Everything you need to know about writing your dissertation

Knowledge Center

Is a Dissertation Peer Reviewed?

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.

Dissertation Chapters: A Guide to Writing Your Dissertation

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.

Abstract vs. Introduction: What’s the Difference?

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.

What is Tenure Track? Everything you Need to Know About Tenure

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.

How to Choose a Ph.D. Advisor

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.

ABD: All But Dissertation

There are many milestones throughout the process of earning a Ph.D. One of the most significant is becoming “ABD” which is academic shorthand for “all but dissertation.” This stage is also sometimes referred to as PhD.abd.

How Much Does a Ph.D. Cost?

There are many elements to consider when weighing the benefits of pursuing graduate education. One of the most pressing is cost. In addition to being academically rigorous and time-consuming, earning a Ph.D. can also be a pricey proposition. In addition to expenses like tuition, textbooks, and lab or activity fees, there are also less apparent and sometimes hidden costs that many prospective graduate students don’t know to factor into their calculations.

How to Create a Dissertation Presentation

While writing your dissertation is a Herculean task, the work isn’t quite over once the dissertation is finished. In many disciplines, a dissertation presentation is required as part of the dissertation defense. This thorough, comprehensive presentation is your opportunity to demonstrate the depth and validity of your research in a clear and compelling way.

How to Write a Great Dissertation Title

What’s in a name? When it’s the title of your dissertation, everything. Your dissertation title will be a permanent fixture on your CV throughout your career, so it’s a good idea to invest time and thought into it. There are many considerations when it comes to crafting a dissertation title, as well as missteps you’ll want to avoid. A solid dissertation title is a testament to your vision (and, likely, revision), and every scholar wants to get it right.

Dissertation Committee: Roles, Functions, and How to Choose

The path to a dissertation is filled with choices that determine the quality of your experience as a student as well as the future strength of your professional network.

Choosing your dissertation committee is one of the most important decisions–and one of the most fraught–that you’ll make as a graduate student. With the stakes being so high, many doctoral students worry about making a misstep and getting it wrong.

1 2 3 456 7