THE DISSERTATION: THE DISSERTATION: Writing, Advisement and Writing, Advisement and

Getting StartedGetting Started

Directed ResearchDirected Research

Walker & CollinsWalker & Collins

Why Do We Have ABD Inertia?Why Do We Have ABD Inertia?

The newness of the experienceThe newness of the experience

The process is an independent oneThe process is an independent one

Transition from a practitioner to a Transition from a practitioner to a scholarscholar

What are the advantages?What are the advantages?

Build writing skillsBuild writing skills

Develop analytical skillsDevelop analytical skills

Develop the ability to synthesize Develop the ability to synthesize complicated informationcomplicated information

Acquire invaluable research skillsAcquire invaluable research skills

What are the advantages?What are the advantages?

Produce information that can Produce information that can improve schoolsimprove schools

Create a body of work that others Create a body of work that others can draw oncan draw on

What are some sources of What are some sources of frustration?frustration?

Managing your topicManaging your topic

Your topic is not carved in stoneYour topic is not carved in stone

Using the literature and other Using the literature and other dissertations to help shape your dissertations to help shape your dissertationdissertation

Keeping your mentor informedKeeping your mentor informed

Mentors- Managing Your Mentor Mentors- Managing Your Mentor and Committeeand Committee

Assignment of MentorsAssignment of Mentors Role of the MentorRole of the Mentor Formulating a Dissertation Formulating a Dissertation

CommitteeCommittee Working with your Mentor and Working with your Mentor and

Committee MembersCommittee Members

Things to work onThings to work on

Time Management (block out at least Time Management (block out at least 30 mins. each day to work on the 30 mins. each day to work on the dissertation )dissertation )

Choose a scheduling strategy that Choose a scheduling strategy that works for you- example hours or works for you- example hours or minutes worked, problem solved, minutes worked, problem solved, pages written etc.pages written etc.

Keep a dissertation plannerKeep a dissertation planner Stick to your scheduleStick to your schedule

Planning to work when, where and Planning to work when, where and howhow

Work during the times that you are Work during the times that you are most productivemost productive

Work in a space where you can be Work in a space where you can be productiveproductive

Figure out how you work best, and Figure out how you work best, and try to work that waytry to work that way

Internal StressesInternal Stresses

Competition with other Cohort Competition with other Cohort MembersMembers

Procrastination-Procrastination- Competing demands on your timeCompeting demands on your time Unexpected eventsUnexpected events

Tips for Writing ConsistentlyTips for Writing Consistently

What to do when you don’t feel like What to do when you don’t feel like writingwriting

Make a list of small things to do for a Make a list of small things to do for a given section- eg photocopying an given section- eg photocopying an articlearticle

Work on referencesWork on references Free writeFree write Work on your acknowledgements Work on your acknowledgements

How Do I Encourage Myself?How Do I Encourage Myself?

Be reasonable- don’t expect that Be reasonable- don’t expect that your first draft will be the greatest.your first draft will be the greatest.

Talk to cohort members who are Talk to cohort members who are productive- get tips from themproductive- get tips from them

Keep a binder- as you work on your Keep a binder- as you work on your chapters print the pages and put chapters print the pages and put them in a notebook with dividersthem in a notebook with dividers

Keep the notebook with youKeep the notebook with you

The ProcessThe Process

Getting StartedGetting Started The Dissertation Proposal The Dissertation Proposal The Dissertation Proposal DefenseThe Dissertation Proposal Defense The Institutional Review Board and The Institutional Review Board and

the Pre/IRB Review Processthe Pre/IRB Review Process The Elements of the DissertationThe Elements of the Dissertation The Oral DefenseThe Oral Defense