Making Mistakes

How do you handle it when someone calls you on a mistake you made? Perhaps you inadvertently went out of the line of command on an issue or you did not give credit when it was appropriate in your paper. How you handle these situations is important to both how others and how you perceive yourself as a professional. The temptation may be to deny any wrongdoing, or blame it on other people. My advice is to admit you made a mistake, you will learn from the incident and you will make sure it does not happen again. Be an adult, face the consequences, and move on.

Everyone makes errors; it is the cover-up that causes problems.

Next time I will discuss sharing.  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 are you going?

One of the most difficult aspects, of your dissertation journey, is that you are not sure where you are going! As shown in the attached photo, you know there is a road, but the destination is not clear.

What can you do to make this easier? Be sure to read all of the info you can that is put out by the university, and of course my book (https://www.amazon.com/Finding-your-way-Ph-D-2nd-ebook/dp/B079X5889N/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=lee+stadtlander&qid=1555541368&s=gateway&sr=8-1)!  Talk to students further along in the process and discuss their experiences.  Learn all that you can to make your journey easier and clearer!

Journal empowerment

You should consider keeping a journal of your dissertation adventure. This is different than the research journal I have talked about previously, this is a personal volume where you can share your hopes, dreams, and frustrations. It can be a paper or electronic version, but the important thing is that you write it in regularly! What to talk about? Write about what you are doing each day on your paper, and how you feel about it. Talk about your chair, committee member, and URR; this is where you can write out frustrations and revelations.

Keeping such a journal is empowering, it allows you safely vent and work through problems. Your spouse/ partner, family, and friends while supportive, probably do not really understand what you going through, you can also burn them out through your frustrations. A journal provides a place to share your feelings, it also lets you go back and reread entries. You will tend to find that you have been through such events before, you survived and learned from it; you will survive the present one too!

A journal lets you be in control; give yourself permission to write what you want. It is a map of your dissertation experience, the pitfalls, and the joys. You may want to consider publishing a version of the journal when you are done or you may wish to share it with your own dissertation students someday. It will be your map of your adventure. Use it wisely!

Next time I will discuss finding your way.  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 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 I will talk about journal empowerment.  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 at graduation. 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