>Insert Title Here<

FOR USE WITH QUALITATIVE METHODS

Please note that this is only a template. Relevant headings and subheadings should be
included or excluded (particularly with grounded theory approaches).

by
>Insert Name Here<

An Applied Dissertation Submitted to the

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education
in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
for the Degree of Doctor of Education

Nova Southeastern University

>Insert Year Here<
 Approval Page

This applied dissertation was submitted by >Insert Name< under the direction of the
persons listed below. It was submitted to the Abraham S. Fischler College of Education
and approved in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of
Education at Nova Southeastern University.

>Insert Name and Degree, e.g., Al Smith, EdD<

Committee Chair

>Insert Name and Degree<

Committee Member

Kimberly Durham, PsyD

Interim Dean

ii
 Statement of Original Work

I declare the following:

I have read the Code of Student Conduct and Academic Responsibility as described in the
Student Handbook of Nova Southeastern University. This applied dissertation represents
my original work, except where I have acknowledged the ideas, words, or material of
other authors.

Where another authors ideas have been presented in this applied dissertation, I have
acknowledged the authors ideas by citing them in the required style.

Where another authors words have been presented in this applied dissertation, I have
acknowledged the authors words by using appropriate quotation devices and citations in
the required style.

I have obtained permission from the author or publisherin accordance with the required
guidelinesto include any copyrighted material (e.g., tables, figures, survey instruments,
large portions of text) in this applied dissertation manuscript.

___________________________
Name >above the rule, type your name<

___________________________
Date >above the rule, type the current date, e.g., May 31, 2016<

iii
 Abstract

Xxxx xx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx xx Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx xxx xx Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxx. [the
first element is the applied dissertation title] Xxxxx Xxxxxxx [students name], 2016:
Applied Dissertation, Nova Southeastern University, Abraham S. Fischler College of
Education. Keywords: xxxxxxx, xxx xxxxxx, xxxx xxxxxxx, xxxxxx

The first paragraph must contain all of the elements shown in this sample. The applied
dissertation title, your name (surname last), and the year must be identical to the title,
name, and year on the title page.

Single-space within each paragraph, but double-space between paragraphs. Do not indent
the first lines of paragraphs. The narrative portion (i.e., after the informational first
paragraph) of the abstract should be 220-270 words. The abstract must not exceed one
page in length. See section 2.04 of the APA manual for content guidelines.

iv
 Table of Contents

Page
Chapter 1: Introduction........................................................................................................1
Xxxxxxxxxxx xx Xxxxxxxxx..................................................................................1
Xxxxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxx.........................................................................................2
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx.....................................................................................................4

Chapter 2: Literature Review...............................................................................................6

Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx...............................................................................................6

Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx.............................................................................................9
Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxx.............................................................................................11
Xxxxxxxxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx.............................................14

Chapter 3: Methodology....................................................................................................24
Xxxxxx...................................................................................................................24
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx.............................................................................................25
Xxxxxxxxxxx xx Xxxxxxxx..................................................................................27

Chapter 4: Findings............................................................................................................29
Xxxxxxxxxx xxx Xxxxxxxxx xx Xxxxxxxxx.......................................................29
Xxxxxxxxxxx xx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx................................................................39

Xxxxxx xx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx................................................................................. 43

Chapter 5: Discussion........................................................................................................46
Xxxxxxxx...............................................................................................................46
Xxxxxxxxxx...........................................................................................................50
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.................................................................................................54
Xxxxxxxx xx Xxxx................................................................................................57

References..........................................................................................................................59

Appendices
A Title in Initial Caps and Lower CaseBegin a Second Line Directly Below
the First Line...................................................................................................60
B Title in Initial Caps and Lower Case .............................................................62

Tables
1 Title in Initial Caps and Lower Case..............................................................10
2 Title in Initial Caps and Lower Case..............................................................48

Figure
Title in Initial Caps and Lower Case.....................................................................47

v
 1

Chapter 1: Introduction
Statement of the Problem
This should include (a) a clear statement that the problem exists, (b) evidence that

supports the existence of the problem, (c) evidence of an existing trend that has led to the

problem, (d) definitions of major concepts and terms (this can be provided below in a

subsection), (e) a clear description of the setting, (f) probable causes related to the

problem, and (g) a specific and feasibly statement. Specific subtopics may include the

following.
Phenomenon of interest. Discuss the phenomenon in general; set the literary

hook to draw the readers interest.

Background and justification. Provide evidence from the literature and

experience showing that the problem exists and the relevance (perceived justification for

studying the phenomenon). The phenomenon should be discussed within specific context

and include assumptions, biases, experience, intuitions, and perceptions related to the

belief that inquiry into the phenomenon is important. This section should also include the

background of the site and how the main research problem is experienced at that site.
Deficiencies in the evidence. Include a brief discussion that details the area of

need in relation to the problem and the deficiency or lack of evidence in the literature.
Audience. Discuss who is affected and who benefits from reading the

dissertation.
Definition of Terms
Provide complete scientific definitions and appropriate references if necessary.

Include as many terms or variables as needed.

Purpose of the Study
The purpose statement should provide a general statement regarding the overall

purpose of the study (see Creswell, 2008, for examples of qualitative purpose

statements). Key points to keep in mind when preparing a purpose statement are as

follows:
 2

1. Create a sentence that begins with The purpose of this study is . . .

2. Clearly identify and define the central concepts or ideas of the study.
3. Identify the central phenomenon to be explored.
4. Indicate the participants and research site.

Chapter 2: Literature Review

The literature review should contain the following elements and should be

distinguished through the use of APA level-2 or 3 headings: (a) an introduction to the

section; (b) a discussion of the theoretical perspective (theoretical lens) within which the

study will be grounded; (c) a historical context of the study; (d) a synthesis of the

findings in a state-of-knowledge summary in regard to the problem area, including

additional evidence as to the nature and the importance of the phenomenon; (e) an

identification of gaps and limitations of the literature; (f) a clear discussion of how

further research should extend, differ from, or replicate past studies; and (g) an

articulation of the unique contribution of the intended dissertation study.

Research Questions
The research questions are based on the problem or area of need and on the

research reviewed. The research questions should adhere to the following guidelines: (a)

formation of question or questions based on theory, previous research (i.e., the literature

review), and experience and (b) stated in the form of a question.

Central questionthe overarching question you explore in the research study
 3

Subquestionsdivides the central question into smaller, specific questions

Issue subquestionsnarrow the focus of the central question into specific issues

Chapter 3: Methodology
Aim of the Study
This section should include a brief description of the general aim of the study.
Qualitative Research Approach
Provide some background to the approach and why it is a good strategy for your

research. This section should include the following:

1. Identify the specific strategy of inquiry to be used with references (e.g.,

narrative, phenomenology, case study, ethnographic).

2. Provide some background information about the strategy (e.g., applications of

and brief definition for discipline origin).

3. Discuss the intended outcome from this type of strategy.
4. Discuss the source of this strategy.
5. Discuss why it is an appropriate strategy.
6. Identify how the use of this approach will shape the type of questions asked,

the form of data collection, and the steps of data analysis.

Participants
This section should include the following elements: (a) the participants should

be defined, consistent with the Purpose Statement and the Research Questions (this

should also include demographic information such as age, gender, and ethnicity) and

(b) a discussion of the type of sampling with reference citations (e.g., purposive,

criterion, snowball sampling technique).

This section should contain a discussion about participants and the site, including

the following: (a) the setting, (b) the actors (who will be interviewed), (c) the events

(what will the actors will be observed or interviewed doing), (d) the process (the evolving

nature of events undertaken by the actors within the setting), and (e) the type or types of
 4

data to be collected (e.g., focus groups, observations, interviews, documents, audio and

visual material; be specific about the strengths and weaknesses of each type).
Data Collection Tools
If established instruments will be utilized, this section will detail each data-

collection instrument. The relevant information pertaining to each instrument should

include the source or developers of the instrument and any other salient information. Also

permission from the author must be granted or you must state why permission was not

necessary. Both the instrument and a permission note must also appear in the appendix. If

an original instrument is created, you must identify the influencing literature.

Additionally, describe how the instrument was validated; you may explain that is was

piloted and reviewed by a group of experts. The actual instrument should be included in

the dissertation document as an appendix.

Procedures
The Procedures section will be based directly on the research questions (central

and subquestions). Specifically, this is the how-to section of the study: how the data

will be collected based on the questions of interest. This section should read like a
step-by-step recipe of how the study, beginning with IRB approval, will be conducted.
Data Analysis
Name the steps involved in conducting an analysis of qualitative data. Describe

how the data will be organized and transcribed. Discuss the coding procedures of the

transcripts or text files. If used, discuss specific qualitative software you will use for your

analysis. Develop a detailed qualitative description. Make sure that the approach used for

the study is reflective in the language used when describing the analysis. For example, a

phenomenological study has specific language when describing the stages of analysis.
Ethical Considerations
This section should describe how you will maintain ethics of the study. Preserve

anonymity and keep the documents secure.

Trustworthiness
 5

This section should demonstrate aspects of the studys validity and reliability.

Why should your study be trusted? Check the accuracy of your findings and

interpretation by including the following: (a) member checkingasking members to

check the accuracy of the account and (b) triangulationusing corroborating evidence.
Potential Research Bias
In this section, describe your own bias of the topic, whether personal or

professional. Also, you should explain the plan to manage potential bias.
Limitations
Include any limitations, restrictions, or constraints that may affect the dissertation

outcomes.

Chapter 4: Findings

Findings are discussed according to the qualitative approach. This section should

include quotes from interviews with informants or from analyzed documents to illustrate

themes and findings.

Examples of Approaches:

Phenomenology

Case Study

Grounded Theory

Ethnography

Narrative

Historical Narrative
 6

For instance, in grounded theory, the aim is the generation of theoretical

constructs. In this section, then, you would have findings from the process of memo

writing, theoretical sampling, sorting, saturation, the review of literature, and developing

the theory.

With an ethnographic approach, the findings may be reported in a smooth,

flowing description narrative. The aim of the narrative is to portray a full context of the

experiences and the culture of research participants as observed and analyzed.

With phenomenology, the findings will be reported differently. Examples might

include (a) a description of experiential themes, (b) a description of the essences of

experience, and (c) a description of relationships among essences.

 7

Chapter 5: Discussion
While you write this section incorporate the following: (a) preconceptions and

ideas as discussed in your introduction, (b) existing literature and practice in the area of

study, and (c) the utilization of the method.

Discuss:
Meanings and understandings
Implication of the study
Relevance of the study

Integrate the following:

Significance and substance

Importance to discipline

Critique of findings with suggestions for change and future inquiry

Conclusions and Recommendations

References