It is always helpful to keep the following in mind:

A Ph.D dissertation is a very formal, complex document that presents very concise information in defense of a specific thesis.

The process described in Getting Started will help you systematically narrow your subject area down to a topic, i.e., the thesis your dissertation defends. A thesis is highly focused, very concise, and addresses a specific, well-defined problem or question.

    Always remember the following:

• A dissertation topic does not need to be a totally new, groundbreaking, re-write the textbooks revelation. Studying an old subject in a new way, from a different perspective, can be a new contribution.
• The topic chosen must be appropriate to your degree.
• Be sure your chosen topic addresses a real problem or question.
• The chosen dissertation topic must be appropriate for the subjects you have available to work with.
• Select a topic narrow enough to be manageable, with a study that can be done in the time allotted.
• It must be of genuine interest to you! If not, it will be hard for you to stay motivated over time.
• Ideally, your topic should be of interest to your advisor.

    It is important to remember the two words that best describe a dissertation: "substantial" and "original". These two words apply to the thesis, and to the research performed to support that thesis.

    The following links lead you to sites we find helpful:

• Go here for good information about planning your Dissertation
• Dissertation Proposal

If you are having trouble moving ahead with your dissertation, the following sites are recommended for dissertation instruction and dissertation help or coaching.

dissertation-writing.net

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