In order to obtain the doctorate, in many fields of study it is required to produce a thesis the length of a real book. The drafting process (which later leads to the discussion of the thesis) can be worrying: it is necessary to reflect on a project that has a certain depth, carry out research and develop a paper that proposes an original topic and offers a contribution to the field of study to which is addressed. The experience of PhD students varies considerably according to the field of study, university, faculty and project, but fortunately it is possible to follow general lines that simplify the drafting of the thesis.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Deepen the Project
Step 1. Get started early
Even if you will not begin to deepen your research or write your thesis until you have reached the final part of the PhD course (which lasts a few years), you should still start reflecting on the project you submitted to the competition. The first few years of PhD are vital because they introduce you to the most important knowledge in your field. As you study to improve the knowledge you acquire, you should also begin to consider the contributions you may make to your research. Make a list of ideas, asking yourself:
- Which areas of your subject area require further study? Does any existing study lack superficiality?
- Could you apply a pre-existing example, developed in an academic setting, in a new context or in order to prove that there is some difference?
- What currently existing arguments could be called into question considering the compelling evidence?
- Are there important academic debates in your field of study that you could consider, from a different point of view?
Step 2. Understand the goals
Even in the same disciplinary field, different faculties approach the drafting of the thesis in different ways. You must understand according to which criteria your university considers satisfactory a thesis produced in your field of study together with the endorsement of the faculty, the help of the supervisor and possibly that of the members of the commission. By doing the basic research you will feel more confident and dispel any ambiguities that could jeopardize your project. You will be more inclined to write a thesis that meets the expectations of the faculty.
- Don't hesitate to ask. Your supervisor or faculty dean should be able to give you information regarding the standards set by the faculty regarding the thesis and answer any general questions you ask.
- Read some theses already written by other PhDs who have obtained their degree in your faculty. Some universities publish their doctoral theses on the Internet or keep them in their archives. Look for the most recent ones. On average, how long are they? What kind of research do they contain? How are they normally organized?
Step 3. Seek help identifying the best ideas to apply to your project
As the time approaches for you to start writing your thesis, it would be advisable to start sharing your ideas with the people who can help you: your supervisor, teachers who are experts in your field of study, other students (especially those who have already started writing the thesis) and other sources that could provide you with advice and information. Try to be open-minded and receptive to their suggestions.
Remember that those who have already written the doctoral thesis may be able to identify better than you any problems related to some of your ideas. If he thinks that your theory is very risky or that you are unlikely to find evidence to answer the hypotheses posed in your research, listen to him and take his advice seriously
Step 4. Be realistic
It is a good idea to manage the project in such a way that it can be completed in a reasonable period of time, based on the resources you have available. Unfortunately, it means that sometimes you will have to put aside the most challenging and ambitious ideas. Remember that it is appropriate to complete the thesis within the allotted time frame, regardless of how brilliant or revolutionary it is.
- Consider the deadlines of the faculty and the university. Doctoral programs last a certain period of years, during which you can study to prepare your thesis. Try to understand how much time you have available and keep this in mind when delving into your project.
- When conducting your research, you will also need to consider your financial possibilities. How many trips and archival and / or laboratory research will be required to complete the project? How are you going to finance this work? By making realistic estimates, what figure are you able to collect? By answering these questions you will be able to understand to what extent a certain idea will be viable.
Step 5. Direct your searches to what interests you most
Once you have considered the advice of others, thought about practical problems and selected the options available to you, think about the line of research that fascinates you the most. The process of writing the thesis is long: you will have to commit to the point that it will have to live and breathe with you for a long time. So, give it a cut that stimulates you.
Step 6. Read
Once you have chosen the design of the project, you will have to read any text and academic studies already existing on that topic (and also on those closely related to it). Deepen your research by exploiting the databases normally used in your field of study. There is nothing worse than realizing in the middle of your search that someone else has already posted something that answers your hypothesis or that they have already made this attempt and find that there is no proof.
Part 2 of 4: Getting started
Step 1. Structure the project as a question you need to find an answer to
Once you've read everything you need to learn more about the main topic, you probably won't know where to start. You have not yet undertaken the research necessary to formulate a solid argument so, for now, consider your project as an academic question that needs to be answered. After that, once you have the answer, it will become your thesis, which is the main topic of your discussion.
Generally, questions starting with "how" and "why" work best for a thesis, because they require more articulated and complex answers
Step 2. Apply for the scholarship as soon as possible
If the PhD competition included a scholarship for the successful candidates, you will have no problems from this point of view. If, on the other hand, the place you have won does not have one, once you know which direction to give to your research and what type of work you will have to carry out, apply to finance your studies at other universities or private entities, asking to share the your searches. Funding that supports university research is slow. For example, if you apply in October you may find out if you are eligible (or not) around March and receive the funds in early June. If you don't do it in advance, it will take you years to finish your doctoral thesis.
Step 3. Choose your speaker carefully
He is the figure who will guide you in your research and mentally and emotionally support you during the development of your project, and he is the one who will ultimately approve your work. You should choose someone you respect professionally, with whom you know you can get along and communicate effectively.
You should find a speaker who is happy to offer their assistance, but who still doesn't interfere excessively with your work. If it is too rigid, you may encounter some difficulties during the revision phases or if your project should take new directions
Step 4. Get in touch with committee members
The rapporteur can give you valuable information about the members of the committee. Generally, different perspectives should be embraced.
Keep in mind that, depending on the university, you have the opportunity to choose the members of the commission. It is usually possible in foreign universities, such as US universities, but in other parts of the world it is often the speaker who creates a commission for the graduate student. In Italy, the examining commissions are appointed by the Academic Council and with the favorable opinion of the council of the department or faculty to which the PhD course belongs
Step 5. Develop research strategies and a system for taking notes
It is important to develop a system that meets your needs in the early stages of writing your thesis. In this way you will be able to organize and keep under control all the material that, along the way, will increase visibly. The speaker, other lecturers, and those who have already earned a PhD degree are an excellent source of information to understand what may be the best system for conducting your project.
Electronic annotation systems, such as Zotero, EndNote, and OneNote, save the lives of many graduate students. They allow you to keep bibliographic references and notes taken during your studies in order and well organized, and will simplify the search for information. Unless you prefer to use pen and paper, these programs are of enormous use. Try them out to find out which one is best suited to your project
Step 6. Stick to the thesis completion criteria related to your field of study
When you start writing, you should know all the composition rules in your field of study. By using from the beginning the principles that regulate the drafting, the use of bibliographic sources, the citation of other works and the insertion of footnotes, you can simplify the drafting of the thesis in its final stages. Don't wait until the end and then be forced to go back and rework everything.
- The appropriate style depends on the field of study: the most common are APA, MLA, Chicago and Turabian.
- In addition to the "main style" related to your subject area, you are likely to be asked to follow particular compilation criteria (for example, endnotes instead of footnotes). Some teachers offer models to use during the thesis writing phase. Before you start writing, consult your supervisor to find the information you need about formatting your text.
Part 3 of 4: Surviving On The Path
Step 1. Be flexible
Know that even if you have worked out your plan in the most careful and detailed manner ever imagined, you run the risk of discovering that the project is going in the wrong direction. Perhaps the preliminary laboratory tests do not prove what you thought or the archive you visited did not contain the documentation you believed. Perhaps, after exhausting research, you realize that you have asked yourself a question that you cannot answer. Do not go into crisis: it happens to most of the PhD students to have to somehow correct their plans on the thesis.
It is quite common for the final thesis to deviate significantly from the initial proposal or project. As you progress through your research, your work can change direction
Step 2. Stay in touch with the speaker
The dissertation process can lead to isolation - conduct research and write on your own, sometimes for years. You will likely find that no one is monitoring your progress. Make sure you stay in touch with the speaker and other faculty, keeping them updated on your work and asking them questions that may arise along the way. This way you will avoid encountering unpleasant surprises. For example, if a teacher does not agree on the direction your project is taking, it is better to know it in advance than to find out once the thesis is delivered.
Step 3. Divide the thesis into smaller and easily manageable parts
It can be difficult to start working on the first page of what will become a thesis of 300 pages or more. Try thinking about one chapter at a time (or one section at a time).
Step 4. Write regularly
Even before you finish your research, you can start structuring and writing the smaller parts of the thesis. Do not hesitate! After a year or two, when all you do is write, you will thank yourself for what you have already accomplished.
Do not assume that it is necessary to start from the first chapter and then go on to complete the whole thesis. If the bulk of your research leads you to cover something in the third chapter, start there! Go back and forth between chapters if this proves to be the best method
Step 5. Make a plan
You may need to plan a schedule or work with your supervisor to organize an agenda appropriately. Be flexible and realistic when necessary, but try to meet the most important deadlines. To write the thesis, many PhD students find the use of a "reverse calendar" rather useful, which includes a sort of countdown.
Step 6. Use the most productive moments
Are you an early riser? Write for a couple of hours as soon as you wake up. Are you a night owl? Try to write at least a couple of hours before bed. Whatever the most profitable moments, use them to carry out the most difficult part of the work.
Step 7. Create a dedicated work environment
If you work on your project lying in bed or lying on the sofa in the living room, you run the risk of being easily distracted. A space intended exclusively for the study and elaboration of your thesis can help you stay focused without thinking about anything else.
Step 8. Share your work progress regularly
Do not wait until you have finished the draft of the whole thesis to get an opinion. Give the speaker at least those for each chapter as soon as you have completed them. It would also be best if you shared the results of your work with other PhD students or mentors you trust within your field of study.
Many faculties offer writing workshops for graduate students. If you find one, take advantage of it! This is a great way to get an opinion on the work you produced in the early stages
Step 9. Give yourself a few breaks
You should take one day a week to rest and get away from your thesis. You will have time to recharge and be able to return to work with more energy and a fresher mind. Stay with family or friends, go to the movies, take a yoga class or cook some delicacies: dedicate yourself to whatever makes you feel rested and happy.
Consider giving yourself longer breaks in the course of your work. If to celebrate and take a vacation you wait until the thesis is finished, a very hard road will await you. Take a weekend off when you finish the draft of a chapter. Celebrate the end of a long and difficult research journey with a week of relaxation! You may have the impression that these breaks make you want to be lazy or superficial, but that's not the case: they serve to make you feel good
Step 10. Stay fit
It is known that PhD students pay little attention to their psycho-physical well-being. They suffer from anxiety, stress and depression, eat poorly, skip the gym and don't sleep well. However, if you take care of yourself you will be stronger and more productive. Therefore, do not fall into this mistake!
- Eat well. Get enough protein, fiber and vitamins, and drink plenty of water. Avoid sugar-laden junk food, and steer clear of frying and excessive alcohol consumption. All of these things could only jeopardize your health.
- Train regularly. You may think you don't have time, but if physical activity becomes your priority, you can set aside thirty minutes a day to get some exercise. Run, bike or go for a walk.
- Get enough sleep. Don't sacrifice yourself to write your thesis: you can do it even without staying up all night. Get at least eight hours of sleep and you will feel much better.
Part 4 of 4: Overcoming the Final Obstacles
Step 1. Commit to becoming a professional in your industry
As you work on your thesis, try to specialize in your field. Consult with your supervisor about the possibility of publishing parts of your research before finishing it. Attend and attend conferences. Give reports or present some parts related to your research. Discuss your work with other people in the same field of study as you and ask for advice.
- When at conferences, dress and behave professionally, not like a college student.
- The prospect of an academic career could help you stay motivated in the final stages of your research.
Step 2. Know the procedure for finishing the PhD
When the end of the thesis approaches, you will need to know what the faculty or university is asking you to earn your doctorate. Do you need to prepare an introductory speech for the discussion? Who needs to approve your work? What documents will you need to fill out? Once you have answered all these questions, you will be able to plan the final stages of your PhD program.
Step 3. Talk to committee members one by one
If possible, meet every teacher who will be on the commission. Make it known that you are about to complete the thesis and ask what they would like from you. How long before the discussion must they review the thesis? Are they planning to submit to any problems?
This task will be much easier if you stay in touch with the committee members during the drafting work (but it depends on the university, as noted above). In this case, it will be a formality; you shouldn't face any kind of surprise
Step 4. Practice articulating your arguments and emphasizing their importance
Since you will have to discuss your thesis in front of a committee, start practicing by explaining your arguments succinctly and describing the value of your work in a special way. This exercise will prove useful in discussion, but will also help you afterwards, during conferences or in job interviews.
Practice answering questions, especially when they ask you "So what?". Imagine a committee member saying to you, "Well, it proved that … So what?" Think about how you might respond. Learn to understand why your job is important in your field of study
Step 5. Get help with final proofreading and text correction
Doctoral theses are long and you will be exhausted when you get to the final squeeze. Bring the draft of your thesis to the attention of many people, before submitting it. This will eliminate unnecessary mistakes and be able to identify less clear steps that need to be refined.
Step 6. Remember that you are now an expert
Once your thesis is complete, you will likely begin to worry about what committee members will think about your work. Remember that no one knows your thesis better than you. Trust yourself. You are now the only expert in this small part of your field of study.
Step 7. Manage your stress
When you finish writing your thesis you may feel particularly anxious, worried about the discussion and the quality of the work done, stressed about having finished your doctorate and having to move on to another phase in your life. These feelings are normal, but keep them in check. Talk to a trusted friend and don't lose the healthy habits described above.
Step 8. Be proud of your work
Regardless of the discussion, completing the writing of the thesis is a very important achievement that occurs only once in a lifetime: enjoy it. Be proud of yourself. Share the joy of this moment with friends and family. Celebrate the excellent work you did, because you are now a PhD!
Advice
- Take care of your mental wellbeing. The writing of the thesis is stressful and tiring. It is normal to feel a sense of anxiety and depression, but if it lasts too long or gets worse, talk to your doctor right away.
- Don't isolate yourself excessively. Compared to the college years when you took classes and collaborated more often with other students, the PhD can give you a greater sense of loneliness. You will be forced to do most of the research and dissertation writing yourself, but you don't have to isolate yourself more than necessary. Sign up for a writing workshop and stay in touch with friends and colleagues.
- Manage your expectations. The doctoral thesis does not have to be perfect, but complete and satisfying. Perfectionism would only block you. Remember that the best thesis is a finished thesis.
