liberty university dissertation process

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Dissertation Proposal and Research III – DISS 989

CG • Section 16WK • 11/10/2019 to 04/18/2020 • Modified 02/01/2024

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Course Description

A course designed as the final step for dissertation research and writing prior to the dissertation defense. Under the guidance of the dissertation chair and committee members, students will research and write chapters to complete the dissertation and to prepare for the final defense in DISS 990.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the  Academic Course Catalog .

This course is the third step in completing the dissertation for the PhD in Theology and Apologetics degree. In DISS 989, the PhD candidate researches and prepares new and final chapters for the dissertation. The tasks for this course must be successfully completed before the student can move to the defense of the dissertation. Students will remain in DISS 989 until their dissertation chair determines that the dissertation is ready to defend.

Course Assignment

Before taking this quiz, the student will schedule and hold at least one meeting with his or her dissertation committee to discuss the progress on his or her dissertation. The discussion may include issues related to the contents of the proposal and the following chapters, issues concerning proper sources, and any other issues that the committee may need to address. The student is required to meet virtually at least ONCE with the dissertation committee, but since there are 2 weeks to complete this assignment they may meet more than once. Only ONE grade will be submitted for this assignment. This meeting must take place prior to the last day of Week 2. (CLO: A)

Dissertation

For these, the student will construct a first draft of a minimum of two new chapters for the dissertation. These chapters should represent the final materials to complete the dissertation writing process. This assignment will provide an opportunity to formulate thoughts on the dissertation topic while producing new chapters based on research and information from prior chapters. The student will submit new chapter drafts on the dissertation topic (in consultation with the dissertation chair and committee). The dissertation chair and committee will return these first drafts for revision. (CLO: B)

For these, students will revise the two (or more) chapters for the dissertation based on feedback from the dissertation chair and committee. This assignment will provide an opportunity to formulate thoughts on the dissertation topic while editing and revising new chapters based on the information contained in the feedback from the dissertation chair and committee. The student will submit revised drafts on the dissertation topic (in consultation with the dissertation chair and committee). (CLOs: C, D, E)

The student will respond to four true/false questions about the contents and assignments of the class. The dissertation chair will use these responses to determine whether or not the student is ready to move on to DISS 990. If the student is not ready to move on to DISS 990 and to defend the dissertation, the chair will inform the program director that the student will take DISS 989 again. If the chair decides that the student is ready to defend the dissertation, then a request to place the student in DISS 990 should be sent to the program director. (CLO: B)

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Welcome Graduate Students!

Welcome to Liberty University! This guide is crafted to help you access the Jerry Falwell Library's resources and services that will benefit you most.  Our most important research tip: Contact us if you have a research question!  You can reach our team by calling (434) 582-2220 or emailing [email protected] . 

The Jerry Falwell Library has a new website. The tutorial Welcome to the New Website highlights the website's new features. 

Your Academic Liaison Librarian

During your graduate studies, you can consult a liaison librarian, a subject specialist in your discipline, for specialized research assistance. Your liaison librarian and their services are provided below. 

• Academic Liaison Librarian, Your Subject Specialist 

Need help with a subject specific research question? Use the link above to contact the liaison librarian for your discipline. 

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Beginning the research process? The link above provides a list of research guides for your area of study. 

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Websites to Bookmark

Bookmarking these sites to your computer will save you time as you complete your research. 

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Your gateway to all of the Jerry Falwell Library's resources-- from historic books to scientific databases 

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RefWorks is a citation management service available to all Liberty Students. RefWorks  can assist you in organizing your research articles and in creating detailed bibliographies. 

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• LibriVox 

Struggling to get through some dense classical literature? LibriVox has thousands of free public-domain audiobooks. You can listen online or use their mobile app. 

• WorldCat.org

World Cat is an international library catalog. You can use World Cat to find books at libraries close to you. 

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• Last Updated: Aug 28, 2023 1:51 PM
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Course Catalog | Liberty University

Communication studies (coms).

Online Prerequisite: DIGI 700

Dissertation I is the initial step for PhD students and faculty to actualize the student's research project. It provides a focused study of the problem, purpose, significance, theoretical framework, biblical integration, and important literature relevant to the proposed project.

Offered: Online

This course is the second step for PhD students and faculty to actualize the student's dissertation. It provides a focused study of the methodology that will be employed in the dissertation, and allows students to finalize their literature review. Students will also progress through the IRB process, in preparation for conducting their project.

This course is the third step for PhD students and faculty to actualize the student's dissertation. The student will conduct their final project research. Students will finalize dissertation with an emphasis on developing results and analysis section.

Under the direction of the dissertation chair and committee, doctoral candidates defend their dissertation research. The student must also complete any changes as determined by committee members, ensure compliance with the Dissertation Manual's form and style, and upload the final dissertation according to stated protocols. The final oral Ph.D. dissertation defense is primarily an opportunity to share the research and address questions and challenges about the research. It is held following the approval of the dissertation committee, and is open to the public, held on campus, and scheduled a minimum of one month following approval.

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