Writing the Winning Thesis or Dissertation: A Step-by-Step Guide

The classic guide for master′s and doctoral students―newly revised and updated!

Writing your master′s thesis or doctoral dissertation can be a daunting task. This newly updated edition of a highly popular text demystifies the experience, taking you through the process one step at a time!

Used in its first two editions by tens of thousands of students, this reader-friendly resource provides specific models and examples that break down the process into easily understood components with clear directions, from beginning to end. Major topics include:

• Laying the groundwork for the thesis or dissertation 
• Organizing and scheduling your work 
• Collaborating with peers 
• Using technology 
• Solving problems throughout the dissertation process

The third edition of Writing the Winning Thesis or Dissertation helps you see both the small details and the big picture process for successfully completing your thesis or dissertation.

"This is a guide that the doctoral candidate can read and re-read as each step is accomplished, seeing both the details and the big picture."
―Theresa Eagle, Dean, Graduate School of Education and Professional Development
Marshall University, South Charleston Campus

"This book thoroughly covers all aspects of the dissertation process. The student-oriented approach makes it easy for students to follow instructions."
―Tak Cheung Chan, Professor of Educational Leadership
Kennesaw State University

Randy L. Joyner is an adjunct professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction in the College of Education, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC. He is retired from the Department of Educational Leadership in the College of Education of East Carolina University, where he directed or served as committee member for 25 dissertations. Furthermore, he has served as a doctoral committee member at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia; and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina. He has received several awards for his research: the Delta Pi Epsilon doctoral research award, the Omicron Tau Theta Iota Chapter Research Award, and the Delta Pi Epsilon Alpha Chapter Research Award. The results of his research have been published in numerous national and international journals.

William A. Rouse Jr. is the Associate Dean for Graduate Education and Faculty Affairs in the College of Education, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC as well as an Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership in the College of Education, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC. He was a public school teacher and a secondary school principal prior to joining the faculty at East Carolina University. He has worked with several school districts’ administrators to refocus their efforts on effective school leadership practices that result in a dynamic teaching and learning environment. He has also worked with a school district to redesign large comprehensive high schools into smaller learning communities resulting in increased student academic performance. In 2004, he coauthored the Outstanding Paper delivered at the Delta Pi Epsilon National Research Conference; his research has been published in national refereed journals.

Allan A. Glatthorn (1924–2007) was a major contributor to the third and fourth editions; his research used in the preparation of the first and second editions of Writing the Winning Thesis or Dissertation: A Step-by-Step Guide was the foundation for the third edition. He was the Distinguished Research Professor of Education (Emeritus) in the College of Education of East Carolina University, where he advised doctoral students, chaired dissertations, and taught courses in supervision and curriculum. He was formerly Professor of Education at the Graduate School of Education of the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to his university assignments, he was a high school teacher and principal. In his work as a professor, he chaired close to 100 dissertations. He is the author of numerous professional books, several of which have been published by Corwin.