Abstract This paper compares and contrasts two articles. One focuses on qualitative research while the other focuses on quantitative research as two different perspectives in dissertation writing. It examines dissertation research as a learning process.
From the Paper "Joanne Riebschleger wrote an article that was published in Families in Society in which she chronicled her personal travails in completing her dissertation. Most of the content of this article belongs either in a ..."
Abstract This paper explains that the field of mathematics education provides considerable support for a variety of perspectives, which include new and innovative ideas and concepts. The author points out that graduate-level mathematics students are typically required to develop and submit a comprehensive dissertation to demonstrate their knowledge and skills. The paper presents two distinct mathematics education dissertations in greater detail, emphasizing the key strengths and weaknesses of each argument and the supporting literature reviews.
From the Paper "The field of mathematics education provides considerable support for a variety of perspectives, which include new and innovative ideas and concepts that provide valuable contributions to the subject. It is evident that today's mathematics educators provide valuable knowledge, information and skills to mathematics students of all ages, and that there is a wide body of research that exists regarding mathematics education that is critical to the field. Graduate-level mathematics students are typically required to develop and submit a comprehensive dissertation to their respective schools in order to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in order to earn a graduate degree. The following discussion evaluates two dissertations written in the field of mathematics education, promoting different concepts in unique ways. A comparison and contrast is introduced, along with an evaluation of the key strengths and weaknesses of each dissertation."
Abstract This paper provides a basic overview of standard research methods used to demonstrate a familiarity with how, why and effectiveness in conducting dissertations. The author compares the differences between qualitative, quantitative and mixed research methodologies. The paper explores the effectiveness of these strategies by evaluating each as a method for measuring followership qualities in a medical facility.
From the Paper "Identifying applicable research strategies at a level suitable for dissertations is almost as difficult as the process of conducting and completing a dissertation-level research experiment. Methodology tends to differ according to the various factors found within the desired outcome. Yet methods cannot be orchestrated to generate this outcome from the data, but merely facilitate its collection and synthesis. Any successful research methodology does not, therefore, create knowledge, but rather is an applicable strategy for identifying and processing the information which exists. Hathaway (1995) stresses that there are decisions embedded within the creation and conduct of research methodologies that are generated both within the research setting and within the perceptions of the researcher. The concept of an unbiased methodology is thus inherently impossible: All researchers come to the experimentation process with preconceived opinions of how and why the research process should transpire."
Abstract This paper discusses a dissertation designed to determine whether acupuncture treatment has a positive effect in alleviating the symptoms typically associated with depression. The paper summarizes the design, rationale and participants in the study, as well as its control groups, procedures and data. The paper also critiques and analyzes the paper's findings and makes comments on how the author of the dissertation could have improved upon her project.
Summary of Dissertation Assessment of the Selection of the Research Topic
Assessment of Literature Review
Assessment of the Appropriateness of the Selection of Methods Used
Assessment of Appropriateness and Adequacy of the Procedures Used
Review of the Sufficiency of the Data Collected
Interpretations, Conclusions, Discussion of Dissertation
From the Paper "Two different major findings resulted from this study. "When the depression scale of the MMPI was used as a pre and post-treatment measure," Fazio reports, "only Group B had a significantly lowered post-treatment depression than did both Group A or Group C. However, when the BDI was used to measure pre and post-treatment depression, both Groups A and B had a significantly lowered post depression than did Group C" (p. 50). The results of the study therefore partially supported the hypothesis."
Abstract This dissertation is divided into five chapters. Chapter One introduces the nature of the central issue: EU security policy towards Russia during the period 1992-2004 in the context of the European security issues during those years. It is symptomatic of the dynamics of this changing context that much of the existing literature tends to examine this issue not from the point of view of the EU, but rather via the prism of NATO-Russia relations. As a result, it will be one of the contentions of the present study that there is a "literature gap" in the existing work on this area that, itself, perhaps reflects the Cold War biases, conscious and unconscious, that continue to influence academic studies in this field. Chapter Two analyzes the relevant theoretical approaches and seeks to establish a theoretical paradigm for use in this study. Two influential approaches to the study of international security relationships are examined: neo-functionalism and liberal intergovernmentalism. Each of these theoretical approaches has recently undergone sustained criticism and redevelopment, and this chapter considers this process and its significance for studies, such as the present analysis. Finally, this chapter identifies the fundamental theoretical approach for this study to be liberal intergovernmentalism, deployed within a methodology of quantitative and qualitative research. Chapter Three consists of a review of related literature, subjected to comparative analysis and categorized on the basis of qualitative and quantitative sources. This chapter explores further the issue of the "literature gap" in existing studies, identifying areas in which this dissertation seeks to extend and innovate approaches to the issue under study. Chapter Four is devoted to an analysis of relevant data and its relationship to the theoretical model established in Chapter Two. Chapter Five returns to the research questions and seeks to answer them on the basis of the analytical, theoretical, and comparative work outlined in the preceding chapters. The final section of the dissertation is a conclusion in which the findings of the study are summarized and their relationship to the theoretical models used considered. This also provides a basis for the validity of the theoretical model used to be assessed and for possible avenues of further research to be outlined.
Outline
Introduction
The Problem
The Theoretical Approach
Literature Review
Analysis
Answering the Research Questions
From the Paper "The political and economic uncertainty in Russia during 1998-99, not surprisingly, had a deleterious effect on the implementation of the planned work programme and there was some disappointment on the EU side that more progress had not been made. At the second meeting of the Cooperation Council in May 1999 the official communiqu? was much more positive. In general, the PCA has had a major impact on the frequency and breadth of official contacts between the EU and Russia, and laid the basis for more effective cooperation on a wide range of policy areas."
Abstract This paper presents a proposal for a dissertation about the current health care crisis brought about as a result of rapidly increasing medical malpractice premiums. The paper explains the detrimental effects of such increases, the focus of each section in the proposed dissertation, the questionnaire and methodology to be used, and the intended goal of the dissertation.
From the Paper "During the last decade, medical malpractice premiums have increased exponentially, resulting in a decreased pool of qualified physicians operating in the medical arena. The medical industry is facing many crises, including rapidly increasing health insurance premiums which affect consumers directly. One arena consumers may not have considered evaluating however that of medical malpractice is."
Abstract This paper details the design, development, integration and implementation of an enterprise resource planning process for the Maxim Auto Supply Company, a subsidiary of the Midnight Auto Supply Company. Included at the beginning of the paper is the proposal for the dissertation which is then followed by the actual dissertation. The dissertation focuses, specifically, on Midnight Auto Supply and their efforts to become an upgraded subsidiary with a new state of the art computer system that is supposed to efficiently contain and manage such business processes as accounting, sales, marketing, email and b2b communications, as well as all aspects of customer and vendor management, employee database management and payroll and fraud management.
Executive Summary
Framework
Overview of Organization
Transformation Framework
Areas for Improvement
Analysis of How this will Happen
Resources and Timescales
Conclusions
From the Paper "In our ever increasingly competitive, technologically advanced global economic environment, all business entities search for those ideal processes that can strategically reduce operational costs and increase profits. There has also been an increasing amount of pressure on all the organizations throughout the UK and the world. This pressure has come from the likes of shareholders, consumers and stakeholders that demand that business entities design and mange all aspects of their business processes, including information systems, in as efficient a manner as possible. "
This paper is a dissertation proposal to study the economic and political factors contributing to the time path of unemployment in Russia as compared to former Eastern Block countries.
Abstract This paper explains that the Russian delay in achieving low unemployment can be directly attributed to reasons of education, specific human capital mismatch, low wages, tax schemes designed to punitively tax so-called excess profits, and other factors. The author points out that Russian unemployment figures have been difficult to come by in the past, due in part to the country's definition of unemployment, and the way employment and unemployment are measured by the government. The paper states that the dissertation will examine time points in the data of major market indicators, such as employment levels, wages, and availability of various factors of production of each of the countries to illuminate the causal effects of economic and political practices affecting rates of unemployment in Russia and selected former satellite countries.
Table of Contents
Dissertation Plan
Proposed Content Synopsis
Factors Effecting Unemployment and the Difference between General and Transitional Unemployment
Economic Determinants of Employment Levels
Expected Results of Transitional Economies
Looking at the Data
Conclusion
From the Paper "Current economic models attempt to explain the determinants that affect levels of employment. These include where the employment equilibrium sits, how short and long run economic factors affect the equilibrium, and what short and long run factors in Russia and the chosen former Soviet block countries are contributing to the overall unemployment levels of these countries. Aside from internal pressures, Russia's response to external factors, such as WTO accession on Russian economy have profound effects on Russia's overall economic health and of course on its rate of short and long-term unemployment."
Abstract This report is a proposal and foreshadow of what would be the foundation for a full evaluative dissertation regarding the effects of urban development and design as it pertains to crime and crime prevention. The report considers the isolated communities with high crime levels as well as the gated communities that may help reduce thee levels of crime. Through the presentation of varying opinions and philosophies, this dissertation aims to understand the phenomena of the gated and non-gated community philosophy and the associated effects of urban development in regard to levels of crime.
Table of Contents
Personal Objectives
Existing Knowledge
Research Methodology
Conclusion
From the Paper "The world's fast population expansion and growth have led to many poor urban development systems and an out of control level of new urbanization. Crime can be tied to these developments. Society will continue to require innovative approaches to the policies and procedures that can help reshape our economic, social and environmental development within the urban setting for cities such as London. By utilizing various sources, the objective of the dissertation would be to create a blueprint for new safe havens for all of the city's inhabitants and the entire community."
Tags: confrontation, berlin, paris, new, york, london, communities, transgressions, regional
Abstract The paper relates that real-time data warehousing is emerging as a strategy many manufacturers are relying on to better synchronize their efforts with suppliers, commercial customers, warranty centers and service centers, in addition to channel partners. The paper proposes a dissertation that will evaluate whether manufacturers are attaining a positive return on investment (ROI) for adopting a real-time warehousing architecture and strategy. The paper outlines the conceptual framework and methods and methodologies for this dissertation.
Outline:
Introduction
Conceptual Framework
Analytical Methods and Methodologies
Conclusions
From the Paper "Data warehouses have progressed from being repositories of data, used only by accounting and finance, to becoming an indispensable part of all departments' analytics and reporting requirements. Having transitioned from being the repository of data in the past to a platform for inter-departmental and inter-divisional analysis of results at the tactical and strategic level, data warehouses form the foundation of many organizations' business intelligence (BI), predictive analytics, customer segmentation, pricing modeling, and measures of operating effectiveness including manufacturing key performance indicators (KPIs). Corresponding to the exponential demands on data warehouses across organizations has been the demand for real-time data warehousing over batch-oriented processes. Getting data in real-time is also exponentially more costly on the one hand yet critical for manufacturing companies competing globally. "
A proposal for a dissertation to investigate the issue of ethical banking in the U.K. and look at its performance as a measure of its rightness for clients and soundness as a business practice.
Abstract This paper presents a proposal for a dissertation that will examine the activities of the sizable number of ethical banks in UK for the purpose of determining whether such a business can be as profitable and sustainable as conventional banks, which are perceived to be capable of throwing ethics out the window in exchange for maximising profits. To accomplish this research objective, the dissertation measures the performance of ethical banks using the benchmarks applied to mainstream banks. The writer demonstrates that the research aims to uncover why ethical banks differ from conventional banks, how they perform against each other, and whether the operations of an ethical bank can be sustainable over the long term.
Outline:
Introduction
Aim & Objectives
Literature Review
Methodology
Research Problems
Reflections of Learning
Conclusion
From the Paper "This responsibility represents the positive actions or responses that a company takes to fulfill its responsibilities towards its stakeholders, to the environment and to society as a whole. In the view of some economists, however, there is one and only social responsibility of business: to use its resources and engage in activities designed to increase its profits. Thus, when firms experience resource shortages as to threaten their very existence, they attack this problem by cheating on their social responsibility. For example, they may shirk off their responsibility of protecting the environment by acquiring cheap and unreliable anti-pollution devices. That way, the firms give the false impression that they comply with the rules. To address internal resource shortages, such as inadequate capacity and expertise, they overestimate costs, falsify training records, pay excessive compensation and give undeserved promotions. To address external shortages, such as lack of raw materials, they arrange unethical deals with suppliers or service providers. These activities are taboo to ethical banks."
This paper is a dissertation proposal to examine what ethical standards are necessary in acute care settings within the private health care industry in the U.K.
Abstract This paper explains that, in the U.K., private health care providers are consistently seeking to expand their business and influence in the face of a declining National Healthcare System; and thus, in order for private health care providers to successfully market their services to the public, they must first prove that what they have to offer is worthwhile and ethical. The author states that the primary goal of this dissertation is to develop a theory-building process that will result in a strategic marketing plan for acute health care in the UK that will (1) build on best practices based on current medical ethics standards, (2) support the private health care industry's goals, and (3) provide guidance for private healthcare industry participants in the strategic marketing development process. The paper relates that the data will be collected via questionnaire utilizing Likert-type scales distributed to health care providers, marketing agents, and consumers.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Research Rational
Goals/Objectives of Study
Literature Review
Methodology
Approach/Research Design
Methods for Data Collection
Methods for Data Analysis
Discussion
Purpose/Relevance of Study
From the Paper "The private healthcare sector within the UK accounts for 25.3% of the UK healthcare market as of 2000. The private industry is divided among the following sectors: primary care services, acute care, psychiatric care, long term care and private medical insurance. Within the private healthcare sector, acute care accounts for a very small portion of services offered, and therefore will likely require the most aggressive marketing stratagems. Long term care accounts for the largest sector. The National Health Care Service in the UK has been suffering from a variety of problems affecting the infrastructure, including staff shortages. This leaves opportunity for growth in the private industry. This paper will focus on the acute care sector, which is currently expanding gradually in part as a result of the development of specialist facilities."
Abstract Every year, in the United States, more than 250 workers die because of silicosis, a disabling, incurable lung disease. This complete, 5-chapter dissertation, investigates the incidence and impact of silicosis on the American workplace in terms of its economic, social, and political consequences. Based on these findings, appropriate recommendations for workers and management are then developed.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Purpose of Study
Importance of Study
Scope of Study
Rationale of Study
Overview of Study
Chapter 2: Review of Related Literature
Chapter 3: Methodology
Description of the Study Approach
Data-gathering Method and Database of Study
Chapter 4: Data Analysis
Chapter 5: Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations
From the Paper "Silicosis is a chronic disease of the lungs that is caused by the inhalation of silica dust over long periods of time. (Silica is the chief mineral constituent of sand and of many kinds of rock.) Silicosis is regarded as an occupational respiratory disease, and it is irreversible, often progressive (even after exposure has ceased), and potentially fatal. Exposure to silica dust occurs in many occupations, including mining. Parks and Conrad say the sources of occupational exposure to silica dust are diverse and include many manufacturing and construction processes that use silica as a tool or a raw material, as well as the mining and processing of silica-containing rock. A number of these industries are traditionally known as the ?dusty trades.? Some of the jobs in these industries may involve regular contact with silica but are not commonly recognized as dusty trades (e.g., dental technician, chemist, or sculptor). Silica sand and gravel are used in road construction and concrete and in the manufacture of glass and ceramics, foundry castings, and abrasives such as sandpaper and sandblasting materials. Silica sand or flour is also used as a filler in detergents, paints, plastics, and cements; as a filtering agent for water, sewage, and food production; and as the primary component of some abrasive cleansers (e.g., scouring powder) (Parks & Conrad, 1999)."
A comprehensive dissertation, identifying opportunities for improving success rates of reintroduced gorillas in Gabon and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Abstract This scope of this dissertation extends to a critical review of past reintroduction efforts, with an emphasis on those involving primates. This includes a discussion of the species' value, as this is debated among scientists and provides a discussion concerning efficacious captive rearing techniques with a focus on what kind of training (via raising, handling, pre and post release training, acclimatization, predator recognition, etc) has been done and how successful each method has been. This paper includes discussions of natural behavior management, the ethics of predator introduction (i.e., is it ethical to put animals under risk of harm in order to increase their ultimate survival in nature). A critical review of the scholarly and relevant literature concerning endangered species conservation efforts in general and regarding gorillas in particular is followed by a recapitulation of the results of observations of six captive gorilla specimens by the author. An analysis of the findings is provided in the concluding chapter.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Purpose of Study
Importance of Study
Scope of Study
Chapter 2: Review of Related Literature
Chapter 3: Chapter 3: Methodology
Description of the Study Approach
Chapter 4: Data Analysis
Chapter 5: Conclusions, Summary and Recommendations
From the Paper "Close contact between animals and keepers at Howletts and Port Lympne Parks in England has resulted in a higher than usual success rate for breeding, including clouded leopards, lions, monkeys, rare small cats, and the world's largest captive breeding groups of gorillas, African elephants, tigers and black rhino. To date, the two Parks have been successful in returning Przewalski's horses, black rhino, Sumatran rhino, Cape buffalo, ocelots, pythons and nine gorillas to the wild (About Us, 2004). Not surprisingly, this conservational success has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated. The BBC has described the Parks as being "two of the best wild animal parks in the world" (About Us, 2004, p. 2). The two Parks are home to 70 of gorillas, which is the largest group of gorillas in human care in the world; the facilities have enjoyed over 80 births of gorillas to date."
Abstract This paper explains the need for a research paper that would consider the relationships that exist in the real estate transaction process. The paper then introduces a dissertation that would analyze the relationships that exist between real estate transactions on the internet and on paper. The paper explains that understanding these relationships would help determine whether digital real estate transactions via the internet can provide more timely, safe convenient and less costly transactions than paper transactions. The paper further explains that in order to assess the question fully, the relationships that exist between time and paper vs. digital related processes must be examined and that in order to examine these relationships, the real estate transaction process must be examined in detail. Thus, among other things, the paper requires an analysis of the actual processes involved in the real estate transaction, including the processes of recording deeds, mortgages in county court clerk systems by banks, attorneys and title escrow companies.
From the Paper "The first step toward investigating relationships is an analysis of the real estate process and potential variables that impact the time it takes to process transactions. A review of the literature currently available with regard to real estate transactions will help the researcher assess exactly how many variables and the types of variables that are necessary to observe to determine the relationship that exists between time and transaction processing."
