What
is a dissertation, and why is required to get a Ph.D.? It might help to take a
step back and consider, what is a Ph.D.? This is a Doctor of Philosophy; it is
a research degree, meaning that during the process of getting the degree you
were trained as researcher. Your dissertation is therefore the demonstration of
your ability to conduct research and to write professionally. It is considered
the terminal (or highest) degree in your professional field. Receiving the
degree places you in an elite group (less than 4% of the US population has a
professional degree), and it is evidence of your professionalism and learning.
Why are you required to do research to show you are a
professional? Conducting a research project shows your persistence and ability
to complete a large project. It integrates all that you have learned in your
education and shows that you can formulate new questions for future learning.
Most degrees simply show learning; however, a Ph.D. also shows your ability to
go further and explore unknown areas, to develop research that answers
questions. It shows that you are a logical and critical thinker; you can
synthesize ideas, data and information, and write in a technical and
professional manner. Being able to conduct research also shows that you are
able to sift through information to find the current thinking in the field; as
well as able to apply theory to your thinking, practice, investigations, and
current events. The dissertation is considered the first step in your future
research plan for the rest of your professional life. Will you have to stay in
this topic area? No, but you will have the ability to plan and execute future
studies.
At the completion of your project, you are assumed to be
able to teach in your areas of expertise – both content and method at a college
or university level. No licensure beyond the doctorate is required to teach in
post-secondary institutions.
Is the dissertation "just another paper to write?"
No, it really is much more than that; it is a very formalized document that
demonstrates your expertise in your chosen area of interest. Once you have
completed the project, you are considered an expert in this area. The paper
will eventually be published in the dissertation databases, and will be a part
of the professional literature. Other researchers and graduate students
interested in your topic will read it in the future.
There are a number of implications of these issues. (a) Your
literature review must be correct and as complete as possible, both to
demonstrate your expertise and also for future researchers. (b) Your research
methods must be as accurate and complete as possible, so others know exactly
what you did in your study. Consider the future researcher who does a study
similar to yours but gets different results. He or she will want to be able to
compare the two samples and methods to determine why the difference occurred.
(c) Your paper must be written in the format required for publication, and the
formatting will be checked before you are allowed to defend the final draft.
(d) This paper will follow you forever. Any future employer or colleague will
be able to look up this document. (e) For many students, your dissertation will
be your first published work. Think of it as your first child, yes, you will make
mistakes, and when you look back at it years later, you will see things you
should have done differently. For your future self, make it as elegant as
possible and something of which you are and will be proud.
Next time I will look at superstitions. 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
