Providing Life Lines for ABD Students

Marilyn K. Simon, Ph.D.Jim Goes, Ph.D.

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Where are you in your doctoral program?

• A) I am in a doctoral program and thinking about my dissertation.

• B) I completed all my other course work and requirements and I am getting ready to start my dissertation.

• C) I am knee deep into my dissertation and hope to finish at a reasonable time.

• D) I have been ABD for a while and I am concerned about my progress.

• E) I am thinking of starting a doctoral program and do not want to be ABD for a long time.

• F) None of the above

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Research is not a linear pathHarburg, Ernest. (1966). Research Map. American Scientist, 54, 470. Permission obtained

Harburg, Ernest. (1966). Research Map. American Scientist, 54, 470.

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Being ABD means

• You have taken all the courses you need to take to earn a Ph.D. 

• You have taken your Ph.D. qualifying exam or passed all requirements except the dissertation. 

• You have successfully defended your dissertation proposal

• You probably feel you deserve a degree, but ABD is not a real degree offered by any university.

• You need to make it to the finish line and get that doctorate along with those initials.

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Being ABD Ph.D./Equivalent

• Can be Lonely• Requires motivation• Requires time management• Requires support• Requires dealing with the peaks and valleys

of research• Requires working effectively with your

committee• Requires several lifelines

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Remember

• You are intelligent enough to have come this far, there is no reason to be ABD any longer than you need to.

• The longer you stay ABD, the more difficult it becomes to move forward.

• There are wonderful rewards waiting for you when you complete your dissertation and your doctoral program.

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What do you need to move forward?

• A) Better time management• B) Methodological support• C) Data Analysis support• D) Committee support• E) APA support• F) Stress Management• G) More hours in the day• H) A larger sample size• I)??

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Lifeline: Time Management

• Time is a finite Resource• Set a realistic date for DCD (Dissertation

Completion Date).• Acknowledge non dissertation related activities that

need to be done in conjunction with your dissertation research.

• Set daily/weekly/monthly goals• Keep a dissertation journal

http://tinyurl.com/87b8dr2• Re-evaluate what you can give up temporarily or

permanently to make more time in your schedule.

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Remember your Rocks

• A science teacher asked students to fill a Mason Jar with big rocks until full.

• Teacher has them add gravel until full.

• Teacher has them add sand until full.

• Teacher has them add water until full.

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Remember your Rocks

• Lesson: In our lives, we have big rocks, gravel, sand and water. The natural tendency seems to favor the latter three elements, leaving little space for the big rocks.

• Make a list of your big rocks. Then make a plan to ensure that your big rocks are put first. Block out the time in your schedule for those activities. Amazingly, the other stuff still gets done.

• Your dissertation is a big rock! • Your Rocks cannot be larger than your jar

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Lifeline: Choose the right methodology for you

• Take the test at http://tinyurl.com/6wmnchs

• Determine your research archetype.– Conceptual Theorist– Analytical Scientist– Particular Humanist– Conceptual Humanist

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Conceptual Theorists

• Holistic and Imaginative.

• Prefers a testable framework with large scale correlation.

• Many reasons why things happen that can be discerned.

• Factor analyses, descriptive research, correlational studies, repertory grid analyses,

Q-methodology, Delphi

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Analytical Scientists

• Prefers precision, exactness, unambiguous situations.

• Experimental Design, Quasi-experimental Design, semiotics, trend analysis, regression-discontinuity design.

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Particular Humanist

• Prefers personal knowledge to rational knowledge. Believes humans are too complex to study as a whole. Believes you must be passionate about your study.

• Case study, appreciative inquiry, grounded theory, phenomenology, Delphi Method.

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Conceptual Humanist

• Prefers holistic knowledge. Human behavior needs to be studied through many points of view. Constantly develop new approaches to study humans.

• Grounded theory, phenomenology, grounded theory, evaluative case study, content analysis, Delphi Method

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Lifeline: Data Analysis - Quantitative

• Familiarize yourself with the basics of Statistics – Triola, http://tinyurl.com/74jo5xh

• Consider obtaining a statistical coach: www.dissertationrecipes.com

• Analysis begins after all data are collected• Deductive – theories/hypotheses are tested.• Remember: the null is the “no” hypothesis – no relationship,

no difference, nada. • We always test the null to determine to either reject or fail to

reject the null.• Doing statistics means never having to say you are certain.

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Lifeline- Data Analysis- Qualitative

• Analysis begins after the first round of data collection and continues until saturation.

• Inductive analysis -- critical themes emerge out of the data.

• Consider qualitative software like Atlast Ti or NVivo to help manage the data.

• Open Coding used to identify themes.• Devise an audit trail to track data.• Axial coding to link themes together.• Translate to tell a story.

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Lifeline: Problem Statement Creation

• Creating a viable problem statement is one of the most important and challenging components of scholarly research.– Ask yourself: What is wrong that needs correcting?– What research can I do to solve part of a larger problem?– What is the gap in the literature I could fill by solving this problem?– What population is involved? How can I access that population?– What methodology can I use to solve the problem framed?– How will solving this problem be in accord with the university

mission?– DO Not confuse a problem with a purpose or research question.– Most problem statements are between 200 and 250 words. Be

precise and concise.

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Lifeline: APA Support

• Templates to assist with APA 6th formatting.• Perrla • Hire an APA/dissertation coach early on. • Keep track of errors you make – no

copywrite on errors.• Common errors: in-text citations; headings,

spacing; font; tenses…• Partner with a student-colleague to review

each others work.

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Lifeline: Stress management

We can’t eliminate stress from our lives, but we can learn how to manage it.

• o   Prioritize. Make a list of the tasks you need to complete in order of their importance. Then, do the most important things first.

• o   Schedule yourself. Keep a schedule of all your appointments and commitments. Give yourself ample time for each appointment or project.

• o    Set deadlines. If you find yourself procrastinating, set a deadline for yourself. Post a reminder in a highly visible spot, such as your computer monitor.

• o   End clutter. Impose a little more order on your life, and you’ll save time. Keep your important documents in computer files – have a dissertation folder.

• O Use a cloud back-up system like Carbonite or Dropbox.

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Lifeline: Stress management

• o   Communicate. If you do not have the information you need to speak up.

• o   Delegate. At work, if you have the power to delegate tasks, do so. At home, make sure everybody in the household has responsibilities. Even young children can be assigned simple tasks.

• o   Divide and conquer. Create smaller parts and setting mini-deadlines, you will make the project seem more manageable.

• o   Plan breaks. Take regular breaks to unwind.

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Lifeline: More hours in the day

• Unless you develop the power to bend the laws of space and time, there will only be 24 hours in your day.

• What you can do is bend the ways you use the hours you have.

• If you look hard enough, you can discover time you didn’t know you had.

• Perhaps you can get up 15 minutes earlier?• Public transportation to work rather than drive? • Audio books if you must drive?• Put your favorite shows on a DVR or TiVo.• Keep a book or article with you at all times if you get put on

hold or have to wait on line for something.

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Lifeline: University Procedures

• Each university has its own special way they like things done. Find out what the expectations are for your dissertation. Speak to a recent graduate if possible.

• IRB – IRBs determine whether a study could bring any harm to the participants, the researcher, or the university at large. This affects the reputation of the university.

• Make sure you take each component of the application seriously. – You will need to describe in detail the methodology, data analysis,

sample selection, etc. – Everything must be consistent and precise.– All permissions need to be obtained prior to data collection.– Be ready to explain why you are

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Lifeline: Increase your n (sample size)

• One of the challenges in scholarly research is to have a large enough n (sample size).

• Some common ways to increase survey response:– Make survey interesting– No longer than need be– Make sure the survey is readable

• Some not so common ways– Present survey at a meeting where targeted population is

present.– Create a web site where survey can be completed.– Provide a token incentive – raffle ticket small gift.

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Remember the Benefits of obtaining a doctorate

• Benefits to your career• New opportunities • Increased job security• Increased prestige• Increase Lifetime earnings• Increase your credibility• There is an inherent respect for a person who undertakes

and completes a rigorous course of study from a well-respected program.

•  There is a rippling affect – you will be more able to advance positive social change by obtaining the highest level of education.