3.1.6.3 Format of the Dissertation
The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA; the most recent edition) should be consulted for format guidelines. The dissertation will consist of an Introduction (Chapter 1), a minimum of three data-based manuscripts (Chapters 2, 3, 4), Conclusions and Future Directions (Chapter 5), References, and Appendices (when appropriate). Each of these components is described below:
CHAPTER 1: Chapter 1 consists of an introduction to the entire scope of the dissertation. The introduction should contain a clear and precise statement of the purpose of the entire group of manuscripts in relation to a theoretically-based overarching area of research. A description of the significance and need for the research conducted for the dissertation should be included in this chapter. A table that outlines the purpose of each manuscript “chapter,” and its contribution to new knowledge should be included.
CHAPTERS 2, 3, 4: The core of the dissertation is a series of three data-based manuscripts (one manuscript per chapter) that represent work completed during the student’s PhD program. Each manuscript chapter should stand alone as a significant contribution that could be submitted to a peer-reviewed research journal. Each manuscript chapter must have a cover page that includes the paper title, a statement of each author’s contributions, funding acknowledgements, submission history (dates for initial submission, revision/resubmission, final disposition, etc. as applicable), and full citation (including doi and PMID if applicable) if the manuscript has been published. Reprints of papers that have already been published should not be included in the dissertation document.
If a dissertation chapter has already been published elsewhere: The student must have permission from the publisher/publication for the text and graphics that appear in the external publication to appear in the dissertation chapter. If the student is not able to obtain such permission, a citation (including DOI) and abstract for the published article can be included in place of that dissertation chapter in the final submitted dissertation document.
CHAPTER 5: In this final chapter, the student should succinctly summarize and integrate all findings from all of the studies that were conducted for the dissertation, including overall strengths and weaknesses/limitations of the research. This section should end with specific conclusions based on the entire body of work that was carried out and provide suggestions for future research. This important section should be concise and complete because it may be the only section read by interested parties not on the dissertation committee.
REFERENCES
References to the literature should be confined to those sources cited in the prior chapters (all references in the manuscripts do not need to be listed). The purpose of listing references is to make it possible for readers, especially committee members, to locate references, so accuracy is mandatory.
APPENDICES
Appendices should include a copy of the consent form for human subjects research, pertinent communications, copies of interview guides, protocols, measurement instruments, and other documents directly relevant to the study that is the basis for the dissertation. If it seems desirable to present tabulated raw data or detailed descriptions or techniques or methodologies that are additional to the chapters in the dissertation, these materials should be included as an appendix.
FINAL SUBMISSION
An electronic version of the final dissertation document must be submitted to the PhD Program Director and Program Coordinator. Copies of the final title, abstract and signature pages are then submitted to the IHP Registrar as evidence of degree completion.
Students entering the program in fall 2022 or after are additionally required to submit their full dissertation to ProQuest, Instructions for this procedure can be found at https://www.mghihp.edu/thesis-and-dissertation-filing-procedure-mgh-institute-students
Students will be responsible for ProQuest fees.