Completing Your Thesis or Dissertation

Fred Pyrczak

• Dissertation DefenseAttend other students’ defensesHave it in final formLay it all outMake a friend for itOutliersPreparation Scheduling the defenseWhat is expectedGetting Help from OthersFeeling a sense of isolationJob shadowingJoin a group for real progressMeet regularly with othersShadow researcherSupport groupWeak member of a groupGoals and TimelinesBegin with the end in mindDividing it into partsGoal-Setting TheoryMajor life eventsMaster calendarAllow for “wiggle” roomStrict policySix-step planPlan on it taking longerTime orientationWork backwardHumor (Ha!)BathrobeButter up the committeeCommittees eat elephantsCreate a Dissertation DartboardDedicated Donuts don’t always helpKeep your advisor busy Latent chromosomal functioning Mom’s coffee table copy Outliers Recycle Regular schedule Take hours to answer Try smoking a pipe Words-to-peanut ratio Outside PressuresBeing a first-year professorFinish school first Internship Leave only with an approved proposalOvercoming Self-Doubt/AnxietyChallenge the validity of negative feelings Don’t think “defense” Emotional support system Fun then, not fun now Information is power Seek help if immobilized/overwhelmed Small problems Using subgoals reduces anxiety Prospectus/ProposalAs a contract Avoid vagueness Include all components Limit literature review Write a mini-proposal Write two to four of them Reviewing LiteratureBibliographic computer program Collect reprints of papers Complete 90%, then 10%Consult Dissertation AbstractsControversy Electronic vs. paper searchEndless searchGeneral suggestionsKnow people at the reference deskLimit the number of references Rule of 19 for citations Thoughtfully selective Worksheets Rewarding YourselfBehavioral formula Build in time for fun Dance to the music Rewards Without guilt Selecting a Committee and ChairAsk major professor Avoid emeritus faculty Committee able to work together General suggestions Listen with three purposes Select someone with tenure Selecting a TopicAvoid grandiose ideas Avoid politically “hot” topics Consider prior knowledge Consider your passions Considering the future General suggestions Select during coursework Start early WritingCheerfully rewrite Courses as a sounding board First draft not perfect Good writing is short Headings and subheadings Make a model Notes for the next writing session One day per page Pedantic writing Provide a rationale Results section Sequence of steps Use of the first personUse the required format Write introductions and conclusions last Write a “spew draft” Work HabitsA “real” job Annotate everything Avoid isolation Daily progress “Dissertation days” Do something every day Organize articles Perseverance Number of hours per day Working with the Committee and ChairAllow sufficient time for review Avoid standoffs Check with your advisor first Create a visual presence Get feedback early Get to know other members Line numbers Prepare for the defense Put it in writing Seek closure Standing meeting Take notes What are their preferences? Write down your questions Writer’s BlockDiscover how you work best Imagine a sympathetic reader Start with what you can do Use a tape recorder Work on clerical Write—write anything