Comments on: Dissertation topic – perspectives and questions to consider http://blogs.capella.edu/askdoctoraladvising/2008/11/26/dissertation-topic-%e2%80%93-perspectives-and-questions-to-consider/ Preparing for and accomplishing a doctoral program at Capella Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:16:27 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Vera Kovacovic http://blogs.capella.edu/askdoctoraladvising/2008/11/26/dissertation-topic-%e2%80%93-perspectives-and-questions-to-consider/comment-page-1/#comment-376 Vera Kovacovic Tue, 23 Dec 2008 18:43:14 +0000 http://blogs.capella.edu/askdoctoraladvising/?p=71#comment-376 Megan, There is no such thing as an original research. Sorry, I did not mean to burst your bubble :-), but just do what makes most sense for you, that you are passionate about and that has blessings of your mentor and committee. Have a great holidays and my best wishes for successful New Year! Vera Megan,

There is no such thing as an original research. Sorry, I did not mean to burst your bubble :-) , but just do what makes most sense for you, that you are passionate about and that has blessings of your mentor and committee.

Have a great holidays and my best wishes for successful New Year!

Vera

]]> By: Sais http://blogs.capella.edu/askdoctoraladvising/2008/11/26/dissertation-topic-%e2%80%93-perspectives-and-questions-to-consider/comment-page-1/#comment-331 Sais Sun, 14 Dec 2008 16:43:36 +0000 http://blogs.capella.edu/askdoctoraladvising/?p=71#comment-331 To all: I am about to finish my masters and I'm scheduled to start the PhD program in April. I started looking at thesis subjects about four months ago. I consulted several of my former professors and mentors who were more than happy to help me narrow the subject and topic to a manageable level. As soon as I'm able to pick my mentor, we can discuss the topic and get started on the work. I recommend starting your search as early as possible. It will allow you to 'hit' the ground running once your courses start. Good Luck to all in this journey. Sais To all:

I am about to finish my masters and I’m scheduled to start the PhD program in April. I started looking at thesis subjects about four months ago. I consulted several of my former professors and mentors who were more than happy to help me narrow the subject and topic to a manageable level. As soon as I’m able to pick my mentor, we can discuss the topic and get started on the work. I recommend starting your search as early as possible. It will allow you to ‘hit’ the ground running once your courses start. Good Luck to all in this journey.

Sais

]]> By: Megan http://blogs.capella.edu/askdoctoraladvising/2008/11/26/dissertation-topic-%e2%80%93-perspectives-and-questions-to-consider/comment-page-1/#comment-300 Megan Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:24:23 +0000 http://blogs.capella.edu/askdoctoraladvising/?p=71#comment-300 Vera, With technology moving at such a fast pace, I am eager to lock in on a dissertation topic, but also worry that it will be "old news" when it's time to submit the dissertation. Any suggestions? I am hoping to begin the IT PhD program within the next year and one of my concerns is being able to come up with the dissertation topic. Vera,

With technology moving at such a fast pace, I am eager to lock in on a dissertation topic, but also worry that it will be “old news” when it’s time to submit the dissertation. Any suggestions?

I am hoping to begin the IT PhD program within the next year and one of my concerns is being able to come up with the dissertation topic.

]]> By: John R. Ouma http://blogs.capella.edu/askdoctoraladvising/2008/11/26/dissertation-topic-%e2%80%93-perspectives-and-questions-to-consider/comment-page-1/#comment-295 John R. Ouma Sun, 07 Dec 2008 20:57:57 +0000 http://blogs.capella.edu/askdoctoraladvising/?p=71#comment-295 I have been teaching "at-risk" students for ten years now and this is my field. The research question is why these students succeed at alternative schools such as charter schools but failed to do so at regular public high schools where they got expelled from, became drug/alcoholic addicts, became pregnant and were problematic students. How did they succeed at these alternative schools? What teaching methods/techniques alternative schools employ to keep these students from dropping out of school before graduating? Why and how did they fail from regular public schools? My doctorate degree reseach will prepare me to answer these questions and the degree will not be just for personal fullfillment, but also for professional growth and community gain as well. I have been teaching “at-risk” students for ten years now and this is my field. The research question is why these students succeed at alternative schools such as charter schools but failed to do so at regular public high schools where they got expelled from, became drug/alcoholic addicts, became pregnant and were problematic students. How did they succeed at these alternative schools? What teaching methods/techniques alternative schools employ to keep these students from dropping out of school before graduating? Why and how did they fail from regular public schools?
My doctorate degree reseach will prepare me to answer these questions and the degree will not be just for personal fullfillment, but also for professional growth and community gain as well.

]]> By: Vera Kovacovic http://blogs.capella.edu/askdoctoraladvising/2008/11/26/dissertation-topic-%e2%80%93-perspectives-and-questions-to-consider/comment-page-1/#comment-290 Vera Kovacovic Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:05:48 +0000 http://blogs.capella.edu/askdoctoraladvising/?p=71#comment-290 Dear Karen, Thanks for your thoughtful comment. You have addressed the challenge of the split between your topic and the capacity to apply it professionally, as well as a concern about finishing on time. These are two important considerations. Here are some points to consider: 1. Each school has a different way or philosophy about the necessity of linking dissertation topic with potential career. 2. In today's world with the expectation of being situationally nimble, which means that there is a certainty to change careers multiple times, the topic may not be necessarily in sync with each position. 3. On a more pragmatic level, to address your anxiety of completing your dissertation on time I suggest to: - discuss this situation with your academic advisor or faculty from your school - consult with a professional career counselor about the potential career options, which may tell you what are the employers looking for, and what may be the trends looking into the future - do some search on the web for the many dissertation coaches and their services - subscribe to dissertation coaching e/zine Karen, at this time, I don't work outside of Capella. However, I am sure you will be able to find many resources on the web, by searching either for "dissertation coaching" or "dissertation doctor". Please see one of the resources below: THE ALL-BUT-DISSERTATION SURVIVAL GUIDE >Devoted to practical steps for completing your doctoral dissertation. >http://www.abdsurvivalguide.com/ My best wishes for a successful academic journey and thank you for your post. Vera Kovacovic Dear Karen,

Thanks for your thoughtful comment. You have addressed the challenge of the split between your topic and the capacity to apply it professionally, as well as a concern about finishing on time. These are two important considerations. Here are some points to consider:

1. Each school has a different way or philosophy about the necessity of linking dissertation topic with potential career.

2. In today’s world with the expectation of being situationally nimble, which means that there is a certainty to change careers multiple times, the topic may not be necessarily in sync with each position.

3. On a more pragmatic level, to address your anxiety of completing your dissertation on time I suggest to:
- discuss this situation with your academic advisor or faculty from your school
- consult with a professional career counselor about the potential career options, which may tell you what are the employers looking for, and what may be the trends looking into the future
- do some search on the web for the many dissertation coaches and their services
- subscribe to dissertation coaching e/zine

Karen, at this time, I don’t work outside of Capella. However, I am sure you will be able to find many resources on the web, by searching either for “dissertation coaching” or “dissertation doctor”. Please see one of the resources below:

THE ALL-BUT-DISSERTATION SURVIVAL GUIDE
>Devoted to practical steps for completing your doctoral dissertation.
>http://www.abdsurvivalguide.com/

My best wishes for a successful academic journey and thank you for your post.

Vera Kovacovic

]]> By: Karen Jones http://blogs.capella.edu/askdoctoraladvising/2008/11/26/dissertation-topic-%e2%80%93-perspectives-and-questions-to-consider/comment-page-1/#comment-284 Karen Jones Sat, 29 Nov 2008 02:15:51 +0000 http://blogs.capella.edu/askdoctoraladvising/?p=71#comment-284 This was verry helpful information. I am pursuig a DBA and have been struggling with my doctoral study project. I know where I wnt this DBA to lead me but connecting the project to the career isn't working out as smoothly as I thought it would. I plan to graduate in the Fall of 2010 but I'm worried that I wan't have my project complete. Can you provide guidance to students who do not attend this University? If not, this information provided on this site truly is beneficial. Thanks, Karen This was verry helpful information. I am pursuig a DBA and have been struggling with my doctoral study project. I know where I wnt this DBA to lead me but connecting the project to the career isn’t working out as smoothly as I thought it would. I plan to graduate in the Fall of 2010 but I’m worried that I wan’t have my project complete. Can you provide guidance to students who do not attend this University? If not, this information provided on this site truly is beneficial.

Thanks,
Karen

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