2.4 Doctoral program issues: commentary on companion dissertations

Meta-analytic Model

The meta-analytic model is based in a common research question. The meta-analytic model represents the analysis of a specific topic from multiple perspectives or vantage points for the purpose of comparing and contrasting findings. For example, a question may be,“What are the perceptions of superintendents and their school board presidents regarding the role of superintendents in 1000 Texas public school districts?”If a team of three individuals are working on this particular question, then the first dissertation may explore the question from a small district perspective; the second dissertation may explore the question from a mid-size district perspective, while the third dissertation may explore the question from the large urban district perspective. In this case, Chapters One (Introduction) and Two (Review of Literature) of the dissertation could be entirely different; however, the dissertations may all include a collaboratively-derived theoretical framework. Chapter Three (Methodology) must present the sampling plan in differing ways; however, all three dissertations might include the same information on instrumentation, research design, and procedures (all planned together). Chapter Four (Results) and Five (Discussion) would be individually authored and would present the findings for the unique samples and the summary, conclusions, and recommendations. It is recommended in this model that the chair or co-chairs be the same person(s) for the companion dissertations because that person(s) would have the knowledge of all the multiple dissertations to guide different perspectives.