Question Master's thesis ---> Doctoral dissertation

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Clapper, Mar 25, 2008.

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  1. Clapper

    Clapper New Member

    My MSEd in counseling did not require a dissertation. I've often wondered, though, how common (or not) is it for someone who's completed a master's thesis to expand it into a doctoral dissertation? Assume each is completed at different schools. Theoretically, I imagine, a thesis in the pocket -- the "right" thesis -- could substantially lessen the completion time of a dissertation. Anyone???
     
  2. BlackBird

    BlackBird Member

    The answer to your question all depends on the folks who comprise your doctoral dissertation committee. Technically, you cannot do EXACT research you have previously done. Now, the positive side is that you can take your same previous research and go deeper, ask new questions, design a new study, etc., etc. that basically makes your research as "NEW" because it is a unique approach you have not previously considered in the same arena. For example, you could do a study of how autistic children on a specific medication and receiving constant loving touch from a parent do in comparison with children without medication but with constant parental loving touch. If that were for your Masters, you could conceivably simply change the kind of medication and you have a totally different research question intrinsically because you have changed parameters. The semantics may be the same but the components have gone through a change.

    Those who are better at this might elucidate more or even correct me. That's my opinion and experience in this world of academic research.
     

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