How to Finish and Defend Your Dissertation

Daniel R. Tomal, Ph.D.is a Professor at Concordia University Chicago teaching in the educational leadership and doctoral programs and serves on many doctoral committees. He is a consultant and an author of thirteen books such as Action Research for Educators, Managing Human Resources and Collective Bargaining, and Resource Management for School Administrators (with Craig Schilling) and Leading School Change (with Marge Trybus and Craig Schilling) by Rowman & Littlefield Education, and has made guest appearances on many national radio and television shows. Cynthia Grant, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., is an Associate Professor of Research and Chair of the Department of Research in the Division of Research and Doctoral Programs at Concordia University Chicago. She has worked with many doctoral candidates in various disciplines, including educational leadership, higher education, organizational leadership, psychology, and social work. She is a licensed clinical social workerand is highly attuned to the emotional perseverance and resiliency required to successfully complete a dissertation.

Grant and Tomal provide a cogent approach to navigating the dissertation trail from start to finish. They demystify the process and provide expert advice and specific examples. This book is a must have for every candidate during their dissertation seminar courses.

• ForewordPrefaceIntroductionChapter 1.The Realities of What it takes to Finish Your DissertationChapter 2. Your Relationship with the Committee and Your ChairpersonChapter 3. Refining Your Dissertation Proposal for the Final ManuscriptChapter 4. Presenting Your Results and Discussion in the Final ManuscriptChapter 5. Using Cloud-Based Virtual Communities in the Dissertation ProcessChapter 6. Preparing for the Final Defense PresentationChapter 7.Developing Effective Communication and Motivation SkillsChapter 8. The Dissertation Defense: The Day has ArrivedChapter 9. Passing the Defense and Editing the Final Dissertation ManuscriptChapter 10: How to Publish and Present Your DissertationEpilogue: Advice to Candidates from Those Who Made ItAppendicesIndex