Graduate Catalog: 2012-2013 - Alabama A&M University

THESIS/DISERTATION REQUIREMENTSStudents who choose the option of writing a thesismust adhere to the following:1. Each student is responsible for identifying amajor professor, choosing a research topic, andwriting and editing the thesis or dissertation.The major professor serves as the chairperson ofthe student's advisory committee. The studentand the major professor select the members toserve on the research advisory committee. Thecommittee usually consists of four to fivemembers; at least one comes from outside of thestudent's major area of emphasis. Once theadvisory committee has been selected andapproved, they will serve as advisors for thecandidate in the development of the researchproposal. Before the end of the second semesterof enrollment, the student must complete (1) aPlanned Degree Program, (2) attend thethesis/dissertation preparation workshop, and (3)prepare and acceptable thesis or dissertationproposal. All thesis and dissertation papersmust conform to either the APA, Chicago, orMLA writing styles (depending on thepreference of the specific department).2. The subject of the thesis/dissertation should bechosen from the candidate's field of majorinterest and must be approved by thedepartmental advisory committee. Thethesis/dissertation should reveal a capacity tocarry on independent study or research.3. The student is advised to consult the School ofGraduate Studies and the publication "Thesis andDissertation Guidelines for Graduate Students"for general information regarding the preparationof a thesis/dissertation.4. Each student is required to enroll in at least onesemester hour of thesis/dissertation writingduring the semester he/she expects to defendhis/her thesis/dissertation. The student must alsosubmit a committee-approved draft to the Officeof Graduate Studies at least two weeks prior tothe scheduling of the oral defense. All thesis, anddissertation papers must be submittedelectronically by the following dates:a. October 19, 2012 ……. fall semesterb. March 22, 2013 ………spring semesterc. May 28, 2013. ………..summer semesterThesis, and dissertation papers must besubmitted electronically (for more details aboutthe electronic submission of thesis, anddissertation papers see the Thesis andDissertation Guide).5. Immediately following the candidate's oraldefense examination, the student should consulteither the advisor or the Graduate Office or theThesis and Dissertation Guide for specificdirections concerning binding, labeling and otherroutine procedures.ACTION RESEARCH REQUIREMENTSAll students seeking Ed.S. degrees must complete anAction Research project. Action Research projectsare designed to solve is practical problems throughthe application of the scientific method. Mostprojects are concerned with a local problem and areconducted in a local setting. Action researchproblems may employ either a quantitative orqualitative methodology. In the completion of theAction Research Project students must adhere to thefollowing:1. Enroll in the courses FED 696 and FED 697(courses must be taken in sequence).2. Prepare an Action Research paper proposalin conjunction with the instructor of FED696. Each proposal must:a. Briefly state the rationale for thestudy.b. Describe the population fromwhich the study will target. Howmany subjects will be used andhow will they be selected (Ifconsent will have to be given byproxy, be sure to include astatement of why this particularproject is merited with thispopulation).c. Describe in non-technical terms theexperimental research proceduresto which subjects will be exposed.Include sufficient detail so that theinstructor of FED 696 canindependently evaluate the risks tosubjects. If questionnaires will beused, include copies of these itemswith your proposal.d. Describe the procedures you willuse to insure that informationgleamed from participants willremain confidential, or give reasonswhy this cannot be done. In casesinvolving sensitive or potentiallyharmful information, where subjectidentities are to be retained pleasedescribe your security procedures.29