A Practical Guide to the Qualitative Dissertation: For Students and Their Advisors in Education, Human Services and Social Science

How do you write a good qualitative dissertation? This book offers advice about and examples of the primary tasks and hidden complications in writing a qualitative dissertation. The long process of bringing a dissertation to completion involves making many choices―substantive, organizational, and interpersonal. This guidebook takes you through the process―from the first formulation of the topic and selection of a committee to development of an argument and, finally, preparation for the defense.

This user-friendly resource contains:

• First-hand insights and approaches to help students survive the dissertation process.
• Help for understanding what makes a good research question.
• Observations on the importance of critical feedback from advisors.
• Anecdotes illustrating common problems students face.
• A guide to negotiating the IRB (Institutional Review Board).
• Advice on preparing for and getting through the defense.
• And much, much more!

Sari Knopp Biklen is the Laura and Douglas Meredith Professor and Chair of Cultural Foundations of Education at Syracuse University. Ronnie Casella is an Associate Professor of Education at Central Connecticut State University.