Dissertation

Preliminary Consultation

The comprehensive requirement must be successfully completed before a dissertation topic is approved. However, it is advisable to begin discussing the research topic, even before completing the comprehensive requirement, with anyone whose consultation and advice is thought to be helpful, and to be refining the focus of the dissertation.

Dissertation Advisory Committee

Each Dissertation Advisory Committee (DAC) must consist of 2 members from the student’s home program, and a maximum of 4 members in total, with no more than 1 member acting as a co-advisor. The committee membership is comprised as follows:

After the candidate has completed the requirements for the comprehensive paper, the student establishes their Dissertation Advisory Committee (see Graduate Calendar). If the Comprehensive Examination Committee transitions to the DAC, the student completes the PhD Dissertation Advisory Committee Formation form.

If there are changes in the advisor and/or members when created the DAC, the student is to submit the following to the Associate Dean, PhD Program:

• The names of the proposed committee members, indicating who is the new member.
• A brief rationale identifying the expertise that new person(s) brings to the committee, and the relevance of the composition of the committee as a whole to the student’s topic.
• If a proposed member is not a member of the graduate faculty, an electronic file of that member’s CV should be included.

If needed, the Associate Dean takes this information to the PhD Admissions, Curriculum and Student Affairs Committee for approval. Once the DAC has been approved, the student should complete the PhD Dissertation Advisory Committee Formation form, and submit it to the associate dean who sends it to the dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies for approval.

Be sure to consult the Graduate Calendar’s requirements for doctoral dissertations. https://academic-calendar.wlu.ca/section.php?cal=3&s=1018&ss=4201&y=84

Students are engaged in advanced research that reflects social work values, addresses important issues, promotes new understandings and knowledge, and informs social work theory, practice, education and policy.

From the Graduate Calendar

As seen in the quotation above, a primary goal of the dissertation research is to develop new understandings and knowledge of a topic. This goal is achieved in the context of what is known in the literature and existing issues or gaps or new ways of approaching the topic. The comprehensive papers provide an opportunity for students to familiarize themselves with the literature and theoretical approaches relevant to their substantive area of study; the dissertation builds on those papers. As also reflected in the quotation, social work research aligns with social work values and aims to inform theory, practice, education, and policy. In achieving their goals, students are expected to propose studies that are grounded in and guided by relevant theories and utilize robust methods.

Funding: Faculty of Social Work doctoral students can apply for funding from the program for their dissertation research. https://students.wlu.ca/programs/social-work/phd/funding.html

Type of Dissertation: Traditional or Multiple Manuscript

Doctoral students have the option of preparing a traditional dissertation or a multiple manuscript dissertation. The Graduate Calendar provides the following descriptions of each option.

Traditional dissertation

[the] work is understood to be a structurally unified body of work, with each part contributing to the development of a coherent whole, with an overarching research question/concern that is developed through a succession of chapters or sections (though this does not necessarily mean parts might not be excerpted for publication). The guiding principle here is that the manuscript most closely resembles a book.

Multiple manuscript

the dissertation is a coherent body of work; however, the apparatus of the dissertation will normally include, among its other elements, three articles suitable for publication in peerreviewed journals, and these articles derive from the findings, methods and/or literature review sections of the dissertation. … The two or three articles are meant to be component parts of a much larger work that fulfills the conditions of a traditional dissertation, including an  overarching research question, thesis, methodology, literature review, and appropriate theoretical contexts and approaches.

As per the Graduate Calendar, this option also involves

an introductory chapter to the entire thesis and a final chapter (general discussion [of the contributions the overall work makes] and conclusions) to relate the separate studies to each other and to a relevant discipline or field of study.

Students completing the multiple manuscript option should work closely with their advisor to identify the aims and questions that will be addressed in each manuscript. It is not necessary for each manuscript to report findings from the collected data, because a manuscript may also be solely theoretical or methodological in nature, depending on the research study. Regardless of nature of each manuscript, each manuscript should address specific aims, be structured in the format of published scholarly journal article, and offer new insights and understandings to the scholarly literature in which it is embedded. Students pursuing the multiple manuscript option are not expected to submit their manuscripts to journals for review/publication as they write their dissertation articles/chapters. Those who wish to do so should consult their advisor. It is possible that the page/word limits of an intended journal might be limiting and prevent the student from conveying sufficient information and analysis that one would expect to see in a dissertation article/chapter.

Please see the Graduate Calendar for additional information about each option, including their components. https://academic-calendar.wlu.ca/section.php?cal=3&s=1018&ss=4201&y=84

The dissertation proposal is to specify which option the student intends to undertake. If planning a multiple manuscription dissertation, the focus/research questions addressed in each manuscript are to be specified in the proposal. If using multiple data sources, it might be necessary to specify the data source for each manuscript.

The Proposal

Students can construct their dissertation research to involve non-Western epistemologies, arts-based, or other creative approaches, among others. What is outlined below are the various components that typically are included in a dissertation proposal. Though these general components should be included, the presentation and approach to the dissertation might look different depending on how the student and the DAC wish to approach the research. Feel free to modify language to suit your approach. For instance, concepts such as ‘protocol’ and ‘methods’ might be replaced by ‘story gathering’ or other language consistent with the selected research framework.

Components and Formatting of the Proposal

Each of the following parts are suggested components of both the traditional and multiple manuscript dissertation proposal. They are numbered for convenience. Suggested page lengths are included for each section, and these can be adjusted in consultation with your supervisor and DAC. The dissertation should follow APA standards in terms of citation practices, writing, and formatting, including for headings and references. The proposal should be double-spaced and in a 12-point font and be approximately between 17 and 20 pages in length, excluding the title page, references, appendices, and any tables or figures.

1. Title

The proposal title should give a clear indication of the topic being studied.

2. Introduction (1.5 pages)

Provide a brief introduction to the problem/issue leading to the study. This should include connecting the problem/issue to the larger literature, identifying issues or gaps, as well as noting the significance of the problem/issue to social work. The introduction should provide a roadmap to the proposal and state the overall research aim, primary research questions, and mention the proposed methodological design.

3. Researcher Positionality (1.0-2.0 pages)

Describe your connection to the topic and your positionality/worldview in relation to the proposed study. Describe your epistemology or research paradigm guiding the study. Identify any specific implications your positionality and epistemological approach has for the study design. These implications could involve broader ethical considerations beyond procedural ethics related to REB requirements for the ethical conduct of research. Depending on the paradigm adopted, considerations might include principles and measures which support relational accountability, and responsible and respectful engagement with participants and the broader community, including knowledge holders. Examples of this can include community consultations and advisory meetings, engagement with elder knowledge keepers, partnering with community, and working with participants as co-researchers.

4. Literature Review (3.0-3.5 pages)

This section should provide a brief review of the literature on the topic, establish the need for the study, and help to frame the approach to the questions that will be examined in the study.

In some instances, this section might include relevant information about the context (e.g., prevalence of events, common explanations of events, historical evolution, policies, service delivery networks, organizations, program models, theoretical and/or epistemological approaches) of the topic. Such points should be very brief as the primary focus of this section is to review the literature and establish the need for the study as a project that advances understanding and knowledge.

The literature review should be a brief summary (potentially drawn from the literature review comprehensive paper) of existing research/knowledge in the field along with areas or approaches that are unexplored and that your own study will address. This section should be written to frame the proposed research aim and questions, and effectively demonstrate the need for the proposed study. You can briefly articulate its potential benefits for social work practice, policy, and/or other applications.

5. Theoretical Framework (3.0-3.5 pages)

This section presents the study’s guiding theoretical framework, which is based on an analysis and integration of the appropriate literature, research, and theories. It might also highlight the praxis in which your theoretical framework enables you to engage in research which aligns with social work values and aims. In many instances, a student’s theoretical framework is based on what they developed in their comprehensive examination theory paper, and they present a paired down description of it in the dissertation proposal. However, for their dissertation research, some students create a theoretical framework that is different from that developed in the comprehensive examination paper. In all cases, students need to clearly present their framework and discuss how it informs the study generally (e.g., questions posed, lens to understand the phenomenon), and possibly the methodology (e.g., centering of narratives) and the implementation of the study. In some quantitative studies, students might aim to test a theory or aspects of it. Some students might include a figure representing their theoretical framework.

6. Research Aims and Questions (1.0 page)

This section presents the study’s broad research aim(s) followed by specific research questions and, for some quantitative studies, hypotheses to be tested. Aim statements reflect the project’s ultimate purpose, whereas research questions are answered through the study. Ensure the research questions/hypotheses are aligned with the type of inquiry (e.g., qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods) to be conducted. A statement providing the rationale for undertaking this research is to be provided in terms of the study’s likely contributions to knowledge as well as its potential benefits for social work practice, policy, and/or other applications.

7. Methods (8.0-10.0 pages)

This section describes the study’s overall methodology (connected to epistemology, reflexive stance, and theory) and outlines the proposed research design and activities. It is important to justify core methodological decisions, which would be based on the state of current knowledge (e.g., little is known about the topic, thus an exploratory study will be conducted), aspects of one’s overall methodology, the research aim(s), and the research population.

If using an overall framework, such as decolonizing, participatory action research, feminist, or critical race, state this and provide a brief description. Note: ensure the methods reflect such frameworks. For example, if your framework emphasizes relational accountability with participants and the community, specify how you will establish such accountability.

For all studies, describe the research approach (i.e., qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods) and the specific design (e.g., ethnography, case study, phenomenology, institutional ethnography; crosssectional survey; explanatory sequential design) being adopted and give a brief justification. This should include a discussion about why this approach/design is appropriate to answer the research questions. Outline the sequence of the phases used in a mixed method inquiry and how they relate to one another.

The methods section should also include:

• Research population, sampling, and recruitment strategy: If engaging various information sources (e.g., online surveys, interviews, government documents), information about sampling will need to be provided for each source. What is the research population? What are the inclusion criteria? What type of sampling (e.g., random, convenience, purposive, maximum variation) will be used and what is the desired sample size? How will participants be recruited (e.g., posters, emails, social media)?

• Key concepts/measures: For qualitative studies, the core concepts to be explored need to be described, which might help to frame interview questions (if any). These concepts will be linked to the theoretical framework you are using. For qualitative studies involving interviews/focus groups, describe the key areas of exploration of the interviews in order to address the larger research questions. If applicable, outline steps to pilot test your interview guide(s). For quantitative studies, outline the key concepts and their conceptual and operational definitions in terms of how they will be measured (i.e., using existing scales or adaptations of them, or researcher created scales). For existing scales, briefly discuss the appropriateness of their use with the intended population, as well as, if applicable their reliability and validity. For adapted scales or ones to be developed as a part of the project, outline strategies (e.g., cognitive interviewing, pilot testing) to ensure reliability and validity. For all types of studies, this section should include demographic information that will be collected from participants to describe the sample and contextualize responses.

• Data collection methods and instruments: Describe the methods for gathering the information and your specific instruments/tools (e.g., interview guide, focus group facilitation guide, survey). Outline the steps used to collect data, including any pilot testing. Provide a brief explanation for how the methods are appropriate for the study and how they connect to the theoretical and epistemological framework of the study.

• Data analysis plan: Discuss your plan for handling and analyzing your data, including analytic approaches for qualitative data (e.g., thematic analysis, narrative analysis, discourse analysis) and statistical functions and tests to be performed for quantitative data. For mixed methods inquiries, there should be a description of how the data from each phase will be considered in relation to one another.

• Strategies for rigor: For qualitative studies, describe any strategies for enhancing the rigor and trustworthiness of the data (e.g., prolonged engagement, triangulation, member checking, negative case analysis, audit trail).

• Researcher reflexivity: For all studies, describe the reflexive strategies (e.g., journaling, peer debriefing and support) that will be used.

• Procedural research ethics: Identify and justify any exceptional procedural ethical concerns (e.g., use of deception, abnormal risks to participants, obtaining parental consent when research is with children) emanating from the proposed research and outline plans for addressing them. It is unnecessary to outline steps associated with following REB standards and guidelines, such as obtaining informed consent from adults and securely storing data (those will be addressed in your submission to the REB). For some parts of the methods section (e.g., measures), some students might be able to effectively convey required information in table format.

8. References

Only items cited in the text should be included. Follow APA (7th ed.) referencing formatting.

9. Appendices

Workplan: Provide a detailed work plan and timeline for the research beginning with applying for REB approval to presenting drafts of the report to your advisor and DAC.

Other Appendices: Students should consult with their advisor to determine if they should include research tools as appendices. These documents might include recruitment materials (e.g., flyers, text for social media/email recruitment), informed consent forms, and/or data collection tools (e.g., interview guides, demographic questionnaires, surveys) that will be required for the REB application for research involving human subjects.

Useful Resources

Absolon, K. (2022). Kaandossiwin, this is how we come to know: Indigenous worldviews and methodologies in search for knowledge (2nd ed.). Fernwood Publishing.

Antonenko, P.D. (2015). The instrumental value of conceptual frameworks in educational technology research. Educational Technology Research and Development, 63(1), 53–71. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-014-9363-4

Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). Sage.

Locke, L. F., Spirduso, W. W., & Silverman, S. J. (2013). Proposals that work: A guide for planning dissertations and grant proposals (6th ed.). Sage.

Punch, K. F. (2016). Developing effective research proposals (3rd ed.) Sage.

Smith, L. T. Tuhiwai (2021). Decolonizing methodologies: Research and Indigenous peoples. Zed Books

Tuck, E., & Yang, K. W. (2014). R-words: Refusing research. In, Humanizing research: Decolonizing qualitative inquiry with youth and communities (pp. 223-248). Sage. https://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9781544329611.n12

Walter, M., & Andersen, C. (2013). Conceptualizing quantitative methodologies. In, Indigenous statistics: A quantitative research methodology. Routledge. [This source is useful for understanding the connection between the research standpoint involving the researcher’s epistemology, social position, axiology, and ontology, theoretical frame, and research methods]

Van de Sande, A. & Schwartz K. (2017). Research for social justice. Fernwood.

All members of the DAC must review and approve the dissertation proposal. All members of the DAC must sign the PhD dissertation proposal approval form. One copy of the approved proposal should also be attached to the form and given to the associate dean who will forward it and the original signed form to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

The dissertation is the culmination of a candidate's program. All PhD candidates are required to complete an original dissertation that makes a significant contribution to the existing knowledge in their field. If dissertation research involves humans, approval must be obtained from the Laurier Research Ethics Board; if it involves animals, approval must be obtained from the Laurier Animal Care Committee.

In order that the dissertation may be subject to the scholarly criticism of all members of the university community, it is placed on display in the Graduate Studies office two weeks prior to the oral defence. Also, the oral defence is open to any member of the university community.

Traditional Dissertation Format

This work is understood to be a structurally unified body of work, with each part contributing to the development of a coherent whole, with an overarching research question/concern that is developed through a succession of chapters or sections (though this does not necessarily mean parts might not be excerpted for publication). The guiding principle here is that the manuscript most closely resembles a book.

The traditional dissertation can include the following components:

• title page
• copyright page
• declaration of co-authorship/previous publication
• abstract
• dedication (if applicable)
• acknowledgements (if applicable)
• table of contents
• list of tables (if applicable)
• list of figures (if applicable)
• list of appendices (if applicable)
• list of abbreviations, symbols
• nomenclature (if applicable)
• body of thesis (divided into various chapters)
• bibliography/references (can either precede or follow the appendices)
• appendices (include copyright releases here where applicable)

The Faculty of Social Work acknowledges the individual preferences and strengths of its doctoral students. To recognize such strengths, we offer the Multiple Manuscript Dissertation (MMD) option for SK899: Dissertation. Under this option, the dissertation is a coherent body of work; however, the student writes a minimum of three articles suitable for publication in peer-reviewed journals, and these articles become components of the findings, methods and/or literature review sections of the dissertation.

Please note that when a student, prior to the dissertation defence, submits a manuscript for publication that will be included in the dissertation, he/she should be advised that acceptance of a manuscript from a journal is separate from and does not constitute acceptance or approval by the advisory committee. It is the responsibility of the examining committee to determine if the dissertation fully meets degree requirements.

MMD Approval

Students wishing to pursue this option should discuss the feasibility and appropriateness of this option with their advisor. All students who wish to select the MMD option require prior approval of their advisor and DAC. Faculty members who prefer not to work with students choosing this option should communicate this to students who inquire about it.

Organization of the MMD

• Introduction (as in traditional dissertation):
  • Issue/problem to be investigated is clearly articulated, identifies central concerns.
  • Context of the issue/problem is presented.
  • Theoretical or conceptual framework guiding the dissertation is identified as appropriate.
  • A rationale for the dissertation as a whole is provided.
  • An overview of the dissertation as a whole is presented.
  • Objectives for the dissertation as a whole are identified.
• Review of literature:
  • Presented in a logical sequence.
  • Provides a summary of the current state of knowledge on the problem.
  • Identifies consistencies and contradictions in the literature.
  • Notes gaps or areas with little research.
  • Lays a foundation for the dissertation study.
  • A manuscript that reviews all or parts of relevant literature and is a self-contained article prepared for, submitted to, or already published in a peer-reviewed journal may form a part of this section.
• Method:
  • Research questions and/or hypotheses are clearly stated.
  • Research design, sampling, data collection and analysis.
  • Rationale for these choices is provided.
  • A manuscript that describes all or part of the methodology employed and is a self-contained article prepared for, submitted to, or already published in a peer-reviewed journal may form a part of this section.
• Findings:
  • Findings are presented in the form of one or more manuscripts that are self-contained articles prepared for, submitted to, or already published in a peer-reviewed journal.
  • Findings from the research that are not reported in the manuscripts should be reported in a separate chapter in this section.
• Discussion:
  • Provides a synthesis of the main findings of the full dissertation including the findings reported in the manuscripts.
  • Strengths and limitations of the dissertation are provided.
  • General conclusions and implications for practice and future research are provided.
• References.

Style Requirements

Articles are submitted to journals following the style requirements of those particular journals. The dissertation will be formatted and bound consistent with Laurier guidelines.

Dissertation Proposal and Defence Procedures

Dissertations prepared under the MMD option are subject to dissertation defence procedures as specified by the policies and procedures set out by the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

Authorship of a Manuscripts Included in the MMD

Normally all manuscripts that are included in the MMD Dissertation are authored by the doctoral student only. Any exceptions to this practice must be approved by the PhD Admissions, Curriculum and Student Affairs Committee.