Definition of a Dissertation
The dissertation is generally considered to be the most important requirement for the doctor of philosophy degree. You are expected, with the help and eventual approval of your major professor, to select an appropriate topic to satisfy the requirements for the dissertation. Although registrations for dissertation credits typically occur at or near the end of completion of the course requirements, you are encouraged to learn about the dissertation process as early as possible, and to begin talking with faculty about potential research topics early in the program. It is your responsibility to learn about the process.
The dissertation is an original, rigorous research work carried out independently by the doctoral student. The research work advances knowledge, improves professional practice or contributes to understanding in the field of study. Dissertation work is presented in a logical and understandable fashion.
Originality means that the work has not been done previously in the same way. Independence means that the research is conceived, performed, and documented primarily by the doctoral student. To be rigorous, the research presents precise distinctions among facts, implications, and suppositions. Rigor is achieved by using demonstrable facts when reporting procedures and results, by building on a foundation of facts when drawing conclusions, by specifying links to facts when inferring implications, by always bringing forward all relevant data, and by being both self-critical and logical in reporting.
The dissertation process requires such abilities as information gathering, problem identification, investigation and analysis, effective documentation, planning, and management
Research is the diligent and systematic inquiry into a subject undertaken to discover, establish, or revise facts or theories, or reach new conclusions. The research method employed is dependent on the nature of the inquiry. In some contexts the research method involves a special type of controlled experiment. However, in other contexts, different methods may be more appropriate. There is no generally accepted classification of types of doctoral-level research.
Research Plan
clearly formulate the research question
identify the significant problems in the field of research
outline the current knowledge of the problem domain, as well as the state of existing solutions
present clearly any preliminary ideas, the proposed approach and the results achieved to date
sketch the research methodology that will be applied
state your contributions to the problem solution
state in what aspects the suggested solution is different, new or better as compared to existing approaches to the problem
Form of Presentation: Length
Most dissertations are between 100 to 300 pages in length. All dissertations should be divided into appropriate sections, and long dissertations may need chapters, main divisions, and even subdivisions.
Every page in the dissertation has a number. For the preliminary pages (abstract, table of contents, list of tables, graphs, illustrations, and preface), use small Roman numerals (i, ii, iii, iv, v, ...). These may be placed either at the top or the bottom of the page.
Count the title page as page i and the copyright page as page ii, but do not print the page numbers on either of these two pages.
For the text, use Arabic numbers (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ...) starting with page one (the first page of the text itself). Page numbers can be centered at top or bottom, or placed in the upper right-hand corner. Page numbers should be at least half an inch from any edge of the paper. Every page must be consecutively numbered, including tables, graphs, illustrations, and bibliography/index (if they are included); letter suffixes (such as 10a, 10b, ...) are not allowed. It is customary not to have a page number at the top of a page containing a chapter heading.
The dissertation begins with a title page, which must be prepared in the form specified in Sample Title Page. The title should be as concise as possible, consistent with giving an accurate description of the dissertation. See below for a sample title page of a doctoral thesis.
Title
A dissertation presented by
full name, including middle name, of author
to
The [official name of the department, division, or committee under which was written] in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the subject of [ official name of subject]
The Theological University of America
Wilmington, NC 28405
Month and year of the submission of the completed dissertation to the department, division, or committee
The Copyright Act of 1976 provides for statutory copyright protection of a work from the moment it is tangibly fixed. To secure this protection, a copyright notice should be affixed on a separate page immediately following the title page. It should include the copyright symbol ©, the year in which copyright is established, and the full, legal name of the author. The notice should appear thus:
© [year- Author's Name]
All rights reserved.
Do not print a page number on the copyright page. It is understood to be page ii for counting purposes only.
An abstract, not to exceed 350 words, is required. It should immediately follow the copyright page, and should state the problem, describe the methods and procedures used, and give the main results or conclusions of the research. The abstract should appear in both bound copies. The abstract should be printed out on one side of the paper only, double-spaced, and typed or printed on the same high-quality paper used for the body of the dissertation. The author's name and the title of the dissertation, as well as the name of the major professor, should be included on the abstract page. The author's name should be right-justified, the title of the dissertation centered, and the major professor’s name left-justified at the top of the abstract page.
A table of contents listing at least the major headings should be prepared. If a contents listing is included, it should immediately follow the abstract. Other front matter may include: acknowledgments of help or encouragement from individuals or institutions; a dedication; a list of illustrations or of tables; a glossary of terms; one or more epigraphs—pertinent quotations at the beginning of a dissertation or a chapter. Back matter may consist of appendixes, a bibliography, and an index.
Margins
The thesis should be printed on one side of the page with margins of at least one inch at the top, bottom, and right-hand side, and 1 1/2" on the left-hand side. The extra half inch on the left is to accommodate the binding.
Spacing
The dissertation must be double-spaced throughout, except for quotations and footnotes. Footnotes and bibliographies may be single-spaced within each entry, but must be double-spaced between each entry. The table of contents, list of tables, list of figures, and lengthy tables may also be single-spaced.
Preparation of the Dissertation
Summary of Physical Requirements
Printing Methods—The dissertation must either be typed or printed onto a durable paper, 8 1/2" x 11" in size and of at least a 20-pound weight.
Typing—Double-spaced on one side of page; margins 1 1/2" on binding edge, one inch on three other edges; page number at least a half inch from any edge. Individual footnotes, bibliographic references, and long quotes may be single-spaced, but must be double-spaced between successive entries
Photographs and Line Drawings—Either 8 1/2" x 11", with adequate margins, bound as a separate page, or mounted on high-quality paper comparable to that used for text. The following processes are also acceptable: photo printing, scanning, color photocopying, and composite negative. Line drawings that are to be submitted in the original should use permanent (non-water soluble) black ink. Line drawings or photographs are best prepared on separate 8 1/2" x 11" sheets (of high-quality typing or photographic paper) with the required margins.
Colors—Use of colors in graphs, charts, or maps is to be avoided since they are not distinguishable in microfilm copies.
Mounting Adhesives - Most adhesives, such as paste, glue, and tape, are not acceptable. If absolutely necessary, Scotch Brand #568 dry-mounting adhesive, sold by the roll, may be used.
Binding - The dissertation must be bound according to standard specified by the Theological University of America.
Doctoral students take written and oral qualifying examinations upon the recommendation of the major professor. The examinations must be taken and passed before acquiring candidacy status. The qualifying examinations are designed to test the student’s knowledge in the major and minor fields and are administered under the direction of major professor.
Admission to Candidacy means you are eligible to start work on your dissertation. In order to be admitted to candidacy, two criteria must be met:
1.Successful completion of qualifying examinations.
2.Presentation of a two page prospectus to your committee.
Upon completion of your last examination, you must present to your committee a two-page prospectus of a dissertation idea you wish to pursue.
You will select a dissertation committee. Your dissertation committee will include a minimum of two faculty members, one of whom will be your major professor, and a ThD graduate of the Theological University of America currently serving as a minister of the Church of Christ. You will also arrange for one alternate professor and one ThD minister to serve on the dissertation committee in the event a current member cannot continue on the committee.
The selection of your committee members is a joint decision made by you and your major professor. Committee members are generally selected because of their research interests and expertise. Once you and your major professor have discussed your options, you are responsible for contacting the individual faculty members and ThD minister to see if they are willing to serve on your committee. After you have their consent, you should file copies of the Dissertation Committee Arrangements Form with the Theological University of America and with your major professor.
Your dissertation proposal is a document which you will share with your committee which explains what you want to do for your research, why you want to do it, and how you will do it.
The proposal is not the first three chapters of your dissertation and should not be written with that thought in mind.
The proposal is written in sections which represent future chapters. Sections typically are: Background Significance of the Study, Statement of Problem with accompanying research question and/or hypothesis; Procedures; Data Analysis. Most proposals are 30-40 pages in length. It is important to work closely with your major professor on specifics regarding your proposal.
When you and your major professor decide that you are ready to present your proposal to your committee, he will work with you to find a time for your proposal presentation. Schedule a two-hour block of time for presentation. You should assume the responsibility for finding a convenient time for your committee to meet.
When your committee has approved your proposal and has signed the Dissertation Proposal Approval Form, you should send the Dissertation Approval Form and a copy of your proposal to the Theological University of America. The filing of your Dissertation Proposal Approval Form will allow you to register for more dissertation hours.
After you have filed your Dissertation Proposal Approval Form and a copy of your proposal with the Theological University of America, you may register for the 699 course. When you are registered for the 699 course, you are expected to make continuous progress towards completion of your dissertation. Completion of the dissertation is expected within one and one-half years. If, however, that becomes impossible, you will seek permission to continue from your major professor on a semester basis until you have completed and defended your dissertation to your committee. How you, your major professor, and your committee work together during the dissertation process is a matter to be discussed and agreed upon during the proposal stage of your dissertation.
There are several steps within the defense procedure, and each one takes time. The defense is usually scheduled during the semester you intend to graduate. Therefore it is critical to plan each step so you will meet all deadlines, including filing the intent to graduate form.
Once you have completed the writing of your dissertation and feel that it is in its final form, submit copies of it to each of the members of your committee. After each faculty member and the ThD minister has read the dissertation, he must sign a copy of the Approval to Defend Dissertation Form. This form and the Defense Permission Form should be included with the copy of the dissertation given to the major professor at least two weeks prior to the defense.
Once it has been determined that you are ready to defend your dissertation to your committee, you must take the responsibility for organizing the time of your defense. The defense should be scheduled for a two-hour block of time.