Providing Life Lines for ABD
Students
Marilyn K. Simon, Ph.D.
Jim Goes, Ph.D.
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
2
Research is not a linear path
. Permission obtained
Harburg, Ernest. (1966). Research Map. American Scientist, 54, 470
Harburg, Ernest. (1966). Research Map. American Scientist, 54, 470.
3
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.
4
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
5
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.
6
What do you need to move forward?
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
7
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)??
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.
8
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.
9
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
10
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
11
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
12
Analytical Scientists
• Prefers precision, exactness, unambiguous
situations.
• Experimental Design, Quasi-experimental
Design, semiotics, trend analysis,
regression-discontinuity design.
13
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.
14
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
15
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.
16
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.
17
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.
18
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.
19
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
•
•
•
•
20
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.
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.
21
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.
22
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
23
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.
24
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 wellrespected program.
• There is a rippling affect – you will be more able to advance
positive social change by obtaining the highest level of
education.
25