I would recommend writing first and editing later. Editing the finished piece (eg sub-chapter) is much easier because you can assess the overall flow and the clarity of the message. Once you come to editing, do it ruthlessly. Think about each word: does it convey the right message? I like the advice from Mark Twain: “Substitute ‘damn’ every time you’re inclined to write ‘very’
While you are waiting for inspiration, why not enroll to “Writing in Sciences” on Coursera and watch a few videos? This course teaches scientists how to become more effective writers, using practical examples and exercises. I wish I found this course before I had written my thesis.
Finally, plan several nice breaks every day. You will need them. When I was writing at home, I found out that assembling a jigsaw puzzle for just five minutes could recharge my batteries.
Boring, we know, but it is crucial to have your outline with a detailed plan for each chapter ready before you start writing. Each thesis chapter requires a special approach. To write an introduction you will first need to read a bunch of papers. As you read, you can pull out all useful citations in one document which will give you a basis for your future ideas. Reference software such as Mendeley or Zotero can help you to stay on top of all references. For the ‘Results’ section, it is helpful to first organize all figures and tables in the order that tells the story of your PhD project. You can then proceed with writing the bulk part.
5. Productive procrastination
Just get something down on the page. It doesn’t have to be a well-written sentence to start with
The amount of work can seem overwhelming, so it is important to concentrate on small steps. A goal of writing a page or even half a page will feel much less intimidating compared with a goal of creating the whole sub-chapter. Some supervisors recommend starting with the ‘Materials and methods’ section as it is the easiest chapter, and the first victory will motivate you for the rest of the journey.
Many factors may complicate how you feel as you approach the end-phase of your PhD. You may be stressed about applying for jobs. You may still be finishing some experiments for a publication (or for the final chapter of your thesis!). You may just be one of the many scientists who don’t enjoy writing. So how do you make the writing process more productive and fun?
I want to share with you a strategy that helped me to write my PhD thesis in less than four months. And yes, at that time I was still finishing off some experiments and applying for jobs.
Let’s look at how the two scholarly works are similar and different:
The biggest difference between a thesis and a dissertation is that a thesis is based on existing research.
- A thesis is at least 100 pages in length
- A dissertation is 2-3x that in length
- A thesis expands upon and analyzes existing research
- A dissertation’s content is mostly attributed to the student as the author
A thesis is also a scholarly piece of writing, but it is for those who are graduating from a master’s program. A thesis allows students to showcase their knowledge and expertise within the subject matter they have been studying.
The Differences in Context: Location Matters
Graduate degrees take a lot of time, energy, and hard work to complete. When it comes to writing such lengthy and informative pieces, there is a lot of time management that is involved. The purpose of both a thesis and a dissertation are written proof that you understand and have mastered the subject matter of your degree.
However, for some, earning a traditional degree on-campus doesn’t make sense. This could be because of the financial challenges, familial obligations, accessibility, or any other number of reasons.
For students who are seeking their higher education degrees but need a flexible, affordable, and quality alternative to traditional college, take a look at the programs that the University of the People has to offer.
University: Utrecht University
Faculty: Linguistics
Author: Hans Rutger Bosker
Award: 2014 AVT/Anéla Dissertation Prize
Title: The processing and evaluation of fluency in native and non-native speech
University: University of Minnesota
Faculty: Chemical Engineering
Author: Eric A. Vandre
Award: 2014 Andreas Acrivos Dissertation Award in Fluid Dynamics
Title: Onset of Dynamics Wetting Failure: The Mechanics of High-speed Fluid Displacement
University: Stanford University
Faculty: Management Science and Engineering
Author: Shayan O. Gharan
Award: Doctoral Dissertation Award 2013
Title: New Rounding Techniques for the Design and Analysis of Approximation Algorithms
University: University of Washington
Faculty: Computer Science & Engineering
Author: Keith N. Snavely
Award: 2009 Doctoral Dissertation Award
Title: Scene Reconstruction and Visualization from Internet Photo Collections
What can proofreading do for your paper?
University: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Faculty: Computer Science
Author: John Criswell
Award: 2014 Doctoral Dissertation Award
Title: Secure Virtual Architecture: Security for Commodity Software Systems
University: University of Ottawa
Faculty: Physics
Author: Guillaume Thekkadath
Award: 2017 Commission on Graduate Studies in the Sciences Prize
Title: Joint measurements of complementary properties of quantum systems
This article collects a list of undergraduate, master’s and PhD theses and dissertations that have won prizes for their high-quality research.
University: University of Ottawa
Faculty: Education
Author: Matthew Brillinger
Award: 2017 Commission on Graduate Studies in the Humanities Prize
Title: Educational Park Planning in Berkeley, California, 1965-1968
- Drafting a dissertation prospectus that outlines your research questions and data collection plan.
- Presenting an oral defense of your research dissertation to the doctoral committee.
- Completing a research dissertation that identifies a research problem
Learn more about Walden’s variety of accredited, online PhD programs and professional doctoral programs. Please note that a select number of our doctoral programs only require a bachelor’s degree for admission
Walden University is an accredited institution offering doctoral degree programs online. Expand your career options and earn your degree using a convenient, flexible learning platform that fits your busy life.
Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, www.hlcommission.org.
Dissertation for PhD Programs
By learning the answer to “What is the difference between a doctoral study and a dissertation?” you are in a stronger position to make the best decision for achieving your educational and career goals with an online university degree program.
- Creating a proposal that describes the problem you want to solve
PhD candidates present their research findings in the format of a dissertation, while professional doctorate candidates present their findings in the format of a doctoral study. Both types of degrees are recognized equally by the U.S. Department of Education.
In a doctoral study, you will identify a problem, present your methodology, describe your project, make observations about your findings, and present your practical solution. The doctoral study’s components demonstrate your competence in research and research design, your subject matter expertise, and your command of critical thinking and academic writing.
Along with soliciting feedback from professors and peers, seek out funding in the form of grants and travel support. There’s a host of grants available for doctoral research both through national and more local organizations. Part of your development as a professional in your field is being able to identify and secure funding for the research that’s most important to you. And if you’re aiming for a career in academia, your ability to secure grants will be tied to landing that first job and to advancement through the faculty ranks.
Finally, remember that the topic that you painstakingly refined may change completely, and that’s definitely not a bad thing. Once you start getting into the data and primary sources, you’ll learn new information and make discoveries that will shift your thinking. This evolution of the topic can be confusing and challenging at times, but your scholarship will be all the better for it.
Don’t be afraid to expand your resources beyond what’s available to you on campus. Write grants, apply for travel funds, and find other ways to venture out and broaden your research.
Choosing the correct PhD research project is no easy feat. It will influence your PhD experience and career trajectory. When determining your PhD research focus, do not make the decision lightly. Educate yourself on the current pillars of thought that exist within the field already, communicate extensively with faculty members, student peers, industry professionals and scholars in the field, and finally pick a research project that truly interests and invigorates you.
Conducting Your PhD Research
While researching, it’s very easy to get sucked in to your work and isolate yourself in the academic ivory tower. Don’t do it! The best way to do research in a PhD program is to maintain an open dialogue with both your advisor, your fellow students, and broader community. Communication is a vital part of PhD research projects and discussing findings and bouncing ideas off of people can lead to new insights and constructive feedback. You should also present your ongoing research and findings as often as possible. By presenting new and exciting research, you can gauge the response of others in your field and adjust your focus as needed.
Your PhD research project will consume your life for the next three or four years, so make sure that your topic is one you’re passionate about. It needs to genuinely interest you. Ask yourself, will I still enjoy doing this research and discussing it two, three, four, ten years from now? The answer must be “yes.” Your topic should be manageable, original, and able to take you to the research frontiers of your discipline.
Conducting research in a PhD program is one of the most defining and important aspects of pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy. A PhD is a research degree that provides the challenging but rewarding opportunity to contribute to and expand your field of study. One of the most difficult parts of PhD research projects is figuring out what research question you should ask and how to develop an original and engaging topic. Here’s our walkthrough for finding the right PhD research project and successfully navigating the research process.
An important factor to consider when conducting research for a PhD program is whether your research project is manageable. Make sure that whatever research you need to conduct is accessible to you and is, in fact, do-able. Consider travel and research costs, availability of sources and resources, and time constraints. After all, you want to finish the dissertation in this lifetime, right?
An important factor to consider when conducting research for a PhD program is whether your research project is manageable. Make sure that whatever research you need to conduct is accessible to you and is, in fact, do-able. Consider travel and research costs, availability of sources and resources, and time constraints. After all, you want to finish the dissertation in this lifetime, right?
When beginning a PhD program, you probably already had a broad dissertation topic idea in mind, but very quickly you must narrow your focus and turn it into a manageable research question. Identifying a faculty member with similar interests and meeting with them to discuss your ideas and the existing scholarship is key. Faculty are an invaluable resource. They are experts in their fields, know what research has been conducted already, and understand where future research is trending.
Don’t be afraid to expand your resources beyond what’s available to you on campus. Write grants, apply for travel funds, and find other ways to venture out and broaden your research.
While researching, it’s very easy to get sucked in to your work and isolate yourself in the academic ivory tower. Don’t do it! The best way to do research in a PhD program is to maintain an open dialogue with both your advisor, your fellow students, and broader community. Communication is a vital part of PhD research projects and discussing findings and bouncing ideas off of people can lead to new insights and constructive feedback. You should also present your ongoing research and findings as often as possible. By presenting new and exciting research, you can gauge the response of others in your field and adjust your focus as needed.
Choosing the Right PhD Research Project
Along with soliciting feedback from professors and peers, seek out funding in the form of grants and travel support. There’s a host of grants available for doctoral research both through national and more local organizations. Part of your development as a professional in your field is being able to identify and secure funding for the research that’s most important to you. And if you’re aiming for a career in academia, your ability to secure grants will be tied to landing that first job and to advancement through the faculty ranks.
Finally, remember that the topic that you painstakingly refined may change completely, and that’s definitely not a bad thing. Once you start getting into the data and primary sources, you’ll learn new information and make discoveries that will shift your thinking. This evolution of the topic can be confusing and challenging at times, but your scholarship will be all the better for it.
Choosing the correct PhD research project is no easy feat. It will influence your PhD experience and career trajectory. When determining your PhD research focus, do not make the decision lightly. Educate yourself on the current pillars of thought that exist within the field already, communicate extensively with faculty members, student peers, industry professionals and scholars in the field, and finally pick a research project that truly interests and invigorates you.
- Creating a proposal that describes the problem you want to solve