Reading Dissertations
If I’m training for a race, why would I want to attend a race or to volunteer for one? Its important to get my training in on any given weekend, but it is also important to cheer on and give back. It is inspiring to watch the elite runner zip by. It is even more inspiring to watch those who are far from the elites, but know the value of what they are doing, know it is a difficult thing to do, and are doing it anyway. Not all finish, even the elites. There are lessons there to learn.
There is much to learn while watching a race. From the elite runners and from the end of the pack runners and walkers. I can see their form. In their face the elation, the struggle, the determination. Spectating near the end of a marathon gave me a better understanding of how I might feel at mile 24.
If I’m in the process of a doctoral program, why would I read a dissertation?
Do you talk with colleagues who are in the process with you? Do you learn what they do to excel? when they struggle?
Do you talk with those who have succeeded at the doctoral process?
Think about reading a published dissertation as ‘talking’ to a colleague. What questions would you ask?
Perhaps
–Why this topic? What brought this to your attention?
–How did you narrow your idea to this focused topic?
–Did you find many journal articles, or just a few on this topic?
–What other research methods might you have used? Why did you select this one?
–What is the most interesting thing that you learned from your data?
–What are you going to do with this information?
These are basic questions, and if you are reading dissertation in your field, you may have deeper questions. You may or may not get an answer from reading, but asking the questions is part of the critical thinking process. What do you want to know?
And, you get a sense about what a dissertation looks like.
Where to start? Read dissertations from your school/program. Over time, select faculty names and search for dissertations with which they’ve been associated. Select dissertations on the topic of interest–no matter the school.
What questions arise? How are you going to answer those questions?
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on Monday, February 2nd, 2009 at 8:44 am and is filed under Becoming Doctoral, Dissertation.
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February 9th, 2009 at 11:02 pm
At one point I was confused about where to start and the connection with the topic I wanted to write about. However, in reference to the stated questions, more than ever, I know exactly the purpose of me researching on my topic and that the topic I have chosen is just the purpose drivent topic for me.
May 7th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
Where does one find dissertations to read? I cannot seem to find these listed in the library? I am in the School of Business Ph D program.
May 8th, 2009 at 9:28 am
David:
Dissertations are a terrific addition to reading peer-reviewed journal articles and other research. I find that now, in my own dissertation phase, I read more than I have in my entire graduate experience. I applaud your desire to do this, and suspect that you already know the benefit you will obtain from reading, reading, and reading some more!
I obtain dissertations through the Capella Library: I go to the Library home page, then select Articles, Books, and More. On the next page, the Databases A-Z are listed. There is a database called “Dissertations and Theses Full text”. I am betting this will help.
I like that you are willing to go this extra mile – I wish more learners recognized that just doing what is expected is really earning a “C”; that doing a lot more (and doing it well) is earning a “B”; but it takes a lot of additional effort and stepping outside of “just what is required” to earn an “A”. This equates to writing a dissertation as well, as learners really have to go above and beyond; be independent; be resourceful; and be willing to do alot of work. This behavior earns the “A”, which for PhD learners, is the completed dissertation.
Best wishes to you.
Johnna Williams
May 8th, 2009 at 10:11 am
Hi David,
Johnna’s directions are exactly right. Go to Library –> Articles Books and More –> (Scroll down the A-Z list.) Dissertations and Theses Full Text. This database has millions of dissertations from across the country, including Capella ones. Feel free to contact us (the library) directly with more questions along these lines.
Best,
Erika
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