Surviving Your Dissertation: A Comprehensive Guide to Content and Process [Paperback]

Kjell E. (Erik) Rudestam (Author), Rae R. Newton (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0761919627 | ISBN-13: 978-0761919629 | Publication Date: January 15, 2001 | Edition: 2nd

Rudestam and Newton provide readers with expert advice on the entire dissertation process; selecting a suitable topic, conducting a review of the literature, building an argument, presenting the material, presenting data and results and managing data overload, methods for developing appropriate writing skills, ways to construct tables and figures, working with faculty committees, and dealing with emotional blocks.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The authors write from the position of the ideal mentor, presenting the issues doctoral students would like their chairpersons to discuss with them, yet rarely have done. Additionally, the student perspective is integrated into the text through numerous examples from a wide range of disciplines." 

(Marilyn M. Irwin The Library Quarterly )

"This book was my bible going through my dissertation. The authors’ clarity of writing and comprehensive thought allowed me to easily take the principles off the pages and put them into practice. I highly recommend it!" 

(Dennis S. Reina, Ph.D. )

"A must for anyone considering graduate school. While the entire book is extremely helpful, the author's frequent use of charts, tables, lists and questions is an especially effective method to organize and summarize information. This book is also a worthwhile resource for those crafting and writing a thesis or dissertation... a practical and well-designed work that I highly recommend."

(Ellen Nagy NACADA Journal )

About the Author

Rae R. Newton is a Professor of Sociology at California State University-Fullerton and a Senior Statistician at the Child and Adolescent Health Services Research Center in San Diego, California.  He recieved his doctoral degree in sociology from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and postdoctoral training at Indiana University.  He is author of Your Statistical Consultant: Answers to Your Data Analysis Questions (with Kjell Rudestam) and numerous articles in professional journals.  His research interests include statistical analysis, particularly structural equation modeling, health services delivery, and family violence.

Product Details

• Paperback: 312 pages
• Publisher: Sage Publications, Inc; 2nd edition (January 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761919627
• ISBN-13: 978-0761919629
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #236,817 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

92 of 101 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book was my bible going through my dissertation process, February 21, 2000

By 

Dennis S. Reina, Ph.D. (Stowe, Vermont) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Surviving Your Dissertation: A Comprehensive Guide to Content and Process (Paperback)

This gem of a book is truly a life saver to any doctoral student navigating the rough waters of the dissertation process. Drs. Kjell Rudestam and Rae Newton take a usually convoluted process and map out a clear path that easy to follow from start to finish. This book was my bible going through my dissertation. The authors' clarity of writing and comprehensive thought allowed me to easily take the principles off the pages and put them into practice. I highly recommend it!

32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive and Clear, August 13, 2005

By 

W. E. Shuler, III (Boston) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Surviving Your Dissertation: A Comprehensive Guide to Content and Process (Paperback)

This is an outstanding guide for the dissertation process. I have consulted several other similar works on how to write a dissertation but this is the one I have relied on the most because it is comprehensive and very easy to follow. The entire text can be read in a few hours for a very good over view of the process. Then it becomes a very handy "survival" life line when problems come up.

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Handy Guide, January 6, 2006

By 

S. Parker (Missouri) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Surviving Your Dissertation: A Comprehensive Guide to Content and Process (Paperback)

This book is providing me with excellent guidance throughout my dissertation process. Honestly, it has even been more helpful than my advisor. As many doctoral students do, I keep odd hours while writing, often getting my best ideas in the middle of the night. It is great to be able to access my handy advisor 24/7, meaning that my ideas have been easily acted upon no matter what time of day or night I think of them. A bit pricey, but well worth it for me.