DISCLAIMER: This is MY two cents on this page.  Let me be very clear: ALWAYS consult your advisor.  When should you consult your advisor? ALWAYS.

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There are lots of good texts out there to help you get the dissertation done.  Here are my thoughts on some of the important steps along the way, presented in an ideal chronological order. 

 

ORGANIZATION 

Writing a dissertation is a big undertaking.  You will spend many hours working on this project.  Don't drag it out by adding hours trying to find stuff! Here are a few quick organizational tips:

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-Get  reference management software.  I like Mendely personally, but there are many choices out there. It is a MUST. You can drag research articles (in pdf form) into the software and it will organize it for you. You can group them by like themes so you can find them easily without having to remember the title and/or author.  Also, they have plug ins that allow you insert citation and FULL REFERENCE PAGES in Word without having to do any of the typing. Imagine how many references you will have for your dissertation.  You do not want to have to type them out.   

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-Buy a little notebook and keep it with you always.  Put your idea, things that need to be done, important websites/articles/people that you hear about in this notebook.  If you prefer to be digital, either make a "Dissertation" note or GoogleKeep note on your phone. Be disciplined about putting notes in this place only.  That way you always know where to find it. 

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-Organize your files.  Make folder in a cloud drive (DropBox, GoogleDrive, OneDrive...whatever) and then make subfolders for all your dissertation materials. Using a cloud drive means you can always access it.  Long gone are the days of hauling around bags of papers.  Now, do not keep research articles in the cloud drive. Put them in the reference management software (see above). Do not put notes here. Put them in the notebook/phone (see above).  Put everything else here. 

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-Keep your cuts.  When you are writing and want to cut a piece out, keep it for later. Just in case.  Say you are working on Chapter 3; make a file called "Chapter 3 Cuts" and save everything you cut there. 

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UNDERSTANDING YOUR TASK LIST

Be very clear on what you need to do.  This is a big project, and you need to treat it that way. Have a macro level long term list that lays out everything that needs to be done.  Your program handbook might have something (or subheading that can be put in a list); your advisor might have one; other students might have one.  No matter what, take the time up front to sit down and make a document that is clear and organized in chronological order.  Put in subheadings to bold the different types of tasks such as "topic selection" or "data collection".  Be sure to include other things like, IRB approval and binding your dissertation. All the little things. You won't get them all at the start, but you can add as you go.  Oh, and put in when your are taking which course, and subhead by chapter as well. If this is not something you are good at, here is an idea. Find that student in your program who is uber organized and ask them to meet up for dinner/coffee to try making this document together.  They might already have one, but if not, I am sure they will be excited to do this type of task and happy to help. 

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Your topic area

 

Your research question(s)

 

Your hypothesis

 

Methodology

 

Getting your data

 

Analysis

 

PROOFREADING AND EDITING

The question the arises in this area is "can I hire someone?" Sure. You can.  It might not be a bad idea because it is a professional document.  I have had folks proofread for me before.  But only have them look at it after you have made several honest attempt to correct the text first.  When they do give you feedback, learn from it.  What are common errors you make? Put a sticky note on your computer and try to focus on that when you are writing. Teach yourself to do better.  When you earn a doctoral degree, it says something about your content expertise, yes, but also about your ability to communicate about that topic, including in writing.  If I hire someone with a doctoral degree to produce a document I expect that THEY can produce it without error. Use this intense time of writing to build that skill. 

 

THE FORMATTING

This can be the worst job ever.  There is a specific "format" that your document must follow dictated by your program or school. It specifies everything from the font and spacing, to the table of contents formatting. Do not underestimate their importance.  If you have someone like me on your committee, they are going to notice and be perturbed that you didn't follow "the basic rules." 

 

Ask for specific directions in writing. Someone has them.  Also, ask if there is a ready made template.  Then bunker down with some coffee and tunes and just do it. 

 

Try to start with the correct formatting to avoid having to go in and make changes throughout the process. For example, when you start a "final" document, highlight everything (cntrl-A) and set it to the correct font, font size, and spacing.  When you type more in the document it will automatically be formatted correctly.  When you paste information in the document, click the little icon on the bottom right hand side of the text you pasted and choose "match destination formatting." 

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Finally, write down the common formatting rules that need (font type, size, spacing, special rules for tables or figure) and keep it handy. that way you don't have to keep opening the full document with all the formatting rules.

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DEFENDING

let's hope you have an adviser who is not going to send you off to defend until they feel confident it will pass. If you are not hearing that from them, ask them directly if they think it will pass. If they stutter, ask them what else could be done to improve it.

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When you defend, be professionally dressed and provide a professional presentation (visual and spoken). Do not record yourself and play it.  Do not do the talk for the first time at the defense.  Do not make a bunch of jokes.  It's not a causal conversation or a TedTalk.  You are not there to make a moving case, but an empirical one. Let the data speak. Reference the past research.  Unless explicitly asked, keep your opinion and personal experiences to yourself. 

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Be prepared for questions.  Run through the presentation alone in front of mirror, in the car, and with others (buy them beer, pizza, something....get them there).  Ask for them to give you obvious questions AND tough questions. Practice. Practice. Practice.

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It's okay to say "I'm not sure.  Neither the literature I read nor my data answered that questions. If I had to guess based on what I know, I would guess that...although, I would have to collect data/do more research to confirm that." 

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Don't be discouraged by revisions.  They are teaching you a valuable lesson: how to present a topic that is important to you in a way that others can understand.  That's your whole mission, right? You want to understand something well and share that knowledge.  If the audience needs more information to get it, give it to them! Get your message out there.