Chapter 5 Milestone

Although the entire dissertation represents an opportunity for you to demonstrate your doctoral level ability to design and conduct meaningful research, the discussion chapter often represents a particular opportunity to distinguish one’s research competency. Consider the flow of the dissertation and how each chapter fits together. Chapter one represents an introduction to the study, but also contains succinct sections summarizing key information from every section of the dissertation. A well-done chapter one may be nearly ready for submission to a journal for publication. Chapter two engages the existing literature to draw out a topic and a question for your research. In other words, it moves from the broad (discipline literature) to the specific (your study). Chapter three discusses how you are going to conduct your specific research. Chapter four reports the findings of your study. Accordingly, chapter five is your opportunity to take what you’ve learned from your specific study and integrate it back into the larger body of discipline.

How do your findings point out consistencies or inconsistencies with other studies (e.g., literature review)? How do you interpret the meaning of the results? How do your findings inform, extend, or even challenge existing theories or ideas? These questions are not meant to be an outline per se, but idea starters about the types of things you should address.

Similar to previous sections of your dissertation, you should organize your discussion chapter using headings and subheadings. Be rigorous and vigorous in how you connect your findings to the literature. Chapter five is an opportunity for you to “flex your muscles” and show your mastery of the discipline in the application of your research findings. However, be sure to acknowledge any risks, limitations, biases, or weaknesses in the findings or the interpretation.

As a part of the scholarly and professional community, you need to answer the “so what” question. For example, are their recommendations for practitioners or practicing professionals that emerge from your work? What should leaders or organizations do differently? Also, provide your recommendations for future research. What should researchers consider next? Where does your study take the field? What gaps are still evident? What questions are still unanswered?

As the final segment of your study, provide a brief (1 -2 page) capstone. Synthesize the study down to its most essential parts. What did you do? Why? What did you find? Did you answer your question? Why does it matter?

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