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How To Write a Winning Dissertation

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Hello, fellow readers of Academia. My name is Dr. Thomas Davison. Please join me as your host, and I will take you on a wondrous fact-finding tour through the process of writing a doctoral dissertation. Have you considered returning for your Doctorate but decided it was just too hard? Did you hear awful stories about the length of time it would take you to finish? Nonsense! A dissertation is like eating an elephant, you must do it one bite at a time. This book will show how to organize the process and include Doctor D's amazing crib sheets. Clearly explain each step and remove—the mystery. This book will show the little man behind the curtains pulling all the levers. Has this introduction brought you to the edge of your seat? Are you overwhelmed by the excitement? Well, then, no more delays. Here it is... How To Write a Winning Dissertation.

207 pages, Paperback

Published June 6, 2024

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About the author

Thomas Davison

3 books7 followers
Dr. Thomas Davison has taught college coursework inside two State Prisons in Ohio for the past eight years. His observations and interactions with his incarcerated students have deeply moved him. This motivated him to create poems and short stories about their daily lives and experiences. Thomas has recently started a not-for-profit Entrepreneur Services for Felons (ESF). He has dedicated 100% of his writing earnings to providing free one-on-one support services for felons and ex-felons. Dr. Davison has created two Writing Clubs within the prisons. These incarcerated students are his beta readers to ensure he speaks in their voice and keeps it honest.

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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
153 reviews11 followers
June 28, 2024
An enlightening and educative read

Dr. Davison's writing style is an absolute delight. Imagine sitting down with a cup of coffee, chatting with a professor who's not just knowledgeable but also genuinely wants to see you succeed. That’s the vibe you get from this book. It’s conversational, engaging, and, most importantly, practical.
Dr. Davison's approach is far from the dry, jargon heavy manuals you might expect. He uses simple language and real-life examples that make complex concepts easy to grasp. You’ll find yourself nodding along, thinking, Hey, I can do this!
The book is packed with practical advice on everything from proper citation to crafting compelling arguments. And let’s not forget the illustrative examples. These aren't just throwaway lines, they're detailed, relevant, and incredibly helpful. Dr. Davison shows you how to tackle each part of your dissertation, step by step.
The book is more than just a how-to guide; it’s like having a personal coach who’s been through the trenches and knows exactly what you need to succeed. If you're overwhelmed by the idea of writing a dissertation, this book will be your lifeline. It's a must read for anyone embarking on this challenging journey, providing not just strategies and tools, but the confidence to see it through.
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91 reviews4 followers
June 17, 2024
I found this very easy to read and understand. The author does a great job of making it as entertaining as he can.

He makes writing a dissertation much easier than it seems at first. I enjoyed learning about the process, and I hope many will benefit from this book.
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115 reviews5 followers
June 17, 2024
Struggling to translate your research into a cohesive dissertation? If you find yourself with a wealth of ideas but lacking a roadmap to transform them into a winning thesis, then "How to Write a Winning Dissertation" by Dr. Thomas Davison is the guide you've been searching for.

This book transcends the typical dissertation manual by acting as a problem-solving companion throughout the entire process. Dr. Davison goes beyond simply writing; they provide a framework for planning and structuring your dissertation from the very beginning. This includes crucial steps like setting up a feasible research framework and creating a workable timeline, ultimately leading you to a well-organized and focused dissertation.

The book doesn't overwhelm you with technical jargon. Instead, it offers clear and practical guidance on essential elements like proper use of quotations, structuring paragraphs, and effectively incorporating statistical data. It also tackles the common challenge of distilling a broad study into a manageable and focused discussion section.

One of the book's greatest strengths is the use of illustrative examples. Dr. Davison doesn't just tell you what to do; they show you how to do it effectively. This makes the book a valuable resource for researchers of all levels, especially those daunted by the prospect of writing a dissertation.

"How to Write a Winning Dissertation" is more than just a guide; it's a time-saving and stress-reducing companion. This book is a must-read for anyone embarking on the demanding journey of dissertation writing. It equips you with the tools and strategies to not only complete your dissertation but to do so efficiently and with confidence. By following the clear and practical advice offered within, you'll be well on your way to building a successful academic career.
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Author 3 books37 followers
June 22, 2024
I love the cover with the elephant as Rodin’s thinker. The author appears to have included a lot of his own dissertation in this book and due to the nature of a thesis, which is very narrow in its focus, it can get a little repetitive. However, the language is generally plain and simple and avoids the wealth of technical terms common in the social sciences making it more accessible.

He starts with the problem, the questions you need to answer, the hypothesis and the theoretical framework. As this thesis involves questionnaires and statistical research, there are various permissions you need and ethical approvals before you start. The author also outlines the different stages you go through from initial idea to oral exam.

There are a lot of references throughout the book which will help if you are looking at the social sciences. He uses some technical terms such as Adhorcracy, Clan Culture, Market culture, Hierarchy culture and Quality Succession Planning and how they will be measured and used in the hypothesis but a definition of the terms does not appear until over half way through the book. There is then a discussion about literature sources to substantiate your theoretical arguments and the volume that would be expected. Surveys will ultimately generate stats and there are a couple of chapters on interpretation and independent variables. Letters of consent and permissions are contained in the appendix.

This guide is meant to be very practical and take you through the process step by step, but it is also very dry, repetitive and relates to a specific topic, ie succession planning.
138 reviews6 followers
June 14, 2024
Dr. Thomas Davison’s How To Write a Winning Dissertation is an exceptional instructional guide that offers invaluable insights for anyone embarking on the challenging journey of writing a dissertation. This book is not just a resource; it's a lifeline for doctoral and Ph.D. candidates aiming to produce high-quality, impactful dissertations.

Two aspects of this book particularly stand out. First, Dr. Davison’s approach to writing is refreshingly accessible. He has skillfully avoided unnecessary technical jargon, making the content straightforward and easy to digest. This is crucial for students who might already be overwhelmed by the complexity of their research topics and the demands of academic writing. Dr. Davison’s clear and concise style ensures that readers can grasp the essential concepts and practical advice without feeling intimidated or confused.

Second, the inclusion of Davison's Dissertation Crib Sheets is nothing short of genius. These tools are, without a doubt, the best dissertation writing aids I have ever encountered. They provide structured, step-by-step guidance and are designed to help students organize their thoughts, plan their research, and structure their writing effectively. The Crib Sheets alone make this book a worthy investment, as they distill complex processes into manageable tasks, thereby reducing the overall stress and workload associated with dissertation writing.
105 reviews7 followers
June 17, 2024
Dr. Thomas Davison’s How to Write a Winning Dissertation is an outstanding guide that provides essential insights for anyone undertaking the formidable task of writing a dissertation. This book serves as a crucial resource for doctoral and Ph.D. candidates striving to create high-quality, impactful dissertations.

Two elements make this book particularly exceptional. First, Dr. Davison's writing style is refreshingly accessible, avoiding unnecessary technical jargon and making the content easy to understand. This is especially important for students who are already grappling with complex research topics and the demands of academic writing. His clear and concise approach allows readers to easily grasp key concepts and practical advice without feeling overwhelmed.

Second, the inclusion of Davison's Dissertation Crib Sheets is simply brilliant. These tools are the best dissertation writing aids I have ever seen, offering structured, step-by-step guidance to help students organize their thoughts, plan their research, and effectively structure their writing. The Crib Sheets alone make this book a valuable investment, as they simplify complex processes into manageable tasks, significantly reducing the stress and workload of dissertation writing.
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203 reviews1 follower
June 21, 2024
Davison dives into the world of academia in his latest release. "How to Write a Winning Dissertation" is a practical step-by-step guide for student seeking help with crafting a dissertation. Davison simplifies the process with easy to follow guidelines from proposal writing to research and stats, to the defense stages. Another interesting point of the book was a section called, "Dr. D's Amazing Dissertation Crib Sheets" which is a series of writing tip sheets to help students organize their thoughts, their research, and how to better structure their paper. Davison's writing is clear and free of flowery academic jargon, with bits of humor to keep the book enjoyable. The author uses his own dissertation as an example throughout the guide, which proves to be helpful and not so helpful at times. Helpful in the sense that it provides real life examples for the concepts the book covers and unhelpful in the fact that it adds a large number of pages to the book, and may leave students feeling overwhelmed if unfamiliar with the topic. Overall, this is a solid guide with plenty of tips to help students overcome the daunting task of writing a dissertation by breaking the process down into smaller, more manageable tasks.
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121 reviews7 followers
June 17, 2024
The Ultimate Guide to Dissertation Writing



How To Write a Winning Dissertation by Dr. Thomas Davison is a well-illustrated instruction manual for effective dissertation writing. The author does an excellent job of simplifying the process step by step, from proposal writing to the research and defense stages, making it easy to follow.
 
Moreover, Dr. Thomas wrote in simple language and broke down the technical terms, making the guide easy to read and understand. He gave a practical example using his research on succession planning. The author ensured that this book is a one-stop reference point for what to do, when, and how to do it, just like, in his own words, "one bite at a time."
 
Reading this book will give you reassurance and confidence and equip you with knowledge and preparedness to effectively prepare, plan, research, and write a dissertation. I couldn't help but envision myself writing my dissertation through this book.

How To Write a Winning Dissertation is a must-read for everyone embarking on their dissertation writing journey. I highly recommend it to all academic readers.
27 reviews1 follower
June 15, 2024
This book was a solid, easy-to-understand explainer breaking down the key points of how to write a good doctoral dissertation. It has handy guidelines that are easy to follow, which I appreciate. The author included his own dissertation in the paper and used this as an example of the concepts taught in each chapter—that may be a blessing to some and a curse to others. It makes the book hundreds of pages longer, but it also makes practical examples for those who need them. The crib sheets were extremely handy.

It’s definitely a good book. The author took his time to write the dissertation and brought his learning lessons to us.
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115 reviews1 follower
June 20, 2024
This is a great book to have on hand for anyone who is going the doctoral dissertation route. Dr.Davison uses his dissertation as an example as he outlines the necessary steps needed, from ideas to hypotheses to research and conclusions, making it so easy to understand. The crib notes are very useful to have and follow. I highly recommend this to anyone who writes research papers and or will be going after their Ph.D. Never again will you struggle when it comes to writing a paper or even your dissertation!
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