What do you think?
Rate this book
Before the Dissertation: A Textual Mentor for Doctoral Students at Early Stages of a Research Project
“This very readable book is what every graduate student needs as they start a program. I wish my own MA and PhD students, during my 40 years of supervising, could have been demystified by having Casanave's ‘textual mentor' as a companion." --Merrill Swain, Professor Emerita, OISE, University of Toronto “Before the Dissertation is an insightful, relevant, and accessible resource for doctoral students at any stage. Full of reflections and advice not found in other books, it serves as an indispensable guide for students and their supervisors. And the dispelling of myths is a superb idea!” --Robert Kohls, PhD candidate, University of Toronto
Before the Dissertation concerns issues to consider before students start writing, indeed before they commit to a major high-stakes dissertation project, whether qualitative or quantitative or something in between. It is especially relevant for students who wish to do projects that involve a lengthy research period (which can add to stress), and that also involve reading, data collection, and writing in more than one language. From the earliest stages of doctoral work, even before the proposal stage, and during intermediate stages of preparation for a project as well, there are things to think about and discuss with friends, family, and advisers such as: Why do you want to pursue a doctoral degree? Do you fully understand what you are getting into? How will you manage to develop an appropriate topic? What will your role be in your project and what languages will you use with multilingual participants? How might you engage with reading, people, and personal writing at early stages in ways that will contribute to your project's development? How much attention should you pay to quality-of-life issues?
Before the Dissertation speaks to an audience in the social sciences, but in particular to doctoral students who have experience with and interest in international, multilingual, as well as native English speaking students and settings and who wish to investigate topics in (second) language and multicultural-transcultural education. Athough appropriate for use in English-dominant doctoral programs throughout the world, the book will relate more closely to students in the North American educational system than to ones, for example, in the British system. The main audience for this book is thus doctoral students who are first or second/additional users of English, who are interested in pursuing topics in one of the social sciences, including education and multilingual inquiry, and who may just be finishing course work in an English-dominant university and are wondering what might happen next.
Before the Dissertation concerns issues to consider before students start writing, indeed before they commit to a major high-stakes dissertation project, whether qualitative or quantitative or something in between. It is especially relevant for students who wish to do projects that involve a lengthy research period (which can add to stress), and that also involve reading, data collection, and writing in more than one language. From the earliest stages of doctoral work, even before the proposal stage, and during intermediate stages of preparation for a project as well, there are things to think about and discuss with friends, family, and advisers such as: Why do you want to pursue a doctoral degree? Do you fully understand what you are getting into? How will you manage to develop an appropriate topic? What will your role be in your project and what languages will you use with multilingual participants? How might you engage with reading, people, and personal writing at early stages in ways that will contribute to your project's development? How much attention should you pay to quality-of-life issues?
Before the Dissertation speaks to an audience in the social sciences, but in particular to doctoral students who have experience with and interest in international, multilingual, as well as native English speaking students and settings and who wish to investigate topics in (second) language and multicultural-transcultural education. Athough appropriate for use in English-dominant doctoral programs throughout the world, the book will relate more closely to students in the North American educational system than to ones, for example, in the British system. The main audience for this book is thus doctoral students who are first or second/additional users of English, who are interested in pursuing topics in one of the social sciences, including education and multilingual inquiry, and who may just be finishing course work in an English-dominant university and are wondering what might happen next.
176 pages, Paperback
First published August 28, 2014
3 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 12, 2015
This is a book which appropriately challenges the reader's motivations and preparedness to begin a grad program in the social sciences.
Casanave calls her book a "textual mentor" for the pre-doctoral student. The purpose of the book is to prepare the pre-doc student emotionally and cognitively for riggers untouched by other authors; however, it is not a procedural "how to write a diss" tips & tricks strategy guide.
There is a heavy emphasis/bias on the social sciences experience, specifically through her use of stories related to second-language acquisition.
A quick and light read. It only took me an afternoon to finish it word for word. I recommend spending time with the "suggestions for discussion and reflection" at the end of each chapter. Take those questions to a faculty member or department secretary of a program you're interested in.
Casanave calls her book a "textual mentor" for the pre-doctoral student. The purpose of the book is to prepare the pre-doc student emotionally and cognitively for riggers untouched by other authors; however, it is not a procedural "how to write a diss" tips & tricks strategy guide.
There is a heavy emphasis/bias on the social sciences experience, specifically through her use of stories related to second-language acquisition.
A quick and light read. It only took me an afternoon to finish it word for word. I recommend spending time with the "suggestions for discussion and reflection" at the end of each chapter. Take those questions to a faculty member or department secretary of a program you're interested in.
September 24, 2020
Full of practical knowledge in beginning a Ph.D. program. As entitled, it hits on everything before the dissertation: theorizing, seeking mentors, establishing reading and writing routines, searching for research topics and more. Simplistic read for anyone deciding if a Ph.D. is right for them.
October 2, 2018
I do so wish I'd had this before the journey began- I was so ill prepared for what lies ahead---- read this book or gift it to anyone considering a doctorate. Helpful. Not a challenging read either.
June 15, 2017
I am a first year doctoral of management student. This book provided clear writing and practical takeaways. I liked how the book was organized and I have already implemented many of the suggestions.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews