Thesis and Dissertation Advisors -
Social Work

MELODY L. LARK

DR. MELODY L. LARK earned a Ph.D. in political science and education, M.A. in international studies (politics and policy), MBA in finance and marketing, and BA in economics and administrative studies. She also earned two accredited certificates in adolescent substance abuse treatment. Lark has advised more than 80 doctoral students. She focuses on:
1. Content (lyrics), which addresses the introduction; thesis, hypothesis, or research questions; literature review and synthesis; data collection, coding, analysis; literature review and synthesis; implications; recommendations; and conclusions.
2. University Guidelines, which includes the title page, abstract, level headings, tables, charts, citations, quotations, and references.
3. Mechanics and Style (rhythm), which includes grammar; word usage; punctuation; spelling; sentences that are active, clear, complete, concise, interesting, and relevant; smooth transitions for flow; and scholarly tone.
Topics: business, economics, education, ethics, government (international relations, law, policy, politics, programs) health, human resources, human services, philosophy, qualitative and quantitative research/statistics, substance abuse (enforcement, prevention, and treatment programs)
Scope of service: content editing; copyediting; hypotheses; thesis statements; research questions; data instruments (data collection, retrieval, coding, analysis, interpretation); research implications; recommendations; conclusions; proposals; longitudinal data analysis; cross sectional data analysis; defense preparation; report writing; grant writing.

PENNY NEWBURY

Scope: Contemporary American literature, modern British literature, linguistics, poetry, critical theory, philosophy, gender studies, health care studies, social work, psychology, non-profit management, criminal justice, international studies, political science, cultural studies, philosophy, travel narratives, linguistics, grant writing, business English.

PENNY NEWBURY holds a Ph.D. in English with a concentration in critical theory, American and modern British literature, and cultural studies. Her dissertation was a published novel. She's taught literature, creative writing, feminist criticism and theory, poetry, and linguistics. One of her specialties is translating complex concepts into prose that's easy to understand, so that these ideas can be transformed into concrete projects.

During her tenure with this network she has worked primarily as a writing advisor for dissertation and thesis development as well as professional/academic journal article development. She works closely with clients who need to focus on thesis development and defense, reviewing the important yet paradoxically often-overlooked issues of the academic vs. lay audience, the writer’s plans for future publication/expansion of the document, and the presentation of a true thesis as opposed to a mere academic exercise