Destination Dissertation: A Traveler's Guide to a Done Dissertation

by Sonja K. Foss

Your dissertation is not a hurdle to jump or a battle to fight; as this handbook makes clear, your dissertation is the first of many destinations on the path of your professional career. Destination Dissertation guides you to the successful completion of your dissertation by framing the process as a stimulating and exciting trip—one that can be completed in fewer than nine months and by following twenty-nine specific steps. Sonja Foss and William Waters—your guides on this trip—explain concrete and efficient processes for completing the parts of the dissertation that tend to cause the most delays: conceptualizing a topic, developing a pre-proposal, writing a literature review, writing a proposal, collecting and analyzing data, and writing the last chapter. This guidebook is crafted for use by students in all disciplines and for both quantitative and qualitative dissertations, and incorporates a wealth of real-life examples from every step of the journey.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Research, Academic, Education, Academia, Grad School

464 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Kessia Reyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is just awesome.
Maybe you want more details? :) Okay, well, this book is born out of the decades of experience of the two authors in guiding writers through their dissertations. Their premise is that writing a dissertation can be (and should be!) enjoyable and efficient. They break down every part of the process and coach the reader through common pitfalls and help clarify thinking, sharpen goals, and narrow focus down to what really matters. These authors see little reason why a good dissertation should take longer than a year, and their goal is to help you get there as painlessly as possible. Using the insights that they've gained from their experience, their counsel is well-seasoned with examples and sound advice.
This book has not only greatly helped me in writing my masters thesis, it also changed the way I approach all of my research papers. Super-helpful. A must read for anyone tackling a big research writing project!

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I found myself googling to figure out how best to approach the process of writing a dissertation, I knew there had to be a better way. Luckily a faculty member in my program suggested this book and it has calmed my nerves so much. I love having a plan and this book provided me with a detailed 29 step plan to get an original and high quality dissertation finished within a reasonable timeframe. Now to write, write, write!

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I passed my dissertation defense so I guess it worked lol.

[Alysa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely recommend this one for the dissertators (or soon to be dissertators) out there. Very useful, practical advice contained within.

In general, I felt this book was more suited for qualitative dissertations. My dissertation is largely quantitive, and I felt that I got the most out of the beginning and end of the book. (That could partly be because I am in the late stages of my dissertation.)

I did not appreciate the discussion of "incomplete scholar roles" in the final chapter. While most of the things on their list can be used as excuses for not doing work, some are legitimate reasons for not having a lot of time to write, or not completing projects as quickly as others might like you to (for example, needing to work multiple jobs to support yourself/your family, having a family to take care of, or having a disability). It doesn't matter if other people have "had it harder" and still completed their dissertation. It would have been better if they just said, "You'll need to find a way to balance all these things in your life in order to complete your dissertation" instead of shaming and guilting readers for not being a certain way or having a certain kind of life.

[Mark Gring · Rating 3 out of 5]

A helpful, practical guide to writing a thesis, dissertation, or large project. The text is a bit too focused on the quantitative and qualitative approach to writing, it lacks an overview of the more nuanced way of writing for rhetoric or rhetorical criticism, but still a helpful guide. Recommended for those writers who, like most of us, need someone to remind us to break down the consumption of the elephant into individual bites.

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't read every chapter, but the ones that were relevant to me were on point. The methods given here are flexible and generative, not prescriptive, and I will start implementing the lit review and data analysis process immediately. It's very close to the process I already use, but makes it concrete and organized instead of amorphous and vague. This is certainly unique among this genre of books.

[Lisa Pollytickle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple, sensible, series of clear steps for getting that thesis written. The overall structure would work well for almost all PhDs. Strict enough that it won't let you off the hook, yet flexible enough to allow for differences in approach. I am back on track after a two year hiatus and finally know what needs to be done. That's invaluable.

[Danny · Rating 2 out of 5]

Contains some decent advice on getting the dissertation done, but this isn't the way to write a good dissertation, at least not in history. Dramatically underestimates the amount of time needed to do solid research.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was helpful, even in giving me a retrospective account of ways I might have conceptualized already finished parts of my dissertation (and might go about doing so in the revising process). It is unique in that it focuses largely on the writing itself, rather than spending exhaustive time on peripheral things like work habits. The tone is readable and helpful, and while some of the sample essays may be more poorly-written than I would like, it is great they are included. In the end, I'd highly recommend this to someone who is starting out with their dissertation, but even if you pick it up part-way through the process, it has plenty to offer.

[Sarah O. · Rating 4 out of 5]

If the diss gets finished it is a 5-star winner!

[Krissy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐

Somewhat helpful for planning purposes but many specifics didn't apply to me.

[Kristin D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good jump start for those of us who are stalled in our doctoral journeys as well as an excellent launching point for those who come upon the book early in their doctoral journeys. Impossible for everything to apply to everyone and every type of research, but everyone will find useful tactics within its pages and it includes lots of examples. Highly recommend.

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book - recommended for doc students on their marathon journey.

[LaTonya Hobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book to help with dissertation writing.

[Aashna L.K. Davis]

Good dissertation guide

[Curtis Chamblee · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a grad student no matter the discipline this is required reading, better than the professor is in.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the book I’ll point my students to during their dissertation.

[Patty Rodda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was great! I came across it late in my dissertation process so I didn't follow all of their steps exactly. But it entered my life at just the right time - I was feeling incredibly stuck with my dissertation and had no idea how to get moving again. By reading this book, thinking through the process they suggested, and following their steps, I was able to get back on track at that initial point and get myself going each time I got stuck after that. It was a life saver!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear, engaging, and energizing. Does a good job of breaking down the steps of writing a dissertation into manageable goals that don't overwhelm, and giving pragmatic advice on managing the people involved in the process--including yourself.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great overall. I'm perhaps not as scheduled by nature as it recommends but it helped me think through a concrete timeline and reconceptualize my roles and responsibilities outside of the dissertation itself (ie teaching). Also gives great tips on working with committees etc.

[Sigita · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a great book. It saved my MBA thesis, as it served as a step by step guide to every step of the way.

It provides a good structure, great examples and logical structure. This book was my best friend when I was writing my dissertation. I couldn't have enough good words.

[Heather Meiers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is hands-down the best advice book on graduate school and dissertation writing that I have found. A good friend originally recommended it to me. Very highly recommended if you're feeling lost in the process!

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book if you are writing a rhetorical or qualitative diss! Better yet, read it BEFORE you start your dissertation process. I wish I had. Even reading it while writing the second half of the dissertation, it is tremendously helpful and hopeful.

[Eun Woo · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is helpful to think about the end goal in mind - submitting my dissertation - and to break down a long process of dissertation writing into 29 steps. Formulating Your Research Question was the most helpful section in the book.

[Troyann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't recommend this to anyone other than those writing a thesis or dissertation. Its a metaphor for travel. A great Resource

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very readable, very helpful. Now if only I could come up with the guiding research question of my project...

[Mills College Library]

808.02 F751 2007

[Elena Walker]

Liking it