CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
Introduction
The beginning of the dissertation should consist of a brief introduction consisting of two or three paragraphs that place the study in a local and national context. The introduction presents an overview of the study and should conclude with a statement that gives the intent of the investigation.
Statement of the Problem
The problem statement should be written with assertion, clarity, and specificity. The problem should be viewed in terms of the factor or dependent variable to be examined. A concise problem statement should establish clearly the specific issue of concern and demonstrate that it is a viable and legitimate problem in educational administration. Where possible, empirical data should be provided to support the importance of the issue to be examined.
Purpose of the Study
Following the statement of the problem, the writer should indicate the intent of the research/investigation as related to addressing the problem. For ex post facto studies, the independent variables selected to be examined as possible predictors of variation in the dependent variable should be identified in this section. The purpose section of the dissertation provides indication of the general intent of the research and how the researcher plans to approach the problem.
Research Questions
The general problem lends itself to a number of interrelated areas to be addressed in order to conduct a comprehensive investigation. Therefore, research questions should be generated that enumerate each of the specific inquiries of the problem to be addressed through the research. The nature of these questions will depend upon whether the proposed inquiry is to be quantitative or qualitative or mixed method in approach. The research questions should serve as precise guides for the conduct of the research.
For quantitative studies, the research questions should tie the dependent variable to each independent variable in questions asking about relationships or about possible differences between two or more groups.
For qualitative studies, do not use the word “statistical significance” when wording the research questions.
Significance of the Study
The significance of the proposed research should indicate how the potential findings will benefit current theory and/or practice in educational leadership. How might the findings be used? What implications will the expected findings have for policies and procedures? What impact can be expected? In this section, the writer asserts the potential value of the outcome and the need for the study.
Chapter Summary
The first chapter concludes with a summary of the highlights contained therein. It is not appropriate to introduce new information in this section. The intent is to address in a comprehensive, yet succinct manner, the chapter’s major areas of emphasis or emergent themes. Each of the chapters of the prospectus and dissertation should conclude with a summary.