Book+Reviews

A Review of Judith Meloy's //Writing the Qualitative Dissertation: Understanding by Doing// Book Review: //Doing Qualitative Research in Educational Settings// by Dr. J. Amos Hatch

In fall 2007, students enrolled in Diss Prep completed book reviews about the dissertation writing journey. Their reviews are archived here -

I read //Dissertations and Theses From Start to Finish// by John D. Cone and Sharon L. Foster (2006). At first I had high hopes for this book when a quick scan through the chapters found headings such as “Manage Your Arousal Constructively” (p. 305). Alas, as entertaining as it promised to be, upon actual reading the book failed to pique either my intellectual or prurient interests.
 * Linnea Carlson’s Book Review**

This book is geared towards people doing quantitative studies and in that regard it is successful. Lengthy discussions of variables and measurement concerns (reliability and validity) are useful and well-written. There is also a chapter on statistics review geared towards helping the researcher choose a proper analysis approach before he or she embarrasses him or herself before an advisor or committee.

One piece I did enjoy from the book is the suggestion that you should put a large sign on your wall that says “The Master of P and A Becomes the ABD” (p. 38). For this adage “P” stands for procrastination and “A” stands for avoidance. Unfortunately I am all too familiar with both P and A in my life. Also in this vein, I would like to share my father’s sage advice which is a slogan I do keep on my wall, “Aim Not For Perfection, Merely Completion.”

What I liked least about this book is that it somewhat disheartening. Through our class where we have tackled the proposal bit by bit, I have become less frightened of the dissertation process. Reading this book brought back all of the horror stories I have heard before. This was almost made worse in that according to them I have already violated several principles of dissertation process: 1) finding a topic before I have a committee, 2) choosing a topic to which I have some level of emotional commitment, and 3) not having started this process when I was an undergraduate.

I think my favorite piece of advice from the book was actually the foreword by Dr. Gregory Kimble. In his writing, he outlines ten lessons he has learned about writing dissertations. Lesson 5 is my particular favorite: “When it comes to writing your dissertation or thesis, be as brief as they will let you be” (p. X). Overall, I would recommend the four page foreword as the most inspiring section of the book.


 * Book Review by Wendie Willis**

Rudestam, K.E., & Newton, R.R. (2001). Surviving your dissertation: A comprehensive guide to content and process (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

The title of this book says it all. This book is a literary lifesaver; a priceless balm for the weary doc student looking for the answer to the proverbial question: "How the heck am I suppose to write a dissertation?"
 * Introduction**

The authors have divided this text into three major parts. Part One was entitled Getting Started, and focused on explaining the research process, selecting a topic and explaining the different methods of inquiry (quantitative and qualitative). Part Two was entitiled Working with Content: The Dissertation Chapters. This section of the book focused on how to conduct a literature review, how to develop a problem statement for your research sutdy, how to describe your research plan as commonly found in the methods chapter of the dissertation, how to present both quantitative and qualitatitve data and how to write an abstract and create a title for your study. Part Three was entitled Working with Process: What you Need to Know to Make the Dissertation Easier. This section included information on overcoming barriers, overcoming writer's block, how to effectively use your personal computer throughout the dissertation process, and how to present numbers according to APA style. Lastly the authors present a chapter on informed consent and ethical considerations as it relates to the dissertation.
 * Content Summary**

This book has several strengths: 1) It contains a name and subject index. 2) It does not have to be read in order, but you can skip to the information you need to read at that moment. 3) It discusses barriers that need to be overcome other than those related to writing blocks. 4) It is easy to read and does not include all that academy-speak, that often makes the author look quite intelligent but leaves me as the reader trying to understand what I just read. The book has one weakness that many would cite (not me), and that is, it has clearly been written to help those who are using quantitative analyses in their dissertations. Although there is considerable space given to the discussion of issues related to qualitative studies, anyone who thumbs through the table of contents will have to agree that an entire chapter dedicated to how to presesnt numbers APA style and 50-plus pages dedicated to how to present quantitative data in your dissertation is proof that this book is for the number-crunching doc students.
 * Strengths and Weaknesses**

However, I am so impressed with the pearls of wisdom contained within this volume that I would like to share a few with you in an attempt to persuade you to at least check this book out of the library and peruse it sometime between taking your comps and the writing of your disseration proposal.
 * Excerpts**

//Regarding your oral defense of your dissertation// "The more you can frame the final oral defense of the dissertation as an opportunity to present your research publicly, the better the experience is likely to be. The more you take a proactive, nondefensive position, the less likely it is for your committee to humiliate you. Count on being asked a few questions you will not be able to answer. That does not mean the end of the world. It may even be wise to 'save something for the committee' so that they can make an acknowledged contribution to the completion of the project ."

//On the writing of the methods chapter of your dissertation// " This chapter should be viewed primarily as a set of directions for conducting a specific piece of research."

//On writer's block// "Do not be afraid to use the writing of others as a model. This is not a fraudulenlt act, but rather one that acknowldeges how much we can learn from master craftspeople. When you come across a piece of writing that seems especially clear, forceful, and enjoyable to read, pay attention to how that writier organizes and communicates ideas."

//On arranging your life so you can complete your dissertation// "Inevitably, many ordinary life activities will be put on hold during the dissertation. It is crucial to be sensitive to family members because you will no doubt have to negotiate time off from normal responsibilities and contact with them."

I can't remember now why I selected this book. I would like to think I was able to discern that it had a quantitative bent to it. However, let me say that those of you still in search of the perfect text on how to write a dissertation (be it quantitative or qualitative), would be wise to flip through the pages of this book. I am quite satisfied with what I have found and I am more confident that one day, as a result of having read Rudestam and Newton's work, I will not only have the answer to " how the heck do I write a dissertation?" but, I will be able to provide the evidence in the form of a completed manuscript.
 * Conclusion**

Roberts, C.M. (2004). The dissertation journey: A practical and comprehensive guide to planning, writing, and defending your dissertation, 2nd ed. Corwin Press: Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

The idea of a dissertation has been very frightening to me, especially as I approach the end of my coursework. As I have spoken to PhDs in my field, I have found their comments and experiences to be somewhat negative and discouraging. I would walk away from conversations and wonder why I am doing this. From the first page of the Roberts' text, I was given a sense of calm and relief. Her book comprehensively guides the reader through the dissertation process in an easy-to-read and upbeat manner. The information in the book gave me a perspective that I hadn't found in my previous discussions. Although a portion of the information from the text was a reiteration of the content presented in class, several important points and "tips" resonated with me.
 * Book Reviewed by Chuck Carlin**

I found the rules about the formation of the dissertation team to be the most interesting to me (probably because this is my next step). She offers eight rules to following areas: 1) Establish norms early on how to work together, 2) Always submit drafts of your best work (don't cut corners), 3) Accept criticism with grace and non-defensiveness (I read this one twice!), 4) Always incorporate your committee's recommendations for revisions, 5) Respect the committee's time constraints, 6) Keep a positive and cheerful attitude, 7) Take the initiative but expect guidance, and 8) Maintain contact. Lastly, I have this fear that no one will want to be on my committee. Roberts' offered some tough insight on how to look within oneself to answer some difficult questions.

All in all, the book was extremely positive and practical. There were tangible strategies for someone in my position as well as a dose of tough love. I enjoyed the book and am glad I selected it!

Roberts, C.M. (2004). //The dissertation journey: A practical and comprehensive guide to planning, writing, and defending your dissertation.// Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.


 * Review by Ed Klein**

Bolker, J. (1998). Writing your dissertation in fifteen minutes a day: A guide to starting, revising, and finishing your doctoral thesis. Henry Holt Company: New York.

I have always enjoyed writing, and because of this personal enjoyment, I became an English teacher. But as a teacher of English I quickly learned that not everyone met with writing in the same way that I did - that no matter of my "teaching" was going to promote a genuine fulfillment that comes from this activity. In the same vein, I struggled early on to create fulfilling experiences for my cross-country team that I coached in my first year.

Bolker connects these two personal and disciplined activities that can, if balanced, promote a sense of fulfillment (or at least a task completion). The keyword, in hope of capturing Bolker's sentiment, is self-discipline. The student-as-writer must exercise self-discipline reminescent of the medieval scholars who were isolated from the secular world. But, in self-discipline there must co-exist a sense of fulfillment. This balance is necessary not merely for the completion of the degree requirements, but for a healthy existence. Bolker pragmatically offers advice on writing and living-while-writing.

I found this sage book to be a refreshing juxtaposition with the anecdotes from the two dissertation students in class. Bolker's advice encourages me to drown out the reverberating noise and focus on the whispers of this particular task - after I decide on a topic.


 * Writing Your Dissertation in Fifteen Minutes a Day**
 * Book Review by Kim Cockley**

About a year ago, I purchased online a few books to help me begin thinking about dissertation writing. Some were helpful, but one book, //Writing your Dissertation in Fifteen Minutes a Day//, was not quite what I expected. Rather than give a straightforward plan for completing a dissertation quickly and efficiently, as I may have naively thought, it focused instead on just sitting down and writing, no matter the form or the content. My perception at the time was that I’d rather spend my time writing the actual dissertation than writing just for writing’s sake. Reading our class text and discussing journal and memo-writing in class has prompted me to think again about that book I had purchased as well as my own perceptions about writing.

A comment that author Joan Bolker wrote resonated with me: “You might ask, ‘Why focus on the writing…when the major problem is doing the research?’ Because to do research is to inquire, to dig one’s way into a problem, and writing is one of the best tools available for such work” (xiv). This is the practical reason for writing daily, even when you feel as though you have nothing worthwhile to say. These daily writings, whether they be memos, journals, or sections of the dissertation, can serve as reflective journals of your thought-process, a vehicle for just writing down decisions and questions you currently have, and a means of free-writing to help continue thinking about the topic and related topics.

Other aspects of the book that I found helpful are specific to the writing process (i.e. revision techniques, writing for your audience). One area on what to do “when you’re stuck” was insightful (and humorous). I loved the comment on p. 96: “Be a blatant behaviorist and bribe yourself shamelessly”, which refers to holding activities that you find motivating as a “carrot” in front of you—write first, and you can then enjoy that activity. Bolker also discussed a concept that Dr. Iverson shared with us in one of our first classes about ending your writing for the day in a good place: “Always park on the downhill slope” (96).

//Roberts, C.M. (2004). The dissertation journey: A practical and comprehensive guide to planning, writing, and defending your dissertation, 2nd ed. Corwin Press: Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage -// **Book Reviewed by Greg Blundell**

Carol M. Roberts is a Professor in the Doctoral Program in Organizational Leadership at the University of La Verne. Her duties include advising doc students, chairs dissertations and teaching research plus a variety of courses focused on leading organizations. She is also a speaker, consultant and seminar leader specializing in organizational and team development, strategic planning, conflict resolution, coaching, and personal skills mastery. Carol has been instructed at the California School Leadership Academy and the California School Boards Association, and has served on the Executive Board for the Southern Counties Women in Educational Management and was awarded its Woman of the Year award. Her doctorate is in planning, policy and administration from the University of Southern California. ([|http://www.corwinpress.com/authorDetails.nav?contribId=527198)]

This second revision no less supports graduate students, who are approaching the writing of their thesis or dissertation, by bolstering their confidence and offering them a practical, step-by-step process in summiting the “mountain” they’re about to climb.

Roberts helps students to keep climbing upward toward the inevitable peak by providing checklists, handy tips, tricks and traps, an array of sample forms and advice on their completion, practical organization and time management tips, how to integrate contemporary research technologies into each stage of the process, establishing and utilizing a support network and a never-ending list of very necessary resources and natty utilities.

These tools shore up the five stages of the climb, namely; (1) ascertaining and convincing yourself that you have what it takes and fully understand the magnitude, duration and final objective of the expedition, (2) putting together all the necessary “stuff” in preparing for the climb, (3) beginning the climb, (4) climbing to base camp, (5) the final ascent, and (6) the view from the top and beyond.

I readily identified with each stage, the concomitant sub-stages and am firmly committed to enjoying the mission, relishing the knowledge that I will gain along the way and ultimately utilizing for the rest of my career.

Roberts claims that by using her book, it will “make writing your dissertation less time consuming, more enjoyable, and most of all, easier to complete.” I plan to hold her to that, since I know where she lives!!

from Susan Iverson: I recommended Anne Lamott's "Bird by Bird", and so am passing along this excerpt 'on how to approach your writing'... "Thirty years ago my older brother, who was 10 years old at the time, was trying to get a report on birds written that he'd had three months to write. It was due the next day.... He was at the kitchen table close to tears, surrounded by binder paper and pencils and unopened books on birds, immobilized the hugeness of the task ahead. Then my father sat down beside him, put his arm around my brother's shoulder, and said 'Bird by bird, buddy. Just take it bird by bird.'" http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/birdbybird/ Review: http://www.authorsontheweb.com/features/bird-by-bird.asp


 * Book Review/Summary by Lisa Fortunato Hunt**

Bolker, J. (1998). Writing your dissertation in fifteen minutes a day: A guide to starting, revising, and finishing your doctoral thesis. Henry Holt Company: New York.

The book I chose to review is Writing Your Dissertation in Fifteen Minutes a Day authored by Joan Bolker. According to the author, this book is a collection of successful field-tested strategies for writing a dissertation based on her experience with hundreds of doctoral candidates. This book guides the reader through the process of brainstorming, developing, revising and finalizing a dissertation. Below is an outline of information suggested by the author that I found to be personally helpful:

• Try not to be intimidated if you don't consider yourself a true scholar or if you are unsure where or how to begin • Instead of jumping straight into the writing process, try to visual/imagine what your dissertation may look like; imagining the possibilities will help build excitement and promote passion on the part of the researcher • Explore various topics prior to feeling obligated to settle on just one • Utilize methods to encourage thought and tease thought out of what seems to be total chaos • Find ways to write in a way that provides you comfort, but write constantly!!! • Keep a journal throughout the entire process (e.g. how does the process feel, what did I accomplish, what do I still need to accomplish, what nagging questions do you have, what questions have you been trying to ignore, etc. • When choosing a topic, make sure it interests you and satisfies your curiosity • When conducting research, engage yourself in the material • Your research may help to define you personally and professionally; more than likely you will refer to your dissertation quite a bit as in your field of study and life in general • Choosing an advisor is the most, or at least one of the most, significant decisions in the dissertation process • An ideal advisor would fill the following roles: mentor, field/topic expert, coach, editor, counselor, guide, teacher, legal/ethical expert...very few advisors will be able to meet all of your needs • Find a committee with various members who can meet all or most of the aforementioned roles • In addition, ensure that you have someone very familiar with the literature and someone familiar with your type of research (i.e. quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods) • Be sure to define clear expectations with your advisor and committee to avoid unnecessary issues • The book outlined specific examples of problems that may occur (e.g. advisor/committee member is condescending or wants to take control of your work, he/she comes on to you, etc.) • Don't let the need for neatness and orderliness during the writing process stifle you...According to William G. Perry, "first you make a mess, and then you clean it up." • Play with your topic; don't worry about connecting things logically or overall organization at this point • Keep the writing process alive by jotting notes about areas of interest regarding your topic • Set reasonable goals for yourself and reward yourself when goals are met (no matter how small) • Try to take pleasure in the writing process; if you enjoy it, you are more likely to stick to it • The author suggests writing 3-6 pages daily and then taking one week off per month • Find some system of organization that works for you (e.g. date your pages as they are written) • This process turns your "mess" into your first draft • Ask yourself the following questions: What am I asking? How might I answer this question? • The purpose of the first draft is to write an imperfect version of what you ultimately want to say • The first draft should have purpose and be somewhat organized in a coherent fashion • This chapter lists several strategies that writers may find helpful (e.g. determine what stands out most in your writing, read for dominant themes, read for interesting/annoying questions that continuously surface, try to find logical markers to help determine your organization pattern) • Reflect upon where you have come from in terms of the writing process and where you still need to go • Think about timing and pacing; determine if your progress is satisfactory • Review your ideal deadlines; are you meeting them? • Use the writing process checklists in this chapter to help you answer questions and make decisions • If you do not feel that the writing process is as successful at this point, identify changes you can make; making changes now will help you stick with the process • Allow for some rest, relaxation, and rewards otherwise you may not survive • Internal and external complications can impact your writing process • Learn ways that can help you overcome both types of complications even when a situation feels out of your control • Prioritize; learn to be flexible; seek help; find ways to relieve stress; try not to panic (this is my personal favorite!) • Expect to feel ambivalent, static (term for random feelings and thoughts) and scared…all of these are normal just learn to deal with them • Try funky exercises to keep you writing (pp. 96-97 • First write for yourself toward the truths you are trying to discover • Then write for yourself, but try to be somewhat objective about your work • Start inviting others to read your work, but be careful who you ask at the early stages because any criticism may be difficult to handle • Ideally your advisor or a committee member will support you as you work through these early stages due to your uneasiness and desire to continual explore/change your thought process • Establish a dissertation support group—this group can be informal or formal • Revising is different than proofreading • The more you revise, the clearer and more fluid your writing will become • A list of useful revision strategies can be found on pp. 120-122 • Although the list is helpful, there is no magic potion…except write, revise, write, revise… • You may experience the “hit the wall” syndrome • When you feel like you can’t go on work harder and faster…(i.e. like the very end of a marathon) • Know all of your deadlines, but if one comes sooner than you think ask for an extension (just make sure you are still working HARD!) • Find out what to expect at the dissertation defense stage and prepare accordingly • Celebrate your success…attend commencement and invite everyone you know • Enjoy your sense of accomplishment and let others treat you differently (e.g. call you Dr.) • Be prepared to feel a major sense of loss along with the feelings of wonder and excitement • Decide whether you want to publish or not (they are good reasons for both) • Decide what method of publishing is best for your work (i.e. book, journal) • If you choose a journal, investigate the publication carefully (helpful tips are on pp. 140-141) • If you choose a book, make sure you research publishing companies carefully • Be prepared for rejection, but remember you wrote a dissertation so you can do anything!
 * Chapter One—Beginning**
 * Chapter Two—Choosing an Advisor and Committee**
 * Chapter Three—Getting Started Writing**
 * Chapter Four—From Zero to First Draft**
 * Chapter Five—Getting to the Midpoint: Reviewing Your Process and Your Progress**
 * Chapter Six—Interruptions from Outside and Inside**
 * Chapter 7—You, Your Readers and the Dissertation Support Group**
 * Chapter 8—Revising: The Second Draft and Beyond**
 * Chapter 9—The Best Dissertation is a Done Dissertation**
 * Chapter 10—Life After the Dissertation**

I really enjoyed this book due to its practical nature combined with humor and realism. It is a quick read, but offers a lot of quality insight. I would recommend it to any thesis or dissertation writer.

Joan Bolker - Writing your dissertation fifteen minutes a day: A guide to starting, revising, and finishing your doctoral thesis. Henry Holt Company: New York.
 * __Paul Kish, Book Review__**

Bolker's book is certainly a practical read for a doctoral student that is starting the process of a dissertation. However, what I believe to be true about the text is that is a good read for any writer. The advice and strategies given by Bolker can assist and help any writer in addition to a doctoral student. Though I do believe every writer is different in what works as a writing strategy; however, Bolker gives specific and practical strategies that address many writing issues. I have spoken with co-workers that have their PhD and each one of them seem to have taken a long break within the dissertation writing. They seem to have had a "block" and set aside the work of writing. I'm not sure it could be called a block or simply a fatigue that set in during the writing process. It seems this text may have helped them when facing that problem. I personally am not sure I will utilize many of the strategies Bolker has suggested; however, I will use her text as a reference in the process as I start the task of writing.

One of the key issues that the text first addresses is keeping a writing journal. The value of which can be a key factor when it comes to "keeping track of the flashes of insight." She gives examples of how simple but consistent this process can be; however, the value of journaling will be rewarded in later stages and when "block" occurs. As I journal for this current class I understand how this can be valuable; some of my ideas are captured in the journal and brought out later as I write. An issue that I may have with her suggestions is her idea of a "messy approach" to writing. The thoughts and ideas are written in a messy process, scattered on various and separate pieces of paper. Later on the writer is to "clean up the mess." I cannot invision writing in this manner. Nor can I keep organized doing so. However, what I can invision is journaling in an organized manner and using this process to later put the pieces together. At least, this is what I have taken from Bolker's suggestions.

The chapter I liked the least was about managing personal time. Everyone is different and this chapter can reach some but in my opinion the suggestions are not as practical as the suggestions about the writing process. My situation with time management is different than what has been stated by the author on how to prioritize. Being flexible is about as general as it gets.

Probably, the most practical suggestion from Bolker is the chapter regarding the second draft and revising, Chapter 8. Basically, her suggestion is that the process must be continual. The writer must continually write and revise, write and revise. As this is done the writer's thoughts will become more clear and consise. To me this is true of any writing; however, Bolker suggests that setting short term deadlines will help with the process. I imagine it can looked at as setting series of short term goals for writing; Bolker does not actually mean build your dissertation 15 minutes a day. The continual revision process is simply hard work. The hard work cannot be avoided and the short term goal process is no shortcut to the hard work of dissertation writing. Regardless, Bolker's suggestion with revisions are true and that the free writing process, though messy at times, can keep the process from suffering from fatigue or block.