4 Ways to Finish the Dissertation

Approximately 50% of doctoral students never complete their program. I have friends and family all stumbled at the same place: the dissertation. Some finished the first three chapters, but chapter 4, the research, was just out of reach.

Do you see yourself struggling? Are you unsure? Here are 4 tips

1. Have the end in mind. The end is what would the completed research would look like if you could sum it up in one paragraph. What was the question, how did you answer it, and what research was needed? Ask what sample, the size, where, and how you mine the data. Everything revolves around asking a question to explore or explain. My articles on strategic mapping, delimitations, and Dissertation Pro Blog could get you thinking by developing a checklist.
2. Find 3–5 models and make an outline. If you are like 99% of doctoral students, you’ve never written a dissertation. Find 3–5 dissertations in you field which used your exact methods and steal their ideas and setup. Don’t be original here. For example, you are researching the lived experiences of new special education teachers using phenomenology. Read about new teachers (general and specific to your problem) and phenomenology dissertations. You will also find articles to read and cite — start making a list.
3. Pilot your data collection and analysis. Do not, I repeat, do not make the dissertation the first study of your life! If you are going to conduct a multiple regression analysis, collect data about random things and practice the multiple regression analysis. Planning on interviewing and coding data? Make up a few questions and interview family and friends and practice what you will do. Notice, you are not collecting/studying your actual project, you are practicing the methods which will be used.
4. Write every day. Free write and get your thoughts on paper. Do not worry how your writing looks, for there is a simple rule: One cannot revise nothing. Having a product means you can improve and grow your writing.

The dissertation can be a daunting challenge, but if you approach your writing with a plan and show dedication, one word can turn into a sentence into a paragraph into a section into a chapter into a dissertation into you’re now a doctor! There are many companies out there to help, like mine at Dissertation Pro, if you do not want to go it alone. If you’re still stuck, go get dissertation editing and research assistance.

Dr. David Coker is a prolific author, researcher, and experienced research methodologist. Besides teaching K-12 and graduate school, he regularly consults and peer reviews research articles nationally and internationally. He can be reached at LinkedIn and DissertationPro.