10 Things I Wish I Had Known Before I Started My Dissertation

Thing 4:  Look through older dissertations for:

 

 “recommended future studies”

 

Previously Published Dissertations

Those who have traveled the road to a dissertation have left you research breadcrumbs in the form of recommended future studies.  Also, many of their cited references may be usable in your dissertation.  A requirement of the dissertation class is to analyze a dissertation similar to one you want to write.  Unfortunately, this class is very close to the time you will be writing your dissertation and you may be struggling to meet deadlines.  The dissertation you analyze will provide a single recommendation for a future study.  At that point you may be grasping for any idea.

Start your review of previously published dissertations early in your doctoral program and list ideas for study in your dissertation notebook/diary.   I like to think of this extra time as “incubation time.”  As you review the variety of dissertations and make notes, new ideas will flow.  You will have a significant advantage in having two or three years of dissertation reviews done before your start drafting your proposal.  Happy researching!