A typical dissertation introductory chapter contains both a “background of the problem” section and a “problem statement” section. However, many students struggle to understand the difference between these two sections. The result is a poorly organized introduction that is difficult…
“Meetings with my dissertation supervisor leave me more confused than before. Maybe I’m not cut out for this.” – Anonymous Clinical Psychology Graduate Student Do any of these complaints sound familiar? I haven’t heard from my supervisor in weeks. My…
The quick answer is “yes”: even the best students can benefit from the support of an experienced dissertation coach. In this article, I explain the 101 of dissertation coaching, so you know what to expect and how to decide if…
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash Whether you are just starting out in your graduate studies or are approaching a major dissertation milestone, the chances are you have seen a lot of advertisements for dissertation coaching services. However, you may…
You can expect to pay anything from $800 to $4000 per semester for dissertation coaching, depending on the level of service and the expertise of the coach. Expensive? Well, that depends. Dissertation coaching is an investment. While the upfront cost…
Whether you are just starting out in your graduate studies or are approaching a major dissertation milestone, the chances are you’ve seen a lot of advertisements for dissertation coaching services. But do you really need a coach? What can a…
With so many conflicting demands, it can be difficult to keep your work-life balance in check while writing your dissertation. However, mastering this balancing act is crucial to your academic success both now and in the future. As one researcher…
ABD, or “all but dissertation,” is a term used frequently in the US to designate a PhD student who has passed all qualifying degree elements except for the writing, presentation, and defense of the doctoral dissertation. For many students, ABD…
You’ve done the research, analyzed the data, written the dissertation, and submitted it – now all that’s left is to complete your oral defense (also known as the viva voce, or just the viva). How on earth can you prepare…
The dissertation literature review—also known as the thesis literature review, or simply the lit review—is the portion of your dissertation that summarizes and dialogues with the existing research on your topic. If you’re like most of the students I work…
No matter how good your research is, finding an academic job can be challenging. Image by www_slon_pics from Pixabay Especially in the wake of pandemic-related hiring freezes and funding cuts, competition for faculty positions and tenure-track roles is fierce. However,…
Think you’ve hit the finish line when you finally finish your full dissertation draft? Well … not quite. You actually have many more steps before you finally get to call your dissertation journey finished. Here’s a handy infographic of what…
Are you wondering whether teaching during your graduate degree is worth the time, stress, and extra work? If so, then the answer is a resounding “yes,” because teaching experience is one important key to success in the academic job market.…
Peer review is essential. Without peer review, the whole structure of academia would crumble. In this article, you’ll learn: The Meaning of Peer-Review How the Peer-Review Process Works How to Survive Your first Peer-Review Report Most credible academic journals and…
As a dissertation coach, I’ve noticed that one of the top pain points my students struggle with is finding the right supervisor. The right supervisor can be highly motivating and supporting, while a poor one can make the research and…
Image by VIVIANE MONCONDUIT from Pixabay. Children’s Literature is one of the fastest-growing and most popular fields of graduate study worldwide. After all, who wouldn’t want to spend their graduate years diving back into childhood favorites? That’s why I chose…
Photo by HalGatewood.com on Unsplash Creating an academic website is a great way to showcase your research, share your personal experiences of academia, and encourage others within your research community to reach out and stay in touch. A personal academic…
If you’re approaching the final weeks of your dissertation writing journey, you may be wondering about the process for approaching and completing your defense. Exactly what happens after you hit the “submit” button, and how soon will you be able…
