What is internal validity? The validity of a research study refers to how well the results among study participants represent the reality of similar individuals outside the study. Internal validity is the extent to which the results of a study represent the reality in the population you are studying and Read more…
One of the most important sentences in your dissertation is the Specific Purpose Statement. It’s not just a sentence – it’s a statement that captures everything your study is about. Together with the Problem Statement and Research Questions, it guides the entirety of your research. It may be a small Read more…
Everybody knows external validity is important. With it, you’ll soar to the heights of research applicability. Without it, you’ll barely make it off the ground. But… what exactly is it? Fear not: if you’re confused about what external validity is and how to achieve it, you’re in the right place. Read more…
Population and sample are important concepts to understand when doing research. While people sometimes use the two terms interchangeably, they each have specific meanings. If you understand the difference from the start, you will save yourself time, headaches, and maybe even snide comments. You’ll move forward faster and thus save Read more…
While getting gifts for dissertation committee members is not traditional, but it’s becoming more of the norm these days. If done properly, it can be a good way to say thank you to your committee members. However, getting gifts for dissertation committee members is a fine line to walk. You Read more…
As much as your dissertation may have been a battle, and as much as members of your committee may have seemed unreasonable at times, their ultimate goal was to help you be a better researcher and finish your degree. They were your allies. So when you do finish, a strong Read more…
If you’re curious about how to be a good PhD student, this article is a good place to start. As a professor for over 30 years, much of that as a Dissertation Committee Chair, I’ve watched many students navigate the PhD process–some better than others. Here’s my advice for how Read more…
Life of a PhD student? Hell. That about sums it up. Okay, that’s not a very satisfying answer. Nor is it completely true. Life as a PhD student doesn’t always feel like hell. It does sometimes, but it’s also an exhilarating and rewarding time to explore your area of interest Read more…
Many PhD students believe that turning their dissertation into a book is a great idea. I’ve even run into some people who are counting on recouping some of the costs of their program by turning their dissertation into a book and selling it. The first question I ask them is, Read more…
We recently had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Brittne Martin, founder of Doctoral Mom. Doctoral Mom began as a Facebook group intended to provide support to mothers in doctoral programs. It has since grown beyond the limits of social media into a community of 1,000+ mothers pursuing their doctoral degrees. Read more…