The Problem Statement
Pursuing a PhD or creating a solid masters thesis can be
difficult processes. For those without access to a variety of
resources and resource ideas, the research process alone can take
weeks or even months. At the same time, the formatting of sources and
the documenting of summarized information is difficult to do
correctly. Confusion over the use of parenthetical citations,
endnotes, footnotes, APA or MLA styles and standard APA dissertation
formats can create difficulties even for the most knowledgeable
students. Creating a bibliography that shows the appropriate format
and that corresponds with in-text citations is a common issue raised
in the process of writing a theses dissertations.
Educators have
recognized that the writing process can benefit substantially from the
use of examples to assist the learner in creating their own work,
especially when a research study must meet a particular format
criteria. Learning by example is an emerging technique that focuses on
the benefits for undergraduate and graduate students from viewing existing
theses or dissertations as models for their own work. The use of model
dissertations is a common practice promoted by many educators and
helps to demonstrate what is expected and acceptable in the writing of
an individual's own thesis or dissertation.
 
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