Writing and Research Tips
Online PhD Programs - Pros and Cons
25th August 2022
Online graduate programs are becoming more and more popular—and this includes PhD programs. Traditional, brick-and-mortar programs have their benefits, but they also have their downsides.Happy National Grammar Day!
25th August 2022
https://youtu.be/RPoBE-E8VOc Quick, what day of the year is also a complete sentence? Why, March 4th, of course! (March forth!) It’s also National Grammar Day.Classics that Are Perfect for Summer
25th August 2022
We’ve written posts before about how important it is to read widely, and if you read interviews with writers or talk to an established writer, at some point it’s likely that they’ll tell you that in order to write well, you need to read a lot.Go on the Job Market - Without a Finished Dissertation?
25th August 2022
Tackling the professional world (especially the academic one) is already challenging enough, but doing so while you are writing your dissertation is just a bad idea—or is it? Melissa Dennihy recently did just that, and wrote a detailed article about her experiences doing so with Inside Higher Ed.National Proofreading Day!
25th August 2022
March 8th. Yes, it’s International Women’s Day, but for the editorial-minded, it’s also National Proofreading Day! Between this and National Grammar Day just a few days ago, who knew editors were such party animals? We get a lot of emails from clients who use the terms “proofreading” and “editing” interchangeably, but the two are actually very different.Helpful Dissertation-Writing Blogs
25th August 2022
Writing a dissertation can be a long, lonely, difficult process. Dissertation writing is filled with highs and lows, exciting and dull stretches, moments of elation and despair.Running an Effective Dissertation Writing Group
25th August 2022
Forming a writing group is a great way to combat the feelings of isolation that can come with dissertation writing.What is a Dissertation Committee Supposed to Do, Anyhow?
25th August 2022
Your dissertation committee is a team of professors who are meant to provide expertise, guidance, mentorship, and dissertation help.Dissertation Research Help: Scholarly Sources
25th August 2022
When you are researching your dissertation, you will need to make extensive use of scholarly sources.Choosing the Right Dissertation Advisor
25th August 2022
Your relationship with your dissertation advisor can make or break your grad school experience. The right advisor can mentor you throughout graduate school and beyond, but the wrong advisor can hamper your progress and hold you back.Dissertation Help: Combatting Impostor Syndrome
25th August 2022
It can strike at the least opportune times. Right before your paper presentation at a big academic conference, a top scholar in the field walks in the room you're suddenly filled with dread an uneasiness.How to Safeguard Your Mental Health from the Hidden Costs of a PhD
25th August 2022
In the right circumstances, earning a PhD can be an amazing undertaking. It gives you the opportunity to grow as an intellectual and a thinker.Great Gifts for Graduate Students
25th August 2022
The holidays are coming! If you have a dissertation-writing graduate student in your life, and you're looking for the perfect gift, we have some ideas for you! Helpful books There are lots of helpful books out there that can give graduate students a competitive edge when it comes to writing and publishing, and they make great gifts.Dissertation Help: Creating the Perfect Dissertation Workspace
25th August 2022
I often fantasize about my perfect office. It would be at the top of a tall building, and my desk would be in front of a window with a great view.Dissertation Help: Finding Resources on Your Campus
25th August 2022
As a graduate student, you may have access to more resources on your campus than you realize. When I was in graduate school, it took me a long time to discover all of the campus services that were really at my disposal, and many of them ended up providing me with a great deal of dissertation help and other kinds of assistance.Conferences, Part 1: Presenting Your Dissertation Research at a Graduate Conference
25th August 2022
When you're writing your dissertation, it's often the only thing on which you have time to focus. Attending academic conferences and presenting papers or posters may seem like nothing more than a distraction from your dissertation writing, editing, and formatting.Finding a Mentor During Graduate School
25th August 2022
Graduate school can be a challenging endeavor, and having a mentor who is accessible, knowledgeable, and helpful can make all the difference.Formatting Friday #1: The Importance of Proper Formatting
25th August 2022
Welcome to our new blog series, Formatting Friday! Every Friday, we’ll be looking at a topic in formatting.Formatting Friday: The Chicago Manual of Style
25th August 2022
Another one of the main types of formatting styles used by our clients is Chicago, or The Chicago Manual of Style, abbreviated as CMoS or CMS.Thoughtful Thursday: Juggling Graduate School, Work, and Parenting
25th August 2022
We know many of you are not only working (whether it’s full- or part-time) and going to graduate school, but you’re also juggling family responsibilities.Plagiarism: What it Is, and How to Avoid It
25th August 2022
One of the most common inquiries we get from graduate students is whether we can check for plagiarism; another common type of email is that of a student wanting us to go over the TurnItIn report and “fix” the plagiarism that was found.Formatting Friday: Turabian
25th August 2022
Kate L. Turabian was the dissertation secretary at the graduate school at the University of Chicago from 1930 – 1958, in addition to being the editor of official publications of the University.Thoughtful Thursday: Anxiety about Writing
25th August 2022
Anxiety during graduate school is normal, and a small amount of anxiety can actually be healthy. However, if it starts interfering with work, daily routine, or mood, it can be a sign of a problem.Formatting Friday: ASA Basics
25th August 2022
ASA (American Sociological Association) style is typically used in the field of sociology to help students and authors prepare papers and manuscripts for ASA journals and other publications.Thoughtful Thursday: 5 Tips for Stress Reduction
25th August 2022
We’ve done a post on self-care tips, and though this one might overlap a bit, with finals and the end of the semester coming up, having plenty of tools in your toolbox to cope with stress is never a bad thing.Thoughtful Thursday: Aromatherapy
25th August 2022
Most of us have had the experience of smelling something and having an associated, instinctual response – for instance, the smell of chocolate chip cookies reminding you of coming in from playing in the snow and sitting down to a plate of freshly baked cookies; the smell of a cooked meal similar to one your grandmother used to make, bringing you a feeling of comfort, or maybe even making you tear up a little; or even the smell of a medical facility, reminding you of an unpleasant experience.Tips for Summertime Dissertation Motivation
25th August 2022
The summer is (finally) sneaking up on us – barbeques, longer days full of sunshine and swimming and relaxing, and plans with family and friends.Scholarly Writing: Words and Phrases to Avoid in Your Dissertation
25th August 2022
Academic writing is much different than writing for the general population, and it can take some time to get acclimated.Thoughtful Thursday: Slowing Down
25th August 2022
The summertime invites a slower pace, bare feet, and lounging around, but when you’ve got a dissertation or thesis to finish, slowing down is the last thing you feel like doing! We understand that – but sometimes, even slowing down for part of each day can be beneficial to recharge your soul and “reboot” your motivation.Dissertation Writing: Commonly Misused Words
25th August 2022
Writing well is hard, no doubt about it. English can be confusing, especially if it's not your first language.Formatting Friday: Introduction to OSCOLA
25th August 2022
We don’t get requests for this formatting style often, but we’ve gotten it enough times to think it warrants a mention: OSCOLA, or the Oxford Standard for Citation of Legal Authorities.Thoughtful Thursday: Yoga Apps and Videos
25th August 2022
With summertime upon us, it can be a great time to start a new fitness routine (if you have any doubts about your physical ability to do an activity, or have any physical issues, check with your doctor before beginning any exercise routine).Formatting Friday: Putting Tables into your Dissertation
25th August 2022
Visual aids like tables and figures can provide the reader with necessary information quickly and clearly, but if you have too many unnecessary tables or figures, they can interrupt the flow of the paper and become an annoying distraction to the reader.How to Increase Your Productivity
25th August 2022
We’ve all heard people talking about being morning people or night owls – and with that, comes varying differences in productive times for different people.Dissertation Writing Tips: Tightening up Your Academic Writing
25th August 2022
When editors write things like “tighten this up!” or talk about “tightening up” during a consultation, they’re not referring to physical fitness! Tightening up a piece of writing, whether it’s academic or creative, means cutting the excess, streamlining the ideas, and getting to the point.Dissertation Writing Tips: How to Improve and Strengthen Your Writing
25th August 2022
Nathaniel Hawthorne once said “Easy reading is damn hard writing.” He was right, of course. Good writing takes time and practice, and even if you have a natural inclination toward writing, it’s still not easy.Thoughtful Thursday: The Benefits of Music
25th August 2022
Anyone who’s ever exercised or runs knows that music can be a big motivator. A long run can feel a lot shorter when you have the right music playing on your headphones, and even a night out dancing can fly by if there’s a great soundtrack.Research: Literature Review vs Annotated Bibliography
25th August 2022
During graduate school, and especially while you’re working on your dissertation, you’ll probably hear the terms “annotated bibliography” and “literature review” tossed around a lot.Common Writing Mistakes by Non-Native English Speakers
25th August 2022
We’ve worked with hundreds of clients for whom English isn’t their first language, and we know how confusing English can be, even for native speakers.Dissertation Research Tips: Choosing a Topic
25th August 2022
Some people go into their doctoral program with a clear idea of what they want to study and never waver from it; others have a vague sense of what they want their topic to be, and then fine-tune it; still others go in with some idea, and then end up focusing on a completely different topic altogether.Dissertation Writing Tips: How to Paraphrase
25th August 2022
Avoiding plagiarism is a central focus when you’re writing your dissertation, and part of that involves paraphrasing the research you read.Dissertation Writing Tips: Writing Transitions
25th August 2022
Many clients come to Dissertation Editor with notes from the professor that say “choppy,” or they’re told that their ideas need to flow better.Thoughtful Thursday: Beating the Mid-Semester Slump
25th August 2022
It’s mid-October, and the semester is halfway over. You’ve gotten into a routine, you know what your professors expect of you, and things are moving forward.Organizing Your Dissertation: A Reverse Outline
25th August 2022
You’re probably familiar with using an outline to help plan your thesis or dissertation, but what about a reverse outline? A reverse outline is usually used to check your work.4 Ways a Professional Editor Can Help Save You Time and Money
25th August 2022
We get it – as a graduate student, you don’t have a ton of disposable income, and so you’re careful about how you spend your money.Study Skills Tips
25th August 2022
Let me guess: you looked at the blog topic and thought, study skills? CLEARLY, I know how to study and study well; I wouldn’t have made it to graduate school if I didn’t.The Benefits of Journaling in Graduate School
25th August 2022
When was the last time you journaled? For many of us, it was as angsty teens, or kids who kept a diary.New Year's Resolutions for Graduate Students
25th August 2022
Happy New Year! It’s tradition for many people to make resolutions at the start of the new year, but so many times they fall by the wayside by the time January ends.When Do I Need to Do a Power Analysis?
25th August 2022
You have your dissertation topic, fleshed out your research questions, and have a plan in place for your target study population and how you’re going to collect your data.Selecting Your Dissertation Committee
25th August 2022
Choosing your dissertation or thesis committee is perhaps one of the most difficult but important decisions you will have to make as a graduate student.Why Reading Widely Is So Important
25th August 2022
If you talk with any professional writer, at some point they will likely tell you that if you’re interested in becoming a writer, you need to read.How an Academic Bullet Journal Can Help with your Dissertation Work
25th August 2022
By now, you’ve probably heard of bullet journals, or BuJos. We even posted this article about their use with dissertation work and academia from Inside Higher Education on our Facebook page.The Importance of Proofreading
25th August 2022
During the dissertation writing process, we get a lot of clients who are aware of the value of editing, rewriting, and revising, but did you know that a final proofread is just as important as the initial editing, if not more so? When we work with a client, after the editing process (both line and then copy) is over and the client thinks they have the finished product ready to go, we will often suggest a final proofread and format order.Acing Your Dissertation Defense
25th August 2022
After you turn in your dissertation, you will have a defense. The actual format can vary among disciplines and schools, but, in general, it’s a one to two hour event in which you “defend” your work, answer questions, or present your findings to your committee and colleagues.Happy Pi Day!
25th August 2022
Happy Pi Day! While we love pie here at Dissertation Editor (and let’s be real, who doesn’t), we also love pi – especially our stats team.How Close Reading Can Help Your Academic Writing
25th August 2022
In the book Reading Like a Writer, Francine Prose examines the link between reading and writing, and how reading informs writing, and vice versa.Great Podcasts for Graduate Students
25th August 2022
There are all sorts of tools to help you with your graduate school journey: books, websites, blogs, and…podcasts? Yup, podcasts! For those of you who love being able to listen to podcasts while at the gym, on your commute, or while you’re relaxing, now you can listen to a podcast that will help you navigate graduate school and any questions you have about a whole range of topics for grad school and even beyond! First, the basics: what is a podcast, for the uninitiated? It’s generally a series of episodes of audio files, like a digital serial radio show, almost.The Importance of Fact-Checking and Understanding Your Research
25th August 2022
Recently, the author Naomi Wolf learned – on-air, no less – that a major premise of her book is based on a misunderstanding.Podcasts for Writing
25th August 2022
Are you a podcast-listener? We’ve talked about podcasts for graduate students before, but as you know, whatever you’re interested in, there’s a podcast for that! Here are some that may be helpful in writing your dissertation – and writing in general, too.Making the Most out of Summer During Graduate School
25th August 2022
Summer is here and your instinct might be to kick back and relax and do as little work as possible on your thesis or dissertation – after all, you want to actually enjoy your summer, right? Well…yes and no.Podcasts for Math, Statistics, and Data Analysis
25th August 2022
Do you listen to podcasts? Do you want to learn more about math or statistics? This post is for you! It’s also for those of you who may not necessarily love statistics and numbers (hey, it’s not for everyone), but want to learn more or need some clarification.Happy Birthday Harry Potter!
25th August 2022
It’s July 31st! In addition to being a sign that the summer is winding down, it’s also Harry Potter’s birthday! Yup, he will be 39 years old this year, and the Harry Potter world of Hogwarts has been part of our cultural fabric for more than 20 years now, if you can believe it.Maintaining Your Motivation This Summer
25th August 2022
It is mid-summer and many of you might have had some plans in mind for your academic work. There's still time! Whether you’re planning on knocking out a rough draft of a chapter or two of your dissertation, making some headway with your research, or even just wanting to get to a reading list of yours, it can be hard to find the motivation to actually do it.How to Beat Back-to-School Nerves
25th August 2022
If you’ve been in any store lately, you know it’s just around the corner: back-to-school time! You can’t escape the school sales, kids stocking up on clothing and school supplies, and that oh-so-familiar smell of new notebooks, paper, and the memory of the thrill of choosing just the right backpack and lunch box.Back-to-School Necessities for the Graduate Student
25th August 2022
Summer is winding down and going back to school is on the horizon. If you have children, you’ve likely gotten their class lists and are stocking up on supplies – but what about you? Yes, you! Just because you're a graduate student, it doesn't mean you don't need any school supplies.Want to Combat Stress or Burnout? Get Outside!
25th August 2022
As graduate school looms in the not-so-distant future, you might be a little anxious about starting or going back to your graduate program or stressed out about your dissertation or thesis.Dealing With Math Anxiety
25th August 2022
Math anxiety is real and quite common. Many graduate students dread their Statistics class or shy away from data-driven projects.Dissertation Editor: What We Do
25th August 2022
The school year is getting underway and Dissertation Editor is ready to help! Our name might have the word “dissertation” in it, but did you know that we aren’t just for dissertations or theses? That’s right! We offer a range of services for both students and professionals, at every stage of your career.Writing 1000 Words a Day (or 750, or 500...)
25th August 2022
Did our blog headline get your attention? Great! We thought it would. Too good to be true, you might be asking? Nope.Academic Writing Tips: How to Declutter Your Writing
25th August 2022
It’s important to get words down on the page. Without it, you don’t have a thesis or dissertation.Dealing With Burnout
25th August 2022
The term “burnout” gets thrown around a lot, but do you know what it really means? Burnout is defined as a state of chronic stress leading to physical and emotional exhaustion, cynicism, detachment, and feeling ineffective and unaccomplished.Keeping a Research Journal
25th August 2022
We’ve discussed academic bullet journaling and how it can help you in a previous blog post, but what about keeping a research journal? While bullet journaling keeps a record of your deadlines and schedules, a research journal is different.What Can You Do with a Dissertation Editor Gift Card?
25th August 2022
The holidays are coming up, and sometimes it’s not easy to figure out what to get friends or family members.Academic New Year's Resolutions for 2019
25th August 2022
It’s a new year! It’s that time when people make resolutions…and often break them. We did a post like this last year, which you can read here.Submitting Your Dissertation or Thesis to ProQuest
25th August 2022
After your final revisions are complete, your manuscript has been edited, and you are completely finished with your thesis or dissertation, you’ll upload your manuscript to ProQuest.Maintaining Your Motivation During Winter Time
25th August 2022
It’s the middle of winter, and in many parts of the country, the temperatures have dropped and snow may be on the ground.Books to Read for Black History Month
25th August 2022
February is Black History Month. This originated as “Negro History Week,” which historian Carter G.Celebrate Pi Day!
25th August 2022
Ah, Pi Day – no, not PIE day, although we’d love that, too – but Pi Day, a day in which math lovers everywhere celebrate the wonder that is pi, the mathematical constant typically known as 3.Choosing Credible Sources
25th August 2022
In this day and age, we are lucky to have a surplus of scholarly information at our fingertips. No more are the hours of paging through card catalogs or scrolling through microfiche.How Do You Know if You Have the Right Dissertation/Thesis Topic?
25th August 2022
Many people spend a lot of time wondering how to choose a thesis or dissertation topic, but how do you know when you have the right one? Well, it can be different for everyone, including how you define “the right topic,” but there are a few ways to know you’ve picked a good topic.National Library Week!
25th August 2022
It’s National Library Week (4/19-4/25) – a time to celebrate the libraries in your life. Libraries serve the needs of their communities, whether it’s a busy undergrad university, a small charter school, a research institution, an inner-city neighborhood, or a graduate school.April is D.E.A.R. Month
25th August 2022
Do you remember DEAR (Drop Everything And Read)? In elementary school, there would be DEAR time, and we’d all stop the lesson and take out a book and have quiet time to read.Academics in the time of COVID-19
25th August 2022
If you attend an in-person undergraduate or graduate program, you most likely have been affected by school closures, due to the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.Working from Home with Kids During COVID-19
25th August 2022
Working from home can be challenging enough if you’re not used to it, whether it’s for your job or working on your dissertation or thesis.Self-Care During COVID-19
25th August 2022
It’s always important to practice self-care, but it is especially important during graduate school and while you’re working on your thesis or dissertation.Dissertation Research Help: How to Read a Scholarly Article
25th August 2022
When you're doing dissertation research and preparing your literature review, you will likely need to read many scholarly articles.
Commencement Speeches That Will Inspire You
25th August 2022
Graduation season is approaching, and schools often get leaders in various fields to give commencement addresses.
Dr. Roda's Recent Trip to USF!
25th August 2022
There are a lot of wonderful things going on here at Dissertation Editor, and we wanted to share some with you, our blog readers.
Finding and Maintaining your Motivation during the Dissertation Process
25th August 2022
Most people writing a dissertation have heard the comparisons to a “marathon, not a sprint.” While that’s not wrong, sometimes that’s not entirely helpful, either.
Formatting Friday: Intro to American Medical Association formatting
25th August 2022
Many clients of ours are working on scholarly articles for health or medical journals, and sometimes these journals specify that they require AMA style.
Formatting Friday: The Background on Bluebook
25th August 2022
While the majority of our clients use APA style or Chicago/Turabian (don't worry, we’ll get to that style on the blog, we promise!), we have a considerable client base that uses Bluebook style for formatting.
How Long Is the Average Dissertation?
25th August 2022
If you're visiting Dissertation-Editor.com, chances are that you’re beginning, working on, or finishing your dissertation.
Motivational Quotes to Help Fuel your Writing
25th August 2022
There’s no doubt about it, writing can be hard. Often we just need a little extra motivation to jump start our creativity or give us a push to help get us over the latest hurdle.
Pi Day is Here!
25th August 2022
Happy Pi Day! What is Pi Day, you ask? Pi Day is celebrated on March 14, or 3/14. (It also happens to be Albert Einstein’s birthday, ironically).
Thoughtful Thursday: Books About Science that Everyone Should Read
25th August 2022
It’s the tail end of winter break for many of you, and hopefully you've been able to take at least some time off from writing and research and enjoy some free time, get some sleep, get outside and play in the snow, or do some “pleasure reading.
Thoughtful Thursday: Self-Care
25th August 2022
You’ve probably heard about self-care – it’s a common buzzword these days. At its most basic, self-care is simply taking care of yourself – both your body and mind.
Choosing a Theoretical Framework
15th February 2021
Without a theoretical framework, your dissertation can come across as unfocused and unmoored – as if you’re floundering for rationale.
How Failure Can Help You Succeed
11th January 2021
There was an article going around about a PhD candidate who defended her dissertation wearing a skirt made out of rejection letters she’d gotten during her doctoral program: scholarship rejections, journal rejections, grant rejections, conference rejections, and more.
Dealing with Feedback
25th August 2020
This blog post might be difficult to read. That isn't a bad thing! Receiving feedback can be uncomfortable, but what you do with the feedback is important.
