Table of ContentsCHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION ??IntroductionBackgroundProblem StatementPurpose of the StudyResearch Questions and HypothesesTheoretical and/or Conceptual Framework for the StudyNature of th

Table of ContentsCHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION ??IntroductionBackgroundProblem StatementPurpose of the StudyResearch Questions and HypothesesTheoretical and/or Conceptual Framework for the StudyNature of the StudyDefinitionAssumptionsScope and DelimitationsLimitationsSignificanceSummary(Note: These entries are not connected to the text via the “Index and Tables” feature ofMicrosoft Word. They are listed as format examples.)CHAPTER 2. LITERATURE REVIEW ??IntroductionLiterature Search StrategyTheoretical FoundationConceptual FrameworkLiterature Review Related to Key Variables and/or ConceptsSummary and ConclusionsCHAPTER 3. METHODOLOGY ??IntroductionResearch DesignMethodologyThreats to ValiditySummaryREFERENCES ??1CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION(Use these headings as needed and as directed by your Dissertation Chair. Notethat bold heading styles reflect changes in the sixth edition of the APA 7th Ed.Publication Manual.)Introduction to the Problem1. Describe the topic of the study, why the study needs to be conducted, andthe potential positive social change implications of the study2. Preview major sections of the chapterBackground of the Study1. Briefly summarize research literature related to the scope of the studytopic2. Describe a gap in knowledge in the discipline in the study will address3. End the section on why the study is neededProblem Statement1. State the research problem2. Summarize evidence of consensus that the problem is current, relevant,and significant to the discipline3. Frame the problem in a way that builds upon or counters previous researchfindings focusing primarily on research conducted in the last five years4. Address a meaningful gap in the current research literaturePurpose of the Study2Provide a concise statement that serves as the connection between the problem beingaddressed and the focus of the study. The purpose contains:1. State the research problem2. Summarize evidence of consensus that the problem is current, relevant,and significant to the discipline3. Frame the problem in a way that builds upon or counters previous researchfindings focusing primarily on research conducted in the last five years4. Address a meaningful gap in the current research literatureResearch Questions and Hypotheses1. State the research questions.2. State the null and alternative hypotheses that identify the independent anddependent variables being studied, the association being tested, and howthe variables are being measured.Theoretical and/or Conceptual Framework for the StudyStudies must include either a theoretical foundation or a conceptual frameworksection or both.Theoretical Foundation1. Identify the theory or theories and provide the origin or source.2. State concisely the major theoretical propositions and/or major hypotheseswith a reference to a more detailed explanation in chapter 2.3. Explain how the theory relates to the study approach and researchquestions.Conceptual Framework3This applies to some epidemiological studies (as well as to some otherquantitative studies).1. Identify and define the concept and/or phenomenon that grounds thestudy. Concisely describe the conceptual framework (a descriptionof the body of research that supports the need for the study) as derivedfrom the literature with a more detailed analysis in chapter 2.2. State the logical connections among key elements of the framework with areference to a more thorough explanation in chapter 2.3. State how the framework relates to the study approach and key researchquestions, as well as to instrument development and data analysis, whereappropriate.Nature of the Study1. Provide a concise rationale for the selection of the design and/ or tradition.2. Briefly describe the key study variables (independent, dependent, andcovariates).3. Briefly summarize the methodology (from whom and how data arecollected and how data will be analyzed).Definitions1. Provide concise definitions of the independent variable, dependentvariable(s), and any covariates (with a more detailed analysis of coding,etc. described in chapter 3).2. Define terms used in the study that have multiple meanings (e.g.,socioeconomic status, educator, health service professional, etc.). Do not4include common terms or terms that can easily be looked up in adictionary.3. Include citations that identify support in the professional literature for thedefinition or operational definition.Assumptions1. Clarify aspects of the study that are believed but cannot be demonstratedto be true. Only include assumptions critical to the meaningfulness of thestudy.2. Describe the reasons why the assumption(s) was (were) necessary in thecontext of the study.Scope and Delimitations1. Describe specific aspects of the research problem that are addressed in thestudy and why the specific focus was chosen (issue of internal validity).2. Define the boundaries of the study by identifying populations included andexcluded and theories and/or conceptual frameworks most related to thearea of study that was not investigated (this is an issue of externalvalidity).3. Address potential generalizability.Limitations1. Describe limitations of the study related to design and/or methodologicalweaknesses (including issues related to limitations of internal and externalvalidity, construct validity, and confounder variables).