Interactive Dissertation Timeline Usage
Interactive Dissertation Timeline is a tool that makes dissertation writing an easy task to do. It has been developed based on the experience in the writing field and on helping PhD candidates with their work. However, the timeline is only an approximate estimation of time that needs to be used for every writing phase. You are free to make changes in its structure depending on your writing abilities and preliminary agreement with your chairperson.
Interactive Dissertation Timeline uses the following phases:
1: Gathering
- Choosing a chairperson and approving the topic.
One of the first steps in dissertation writing is choosing a chairperson. You should be very attentive while doing it. Choosing too passionate person may be a problem, as he may expect of you more that you can offer. The best chairperson to choose is the one who is quite knowledgeable but not too enthusiastic at the same time.
After chairperson is has been chosen, think about the topic of your dissertation. Being innovative is good but do not forget that your dissertation should include reliable information. For example, if there are things you want to discuss but cannot prove, think twice whether you should do it or not.
- Choosing committee members
The most important thing here is not to hurry. Make a short research on every committee member you want to choose. However, if you find this task too difficult, you can ask your chairperson to recommend someone appropriate.
- Introduction
The most essential part of an introduction is a research question. It should be developed based on the topic chosen and will form the basis of your introductory part, as well as the first chapter of your dissertation. Moreover, the introduction should provide information on the importance of the research. Introduction serves as a transition from a general description of the topic to more detailed discussion of research question/s, limitations and hypotheses. Naturally, it is followed by a Literature Review section, which explores already existing researches on the given topic.
- Approval
Do not forget that you should share your progress with the committee members and your chairperson. They may provide additional comments or ask for revision of some parts of your dissertation. In order to complete the task without problems, never ignore their requests.
2: Recipe Writing
- Methodology
Generally, methodology is an explanation of how you performed the study. The information that should be included in this chapter contains research design, procedures used, research questions, information on participants selection, instruments, collection and analysis of data, as well as findings. This section should be paid special attention to, as it forms the core of your research.
- Approval
This stage is similar to the one described above.
- Pre Proposal Defense of Format
This stage can be identified as a rehearsal of your final dissertation defense. You task here is to present your research to the committee members. Make sure you are well aware of all the information provided in your dissertation. Be ready to answer the questions connected to it and make sure your paper is visually attractive and properly formatted.
- Feedbacks
Just like previously said, pay attention to the feedbacks to improve your paper.
- IRB/ARB
Submit your dissertation to IRB/ARB, as nowadays they are similar to other committee member.
- Approval
See above.
3: Data Processing
- Data collection
This step involves surveys or interviews. Please note that it may be time-consuming and involves communicating with people. Be patient and polite.
- Results
This chapter provides information on the outcomes of your data collection process in a form of graphs, charts or tables. Moreover, it contains a couple of paragraphs dealing with explanation of the purpose of the chapter, and the explanation of the findings.
4: Reflection
- Discussion
This part of your dissertation is aimed at integration of the study results with the existing research and theory. It provides summary of the problem under research, methods used, limitation and an overview of the outcomes.
- Feedbacks
See above.
5: Defense
- · Dissertation defense
Dissertation defense is the final step. The way you present data is also extremely important, as it may influence your overall performance.
