[Q&A] When should I start my dissertation?

In this video, I talk about when you should start your dissertation…. Even when your university may say it’s not time yet :)
This is an experiment based upon the feedback I’ve received from my long-time subscribers and clients. In “Office Hours with Dr. Guy” I’m taking your questions and answering them in these short videos. There are lots of videos out there about how to write a dissertation. I’ve made some of the most trafficked videos regarding the dissertation on the web! This video is for people that want to more regularly engage with the dissertation in a shorter form of video. Hope you like. If you keep sending questions in the comments, I’ll keep making this show.
Bio:
Guy E. White, Ed.D. is the founder of The Dissertation Mentor® and has helped doctoral candidates from around the globe to finish their dissertations. His step-by-step, break-it-down style has made him greatly sought after for guidance on the web and beyond.
“Office Hours with Dr. Guy” teaches doctoral candidates how to write a dissertation (and finish) so they can graduate. Leave a question in the comments section to get it answered.
Dr. Guy speaks publicly on many topics including dissertation writing, creativity, ideation, and building vibrant educational communities.

[@TroyLFullerton]

Wow...Thank you, Dr. Guy--this confirms what I've been recently thinking. I'm studying through an online program, and I'm scheduled to be done with my coursework by this fall. Recently, my university stopped giving the traditional comps exam. Instead, the university challenges potential Ph.D. candidates to write the majority of their first chapter; those who pass go on to their dissertation courses as Ph.D. candidates. But from what I've been gathering from you, it's nearly impossible to write chapter one without having done the reading and having gathered quotes for the Literature Review. I'm not waiting--the last thing I want is to go through all this time, money, and countless hours of effort only to fail to get off the starting block. I REALLY appreciate your advice, and I'm starting a provisional literature review matrix TONIGHT.

[@guyewhite]

Hi again, Troy! I love the enthusiasm. For me, I think of any "calling" in life as important business! A calling should get my first energies each day. Accordingly, it's helpful to think about the dissertation in that way -- where I might have to take signifncant steps outside the expected norm to finish. So happy you are getting started!

[@YerkhanMindetbay]

I hope this video will help to take that VERY FIRST STEP for beginner PhD students, just like your other videos and recommendations helped many PhDs on their journey. Thank you, Dr. Guy!

[@guyewhite]

Yerkhan, you are so welcome! I'm happy to help in any way I can. Let me know how I can assist you and I'll make a video :)

[@Dr.Hayat_Alzhrani]

Thank you❤️

[@guyewhite]

You are very welcome, Hayat!

[@psychnstatstutor]

I used subject assignments to hone aspects of my dissertation, e.g., theoretical frameworks, determining which survey to use for the quantitative portion, and playing with open questions for the semi-structured interview One assignment gave me the opportunity to pilot interview questions and coding with a handful of my work clients

[@guyewhite]

The piloting of the questions with experts relating to your participants, or with some "like" participants themselves is very useful. In my experience, the pilot is best accomplished when experts in your topic/participants are used -- as it typically does not require that you reach out to your IRB for approval. Wheras a "live" pilot with actual participants usually requires IRB approval in advance. Less fun and more time consuming.

[@ShanaDOates]

Thanks for this! I just finished year one of my PhD program and now that summer break is here, I still find myself reading, writing, etc...my cohort colleagues tell me I should just relax, but I feel like I should be doing SOMETHING during these 3 months!

[@guyewhite]

Hi Shana! Thanks for your note. In my view, I can't "relax" (cease working) when I'm paying 8.2% APR on college debt on a degree that's not finished. Without knowing much else (like your health, etc.), I say ignore them and press on :) I just posted a video about making progress in June.

[@ShanaDOates]

Guy E White lol! Indeed. I'm blessed to be fully funded so thankfully don't have that to worry about, but I also must keep my brain active and engaged in research! :) I look forward to the next video!