The following is a checklist of items which are typically included in a graduate research project, thesis, or dissertation. Not all of the suggested categories are necessary or appropriate for all studies, and the order of items within chapters may vary somewhat. These items are intended to serve as a guide:

________ Introduction ---2 to 3 pages

________ Background of the problem (e.g., educational trends related to the problem, unresolved issues, social concerns)

________ Statement of the problem  (basic difficulty - area of concern, felt need)

________ Research Questions to be answered or investigated

________ Hypothesis statement if needed

________ Purpose of the study (goal oriented) -emphasizing practical outcomes or products

________ Significance of the study - may overlap with the statement of problem situation

________ Assumptions (postulates)

________ Delimitations of the study (narrowing of focus)

________ Limitations of the study

________ Definition of terms (largely conceptual here; operational definitions may follow in Methodology Chapter)

________ Organization of the Study....Outline of the remainder of the thesis or proposal in narrative form.

________ Organization of the present chapter - overview

________ Historical background (if necessary)

________ Use key words in your Research Questions to create an outline structure and organization for the chapter.

________ Acquaint reader with existing studies relative to what has been found, who has done work, when and where latest research studies were completed, and what approaches involving research methodology, instrumentation, and statistical analyses: were followed (literature review of methodology sometimes saved for chapter on methodology)

________ Establish possible need for study and likelihood for obtaining meaningful, relevant, and significant results

________ Furnish from delineation of various theoretical positions, a conceptual framework affording bases for generation of hypotheses and statement of their rationale (when appropriate)

________ Organize this chapter in the same order as the research questions are stated in chapter I.   Be very careful to fully align the review of literature with the research questions.

________ General integrative reviews cited that relate to the problem situation or research problem such as those found in Review of Educational Research, Encyclopedia of Educational Research, or Psychological Bulletin.

________ Specific books, monographs, bulletins, reports, and research articles --- preference shown in most instances for literature of the last ten year.

________ Unpublished materials (e.g.. dissertations. theses, papers presented at recent professional meetings not yet in published form, but possibly available through ERIC)

________ Selection and arrangement of literature review often in terms of questions to be considered, hypotheses set forth, or objectives or specific purposes delineated in problem chapter

________ Summary of literature reviewed (very brief)

________ Overview or at least an introduction

________ Restate the research questions

________ Hypotheses restated.  Some advisors will require restatement in the null form (there is no significant difference).

________ Description of research methodology or approach (e.g., experimental, quasi-experimental, correlational, causal-comparative, or survey)

________ Research design--Spell out independent, dependent variables

________ Pilot studies (as they apply to the research design, development of instruments, data collection techniques, and characteristics of the sample)

________ Subjects of the Study (This is concerned with sample and population. Define very specifically the population)

________ Instrumentation (tests, measures, observations, scales, and questionnaires)

________ Procedures (Field, classroom or laboratory e.g., instructions to subjects or distribution of materials)

________ Data collection and recording

________ Data analysis (statistical analysis or qualitative analysis explained in detail)

________ Summary of methodology

IN THIS CHAPTER, IT IS ESSENTIAL TO BRING REFERENCES FROM CHAPTER TWO, REVIEW OF LITERATURE, IN TO SUPPORT YOUR FINDINGS AND HELP VALIDATE YOUR RESEARCH

________ Introduction

________ Findings are presented in tables or charts when appropriate

________ Findings are reported with respect to furnishing evidence for each question asked (ORGANIZED IN THE SAME ORDER QUESTIONS WERE STATED IN CHAPTER I & III) or each hypothesis posed in problem statement.

________ Appropriate headings are established to correspond to each main question or hypothesis considered

________ Factual information kept separate from interpretation, inference, and evaluation (one section for findings and one section for interpretation or discussion)

________ Separate section often entitled "Discussion", "Interpretation", or "Evaluation" ties together findings in relation to theory, review of literature, or rationale

________ Summary of chapter

________ Brief summary of everything covered in first three chapters and in findings portion of Chapter IV

________ Conclusions  (Often restatement of the research questions and final conclusions analyzing the answers

________ Recommendations (practical suggestions for implementation of findings or additional research)

________Contributions to the body of literature--In other words, what has this research contributed the black hole of educational research.

________ Recommendation for further study

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