Health Professions Division Dissertation Guide

17 Background to the Problem Population statistics, provide the context, issues Statement of the Problem Issue to be investigated and goal to be achieved Relevance Significance, purpose, or need for the study Elements Theories Research Questions Hypotheses Definitions of Terms Use conceptual and operational definitions if appropriate as level two headings 1. Term one. Use paragraphs in a series to display information vertically. 2. Term two. Explanation and citations if appropriate follow the term. 3. Notice the format. This format is used for paragraphs in a series. Description of Variables Describe dependent, independent, and covariates Rationale Describe the rationale and need for the study Assumptions Describe the assumptions that you assume to be true but not necessarily verified Summary of the Chapter The summary is one or two paragraphs Chapter 2: Review of the Literature This chapter includes the following topics. There are examples of possible level one and level two headings. Make adjustments as needed to fit the candidate’s study. Use the past tense when referring to studies from the literature. Remember the active voice is preferred. Be careful not to give a human quality to an inanimate object, which is anthropomorphism. Studies, findings, results, literature, research, theories, tables, or figures cannot explain, compare, deduce, explore, examine, assess, conclude, interpret, support, discuss, address, focus, highlight, provide, give, or determine anything. Objects have a limited