How to Complete and Survive a Doctoral Dissertation

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

Dr. David Sternberg has been advising graduate students on this subject since 1969 as an integral part of his professorships at New York University, Washington State University, and in his present position as professor of Sociology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York.