Strategies to Grow and Expand a Nonprofit Business

1-1 Previews the content of the chapter.

1-2 Explains what readers can expect in this chapter and grabs readers’ attention.

Historical Background

2-1 Uses the academic publications that inform the doctoral candidate’s study.

2-2 Focuses on the doctoral candidate’s topic.

2-3 Shapes the focus and design of their research.

3-1 Provides evidences that the topic is current and relevant to the research study.

3-2 The literature covered in this section is sufficient in detail to describe the existing knowledge on the doctoral candidate’s topic.

3-3 Positions where and how their work will fit within their chosen field.

3-4 Systematically addresses the research questions.

Theoretical Constructs

Considers key elements and includes answers to the following questions:

5-1 Are relationships and patterns (e.g., major schools of thought and theoretical perspectives) extant among the works?

5-2 Are critical analyses of the works included?

6-1 Have all major sources been explored (e.g., conference proceedings, technical, occasional, and position papers, dissertations, etc. in addition to the obvious sources)?

6-2 Does the literature contain or include recent reviews (meta-analyses) on the topic of interest?

7-1 How does the current study build on the present knowledge base?

7-2 Does the literature include critical synthesis of research on variables and/or problems of the proposed study?

7-3 Does the literature address strengths and weaknesses of research related to proposed study, including methodology, samples, and inconsistencies in (competing) research findings?

8-1 Is the literature integrated and synthesized in a meaningful way (e.g., through tables, descriptors, chronology, etc.)

8-2 Is the literature organized to reflect and/or address the content of research questions?

Literature Review Summation

9-1 Provides background and summary of the literature review.

9-2 Provides the way in which the literature backs the needs of the proposed study and transition to Chapter 3.

10-1 All arguments are written in coherent and convincing manner supported by credible, relevant, and substantive evidence.

10-2 Organizational structures (i.e. introduction, headings for core areas, transition between the paragraphs, and conclusion) are purposeful, effective, and skillful. 

10-3 Uses conventions of the academic writing style (grammar, punctuation, spelling) are at the level expected for publication; consistently uses an effective academic voice and scholarly tone.)

10-4 Adheres to APA style in text citations, references, and conventions to reduce bias in language.