When should your chair review your paper?

This is a tougher question than it appears- chairs may have specific policies as to when they want to review drafts- I have heard a range of ideas from end of chapters, weekly, monthly, to a full proposal. Personally, I like to see a draft every couple of weeks at a minimum, for a couple of reasons. 1) I know the student is working. 2) The student is less likely to end up having to rewrite massive amounts if I am keeping them to the checklist and expectations. 

I have offered an accelerated option to my students, which you may want to run by your chair if you are interested. Students can lay out their quarterly goals by the week with a "deliverable" (writing assignment) due every week. The idea behind this is to keep them working toward a deadline and getting more accomplished. If you are a person who works best on a definite deadline, you might want to consider such an option. 

What do you do if your chair wants fewer reviews than you feel that you need? I suggest asking for a phone call and discuss your needs with him or her. Have a definite timetable for reviews in mind. Discuss why you feel a more frequent review would help you (e.g., make sure you are on track, you are a person who needs more established deadlines, etc.). What if he or she refuses this request? I see that you have a couple of options. You could work with the writing center or hire a private editor (make sure they know Walden's style and expectations). The important thing is that you do all you can to move yourself along the process. 

Next time we will discuss reviewing your own work.  Do you have an issue or a question that you would like me to discuss in a future post? Would you like to be a guest writer? Send me your ideas! leann.stadtlander@waldenu.edu

 

Walden Dissertation Trivia 2

Some Walden dissertation trivia, in honor of Friday the 13^th! You may want to compare the changes since my last Trivia post on Sept 13. 

There have been 5710 total dissertations published at Walden. Of these, 1628 dissertations were in the field of psychology. Of the total Walden dissertations, 56 indicate in the keywords that it is a quantitative paper, 49 qualitative, 17 mixed methods. 191 have women in title, 39 have men in title, 916 have children in the title, 10 have animal. 

There were 931 dissertations from Walden in 2013; of these, 239 were in psychology. There were 204 psychology dissertations in 2012, 159 in 2011, and 143 in 2010. Thus far in 2014, 270 total are posted (keep in mind that it takes a while for them to appear), there are 69 in psychology for 2014.  

Of the total psychology dissertations, 210 mentioned relationship in the title, 42 of those were referring to relationship between individuals. In psychology 168 mentioned women in the title, 6 of these also have relationship in the title. 26 have men in the title and 2 mentioned relationships. In psychology this year, 4 mention bullying, and 8 mention self-efficacy. 

Next time we will discuss when to ask for a review by your chair.  Do you have an issue or a question that you would like me to discuss in a future post? Would you like to be a guest writer? Send me your ideas! leann.stadtlander@waldenu.edu

Lit Review: Starting to write c. 2

You have done some literature searches and have piles of articles. Now what?? First, make an outline of c. 2, include the information provided in the checklist. Then start adding in your theory(s) to the outline and your variables. The more detail you can provide the better! Remember, start from the most general topics and work to the more specific. So if you are interested in resilience and aging, the outline would look something like this:

I. Aging
II. Resilience
III. Aging and resilience 

Once you have an outline you should consider sending it to your chair for feedback – is there anything else he or she thinks you need? Now you are ready to start writing, which of your items on the outline do you feel the strongest with? I suggest starting on that topic.  

There are a number of approaches with this type of writing. One is start off with a brain dump of everything you know off the top of your head, then go back and find empirical support and add citations. This works well if you have been reading a lot in the area or you have a background on this topic. If you don't have this background then you need to begin general and work to the specific on the topic. Start off with definitions, then look at where the theory/ variable developed. You want to explore the last 5 years of research literature that relates to your topics. Finally, make sure that you tie the literature back to your study. How will your study address any gaps or problems you have discovered? Why is it important to include this variable in your study? Next, pick another topic and go through the same process.  

Keep in mind that you are building a case as to why your study is needed. You are trying to prove to your reader that what you are studying is important and relevant. 

Next time, in honor of Friday the 13^th, I will look at some Walden dissertation trivia.  Do you have an issue or a question that you would like me to discuss in a future post? Would you like to be a guest writer? Send me your ideas! leann.stadtlander@waldenu.edu

Lit Review: Finding Articles

If you are a regular reader, you know that I suggest starting with chapter 2, the literature review. How do you start? How do you do library searches and not be overwhelmed with distantly related articles? The first step is doing the outline of your chapter 2, including the information required by the checklist and your variables. Then you are ready to begin the library search. Pick a variable and let's get started! 

You may want to start your search in the psychology databases, however, be sure you check related ones too (e.g., Thoreau, Sage, CINAHL, Medline, ERIC). Let's start with getting some general background on your topic, let's say you are interested in "resilience" in older adults, begin with a search resilience, review, older adults (you will also need to try elderly and aging). This search will bring up literature reviews on the topic. There are 3 that look to fit your interests. Read those. They will have references that relate to your specific interests- look those up. Also, take note of the keywords lists with each of your articles, they may offer suggestions that you had not considered. 

When you find mention of theories, make a note of authors related to them. Look up those authors, you may find additional information on your topic.  

It is very important that you are keeping a research journal as you search. You need to keep track of your search terms and databases used- as these will be included in chapter 2. You should also keep notes as you go, perhaps marking articles that you want to be sure to check carefully. 

Next time we will discuss how to start writing chapter 2.  Do you have an issue or a question that you would like me to discuss in a future post? Would you like to be a guest writer? Send me your ideas! leann.stadtlander@waldenu.edu

Where did I put my motivation?

Do you feel sometimes like you have lost your motivation? Today I am going to suggest some ideas to help you find it again. Do you have a dissertation journal? If not, now is the perfect time to start one- write down how you are feeling, try to determine what exactly is bothering you- do you feel frustrated? Are you feeling overwhelmed? Describe why and how it makes you feel. Then the important next step is to write down why you originally started this process. What led you to be in graduate school and working on your dissertation? What led you to select the topic that you did? Now you need a plan, how will you work through your current emotions to get to where you want to be? If you need help on this, your chair should be a great resource. You need a definitive plan to move forward! Some ideas to consider- working with the writing center (talk to your chair about the writing center's developmental editing service). Consider a writing intensive- this is a 4-day retreat with faculty to help you write (see the residency website). Get a dissertation coach (this doesn’t have to be formal, a friend or mentor can be in this role- set weekly goals and be accountable to them).  

Another suggestion is to use affirmations to help keep you going. Something like – "I am intelligent, creative, and capable- I will complete my dissertation and be Dr. (your name)." Tailor it to fit your needs. Then say it to yourself frequently. Write it out and post it near your computer, make it your current life's motto. 

A final suggestion is to use visualization regularly. Picture yourself graduating, putting on your cap and gown and walking on the stage. See yourself receiving your doctoral hood and being called doctor. Having a hard time seeing it? Attached is a photo of the "new" Dr. Veronica Semenova being hooded last summer. See yourself in the picture! 

Next time we will begin working through a literature review.  Do you have an issue or a question that you would like me to discuss in a future post? Would you like to be a guest writer? Send me your ideas! leann.stadtlander@waldenu.edu

 

Celebrating Small Milestones

It is very important to acknowledge and celebrate the small milestones in your dissertation progress as well as the big ones (e.g., defenses, IRB). What are the small ones? Having your prospectus accepted, completing sections of the paper, having your chair approve chapters. You can even break them down further, with reaching your goal for a week or a day. 

Think of each small step as a goal that you have completed on your journey. Celebrating them will give you an emotional boost and increase your motivation to push on. How to celebrate them? Perhaps you can think of a range of celebrations and rewards depending on how big the step is- a dinner and movie out with your favorite person for completing a chapter. Maybe going for a long walk or getting ice cream with the kids for reaching your goal for the week. Your reward should be something that is worth working toward that would make you happy and relaxed.  

The dissertation is such a long and difficult journey; you need frequent rest stops and rewards for each step on the way. I think it is a great idea to include your significant other and family in your celebrations. It will allow them to be part of your journey and to support you.  

Next time we will look for some motivation.  Do you have an issue or a question that you would like me to discuss in a future post? Would you like to be a guest writer? Send me your ideas! leann.stadtlander@waldenu.edu

Welcome to Summer!

Today begins summer quarter! Summer to me is sitting on the porch, working in the garden, picnics, and long naps (which "Princess" Mandy is demonstrating in the attached photo).


It can be hard to work on your dissertation when there is so much going on that is more fun! It is important to make some decisions now on what you will do this quarter. Set some times, such as early morning or in the evening when little is going on, and plan to work during these times. Be realistic, if you tend to have a lot of activities on the weekend, then don’t think you are going to squeeze in writing time then. It is better to get up an hour or two early in the morning, work when it is quiet (and cooler), and then you are done for the day!


Make a commitment to your dissertation that you will keep working, but also make it fun. Maybe you could work on your patio, deck, porch, or go to the park. You could bring in some summer flowers to put on your desk. Instead of a novel, take an article or 2 to the beach. In other words, make your writing part of your everyday life.


As you put together your dissertation goals for summer, take into account family commitments, be realistic. But keep writing!


Next time I will talk about celebrating small milestones.  Do you have an issue or a question that you would like me to discuss in a future post? Would you like to be a guest writer? Send me your ideas! leann.stadtlander@waldenu.edu