applied dissertation

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by AdamJLaw, Oct 2, 2008.

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  1. AdamJLaw

    AdamJLaw New Member

    What is the difference between a normal dissertation and an applied dissertation?
     
  2. me again

    me again Well-Known Member

    Real world v. hypothetical

    A normal dissertation comes from Harvard, Cambridge or UCLA. All others are inferior. ;)

    However, to expand on that a little bit, an applied dissertation can be qualitative in nature (possibly with preexisting quantitative data) and can be applicable towards a real word situation. Other normal dissertations might only apply a hypothetical situation relying mostly on quantitative data.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 2, 2008
  3. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    This is an interesting distinction that I had never really thought about.

    I suppose that it's also possible that a piece of research that was done on a hypothetical basis might, at some point in the future, be applied to a real world situation and then it might be considered to be a prophetical dissertation. :rolleyes:

    Sorry, I couldn't resist. Are people in certain disciplines ever required to write an "applied" or a "normal" dissertation? or is this just an afterthought distinction?
     
  4. jezbaw

    jezbaw New Member

    Disseration/Unsa

    HEllo Friends,
    I need help.
    I contacted UNISA to get information about their PH.D program. I was told to write a research proposal (Physics/technology education). Is that how research only schools work? there wont be any help from a professor what kind of research i have to work on? Any website or trainign center where i get information on how to write Dissertation propsals.I am new to this. My degree in a professional masters degree ( No requirements for thesis) and I am really interested to do my PH.D.
    need your help.
    anyone who been through UNISAs education system(PH.D)program is welcome.
     
  5. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    I am using three books right now to help me with the frame work for my concept paper-
    Creswell. J. W. (2003) Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. ISBN 978-0-7619-2442-5

    Trochim, W., & Donnelly, J. (2007) The research methods knowledge base Mason, OH: Thomson Learning. ISBN: 978-1592602919

    Zikmund, W. (2003) Business research methods Mason, OH: Thomson Learning. ISBN 978-0-0303-5084-9
     
  6. PhD2B

    PhD2B Dazed and Confused

    Would this question be similar to that of what the difference is between a PhD and other [applied] research doctorates? If so, then see the link below.

    http://forums.degreeinfo.com/showpost.php?p=272878&postcount=28
     
  7. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    Hi Jez - The first thing you should do is to read the UNISA website thoroughly. It's not easy to do because it's not organized really well. The second thing you should do is to go to this website

    http://www.iaci-canada.com/

    and read it all the way through. Between these two steps you should get most of your questions answered.

    As for writing the proposal, if you look on the enrollment application you'll see that they ask you for the title of your dissertation. It's actually better to give them a page or two describing your proposed research. Because it's dissertation-only they expect you to have a clear idea of what you want to do. Once you're admitted/enrolled you will have an advisor to work with you.
     
  8. Anthony Pina

    Anthony Pina Active Member

    A "normal" dissertation is a piece of original research (using either quantitative or qualitative methodologies) that fills a research gap in the knowledge base of that discipline and expands the knowledge base.

    An "applied" dissertation generally (but not always) takes the form of a project to solve a problem (like the design and development of a staff development program in a specific area) and includes data to evaluate the effectiveness of the program.

    Many masters programs provide the option of doing a research thesis or an applied project. For the doctorate, it is similar, but at a higher level.
     
  9. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    I don't agree with this construct. "Applied" or not does not drive the selection of research method(s), which is implied above. Quantitative or qualitative methods may be used in "applied" or "normal" (more on that term in a minute) studies.

    Also, doing a study with "preexisting quantitative data" isn't qualitative, it is quantitative. Quantitative methods do not necessarily require the creation of new, original data. They can also be applied to pre-existing data.

    Finally, whether or not a dissertation is "applied" isn't a dichotomy between "real world" and "hypothetical." All dissertations are, to varying degrees, "hypothetical" in that they're based on either hypotheses or research questions. (Testing theory, typically, is done with quantitative methods testing hypotheses. Creating theory, on the other hand, usually involves qualitative methods to examine research questions.)

    Now, to the OP's question. "Applied" dissertations often attack a specific situation--the measurement of the efficacy of a training program, for example. Theoretical dissertations (not "normal") examine theories, either those already in the literature or those created for the purpose of being tested. To do so, one creates hypotheses related to the larger question or theory, then collects data that will either support or fail to support the hypotheses. It's more complicated than this, of course, but you get the idea.

    There are some who say doctoral study should be about testing theories. Some also feel it is important to collect data in order to create theories. These schools of thought don't normally include "applied" research, considering it non-academic. If there is any difference between the Ph.D. and other doctoral degrees, it is sometimes in this area, where the Ed.D. and DBA (and other degrees) support applied research on operational issues, not the theory underlying them.

    There are some, however, who say such doctrinal lines are often blurred--and I agree. Ph.D. degrees are sometimes awarded for applied research (mine was). I would suspect an Ed.D. or DBA could be awarded for research on theory. (Some schools make no distinction between the Ph.D. and other doctorates.)

    Finally, acceptable research methods are often driven by expectations within one's discipline--or one's school, one's department, even one's advisor. Some people think qualitative methods are "soft" or "unscientific," for example. Yet within some disciplines--like sociology--there are raging epistemological debates over the applicability of positivist methods (like quantitative analysis), arguing that qualitative methods are the only ones truly utile.

    Hope this helps.
     
  10. me again

    me again Well-Known Member

    Different schools, as well as different people, can have different opinions on this issue. It's even possible for committee members to disagree with each other, which can really cause confusion for the doctoral student. Your mileage may vary.
     
  11. edowave

    edowave Active Member

    I favor the "abnormal" dissertations. see http://improbable.com/ig/winners/#ig2008

    My favorite - Professional Lap Dancer's ovulatory cycle affects her tip earnings.

    Could be considered applied research I suppose.
     
  12. BlackBird

    BlackBird Member

    I personally think that though Creswell is the guru of qualitative my favorite book that helped me navigate through qualitative analysis is Patton's Book.
     

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