Common Mistakes in the Dissertation Process

Let's jump right into the list, shall we?

• Aiming too high. Students who are committed to their field and to contributing meaningful research to the field often make this mistake. They understand what their field can do and they are frustrated with the “less” that their colleagues choose. But it’s important to realize that the process, whether right or wrong, is about you learning how to perform and publish research. You can still say and do interesting things, but it is probably better in every possible way for you to choose a topic that allows you to focus on developing those professional skills rather than attempting an intellectual leap forward. You have your entire career to develop those other ideas.

• Aiming too low. I know, I know, it sounds like a trick. But many other students choose something too easy, something obvious that will not teach them anything at all, or will, upon finding that their research fell apart, choose to ignore or hide failure rather than use it as part of their professional and intellectual development.

• Waiting too long to get help. Often we find that the students who come to us are already emotionally exhausted. They can no longer effectively communicate about their project. They are defensive and angry because of weeks or months of fruitless criticism from unsupportive advisors. They have a laundry list of things not to do and no idea at all what they can do or what is wanted by their university

PowerPapers.com can help you with your dissertation process, including at the very beginning when it’s time to develop your proposal. You can work with us as your schedule and the process demand. We can write the proposal, and then do your final edit, or any combination of writing and editing that you need. It is important to know that help is here so that you do not risk abandoning your PhD due to frustrations at the last step.