How to Write a Master′s Thesis

Yvonne N. Bui (PhD, Special Education, Learning Disabilities, University of Kansas) is Associate Professor and Chairperson of the Department of Learning and Instruction, School of Education at the University of San Francisco. She teaches master’s- and doctoral-level courses in Special Education, Research Methods, Master’s Thesis, Statistics, Grant Writing, and Dissertation Proposal Development. She serves as the chairperson and committee member for students’ theses and dissertations within the School of Education. She is the coeditor of Exceptional Children in Today’s Schools: What Teachers Need to Know. Her research interests include developing curriculum for students with disabilities from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and international special education. Her personal interests include reading, writing, hiking, backpacking, camping, traveling, and spending time with her family.

List of Students’ Master’s Theses
Preface
About the Author
Chapter 1. Overview of the Master’s Degree and Thesis
The Master’s Degree
What Is a Master’s Thesis?
Selecting a Thesis Chairperson and Committee
How to Read and Use This Book
Components of a Master’s Thesis
Quantitative, Qualitative, or Mixed Methods Research?
Style Form
Summary
Resources
Chapter 2. Selecting a Research Topic
Important Factors to Consider When Selecting a Topic
How to Narrow and Refocus Your Topic
Developing Answerable Research Questions
Creating a Realistic Timeline
Time Management
Summary
Resources
Chapter 3. Using the Literature to Research Your Problem
Benefits of Conducting a Literature Review
Meeting With a Reference Librarian
Sources of Data: Primary Versus Secondary
Selecting Keywords
Conducting Searches in Electronic Databases
Conducting Searches on the Internet
Different Types of Articles
Staying Organized
Summary
Resources
Chapter 4. Conducting Ethical Research
Legal Regulations and Ethical Standards
Institutional Review Board (IRB)
Ethical Behavior
Summary
Resources
Chapter 5. How to Write Chapter One, Introduction
Writing Style
Chapter One Sections
Summary
Resources
Chapter 6. How to Write Chapter Two, Literature Review
Preparation and Organization
Chapter Two Sections
Summary
Resources
Chapter 7. How to Write Chapter Three, Methods
Research Designs and Research Methods
Preparation and Organization
Chapter Three Sections
Summary
Resources
Chapter 8. How to Write Chapter Four, Results and Findings
Preparation and Organization
Chapter Four Sections
Quantitative Data
Qualitative Data
Mixed Methods Data
Summary
Resources
Chapter 9. How to Write Chapter Five, Discussion
Preparation and Organization
Chapter Five Sections
Summary
Resources
Chapter 10. Wrapping It All Up
Preparation and Organization
APA Style
Next Steps: Presenting at Conferences and Getting Published
Summary
Resources
Appendices
Glossary
References
Author Index
Subject Index