Dissertation Essentials
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Differentiating between Doctorate Degrees
Contribution of new knowledge.
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This section outlines various characteristics of doctoral programs and the associated research processes and resources that help to distinguish research degrees (Ph.D.) from applied degrees: DHA*, DBA, EdD*, DNP*, DMFT*.
The key research design differences between an applied and research degree are scope and significance. Both degree tracks require that the stated research design demonstrate scientific rigor. However, the applied degree will be limited in scope to the specific study context and the results should be significant to leaders and practitioners in the field. Research (Ph.D.) studies must have theoretical implications and make a contribution to the literature.
*Students in the EdD, DMFT, DHA, DNP program will complete a doctoral project/dissertation-in-practice via the Applied Doctoral Experience (ADE) vs completing a dissertation as part of the Doctoral Student Experience (DSE).
The current guidelines are that a dissertation must:
- Summarize, analyze, and integrate scholarly literature and research relevant to a topic area, focusing on developments in the area in the previous five years, and,
- Present original research in an area related to a student’s program and specialization.
While Ph.D. dissertations demonstrate how the research contributes to theoretical development in an area, applied doctorate dissertations typically contribute to practice.
The current DSE standards include the non-negotiable requirement of every doctoral manuscript (Ph.D. or applied doctorate) to include a comprehensive, up-to-date, and critically evaluative review of the professional and scientific, peer-reviewed literature pertaining to its topic. A Ph.D. requires original ideas about a specialized topic, as well as a high degree of methodological/scientific rigor (Nelson, & Coorough, 1994). As is traditional in higher education, a Ph.D. is only going to be awarded for a piece of work that will actually make a difference to the theoretical context of the field --- the Ph.D. dissertation is a new contribution to the body of knowledge.
An applied dissertation requires the practical application of scholarship (Nelson, & Coorough,1994; Wergin, 2011). Examples of an applied investigation may include a replication study, a case study, program evaluation, or a special project (such as, for example, the creation of a curriculum, training program, clinical protocol or policy, or educational artifact), followed by an evaluation. A doctoral project for a professional degree does not have to be an original contribution to the body of knowledge that impacts the theories in the field but typically responds to a practical problem or proposed innovation (Archibald, 2010).
The fundamental differentiation between Ph.D. research programs and professional degree research programs is that the focus of the Ph.D. is to contribute new knowledge to the field. The focus of professional degree research programs is to apply theoretical knowledge to the advancement of practice in the field (solve complex problems) (Archibald, 2010; Corley & Giola 2011; Huba, Shubb & Shelley, 2006).
Archibald, D. (2010). “Breaking the mold” in the dissertation: Implementing a problem-based, decision-oriented thesis project. The Journal of Continuing Higher Education, 58(2), 99-107.
Corley, K. G. & Giola, D. (2011). Building Theory about theory building: What constitutes a theoretical contribution? Academy of Management Review, 36(1), 12-32.
Huba, M. Shubb, J. & Shelley, J. (2006). Recasting doctoral education in an outcomes-based framework. In P. Maki & N. Borkowski (Eds.), The assessment of doctoral education: Emerging criteria and new models for improving outcomes (239-272). Sterling VA: Stylus.
Nelson, J.K., & Coorough, C. (1994). Content analysis of the Ph.D. versus Ed.D. dissertation. The Journal of Experimental Education, 62(2), 158-168.
Wergin, J.F. (2011). Rebooting the Ed.D.. Harvard Educational Review, 81(1), 119-140.
Differentiating scholarly contribution of new knowledge between Ph.D. and applied doctorates (e.g., DBA, EdD, DMFT) includes two criteria to determine contribution: originality and utility.
Originality
Originality is measured by assessing whether the knowledge derived in the research has the quality of being either, "incremental" (appropriate for professional degrees such as a DBA, Ed.D. or Psy.D.) or "revelatory" (most sought-after for the Ph.D.). This means that the research adds value in such a way that it either advances our understanding of prevailing theory (incremental), or it allows us to see something that we have never seen before (revelatory).
Utility means the research must generate knowledge that is of either "scientific value" or “practical value.” Scientific value (predominate measure for Ph.D.) advances our conceptual rigor or enhances its potential for operationalization and testing, broadly. That means the scope of a project must be great enough such that it contributes to, extends, or facilitates extension, of theory. Practical value advances our ability to apply theory directly, in managerial and organizational pursuits, in education and healthcare settings, or in therapeutic or counseling settings.
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The difference between a dissertation and doctoral capstone
May 30, 2023
Estimated reading time: 3-4 minutes
If youâve been researching doctoral degrees, you may notice that virtually all PhD programs require a dissertation, while some professional doctorates require a doctoral capstone or an alternative doctoral project.
So, whatâs the difference between the two?
What do a dissertation and doctoral capstone have in common?
All doctoral programs help prepare students to contribute evidence-based practice in their field. Students learn to apply leadership principles and strategies that promote community support, diversity and individuality in the workplace, and the community.
Completing either a dissertation or a doctoral capstone requires intense preparation and a strong foundation in writing and critical thinking. Both culminate in a final document or project that demonstrates a broadened knowledge of relevant theory and practice.
What are the main differences between a dissertation and a doctoral capstone?
The Capella doctoral experience offers a good comparison of the two types of final project.
The Capella dissertation is a traditional five-chapter research document that youâll develop as you work with a faculty mentor and dissertation committee members. Itâs meant to be a work of high-quality academic research that contributes to your field of study.
The doctoral capstone can take many different forms depending on your program, your specialization or area of interest within your subject and other variables. Working with a faculty mentor and committee, youâll complete a project that offers solutions or improvements to a real-world problem relevant to your field of study.
- Project focus
- Project deliverable
- Deliverable detail
Doctoral Capstone
- Extends or applies research to solve a real-world problem
- Provides a solution to a problem within a specific organizational setting
- Presents the results in a deliverable (paper, product, or portfolio) and a final report that describes the creation of the deliverable
Dissertation
- Involves a quest for new knowledge to solve a real-world problem
- Addresses a research problem in one field of specialization
- Involves either quantitative or qualitative research methods
- Paper, Product or Portfolio
- Action research
- Clinical Research Paper
- Program Curriculum
- Change Management Plan
- Chapter 1. Introduction and Statement of the Problem
- Chapter 2. Literature Review
- Chapter 3. Methodology
- Chapter 4. Data Analysis and Results
- Chapter 5. Conclusions and Recommendations
Ready to explore the doctoral path that could work best for you? Capella University offers PhD and professional doctorate degree programs ranging from business and education to health care and technology.
Learn more about Capellaâs online doctoral programs.
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