Thesis on Police Brutality – Online Assignment Services

 Thesis Format

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By: Jarrett Landor

 

Chapter One

 

Introduction

 

This chapter introduces the reader to the research or project, which consists of several major components. The introduction should define the targeted topic. The content should move from the general to the specific, from topic breadth to topic depth, and past to present. It should move from the research topic to the research problem to the research purpose (intent of the study) to the research question. The research question should be in interrogative form and ask a question about a relationship between two or more variables (quantitative) or about some process, issue, or phenomenon to be explored (qualitative). The opening section should be two to three pages in length and contain five to seven citations (references). Since this will be a report of research conducted, it should be in the past tense.

The text should be double-spaced in twelve point Courier font. Bold face characters are used to set off each subtopic in each section. Margins are one inch, except for the left margin which is one and one-half inches. The right margin is not justified. Align the paper on the left only with five-space indentations for each paragraph.

Statement of the Problem

This section should begin by addressing a problem that has been identified in the literature and for which you have evidence in practice. There should be a specific statement, supported by the literature, of how this problem affects schooling practice. The statement should contain three to five journal citations to support the existence of the problem and should not, generally, exceed one page in length. Since this is a report of completed research this section is written in the past tense.

Research Question

This section develops the research question guiding the project. It should address the purpose of the study relative to specific outcomes and contributions that need exploration or examination (quantitatively) relative to practices in the profession. This section should be supported by at least two citations and be contained within one page of text. This section should also be in the past tense.

Definitions of Terms

Any terms that have multiple meanings or are terms of art to this profession must be defined as they are used in this study. Any terms that are not in common usage, i.e., those that are specific to this discipline or any related discipline, must be defined. Appropriate citations to support the definitions should be made. This section is also in the past tense.

Chapter Two

Review of the Literature

Introduction

The introduction section of this chapter begins with a general survey of the research topic. It should describe the search processes that were used to develop the review of the literature. It identifies the databases, search engines, and keywords used to identify the means to find references and identify subtopics examined to create the literature base. This introduction should progress from the general to the specific and provide a chronology of the review process.

Subtopic One

The major subtopic identified in the literature should examine all published material on this topic. It serves as a summary of the trends, developments, outcomes, directions, and other issues identified in the literature. This subtopic should contain the largest number of citations. It will contain at least ten citations and may contain in excess of twenty. It typically will contain about three to four pages of text. This literature has been reviewed and, therefore, should be presented in the past tense.

 

Subtopic Two

This section should identify the variables, models, instruments, methods that the literature has identified as appropriate to study research questions such as the one at hand. It should document the origin of the variables, models, instruments, and methods that have been selected for inclusion in the project. It is supported by approximately five to ten citations and is approximately two pages in length. It is written in the past tense.

Subtopic Three

This section should follow the presentation schema identified above. If there are variables or related issues that will better enable the reader to understand your research, the literature base for these should be identified here. This section may logically describe the basis for your data collection and analysis. It should contain at least ten citations and be contained in approximately two pages. The past tense is used.

Summary

This is the logical conclusion of your literature search. It will lead the reader to understand the data collection methodology contained in the next chapter. It should be reasonable in length and should be written in the present tense. It is generally contained on one page.

Chapter Three

Methodology

Introduction

This section begins with a restatement of the research purpose and research question. It includes a brief description of the variables to be studied or the phenomena to be explored. The content must be specific, with the variables or phenomena identified from the review of the literature. It is contained within one page and cites at least three references. It is in the past tense.

Data Gathering

This section begins with a description of the population to be studied. If sampling is used, appropriate descriptions should be supplied. The methodology used to gather the data should be explained. The instrumentation describes in detail and appropriate selection, development, and validation processes documented. If the instrument is the property of another, appropriate permission must be supplied. All details of the steps, processes, and calendars for gathering data are described. Omit no detail. Details of each activity are of paramount importance here. Present all details of projects such as tools and facilities. This section is generally about three to five pages and written in the past tense.

Method of Analysis

When appropriate to the study, this section may begin with a statement of a hypothesis or sub-hypotheses. The decision rule must be presented, including alpha levels (p = <.05). If such a statement is included, it is contained in one page and be in past tense.

If the study is qualitative, the section begins with a statement of the methods for examining the data from the study. It clearly states how conclusions are reached. The elements and chronology of analysis is described. Controls or variables considered are explained in detail. This section typically requires at least three pages and is written in the past tense.

Presentation of Data

This section states the logical presentation of the findings. It carefully describes the types of communication techniques that will be used. Graphic aids, tables, and charts used in the next chapter (“Findings”) are described here. Such description(s) logically leads to an understanding of the findings set forth in the next chapter. This section is contained in two pages and written in the past tense.

Chapter Four

Findings

Introduction

This section begins with a restatement of the research problem and the question. It briefly describes the processes used in gathering the data. The description should be brief and specific. This section is one page in length and is written in the past tense.

Outcomes

This subtopic begins with a restatement of the description of the population studied and the sampling employed. If surveys were employed, response rates and other descriptive data must be supplied. The data should be categorized according to profile, and descriptions given. Tables and charts may be employed here (as described in Chapter 3, Presentation of Data). Generalizations and delimitations should be described here. Descriptions of the relationship to real situations should be documented. This section should be contained in approximately two pages and should be stated in the past tense.

 

Analysis of Variables (Outcomes)

If the study is quantitative, the hypothesis testing is conducted here. The decision rules are stated. Outcomes are stated in terms of alpha levels.

If the study is qualitative, each outcome must be documented. Tables or graphs representing frequency of outcomes are often helpful. Conclusions that are documented by data patterns are described. This section should be approximately two or three pages for each outcome.

Step-by-step description of the analysis is required. Graphs, charts, and similar aids should be used to clearly document the process.

Outcomes of the Study

This section begins with a restatement of the research purpose and research question. This is followed by a summary of each major outcome described. The logical conclusions are introduced based upon the dominant patterns, peculiar trends, and/or relationships developed. The advantages or disadvantages of the process are described. If there are restrictions or assumptions relative to interpretation or generalization, they are explained. Any assumptions are again stated. This section should be approximately three pages in length and should be written in the past tense.

Chapter Five

Conclusions

Introduction

This subtopic begins with a brief description of the focus of the study. The research purpose and research question are restated. A summary of the results is presented. This content should be specific and descriptive. It should be stated in the past tense and be contained within one page.

Implications

This section addresses how the findings support or oppose current theory or practice. It describes how educators or policy makers may apply the results to increase the efficacy of schools and school personnel. It links findings to learning environments or experiences for the purpose of moving them toward excellence. This section should be written in the present tense and be contained in one page.

Directions for Future Research

This section describes how the current research could or should be expanded. Variables or phenomena that could be added, deleted, or re-examined are set forth. Suggestions concerning different methods or populations are made. This section should be contained in one page and is written in the future tense.

Limitations

The limitations of the study’s conclusions should be clearly stated. The limitations on generalizing the findings to other settings or populations should be stated. This section should be contained within one-half page and should be written in the past tense.

 

References

See APA 6 pages 49 et seq., 198, 202

 

Appendix A

 

Quick Reference for APA Publication Manual

(or mistakes most often made by graduate students)

 

Active voice	77
APA index	259-272
Basic citation styles (Table 6.1)	177
Capitalization	101
Crediting Sources	169 et seq.
Double or single quotation marks with other punctuation	92
Economy of expression	67
General reference form (Book)	202
General reference form (Periodical)	198
Headings	62
Numbers	111-113
Plagiarism	15-16, 170
Reference examples	193 et seq.