In farming, there are unique seasons to plant, nurture, and harvest crops. There is no quick fix in farming! Attempting to move faster than nature would allow, would only guarantee failure. For example, it would be ridiculous to presume that if the farmer forgot to plant or provide water to the crops that the farmer would have a harvest at all. This is what Stephen Covey calls “The Law of the Farm.” According to natural principles, a farmer must prepare the field, plant the right seeds, cultivate, weed and water if he or she expects to reap a harvest. On the other hand, too many of us are in the cramming mode when it comes to academics: reading the night before the exam, waiting to the last minute for to write a paper, and too often, planning for the immediate deadlines regardless of the long-term goal.

As you move through the Ph.D. process past the comprehensive exams and into dissertation writing, it would be natural to apply the academic behaviors that brought you success in the past, to the dissertation process ahead. Unfortunately, dissertation writing is unique to any academic experience you may have encountered and many find that to become effective dissertation planners, they need to learn a new way of planning. The dissertation is a farming process: you must prepare, gather, plant, nurture and harvest when the time is right.

Plan the Seasons of Your Dissertation
I like to use Covey’s “Law of the Farm” and describe the dissertation as seasonal, with each of the broad phases of the dissertation representing a unique season. As you move through the dissertation process, you will find that the way you think, feel and respond to your research will change from phase to phase.

• Phase 1: Gathering- The beginning phase of your dissertation development includes finding a chairperson, agreeing on a topic, and writing the introduction and literature review. This is the time for you to gather all the information that will position you as the expert in your topic as well as all the tools that will help you to effectively conduct your research along the way. Sure, you can use information from your comprehensive exams to develop your literature review (and I often recommend doing this) but you should also take the time to research beyond this comfort zone and really learn as much about your topic as possible. Also, take the time here to understand what assistance resources are available for you as you develop your research. When can you hire a methodologist or statistician? Understanding what help is out there and when you can utilize them will only help you prepare for the seasons ahead.

* In past advice articles, we have recommended that students start the methodology section (phase 2) prior to completion of the literature review. This will allow you to start thinking of the practicality of your research and prevent you from researching and reporting irrelevant topics. You should start thinking about who your research participants will be, what survey instrument you will use and how you will administer this instrument. For example, if your dissertation topic was “leadership styles of United States presidents” you may have issues when your methodology calls for surveying past presidents and you do not have direct access to them. You do not need to put this into writing, just keep balance in your mind of the phases to come.
• Phase 2: Writing the Recipe- The methodology phase of your dissertation is something we call “writing the recipe” or the cookbook for how to conduct your research. The methodology section includes the information on how you will carry out your study. This should be so detailed that, in theory, anyone can replicate your research by following your exact instructions. Thus, this section serves as the recipe for your research. The phase includes writing your methodology chapter, approval, pre-proposal defense, submitting to ARB/IRB and approval to begin collecting data for results.

• Phase 3: Harvesting the Data- The results phase of your dissertation is somewhat of a “harvest” as you collect and report the data that has been planned in previous phases. The results chapter is a non-evaluative report of the data supported by tables, figures and charts. You will be focused on collecting and reporting reliable and valid results only, leave your thoughts and explanations for the next phase of the dissertation process.

• Phase 4: Reflection- The discussion section, or chapter 5 of your dissertation, provides the opportunity to integrate the results of the study with existing theory and research. This allows you to reflect on all of your work conducted in previous phases.

• Phase 5: Defense and Completion- The dissertation defense is your time to share your expertise with your committee. Many find this to be one of the most difficult processes in the dissertation process. We offer insight and advice in another article- Preparing for the Dissertation Defense Process.

The Interactive Dissertation Timeline
Statistics Solutions offers a free Interactive Dissertation Timeline to be used in planning the dissertation development process. Included in the timeline is a detailed description of each major stage of the dissertation development and suggestions on how to best complete them in a timely manner.

Register for our free dissertation membership to use this free interactive tool online. For those who have already registered, you now have access to this tool by clicking here.

Warning: The “Three-time Rule” of Research
As a general rule, expect research to take three-times as long as your original expectations. This three-times rule allows the “wiggle room” in your timeline that you will need to account for the unforeseen and uncontrollable. For example, you may hope to have feedback from your committee in one week but it actually takes three weeks, or IRB sends you revisions that take a month even though you submitted it as an “expedited” submission. If you planned for a longer time, you would not have the stress that comes along with worrying about keeping to a tight timetable. If your committee takes longer than originally expected- fine! You have accounted for three-times the amount. If they are complete in less- even better! You will feel a sense of satisfaction with being ahead of schedule rather than behind.

Harvest well!
We wish you a thoughtful planning, planting, nurturing and harvesting season of you dissertation. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us!

Happy learning,
The Statistics Solutions Team

Statistics Solutions offers the following services for assistance with dissertation development…

Statistical Consulting

Data Analysis Plan

• Edit your research questions and null/alternative hypotheses
• Write your data analysis plan; specify specific statistics to address the research questions, the assumptions of the statistics, and justify why they are the appropriate statistics; provide references
• Justify your sample size/power analysis, provide references
• Explain your data analysis plan to you so you are comfortable and confident
• Two hours of additional support with your statistician

Quantitative Results Section (Descriptive Statistics, Bivariate and Multivariate Analyses, Structural Equation Modeling, Path analysis, HLM, Cluster Analysis)

• Clean and code dataset
• Conduct descriptive statistics (i.e., mean, standard deviation, frequency and percent, as appropriate)
• Conduct analyses to examine each of your research questions
• Write-up results
• Provide APA 6^th edition tables and figures
• Explain chapter 4 findings
• Ongoing support for entire results chapter statistics

Qualitative Results Section

• Thematize your transcripts
• Gain consensus on the number and name of themes
• Prepare document for two additional readers (for reliability)
• Conduct inter-rater reliability for each theme
• Write results chapter to present themes and supporting excerpts of those themes
• Explain chapter 4 findings
• Ongoing support for entire results chapter

*Please call 877-437-8622 to request a quote based on the specifics of your research, or email Info@StatisticsSolutions.com.

Now, for those of you that are in the beginning or mid-phases of the dissertation process, this article is not meant to scare you.  Rather, a better understanding of the dissertation process ahead will help you align your progress with the preparation of your end goal.  Be motivated by those who are completing their dissertations and it may help you visualize your end date too.

Imagine this…
You’ve finished your doctoral coursework, your proposal approved, data analysis plan completed, data collected, and your dissertation done!  As you head for the dissertation defense, the fear and anxiety of this moment is rushing in….Take a big sigh!  Don’t let your nerves get the best of you.  Remember these key points:

• Candidates pass! You are not the first to venture through this process and you won’t be the last.  This is not meant to be a torture device, but a normal right of passage through the process.
• You are the expert! You know more about your dissertation than most of your committee ever will.  You have become the expert in your field and you stand before a committee that will be, in a short amount of time, your peers.  Position yourself as a deserving colleague of the committee that you are presenting your dissertation.
• And last, but not least, you’ve proven yourself worthy already! You didn’t wind up at that table by accident (any dissertation advisor worth their salt wouldn’t let you get there unless you were deserving).

Preparing For The Dissertation Defense

As you journey towards preparing for the dissertation defense, I recommend the following:

Always address committee issues. Try to address things thoroughly as early as possible.  Committee issues are not like fine wine: they do not age well.  To the extent that you can resolve things early on, all the better.  Everyone is signing your dissertation, if you don’t have a strong support for your dissertation, it will only prolong the process.

Detach yourself emotionally from your dissertation. As you move through the dissertation process your research will change—it will becomes less and less yours. This shouldn’t be discouraging—every great work is a collaborate effort.  Change is part of the process; it will only be painful if you enter the process with the expectation that you are going to change the world with your set ideas.  As soon as you give up on the idea that the dissertation is yours the entire process will lighten-up.  Your committee has power and opinions on what your research should be and they have ultimate say on whether your research is approved.  Feel empowered by this instead of disheartened.  Do not view them as the enemy, rather the support committee that is chosen to facilitate you towards your Ph.D. and end goal.

Keep informal notes on your intentions. This may be counter-intuitive compared to the last recommendation but I think this is important for different reasons.  You will come to a point when you realize: The purpose statement is realized- now what?  Even if your dissertation research becomes so different that it is unrecognizable, your original intentions will help shape your ultimate scholarly framework.

Seek professional help if you need it. We offer dissertation defense consulting that can range from coaching you through your statistics to performing a mock defense.  Outside assistance allows you the chance to validate your results with someone who can act as a tough committee with good intentions.  My goal is for you to pass the defense smoothly.

The Defense Date Is Set

As the day of the defense nears, how you prepare your self for that defense date will help shape how successful you will ultimately be.  I recommend the following:

• Get feedback. Make sure you receive committee feedback prior to defense if they are willing.
• Plan your time. Make clear expectations of time that the defense process will take and plan appropriately.
• Practice, Practice, Practice. Practice your presentation in front of anyone who will listen—the less they know about your research, the more you have to explain it in terms in basic terms.  Also, practice will increase your self-confidence.
• Make connections. Connect with those that have successfully completed their defense.  They will provide insight that you wouldn’t be able to find otherwise.  It will also help calm your nerves to know that they can do it- you can do it!
• Know your stuff, but prepare not to know everything. Be positive that you have sure footing on what you did, why you did it, what you found and what it means.  De-emphasize “feeling evaluated” but rather be excited about presenting what you know.   If you don’t know something- admit it.  It’s ok to not know everything (no one can!).  Acknowledge the question and ask to address them at a later time.
• Think outside of the box. You should feel free to speculate on the theoretical and practical implications of your research.  In my own dissertation defense, I was asked:  “If you had all the time and money in the world- what would you spend your time researching?” as well as “You are now a scholar- what does this research contribute to the field?”  Prepare yourself for questions such as these.
• Relax. It is inherently nerve-racking process because you are being evaluated, but know-that in 20 minutes you’ll be their colleague.  As I mentioned before, if you make it a collegial conversation rather than a presentation to superiors, you will calm your fears.

There is a Light at the End of the Tunnel!

Groucho Marx once famously said “I don’t want to belong to any club that will accept people like me as a member.”  While I respect Groucho, I have to disagree (at least in this case).  The Ph.D. is a club you want to belong to—and you’ve worked hard to get there!

The dissertation commencement process is not the end; it’s the beginning.  Set the stage for your “after-defense” life.  This is a time for new energy and for exciting career opportunities. Not to mention the positive affect this will have on your personal relationships once the dissertation dragon has been slayed and you have more time to spend with loved ones.  This should be celebrated!

This celebration should be a time to show gratitude for those who have helped you through the process. The dissertation process is not a solo journey. Thank your support team, academically, professionally and personally.

As the quarter comes to an end, some of you may be defending your dissertations or just moving closer to that point—I wish you all luck!

Happy Learning!

James Lani, Ph.D.
Statistics Solutions

Admit it—the dissertation process can be challenging.  The challenge is in part exacerbated by the process.  For example, this morning I spoke with a frustrated client about the six weeks to find a chairperson, eight weeks for the IRB process, and the $4,000 a quarter she was paying in the meantime—yikes!  Unfortunately, this is not a unique story—I frequently speak with Ph.D. candidates about their committee, IRB process, and school policies, and how to manage it all.   This article is about managing your feelings, understanding the expectations, gaining the proper perspective, and functional actions like selecting a committee member and social support.

Don’t Express Your Feelings

In most interpersonal relationships, expressing your feelings is good.  But, let’s make the distinction very clear: feelings about school are fine, expressing those feelings to your school now makes you the problem.  It’s very natural to be frustrated when there are differences in your expectations of responsiveness or turnaround time from committee members and IRB and the reality of the situation.   The point is that to manage your feelings you can help yourself by understanding the expectations and gaining the proper perspective.

Understand the Expectations

Whether you are in the beginning stages of the dissertation or in your 3rd year, you might ask yourself the following:

• What are my expectations from committee members when asking questions, submitting drafts and seeking approval?
• Do I have a timeline of when I would like to graduate?  Based on past experiences, is this a reasonable expectation?
• What help will I need if I can’t meet my current timeline?  Will I need to hire a methodologist? A statistician?  Will I need an APA editor?
• If I choose not to hire help, what will I be giving up?  Time at work, personal life, vacations, or another semester of tuition?  Is this worth it to me?

You need to ask yourself these questions to realize if your expectations are perhaps unrealistic.

Selecting committee members

If you are in the beginning stages of your dissertation development, you may avoid problems down the road by interviewing the potential committee chairperson and committee.  If you are working on choosing a committee, I recommend you ask potential advisors or committee members the following questions:

• What are your areas of interest in research?  Do you specialize in any particular areas of research?  Are you motivated to explore certain areas of research?
• How many advisees/committees do you take on at a time?
• How busy is your schedule?  Are you working on your own projects?  Are you only part-time?  How often are you available for phone conferences?
• What is your response time on the following: general email questions, feedback on drafts, approval?
• How many drafts are you willing to review?
• What dissertations have you approved in the past?  (You should always research dissertations approved by committee members)
• Do you require mentees to hire statisticians?  Dissertation editors?
• What are your expectations from your mentee?  What does your ideal timeline look like?

I also recommend that you converse with fellow students about these answers.  Your committee choices are important, as these are the people responsible for the completion of your degree.

Social Support

Seek social support with people who are in a similar situation as you are and are willing to give you time to help you through the process.  Make sure that you have a sense that they are “on your side” and you can confide in them when dealing with issues.  Connect with these people through your school website, using social networking sites such as Facebook (Like us and connect with our clients!) or LinkedIn.  The goal is to have an outlet before you need one.  Identifying people that have completed the process will help you remember the goal is attainable.  They will also help you set realistic goals along the way.

Success

Success will come when you are honest with yourself about your expectations, effectively communicate with those responsible for your success, and you learn to manage anxiety and frustrations.  The process will be smoother and you will be happy, healthy and a Ph.D.!

I wish you all success in this process; I know from my own experiences that the Ph.D. is a challenging road with a final destination—to the extent that the journey is easier—all the better.

Happy learning!

James Lani, Ph.D.
Statistics Solutions

If you’re reading this newsletter, you are probably not in such dire straits, so why bring all this up and what does this have to do with your dissertation?  Well, when we forget our purpose, why we are doing what we’re doing, going through our days, months, and years, forgetting our original intention for starting or continuing doctoral activities, we too could become dejected.  We may come to believe that we have no choice, going through our days like an automaton, not truly connecting with what we’re doing and not connecting with our personal why.  I ask you to remember why you choose your doctoral degree, and why you choose to continue doing your dissertation.  It is not about the frustrations (feeling like the dissertation is no longer yours, advisors edits, multiple revisions, IRB challenges, etc.), it is about your family, your career growth, or personal achievement—there was, and there is, meaning to your original decision and there can be renewed meaning now.

This meaning, however, is not given or predetermined—in any (doctoral) event, any (doctoral) activity, or any (doctoral) effort—it’s made by you and you alone.    You may think, “Well, I can’t quit this academic program after all the time, money, energy, and personal sacrifice.”  I’m not suggesting you quit your program; what I am suggesting is to remind yourself that this is your life and to go through any challenging process with a firm why in mind while keeping you whole in the process.  When you consciously say, “I can leave this program if it no longer fits my life and I am choosing to stay in the program,” then you realize that you are driving your life by choice.

Stay purposeful with meaning that you choose, realize your best self, and graduate strong!  I truly wish you all a wonderful New Year,

Dr. James Lani

Here at Statistics Solutions, our dissertation consulting services expedite both the dissertation proposal approval and results chapter.

Consulting services include:

• Research Questions and Hypotheses
• Data Analysis
• Sample Size Calculation and Sample Size Justification
• Survey Research and Administration Help
• Data Entry
• Descriptive Statistics and Interpreting Statistics
• Statistical Analysis
• Defense Preparation
• APA Editing

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We are always adding new resources and products to this website, Bookmark This Website and visit often- this is your hub for all dissertation resources!

You become what you think about. You have to envision yourself as a person who has graduated, having met your end goal by obtaining your doctorate or Master’s degree. Condition your behavior by visualizing a positive end. Take five minutes and create a clear vision of what it is going to feel like as a graduate; imagine the things you want to do, the places you want to go, and the people with whom you want to develop relationships. Keep that vision in mind as you move through your day and as you approach the tasks at hand.

Your worth is never in question. Your worth is not attached to your academic performance or your control over a research situation. Oftentimes, the dissertation does not feel like it is yours, but remind yourself that your personal worth is independent of whether or not your dissertation is moving quickly or slowly.

Have high expectations. Have high expectations of what you want to do; then create a self-fulfilling prophecy. A self-fulfilling prophecy is the prediction that causes your expectation to be true because of the positive feedback loop between belief and behavior.

Show-up enthusiastically. Great things happen in life when you just show up and share your natural enthusiasm—no matter what kind of feedback you may get from your advisor. Compartmentalize your frustration and show up with a good attitude. Remember, your advisor is the gate keeper to completing the program. Your job is to show up on fire for every email, dissertation meeting and even in your own research writing. Your enthusiasm will help promote you toward graduation.

Do your best. As long as you do your best, by using your greatest capabilities there is no failure. Success is directly related to the effort that you put toward your goals. Create great effort goals—goals that are within your control. You wouldn’t be at this stage of the dissertation process unless you were able to complete it. You have surpassed a variety of challenges thus far. Many PhD and master’s level students have completed their program and you will too. You are equipped to complete your program and you need to keep that in mind.

Let go of the idea that the dissertation is yours. Many times in the dissertation process advisors, committee members and review boards make changes, and sometimes these changes are quite substantial. Let go of the idea that the dissertation is entirely yours. This will permit you greater acceptance of the changes and enable you to move forward with the dissertation. Also try to consider the changes as enhancements to your research, rather than obstacles. Oftentimes recommendation for change further refines the dissertation.

Accept life with its constancy of change. There is no area in life where change does not occur. This applies to your past schooling and your current schooling. Accept the fact that there are going to be ups and downs on the dissertation road and view these events as part of the process rather than as an impediment. This will help you reach your end goal.

Investigate the lens in which you see the world. While different events will occur during the dissertation process, remember that what is most important is your view of the events rather than the events themselves. You have complete control over the filters that you use to see these events. Choose the filter that keeps you on the path toward completion.

Play consciously. For every task that we do in life we have a choice whether we do it with play or not. Try to bring play into all of your activities, including the sometimes arduous dissertation process. This may lighten the process and make it more bearable.

Ask questions, get leverage, and get support. The quality of your life is equal to the quality of your questions, so ask empowering questions of yourself. Get personal power leverage by associating old behaviors with pain and by associating your new behaviors with pleasure. Surround yourself with positive people and people that have achieved the goal that you are trying to achieve.

To your success!

James Lani, Ph.D.