Updates from October, 2013 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

  • Dr S Loretti 6:57 am on October 10, 2013 Permalink | Reply  

    Preparing for your dissertation defense session 

    A dissertation defense aims at proving the ability of the student to submit the proposed study confidently in a knowing manner. The mere thoughts of preparing for dissertation defense are often enough to induce anxiety and nervousness. One must think about both the logistical and psychological considerations while preparing for their thesis defense.

    Ordinarily, students take a one-month lead-time between the submission of the final draft and the last appointment to submit your thesis defense. One should plan one’s presentation, stay calm, and know oneself well from deep within as also he should know the committee and the work to be presented highly thoroughly. One should plan smart and not over plan thereby limiting the time to be focusing on actual training. Setting up for a meeting with the committee members well in advance is a good idea, especially since it would give you an honest estimate of their expertise and the probable questions they might have on the research. So as stated, it is always helpful to confer with fellow researcher who has experienced the same circle of professors on their panel.

    When working on the slide presentation of your report, it is pertinent to keep focused and remember the objective is to highlight the study in its entirety and not just results and conclusions drawn from your work. Always include a quick section on the purpose and background of the discipline for the benefit of the defense. Further, one must observe the ground rules of preparing for dissertation defense i.e. start by reviewing the research purpose, accompanied by the methodological instruments and analyses used. Thereon, go straight to presenting the results, remember to stick to factual and not beat behind the bush.

    Practicing with an audience beforehand immensely helps in enhancing your confidence and enables in presenting a clear and level headed defense. Last but not the least, self presentation is essential, get good sleep, follow an appropriate formal dress code and conduct yourself well to ensure credibility of your work.

    Therefore, one must considered dissertation defense as an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the salient features of your research and take advantage from the review committee’s inputs in order to improve upon your thesis or dissertation. By having a positive approach towards oneself, one’s thesis and the review committee, one can do wonders with one presentation. But a thoroughly disciplined preparation plan should be chalked out well in advance. Following the plan closely and honestly can make things work definitely.

     

    • Mary Minton 12:28 pm on October 25, 2013 Permalink | Reply

      Defense Sessions are the scariest part of preparing dissertations.

    • Mary Minton 12:28 pm on December 5, 2013 Permalink | Reply

      Two days later, I have to present my dissertation and my nervousness is going over my head.

    • Colby McCland 12:29 pm on January 1, 2014 Permalink | Reply

      Mary, sorry to say but I disagree to your statement. I found the presentation and defense very interesting as this part actually allowed me to describe the relevance of my work. I got great comments as well.

  • Dr S Loretti 6:11 am on October 10, 2013 Permalink | Reply  

    Tips on writing a brilliant Dissertation Acknowledgment 

    After a lot of effort and sweat, when you finally come close to the finish line of your dissertation, it will be time to write an acknowledgement. A dissertation acknowledgement is a page that you dedicate to all the people who helped you write and complete your dissertation and supported you in times of distress. It includes professional as well as personal assistance that you may have received in the course of your dissertation writing process.

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    Here are a few tips to write a good dissertation acknowledgement:

    People Matter: Your acknowledgement will be one of the first few pages of your dissertation. Make sure to include all the people who have supported you through your dissertation. Hopefully, your advisor will have played a vital role in your dissertation; give him/her due credit. Don’t forget to mention your professors, your college staff, your librarian, your classmates, your family and friends, your love, your dog, etc.! The point is, do not miss out on important people, they may not read the entire dissertation, but they will surely read the acknowledgement.

    Writing Skills: Showcase some great writing skills while you write your acknowledgement. Using the right words will add a lot of personal touch to your acknowledgement and give it a deeper meaning than just words. Also, refrain from using slang language or very casual tone. Keep it formal, sincere and nice.

    Copy: As weird as it sounds, this is actually a good idea to write a brilliant acknowledgement. Before you start writing, you need to read other students’ acknowledgements. Some will be terrible, sloppy, bad, while some will be touching, wonderful and exceptional. Pick the ones that you really relate to, and ones that interest you as a reader. In all probability, you should write something similar. Do not copy word to word, but use a similar language to achieve the desired impact.

    Don’t overdo it: Many-a-times, students lose control while writing the acknowledgment and go on writing pretty much nonsense. Understand that there is a reason a section of acknowledgement is present in your dissertation. Give it ample time and thought before you writing something in a hurry just for the sake of it. Also, you must try and keep it real. Don’t oversell your professors or your advisors. Thank them and express sincere gratitude, but don’t use words that will sound fake to the reader.

    Express wholeheartedly: When you write the acknowledgement, express how the people have helped you – whether they motivated you, made your experience of writing worthwhile, helped in your research, stood by you in tough times, added enthusiasm when you felt distressed or wanted to give up, etc.

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    A good acknowledgement will always bring a smile on your reader’s face. Whether it is your advisor, your family or your prospective employer, a well-written note of gratitude exhibits your personality and your writing.

     

    • Henry Smith 10:56 am on October 14, 2013 Permalink | Reply

      Is there some specific format for writing acknowledgement?

    • Debora Wood 8:26 am on October 17, 2013 Permalink | Reply

      You can follow some templates for acknowledgement but there is no set format for the same.

    • carlochandleer 11:40 am on May 14, 2014 Permalink | Reply

      Good tips!

  • Dr S Loretti 6:07 am on October 10, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , Writing   

    Importance of dividing chapters within a dissertation 

    Just like your life is divided between many number of years, and each year has its own importance; a dissertation needs to be divided into chapters, that each represent something unique. Even though it may seem terribly difficult for students to correctly make the divide for chapters and write one chapter at a time,it is the only way your dissertation will get the impact it deserves.

    Before you begin your writing, you must know the structure of your dissertation properly. Each chapter requires a certain number of words and they all differ in terms of length and content. The flow of the chapters must be right. They should follow the previous chapter and lead to the next one.

    Basic Chapter Division in your Dissertation:

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    As a thumb rule, this is the basic guideline all students must follow while writing their dissertation. It allows to maintain a uniformity in all the dissertations and gives the evaluator a structured flow to read the dissertation. Also, when you divide your dissertation in the above mentioned chapter format, you create a structured document that clearly fulfils all the requirements of your university.

    Some important chapters you must not overlook in your dissertation:

    The Introduction Chapter: This should be around 200-300 words and no more than 2 pages in your dissertation. It must reflect all the contents that your dissertation contains and raise questions that your dissertation will answer in the following chapters. Make a few important words bold and italics to add importance to the keywords.

    The Literature Review Chapter: Many students get stuck on this second chapter and wait for months to get inspiration to complete it. If you are not sure about how to write this chapter, take assistance from your coach, professor or a professional dissertation writing service to complete this chapter correctly.

    The Methodology Chapter:This is the core of your dissertation. Out of the various methods available, you need to decide which methodology will suit your research and accordingly use it for your study. The methodology chapter requires you to write in detail the methods you have used in your dissertation as well as state the reasons for using them.

    The Conclusion Chapter: Your final chapter is as important as the other chapters. The main reason you write a conclusion to your dissertation is to give the reader details of your results and summarize the study in a precise and conclusive manner. Your conclusion must answer all the questions that were raised in the introduction chapter.

    A well-structured dissertation goes a long way in a good evaluation and future prospects. Divide your dissertation in appropriate chapters for a better result!

     

    • Keisha 10:51 am on January 4, 2014 Permalink | Reply

      Dividing chapters cut the huge target into smaller aims making it easy to achieve.

    • Robert Weaver 8:22 am on February 12, 2014 Permalink | Reply

      I find data analysis, the worst among all the chapters.

  • Dr S Loretti 6:03 am on October 10, 2013 Permalink | Reply  

    How to write a Housing Dissertation? 

    Writing a housing dissertation can be quite a challenge if you are not well aware of the real estate industry. However, with detailed research, one can write an exceptional housing dissertation which will benefit many people around the globe. In today’s market, real estate and housing are the latest talk-of-the-town with the sky-high rates and need for affordable housing.

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    The number of topics available in the field of housing dissertations is quite high, giving students a wide scope to choose a topic that interests them. While writing a housing dissertation, it is important to consider your audience and the kind of change you aspire to bring in the specified field. Here are some tips on writing a good and effective housing dissertation.

    Points to consider while writing a Housing Dissertation:

    • Topic: Choose your topic wisely. Within housing dissertations, there are a lot of topics available like maintenance, real estate prices, investments, apt locations, need for affordable housing, constructions, choosing a trust-worthy builder, etc.
    • Social and affordable housing: Usually, social housing and affordable housing are the largest chosen topics as the current recession and decline in economy are raising a lot of questions about affordable housing. If you choose a similar topic, you must consider the impact of your dissertation and have a solid plan to change the scenario at least a little bit. Your dissertation must be able to find some solution for the lower income group so that they can also afford a home for themselves.
    • Proposal: Create a strong proposal. Your topic will be more appealing with a well-written and effective proposal.
    • Title: Your title page must have a strong statement that well-elaborates your topic
    • Introductory pages: The preface, acknowledgement and table of contents must be included in your dissertation
    • Research: Conduct a thorough research about your topic and incorporate all the tables and charts based on your study in your dissertation. You can use a lot of facts and figures to complement your study in a housing dissertation
    • Abstract: Write an exceptional abstract. The abstract will make your dissertation stand out from the others, and a good housing abstract will interest a lot of people, right from niche to mass audiences.
    • History: Give a history about the topic, for e.g. if you are writing about affordable housing, go back to the initial years and talk about how the concept of affordable housing has changed over the years.
    • Legal issues: Since every housing deal requires a lot of documentation and faces many legal issues, you must incorporate this in your dissertation
    • Analysis: Give a detailed analysis based on your study that includes statistical data and data collection methods and analysis.

    Conclusions: This is the most important aspect of your dissertation. Write a clear and focused conclusion that communicates your study and research effectively.

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    • Crystal Campbell 12:01 pm on December 31, 2013 Permalink | Reply

      Real estate has always been an interesting field of study for me. But I thought of it to be a complex matter of affair for research. Looking at the segregated parts here is in some way motivating me to take up this task.

      • William Lowery 12:04 pm on January 1, 2014 Permalink | Reply

        Yeah Crystal, you can surely make a wonderful report in this sector. I have researched a lot in this field and find interest too. And the best part is that for the complicated analysis you can always take help of analysis software like SPSS or Amos.

    • Crystal Campbell 12:06 pm on January 10, 2014 Permalink | Reply

      Thanks for the support William. I am surely looking forward to this.

    • Dr S Loretti 12:07 pm on January 31, 2014 Permalink | Reply

      Crystal, real estate is a growing sector today and you have a wide scope in this sector like residential development, public infrastructure, business advancement projects, real estate pricing and much more.

    • julianmassina 11:32 am on May 17, 2014 Permalink | Reply

      My study is based on the problem of affordable housing in UK.

    • Jane S. Schlesinger 6:43 am on August 7, 2014 Permalink | Reply

      Findings, suggestions and conclusions are also essential to be included in a research.

    • Teresa J. Mann 5:08 am on September 29, 2014 Permalink | Reply

      That’s something new I have come across to.

  • Dr S Loretti 8:36 am on October 5, 2013 Permalink | Reply  

    Enhancing Readers For A Dissertation 

    A dissertation, also known as a research project is considered to be an indicator of your potential and capability as a research scholar. When you write a dissertation, the expectation is that you, as a scholar, will write up your finding and explore an area in depth.

    Usually, your dissertation advisor, your supervisory committee and your partners, friends or your parents read the dissertation. But these people do not really count because they are ought to read it and cannot skip that. Since you’ve poured in a lot of effort for your research project, it is important for you to be focused on portraying the same in the best manner.

    You should try to encourage readers for your dissertation. For this, you will have to keep your dissertation simple, understandable and interesting. Try to explain things to people and while doing so you will realize the changes you need to bring in it.

    You can also blog about your dissertation in order to increase the interest of readers in it. Blogging takes a lot of energy and is time-consuming too but it is a very good and unique way to make your dissertation readable by common readers.

    Most importantly, your dissertation topic should be interesting enough so that readers want to learn more about it. Also, do not escalate the number of pages of your dissertation as it will reduce the interest of readers.

     

    • Frank Manjarrez 10:56 am on October 27, 2013 Permalink | Reply

      I regularly follow your discussion board and the posts are very informative.

    • robertmaxeey 11:40 am on May 2, 2014 Permalink | Reply

      A captivating topic is the first thing that can encourage a reader.

  • Dr S Loretti 6:47 am on October 4, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: phd dissertation   

    Is pursuing a PhD in Computer Science actually easy? 

    Choosing a PhD in computer science is whole heartedly decision of the pursuer. At the end of PhD (After thesis is written and defended), one can be an expert in a particular subject. If you wish to be a lecturer or consultant, you are on the right path, but if you want to be a programmer, you are wasting your time and energy in a long study course which is of no use in practical as you become over qualified. Although through PhD’s you can get a good research job which pays you well.

    If you want to pursue PhD in CS, you must ask few questions to yourself that why are you doing it?

    • Money- If you think that you can earn with PhD, it’s not a very good idea as you will be earning very less than your capable earnings.
    • Interest- If you really want to be a computer geek and explore the subject in depth to kill your curiosity and learn new things, then you are on the right path.
    • If you want to be a professor and want to find yourself as a faculty in a university with creative freedom, travel and flexible schedule then pursuing this lengthy and tedious course is worth it.

    Choose the right path after graduation, as PhD is a long process of attending classes and doing research. It is fun to learn new things, but sometimes frustrating too.

     

    • Charles Pike 10:57 am on October 12, 2013 Permalink | Reply

      It is no way easy to prepare dissertation in CS.

    • adamflindeers 11:40 am on June 11, 2014 Permalink | Reply

      This questions are pursuading me to leave this domain of research!

  • Dr S Loretti 4:36 am on October 1, 2013 Permalink | Reply  

    Tips On Applying For A PhD Degree Program 

    A PhD degree or a doctorate degree is the highest academic degree in many countries that a student can earn. The degree is awarded to scholars who have completed the PhD program successfully. Before applying for a PhD program, there are certain things, which students need to keep in mind.

    PhD careers are mostly based on research. After getting a PhD degree, you may secure a position as a professor in any college or university. You can join as a researcher in a government or industrial laboratory or even become an independent practitioner. If you are curious to explore a subject in depth and have enough patience to do so for many years, then applying for a graduate PhD program is a right decision for you.

    But, if you simply want to do a PhD program to get a doctorate degree or the status of being seen as smarter than everyone else, then enrolling in a PhD program is not a good decision.

    The second basic thing before applying for a PhD degree program is that you should be sure about the university from where you want to get the doctorate degree. There are thousands of universities around the world but choosing the right one is really an uphill task.
    The other significant thing which students need to be sure about is that whether they want to enrol themselves in a campus based program or they want to join an online program as some universities are offering an online based doctorate degree nowadays.

     

    • Linda 10:58 am on November 1, 2013 Permalink | Reply

      I’m planning to apply for the university I always wanted to be in. Hope I get through!

    • Stephanie 8:29 am on November 22, 2013 Permalink | Reply

      Hey Linda! You must try for other universities as well, just in case you couldn’t clear in this one.

    • alexoliphaant 11:41 am on April 10, 2014 Permalink | Reply

      Currently busy with my job but by the end of this year, I’ll shortlist my choice of colleges.

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