The goal of any work of research is to add to the body of knowledge. When thinking about a research question, particularly for a thesis or dissertation, one of your first priorities will be to figure out where to first cast your critical net. The primary goal of this early work is to find a gap in the literature that interests you and seems ripe for further study.
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When it’s time to start thinking about writing your dissertation, it is vital to put together a dissertation timeline. This will help you map out the months you will be spending on your dissertation, and ensure that you’re staying on track. A specific and detailed dissertation timeline will serve as an outline to guide you, step by step, through what can be a long and challenging process.
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When considering pursuing a Ph.D., which is the most rigorous intellectual endeavor you can embark upon, there is one question that often lingers: “Is a Ph.D. Worth It?” The answer is: “Yes, for some.” Or, “It can be, but it really depends on your situation.” Or even, “Perhaps, but make sure you’ve done your homework.”
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Stop the presses! The American Psychological Association (APA) has published a significant update to the venerated and widely-used stylebook, The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. APA style is the preferred style guide used across a wide range of disciplines, including the sciences, education, and social sciences including psychology and sociology. APA’s 7th edition changes are relevant for anyone studying or working in those fields.
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Indiana Jones. Minerva Mcgonagall. Professor X. Fiction and film are filled with colorful academics who use their intellectual prowess to save the day, time and again. But what about their personal lives? Non-stop glamour and excitement, perhaps? Not quite. Before you set your sights on a scholar, it might help to have a little insight into what it’s really like dating a Ph.D. student.
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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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