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Michael J. Cohen, Ed.D.
Lead Faculty
Greenwich University Applied Ecopsychology

RES 890: THESIS RESEARCH (6 credits)

Research Preparation Program

University College

Greenwich University

RES 890: Thesis Research (6 credits)

Participants prepare a faculty approved thesis proposal or proposal for a project in lieu of thesis as the requirement for this course. All aspects of the research project are governed by university guidelines and the research parameters of the degree field. The thesis must demonstrate mastery of a body of knowledge within the field of study which conforms to the University's standards and is expected to be a minimum of 50 double-spaced typewritten pages, conforming to an approved manual of style with proper referencing of the literature.

PREREQUISITES

Participants must complete all academic coursework and successfully pass the Admissions to Candidacy Examination ("A" exam) before enrolling in this final required course.

COURSE TOPICS

*building effective thesis proposal

*building meaningful proposal for projects in lieu of thesis

*selecting and narrowing a research topic

*justification of need for the project

*establishing an effective research plan

*selecting an appropriate research methodology

*using a style manual

*building the academic argument and scholarly presentation

*presenting valid findings

*testing the results

*identifying limitations of the study

*drawing appropriate conclusions

*deriving recommendations

COURSE OBJECTIVES

The cornerstone of graduate degree work, after all preparatory coursework is completed, is the final project. It may take any of several forms, quantitative, qualitative, or participatory action research, or a major project demonstrating excellence, depending upon the expectations of the program faculty. It whatever form it takes, it must represent original work by the participant. At the masters level, it is the demonstration of mastery of an advanced body of knowledge in a given field.

The final project will take the form of a standard "traditional" academic thesis or dissertation of 50 or more typewritten pages for the thesis and 100 or more typewritten pages for the dissertation. The document will conform to the guidelines of the University, the expectations of faculty, and an acceptable style manual. The final project may also

This research preparation course is intended to empower the participants: *to effectively plan and prepare to complete a major work of research (or a major project in lieu of research) which permits the demonstration of excellence within the student's general area of study

*to state a problem or formulate an hypothesis for intensive study and research

*to prepare an overall design of a project, an experiment or a critical

analysis and synthesis in the chosen field of study

*to plan for the effective interpretation of data and information from the

planned study

*to determine techniques for drawing valid conclusions

*to understand the proper manner of reporting results to other scholars

within the field of study

*to understand guidelines that govern the structuring of the academic

argument, the presentation of the scholarly discussion, and the formatting of the document

BRIEF NEED STATEMENT

Effective preparation is the first key to an thesis. A great deal of literature exists in support of building an effective thesis and sufficient time must be dedicated to reviewing appropriate University materials and recommended guidebooks to gain sufficient orientation to the standards, procedures, and expectations of the effective thesis process.

COURSE AUDIENCE

This course is closed to all students except Masters students admitted to

candidacy.

FACULTY-STUDENT COMMUNICATIONS

-Telephone Contacts

The student will initiate an initial telephone conference with the instructor within one week of enrollment to clarify a plan of action for the course. This initial contact will help familiarize the student and instructor with one another, and permit the transmission of clear expectations for completion of course requirements. At least a monthly telephone contact, at the student's expense, should be continued for the duration of the course.

-Email Communications

Frequent email communications between student and instructor should be initiated and continued for the duration of the course. Email communication may require up to three or more exchanges per week.

-Alternative Communications

Students may send communications and materials via postal service and fax, as appropriate.

COURSE DELIVERY STYLE

Participants will gather supportive books and materials and conduct extensive reading before undertaking the preparation of the formal research (or project) proposal. Participants will maintain journal notations of the salient points of the literature. Upon preparation of the complete first draft of the proposal, participants will submit the document for peer review. Following peer review, participants will prepare and submit a final draft of the proposal for formal review by the instructor, before it is signed and sent to the dean for final approval.

REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS

Participants are required to make use of the materials provided by the University, as follows, and to select a style manual to conform their written work. It is highly recommended that participants also select a thesis or dissertation research guide and a writing guide to support their project and preparation of the manuscript.

-Required Materials Provided by the University

University Catalogue

Program Handbook

Degree Program Overview

-Required Style Manual (select one)

American Psychological Association, (1983),Publication Manual of the

American Psychological Associaion, Third Edition. Washington D. C. 208

p. (paper).

Australian Government Publishing Service(1988).Style Manual for Authors,

Editors and Printers. Fourth Edition. Canberra: Australian

Government Publishing Service. 409 p.(paper).

The University of Chicago Press (1982). The Chicago Manual of Style: a

manual of style revised and expanded. Thirteenth Edition. Chicago:

University of Chicago Press. 738p. (hard).

Turabian, Kate L. (1973). A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and

Dissertations. Fourth Edition. Chicago: University of Chicago

Press, 216 p. (paper).

Modern Language Association, (1977). MLA Handbook for Writers of Research

Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. First Edition. New York: The

Modern Language Association. 163 p. (paper).

American Institute of Biological Sciences (1978) Council of Biological

Editors Style Manual: A Guide for Authors, Editors, and Publishers in the

Biological Sciences, Fourth edition. Arlington, VA: American Institute of

Biological Sciences.

Harvard Law Review Association (1986) A Uniform System of Citation.

Cambridge, MA: Harvard Law Review Association.

American Medical Association (1966) Style Book and Editorial Manual, Fourth

Edition. Chicago: American Medical Association.

COURSE ASSIGNMENTS

-Assignment #1: Conceptualizing the Project Under the direction of the instructor, and referring carefully to the materials provided by the University, a style manual, a thesis or dissertation research guide, and a writing guide, begin conceptualizing your project. First, identify your goal for research (or major project).

Search Research Abstracts and local graduate university libraries for thesis or dissertation manuscripts with similar topics and methods and give these materials a careful review. With reference to the literature in research methods, select a research methodology which is highly appropriate for the focus of your research. Conduct library research and reading to identify the major existing research literature in support of your project. Identify literature which justifies the need for the project, as well as materials which effectively inform your work. Build a workable data gathering plan and conceptualize your techniques for evaluation of the data. Prepare your thinking with regard to structuring the thesis or dissertation manuscript. Carefully maintain journal notations of the salient points of all readings and your reflections in preparation for the project proposal.

-Assignment #2: Annotated Bibliography

Conduct a major search for available literature in support of your proposed research topic. Identify the primary works which inform the area of research. Conceptualize the thesis question, the theoretical foundation for the study, and methodology for conduct of the project. Carefully review the essential literature concerning this thesis, maintain journal notations, and build a brief annotated bibliography clarifying the essential literature in support of your project. This bibliography need not exceed twenty entries.

-Assignment #3: Research Plan

With the guidance of the instructor, read the literature related to the research methodology you wish to use in conduct of your project. Also review a number of related theses and dissertations in the field which utilize similar research methods. Maintain journal notations concerning the salient points of the readings.

According to the directions of the instructor, prepare a first draft of the

research plan. This draft should include, at a minimum:

*a one page abstract of the proposed project

*an introduction of the topic

*a statement of the research question(s)

*a brief definition of terms

*a review of the relevant research and theory

*a thorough discussion of the project procedures to include, a

clarification of the conceptual framework to be employed, the sources,

evidence, and authority to which you will refer, the analytical technique

and research design, and a timetable for completing the project.

-Assignment #4: Manuscript Outline

Conceptualize the proposed framework of the research manuscript, by preparing a project manuscript outline in the format of an expanded table of contents. Divide the outline into proposed chapter headings (Roman Numerals), subchapter headings (capital letters), section headings (Arabic numbers), and subsection headings (small case letters). The chapter headings should follow the recommendations of the selected style manual. The subchapter headings are used to identify the major elements of each chapter. The section headings break down the chapter into still more defined areas. The subsections can be used identify the flow of the manuscript from start to finish, clarifying the importance of the study, the research methodology, the derivation and testing of the theses questions, the presentation of the academic argument, the progress of the scholarly discussion, referencing of the literature, identification and interpretation of the findings, limitations of the study, conclusions to me made, final recommendations, and other essentials of the manuscript.

-Assignment #5: Peer Review

Submit your draft proposal to two colleagues familiar with the research topic for peer review, red lining (editing) of the document, and recommendations for improvement of content and clarity. Include the research plan, the annotated bibliography and the manuscript outline.

Based upon the outcome of the peer review process, restructure your materials into a formal research proposal of approximately 20 double spaced typewritten pages. Attach your data gathering instruments and a brief annotated bibliography. Attach evidence of the peer review, including the names and contact information of the peer reviewers and their written comments.

-Assignment #6: Formal Research Proposal Package

Submit the final draft of the research proposal for formal review by the instructor. Include the project plan, the annotated bibliography, the manuscript outline, and evidence of the peer review process. You will receive written feedback concerning all aspects of the research proposal and recommendations for final rework of the proposal. Once the proposal meets the expectations of the instructor, it will be signed, and submitted to the Dean for final approval.

Upon final approval, the document will be submitted to the University for entry to your permanent record. It is at this stage that you will be formally authorized to begin conduct of the project and preparation of the manuscript.

SUPPLEMENTAL LEARNING RESOURCES

-Recommended Thesis and Dissertation Research Guides

Madsen, David (1992). Successful Dissertations and Theses: A guide to

graduate student research from proposal to completion. Second

Edition. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers. 216 p. (paper)

Meloy, Judith M. (1994) Writing the Qualitative Dissertation: Understanding

by Doing. Lawrence Erlbaum Association, 128 p. (paper)ISBN 0805814175

Sternberg, David (1981) How to Complete and Survive a Doctoral

Dissertation. New York: St. Martin's Press. 231 p. (paper) ISBN

0312396066

Davis, Gordon B., and Parker, Clyde A. (1997) Writing the Doctoral

Dissertation: A Systemic Approach, Second Edition. Woodbury, NY: Barron's

Educational Series. 160 p. (paper) ISBN 0812098005

Cone, John D., and Foster, Sharon L., (1993) Dissertations and Theses from

Start to Finish: Psychology and Related Fields. 349 p. (paper)

-Writing Guides

Williams, J. M. (1990) Style: Toward Clarity and Grace. Chicago:

University of Chicago Press.

Strunk, W. and White, E. B. (1979) The Elements of Style, Third Edition.

New York: MacMillan.

Growers, E. (1962)The Complete Plain Words. New York: Penguin

Cook, C. K. (1985) Line by Line: How to Edit Your Own Writing. Boston;

Houghton Mifflin.

Barzun, J. (1986) On Writing, Editing, and Publishing: Essays,

Explicative, Hortatory. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Baker, S. (1981) The Practical Stylist, Fifth Edition. New York: Harper

Collins.

Leggett, G., Mead, D.D., and Charvat, W. (1988) Prentice-Hall Handbook

for Writers, Tenth Edition). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

McCrimmon, J. (1988) Writing with a Purpose, Ninth Edition. Boston:

Houghton Mifflin.

-English Grammar Resources

*Stilman, Anne (1997) Grammatically Correct, The Writer's Essential Guide

to Punctuation . 352 p. (Hardcover) ISBN: 0898797764

*Peters, Pam (1995) The Cambridge Australian English Style Guide. (hardcover)

ISBN: 0521434017

*Princeton Language Institut. 21st Century Grammar Handbook. 316 p.

(paperback)

ISBN: 0440215080

*Moss, Norman British/American Language Dictionary: for More Effective

Communication Between Americans and Britons. (paperback) ISBN: 0844291161

-Supplemental Readings in Research

(See attached Bibliography)

INDIVIDUALIZATION OF STUDENT ASSIGNMENTS

The topic of research and technique for the final project will be proposed

by the participant under the direction of the lead faculty. This will

permit maximum individualization of the project to the interests of the

student.

COURSE EVALUATION

The student's work will be evaluated based upon a review of the components

of the research proposal, including the research plan, the annotated

bibliography, the manuscript outline, and evidence of the peer review

process.

COURSE GRADING DETERMINANTS

The course grade will be calculated based upon the following formula:

*research plan 50%

*annotated bibliography 20%

*manuscript outline 20%

*peer review 10%

COURSE COMPLETION TIMETABLE

Participants will have a maximum course time for any one course shall be 6

months.

WEEK #1: Initiate first telephone contact with the instructor for the

purpose of clarifying the plan of action for the course.

WEEK #2: Make first email contact with instructor, sending email including

written plan of action for instructor's feedback. Begin conceptualizing

the research project according to the instructions in assignment #1, and

initiate assigned reading of University materials. Maintain journal

notations related to the salient points of the readings. In collaboration

with the instructor, identify and purchase a style manual and other

materials, as deemed essential for effective completion of the research

plan and the project.

WEEK #4: Complete the library research elements in preparation for

building the research plan. Begin indepth evaluation of the reading

materials, maintain complete and careful notations of the salient points of

all readings.

WEEK #8: Carefully complete preparatory readings and build an effective

annotated bibliography.

WEEK #10: Prepare the research plan elements of the proposal.

WEEK #12: Design the proposed manuscript outline.

WEEK #14: Submit first draft of the research proposal package to peer review.

WEEK # 16: Make final changes in the documents and submit final draft of

the research proposal package for review and approval by the instructor.

WEEK #18: Feedback will be received from the instructor.

WEEK #20: Corrected version of research proposal will be received by the

instructor for signing and submission to the dean from final approval.

WEEK #24: Contact instructor for final feedback.

SPECIAL NOTES AND INSTRUCTIONS

NOTE #1: Accelerated Progress

Students may progress through this course at a faster pace, as appropriate,

and under the careful direction of the Committee Chair.

NOTE #2: Grace Period

Students are encouraged to complete the course assignments well within 180

days allowed. However, on occasion, and as the situation merits, faculty

may voluntarily extend a 90 day grace period for students who have

circumstances which have made it unduly difficult or impossible for them to

complete the course requirements within the 180 days. Students should

request the grace period in writing from the instructor well before the end

of the semester.

NOTE #3: Leaves of Absence

Under special circumstances, students may request and can be awarded formal

leaves of absence from their studies. Students would not be required to

pay tuition for any new semesters which occur during the period of leave.

It is anticipated that a leave of absence will begin for most students

immediately following successful completion and approval of the formal

research proposal. The leave would extend to the next or subsequent point

of enrollment, should the student require completion of additional studies

related to the final project. A leave of absence related to the thesis or

dissertation will be allowed to extend through the completion of research

study, the preparation of the first draft of the manuscript, defense of

thesis or dissertation, and submission of the final approved manuscript.

Leaves of absence related to the final project will count toward the

maximum allowed period for completion of the degree. Written requests for

leaves of absence should be submitted to the Chair of the student's

committee for approval and confirmation with the Dean of the college.

FACULTY CONTACT INFORMATION

For the faculty contact information, please refer to the Lead Faculty

Information section of the Program Overview. If unclear of contact

information, communicate immediately with the University Administration.

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Project NatureConnect
Institute of Global Education
Special NGO consultant to United Nations Economic and Social Council.
P.O. Box 1605 Friday Harbor WA 98250
(360) 378-6313
nature@pacificrim.net
www.ecopsych.com

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