Writing Your Doctoral

Dissertation or Thesis Faster

A Proven Map to Success

by E. Alana James and Tracesea

Slater

Chapter 1:

Do You Understand What is Required in

a Doctoral Dissertation or Thesis?

Step 1: Prepare Yourself Mentally

• 50% of students finish “ABD” (all but

dissertation)

• Test of endurance

• How will you deal with obstacles?

• Technical

• Personal

• Those of your own creation

Step 2: Prepare for the Research

• Know the Logic Behind the Dissertation/Thesis Proposal

• Your Research Needs to Address a Real Problem

• Think About Scope

• Work On Organization

• Gather a Few Good Tools

Investigate Dissertations

• General Layout

• Summary

• Literature Review

• Methodology

• Data Collection and

Analysis/Findings

• Conclusions

Dissertation Variations

Find 3 Model Dissertations

• Your topic

• Your methodology

• Your idea of well written

Headings

• Investigate dissertation/thesis author’s use of headings

and subheadings and how they guide the work

• Source One – Appendix A has a proposal template

with frequently used headings

• Source Two – at least two of your model

dissertations/theses

• Source Three – your university guidelines

Tips to Make Your Doctoral Dissertation or Thesis

Process Smoother

• Basic Guidelines

• Work in a group.

• Communicate.

• Know your university’s process.

• Be prepared to keep growing.

• Work on your time management

• Working with Your Committee –

communication

• Advisor/Student relationships

• Time management

• Emotional support

• Create a Backwards Planning Timeline or

Personal Policy Option Brief

Where Should I Go to Dig Deeper?

Suggested Resources to Consider

• Brause, R. S. (2000). Writing your doctoral dissertation: Invisible rules for success. London: Routledge. On pages 17 through 29, Brause discusses terms, stages, and the general process of doctoral research in the United States in detail.21 Chapter 1 :: Do You Understand what is Required in a Doctoral Dissertation or Thesis?

• Hadjioannou, X., Shelton, N. R., & Fu, D. (2007, March). The road to a doctoral degree: Co-travelers through a perilous passage. College Student Journal, 41(1), 160–177. Retrieved from ERIC Educational Resources Information Center website, http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/search/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_ SearchValue_0=EJ765415&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=EJ765415 Hadjioannou, et al. researched the value of their doctoral study team on themselves and their ability to finish.

• Mauch, J. E., & Park, N. (2003). Guide to the successful thesis and dissertation: A handbook for students and faculty. New York: Marcel Dekker. On pages 13 through 23, Mauch and Park outline the qualities of a successful doctoral thesis.

• Roberts, C. M. (2004). The dissertation journey. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press. On pages 18 through 30, Roberts discusses “What is a dissertation?” as well as going through the process in greater detail than allowed here.