dissertation writing coach

How To Write A Dissertation Or Thesis

8 straightforward steps to craft an a-grade dissertation.

By: Derek Jansen (MBA) Expert Reviewed By: Dr Eunice Rautenbach | June 2020

Writing a dissertation or thesis is not a simple task. It takes time, energy and a lot of will power to get you across the finish line. It’s not easy – but it doesn’t necessarily need to be a painful process. If you understand the big-picture process of how to write a dissertation or thesis, your research journey will be a lot smoother.  

In this post, I’m going to outline the big-picture process of how to write a high-quality dissertation or thesis, without losing your mind along the way. If you’re just starting your research, this post is perfect for you. Alternatively, if you’ve already submitted your proposal, this article which covers how to structure a dissertation might be more helpful.

How To Write A Dissertation: 8 Steps

• Clearly understand what a dissertation (or thesis) is
• Find a unique and valuable research topic
• Craft a convincing research proposal
• Write up a strong introduction chapter
• Review the existing literature and compile a literature review
• Design a rigorous research strategy and undertake your own research
• Present the findings of your research
• Draw a conclusion and discuss the implications

Step 1: Understand exactly what a dissertation is

This probably sounds like a no-brainer, but all too often, students come to us for help with their research and the underlying issue is that they don’t fully understand what a dissertation (or thesis) actually is.

So, what is a dissertation?

At its simplest, a dissertation or thesis is a formal piece of research , reflecting the standard research process . But what is the standard research process, you ask? The research process involves 4 key steps:

• Ask a very specific, well-articulated question (s) (your research topic)
• See what other researchers have said about it (if they’ve already answered it)
• If they haven’t answered it adequately, undertake your own data collection and analysis in a scientifically rigorous fashion
• Answer your original question(s), based on your analysis findings

In short, the research process is simply about asking and answering questions in a systematic fashion . This probably sounds pretty obvious, but people often think they’ve done “research”, when in fact what they have done is:

• Started with a vague, poorly articulated question
• Not taken the time to see what research has already been done regarding the question
• Collected data and opinions that support their gut and undertaken a flimsy analysis
• Drawn a shaky conclusion, based on that analysis

If you want to see the perfect example of this in action, look out for the next Facebook post where someone claims they’ve done “research”… All too often, people consider reading a few blog posts to constitute research. Its no surprise then that what they end up with is an opinion piece, not research. Okay, okay – I’ll climb off my soapbox now.

The key takeaway here is that a dissertation (or thesis) is a formal piece of research, reflecting the research process. It’s not an opinion piece , nor a place to push your agenda or try to convince someone of your position. Writing a good dissertation involves asking a question and taking a systematic, rigorous approach to answering it.

If you understand this and are comfortable leaving your opinions or preconceived ideas at the door, you’re already off to a good start!

Step 2: Find a unique, valuable research topic

As we saw, the first step of the research process is to ask a specific, well-articulated question. In other words, you need to find a research topic that asks a specific question or set of questions (these are called research questions ). Sounds easy enough, right? All you’ve got to do is identify a question or two and you’ve got a winning research topic. Well, not quite…

A good dissertation or thesis topic has a few important attributes. Specifically, a solid research topic should be:

Let’s take a closer look at these:

Attribute #1: Clear

Your research topic needs to be crystal clear about what you’re planning to research, what you want to know, and within what context. There shouldn’t be any ambiguity or vagueness about what you’ll research.

Here’s an example of a clearly articulated research topic:

An analysis of consumer-based factors influencing organisational trust in British low-cost online equity brokerage firms.

As you can see in the example, its crystal clear what will be analysed (factors impacting organisational trust), amongst who (consumers) and in what context (British low-cost equity brokerage firms, based online).

Need a helping hand?

Attribute #2:   Unique

Your research should be asking a question(s) that hasn’t been asked before, or that hasn’t been asked in a specific context (for example, in a specific country or industry).

For example, sticking organisational trust topic above, it’s quite likely that organisational trust factors in the UK have been investigated before, but the context (online low-cost equity brokerages) could make this research unique. Therefore, the context makes this research original.

One caveat when using context as the basis for originality – you need to have a good reason to suspect that your findings in this context might be different from the existing research – otherwise, there’s no reason to warrant researching it.

Attribute #3: Important

Simply asking a unique or original question is not enough – the question needs to create value. In other words, successfully answering your research questions should provide some value to the field of research or the industry. You can’t research something just to satisfy your curiosity. It needs to make some form of contribution either to research or industry.

For example, researching the factors influencing consumer trust would create value by enabling businesses to tailor their operations and marketing to leverage factors that promote trust. In other words, it would have a clear benefit to industry.

So, how do you go about finding a unique and valuable research topic? We explain that in detail in this video post – How To Find A Research Topic . Yeah, we’ve got you covered 😊

Step 3: Write a convincing research proposal

Once you’ve pinned down a high-quality research topic, the next step is to convince your university to let you research it. No matter how awesome you think your topic is, it still needs to get the rubber stamp before you can move forward with your research. The research proposal is the tool you’ll use for this job.

So, what’s in a research proposal?

The main “job” of a research proposal is to convince your university, advisor or committee that your research topic is worthy of approval. But convince them of what? Well, this varies from university to university, but generally, they want to see that:

• You have a clearly articulated, unique and important topic (this might sound familiar…)
• You’ve done some initial reading of the existing literature relevant to your topic (i.e. a literature review)
• You have a provisional plan in terms of how you will collect data and analyse it (i.e. a methodology)

At the proposal stage, it’s (generally) not expected that you’ve extensively reviewed the existing literature , but you will need to show that you’ve done enough reading to identify a clear gap for original (unique) research. Similarly, they generally don’t expect that you have a rock-solid research methodology mapped out, but you should have an idea of whether you’ll be undertaking qualitative or quantitative analysis , and how you’ll collect your data (we’ll discuss this in more detail later).

Long story short – don’t stress about having every detail of your research meticulously thought out at the proposal stage – this will develop as you progress through your research. However, you do need to show that you’ve “done your homework” and that your research is worthy of approval .

So, how do you go about crafting a high-quality, convincing proposal? We cover that in detail in this video post – How To Write A Top-Class Research Proposal . We’ve also got a video walkthrough of two proposal examples here .

Step 4: Craft a strong introduction chapter

Once your proposal’s been approved, its time to get writing your actual dissertation or thesis! The good news is that if you put the time into crafting a high-quality proposal, you’ve already got a head start on your first three chapters – introduction, literature review and methodology – as you can use your proposal as the basis for these.

Handy sidenote – our free dissertation & thesis template is a great way to speed up your dissertation writing journey.

What’s the introduction chapter all about?

The purpose of the introduction chapter is to set the scene for your research (dare I say, to introduce it…) so that the reader understands what you’ll be researching and why it’s important. In other words, it covers the same ground as the research proposal in that it justifies your research topic.

What goes into the introduction chapter?

This can vary slightly between universities and degrees, but generally, the introduction chapter will include the following:

• A brief background to the study, explaining the overall area of research
• A problem statement , explaining what the problem is with the current state of research (in other words, where the knowledge gap exists)
• Your research questions – in other words, the specific questions your study will seek to answer (based on the knowledge gap)
• The significance of your study – in other words, why it’s important and how its findings will be useful in the world

As you can see, this all about explaining the “what” and the “why” of your research (as opposed to the “how”). So, your introduction chapter is basically the salesman of your study, “selling” your research to the first-time reader and (hopefully) getting them interested to read more.

How do I write the introduction chapter, you ask? We cover that in detail in this post .

Step 5: Undertake an in-depth literature review

As I mentioned earlier, you’ll need to do some initial review of the literature in Steps 2 and 3 to find your research gap and craft a convincing research proposal – but that’s just scratching the surface. Once you reach the literature review stage of your dissertation or thesis, you need to dig a lot deeper into the existing research and write up a comprehensive literature review chapter.

What’s the literature review all about?

There are two main stages in the literature review process:

Literature Review Step 1: Reading up

The first stage is for you to deep dive into the existing literature (journal articles, textbook chapters, industry reports, etc) to gain an in-depth understanding of the current state of research regarding your topic. While you don’t need to read every single article, you do need to ensure that you cover all literature that is related to your core research questions, and create a comprehensive catalogue of that literature , which you’ll use in the next step.

Reading and digesting all the relevant literature is a time consuming and intellectually demanding process. Many students underestimate just how much work goes into this step, so make sure that you allocate a good amount of time for this when planning out your research. Thankfully, there are ways to fast track the process – be sure to check out this article covering how to read journal articles quickly .

Literature Review Step 2: Writing up

Once you’ve worked through the literature and digested it all, you’ll need to write up your literature review chapter. Many students make the mistake of thinking that the literature review chapter is simply a summary of what other researchers have said. While this is partly true, a literature review is much more than just a summary. To pull off a good literature review chapter, you’ll need to achieve at least 3 things:

• You need to synthesise the existing research , not just summarise it. In other words, you need to show how different pieces of theory fit together, what’s agreed on by researchers, what’s not.
• You need to highlight a research gap that your research is going to fill. In other words, you’ve got to outline the problem so that your research topic can provide a solution.
• You need to use the existing research to inform your methodology and approach to your own research design. For example, you might use questions or Likert scales from previous studies in your your own survey design .

As you can see, a good literature review is more than just a summary of the published research. It’s the foundation on which your own research is built, so it deserves a lot of love and attention. Take the time to craft a comprehensive literature review with a suitable structure .

But, how do I actually write the literature review chapter, you ask? We cover that in detail in this video post .

Step 6: Carry out your own research

Once you’ve completed your literature review and have a sound understanding of the existing research, its time to develop your own research (finally!). You’ll design this research specifically so that you can find the answers to your unique research question.

There are two steps here – designing your research strategy and executing on it:

1 – Design your research strategy

The first step is to design your research strategy and craft a methodology chapter . I won’t get into the technicalities of the methodology chapter here, but in simple terms, this chapter is about explaining the “how” of your research. If you recall, the introduction and literature review chapters discussed the “what” and the “why”, so it makes sense that the next point to cover is the “how” –that’s what the methodology chapter is all about.

In this section, you’ll need to make firm decisions about your research design. This includes things like:

• Your research philosophy (e.g. positivism or interpretivism )
• Your overall methodology (e.g. qualitative , quantitative or mixed methods)
• Your data collection strategy (e.g. interviews , focus groups, surveys)
• Your data analysis strategy (e.g. content analysis , correlation analysis, regression)

If these words have got your head spinning, don’t worry! We’ll explain these in plain language in other posts. It’s not essential that you understand the intricacies of research design (yet!). The key takeaway here is that you’ll need to make decisions about how you’ll design your own research, and you’ll need to describe (and justify) your decisions in your methodology chapter.

2 – Execute: Collect and analyse your data

Once you’ve worked out your research design, you’ll put it into action and start collecting your data. This might mean undertaking interviews, hosting an online survey or any other data collection method. Data collection can take quite a bit of time (especially if you host in-person interviews), so be sure to factor sufficient time into your project plan for this. Oftentimes, things don’t go 100% to plan (for example, you don’t get as many survey responses as you hoped for), so bake a little extra time into your budget here.

Once you’ve collected your data, you’ll need to do some data preparation before you can sink your teeth into the analysis. For example:

• If you carry out interviews or focus groups, you’ll need to transcribe your audio data to text (i.e. a Word document).
• If you collect quantitative survey data, you’ll need to clean up your data and get it into the right format for whichever analysis software you use (for example, SPSS, R or STATA).

Once you’ve completed your data prep, you’ll undertake your analysis, using the techniques that you described in your methodology. Depending on what you find in your analysis, you might also do some additional forms of analysis that you hadn’t planned for. For example, you might see something in the data that raises new questions or that requires clarification with further analysis.

The type(s) of analysis that you’ll use depend entirely on the nature of your research and your research questions. For example:

• If your research if exploratory in nature, you’ll often use qualitative analysis techniques .
• If your research is confirmatory in nature, you’ll often use quantitative analysis techniques
• If your research involves a mix of both, you might use a mixed methods approach

Again, if these words have got your head spinning, don’t worry! We’ll explain these concepts and techniques in other posts. The key takeaway is simply that there’s no “one size fits all” for research design and methodology – it all depends on your topic, your research questions and your data. So, don’t be surprised if your study colleagues take a completely different approach to yours.

Step 7: Present your findings

Once you’ve completed your analysis, it’s time to present your findings (finally!). In a dissertation or thesis, you’ll typically present your findings in two chapters – the results chapter and the discussion chapter .

What’s the difference between the results chapter and the discussion chapter?

While these two chapters are similar, the results chapter generally just presents the processed data neatly and clearly without interpretation, while the discussion chapter explains the story the data are telling  – in other words, it provides your interpretation of the results.

For example, if you were researching the factors that influence consumer trust, you might have used a quantitative approach to identify the relationship between potential factors (e.g. perceived integrity and competence of the organisation) and consumer trust. In this case:

• Your results chapter would just present the results of the statistical tests. For example, correlation results or differences between groups. In other words, the processed numbers.
• Your discussion chapter would explain what the numbers mean in relation to your research question(s). For example, Factor 1 has a weak relationship with consumer trust, while Factor 2 has a strong relationship.

Depending on the university and degree, these two chapters (results and discussion) are sometimes merged into one , so be sure to check with your institution what their preference is. Regardless of the chapter structure, this section is about presenting the findings of your research in a clear, easy to understand fashion.

Importantly, your discussion here needs to link back to your research questions (which you outlined in the introduction or literature review chapter). In other words, it needs to answer the key questions you asked (or at least attempt to answer them).

For example, if we look at the sample research topic:

In this case, the discussion section would clearly outline which factors seem to have a noteworthy influence on organisational trust. By doing so, they are answering the overarching question and fulfilling the purpose of the research .

For more information about the results chapter , check out this post for qualitative studies and this post for quantitative studies .

Step 8: The Final Step Draw a conclusion and discuss the implications

Last but not least, you’ll need to wrap up your research with the conclusion chapter . In this chapter, you’ll bring your research full circle by highlighting the key findings of your study and explaining what the implications of these findings are.

What exactly are key findings? The key findings are those findings which directly relate to your original research questions and overall research objectives (which you discussed in your introduction chapter). The implications, on the other hand, explain what your findings mean for industry, or for research in your area.

Sticking with the consumer trust topic example, the conclusion might look something like this:

Key findings

This study set out to identify which factors influence consumer-based trust in British low-cost online equity brokerage firms. The results suggest that the following factors have a large impact on consumer trust:

While the following factors have a very limited impact on consumer trust:

Notably, within the 25-30 age groups, Factors E had a noticeably larger impact, which may be explained by…

Implications

The findings having noteworthy implications for British low-cost online equity brokers. Specifically:

The large impact of Factors X and Y implies that brokers need to consider….

The limited impact of Factor E implies that brokers need to…

As you can see, the conclusion chapter is basically explaining the “what” (what your study found) and the “so what?” (what the findings mean for the industry or research). This brings the study full circle and closes off the document.

Let’s recap – how to write a dissertation or thesis

You’re still with me? Impressive! I know that this post was a long one, but hopefully you’ve learnt a thing or two about how to write a dissertation or thesis, and are now better equipped to start your own research.

To recap, the 8 steps to writing a quality dissertation (or thesis) are as follows:

• Understand what a dissertation (or thesis) is – a research project that follows the research process.
• Find a unique (original) and important research topic
• Craft a convincing dissertation or thesis research proposal
• Write a clear, compelling introduction chapter
• Undertake a thorough review of the existing research and write up a literature review
• Undertake your own research
• Present and interpret your findings

Once you’ve wrapped up the core chapters, all that’s typically left is the abstract , reference list and appendices. As always, be sure to check with your university if they have any additional requirements in terms of structure or content.  

Psst... there’s more!

This post was based on one of our popular Research Bootcamps . If you're working on a research project, you'll definitely want to check this out ...

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20 Comments

thankfull >>>this is very useful

Thank you, it was really helpful

unquestionably, this amazing simplified way of teaching. Really , I couldn’t find in the literature words that fully explicit my great thanks to you. However, I could only say thanks a-lot.

Great to hear that – thanks for the feedback. Good luck writing your dissertation/thesis.

This is the most comprehensive explanation of how to write a dissertation. Many thanks for sharing it free of charge.

Very rich presentation. Thank you

Thanks Derek Jansen|GRADCOACH, I find it very useful guide to arrange my activities and proceed to research!

Thank you so much for such a marvelous teaching .I am so convinced that am going to write a comprehensive and a distinct masters dissertation

It is an amazing comprehensive explanation

This was straightforward. Thank you!

I can say that your explanations are simple and enlightening – understanding what you have done here is easy for me. Could you write more about the different types of research methods specific to the three methodologies: quan, qual and MM. I look forward to interacting with this website more in the future.

Thanks for the feedback and suggestions 🙂

Hello, your write ups is quite educative. However, l have challenges in going about my research questions which is below; *Building the enablers of organisational growth through effective governance and purposeful leadership.*

Very educating.

Just listening to the name of the dissertation makes the student nervous. As writing a top-quality dissertation is a difficult task as it is a lengthy topic, requires a lot of research and understanding and is usually around 10,000 to 15000 words. Sometimes due to studies, unbalanced workload or lack of research and writing skill students look for dissertation submission from professional writers.

Thank you 💕😊 very much. I was confused but your comprehensive explanation has cleared my doubts of ever presenting a good thesis. Thank you.

thank you so much, that was so useful

Hi. Where is the excel spread sheet ark?

could you please help me look at your thesis paper to enable me to do the portion that has to do with the specification

my topic is “the impact of domestic revenue mobilization.

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Optimum research consulting, premiere dissertation assistance, at optimum, we provide comprehensive dissertation assistance tailored to each client and each study. reach out today for a free consultation with an expert dissertation coach..

Our expert team at Optimum Research can provide you flexible, responsive dissertation help as you navigate your doctoral journey. Since 2018, we’ve helped hundreds of candidates become doctors through highly individualized, hands-on support . We offer help at each stage of your journey, leveraging the expertise of our team to provide doctoral-level research , qualitative and quantitative methodology, statistical analysis, and dissertation editing.

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Optimum Research Consulting is a full-service academic consulting firm providing dissertation help across all stages of the doctoral journey. We offer a tailored and responsive approach, providing hands-on assistance with dissertation research, qualitative and quantitative methodology, statistical analysis, APA editing, and even defense preparation. We also help with everything in between these steps, leveraging doctoral-level expertise to help you reach approval quickly.

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At Optimum, we recognize that each client and each study are different. Unlike other consulting firms, we don’t share a cost or contract without first building a careful, tailored plan for assistance . We offer free consultation and a free diagnostic review s of what you’re working on to help us see where you’re starting from and where you need to go. In fact, clients often tell us that the feedback and guidance we share is  more helpful than anything they’ve received from their committees! 

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We do! Because of the planning we do at the start of each project, we can take on all revisions until final approval . All reviewers have individual preferences–we learn and align our work with the m, all the way to the finish line .

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Unlike other consulting firms, we don’t price on a per-hour or per-page basis. Doing so results in costs that aren’t stated clearly upfront and continue to creep upward during the course of a project. At Optimum, our expert dissertation coaches share a specific, to-the-dollar quote after diagnostic review and planning. The result is a tailored cost to match what you need to reach approval, including all revisions to get there.

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All of our staff–dissertation coaches, researchers, qualitative and quantitative analysts, statisticians, and APA editors–are based in the United States. Optimum is a cloud-based company, as this allows us to leverage the expertise of professors and researchers in a wide variety of fields. However, we insist that our team is US-based , as this ensures that we keep our work at doctoral level . Again, our clients’ work matters, and reaching approval quickly is the best way we can help.

Do you have subject-matter experts in my field of study?

We certainly do. Given the way we leverage doctoral-level resources, we have subject-matter experts in psychology, education, business, nursing, healthcare, organizational leadership, and a host of other fields. When a client reaches out for dissertation help in a field we don’t work in–say, electrical engineering–we’re happy to refer to another service.

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Your privacy is important to us. In the first email we send to you, we’ll include a n on-disclosure agreement , guaranteeing that the information you share with us is used only for our consultation together. We take other precautions, as well–our email servers are with Google, whose email and cloud storage solutions adhere to ISO 27001 and other independent security standards.

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In determining the cost for the dissertation assistance we provide, we assess both (a) what’s needed and (b) the timeline. We’re pretty fast : Our work is done within 2-3 weeks. During that time, we ensure that we adhere to all guidelines —this reduces the number of revisions that would come with work thrown together hastily, resulting in much faster approval.

When we can have flexibility in our normal time frame, we’re able to leverage resources more efficiently and pass those savings to you . Of course, what’s needed to reach final approval won’t change, but we can certainly provide at least a modest discount when we get more time.  

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It’s common for candidates to struggle with high similarity scores from checkers like Turnitin. We can address plagiarism issues so that you can resubmit and reach approval.

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Of course! We do this automatically for clients, as we divide the cost of each project into installments. Specifically, we use milestone-based payments where, after an initial payment for us to get started, all subsequent payments come with the receipt of work from us. This way, you make payments only as you progress toward approval.

Through comprehensive support that lasts to final approval, the team at Optimum can help you save on tuition costs and expand your bandwidth so you can devote time and attention to what matters . We’d love to talk about our dissertation research expertise and share insights that light the way forward. Reach out by phone at 984-222-7122 or email us at [email protected] .

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Optimum’s research team is composed of qualitative and quantitative analysts who have extensive, doctoral-level research experience. We stand behind our expertise and guarantee approval for all the dissertation assistance we provide.

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North America:

• New York, USA : Our headquarters are nestled in the vibrant academic hub of New York. From here, we connect students with top-tier coaches.
• Toronto, Canada : Our coaches in Toronto bring a wealth of knowledge to assist Canadian students in achieving their academic goals.
• Los Angeles, USA : On the West Coast, our coaches in Los Angeles offer valuable insights to scholars pursuing excellence.
• Chicago, USA : In the heart of the Midwest, our coaches in Chicago provide dedicated support for students’ academic journeys.
• Vancouver, Canada : Nestled on the Pacific coast, Vancouver’s coaches bring a unique perspective to dissertation guidance.
• Montreal, Canada : With its diverse academic scene, Montreal’s coaches aid students in various stages of their dissertation process.
• Houston, USA : In the energy hub of Houston, our coaches provide innovative approaches to elevate dissertation outcomes.
• Calgary, Canada : From the heart of the Canadian Rockies, Calgary’s coaches offer specialized guidance for academic success.
• Miami, USA : In the vibrant cultural landscape of Miami, our coaches inspire and guide students towards impactful dissertations.
• Edmonton, Canada : With a dedication to scholarship, our coaches in Edmonton assist students in achieving their best work.
• London, UK : A city renowned for its prestigious universities, our coaches in London offer valuable insights to scholars pursuing excellence.
• Paris, France : In the heart of Europe, our Paris coaches cater to students seeking guidance in diverse academic disciplines.
• Barcelona, Spain : From the sunny shores of Barcelona, our coaches support students across various stages of their dissertation process.
• Rome, Italy : With its rich history, Rome serves as a backdrop for our coaches to inspire and guide students towards success.
• Amsterdam, Netherlands : In this progressive city, our coaches provide innovative approaches to elevate dissertation outcomes.
• Madrid, Spain: Madrid’s academic environment is enriched by our coaches’ dedication to fostering scholarly growth.
• Tokyo, Japan : Our coaches in Tokyo combine tradition and modernity to assist students in crafting exceptional dissertations.
• Singapore : A melting pot of cultures, our Singapore coaches offer a diverse perspective for students pursuing academic excellence.
• Dubai, UAE : In the dynamic city of Dubai, our coaches provide specialized guidance to students in the Middle East.
• Melbourne, Australia : Down under, our Melbourne coaches empower students with the skills and knowledge needed for outstanding dissertations.

Wherever you are in the world, Dissertation Coaches is committed to helping you achieve your academic aspirations. Our team of dedicated experts is just an email away at [email protected] . Ready to get started? Hire a coach today by visiting https://dissertationcoaches.com/hire-a-coach/ .

You’re already here…

Yes, you can trust us. We treat clients like friends. If you are falling behind on your dissertation, thesis, or any other research project, just give us your email address and we will contact you right away. We’ll save you a lot of time, and money!

Coaching, Consulting, and More

Individual Dissertation Coaching

Individual coaching is accountability coaching. Successful coaching often occurs over the course of several months allowing clients to discuss roadblocks and celebrate milestones. I offer four half hour sessions per month OR two one-hour sessions of individual dissertation coaching per month depending on the client’s desires.

$300 a month

Group Dissertation Coaching

I keep a waiting list of students interested in group coaching. You can gather some of your dissertation friends and form your own group. We start a group at the beginning of each month if there are enough to build a group. Each group will have four to six students. The sessions are forty to forty-five minutes long once a week. Students can suggest topics of conversation or I’ll have a plan for what to talk about.

$75 a month per student

Other Services

CONSULTING, EDITING, AND MORE

Dissertation Consulting

If you have a few questions about the process of any step of writing a dissertation and are not interested in a long term coaching relationship, I’m happy to spend an hour or two discussing it with you. I charge $150 an hour for this service. Sometimes we can solve your stumbling block this way.

Dissertation Editing

If you have some writing that you’d like me to review and edit before you submit to your advisor, I’m happy to do that for $0.05 (that’s five cents) a word. Payable half up front and half when done. Most turn around will be two days. Be sure to check my availability on the turn around.

Dissertation Writing Workshops

During the summer one week a month, I will hold a dissertation writing workshop in my home (when there’s not a pandemic). Each workshop will have four to six participants. I will be available throughout the day for individual coaching and discussion. The general layout of the week will be: Planned group discussion at the beginning of each day of the week, then write, a break for lunch (provided), another discussion, then more writing time. Voilà, chapter done! Cost to be determined.

Testimonials

WHAT GRADUATES ARE SAYING

You coached me very early on in my dissertation process. I am very grateful for your guidance and support during that excruciating time of getting started.

I wanted to let you know I’m set to defend my dissertation in just a few weeks! This has been one of the most challenging experiences of my life and I’m extremely thankful for you helping me reach this milestone.

____________________

Texas Tech University

Thank you for helping to get me focused again so that I could finish my dissertation.Throughout the process having someone to bounce ideas off of who also provided support in setting small incremental goals took the overwhelming feeling away.

Texas A&M University April 2017

I first contacted Dr. Corbin because I was frustrated and unsure of what direction I should take with the initial stages of the dissertation process. We had our consultation and after the first five minutes, I knew Dr. Corbin is an exceptional dissertation coach. Dr. Corbin is a mindful listener, which is one of the attributes that makes her a great coach. She has a unique way of deciphering the problem and putting it into a context that I could understand. Her polite and positive demeanor was an additional benefit. She was always willing to assist me and her straight forward approach was appreciated.

Derek Cortez

Dr. Corbin served me in the role of dissertation coach. This working relationship was at her initiative as she expressed to me her desire to see each student successfully complete his/her doctoral dissertation. We met on an almost weekly basis. We discussed my progress as well as established weekly goals. Given that I had a full-time position off campus, this proved to be of tremendous help.

Doctoral Graduate,   University of Texas

Adria Battaglia

From the moment I first entered the PhD program at the University of Texas at Austin, Susan became my coach. She coached and counseled me through my coursework for three years, and directed me through my comprehensive exam process. It was for the final two years of my graduate career, however, that I had the wonderful opportunity to work very closely with Susan as she coached me through my prospectus and dissertation.

Instructor, Tx Literacy Coalition; Part-time Lecturer, UT-Austin; Adjunct Faculty, ACC March 24, 2011

Susan Corbin is an amazing personal coach. Her positive attitude towards the people she coaches, her sharp analysis of the struggles we face, and her wealth of solution ideas and personal wisdom make her one of the very best coaches out there. She helped me understand that what holds me back from realizing my full potential is the little voice in my head.

Assistant Professor of Organizational Communication, with expertise in Social Media, Big Data, & Cyberinfrastructure March 14, 2011

Billy Earnest

Susan was the architect of my dissertation defense. When crunch time came, we sat down and she mapped out a strategy that allowed me not only write and defend my prospectus, but also write and defend the dissertation itself. We established a set of intermediate goals and made a calendar that showed everything from start to finish. Then we met routinely to evaluate and adjust the schedule as needed (as it was, her original calendar was remarkably accurate). She also gave me specific strategies for writing, researching, and working with committee members. In short, Susan knows whereof she speaks. A trusted advisor and a good friend, I recommend her to anyone.

Asst. Prof. of Communication at St. Edward’s University August 15, 2009

Dr. Corbin was incredibly helpful during my graduate career. She was attentive to all my high-stress & often time-sensitive concerns. I knew I could rely on her for immediate attention, and she was always available to me for encouragement & support –I can’t imagine my graduate experience without her in it.

International Risk Analyst at The University of Texas at Austin September 9, 2009

Stephanie Hamel

Susan’s insight, guidance and fresh perspectives were a welcome respite at a critical point in my graduate career. Her interest, sincerity and ability to listen and identify underlying issues that were serving as obstacles in accomplishing the goals I had set for myself were immensely helpful and allowed me to set a realistic timeline in writing my dissertation. Susan’s careful listening skills are one of the things that make her such a great personal coach.  

2006 University of Texas Doctoral Graduate

Finish your dissertation!

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In The Media

Need expert dissertation help from a real professor.

Improve your confidence and grades with graduate studies coaching from Dr. Jen Harrison - a PhD tutor with genuine experience supervising dissertations.

“I got a First Class grade and Jen is part of this achievement.  Thank you very much, Jen!” — Milton Marcelo*

Here’s what one successfully graduated student says about working with Dr. Jen.

What is dissertation coaching, accountability, how does it work, eliminate your confusion and uncertainty.

We’ll have live sessions to work through your writing and research road-blocks.

Reduce the time you spend on false starts and dead ends

Get organized and maximize your time, avoid the technical headache of formatting, referencing, and citation, meet dr. jen, i am a real professor with genuine higher education experience.

I earned my PhD in 2009 from the University of Wales, and since then I have worked in academia as a professor, writing instructor, and published researcher at a number of institutions worldwide, including the University of Wales, Birkbeck College London, and East Stroudsburg University. As well as publishing books and articles in my own field (children’s literature), I have served as an editor and reviewer for a number of peer-reviewed publications. In the past year, I have helped more than 20 graduate students successfully complete their degrees--and I can help you, too.

I’m not a big company.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t really like crowds. When you work with me, you work with ME – not a big group of coaches. You always know exactly who you’ll be seeing in a session, and who will be reviewing your work – because it will be me.

I make your well-being as well as your success a priority.

There is too much toxic pressure, competition, and burnout in academia already – I refuse to add to it. Instead, I will look out for your overall wellbeing as well as just your completion deadline – even when you don’t remember to. I'll remind you to take breaks, suggest self-care strategies, cheerlead for you at every stage, and listen when you need to have a rant or vent some frustration. Think of me as your "dissertation doula"!

Yonaton Yares

Milton Marcelo

Holly Wells

Megan Smith

Reham Fahad

Frequently asked questions, get started today., how you can benefit from my dissertation expertise….

10+ years’ academic experience  means you enjoy expert advice

Specialism in research writing instruction and editing  means your graduate writing will improve by leaps and bounds

Specialist training in ESL, research design, and academic formatting, referencing, and citation  means I can take care of the technical aspects of your dissertation manuscript for you

Insider insights into the academic publishing process  means you can feel confident presenting your graduate research to the wider academic community

Best of all, I am a PhD tutor, coach, and mentor who makes your  success the top priority

Figuring out if more education is what you need to grow.

Navigating Graduate School with Dr. Jennifer Harrison

What to do if you feel like you don’t belong in academia

Your Guide to Graduate Studies in Children’s Literature

Why You Should Use the MS Word “Tracked Changes” Function When Revising Your Dissertation

Who Should Write a Dissertation?

Where Can You Go for Extra Help During Your Dissertation Research?

What’s Trending in Children’s Literature Research in 2021?

What Should Dissertation Feedback Look Like?

Three Apps for Being A Grad Student and Parenting at the Same Time

How to Write a Dissertation Discussion Section: Including Recommendations

What To Expect in Your Dissertation Defense Presentation

No need to do this alone. Let me help you find momentum, clarity, and strength!

NATALYA ANDROSOVA, Ph.D.

WRITING AND DISSERTATION COACH

Hi, i'm natalya. writing is my passion. i'm on a mission to help frustrated writers find momentum, clarity, and joy. if you feel ready to trade self-doubt for confidence and build a joyful writing practice, it would be my honour to help you make your writing dreams a reality..

WHY USE A WRITING COACH?

A COACH CAN HELP YOU

Make sense of your writing process

Set up an accountability system 

Find a clear direction when you feel stuck

Set effective writing goals and achieve them 

Organize your writing process 

Set up an individual or a group writing retreat

Get feedback on your writing and your approach

Develop a realistic writing schedule

Protect your writing time

Learn ways to monitor your progress

Learn effective writing and research strategies

Synthesize your ideas

Find a better structure

TESTIMONIALS

Consider yourself extremely fortunate if you have had the good fortune to have crossed paths with Natalya. I had this good fortune at a very low moment in my doctoral journey. I had hit a wall and was struggling with the writing process while working a full time job and raising a child. Out of desperation I starting researching writing coaches and came across Natalya.

One phone call with her filled me with hope.

Natalya is deeply knowledgeable about the process of writing (in my case, academic writing), and her exercises and tips allowed me to make break through after break through. 

I went from seriously considering quitting my PhD to successfully defending my dissertation a year later. 

While Natalya never actually looked at my writing, our meetings provided the inspiration and confirmation that I had what it took. Natalya is much more than your writing cheerleader (although she is amazing at that!). She brings a deep compassion and insight that helped me to understand how to write in a way that is deeply connected to my authentic self. 

If you've struggled with writing blocks, do yourself a favour and contact this phenomenal writing coach -- and human! I'm forever grateful to her for showing me that I could do it.

Thank you, Natalya!

Erin, PhD, Educational Studies

I have known Natalya for many years. We initially met when I enrolled in one of her reflective writing circles, at the start of my Master’s degree. As a new graduate student, I marvelled at her abilities to cultivate a safe space, inspire deep curiosity, and help students connect to their innate wisdom through reflective writing. I remember leaving each session feeling surprised by the depth of insights found through reflective writing, with her gentle support.

I reconnected with Natalya earlier this year – this time, as a late-stage PhD student, exhausted from juggling various professional and personal responsibilities, while struggling through dissertation writing. After an introductory phone call, I immediately decided to work with Natalya and started her 5-week program. As a graduate student, I had considered working with a writing coach many times over the past few years and had not moved forward with these plans. The decision to work with Natalya was simple because I trusted her.

She has undeniable expertise in her field (demonstrated through her publications, testimonials, etc.), but it is her compassion and sensitivity that make her truly effective. During our first meeting, she skillfully diagnosed the underlying issues that were holding me back from meeting my writing goals. We developed a detailed writing plan, with personalized strategies, to help me produce a full draft of my dissertation and reconnect with the joy of writing.

After just three weeks, I had met my goal of finishing my dissertation and found the spark of joy that I had for writing many years ago. Natalya’s frequent check-ins improved my motivation because I knew she was invested in my success – ready to support or encourage me, as needed. I choose to continue working with N atalya because her curious and kind questions help me to continue learning about my writing and myself. Natalya is a true gem and working with her has been the smartest decision that I made during the PhD journey.

A.I., PhD candidate, Health Services Research

Natalya is someone who truly cares about the people she works with and the projects she works on. Her deep thoughtfulness and genuine kindness shine through every interaction, pairing with her wisdom and experience to provide a positive experience with every encounter. I feel extremely fortunate to know and have the opportunity to work with Natalya. 

Melanie Steele, MS, Writing Coach and Founder of  For the Writer's Soul

I turned to Natalya, when I lost touch with my work. I no longer knew what my next step should be and how to manage the sense of internal paralysis I got every time I thought of it. Natalya got me from that to defending my dissertation eight months later.

Alya, PhD, Communication and Culture

I am indebted to Natalya. I had a long history of challenges and delays with my dissertation, complemented by a lack of success in setting, implementing, and achieving big writing deadlines in graduate school. I switched PhD programs at the beginning of my fourth year and started a new dissertation proposal; in year six, I was still struggling to write about my topic and was required to apply for a special extension in my graduate program.

I needed help with writing and was connected to Natalya through my university learning strategist. Working with her was transformative. Her joy for writing is infectiously stimulating; it taught me how to recognize my own value and passion for writing.

Practically, Natalya coached me to conceptualize, organize, and complete dissertation writing tasks that worked for me by facilitating my own exploration of writing styles and strategies. Moreover, she is very approachable and supportive, and was fully present at each step of my dissertation writing process. From the first submission of chapter drafts to scheduling my defence, I completed my dissertation within one year. I now see writing not only as a practice I do, but a place I genuinely look forward to going. I look forward to my future work with her!

Ashley, PhD, Psychology

Natalya's passion for writing is infectious! The encouragement and guidance she offered during the dissertation writing process helped me stay motivated, confident, and focused.

Natalya - Thanks again for such an incredible retreat!! Ryerson students are so lucky to have you. Your dissertation support programs are really making a huge difference when it comes to my progress. 

Erin, PhD, Communication and Culture

I feel great about the progress I made on the retreat! I was really struggling with the initial introductory chapters for my dissertation and the way in which they weren't "fitting" very well with my analyses and discussion. I was also trying to merge feedback from two committee members with very different ideal about the "identity" of these chapters. I was able to break through being "stuck" by dismantling the chapter and starting over with a clear sense of what I want to say and what plan works best for my project. While a painful process initially, I now feel excited and engaged with my project again as I am writing from a focused and entered place. This means that I am more clear now on what to include vs. exclude. This was great progress for me and I noticed that I felt lighter and more energized as time went on. Natalya, you are a special person. You shared so many nuggets of wisdom this week that touched me. I feel so grateful to have been at the retreat and inspired by your philosophy on life.

Amy, PhD, Clinical Psychology

I can't thank you enough. Every session with you helps me immensely and propels me forward and gives me energy. Thank you so much for your kindness and support 💜

Erin, PhD Candidate, Education

Natalya is a very experienced writing coach who listens deeply and intently to her client. She has helped me achieve all of my goals which I set out when we started to work together. I was stuck half-way through with the book manuscript and needed help to get going.

More than that, I wanted to transform and heal a fraught relationship with my inner writer. In just a few weeks, I was flying with my writing as we were able to remove all the blocks from my path. Although my writing was impacted by events that sidetracked me, I managed to bounce back into the manuscript with Natalya’s help. Day after day, my inner writer and I found peace with one another. And I am tempted to add here – and we lived happily ever after thanks to my fairy writing godmother Natalya! If you’re looking for a writing coach to help you heal a relationship with your inner writer, I cannot recommend Natalya strongly enough. You won’t find a more caring, passionate and experienced writing coach!

I.B., PhD, Bestselling Author

I was returning to my dissertation after an absence of several years. Natalya provided me with tools and strategies to make significant new progress towards completion. Just as valuable was her personal encouragement and engagement, helping me rediscover my love of writing and belief that I could finish.

Ryan K., PhD candidate, Theology

I am writing this testimonial with deep gratitude for the amazing support and guidance I received from Natalya. Starting the challenging journey of writing a dissertation is never easy, but with Natalya’s patient and empathetic approach, I not only learned how to write effectively but also confronted personal obstacles that emerged during this demanding process.

From our first meeting, it was clear that Natalya was not only a knowledgeable mentor but also a compassionate guide. She took the time to understand not just the subject of my research, but also the intricacies of my personal struggles and perspective. Her ability to merge academic direction with emotional support led to an extraordinary and invaluable coaching experience.

Natalya's coaching had a significant impact as she tailored her methods to meet my unique needs as someone with ADHD. She recognized the emotional challenges of working on a dissertation, especially for those facing specific obstacles, and provided a safe space for me to openly confront my fears and doubts. Through insightful discussions, she helped me overcome personal barriers that were holding back my progress.

Natalya not only taught me the intricacies of writing, but also instilled in me the confidence to trust my own voice and journey. She provided invaluable skills tailored toward an Adhder brain, such as time management, while also teaching life lessons like advocating for myself. Her talent for recognizing potential where I saw none helped me discover previously untapped abilities within myself. Natalya's constructive feedback was always coupled with encouragement, fostering an environment where learning and growth flourished. She is more than a dissertation coach; she is a mentor who supported me through one of the most challenging stages in any academic journey—the dissertation writing process.

Thanks to this life-changing coaching experience, I have taken decisive strides towards finishing my dissertation and emerged with greater resilience, both in academic pursuits and personally. Before the coaching sessions, writing felt like a struggle and publishing seemed unattainable. However, during our six months of coaching, I successfully published articles and am currently preparing three journal submissions. The guidance provided me with the understanding that writing can be fulfilling rather than burdensome and equipped me with the skills and determination to approach future obstacles confidently.

Without reservation, I endorse Natalya for anyone seeking not just a writing coach but also empathetic support to navigate the emotional challenges of dissertation writing. Thank you from the depths of my heart for being an integral part of my academic and personal journey.

Ida N., PhD candidate, Sociology

   Book a FREE Call  

Get in touch today. Let's make your writing dreams a reality.

We offer dissertation workshops designed to provide students with tangible strategies they can use to be successful in graduate school. Our workshops are relevant to students at any phase of graduate school enrolled in both master’s and doctoral programs.

In Each Workshop Students Will Learn:

• How to create a sound structured approach to completing their dissertation, thesis or other important graduate school milestones.
• How to manage the various phases of doing a dissertation or thesis including selecting a topic, writing a proposal, and carrying out the actual study.
• The importance of maintaining a positive mindset about graduate work and strategies to develop a more positive mindset.
• The real sources of procrastination and perfectionism and strategies to overcome these challenges.
• Strategies to increase accountability, motivation, learning, and productivity.
• Strategies for effective writing including overcoming writer’s block and developing a process of writing that works.
• How to successfully integrate feedback from others.
• Strategies to work effectively with faculty and be well-prepared for oral defense meetings.
• How to make self-care and down time an important part of life as a graduate student.
• How to develop a strong foundation for success in post-graduate school life.

We are happy to modify our workshops to meet the needs of a specific student group, department, college or university. Our workshops are led by Alison Miller, PhD and the team of The Dissertation Coach.

Watch A Dissertation Workshop

We Have Led Workshops At The Following Universities:

• Argosy University
• Chicago School of Professional Psychology
• Depaul University
• Harvard University
• Illinois School of Professional Psychology
• Loyola University
• Northwestern University
• Northwestern University Medical School
• Texas Tech University
• University of California at Los Angeles
• University of California at Santa Barbara
• University of California at Santa Cruz
• University of Chicago
• University of Florida
• University of Illinois at Chicago
• University of Illinois at Rockford
• University of New Mexico
• University of Southern California
• University of Texas

The Dissertation Coach Received A Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Grant To Assist Students In Nursing Policy Doctoral Programs.

3 MASSIVE Struggles You'll Face When Writing A Dissertation Or Thesis (+ How To Overcome Them‪)‬ The Grad Coach Podcast

Writing a dissertation, thesis or any sort of formal academic research paper comes with a lot of challenges. Some are technical. Others are more psychological and emotional. In this episode of the Grad Coach Podcast, Derek Jansen (MBA) and Ethar Al-Saraf (PhD) unpack three of the most common struggles students face when undertaking academic research - and how to manage them. OVERVIEW: 00:00 Welcome 00:42 Tackling the Challenge of Difficult Advisors 13:15 The Lonely Journey of Research and How to Navigate It 26:12 Mastering Focus with the Pomodoro Technique 28:30 Embracing the Struggle: The Journey of Research 30:28 Confronting Imposter Syndrome: Strategies and Insights 36:13 Harnessing Imposter Syndrome for Growth 43:18 Walking Your Unique Path: A Conclusion KEY RESOURCES: FREE Dissertation/Thesis Template: https://gradcoach.com/dissertation-thesis-template/ Other Templates & Tools: https://gradcoach.com/templates/ The Grad Coach Blog: https://gradcoach.com/blog/ Private Coaching: https://gradcoach.com/dissertation-coaching/ For more free resources, be sure to visit the GRAD COACH BLOG at https://gradcoach.com/blog/

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The Dissertation ECoach is an interactive digital messaging tool that assists graduate students transitioning from coursework to dissertation writing. It draws on dissertation writing strategies to affect graduate students’ writing practices. The Dissertation ECoach is a University of Michigan platform, developed by Sweetland faculty and supported by funds from the Center for Academic Innovation, the Rackham Graduate School, the Center for Research on Learning and Teaching, and the Office of the Provost. Through this portal, graduate students who are starting to write their dissertation receive personalized messages that influence a positive writing process. The personalized feedback that students receive will help them to engage with more effective writing practices, resulting in a more enjoyable dissertation writing experience.

The Dissertation ECoach offers feedback on productive writing behaviors, informed by dissertation writing strategies developed by the Sweetland Center for Writing, students’ individual characteristics, and responses to weekly lightning surveys on students’ writing goals. Specifically, the Dissertation ECoach responds to challenges in productivity in areas such as:

• Writing conventions : The structure of a dissertation, and getting started with the first chapter
• Writing habits : Improving writing habits, and finding the time to write
• Revision : Crafting a solid argument, and revising for content
• Writing style : Cultivating an academic voice and style
• Work/life balance : Balancing work and life and finding time for social interactions

Is The Dissertation ECoach Right for You?

If you are a graduate student who recently reached candidacy, and you are writing the first chapter of your dissertation, then the Dissertation ECoach is right for you! Its purpose is to engage early dissertation writers in effective writing habits.

How Does It Work?

To start, you will take a survey that tells us something about who you are as a writer. Your responses will help us to tailor our feedback to your needs, so that it is as personalized as possible to meet your individual needs as a writer. Once you are in the Dissertation ECoach, you can find several messages that address the areas we mentioned above. These messages will be always accessible, so you can go back to them when you need to. These messages contain links to resources, writing exercises, and an overview of that specific area.

Every week you will receive an email inviting you to answer one single question about something you want to work on or develop in a specific area. Based on how you answer that single question, you will access a personalized response that offers you suggestions about how to address your writing concerns and goals.

But wait, there’s so much more! To-Do lists, quick links to resources, a Discord channel to foster community, and incentives and rewards!

Benefits of the Dissertation ECoach include:

• Receiving tailored, personalized feedback to help you improve your experience with writing the dissertation
• Transitioning from a physical to an online space to receive personalized feedback
• Offering you accountability and suggestions to find chances to work productively
• Providing you with a sense of community while working from remote locations
• Establishing check-ins with Sweetland faculty to gauge your productivity and emotional well-being

Application Process

You can enroll in the Dissertation ECoach starting January 10.

• If a user first logs in with Single Sign On before accessing the link, their account will be automatically connected and they won't need to fill out the form.
• If a user is not authenticated, the form will allow them to register a new account only. If they register a new account they will receive an email to set up a password. If they use their institutional email address ( @umich.edu ) then they can ignore that email and use Single Sign On.
• If a user has an existing account with ECoach they will first need to log into that account before using the link.

If you have questions please contact Sweetland's Associate Director, Simone Sessolo at [email protected]  

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