There are many elements to consider when writing a dissertation. While research and content tend to be first and foremost on our minds when approaching a project of this depth and magnitude, it is also important to think about style and formatting. When writing your dissertation, keep in mind visual elements like APA headings that are vital for organizing and structuring your document.
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Few thoughts provoke as much anxiety for a newly-minted (or nearly-minted) Ph.D. as the prospect of not finding a job. After all the work and toil that goes into getting a Ph.D., it seems unthinkable that those efforts may not lead to employers clamoring for the opportunity to hire you. But it does happen, which is why it pays to put as much effort into establishing your career as you did into your degree.
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One of the most significant milestones in any doctoral education is the transition from Ph.D. student to Ph.D. candidate. While the change in title may be the difference of only one word, getting the distinction of being a Ph.D. candidate represents a major step forward on the journey to earning a dissertation. Though a Ph.D. candidate has not yet fulfilled all of the requirements for earning a doctorate, they are well on their way.
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Often when graduate students think of their dissertation, they imagine a finished product: a thick, leather-bound manuscript signifying the culmination of their education. While a great (and motivating!) visual, it doesn’t tell the whole story about what it means to write a dissertation. Before embarking on this journey, it is helpful to conceptualize it as a dissertation process, rather than a final document.
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One of the most important choices that you will make about your dissertation or thesis happens before you write a single word. Choosing a thesis advisor or dissertation advisor (often referred to as a dissertation chair) will have a significant impact on your entire dissertation writing experience, and for many years to come. For many doctoral students, their thesis advisor is their single greatest influence in graduate school.
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When thinking about any kind of academic publication, one of the first thoughts that comes to mind relates to peer review. While the practice is not well-understood outside of academic circles–because it doesn’t really need to be–it is highly valued within the academic community. A major goal of all academic publication endeavors is peer review, a scholarly seal of approval that most academics begin pursuing immediately after their dissertation.
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Embarking on your dissertation is equal parts exhilaration and trepidation. It’s finally your turn to stake out your territory in the body of knowledge and hone your expertise. Naturally, it’s a lot of work, the evidence of which is reflected in your dissertation chapters. These chapters, which comprise the bulk of your dissertation, offer a clear snapshot of your topic, the work that has already been done by other scholars in your field, gaps in the literature, complications, your approach, and more.
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While every part of a dissertation is important, some of the hardest sections to write occur at the beginning. Two early sections of the dissertation–or any scholarly project–are the abstract and the introduction. While there are some similarities between the two, the abstract and the introduction to a dissertation are distinct pieces of writing that require different approaches and perspectives.
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For many graduate-level degree seekers, the ultimate goal of earning a doctorate or a Ph.D. is a career in academia. While there are multiple career paths for people who earn these degrees, from government and the non-profit sector to careers in private industry, academia is also an attractive option. There are several types of academic career, and a common goal for most newly-minted Ph.D. holders is to secure a faculty appointment on the tenure track.
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Of the many decisions that you’ll make as a doctoral student, one of the most consequential is the selection of your Ph.D. advisor. There are a number of questions to answer before committing to a Ph.D. advisor, and it’s important to ask the right ones. A good Ph.D. advisor will help you chart the course for your plan of study and writing a successful dissertation, so it’s important to find the perfect fit.
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