Dissertation Writing – 6 Deadly Error
The coursework is over. You have written your last essay, paper, case study, etc., sat through your last class, and taken your last exam. Only one thing stands between you and that Ph.D. – that pesky dissertation. You will now be spending the next 12-18 months researching and writing, along with any other responsibilities you have – you know, like work, family stuff, etc. You will be making some sacrifices while you write your dissertation, but things will go better if you avoid these six fatal errors.
Error #1 – A Mistake in Topic Selection
Your professors and advisor all have their favorite topic ideas – what they would like to see you select for your research question. This is one time you should not be a “people pleaser.” It’s easy to be persuaded to take on a project for which you really don’t have much passion, but you will rue the day you did so. If you are going to spend such a large chunk of the next year on dissertation writing, it must be a research field you really love. If not, your work will become drudgery, and your final product could “bomb.”
Error #2 – Procrastination
“I’ve got lots of time.” Famous last words. It’s a big temptation when you have such a long period of time before you, to put things off. But here’s what happens when you do put things off. One day multiplies into more, and you get into a habit of procrastination. Pretty soon you are off that timeline you set in your proposal, and your advisor is asking to see what progress you have made. Then, you scramble to get something on paper, and it is clearly sloppy and poorly done. Your advisor is not happy, and you live with the guilt, vowing to do better from then on.
The problem with procrastination on a dissertation is that it becomes habitual. Dissertations that are done well and approved by advisors and committees are the result of a scheduled commitment over the long haul. You have to set aside a certain number of hours a day, five days a week. Think of it as a job, and you have to report for work at a certain time each day. Will you miss days? Yes, you will. But as long as you stick with your schedule the majority of the time, you will make steady progress.
Error #3 – Not taking Comments and Suggestions Seriously
You have an advisor, and you have a committee. When you presented your research proposal to your committee, some members probably gave you some advice and/or made suggestions. All along the way, your advisor will be making suggestions too. Ignoring these can prove fatal. There is definitely some diplomacy, negotiation, and some “politics” involved in these relationships, so be careful to acknowledge the advice. If you cannot “accept” them, find a diplomatic way to disagree with finesse.
Error #4 – Research Mistakes
Don’t scrimp on the literature review. This is the most tedious and probably least exciting part of your dissertation, but your committee will want to see that you have reviewed all of the most current and relevant literature on your research question. There may have even been suggestions of research you should review. Failing to include a truly relevant piece of research that has implications for your own research will mean rejection of that chapter and a re-write. Not a good thing.
Your professors and advisor all have their favorite topic ideas – what they would like to see you select for your research question. This is one time you should not be a “people pleaser.” It’s easy to be persuaded to take on a project for which you really don’t have much passion, but you will rue the day you did so. If you are going to spend such a large chunk of the next year on dissertation writing, it must be a research field you really love. If not, your work will become drudgery, and your final product could “bomb.”
Error #2 – Procrastination
“I’ve got lots of time.” Famous last words. It’s a big temptation when you have such a long period of time before you, to put things off. But here’s what happens when you do put things off. One day multiplies into more, and you get into a habit of procrastination. Pretty soon you are off that timeline you set in your proposal, and your advisor is asking to see what progress you have made. Then, you scramble to get something on paper, and it is clearly sloppy and poorly done. Your advisor is not happy, and you live with the guilt, vowing to do better from then on.
The problem with procrastination on a dissertation is that it becomes habitual. Dissertations that are done well and approved by advisors and committees are the result of a scheduled commitment over the long haul. You have to set aside a certain number of hours a day, five days a week. Think of it as a job, and you have to report for work at a certain time each day. Will you miss days? Yes, you will. But as long as you stick with your schedule the majority of the time, you will make steady progress.
Error #3 – Not taking Comments and Suggestions Seriously
You have an advisor, and you have a committee. When you presented your research proposal to your committee, some members probably gave you some advice and/or made suggestions. All along the way, your advisor will be making suggestions too. Ignoring these can prove fatal. There is definitely some diplomacy, negotiation, and some “politics” involved in these relationships, so be careful to acknowledge the advice. If you cannot “accept” them, find a diplomatic way to disagree with finesse.
Error #4 – Research Mistakes
Don’t scrimp on the literature review. This is the most tedious and probably least exciting part of your dissertation, but your committee will want to see that you have reviewed all of the most current and relevant literature on your research question. There may have even been suggestions of research you should review. Failing to include a truly relevant piece of research that has implications for your own research will mean rejection of that chapter and a re-write. Not a good thing.
Error #5 – Too Many Nuisance Factors
As you develop your research instruments, you have to keep in mind that those instruments must be finely tuned to address only your research question. Too often, instruments have developed that result in gathering data that poses just a nuisance – data that must then be explained and accounted for. If you develop the instruments carefully, then you will not have to address these other factors as you report your data.
Error #6 – Failure to Select a Skilled Editor
Your advisor acts as an editor of your content, of course. But he is not a skilled editor. You will need to find perhaps two editors – one to review and edit for content, validity of research and analysis, and one to edit for grammar and composition. Like a lawyer who defends himself, the dissertation writer who uses himself as an editor is a “fool.” You really need objective “eyes” on that dissertation, and they need to be knowledgeable and expert.
Many Ph.D. candidates use the services of a professional dissertation writing agency – one that will assign a Ph.D. consultant in their research fields to review and edit each chapter as it is completed, Supreme Dissertations for example. This is a wise move.
Keep Your Eye on the Prize
One of the best motivators during this arduous process is the constant reminder of the Ph.D. piece of parchment that will come at the end. Walking across that stage, becoming the equal of the professors who taught you, and having that word “Dr.” before your name says a lot about you – about your commitment to your field and to your reputation as a scholar. Keep these things foremost in your mind, and you will have the motivation you need to finish.