indicated, are confined to the population from which the sample was drawn.
5. Limitations of what can be claimed from the study are acknowledged and adequately considered.
6. The study makes an original contribution to a field of knowledge and explains how it is original.
7. Directions for future research are clearly explained.
OVERALL PRESENTATION: STYLE AND FORMAT
The dissertation must conform to guidelines for style as set forth in the most recent edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA Manual). This includes, but is not limited to:
The writing:
Is scholarly (the language is accurate, balanced, specific rather than overly general, tentative regarding
