Are you ready? Each Stage of Doctoral Dissertation or Thesis Work as seen through Backward mapping…

1. To defend a final body of research…

2. To analyse data…

3. To start to collect data…

4. To defend a proposal…

5. To write your…. Chapters?

6. To design your research?

7. To begin your dissertation or thesis work?

James, E. A., & Slater, T. (2014). Write Your Doctoral Dissertation or Thesis Faster: A Proven Map to Success. Thousand Oaks, CA, USA: Sage Publications.

To begin your dissertation

or thesis work?

1. You have great time

management skills – and have

resources to help with family and

other obligations.

2. You know and understand both

the overarching aspects/goals

etc of a dissertation or thesis

AND are aware of the subtleties

such as the need for internal

consistency.

3. You have read and analysed the

structure of 4-5 in your field.

4. You have a set of headings in

mind so as you read you can

begin to plan the placement of

ideas in the final doc.

5. You work well on your own and

are good at asking for help when

you need it.

6. Regularly check the guidelines

and prepare to meet changing

guidelines as you go forward

7. You expect changes from your

university as you go and are

flexible enough to handle them.

To design your

research?

1. You have an interesting topic

2. That topic is apparent in the world to which you have access

3. You have collected some data and can show that there is a problem situation to study.

4. Who to ask for help in narrowing: your university help or mentor – and stakeholders

5. Need to know diff between idea and problem = having data available that backs up your subjective knowledge

To write your….

Chapters?

1. You have finalised your headings You have model dissertations /theses to work from.

2. Your topic/problem statement/questions and methodology have been approved by your supervisor.

3. You understand what goes where , know where redundancy may lie and have a plan to avoid it.

4. Your document has a built in Navigation Pane or Document Map and you are using headings that will translate into your Table of Contents.

5. Know your procrastination triggers – and have plan to get over them.

6. You have set a timetable up with outside accountability to get it done.

To defend a proposal…

1. Your work has been

approved by your supervisor.

2. You have had it edited.

3. Your references follow your

universities style manual.

4. Your abstract is under 1

page.

5. You have page numbers, and

your pagination is correct.

6. Be prepared for the next

stage of interactive process.

7. Have slides ready

8. Practice your defense.

9. Be aware of your

supervisor’s role and loyalty

to their university as

employer.

To start to collect

data…

1. You have passed and have

certification for ethical

review training.

2. You have passed ethical

review.

3. You have obtained

permissions from necessary

institutions/parties.

4. You have the support of

stakeholders who can push

to help you achieve the

data collection you need.

5. Your instrument(s) are in

order.

6. You have run a few trials to

work out all the kinks.

7. You understand how you will

approach your data analysis

and have trained on the

tools you will be using.

To analyse data…

1. You have people to call on

who will look over your

shoulder and ask questions.

2. You have a plan and

headings for your results and

discussion chapters so you

don’t lose sight of where

you are going.

3. You have systems in place to

ensure your analysis answers

your questions.

4. You repeatedly ask yourself

if you are getting distracted

or “going down a rabbit

hole.”

5. As soon as you have some

idea of what you have found

you beginning conversation

with your mentor or

supervisor.

To defend a final body of

research…

1. Your final chapters have

been approved by your

supervisor.

2. You have read up on the

questions you are likely to

be asked (see new book).

3. You have talked with others

at your university and know

what to expect.

4. You have visualised the

event.

5. You have participated in a

Mock Defense.

6. You understand the possible

outcomes.

7. You understand the road at

your university to final

publication.

James, E. A., & Slater, T. (2014). Write Your Doctoral Dissertation or Thesis Faster: A Proven Map to Success. Thousand Oaks, CA, USA: Sage Publications.

http://www.sagepub.com/vip/james/

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