DCS 600
Doctoral Thesis
Seminar
Instructors: Mike Menefee / Bill Chaffin
Introductions – The Student
Name
Council
Position
Scouting Experience:
• Youth –
• Adult –
Introductions – The Instructors
Bill Chaffin
Heart of Virginia Council
Asst Dean, Doctoral Program, Position
Scouting Experience:
• Youth –
• Adult –
Introductions – The Instructors
Mike Menefee
menefeem@comcast.net
Heart of Virginia Council
Dean, Doctoral Program, Assistant Council
Commissioner, Unit Commissioner
Scouting Experience:
• Youth – Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Explorers
• Adult – SM, DC, ACC, UC, Executive Board
Member
Doctoral Program Overview
DCS 601 — Selecting a Topic
DCS 602 — Limiting the Scope of the Topic
DCS 603 — Developing Outline / Writing Report
DCS 604 — Thesis Workshop
DCS 608 — Advanced Commissioner Lifesaving
DCS 610 — Preventing Commissioner Burnout
DCS 611 — Consider Your Spouse and Family
DCS 620 — Assessing Council and District Health
DCS 701 — The Commissioner and Professional
DCS 715 — Journey to Excellence
DCS 600
(Odd Yr)
(Even Yr)
(Odd Yr)
(Even Yr)
DCS 600-1
I don’t know
how to do it,
so I won’t do it
Doctoral
Program
Overview
Commissioner
Doctoral
Thesis is too
scary!
DCS 600-2
Doctoral Program Overview
DCS 600-3
Doctoral Thesis Seminar
DCS 600-4
Doctoral Program Overview
DCS 600-5
Doctoral Thesis Requirements
Select and execute a thesis approved by
the Dean of the Doctoral Program or the
Council Commissioner and the
Commissioner Staff Advisor.
Submit the written thesis for review and
appear before the Doctoral Review Board
for a presentation of your thesis.
DCS 600-6
Doctoral Thesis Requirements
Satisfactory development on any topic of
value to Scouting at the local council level.
Show evidence of meaningful research,
development and study.
Minimum of 20 double-spaced, typed
pages bound in a non-permanent
binder.
Include complete Bibliography.
DCS 600-7
Doctoral Thesis Requirements
Deadline December 1 for conference award.
Acceptance by the Doctoral Review Board.
DCS 600-8
Developing a Doctoral Thesis
• Provide an overview for thesis
development / research.
Learning
• Provide
an overview of the
Objectives
Doctoral Candidacy Program.
DCS 600-9
Step 1: Planning Ahead
Start your thesis thought
process early
Decide on a possible topic
of interest
Determine feasibility
of a topic that can be
accomplished by yourself
THESIS
IDEA
DCS 600-10
Step 1: Planning Ahead
What is the concern / problem?
What benefits can be derived?
Draft a general outline.
Submit thesis concept for approval.
Do not start until approved.
DCS 600-11
Step 2: Thesis Approval Form
Good for 3
years from
approval
DCS 600-12
Step 3: Thesis Development
Outline:
Reduce the Problem to a
The Scope of the Study.
Preliminary Exploration of the Topic.
DCS 600-13
Reduce to a Workable Size
Why?
Confines area of most expertise
Focuses on problem or need
Limits required research
DCS 600-14
Limit Scope of Study
Why?
Feasibility
Availability of Data
A Workable Factor of a larger problem
Financial Cost (time / effort / materials)
DCS 600-15
Preliminary Exploration of the
Topic Discussion
Limited by Feasibility:
Study should be useful to you and other
Scouters
Study should be useful to the district,
council, area, region or national
Makes better use of your time and talents
DCS 600-16
Preliminary Exploration of the
Topic Discussion
Limited by Availability of Data:
Current information as to what is
happening now
Focused on your Council / District needs
Resources — Other Scouters dealing with
same problem
DCS 600-17
Preliminary Exploration of the
Topic Discussion
Limited to a Workable Factor:
Personal knowledge of the Need
Personal knowledge of Cause / Effect
Determine Realistic Solutions
Resource — Scouting Experiences
DCS 600-18
Preliminary Exploration of the
Topic Discussion
Limited by Time Constraints:
Time required to complete research
Time required to analyze material
Time required to write, rewrite, and type in
final form
DCS 600-19
Step 4: Project Steps
State the Problem or Need:
What are Cub Advancement Motivators?
Why do some boys do not transition from
Cubs Scouts to Boy Scouts?
Why is summer camp
attendance low?
DCS 600-20
Step 4: Project Steps
Observations, Interviews, Surveys:
Watch meetings to spot leadership skills
used / not used
Interview boys / parents / leaders
Survey samples of new / experienced
leaders
Field Testing: — See if the idea works
DCS 600-21
A Practical Example
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Units need Training
Cub Scout Training
Cub Scout Training for New Leaders
Immediate Cub Scout Training for New Leaders
Immediate Essential Cub Scout Training for New
Leaders
“A method of providing immediate essential
Cub Scout training to new Cub Scout leaders.”
DCS 600-22
Another Practical Example
1) Commissioner Responsibilities
2) Responsible to improve Quality Unit
status
3) Only 40% of Troops attended
term camp
long-
“A Commissioner program to improve
Troop Summer Camp attendance.”
DCS 600-23
Class Exercise
Teams of Three:
10 minutes
Select a Topic:
What was the Main Area?
Steps to Refine the Topic?
Not content or how to do it.
DCS 600-24
Class Exercise
Team Reports
Selected Team Report
(5 min max)
What Topic was selected?
How was the Topic Refined?
DCS 600-25
Step 5: Thesis / Project Research
Library Research
Scouting Policy / Literature
Consultants
Statistical Data
Experimentation
Review of other Studies related to Topic
DCS 600-26
Step 5: Questionnaires/Interviews
Select best questions for purpose
Unbiased wording
Layout and Order of questions
Preliminary Trial
Revise as required
Preparation of Instructions
DCS 600-27
Step 5: Transformation of Data
Need Accurate, Reliable Data
Uniform, Consistent Data
Complete Data
Organization / Coding of Data
Tabulation of Data
Interpretation of Results
DCS 600-28
Step 6: Thesis Structure
Organize your thesis as a logical argument
Use figures to illustrate your argument
Main Sections:
Introduction
Research
Observations
Analysis
Conclusions / Recommendations
DCS 600-29
Introduction
Need a GOOD introduction
Include a “hook”
Cite previous research in this area
Explain why more work was necessary
Summarize the most important results
Form your arguments and defense thoughts
DCS 600-30
Research / Observations
Survey / First Hand Observations
Exploratory Interviews and Visits
Describe information used
What Group is involved?
Document information used in the Bibliography
DCS 600-31
Analysis
Connect the dots of current events to issues
What are the Key Issues?
Why is it being performed this way?
How can these Key Issues be improved or
eliminated?
Who has the authority to implement the
solution?
DCS 600-32
Conclusions / Recommendations
How will your proposal improve the event?
How can the improvement be implemented?
What are the Benefits / Costs?
What actions are recommended to the
“authority”?
DCS 600-33
Types of Thesis
Informative Report – Focuses on procedures or
organization. Enhances programs delivery.
Analytical Report – Detailed analysis of problems,
trends, and presents possible solutions.
Experimental Project Report – Detailed report
where a problem is identified and defined and
presents possible solutions.
DCS 600-34
Step 7: Writing the Thesis
Assembling Material:
Use of Diagrams
Supporting Material
What to put in Appendixes
Preparing the Bibliography
How-to and Reference Material
Follow the Outline — Revise again
Organize notes according to the Outline
DCS 600-35
Prefatory Material
Title Page
Table of Contents
Lists of illustrations, tables, and charts
Preface or Foreword
DCS 600-36
Body of the Thesis
Introductory Chapters (Background,
Purpose, Problem, Delimitation of Subject /
Methods, Summary of Study Findings)
Analysis and Interpretation of Findings
Conclusions and Recommendations based
on information presented
Summary Chapter
DCS 600-37
Supplementary Material
Appendixes
Bibliography
Index
Glossary of Terms
DCS 600-38
Write the First Draft
Introduction — purpose, arouse interest
Paragraphing — each new phase
Transitional Devices:
Repetition
Direct Reference
Connectives
Transitional Paragraph
Conclusion — summarize, reemphasize
DCS 600-39
Read, Revise, Rewrite (1)
Purpose clear?
Paragraphing correct?
Paragraphs make major points?
Each paragraph unified and coherent?
Paragraphs clearly related to one another?
Sentences varied in structure?
DCS 600-40
Read, Revise, Rewrite (2)
Sentences be better written?
Too wordy?
Eliminate some expressions or words?
Need punctuation to make meaning clear?
All words spelled correctly?
Parts need to be rewritten for clarity?
DCS 600-41
Bibliography
Compile Bibliography
Give Sources for Facts
Give Credit for Other’s Thoughts
DCS 600-42
Review
Have someone else carefully read
Mark anything that is unclear or awkward
Revise again
DCS 600-43
Finally!
Type in Final Form
Edit
Correct
Submit
DCS 600-44
Step 8: Thesis Presentation
Know your Audience
Know your Material
Develop presentation
on Your thesis
Present the Material –
DO NOT read the slides
based
DO
Be in PROPER and CORRECT uniform
DCS 600-45
Doctoral Review
Board
DCS 600-46
Doctoral Review Board
• Called into session by the Dean of the
Doctoral Program
• Consist of Dean of the Doctoral Program, the
Council Scout Executive or his/her appointed
Staff Advisor, and at least one other Scouter
with a Doctoral Degree
• Reviews the thesis for completeness and
feasibility
DCS 600-47
Doctoral Candidacy
Program
DCS 600-48
Doctoral Candidacy Program
• Assisting the Doctoral Candidate in
completing the Quality of Study of interest to
the local council
• Provide a learning opportunity for
Commissioners leading toward practical
solutions for the concerns of Scouting units
DCS 600-49
Doctoral Thesis Advisor
• Assigned by the Dean of the Doctoral Program
• Provides real-time feedback to the candidate
• Serves in an advisory capacity only
• Be a “friend” to the candidate
DCS 600-50
Questions?
Comments!
DCS 600-51
Doctoral
Knot
Award
Doctoral Knot Award
DCS 600-01
Doctoral Knot Award
OBJECTIVES:
• To further involve Commissioners in providing
support to units in their delivery of a Quality Program
experience for all youth in Scouting.
• To provide Councils an opportunity to recognize
Commissioners for their tenured service, their
involvement in learning more about delivery of
Quality Scouting, and their involvement in support of
others.
DCS 600-02
Doctoral Knot Award
PURPOSE:
• To recognize completion of a standardized program
leading to the completion of a thesis or project and
the award of the Doctorate of Commissioner
Science from a College of Commissioner Science.
DCS 600-03
Doctoral Knot Award
JUSTIFICATION:
• The Commissioner is the mainstay for Scouting
program administration. It is Commissioner Service
that ensures that units are Healthy, Productive, and
assist in the Growth of the program.
• Having a knot award for the program requires that the
Commissioner complete, as a minimum, a training
program standardized for all BSA programs.
• A well-trained Commissioner Staff better serves the
Scouting program.
DCS 600-04
Questions?
Comments!
DCS 600-05
Questions?
Thesis Workshop
DCS 600-01
Individual Progress
Discuss areas of interest and progress.
Counseling and help as needed.
Contact the Dean of the Doctoral
Program for assignment of a Thesis
Advisor.
Rising PhDs discuss their thesis
proposal.
DCS 600-02
Questions?
Comments!
DCS 600-03