Once admitted to doctoral candidacy, the next phase of the student's program of study is the doctoral dissertation. The dissertation is a scholarly contribution to knowledge in the student's area of specialization. In effect, it is the culmination of the program's primary mission of training individuals for productive research careers. Accordingly, the dissertation should be written with an eye toward eventual publication in scholarly journals. The specific focus will, of course, vary; some dissertations aimed at advances in theory and method, others at applied policy analysis. In every case, however, the student should set out with a sense of the scholarly audience he or she is addressing and the appropriate journals for communicating with that audience.
There is the further objective of laying a foundation for future research and publication. A successful dissertation experience certainly sets the right tone for future productivity by demonstrating the student's capability to function as an independent scholar. The dissertation also sets the stage in more specific ways, providing a deeper working knowledge of fundamental theories, methodologies, and relevant databases. Especially for those aspiring to university careers, it is important to have a sense of future research directions, and the dissertation can be a useful guide in this regard.
Finally, there is the old saw about the only good dissertation being a finished dissertation. Still good advice, and worth remembering along the way.
For detailed instuctions and guidelines for creating a successful dissertation, please download our dissertation guidelines located here.
