Dissertation

Upon completion of the Course, students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the dissertation writing process, including topic selection, research methodologies, data analysis, and writing strategies.
2. Formulate clear research questions and objectives that align with a chosen research topic and demonstrate the significance of their research.
3. Apply appropriate research methodologies and data collection techniques to conduct independent research and analyze findings effectively.
4. Develop structured arguments, enhance academic writing skills, and present research findings cohesively in the dissertation document.
5. Utilize revision and finalization techniques to produce a polished and well-organized dissertation ready for submission.

1. Introduction to Dissertation Writing
2. Topic Selection and Research Questions
3. Understanding the Structure of a Dissertation
4. Goal Setting and Establishing a Timeline
5. Literature Review Process
6. Literature Synthesis and Gap Identification
7. Research Methodologies Overview
8. Research Design and Proposal Development
9. Data Collection Methods
10. Data Analysis Techniques
11. Writing Strategies and Argument Development
12. Revision and Finalization Techniques

Required readings:
1. Swales, J. M., & Feak, C. B. (2012). Academic Writing for Graduate Students: Essential Tasks and Skills. University of Michigan Press.
2. Creswell, J. W. (2014). Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research. Sage Publications.
3. Booth, W. C., Colomb, G. G., & Williams, J. M. (2008). The Craft of Research. University of
Chicago Press.
4. Murray, R. (2009). Writing for Academic Journals. McGraw-Hill Education.
5. Hart, C. (1998). Doing a Literature Review: Releasing the Social Science Research Imagination. SAGE Publications.

Further Readings:
1. Silverman, D. (2016). Qualitative Research. SAGE Publications.
2. Neuman, W. L. (2013). Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches. Pearson Education.
3. Miles, M. B., Huberman, A. M., & Saldana, J. (2013). Qualitative Data Analysis. SAGE Publications.
4. Bryman, A. (2016). Social Research Methods. Oxford University Press.
5. Tashakkori, A., & Teddlie, C. (Eds.). (2003). Handbook of Mixed Methods in Social and Behavioral Research. SAGE Publications.

Journals:
1. Journal of Research Practice
2. Journal of Academic Writing
3. International Journal of Doctoral Studies
4. The Qualitative Report
5. Journal of Mixed Methods Research

Notes and slides in electronic form via the electronic platform
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The overall academic performance of students is based on the assessment of a written assignment, on a formative assessment and their performance in the final exams. A passing mark in the mid- term assignment is not a prerequisite for his/her participation in the final exams. The final grade awarded to each student is the sum of the grades awarded for the assignment and the final exams. Both the assignments and the final exams are marked in the scale 0 (complete failure) to 100 (absolute success). In order to get a passing mark in the Course, a student must receive a passing mark in the final exams. In a nutshell:

• The grade awarded for the assignment represents the 20% of the Course’s final grade.
• The grade awarded for the formative assessment activities represents the 20% of the Course’s final grade.
• The grade awarded for the final exams represents the 60% of the Course’s final grade.
• In order to get an overall passing mark, a student must be graded with at least 50/100 in the final exams.