DPLS 728sp07 - Literature Review

DPLS 728 - DISSERTATION LITERATURE REVIEW and CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
Spring 2007 3 Credits

Last revision 2 April 2007 (Change in dates for final submission of draft petition to April 13 and comments using track changes on the submission of a classmate by April 20)
Professor: James Beebe

Friday: 6 p.m.- 10 p.m.
Room: RC 214
Dates: Jan. 12, 19; Feb. 2, 16; Mar. 2, 9, 30; Apr. 13

Office: 250
Office Phone: 323 3484
Home Phone: 456 2571
Office hours: 4:30 to 5:30 on class nights and by appointment
E-mail: beebe@gonzaga.edu

COURSE OBJECTIVES

This course is designed to provide a structure for writing the Literature Review of the Dissertation. Students are expected to have identified the general topic for the dissertation and to be familiar with some of the important literature in their field prior to starting the course. Ideally students should have a draft of their literature review by the end of the term. At a minimum students are expected to complete several sections of the their literature review, usually a minimum of 10 pages, and to have an outline for the remaining sections. Since students enrolled in this course at various places in the literature review process, each student's course specific objectives will be identified in a student contract.

LEARNING ACTIVITIES

This class will be conducted in whole group, small, group, e-mail, and individual conferencing format.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

You will be expected to:

1. Create a personalized contract for the course and complete it.

2. Participate in required course meetings and communicate with the instructor and classmates.

3. Describe the role and function of the literature review in research.

4. Describe the role and function of the conceptual framework in research.

5. Identify and locate the research needed for your study's purpose (use of advanced library skills).

6. Develop an appropriate structure for organizing your literature review.

7. Demonstrate an appropriate academic style of writing.

8. Create a data based and reference list (EndNote strongly recommended).

9. Format your literature review using APA and the Department guidelines (Use of the dissertation template is very strongly recommended).

10. Identify personal habits and emotions that accompany the writing process.

TEXTS FOR THE COURSE

American Psychological Association. (2001). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (5th ed.). Washington, DC: APA.

Galvan, J. L. (2006). Writing literature reviews: A guide for students of the social and behavioral sciences (3nd ed.) Los Angeles: Pyrczak.

Locke, L., Spirduso, W. & Silverman, S. J. (2000). Proposals that work: A guide for planning dissertations and grant proposals. (4th ed.). Newbury Park, CA: Sage

Pellegrino, V. C. (1987). A writer's guide to transitional words and expressions. Wailuku, HI: Maui Arthoughts.

Rudestam, K. E. & Newton, R. R. (2001). Surviving your dissertation: A comprehensive guide to content and process. (2nd ed.) Newbury Park, CA: Sage

Available online

Doctoral Program in Leadership Studies (2006). But I've never written a dissertation before: A user-friendly guide for the preparation of the dissertation proposal and dissertation. Spokane, WA: Doctoral Program in Leadership Studies, Gonzaga University. (The Blue Book)

Doctoral Program in Leadership Studies (2006). Guide to Style and Mechanics. Spokane, WA: Doctoral Program in Leadership Studies, Gonzaga University. (The Red Book)

DRAFT (handout) Guide for the use of the template

OPTIONAL (BUT STRONGLY RECOMMENDED)

Becker, H. (1986). Writing for social scientists: How to start and finish your thesis, book, or article. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Perrin, R. (2007). Pocket guide to APA style (2nd ed.). Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

Anafara, V. A. & Mertz, N. T. (Eds.). (2006) Theoretical frameworks in qualitative research. Thousand Oaks: Sage 

Any easy to use book on MSWord. Two I have found useful are Teach Yourself Visually Microsoft Word (Wiley) and Easy Microsoft Office Word (Que).

ASSESSMENT AND GRADING

Grading for this course will be satisfactory or unsatisfactory. As is true in all doctoral work, it is expected that your work will reflect the highest quality in both goals sought and means used to achieve those ends.

PRIOR TO THE FIRST SESSION

1. Post to Blackboard at least one statement on your dissertation topic that begins: "The purpose of my study is to"
(your posting should be a new thread--revisions will be a reply to your posting. Comments on others topic will be replies to their posting)
2. Locate at least one dissertation that could serve as a model for your dissertation. Ideally it will have to do with your topics but it does not have to. Begin with the Doctoral Program List of Dissertation Titles (link from the Doctoral Home Page. Search for dissertations at other universities using the link from the Doctoral Program Dissertation Titles page.) NEW Post to Blackboard at least one dissertation title using correct APA format for dissertations.
3. NEW Check out Dr. Sunil Kumar's power point presentation, About Your Dissertation.  Explicit reference of the relationships of the literature review and the conceptual framework to the rest of the dissertation. NOTE, note everything applies to dissertations at Gonzaga!
4. NEW Reading Chris M. Golde's web site, Some Thoughts on Dissertation Proposal Writing NOTE, note everythingExplicitExplicit applies to dissertations at Gonzaga!
5. Reading assignment. Galvan (2004), pp. 1-116, look at Model Reviews
6. Reading assignment. Locke, Spirduso, & Silverman (2000) pp. 68 (top) - 74 (mid), and 76-77
7. Reading assignment. Rudestam and Newton (2001) stating a topic pp. 9-21, review of the literature pp. 55-73, using a computer 223-253
8. Check out the Dead Thesis Society http://http-server.carleton.ca/~felgar/dts/ or http://deadthesissociety.org/ ; the All But the Dissertation Survival Guide (a site provided by a for profit that does coaching) http://www.abdsurvivalguide.com/ and the PhinisheD page (see especially the Phorum, the focus of PhinisheD activity and the place for exchanging ideas, information, helpful tips, and advice with your fellow thesis and dissertation travelers) http://www.phinished.org/
9. Optional: Interesting example of Literature Review from Roberta-Anne Kerlin's dissertation. "Toward a Theory of Women's Doctoral Persistence" @: http://kerlins.net/bobbi/research/diss/ch02.html Note, APA calls for discussion of previous scholarship to be reported in the past tense.
10. Optional: Starting the dissertation:  Experts offer tips on picking a topic, conducting a literature review, and narrowing your focus.  From the American Psychological Association http://gradpsych.apags.org/jan05/starting.html

CLASS SESSIONS

Session 1: Jan. 12, Friday 6 pm - 10 PM, Intro, Purpose Statements, Blue Book, Red Book, Template (White Book), MS Word

1. Introduction to course requirements, course contracts, and review of literature of others

2. Be prepared to make a 5 minutes or less presentation on your topic and where you are in your literature review.

3. Be prepared to discuss and initiate your learning contract.

The Learning Contract consists of:

1. Learning goals for the course: (What do you want to accomplish?)

2. Listing the steps you see you think necessary to reach your goals, and an initial timeline for completion of each step.

3. Structuring your life to implement this plan?

4. Expressing support you would like to receive from:

a. Course instructor
b. Fellow classmates
c. Advisor

5. What would make this course successful for you?

6. Your goals should either include the following items or alternative items that would be more useful to you.

Identification of one or two dissertations that might serve as models for your dissertation
A minimum of three pages of Chapter I, including the purpose of your study, research questions, and your interest in the topic
A minimum of ten pages of Chapter II, literature review in correct format, with a table of contents.
Reference list covering all of the items included in the ten pages
Outline of the other topics that are needed for Chapter II.
A minimum of three pages that describe your methodology

4. Demonstration of the dissertation template, with special attention to tables of contents, tables of tables, tables of figures, and use of headers.

5. Discussion of the Blue, Red, (online and available from the Department) and White (draft to be distributed in class) books.

6. Introduction to MS Word short cuts. Discussion on why you need a book on MSWord.

Assignment for next class: (a) post contract to blackboard, (b) revise purpose statement, bring copies for everyone to class, and post to blackboard, NEW post revised purpose statement to Blackboard as a REPLY to your original postings, (c) download the template, remove the front pages but keep the title page and the table of contents, insert your purpose statement to Chapter I using the Copy and the Paste Special, unformatted text command, NEW post document with your purpose statement to Blackboard as an attachment, (d) consider how you will build a support system for yourself, possibility of a buddy, joining a listserve, etc. (e) Read Rudestam and Newton (2001) pp. 61-64 (f) Identify model dissertations and be prepared to bring one to the next class (g) Blue Book pp. 1-7, 18-46, 79 (h) Red Book ALL (i) Install EndNote. Excellent tutorial from University of Wollongong Library http://www-library.uow.edu.au/helptraining/tutorials/endnote/

Session 2: Jan 19, Friday 6 PM - 10 PM, Purpose Statements and Research Questions, Introduction to Chapter II, Locate dissertation, Advance Library skills, EndNote, introduction to style and content for Chapter II Prior to next session appointment with a reference librarian

1. Review of learning contracts.

2. Update dissertation topics. Where are you in defining/refining your topic?

3. How far have you moved from last session?

4. Review suggestions in Rudestam and Newton (2001, pp. 61-64). Be prepared to discuss.

5. Bring at least one dissertation to class; be prepared to share and discuss.

6. Discussion of Chapter II

7. Pay close attention to the correct format for references: the hanging indent, though all the examples in the APA manual use a regular paragraph indent.

• Take a look at: http://www.apastyle.org/elecref.html for information on electronic reference formats using APA. Also check out the links on the left side of this page to "APA Style Tips" and "FAQs"
• EndNotes.
• OPTIONAL (but strongly recommended) Perrin (2007) Pocket Guide as supplement to APA Manual
  

8. During class I will demonstrate the use of the the use of EndNote in conjunction with the template.

9. Field trip to the Library for session on advanced search techniques.

10. OPTIONAL Preparing Scholarly Reviews of the Literature: A Webtorial by Gregg Jackson, Adrianna Kezar, Maria Kozi and Nina de las Alas, The George Washington University. This web site is designed to teach you how to use research literature from the social sciences in a scholarly and professional manner. Some material out of date. Includes information on (a) Searching for Research Literature, (b) Assessing Individual Research Reports, and (c) Integrating Multiple Studies On A Given Topic. http://www.gwu.edu/~litrev/

Assignment for next class: (a) Prior to the next class make an appointment with a reference librarian (b) Identify at least three empirical studies relevant to your dissertation. NEW post to Blackboard between 3 and 7 references using correct APA formats. (c) Reread Galvan pp. 17-42 and 71-97 (d) Prepare 1 page ONLY of a reference list, print copies for everyone in class. (To print individual pages from the dissertation template use the File, Print, Pages command Type p page number s section number. For example, to print pages 5 through 7 in section 3, type p5s3-p7s3.NEW  OPTIONAL, add reference list to your file and Post to Blackboard as part of your proposal. (e) Identify the main sections of your literature review (relate to your research questions) and NEW bring copies for everyone in the class.

Session 3: Feb 2, Friday 6 pm - 10 PM, Beginning the literature review with 3 empirical studies, Complete 1 page reference list, Expanding purpose statement to 3-5 pages of Chapter I Introduction, Note taking, Data base

1. Discussion of writing up Chapter II. Thinking about a narrative for the Literature Review. Be prepared to report on purpose, research questions, and main sections of literature review. Summarize what you learned from the empirical studies into at two or three statements and be prepared to share.

2. Discussion of Chapter I, what is required for the petition for 730

3. Peer editing of the reference list.

4. Discussion of note taking (demonstration of scanning pen), creating of systems for keeping track of what you have found.

5. Discussion on security and saving dissertation drafts.

Assignment for next class (a) expand your purpose statement as part of Chapter I to 3-5 pages, add research questions and your interest in the topic, see Blue Book for topics for Chapter I, NEW add to your file and post to Blackboard.  (b) prepare rough first draft of 3-5 pages of Chapter II based on the 3 empirical studies and other materials. This does not have to be the first 3 to 5 pages of the Chapter. Print out and bring copies for everyone in class. (c) Revise and expand your reference list (d) Identify 10 additional references NEW POST to Blackboard, try to make sure you have a book, a chapter in a book, a dissertation, a journal article, and an online source. (e) Reread Galvan (2004) pp. 33-62.

Session 4: Feb 16, Friday 6 PM - 10 PM, Section of Chapter II using at least 3 empirical studies, 3-5 pages of chapter III Methodology Research/library strategies revisited, Use of computers, Downloading references

1. Discussion and peer editing of the 3 to 5 pages of the literature review.

2. Discussion of Chapter III

3. Discussion on keeping up with new research on your topic.

4. Demonstration on the use of EndNote to download journal and book references.

Assignment for next class (a) Reread Galvan (2004), pp. 99-110. Read Locke, Spirduso, & Silverman (2000) 119-129, read Rudestam & Newton. (2001) pp.229-237. (b) Optional (but strongly recommended), read Backer (1986) pp. vii-167.(c) Revised your 3 to 5 pages and expand to about 10 pages with a minimum of 6 empiricala journal studies. Pay close attention to style, flow, and details. Review your draft against the contents of Red Book, Post to Blackboard and bring hard copies to class.

Session 5: Mar 2, Friday 6 PM - 10 PM, Working on style, flow, and details, Introduction to Conceptual Frameworks

NEW The terms onceptual frameworks and theoretical frameworks are often use to describe the same thing.  There is not agreement on what they are, how to prepare them, or where they fit in a dissertation.  Flexibility is needed!

Antonio and Gumport (2001) discussed conceptual frameworks in their syllabus for Introduction to Research Design: Educational Administration and Policy Analysis, Stanford University. www.stanford.edu/~gumport/courses/ED423aSyllabus2001_02.pdf.

• identifies the relevant concepts and theoretical perspectives
• makes explicit the proposed linkages between concepts (e.g.,. correlational, causal) and justifies those proposed linkages using knowledge from prior research or practice
• shows the connection between the research question and data.

Dissertation Guidelines, Oregon Health and Science University, School of Nursing (2004) identified a review of the literature and a conceptual/theoretical framework as parts of Chapter II. www.ohsu.edu/son/policyandprocedures/policy/20-04.11d.pdf

Review of the Literature
This section should begin with an introduction that outlines what literature is going to be reviewed. A comprehensive review and critical analysis of the pertinent literature, including recent as well as classic works, should be included. The primary research relevant to the study should be critiqued. The review of literature should build a logical framework for the research, justify the study by conceptualizing gaps in the literature, and demonstrate how the study will contribute to knowledge development. A summary which briefly synthesizes the review should complete this section.
Conceptual/Theoretical Framework
This portion of the dissertation provides the conceptual link between the problem, the literature, and the methods selected. A conceptual framework may be an elaborate statement of the relationship between several concepts and/or theories, or more simply, a statement of the relationships between the known facts and concepts surrounding the problem area. When appropriate, a drawing of the model is included, showing the relationships between concepts or variables to be studied. This section ends with the statement of the assumptions of the study, the hypotheses to be tested or research questions to be addressed, and perhaps the operational definitions of the variables or terms to be used in the study.

NEW REQUIRED READING Anfara & Mertz, 2006, pp xiii-xxix (Available as a Blackboard Course Document and on reserve at Foley) RECOMMENDED, the entire book.

NEW REQUIRED READING Devon Jensen, University of Calgary, Graduate Division of Educational Research, Qualitative Research Proposal Framework (See the section on Review of Literature) http://www.ucalgary.ca/~distdoc/index/documents/qualitative_proposal_guide.pdf

1. Be prepared to make short reports on your Chapter I and III.

2. Peer editing of your revised 10 pages.

REVISED Assignment for March 9  (a) Read Anfara & Mertz, 2006, pp xiii-xxix (Available as a Blackboard Course Document and on reserve at Foley). This is the Introduction to the book. (b) Identify a conceptual framework from an existing study, likely a dissertation, and make one copy. (c) Have 4 to 10 pages of chapter II ready for in-class editing.  Bring 2 to 3 copies. (d) Be prepared to report on a possible conceptual framework for your study. OPTIONAL Draft one or two pages of a conceptual framework and add to your draft. OPTIONAL Bring copies to class

Session 6: Mar 9, Friday 6 PM - 10 PM, 2 pages of conceptual framework, strategies for strengthening and expanding Chapter II

1. Identification of and discussion of conceptual frameworks from other studies.

2.  Report on possible conceptual frameworks for your study.

3. Peer editing of 4 - 6 pages of Chapter II.

Assignment for next class (a) Petition for DPLS 730 including about 5 pages of Chapter I, a minimum of 10 pages of Chapter II (with outline of the rest of the chapter in the form of headers), a minimum of about 5 pages of Chapter III, Reference List. Post to Blackboard and bring copies for everyone in class. (b) Fill in and post to Blackboard the timeline on pages 80-81 of Blue Book. (c) Post a sentence or two on where you are relative to your contract for the course NEW as a REPLY to your contract. (d) Photocopy and fill in Self-Editing Checklist pp. 111-115.

Session 7: Mar 30, Friday 6 PM - 10 PM, Last class session. Potluck, Review of draft petitions for 730.

Class will be at my house. Pot Luck. 1249 S. Wall Street. South Hill. Home phone 456-2571. Best direction, south on Monroe to 14th. Turn left for one block. Turn left on Wall St. Very short block. House is gray with almond trim, hedges, and metal gates. Anyone needing transportation, please contact the instructor.

1. Peer editing of petitions.

2. Discussion of next steps.

REVISED FINAL ASSIGNMENT Post to Blackboard draft petition by April 13 and comments using track changes on the submission of a classmate by April 20