Doing Qualitative Research: A Practical Handbook Review

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(More customer reviews)This book offers a good introduction to some of the practicalites of qualitative research for a research degree. Thus much of the book is about research managment and structuring a thesis, issues which are relatively uncommon in books on qualitative research. What it does, it does very well. It does not offer an introduction to qualitative research and the comments on this field are very much from the perspective of Silverman's own research area, conversation analysis. Nonetheless I have found it a very helpful complement to more theoretical qualitative research texts.

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Written in a lively, accessible style, this step-by-step guide provides answers to all the questions students ask when beginning their first research project. David Silverman demonstrates how to learn the craft of qualitative research by applying knowledge about different methodologies to actual data. He provides practical advice on key issues, such as: defining `originality' and narrowing down a topic; keeping a research diary and writing a research report; and presenting research to different audiences.



Packed with case studies and examples of students' experiences, the book has many features to aid study, including overviews, summaries of key skills and a glossary of terms. Each stage in the research process is grounded

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How to Write a Master's Thesis Review

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(More customer reviews)I thought this book was a bit pricey, but since I was having a hard time finding a decent book on writing a Master's thesis (there are plenty on Ph.D. dissertations), I bought it anyway. I failed to notice that the book description said it was "intended for graduate students across the social and behavioral sciences undertaking a traditional five-chapter thesis." I am in a formal science field, not in a social and behavioral science field, but I found this book helpful for the most part. It is organized well, provides a clear overall approach to thesis writing, and has a nice "Resources" section at the end of each chapter that contains questions, exercises, references, and Internet links.
My main qualm with this book is the discussion on the literature review. First, the author neglects to mention major journal search sites such as Google Scholar and Web of Knowledge. Not a big deal, but for a book published in 2009, I was surprised at the omission. Second, the author does not tell you how to properly read a journal article. Some points are mentioned, but I had to go online to find out how to read articles properly. Third, the author states that the body of the literature review should contain research syntheses on at least nine articles, where each synthesis contains ten components which essentially amount to a detailed summary of the article. Are you kidding me? First of all, a proper literature review is NOT just a summary of articles, and second, at what school can you get away with a thesis containing just nine references? I need at least 40 references, and if I wrote a one-page summary for each one as the examples in the book show, my advisor would laugh me out of his office.
Also, one brief section of this book that I found laughable was the part on statistics. Very basic descriptive statistics are mentioned, and only t-tests are mentioned for inferential statistics. If you need to do quantitative analysis, get a real statistics book, or better yet, take a course.


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Yvonne N. Bui'sHow to Write a Masters Thesis is a step-by-step guidebook that demystifies a process that can often prove to be overwhelming and confusing to graduate students. The tone and format of the book is reader-friendly and includes practical suggestions that go beyond informing what 'should" be done. It is chock full of detailed explanations, examples, and supplemental materials that have been used successfully in advising students in completing their master's theses. Key Features

Provides detailed explanations of the various components of the master's thesis
Presents concrete strategies on how to conduct a literature review, write each chapter of the master's thesis, and apply the American Psychological Association (APA) editorial style
Covers both quantitative and qualitative research methods
Includes sample excerpts adapted from students' completed master's theses in each chapter
Contains a comprehensive resources section that features 'Try It" exercises and reflection/discussion questions designed to help students work through the thesis process
Presents numerous figures and captured screen shots from relevant Web sites, ERIC electronic database, and SPSS software integrated with the text

Intended Audience The book is intended for graduate students across the social and behavioral sciences undertaking a traditional five-chapter thesis as part of the requirements for a master's degree as well as the university faculty who advise them.

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Getting a PhD: An Action Plan to Help Manage Your Research, Your Supervisor and Your Project (Routledge Study Guides) Review

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(More customer reviews)I've just started a PhD and am finding this book fills lots of gaps. Useful from the first day until write up. Easy to read. You may find other texts more detailed than this one, but this offers a good source of information that should be, but is probably not, supplied in orientation.

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Thishighly practical guideprovides information that will help research students avoid needless mistakes. It informs and advises you about many of the important facets of postgraduate research, including:what it means to conduct research at doctoral levelthe requirements for independence, contribution to knowledge, originality and suitability for publicationplanning a research project over a period of timeresponsible research practicecriteria used in the examination of a PhD.Getting a PhD is an essential handbook for PhD students and provides plenty of useful advice for Masters students or undergraduates conducting a research project.

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Being Bright Is Not Enough: The Unwritten Rules of Doctoral Study Review

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(More customer reviews)This book should be on every university library shelf, just for starters. Written by a psychologist, who was also founder and former director of a joint two university doctoral program in Education, it is written in a warm, easy style and yet spells out in clear detail the unwritten rules of doctoral study. She states that her experience with hundreds of doctoral students as well as professors provided the inspiration for this valuable guide which is designed to help pave the way for doctoral students in any discipline. She makes explicit, in a knowing and straightforward way, the kinds of information that can make the difference in the feelings of confidence with which students can make their way through their doctoral experience. It deals with many of the 'nuts and bolts' of graduate study that many books present. However, it is her insightful knowledge about the role of personal relationships and how they effect student progression that puts the book in a special class.

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This particularly interesting book is written from a student advocacy perspective, intended to speak to non-traditional students as well as those typical of past generations. In making the unwritten rules of doctoral study more explicit, the author is insightful rather than scientific, personal rather than objective, and practical rather than theoretical. Hundreds of doctoral students (and many professors) provided the inspiration for a guide to pave the way for those recipients who will pursue and capture academe's highest award, the terminal degree in a particular field of study.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Getting What You Came For: The Smart Student's Guide to Earning an M.A. or a Ph.D. Review

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(More customer reviews)As a college professor, I am always on the lookout for a good source to help undergraduates who are contemplating getting a Ph.D. as well as to help graduate students succeed in their Ph.D. program. This book is one of the best in this genre I have come across. Although the author is a biologist, it is clear he has done his homework on other disciplines, and his advice is useful for graduate students in any field.
One of the most impressive features of the book is its comprehensive coverage. From improving one's credentials to get into a graduate program to getting a job once you have the Ph.D., Peters has detailed, entertaining advice for all the steps one encounters along the way. Liberally sprinkled through the book are anecdotes from students in a variety of fields that will leave most of us thankful that we did not have the Ph.D. advisors these poor hapless souls did.
Indeed, there were only two aspects I wish the book would have covered but it did not. First, there is no mention of handling coursework in a graduate program. This is probably because coursework and course grades are of much lower priority in graduate school than it is for the undergraduate degree, but I think Peters could have made this point and encouraged readers not to fall into the trap of spending more time on coursework than is warranted.
Second, I wish Peters had devoted more space to talking about getting academic jobs. College-level teaching is still the single most popular career goal for Ph.D.'s, and there are aspects of getting an academic job that are different than applying for jobs in the private sector. I wish he had written a separate chapter on academic jobs.
In a related vein, there was only one piece of advice that Peters give that I flat-out disagreed with, and that was his comment that teaching wastes time and that Ph.D. students should avoid teaching as much as possible. This is true for many Ph.D. students, but it is definitely NOT true for Ph.D. students desiring teaching jobs at 4-year, liberal arts colleges. Those jobs will want to see ample teaching experience, not just as a teaching assistant but also as sole instructor of a course. A student who does not have considerable teaching experience will not be competitive for those jobs, and because there are more of those jobs available than tenure track lines at research universities, taking Peters' advice on that score could be ultimately self-defeating.
However, those are the only negative comments I would make on an otherwise excellent book. I recommend it highly for anybody even contemplating going on beyond an undergraduate degree, and I plan to give copies of it to all my incoming graduate students.

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Is graduate school right for you? Should you get a master's or a Ph.D.? How can you choose the best possible school? This classic guide helps students answer these vital questions and much more. It will also help graduate students finish in less time, for less money, and with less trouble. Based on interviews with career counselors, graduate students, and professors, Getting What You Came For is packed with real-life experiences. It has all the advice a student will need not only to survive but to thrive in graduate school, including: instructions on applying to school and for financial aid; how to excel on qualifying exams; how to manage academic politics—including hostile professors; and how to write and defend a top-notch thesis. Most important, it shows you how to land a job when you graduate.

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Authoring a PhD Thesis: How to Plan, Draft, Write and Finish a Doctoral Dissertation Review

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(More customer reviews)I just defended successfully (yay!), after a serious revision, and this book was my guiding light. In all honesty I could have saved myself some serious time if I'd paid more attention to it sooner. It was particularly inspiring when I was first starting to get down on paper my first chapter... I think for anyone in that horrible phase where you have to much research and feel that you've lost your argument the book is an enormous blessing. It demonstrates how to structure a chapter, how to keep it readable, how to break down sections... It was truly my bible.
It also lays out the differences between British and US models, which is interesting to know for future reference.
Not a word that is merely psychobabble or self-help, but a straightforward and clear manual.

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Authoring a Ph.D. Thesis involves having creative ideas, working out how to organize them, writing up from plans, upgrading text, and finishing it speedily and to a good standard. It also involves being examined and getting work published. This book provides a huge range of ideas and suggestions to help Ph.D. candidates cope with both the intellectual issues involved and the practical difficulties of organizing their work effectively.

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The Dissertation Journey: A Practical and Comprehensive Guide to Planning, Writing, and Defending Your Dissertation Review

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(More customer reviews)I took a gamble on ordering this book since sample pages were not available to be previewed. I was not dissapointed. As a doctoral candidate just starting the disseration work,I have found this book both inspirational and constructive. The information is timely unlike many of the other guides including the one recommended at my own school.

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This essential guidebook takes you step-by-step through the dissertation process, with checklists, illustrations, sample forms, and updated coverage of ethics, technology, and the literature review.

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How to Complete and Survive a Doctoral Dissertation Review

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(More customer reviews)This book was my "bible" during grad school; it was my "mentor" as I fought to complete my dissertation. As I've counseled graduate students over the years, many have found this book helpful. I wholeheartedly recommend it, despite some of my comments below. Sternberg spent years working as a dissertation counselor, and he knows what he's talking about. Here are some features that I found particularly helpful:
1. This book *is* about survival. Of course, Sternberg could spend more space discussing formatting and other gritty details. This book is more concerned about cutting to the chase -- how to get a Ph.D. in the minimum amount of time, with the minimum amount of damage and the maximum amount of personal and professional growth.
2. It communicates very effectively to us that the process is typically lonely, dangerous, and costly. The process frequently ends badly. Sternberg focuses on practical solutions that carry us through.
3. He anticipates many barriers to completing a dissertation, and provides valuable advice for getting past them. For instance, he discusses issues such as (a) difficult members of the committee, (b) sexual harassment, (c) difficulties staying motivated, and (d) effective (and ineffective) ways to get support from friends, faculty members, and professional counselors. His advice isn't always politically correct (e.g., tolerating sexual harassment), but it reflects the voice of a strongly opinionated, experienced mentor who is aware of worst case scenarios and ways to survive them. In my own case, he was dead on, in various ways. I needed to stay focused on completing my work while tolerating and minimizing the damaging effects of my committee-member-from-hell. I needed to make sure my work was "good enough" while dispensing with the "magnum opus" myth.
I didn't take all of Sternberg's advice. He generally seemed to recommend weeding people out of one's life who were not particularly understanding or supporting of the dissertation focus. He seemed to recommend maintaining a constant focus on getting the work done--just keep working. In my own case, I moved forward when I budgeted plenty of time and psychological energy away from the dissertation. When I conquered workaholic tendencies, the time I actually spent working was much more productive. If I allowed myself time with friends and family who weren't particularly concerned in my dissertation, it was quite energizing. In other words, this is akin to "incubation effects" that one reads about in introductory psychology classes. (e.g., Crick and Watson took plenty of time off to play while discovering the DNA double helix...)
If you feel that your dissertation effort is on the skids despite all your work, I might suggest finding a good dissertation coach (or therapist). Several years ago, I heard a presentation by a dissertation coach in the San Diego area who seemed to be on target. Her site on the web was something like "dissertationdoctor.com" or some such... I'm sure there are others out there.
I wish that Sternberg would publish a new, updated edition of this book, especially now that there are newer competitors on the market.
Final note: If you are shopping for a book on this topic, then get this one. Lots of people have found it to be very helpful; some haven't. For [the money], or so, it is worth the gamble.

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Mastering these skills spells the difference between "A.B.D." and "Ph.D."-refuting the magnum opus myth-coping with the dissertation as obsession (magnificent or otherwise)-the fine art of selecting a topic-writing the dissertation with publication in mind-when to stand your ground and when to prudently retreat if the committee's conception of your thesis differs substantially from your own-dealing with obstructive committee members, and keeping the fences mended-how to reconsider "negative" findings as useful data-reviewing your progress, and getting out of the "dissertation dumps"-defending your paper successfully-distinguishing between mere formalities and a serious substantive challenge-exploiting the career potential of your dissertation-and much, much more

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The Portable Dissertation Advisor Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a "must have" resource, particularly if you are a doctoral student pursuing your studies via distance learning means. Virually everything you need to know for crafting your dissertation can be found right here, and it's written in a style that makes it not only informative, but interesting and enjoyable to read as well. I cannot say enough great things about this book...it really is that good!

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Written for the doctoral graduate student, this book gives you the vital support to write your dissertation when you can't be on campus full-time!

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How to Survive Your PhD: The Insider's Guide to Avoiding Mistakes, Choosing the Right Program, Working with Professors, and Just How a Person Actually Writes a 200-Page Paper Review

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(More customer reviews)This book changed my life.
As a doctoral student that had "hit the wall", I had lost my motivation, and the dissertation lay lifeless. I was rapidly approaching the dreaded ABD status. A random night wandering Barnes and Noble turned up this wonderful book. As I write this review, I am in a coffee shop finishing my dissertation for proposal submittal. Jason's "been there, done that" approach is not condescending or filled with technical jargon, which is a common occurrence in academia. His comparison of the mindset between an undergrad student and a doctoral student completely changed my viewpoint to this program. In a short span of 15 minutes, I had changed my perception of my dissertation from a 5 year burden around my neck to an important piece of scholarly work that could benefit teachers, educators, and adminstrators nationwide.
I have recommended this book to every student in my program, my instructor, my mentor, and several other students at other graduate schools. If you are struggling with a doctoral program, I would recommend getting this before you even begin your program. Jason has captured the struggles, the experience, and the necessary preparation for being successful in this difficult endeavor.
As for the person that gave it a one star review, it sounds like you have not read the book, but rather just wish to complain. Unfortunately, you are alone in your opinion. Sorry to crush your thoughts but your arguments are illogical and unsound.

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The decisions you make before and during your doctoral work can mean the difference between having a PhD in four years or eight. How to Survive Your PhD offers practical and specific advice for each step in the doctoral process, no matter the individual's field of study. With insider tips and tricks to help avoid mistakes, take advantage of opportunities, and tackle the toughest issues, including:

Choosing your school and advisor
Studying for the qualifying exams
Writing and presenting your dissertation
And so much more

A fresh new guide to tackling the PhD for the 200,000 U.S. PhD students

A fresh new title with a compelling voice, for a category with a 12-year-old leader
There are 200,000 PhD students in the U.S., a number that increases 7-12 percent in a recession
The book's advice is an easy step-by-step breakdown of the process no matter what you're studying

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