There are no clear instructions on “where to start”, but the experienced authors recommend starting to work on the doctoral thesis with the content, leaving the introduction and conclusion for last. This is explained by the fact that during the research the goals and objectives can change.

Write the doctoral thesis in electronic format

It will help you to save time and edit the blocks of text easier. There is another psychological trick: the printed text is easier to criticize and correct. You don’t associate it with yourself and your work. So, it is easier to define the inconsistencies and mistakes you wouldn’t notice in the hand-written draft.

Moreover, electronic format makes it easier to correct the input parameters of the text– for example, make the fields broader for the first edit of the academic advisor and reduce them after making comments. The same applied to the new sections or paragraphs – they can be easily included in the table of contents.

The paper draft may get lost, while the electronic file will still be here. But don’t forget to make the relevant copy of the document from time to time and save it on the portable data medium.

Another strong argument “for” the electronic drafts is the constant change of texts and chapters during writing the separate sections. It can result in the situation where the finished dissertation doesn’t correspond the original goals and theme of work. If require the fundamental change of several chapters, it is much easier to make in electronic format instead of rewriting the chapter by hand. If you work with a computer, you will consider such edits as work moments, while if you write it by hand, any editing of the big block will be seen as punishment. Avoid such moral and emotional overloads and keep in mind your goal– to finish the objective and complete scientific study, and not to “get yourself killed” and lose interest in the scientific activity as such.

Stick to the recommended length of chapters: 5-8 pages for introduction and conclusion, and 50 for the literature review and conclusions, and the rest of the work include the methods and description of research. Control the quality of the written text you’ve already written so that you don’t have to cut your work. The bibliographic list and annexes aren’t included in the volume of dissertation and aren’t limited to the recommendations for the size.

Focus on the work

Perhaps, this is the most important recommendation: only keeping the positive mood and concentration at the time of writing the doctoral dissertation, you can meet the reasonable deadline. An optimal time frame for the preparation of the first (rough) draft or dissertation is two to three months (if you already have the research materials). To meet the deadline, avoid the minor stressors that can change your mood or confuse you. Don’t get distracted even by the (seemingly) short conversations with your family or social networks. After that, it will be quite difficult to get back to work, which again means a waste of time. Try to write chapter by chapter, without interrupting your work, until the full section is ready.

It takes at least 2-3 months to write the doctoral dissertation (if you have the research materials). However, it often happens that this work lasts for years. Keep this in mind, planning your time and efforts, or order the dissertation from our professionals.