STEMskiller: Skill Set Map for Mentors of Early Career Researchers

RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP: Completing a doctorate (PhD)

Planning the final year of doctoral studies and preparing for the doctoral defense

Definition:

Tools and resources for completing dissertation writing, preparing for the dissertation defense, and considering next career steps. Local university resources will typically dictate deadlines for submission during the completion process; mentors, be sure to share this information with finishing doctoral students.

Useful resources on Planning the final year of doctoral studies:

Lim, J., Covrig, D., Freed, S., De Oliveira, B., Ongo, M., & Newman, I. (2019). Strategies to assist distance doctoral students in completing their dissertations. International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 20(5). http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/download/4532/5216?inline=1

Describes roles university players can play in supporting doctoral students—not only those enrolled in distance programs, but relevant to all students. Provides a “Doctoral Student’s Dissertation Readiness” tool that all mentors can use with students to help them understand the different aspects of writing a dissertation (reading, literature search, clarity regarding research topic/question[s], research method, committee, support network, writing ability).

University of Leicester Doctoral College. (n.d.). Your thesis plan - a roadmap to completing your research degree. https://www2.le.ac.uk/departments/doctoralcollege/training/eresources/study-guides/thesis/plan

Tips for setting objectives and developing a thesis and work plans.

Texas A&M Writing Center. (2020). Dissertation defense and The perfect defense. http://writingcenter.tamu.edu/Students/Writing-Speaking-Guides/Alphabetical-List-of-Guides/Academic-Writing/Dissertation-Defense and https://writingcenter.tamu.edu/Students/Writing-Speaking-Guides/Alphabetical-List-of-Guides/Academic-Writing/Dissertation-Defense/The-Perfect-Defense

Guides to preparing for the dissertation defense, including video (“The Perfect Defense”).

Tags: IPS IA; IPS CritT; IPS CreaT; IPS WC; IPS OC; IPS R; IPS QL; IPS IL; IPS T; IPS PS; PSR LL; CompQ

Peer Review: None

Table of contents:

1.4. Completing a doctorate (PhD)

1.4.1. How to work with PhD supervisors
1.4.2. Time management and the PhD completion path

1.4.4. Managing eThesis/doctoral dissertation submissions

 

Author: Stephanie Krueger

Peer Reviewer(s): None

Last Updated: October 26, 2021