We share our experiences with the doctoral study process from the views of both students and professors. In a linear fashion, we offer our perspectives on the various decision points and pain points inherent in the modern doctoral dissertation, with an eye toward the strategies, resources, and personal touches that made it work. We conclude with…

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive was to explore how dissertation faculty leaders describe the knowledge creation process as a means of developing dissertation chairs at a private university in the southwestern United States. The theoretical model underpinning the study was the knowledge creation process model developed by Ikujiro…

Although doctoral supervision involves guiding the writing process, limited research exists regarding how faculty practice writing supervision. This case study investigates how faculty in one U.S. educational leadership department supervise doctoral writing. While the department incorporates best practices for student writing support and…

EdD students represent diverse individuals with established professional identities who enroll in doctoral programs seeking relevant, useable content. Instructors and program directors must find ways to incorporate rigor and relevance into the readings, assessments, and training for EdD students. This essay explores the evolution of research…

This third edition has been well revised and continues with the ideas expressed in the previous two editions. The details and reactions in light of experiences of the intervening years have been updated and expanded. This particularly interesting book is written from a student advocacy perspective, intended to speak to non-traditional students as…

Written feedback on drafts of a thesis or dissertation is arguably the most important source of input on what is required or expected of thesis-writing students by the academic community. Despite its importance, relatively little is known about what type of information supervisors focus on when giving feedback. This article presents the findings…

Summarizes data on doctoral dissertations completed in instructional design and technology programs from 1977-88, including the number of dissertations completed at each of 46 universities and faculty members who chaired the dissertations. Results indicate large numbers of students are concentrated at a few institutions with a relatively small…

This compilation presents research completed in the areas of health, physical education, recreation, dance, and allied areas during 1990. The research is organized into two sections. The first, Index to Abstracts, arranges references under subject headings in alphabetical order. Instructions for using the index are given at the beginning of the…

This compilation presents abstracts of research completed in the areas of health, physical education, recreation, dance and allied fields during the 1991-92 school year. The book is organized into two sections. In the first, "Index to Abstracts," references are arranged under subject headings in alphabetical order. The second,…

This guide designed to be particularly useful to minority graduate students, outlines the process one must master in order to earn a doctoral degree. Through a step-by-step approach, it divides the doctoral degree process into four phases from entry to graduate school to completion of the doctoral requirements. It provides guides and checklists…

Thirty-three active doctoral advisors on the faculty of a research oriented university participated in a study of the way faculty advisors prepare their doctoral candidates for the literature review portion of the dissertation. It is noted that common student opinions are: their own library use skills are inadequate; this inadequacy is shameful;…

Degree requirements in computer science at Monash University are summarized, problems relating to them are discussed, and suggestions for improving them are offered that stress a clearer definition of expectations. (JSR)

Detailed and wide-ranging suggestions are offered for reforming Australia's higher degree requirements. The author, an Australian PhD, compares them with requirements in other countries and finds them "particularly regressive, unenlightened, intellectually counterproductive, undemocratic, and uncivilized." (JSR)

Some of the reasons for the unduly long time required to finish PhDs at the University of Sydney are examined, and two problem areas are noted: the imposition of excessive standards for ulterior motives, and inadequate supervision. Based on questionnaires, five specific reforms are suggested. (JSR)

This book offers first-hand, personal dialogues about the experience of completing a doctoral dissertation. The group of 10 students at Warwick University (United Kingdom) who contributed their impressions had been together for 3 years; 3 had already completed their doctorates while the others' projects were still incomplete. The book is organized…