Surviving Your Thesis

by Suzan Burton (Editor)

From choosing a supervisor and topic to staying motivated, completing a research thesis is not an easy matter. Each stage represents a different challenge and many students struggle through without identifying the skills needed to make the most of their time.

This wonderful resource for all doctoral and masters level students, explores the challenges and complexities of successfully engaging in the research process and thesis writing. Chapters include:

choosing and working with a supervisor developing a research proposal motivating yourself choosing the right research method responding to criticism advice from the examiners preparing work for publication. This clear and practical guide, ideal for all doctoral and masters level students, takes readers from the very early stages of the process through to the final phase of examination and publication, using vignette examples to highlight key issues.

264 pages, Hardcover

First published March 18, 2004

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Most of the contents of this book are overly-broad in scope; it tries to be a resource for all kinds of thesis work (qualitative or quantitative, hard sciences or social sciences) and for all stages of the graduate school journey (admissions, choosing a research topic and supervisor, writing, publishing and defending) and as a result manages to only offer mostly vague advice.

Chapter 7 ("The motivational journey"), by Paul Nesbit, and Chapter 8 ("Learning to learn: lessons from ancient Chinese proverbs"), by Yiming Tang, are the only chapters that I really recommend, although Chapter 3 ("Choosing and working with a supervisor"), by Suzan Burton and Peter Steane, is also likely valuable reading for someone just starting graduate school.

[PRJ Greenwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

No nonsense guide that covers the aspect of thesis and/or dissertation writing you expect. Has a few surprises too, like a chapter on how to stay motivated, and dealing with periods of low enthusiasm.

[Will · Rating 3 out of 5]

It doesn't say on the cover this is by, and in large part for, Doctoral Students in _business_

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

With step-by-step, simple, practical advice, "Surviving Your Thesis" describes what it takes to select a supervisor, develop a research proposal, keep motivated, write a literature review, conduct qualitative or quantitative research, complete a thesis, not annoy your examiners, as well as submit for publication. These chapters stand on their own, allowing anyone to jump right in on the chapter that matches their stage of progress. This book is accessible, and it contains foundational information for those seeking to complete a thesis. I wish I had looked at something like this before starting my MA. I recommend this book.

[Olwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent text to support anyone embarking on a thesis or dissertation.

[Esraa]

What I really really enjoyed the most was the motivation chapter