How To Complete And Survive A Doctoral Dissertation

How to Complete and Survive a Doctoral Dissertation by David Sternberg addresses the practical skills needed to move from A.B.D. (All But Dissertation) status to earning a Ph.D. The book covers selecting a dissertation topic, writing with publication in mind, and managing relationships with committee members. It discusses how to handle situations where your thesis conception differs from your committee's vision, and strategies for dealing with obstructive committee members. The book also addresses common challenges such as treating negative findings as useful data, overcoming dissertation-related discouragement, and distinguishing between formalities and substantive challenges during the defense. Additional topics include reconsidering the myth of the dissertation as a magnum opus, managing the dissertation as an all-consuming project, and leveraging your completed dissertation for career advancement.